Mission Accomplished

This blog post is going to be a little short because I'm super tired and have a migraine, but I just had to say real quick- I LOVE my life!!! I have always firmly believed this, but it has been confirmed even more so lately that we have a loving Father in Heaven and no matter what religion you are, if you believe in Him and sincerely pray, He hears and answers our prayers. I love Him and am so grateful for everything He has seen fit to bless me with. I was walking around BYU the other day or maybe it was today (long days lately ;) just thinking to myself- I GO TO BYU!!!! and just thanking my Father in Heaven that I do! I love that I get to go to school every day and sit there and have some expert basically pour knowledge into my head (I wish I could remember everything), but I truly am so grateful for it!!
Then I thought about my roommates and how they're every bit as weird as I am (this is a rarity) and how I could seriously sit there for hours and laugh until tears are coming out and my stomach hurts and have serious talks and they UNDERSTAND what I'm talking about!!! They listen to me for endless hours and never ask me to just be quiet!! How in the world am I so blessed to have such great friends who also are my roommates. (I also love all my friends who are not my roommates ps and feel the same about them!!)
And then I thought about my jobs and how fun it is and how I live in Provo and how much I love that, I have a lot to say, but I'll stop here because my quick post is turning into a not-so-quick post, anywho, I just wanted to say I know that all of these things are put in my life by my Heavenly Father and that He puts things such as this in everyone's lives because of how He feels about them and when He temporarily withholds them, it is also because He loves them and has things they can learn from them.
And for the mission accomplished part... so if you have ever been to University Gold's gym in Orem, you probably have noticed these... the floor is grey and then as you walk out of the doors of the rooms its a step that gradually goes up and blends into the floor. So, here's my story... pretty sure EVERY time I am at the gym here is what happens.... So, you know the area with all the weights and machines? Well I never venture into there because I feel awkward so I go into the other room where boys aren't allowed- I know, I'm mature ;), anyway, I walk to the drinking fountain to fill up my water bottle and to get there you have to walk past this weight area- I always feel so awkward because everyone just looks up and stares at you- not because they think I'm attractive or anything, but because I'm in their area and there are few things I really dislike more than being the center of attention, therefore, to avoid all this awkwardness, I just keep my eyes straight forward so I don't have to make eye contact with anyone (brilliant, I know), however, I always somehow forget about this little step and as I'm calmly walking, careful not to make eye contact- BOOM I trip over this thing- but people can't tell what you're tripping over because it BLENDS INTO THE FLOOR PEOPLE!!! Then I have to face the decision, do I pretend like nothing happened and I meant to do that? Or do I laugh a little to myself? (I do about half and half), anyway, Monday, I am pretty sure was the first day EVER that I did not trip over the little grey step. You may now be very excited for me because I surely was when I realized this- anyway- good night- so much for a short post- and sorry again for the many words- I need to learn to start taking pictures, there will be no document I lived haha anyway- night.

Let Us Be Men

This video was so sweet. What a wonderful example of a husband and Father.

Thanksgiving weekend recap

What a great weekend! My brother and his darling family came out to visit us for Thanksgiving. Have you ever seen While You Were Sleeping and My Big Fat Greek Wedding? Well my family is a combination of the two and I absolutely love it. When my whole family gets together we talk from the time we wake up and see another human in the house until we fall asleep and in between the talking we laugh like until our stomachs hurt and tears are coming out kinda laugh and we eat. Everyone is talking at the same time and there are about 50 different conversations going on yet somehow everyone knows exactly what is being said and can turn to one side and laugh at the funny story then turn to the other side and give their opinion on the serious conversation- if you know me very well you probably know I'm not really one fight for the floor or talk in large groups of people so my favorite part of all this is to sit back and just listen to the buzzing of everyone talking and laugh at all the funny things I hear once in a while if I really want to say something I'll raise my hand-literally... Some reading this would say it sounds like chaos- it is. Some would say it sounds wonderful- it is. But most of all, to me- it's home. Home has never been a quiet place for me and I love it because it's my home. Wow- that was a really long tangent- my apologies- but not really because you chose to read it ;) So here's the quick recap...
They came in Saturday but everything didn't really start until Wednesday because I didn't get home from work and school until about 7:30 Tuesday night. Wednesday is our cooking day so all day we just baked. Typically I help cook almost everything but this year I decided I wanted to try new pie crust recipes and it took up most of my time so I spent the majority of the baking time with pie crusts- which if you know me super well, you also probably know I have the attention span of a squirrel. Needless to say, with my 2 favorite nephews running around everywhere, I got distracted a lot and chased them and played hide and go seek and and had tickle wars. It was great. So, for the pies we used an olive oil crust for the coconut pie- it was disgusting- never try it if you like the people you're feeding it to. For the pumpkin, we had a butter almond crust- that was delicious- the recipe is here. Scroll down to the all butter crust almond recipe. Then...drumroll.... for the final one and my personal favorite of the year, THE APPLE PIE!!! We used my aunt's incredible recipe that she uses in the pies she bakes and sells for a business that her and her son started. This is their link. I tell you, they are the most incredible pies- I think about them all the time!! And for the crust we used a buttermilk crust. Everyone was in love with this pie. So after all the baking we had family pics (I will post all the pics once I retrieve them and the rest of the pics from the weekend!)

Wednesday night we went to the Muppets movie (it was opening night- we're dorks but just go with it cuz it's cool). IT WAS SO GOOD- I LOVED IT!!!! But before the movie, I took my four year old nephew outside to see the reindeer because he has an attention span like mine so we get along well :) and a dad holding his kid came up to me and smiled and asked if this was my little guy. It took me aback a little. I smiled and told him no, it's my nephew, but it got me thinking- my whole life I've been really scared of marriage and having children. I have felt ready for marriage lately- still scared of it, but I know when I find the right one, God will give me a calm assurance and I will know that it will be ok, but children I am excited for and can't wait to be a mom, but haven't wanted to start my family for at least 3-4 years because I can barely keep myself alive much less a baby! But when he said that, I felt more ready. I felt so excited and my heart yearned for little children that are my own that my husband and I love and take care of and that I can run around the house having nerd gun wars with. I was really grateful for this experience because it felt like a tender mercy from Heavenly Father just gently letting me know my heart is ready and I am ready and when the time is right I'll be able to do it and be a great mom.

Thursday me and the boys went on a run then we continued prepping for dinner then we ate and ate and ate.

Friday we lazed around all day then went to Temple Square and Deseret Book for my Dad's book signing of his newly published book Jacob T. Marley. It's also available at Costco and on amazon and a bunch more places that I can't remember right now. It was so fun and I'm so proud of my Dad for following his promptings and aspirations to write this book- it is a phenomenal book. Then when we all came home finished 17 Miracles which we had been chipping away at the whole week. This movie was incredible. I am one of those annoying people who unless it's a super hero movie or chick flick I will talk to you the entire time or fall asleep, so unfortunately this was my third time watching the movie, but this time I paid attention and I LOVED it. It filled my heart with such gratitude and sorrow. Gratitude because of the selflessness of these people to give so much and the incredible faith they had and sorrow because of my selfishness- as I watched, I thought of some of the things I complain about (like how cold it is with my 4 layers of clothing on as I take the 7 minute walk to campus, boys, weight, etc. and I thought how in the world do I have the nerve?! I have so much- I should never find a reason to complain- life is better than I ever dreamed it cold be.

Saturday my brother and his family packed up and we drove them to the airport- when we dropped them off I just held my nephew and cried. I didn't want them to leave and I hate saying goodbye to people I love- especially because I only get to see them 2 times per year. I really hope whoever I marry does not go on a lot of business trips because that would be so hard to say goodbye to someone that dear to you a few times a month. Anyway, there's my weekend- sorry for the painfully long post with no pics, but I had a lot to say :)

Men's Hearts Shall Fail Them

I love this! I especially love the part where he says people fear because "they forget their identity and their purpose". I truly believe that. If we are doing everything right in our lives we never need to fear. I have been pretty overwhelmed thinking I have NO idea what I will be doing at this time next year. I was explaining to my Dad that nothing in my life is constant or set in stone right now, but then I stopped myself and said except for the gospel. What a blessing to have that be constant- what a blessing to know I may not know anything else about my life, but I know as long as I continue giving my all to the Lord He has a plan for me and if I continue putting one step in front of the other, He will guide me and I will end up at the destination He has planned for me and what a comfort to know I will be blissfully happy in that plan because He wants more for me than I ever could have imagined.

childhood dreams fulfilled and awkward moments

Anyone in my family would tell you my little obsession with Pocahontas. One day when I was little I told my Dad I was pretty sure I was turning into her and that my skin was turning brown- I knew all the songs and would sing along and still kinda wish I could be her ;) anyway, on Friday, my dreams came true... me and my friends all dressed up like pilgrims and indians and had a Thanksgiving feast. It was so much fun. There was much laughing, eating, snowball-fighting, picture-taking, and dancing. Here is a picture from that night. Ps: I have this talent of taking shockingly horrific pictures. All my friends told me I look like a dead fish in this pic. and sadly, I must agree but do not fret, someday with a lot of practice, you MIGHT be able to take as bad of pictures as me- just don't get your hopes up.

And this one, is one of my favorites...please take note of the variety of faces hahaha

Now, for last night, we had a bridal shower for a good friend at work. After reading one of my favorites blogs, I decided to make a chocolate angel nut pie. It was a hit and let's just say I will most definitely be trying out more of her recipes in the future. I didn't have time for this but the next time I make it, I'm going to make little toffee chunks to sprinkle on top. Below is a picture of it for your personal enjoyment. The chocolate drizzles on top are supposed to be in neat lines, but I thought I would make it look more artistic, so I got a fork full of chocolate and flung it all over the pie- I was so excited for my creative twist, but then the finished product just looked like I had been running with a spoon full of chocolate and happened to trip and it landed on top of my pie :( oh well it'll look prettier next time!

Last, but not least, I had to leave you on a delightfully awkward note... So, for me, walking at the gym is always a little uncomfortable. You have to  walk past all the meat heads to get to the drinking fountain then stand there forever while you fill up your water bottle, so I typically stand up straight and walk right past them but keep my eyes glued forward so I don't make any eye-contact. Also, the floor is grey, but right as you walk out of the doors to from the classes the floor is slightly raised, but you can't see it because it doesn't change color and it gradually blends into the floor. Anyway, almost every time without fail when I have to walk past them I am working very hard on not making eye contact and giving off the "please don't talk to me" vibe when I forget about the grey thing and trip over it and then you have to make the decision "do I pretend like I didn't notice and just keep walking? or do I laugh and keep walking?" I typically do half and half- anyway- watch out for the camouflage raise in the floor and hope you have a fantastic Thanksgiving!!!

"Tomorrow Never Comes"

I remember being really little and sitting in the conference center for my church and listening to a general authority from my church speak. I cannot remember who was speaking nor what they were speaking about- I have tried looking it up and cannot find the talk but all I remember is they said, "tomorrow never comes". As a little girl this made me think so hard, "how could tomorrow never come?", but then I understood and it has been a phrase that has come back to me a lot throughout my life whenever I try to postpone anything. This is not the talk that it was from but I am assuming he must have been quoting this poem in his talk. I found this in one of my classes and was so excited. I love this and believe everything it says. I want to try harder to use my time more wisely and try so hard everyday so that I can say at the end of each day that I gave my all. Enjoy the poem :)

Today

Today is here. I will start with a smile, and resolve to be agreeable. I will not criticize. I refuse to waste my valuable time.

Today has one thing in which I know I am equal with others—Time. All of us draw the same salary in seconds, minutes, hours—24 Golden Hours each day.

Today I will not waste my time, because the minutes I wasted yesterday are as lost as a vanished thought.

Today I refuse to spend time worrying about what might happen. I am going to spend my time making things happen.

Today I am determined to study to improve myself, for tomorrow I may be wanted, and I must not be found lacking.

Today I am determined to do things I should do. I firmly resolve to stop doing the things I should not do.

Today I begin by doing and not wasting my time. In one week I will be miles beyond the person I am today.

Today I will not imagine what I would do if things were different. They are not different. I will make a success with what material I have.

Today I will stop saying, "If I had time," for I never will "find time" for anything—if I want time I must take it.

Today I will act toward other people as though this might be my last day on earth. I will not wait for tomorrow. Tomorrow never comes.

Elder John Longden (Assistant to the 12 Apostles) Conference Report, Apr. 1966, 39; or Improvement Era, June 1966, 512

Thankful Thursday

First off, there may be a few things you noticed about the title... a) it's really cheesy and b) it's not Thursday. Don't fret- I have great explantations for both...a) I don't really care that it's cheesy- I like that stuff and b) I wrote a great post on Thursday and accidentally deleted it when I tried to insert a picture, then I tried to rewrite it and left my computer on too long and it got deleted :( so now I'm back 3 days later rewriting what I can remember of my Thursday post :) Lots of bloggers have one day a week where they do some random tradition post, this is going to be mine (that is if I remember haha), so here it goes :) I am thankful for many things but I'm only going to address 5 in these Thursday posts otherwise my fingers could get tired of typing and your eyes could get tired of reading things like I'm grateful for sunshine haha.
1) My Heavenly Father

I am so grateful that our Heavenly Father loves us enough to give the ultimate sacrifice -His Son. I am so grateful that there is a way provided to make it back to our Heavenly Father if we take advantage of it. I am also so grateful for prayer- I am so grateful that we can contact our Father in Heaven at any time of the day and He will be there listening if we are praying sincerely.
2) My Papa

My Dad is so great at listening and giving advice without favoring any side or being too opinionated. He is so patient with me and so willing to help. He came and picked me up from school on Thursday because I needed to talk to him and needed help with some things. I am so grateful for him and his influence in my life
3) THE SEASONS!!

I know I complain a ridiculous amount about the cold, but I really do love the seasons, especially if I have layers and layers on for the cold ones! There is not a season that I do not enjoy or think is beautiful- I love walking along campus and just staring at all the pretty trees and the way the leaves look on the sidewalk under the tree and the sound they make when I run in them and kick my feet (yes, I do do this in public- yes, I'm kinda a nerd haha)
4) Friends

These are just a few old pictures of friends I have had over the years- I'm so glad they put up with me and my constant rambling of who knows what and my random bursts of dance moves or weird comments that aren't really that funny but I think are hilarious haha Anyway, friends are great and ps: this picture right above this comment is from the 9th grade night dance haha and two of the other girls are now in my college ward and the other two are married!!!
5) Nice People
I don't have a picture for this one, but I am so grateful for the people who just are randomly nice or give you smiles- I'm sometimes shy when you first meet me or when I am in a large crowd and have no idea what to say and these people just put you right at ease- I'm so grateful for these people.
This post has gone on super long- sorry! Anyway, night haha

The Spirit of God

I just watched this video and just had to share. This is one of my favorite songs. I am so grateful for everything the pioneers went through for us. I love the gospel and I know it's true

Paintings and Book

Aren't these paintings beautiful?! I just finished a paper on them at 3 AM last night (I know- I should be better at getting things done ahead) But I really loved them and kinda enjoyed writing a 5 page paper on the symbolism of them. Doesn't the first one look like a photograph?! I LOVE paintings. Someday, my home will be full of them- I wish I could paint, but I am happy with the other things I can do and I guess I am not willing to invest the time in learning how to be an incredible painter- but I can appreciate it :) Anyway, just had to show you! Ps: I don't really think the first one is beautiful- more intriguing. I love thought provoking things.

Also.... I just finished Jacob T. Marley. It's a book my Dad wrote that Deseret Book published and is featuring for Christmas. Ok, yes, he is my Dad, so naturally I already think he's one of the best people ever, but if my opinion counts for anything it was phenomenal. I LOVE reading and I love Charles Dickens and old classics. This book is the story of what every happened to Jacob Marley in "A Christmas Carol". It's not only interesting, but moving. This book teaches great life lessons and you walk away a better person for reading it- this is truly my favorite kind of book.

Anyway, I better go study for my midterm. Have a phenomenal day!!

Yay!!!

ok, so I was walking on campus today and look what I found....

haha so I know this isn't a very good picture of me, but I just wanted to show you the leaf in comparison to a head!!! Anyway- it made me so excited!!! I love being outside and all of the pretty things and now that I brought my coats back from my parents house I am not so bitter about the cold haha

also, Hallow's Eve...

don't judge- it took a while to get to one good picture haha anyway guess what we are.... Kate is a bird and Ash and I are country songs so pinned all over us are phrases such as: "America", "Lost my dog", etc. Ps: I can do that because country music is one of my favorites and I listen to it non-stop. 

as of late...

So you know those Facebook stories that are a little dramatic? Well, I love them... this one especially. I feel like there is so much pressure as women coming from every area. The world expects us to  be perfectly sexy, funny, career-oriented,  etc. The role of women I feel is often demeaned in the way woman are made fun of and/or treated as objects. In the church this is definitely not the case- I feel honored and valued as a woman and I am very grateful for this. I am grateful that from the time I was little, my church has instilled in me that I am a daughter of God and helped me to see my worth as that. However, sometimes the demands of the world are loud and it is difficult to figure out how to balance everything. This poem/story/ whatever it is is so true and I hope to become the kind of woman that all of this can be said about (not the crying part though).  Ps: I tried to share it to the blog, but I wasn't sure how, so that's why it's just copied and pasted :)  A little boy asked his mother, "Why are you crying?" "Because I'm a woman," she told him. "I don't understand," he said. His Mom just hugged him and said, "And you never will." Later the little boy asked his father, "Why does mother seem to cry for no reason?" "All women cry for no reason," was all his dad could say. The little boy grew up and became a man, still wondering why women cry. Finally he put in a call to God. When God got on the phone, he asked, "God, why do women cry so easily?" God said, "When I made the woman she had to be special. I made her shoulders strong enough to carry the weight of the world, yet gentle enough to give comfort. I gave her an inner strength to endure childbirth and the rejection that many times comes from her children. I gave her a hardness that allows her to keep going when everyone else gives up, and take care of her family through sickness and fatigue without complaining. I gave her the sensitivity to love her children under any and all circumstances, even when her child has hurt her very badly. I gave her strength to carry her husband through his faults and fashioned her from his rib to protect his heart. I gave her wisdom to know that a good husband never hurts his wife, but sometimes tests her strengths and her resolve to stand beside him unfalteringly. And finally, I gave her a tear to shed. This is hers exclusively to use whenever it is needed." "You see my son," said God, "the beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, the figure that she carries, or the way she combs her hair. The beauty of a woman must be seen in her eyes, because that is the doorway to her heart - the place where love resides." Also, this past Tuesday, the President of our church, President Monson, came and spoke to us. Even though school is stressful, I feel so blessed that Heavenly Father helped me to go to the school that I yearned to attend and that at that school we are privileged to hear from someone so special and important to us as a church. Sure things in life can get hard and nothing is ever fully perfect, but I believe that we always have so much to be grateful for that we always have reason to love life no matter what is going on in our lives. ps: sorry this post is a little scatterbrained- I just wanted to say everything on my mind :) pss: on a completely different, un-inspiring note: I am struggling today- my roomie and I ate a lot of gummy worms before I went to work and on my way I looked down and saw gummy worm in my hair- cute, I know ;) Then I got home and was STARVING!!! So, as I was eating my dinner, I dropped it all over myself and my computer- just in case you needed a laugh ;)