Something to think about...

"Nephi made God his partner. If he failed to get the plates, it meant God had failed. And because God does not fail, it was incumbent upon Nephi to get the plates or lay down his life in the attempt."
-Bruce R. McConkie

My Dad has never believed in the word try. He always uses the phrase "try to pick up that pen". And he's right-you can either pick up the pen or leave it on the table. So many times I feel like we justify our failures by saying, "Oh well, I tried my best" when most of us know that we could have done just a little bit more. Maybe woken up a little earlier, turned off the T.V. a little sooner, stood up for your beliefs a bit more adamantly?
This quote just got me thinking, how connected am I with God? How far will I go to keep his commandments and endure to the end?

Okok...

Everyday proved to be a somewhat overwhelming task. So maybe sporadic gratitude?

The most amazing person in my life: MY MOM.



***edited upon request

Gratitude #3

I love the mountains. They looked BEAUTIFUL today.

p.s. this is the view from my bedroom window-unreal, right?

Gratitude #2

Yes, it happened, Chuck and Blair are OFFICIALLY BACK TOGETHER. Complete with the hottest makeout scene of my life. Can you say piano?

Gossip Girl

Gratitude #1

(So everyday in November, I'm going to post something I'm grateful for...here it goes!)

Provo River Parkway Trail

Call me a Teeny Bopper...

...but Taylor Swift speaks to my heart, literally. Maybe I don't date John Mayer or Taylor Lautner, but I do date boys. And let me tell you-they are all the same.

Doesn't this just sound lovely?

Get me with those green eyes, baby
As the lights go down
Something that'll haunt me when you're not around
cause I see, sparks fly whenever you smile

I run my fingers through your hair
And watch the lights go out
Keep your beautiful eyes on me
gonna strike this match tonight
Lead me up the staircase
Won't you whisper soft and slow
I'd love to hate it
But you make it like a fireworks show

Now, here's my life...

Dear John,
I see it all now that you're gone
Don't you think I was too young to be messed with?
The girl in the dress,
cried the whole way home.
I should've known

Well maybe it's me and my blind optimism to blame
Maybe it's you and your sick need to give love then take it away
And you'll add my name to your long list of traitors who don't understand
And I'll look back and regret how I ignored when they said "run as fast as you can"

Sorry for the complaints-life is good :)

PRESSURE

"Youth of today are faced with monumental decisions. The world in which you live is not a play world or a Disney world. It is a very competitive world that will require the very best that you can bring to it, and it will reward you when your best efforts are put forth."-President Monson



I've been feeling alot of pressure lately. Not with typical stress related things like work and school but with the things that usually bring me joy: friends, church, even reading. True happiness has been hard to come by. Today I took a step in the right direction and you know what: IT FEELS GOOD. Taking the reins and doing something-even if it isn't "monumental"-gave me the sense that I can control my life. I can control my happiness.
The pressure with friends has just been in the fact that I have been stressing out about making the right move. Same with the gospel, the daily habits we develop in our lives give members like me pressure to always be at the top of their game. This is alot to handle.
Ultimately, the pressure I have felt comes with my desire to align my will with God. Prayer and scripture study can be easy, but listening is the hardest part. Where do I need to be to get my answer? Where should I be looking for it? Who/What is it going to come from?
So all in all, what have I realized? The Lord loves me. He truly does. And He loves each and every one of you. If I have the desire and work to be righteous, He is going to let fate do it things. Gotta love life.

It's now September...

And officially the FIRST DAY OF FALL. Goodbye Summer...and I say that in a bittersweet tone. I'm loving school and fall and everything it brings, but sad to see/grateful for the memories that summer brought.
Here are the highlights-a picture's worth a thousand words, right?

Life is gooooooooooood.

Let me explain...



These are some of my sports camp girls. Yeah, I have the best job.

1. My family is in town. My brothers are studs and my mom is the best. (Dad, you are missed.)
2. I have the best job ever. Well two.
3. I have the gospel and am surrounded by things that constantly remind me of how awesome it is.
4. I am surrounded by mountains. And beautiful sunrise/sunsets complete with amazing clouds.
5. My weekends are spectacular.
6. I have the most amazing friends in the whole entire world: new and old.
7. I get to visit California in 3 weeks: Yosemite, SF-complete with Giants Game, and Great America.
8. I'm riding solo and loving it. Thank you Jason Derulo.
9. I have a marathon Saturday. Yessssss.
10. I learn something new everyday.

Yes, life is good.

I've gotta say it.

Utah is better than California. Well at least for 4th of July weekend.
I probably had one of the most memorable holiday weekends and honestly, it wasn't what I did but everything about it. The people, the events, the food, the fireworks, the conversations. It was all just so...hmm...what's the word...MAGICAL. (Ps...this is my word for Summer 2010...thank you A-Hett)
Friday it started off with the Oakley Rodeo and Dairy Keen. A group of counselors and I drove up there, got some milkshakes, french fries, and chicken strips (yes, All-American babyyy) and then went to the rodeo, cowboy boots, hats, and all.
You honestly aren't a true American until you've seen a rodeo. What an experience.
Then Saturday was just perfect. Started off with a mall excursion, Costco adventure, long run, and then STADIUM OF FIRE. Of course there are details about every one of these ordeals but let me just say this: I love my friends and I love my brother.
Sunday we celebrated with a bbq, walk, and late night drive.
So yeah, magical. Love my life.

BUT NOT IN A GAY WAY

Best video since Harry Potter Puppet Show. Enjoy.

I ran 21 miles today...

...and instead of counting that as weight lost, I see it as calories I can consume.

JDawgs, here I come.



PS-Yes, I realize my last two posts have been about food. FFL.

I'm a fatty...

...who loves to cook. Here's what I'm trying this week:

Parmesan Chicken Sticks

Strawberry Ice Cream

And for the finale...ESPRESSO ICE CREAM

Gotta love him...

My dad has a face that he does when he knows he's right and that I'm wrong...which I think happens to be more often than not. It's kind of a side glance with a pinched mouth with a slight smirk. I recognize it and let me tell you, its not my favorite look.
This face happens because out of everyone in my family, me and my dad are the most alike. Not only do we have the same hobbies, but we have the same personality types; we are stubborn, moody and therefore motivated and passionate. Let me tell you, I wouldn't trade any of it.

Thanks Dad for being so awesome! I love you and appreciate you!

The Happiest Place on Earth...

I'm convinced that Yosemite National Park is the most amazing place on Earth.

Maybe even God's personal gift to me.

I don't know why but whenever I'm there every negative thought, every pessimistic view is changed. I swear that I say how much I love Yosemite when I'm there at least 10 times throughout the day. I even applied to work as a pizza worker for minimum wage there this summer and I must admit, I somewhat regret not taking it.

So...EVERYONE GO TO YOSEMITE THIS SUMMER. And camp, no cabins. Roast some s'mores, hike to your hearts content, and enjoy the company of those around you.

I know I did; I love my family.

Why I will miss California...

I've been totally lame about blogging but seriously, can you blame me?? I'm headed back to the beloved Provo FRIDAY. Where did the time go?

I was lucky enough to go visit my best friend and cousin down in San Francisco and Santa Cruz.

Uncle Wangs, Marina District, Pizza My Heart, Downtown WC, Fenton's, Boardwalk (complete with a MEN'S beach volleyball tournament:), UCSC, pedis and manis, and of course some shopping, AND I can't forget to mention my new favorite store The Olive Oil Experience. Too perfect for words. And this, my friends, is why I will miss California.

CHUBS...

...was quite the stud today.

Matthew, also known as Chubs, was given the game ball today; and let me tell you, well earned and definitely coveted by the rest of the team. With a triple, a single, a walk, three steals to home-one of which was the game winning run-and a great inning of pitching, I was definitely proud to be sitting in the stands as his big sister.

And of course, we just HAD to go to Big Spoon after. What a happy kid.

MY MOM...

She flew down to LA to simply see me cross the finish line.

She drove me to all of my soccer tournaments, even if it was 10 hours away, or on Thanksgiving.

She let me play hooky.

She handed me a wet rag when I was sick, and cuddled with me when I couldn't sleep.

She wrote me letters saying how much she loved me, and what she loved about me.

She lets me lay out my plan for the day to her, even when I am a whole state away.

She has a go girl waiting in the car when she knows I've had a bad day.

And the list goes on...

The most important thing about these isn't what she did, but what these actions represented.

She did these selfless acts for me because she puts my needs above her own.

"Women of God can never be like women of the world. The world has enough women that are tough; we need women who are tender. There are enough women who are coarse; we need more who are kind. There are enough women who are rude; we need more who are refined. We have enough women of fame and fortune; we need more women of faith. We have enough greed; we need more goodness. We have enough vanity; we need more virtue. We have enough popularity; we need more purity."

Margaret D. Nadauld

I am so grateful to have a mom who wants to stay at home. Who wants to take on the task of motherhood, because she knows it is worth all of the endless days of constant work and never-ending prayers.

I am so grateful to have a mother who values the virtues of a daughter of God and not one who follows the pressures of the world.

I love you mom, thanks for being my best friend.

Running on the beach...

...or close to it at least. This weekend I went with my mom and friend Emily to Newport Beach to run the OC Marathon. Seriously, what a course. You start out by Fashion Island-great shopping btw-then head down through some amazing coastal neighborhoods, along a harbor trail, and back around to some gorgeous parks. So many views I forgot to focus on my time. Needless to say, it was still rough. I don't think anyone can run 26.2 miles without hurting at least a little bit. Anyways, beautiful course.

Pre-marathon at 7-11, gotta love it.

And after.

LAGUNAAAAAA.

Shout out to Emily Keig. She did great and finished, hurt hip and all. Last I saw her was at mile 7 and she was already limping. WOOT WOOT!

Of course we had to enjoy some Southern California attractions like the beach and my personal favorite, Disneyland!! Ahhh amazing as always. We hit the highlights of both parks in one day, headed over to Wahoo Tacos, then pulled an all nighter and drove straight to the Sacramento Airport, then finally, my bed.

What a great weekend!! I'm a lucky girl. I'm definitely loving California.