Happily Ever After

I've been to a lot of weddings lately. Here are the top 10 reasons why i love weddings:

1. You get to meet new friends like these lovely ladies. We got to hang out with Ashley's little sisters Jenna and Haley. They are so stinking cute!

2. You get to see the beautiful brides! This is my friend McKenna. She was so stunning. :)

3. Families are at weddings! I love when all my family is together. i love them.

4. You get to hang out with your Besties at weddings! i love that.

5. There are usually cute guys lookin' all fly at weddings. Like this cute boy :)

6. Matching bride maids dresses. You know its hott. haha

7. Dancing! I love to dance! My Grandma said it was a miracle i got my grandpa to dance. I always knew he loved me most. :)

8. Catching up with old friends. I love going to weddings and getting to see friends i haven't seen forever.

9. There are always such cute kids at weddings. i love kids. :)

10. Catching the bouquet. Even if it is accidental. haha

I found this picture and it really made me think. I feel like so many times in our lives we think we are the only people who have rough times. The only people who go through hard things. Guess what? EVERYONE does. Everyone has something they feel insecure about. Everyone wishes they could change something about themselves. There is always something in our lives to work on or something to improve. In my health class today we talked about a new mental health issue called Facebook Depression. It is a real thing. People see other people's lives on facebook and think that because people post their best moments, their best pictures, and all the great things that happen to them in their lives, they have perfect lives. We dont see inside the heartbreaks, the pain, or the failures each person faces everyday.

In my life i have always felt like i need to be strong and never show my weaknesses. Growing up as an athlete my motto was "Never let them see you cry". i think i took that into all aspects of my life. If i cried, i was weak. If i showed i was hurt, i was weak. If i let something get to me, i was weak. Well ive come to realize, i am weak. I have my own hard times. I have had my heart broken. i have failed at things that meant the world to me. I have been rejected and ignored. I have given my all, and that wasnt good enough. But its ok. Its ok to admit that hard things happen to everyone. No one on this earth have never felt pain or sorrow. Without pain we would never feel joy. And that joy is so much more sweet when we know what it is like to feel pain. I am grateful for my trials. Each day we become better, stronger people by experiencing the joy but also the pain that comes with life.

I have come to love this quote from Mother Teresa. What an amazing woman. There is a lot we can learn from these words.

People are often unreasonable, irrational, and self-centered. Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives. Be kind anyway.

If you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friends and some genuine enemies. Succeed anyway.

If you are honest and sincere people may deceive you. Be honest and sincere anyway.

What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight. Create anyway.

If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous. Be happy anyway.

The good you do today, will often be forgotten. Do good anyway.

Give the best you have, and it will never be enough. Give your best anyway.

In the final analysis, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway.

And i add, You will have weaknesses and trials. Live life anyway.

I will Never say Never

Ladies and Gentlemen ive been swimming in the water for a long time but i have officially boarded the "Bieber Boat". I paid the $1 to watch Biebs in his movie "Never say Never" and i think i need a doctor cuz i have a fever. Bieber Fever. Now i can say right now i will never buy a poster, t-shirt or write my name with his but i think i am a fan. That kid works hard and has some talent. He is an entertainer. He knows how to work a crowd (of 20,00 teenage girls) and he is funny, he actually has a personality. AND someone didnt find him and try to turn him into a singer, they found a singer and made him into a star.

So why wouldnt someone like Justin? Yes, he sings like a girl, but doenst everyone at age 14? Yes, He has swishy hair, but goodness it gets the girls. Yes, his favorite color is purple and he wears it often, wait, thats not a reason to not like him, that makes me love him more. haha. Now, lets be honest if anyone had the chance to be a multi-million dollar artist, who wouldnt take that opportunity? He has matched records set by incredible artists like Michael Jackson. (He will never be as good but he knows his fan base and works it) i give the boy props. And im not gunna lie if i were 13 years old, id be in love too.

I Love My Life

Well, i officially want to be a blogger. Sometimes there are things i want to say but i feel facebook just isn't the place. So i vow today that i will keep up my blog to the best of my ability. My life is as crazy as ever and i have so much to share. I want to start by introducing the people in my life who have made me who i am and have changed my life. I think i may be here all day. i have been so blessed to have so many people in my life who have changed me for the better.

How could i not start with my wonderful parents. Without a doubt they have been the biggest influence in my life. They have set the example of the kind of person that i want to be. I feel so amazingly blessed everyday to have these wonderful parents. They are so encouraging, supportive and loving. I love how much they love each other and how each one lives the gospel each day. It makes me laugh sometimes to think how their insanely different personalities can mesh together...but they do, and its beautiful. I am grateful for my mother's patience, charity, kindness, and her interest in my life. She is a wonderful friend. I am grateful for my father's hard work, protection, priesthood, and humor. I think i am a even mix between both my mom and dad...i think i need to work on being a little more like my mom, though. :) I thank the Lord each day for my parents and for the examples they have been to me. I hope someday i can be half they parent they have been to me.

My siblings are such a huge part of my life. Each one completes our family and adds their own personality to make everything work . My sister Allyn Ann is definitely next on my list. She is my best friend in the whole world. She is such an example to me. She is hard working and athletic. She is kind and genuine. She is hilarious and sweet. She is always looking for ways she can serve other people.

It amazes me how many things this girl can juggle in her life. This past year was her senior year of high school and there was nothing she couldn't do. The best part is she would never tell you. She was softball and soccer captain, a lead in the school musical, Student Body President, Astra president, a member in every club, plus she's amazing at art and is EVERY ONES friend. (and because im her sister i get to brag) I swear right now that the man who marries this girl is one dang lucky guy. She is absolutely amazing and not just because of her accomplishments. She has the biggest heart and a powerful testimony. She strengthens me everyday. one of my favorite quotes is "I loved you too much to just be your friend, so God let me be your sister." so true.

Next is Aryn. sometimes is scares me how much this girl watches my every move. I pray i can be the example she needs. Aryn has her moments and sometimes i need to be in a different room than her but overall i am very proud of the young woman she is becoming. She has so much to offer but she just doesn't see it yet. She is happy and kind and so good with kids. I am excited to see what happens in her life and the woman she becomes. I love her personality and the fact that i can always make her laugh.

Its been so fun to have a little brother. I just love Braden. Poor little guy has to grow up with 3 big sisters. haha. He is so funny. Everything he says makes me crack a smile. He knows he is funny too which makes it that much more funny. He is an amazing artist. He can draw anything you ask and has such an imagination. I love that Braden has the biggest heart. He wants to love and be loved. I am so excited that i get to see him grow into a young man. He has great things in store for him.

Mike and Timi are next. My relationship with Mike has been kind of a roller coaster. We could not possibly be more different but we are family. We will always stick together. He is so talented. I love to look at his art work. He truly has a great gift. He is hard working, a great football player but most of all i know he is a good husband. I am looking forward for him to have little babies. I think it will change him. And thank heavens he married Timi. She is the best thing that ever happened to that boy. She is smart, witty, and beautiful. It makes me laugh how much Timi and I are alike. She is wonderful and i am so blessed to call her a sister.

Next are my besties. What would i do without these 5 AMAZING girls. Each one has changed my life and made me a better person. Some have been in my life for a short time and others a lot longer but each has made an impression on me that i will never forget.

I will start with my earliest friend. Lari Anne. I love this girl. I do not think i would have survived high school without Lara. She was always there for me and she always up for any adventure. We did the craziest things together and we never got tired of being with each other. I am so glad that throughout the years i have been able to stay close to Lara. She is such an amazing example to me. She has such a strong testimony and knows that she is in charge of her own life and will not let anyone else get in the way of that. I look up to Lara a lot and i am so excited that she is marrying a great man. She truly deserves it.

Next is Ash Renae. What a perfect match, her and i. Even though Ashley and I have only known each other for 3 years and really only spent one year together, i truly feel connected to her. She is so stunning and kind. She is the epitome of a girl. I love that. She is poised and classy. I love being around her because you will never know what voice or hilarious thing will come out of her mouth. She married the amazing Dave Crosby and i love them together. They will have super model offspring and im so excited to be apart of their lives. I am blessed to have Ashley's goodness rub off on me.

Kortney is next. I started out not being a Kortney fan but thank goodness i swallowed my pride and have gotten to know Kortney as one of my greatest friends. She is one of the most loving people i have ever known. She is smart and talented and has an infectious laugh. Kortney is involved in everything and so much fun to be around. She married our friend Peter and they are expecting their first baby. I am so excited for her. Kortney has blessed my life with her goodness and love.

Cristal has become such an important part of my life. She is crazy just like me and that's why it works so well. I think out of all my friends, Cris and I have the most differences, but i think those difference have brought me to love her so deeply. We both have had to set aside our disagreements and learn to love. She is so funny and always looking to serve someone. I love that she will go on dates with me. She is a great date, i see why all the guys want one too. She is an incredible seamstress and my hair will never be the same again. Cristal has a lot of faith and i am grateful to have her in my life. She has taught me more than she will ever know.

Last but not least is Savanna. I can honestly say i do not know what i would do without my Ban. She is my everything. These past few years have been the best years of my whole life and i tribute most of it to Savanna. She is absolutely amazing. She is kind, thoughtful and so ridiculously funny. I can sit with Savanna for hours and never would we ever get bored or tired of each other. We have so much in common and i can honestly say she completes me. I have has SO many incredible memories with Sav and i know we will continue to have more. I think out of everyone on the world, Sav is the only person who truly knows everything about me. She is so gorgeous and full of love. Savanna has changed my life and i am sooo blessed to call her my best friend.

I will never be the same because of the influence of these 6 boys. Each one has been such an important part of my life. Their love has been so important to me and i am so blessed that the Lord has blessed my life with each of their examples.

My longest friend is Leland. I met him my sophomore year of high school. I love this kid. I have fallen in and out of love with him so many times i have lost count but i know that no matter what happens he will always be one of my best friends. He has been there for me through so many of the big things that have happened to me in my life. He has probably brought me the most pain but a lot of the most happiness. I am so grateful for his support and love for me.

Next is Jordan Hale. He is the best friend a girl could ask for. He would sit and cuddle with me for hours and just listen to everything that i could ever want to talk about and he would never get annoyed. Oh how i needed that. He was always ready to do anything and would even paint my nails if i asked. what a friend. He is so funny and always has something to talk about. Jordan would love me no matter what. No matter what i said or did, or how insane i was acting, he still loves me. And that's why i love him.

Next is Salesi. What an amazing man. I am so grateful to have Salesi in my life. He is so loving. He found all the good things about me and would always tell me how much he appreciated them. Every girl needs a friend like that. :) I love Salesi because i love talking to him. He is a good listener and i feel like i can totally be myself and he will still talk to me. He is so fun and considerate. Salesi has blessed my life because he has taught me that i will never settle for less.

Jake is probably next. I am so grateful for the friend Jake has been to me. I have had the incredible opportunity to write Jake his whole mission. Its amazing how much letters can help you get to know a person. I have seen the strength and testimony Jake has through his letters. I love Jake for his honesty and friendship. No matter what happens he is always there for me. He has so much faith and character. He is such a good brother and son. I look up to Jake a lot. He is so kind and i am so blessed that i have Jake's example in my life. He means more to me than he knows.

Terrance will always be my best friend, i don't care what happens. Terrance is the big, cuddly black guy that every girl needs. T has so much going for him. He is smart, athletic, handsome, and so funny. My life goal is to convince him that. T and i have been through a lot and i know that no matter what he will be there for me. He can always make me laugh and i love that he loves me even when im a little crazy. ha. I am so grateful T is always there for me.

Jordan Fuqua is last. I love Jordan because he is who he is no matter what. You can see the light of Christ in his eyes just by the way he lives his life. He is goofy and fun. He is so full of life. He always is up for an adventure and he doesn't care what anyone else thinks about him. I am so grateful for the lessons that Jordan has taught me. He has been such an incredible example to me and is always there for me. He is one the best listeners i have ever met and he always is interested in anything that is going on in my life. I can talk to Jordan about anything. I love him for that.

I thank the Lord each day that he has put people in my life to bless me and make me a better person. I want to thank each person for their goodness and love for me. I am who i am because of them. I know that each one has been put in my life for a reason. I hope i have been an ounce of the friend they have been to me. Each day i see more clearly the Lord's hand in my life and i can say without hesitation, i love my life.

Well its summer time again, and thank goodness. School was wearing on me and i feared that if i had to go much longer i would, A.) explode, B.) freak out and be a not very nice person to everyone around me, or C.) not care anymore and my grades would be horrible and i would be kicked out of school. Its true one of those things would have really happened. So its a very good thing that school ended. However the excitement i feel with school letting out, the same excitement is not there for coming home to Missouri and leaving my friends, singles ward, independence, and life in Provo.

I am grateful to have the time to spend with my family but it is interesting having all the independence i want and then coming home and my life is turned upside down. i have someone to report to and there are children running everywhere asking you questions are telling you things or just screaming at each other right next to you. i don't understand why they insist on coming into whatever room i am and yelling at each other, wouldn't it be the same argument in any other room?

I had an amazing semester. It was different than any i have had in the past. i learned a lot o f new things and learning more about myself and about people in general. i had some of the happiest days and some of the worst days. I experienced trials that i never had before. I even had my heart broken. It was all worth it though. I learned so much and i truly believe i am a better person today because of this past semester at BYU.

Not that i am home in Missouri (Misery), i have a lot i need to do to make this summer worth it. I am working everyday at National Pearl managing shipments. Its a ton of work and i have a lot of responsibilities. I love it though. i get back some of the independence i lost when i moved back into my parents home. I get to work by myself and feel as though im accomplishing something. I have to work hard and effectively. If i mess up my family and our company loses money they we don't have. It gets boring when i sit in a shop all by myslef with a grumpy guy in the next room but i am going to think of rather as a gift. a gift of time. To think and to ponder. To make myself a better person. i can listen to talks on the computer and i can do thinks that are worthy of my time and talents.

I hope that my time this summer is worth it. I know the Lord has sent me home for something. to learn something or teach someone. I hope and pray that i can make a difference in my life and have experiences with my family and the people here in Missouri that will change my life in the years to come. I will probably do either of the three things i mentioned before while here in Missouri, and im already looking forward tot eh fall semester at BYU, but for now im just going to do my best.

oh blogging. Such a strange thing. Writing about our lifes for other people to read or more accurately, stalk. But my logic is, i have ideas and opinions, why not share them with the world? There is so many interesting things going on in my life. Facebook is overrated and its time for something new. So most recently I turned in my application for the Elentary Education program here at school. What a releif. it feels good to think that i have made it this far. Only 2 more years to go! I love taking Education classes. Finally something im interested in. The idea of teaching students in a real classroom excites me. It makes me remeber why I'm painfully surving the college homework and classes. I know i am supposed to teach and i love it.

Why Not?

Ash Renae is my Bestie. She made a cute little Blog this morning. I really wanted to add a comment to tell her how cute her new blog was but it wouldnt let me. So he i am being a huge copy-cat and creating my own blog. (Like facebook doesnt run my life already.)

Ash is using her blog to account our activities at our wonderful abode in Apartment 96 of the Riviera apartments in Provo. (Which has become our home away from home, with our new family. We actually have come to love this crazy place way more than we may ever say.) I too will probably share this idea. There really is that much that goes on it may take two blogs to cover it all.

I feel like blogging is for married people. But here i am having my own blog, unmarried and far from it. So instead of sharing with the world about my own indivdual family, i will account the memories of my new found family. My roommates and the other people who have made themselves a part of our ever growing family.

This could be the start of something new. (Name that movie.)