8.30.2012

BACK AT THE Y


back at byu with my girls -- my best friends in the whole world!  it's so great to be back.  i love everything about this place.  singing a hymn before class, walking on campus and recognizing people from last year, partying it up at night, living RIGHT across the hall from julia, so many good chats... ah.

it's good to be back!

here are a few highlights from the short time we've had together:

REUNITED!!

first day we saw each other!  i realize that i look a little too happy, but really... i love my friends with all my heart.  they are sooo great.

moving in... how exhausting!

such a typical night... melina missing steven, haley on her computer, morg and i totally zonked.

we live in the hood where the carpets are never cleaned and this is what your feet look like after walking around all day.... SICKKKK.

family pictures... i miss my sibs already :) 

my favorite cuddle buddy is back! yay! 

playin' in the rain!!  it doesn't look like we're that wet... but we got soaked, splashin' in those puddles till we were freezing cold!  it was so fun.  oh!  and amberly is our new roomie -- the one on the far right.  she's awesome! :)

here's to another good year at byu!  woo hoo!

8.25.2012

FAITH


sometimes, life pulls a fast one on us.  the rug from beneath our feet.  a door slams in our face.

and in those times, you've got to wonder... why?  why me?  why now?  why this?

but let me tell you one of the most beautiful things about life.

it is unexpected.  it goes down, but it comes back up.  the things you planned and hoped and dreamed may not turn out exactly as you planned, hoped, and dreamed.

but everything -- EVERYTHING -- works out if we do what is right.  and in those moments of doubt, we must not fear.

i was reminded of that today.



and if we do, then, in the words of good old bob marley, "every little thing is gonna be alright."

8.18.2012

SAN DIEGO BABY!


{i wouldn't be blogging about this so soon... but unfortunately, i caught a nasty cold while we were in cali.  luckily it didn't show itself until today.  anyway.  that's why i'm back on the blogosphere.  because i'm laying in bed.}

you are about to be picture overloaded.  we had a BLAST!

our "almost" head-on!!




parker didn't like sitting in the soak zone at sea world....

but dad and jaren sure did! 





freaky, right?!



hahaha doesn't this look just like him??


SO beautiful







doing baptisms at the san diego temple was soo cool



the three of us were lucky enough to get pooped on by a bird during one of the shows at sea world... yum.

i love this picture :) so happy. so us.

the u.s.s midway -- an aircraft carrier from world war 2

it was HUGE.




my dad burned the CRAP out of his feet!




we were tired.  do you blame us? 

man.  i want to go back.  it was the best vacation EVER.

8.10.2012

TOMORROW, WE'RE OFF!


my brother is so cute.

we're all super excited about our upcoming trip to san diego this week.  it'll be so nice to have a little time away from real life and its drudgeries:  work, school, stress, more work, money, and more stress.  i seriously cannot wait!

well, neither can jaren.  he knocks on my bedroom door late last night and brings this in: 


he's so excited about our trip that he made everyone a copy of his packing list!  what kind of 12-year-old kid does that?  ahh i love him. 

here's to a vacation full of sunshine, family fun, and the beach!  see you next week!

8.07.2012

THE WORLD IS LOOKING UP


i'm on top of the world, ay
i'm on top of the world, ay
waiting on this for a while now
paying my dues to the dirt
i've been waiting to smile, ay
been holding it in for a while, ay
take it with me if i can
been dreaming of this since a child
i'm on top of the world

life is so good right now.  i don't think i've been this happy in a long time!  i've said this before, but i'll say it again and again and again.  the Lord gives me what i need exactly when i need it.  not before, not after.

i am immensely grateful for that.

i have the best people in my life.  the best friends, the best family, the best role models, the best examples.  i'm in a good place.  i have a wonderful job with fun coworkers that i really like.  i'm living at home with my amazing family and i get to talk to those i love whenever i want.

what could be better?  honestly?
not much.  i'm on top of the world.  

8.06.2012

"IF A MAN HAS FAMILY, HE'S RICH"


these kids are some of my favorite in the entire world:








it was so much fun to be with them on friday night.  i feel so very blessed to have such a terrific family. there is nothing in the world i want more than to be close to my family forever and ever.  i love them so much.

and what is cuter than a 9 year old, an 8 year old, a 6 year old, and a 4 year old playing just dance 3?

nothing.  nothing at all.