day five

this one is SUPER easy. a picture of you somehwere you have been. for those of you that know me- know that i LOVE traveling. i have been really lucky and have been able to go most everywhere that i have wanted...this is me in Rothenberg Ob Der Tauber in Germany. This was one of my favorite places. It is a medieval town and has the most incredible shopping :) I miss our little day trips to see all of these cool sights. This is in the park overlooking the valley!

day four :)

This is the hardest day yet- a habit that you need to break.

I think it is my OCD tendencies/ stressing over the little stupid things in life.

I am the BEST at stress. I stress over stupid little things like how clean my desk is at work, my car not being washed, projects that I don't have time to finish but need to be done, and anything else that is "stupid".

But I have been working on this for a long time. And lately a lot of these stupid things have not seemed to matter. I read a talk by President Monson and he warns us not to be caught up in the "thick of thin things" Read it here.

In that talk he also talks about serving others and focusing on others. As we do that, then our own problems go away. I know this has been true for me and hope it helps you!:)

day three

picture of my family :)

Oh how I love these people.

Macie- She is the baby of the family. Because she was born when the rest of us were mostly grown- she grew up with an adult sense of humor and wit. She is the funniest person I know. She loves sports, she loves to read, and she is incredible at sewing! I love talking to her and feeling like I am back in elementary...apparently the lady at the dentist office is not the only person who thinks I am old and not "with it" :)

Sydnee- We are super close. I love talking to her, getting her advice, and joking with her. She is total hipster and has the most communist haircut I have seen in a long time and I LOVE it.  She loves to read and is as antisocial as I am- so we spend lots of time being antisocial together.

Laura- Even though she is not a blood sister, she has been there for EVERYTHING. The good, the bad, and the ugly (me without make-up). She is my best friend. We really may as well live together for all of the time that we spend together.

Estee- I have always looked up to her. She is seriously the most perfect example. She loves everyone, she is patient, she is kind and so outgoing.

Tanner- He has really been a part of our family since they started dating in high school. I always loved having him around then, and nothing has changed. He fits in perfectly for our family- he has the funniest sense of humor (he is like a grandpa- he loves his puns).

Benson- Hello most perfect baby in the WORLD. I love him. He is funny and is just starting to show his personality. He is definitely going to be the most spoiled boy ever.

Mom- She is the epitome of service. She is always doing something for someone else. She loves others and is genuinely concerned for their physical and spiritual welfare. She is wonderful.

Dad- He is my best friend. He is patient, he loves everyone and he obeys with exactness. He has always sacrificed so much for my family- I am lucky to have him as my dad.

day two

today is the meaning behind my blog name.

well, i started this blog when i was going through a really hard trial. i felt betrayed, lonely, and i really came to hate life. i started talking with my sister who had just started a blog and i thought to my self, "self, you are being pathetic, self-centered, and  ungrateful." so i started this not really to share, but more just to see for myself all that i have to love- all that i have to be grateful for! :)

life is good- it is absolutely wonderful. i know that no matter what trial you are going through- it will always get better. life is so much like a rollercoaster. sometimes you are up, sometimes you are down- and sometimes you are upside down...BUT i also know that even when you are down there is SO much to learn- i mean, you are still ON the ride :)

hope that explains it enough!

day uno

So my amazing friend Bre started this thing on her blog...and I am totally going to steal it. Mostly because I need a good distraction until my mission call comes (can anyone say 16 days?!) If you would rather read her cute blog- just go here. She is adorable, and she is super creative...so it may be more interesting. BUT on Day One I am supposed to put up a picture of me & 15 facts....so here you go!

1. i am going on a MISSION!
2. i love the smell of rain
3. i rescued a dog today- and i dont even like dogs (or cats- or really any animal) all that much
4. i love art and i love taking pictures
5. i have a newfound love and appreciation of running- and mostly the ability to walk without feeling like a winded 90 year old lady
6. i cannot shop at tj max or stores like it- i am too ocd to handle the chaos.
7. two of my closest friends in high school were both alli/ali's too! :) try that on for confusing
8. sunday is my absolute favorite day of the week
9. i love traveling- not only seeing/experiencing new things, but meeting new people
10. i miss germany almost everyday of my american life.
11. my favorite thing to wear is a hoodie- hello comfort
12.  i wish i was super crafty (and mostly that i knew how to sew)
13. my favorite thing to do on the weekend is sleep. pathetic, i know
14. i have only sisters and i would not trade it for the world
15. i love the musical les miserables (and the book, and the music, and really antyhing about it!

i would love to hear more about YOU. tell me fifteen (or more!) things about you! hopefully i stick to this thing and keep up the great ten minutes of distraction that it provides :)

my best friends wedding

So, sometimes I like to take pictures- this is one of my favorites. I took it when one of my closest friends Brittney got married. (I know- it has taken a LONG time for this....but, better late than never right?) I love this girl. We met at EFY, and after peanut butter fights, late night chats and crying when we had to leave- we decided we were meant to be friends. We kept in touch and I was SO lucky to be part of her BIG day! When she was in the temple, her little sister and I had about an hour to go around the temple- it was a BEAUTIFUL day!

This is us- yes we are pretty cute. :)

daddy

i am a daddy's little girl- through and through. this last week i was pretty sick and the whole way driving home, all i could think was that i needed to get home and get a blessing by my dad and i would be okay.

my dad taught me how to tie my shoes, how to ride a bike, and how to read.
he took me to the hospital when i had to get stitches and when i burned my foot.
he is SO supportive of me going on a mission, and he is one of the reasons why i have the desire to serve.
he is my best friend and the best advice giver.

lately i was thinking of the similarities between my dad here and my Heavenly Father. i have been thinking of how i always approach my dad for anything, how whenever i am scared that i go to my dad, how whenver i am disappointed or frustrated- i go cry to my dad.
BUT we have the blessing of having two dads. Lately, i have noticed that i have spent more time turning to my Father in Heaven. When i am scared, frustrated, concerned or confused, I spend just as much time on my knees as i do talking to my earth dad. i realize it has taken me awhile to really realize the connection and the similarities of how we can use our relationship with our Father in Heaven to grow and to progress while still on earth :) i read this talk- and it really helped me. Hope this helps someone out there! Happy Monday everyone! :)

music man

i had a revelation. this happened while sitting in Canyon View JHS with my mom and sister. we were watching a little production of the music man (cutest little kids- scary when junior high kids become kids because then you have become old) by a wonderful miss kate who is INCREDIBLE at costumes, directing, smiling, and the like. BUT that is all beside the point. my revelation was during this musical number-

my white knight (performed here by kristin chenoweth)

a certain little line stuck out to me.

"more interested in me than him, and more interested in us than me."

how perfect is that? not going to lie- i am still no where close to be ready for matrimony, but i think that is incredible advice to everyone. find someone who makes you a priority not an option. find someone that loves you and everything about you- and is so focused on making the "us" work. i have an incredible example to look to in my parents. they are the perfect, cutest couple and have been there for each other in good and bad. they truly love each other. when i start looking for love- i dont need a white knight- just a special guy :)