Today Choose Joy

FROM HIS POINT OF VIEW

2015-03-08T18:32:00.001-07:00

A little while ago I wrote about how Braden (my fiance) and I met. He insisted that he share his side of the story because he calls is the "accurate" version. So ladies and gentleman, here it is. Take from it what you want but remember... here is the REAL version.

The accurate account of one’s meeting to another.

A few years back I was heading down to Moab. This was a regular, and reoccurring, trip throughout the summer. (I think I made it to Moab ~10+ times that summer.) This weekend was going to be the MMT (Massive Moab Trip.) What a prime event for finding friends (aka: attractive women to date). I invited a few jeeping buddies that didn’t want to stay with the massive group of 500+ college students. One of my jeeping friends had brought a few people in his jeep. I first saw Maddie in the city market parking lot, flirting and being flirted with by her "boyfriend" or so I thought. I didn’t think much of it, I thought she was attractive, and seemed to be fun. On a later trail, I talked a little to her and her friend Alli. I remember that Alli was into climbing, but I didn’t talk to Maddie much, as I was told she was dating the guy she came with. Later on after the trip, Maddie and I became FB friends. We didn’t talk much, if any after that. We were mere acquaintances.

A few years flew by, and it was about time for MMT again. As the trip approached, my friends would invite everyone they knew. I used to invite so many people, but for some reason, I was more interested in having an empty jeep than have a jeep full of 19 year old college girls that would be disappointed because we weren't planning on rolling. I removed my back seat, and placed my spare tire inside. Problem solved. I can only take 1 person, and young college girls can’t do anything without (what they call) their bff’s (or bae’s). Now I’ll likely have a nice quiet jeep. My buddies had bets on when I would put my back seat in… and they were astonished that I held through with no back seat. There I was, ready for a fun trip full of jeeping and making friends (really, only friends…girls were just trouble). MMT was only about a week away and I paid Rico for the MMT fee. Seconds later I got a notification that this Madeline Millburn ‘liked’ my payment. Madeline Millburn….I remember her, I thought to myself. After a few seconds of some basic Facebook stalking, I decided I had no choice but to message her. She gave me an opportunity to contact her by liking my payment. This might be my only and last chance to say something without coming across as a major creeper. If you listen to Maddie's story, she claimed I had no game… (really? then why are we engaged now? ;) ). I quickly messaged Maddie on FB. After some welcoming and charming messages, she replied with:

“Sounds so fun! I will see if I can figure stuff out with work and two of my girly friends. I want to jeep and rock climb! I rock climbed outside for the first time last week haha.. But it was so fun! And I miss jeeping! I haven't been for a while. Keep me posted on your plans. My number is 801-918-9227!”

Wow. That worked better than I though. Somehow I didn’t even need to ask for her number, just let her know that I would make sure I had a spot for her and her besties in the group I was caravanning down in. And she was throwing her number at me. Cha-ching.

I took advantage of having her number and texted her the next day. Somehow we concluded that we were getting married and for an engagement gift, I was going to give her a white Jeep. With power everything. (Ha. Now we are engaged….hmmm, about the white jeep... well, I guess it will have to be a late engagement gift... like years late.) Haha.

After some complicated discussions about who is riding where… we finally were off to Moab. I spent as much time with Maddie as I could. I promised her my front seat for the whole trip, besides one trail where I promised someone a ride.

We had so much fun. Even when I was completely distracted by her beauty, causing a front roll over in the jeep. Crunch. Ha. We were sitting upside down and she yelled out “I’m okay!!!” before I could say anything. I looked at her and had that feeling that I should kiss her! Well, I didn’t make a move. After, I was regretting that. But don’t worry, there was another opportunity on this trip – and I was shot down. We were on the top of Gold Bar Rim at like 1:30 a.m… Starry eyed, I moved in for a kiss.

“Um…I’m not going to kiss you. You haven’t even taken me out on a date.”

Hahaha. She felt a little bad, and was worried I was going to be upset. I wasn’t at all. Shortly after, she grabbed my hand. Don’t worry, our first date was that night, at 3 a.m., at Denny’s. The first kiss didn’t happen on this trip… That’s a story for another time.

The weekend was coming to an end, and everyone was starting to make their way back home. Back to the complicated part, arranging who rides with who. I was going to do everything in my power to have Maddie ride home in my truck. Somehow the drive home resulted with just me and Maddie in my truck! That was the fastest drive home from Moab I have ever had. We couldn’t stop talking, smiling, laughing, holding hands…. It was perfect.

After that drive home, I knew I wanted to spend as much time as possible with her, and even with her living in Logan, that wasn’t going to stop me!

The weekend after MMT, I drove up to Logan to spend the weekend. 9 months later, here we are, engaged and getting married on June 25th. I’m so grateful to have Maddie in my life. I love her with all my heart. I’m so excited to marry her and build a life with her. She is my best friend.

----- Oh hey, it's Maddie again. I promised I would publish his version even though it irks me to read. It's soo not accurate and he left out some VERY important details. But there it is. Written for everyone to see.
Even though his memory must be failing him at the young age of 27, I remember what REALLY happened and have it written down so we never forget. Call it a "Notebook" type situation if you will.
Even if he is bonkers, I love him unconditionally. I am so blessed to have him in my life.

Why Girls CAN In Fact Have Multiple BFFs

2015-01-20T13:22:00.002-08:00

Men just don't understand.
I am writing this post for all the boys out there who just don't get how girls can have MULTIPLE best friends.
Braden and I will often have conversations about friends and whenever I refer to a friend he doesn't know I say something along the lines of, "She's like one of my best friends." Almost without fail, he makes a snide comment about how he thought he was my best friend and how all my friends can't be my best friends.
But, they are! Most people I talk to him about ARE my best friends. I have multiple best friends. They're all the "best" friends for me in different ways.
1. I have the best girl friend that provides emotional support about boys, friends, or family drama. The one I can tell all my secrets to and who shares the same opinions and views. She is the one who helps validate my feelings. The one I open up to even when it's hard.
2. I have the best friend who I've been friends with basically FOREVER! The one I do everything with. The one who will shop with me until I drop, stay up late at night with me rambling about whatever, the one who knows my style and my personality in and out. The one who loves me even when I'm a brat.
3. Let's not forget about the best friend who provides the best spiritual advice. The one who always makes me feel good about myself and keeps me on the straight and narrow. The one who influences me in the best ways. The one who is crazy and adventurous and always up for a good time. The one who will stay close to me even with distance.
4. I have my best friend that makes me feel like we are the funniest two people in the world. I've never laughed harder with anyone else than him. We could sit and talk about old stories for hours and never get bored.
5. I have the best friends that I had all through high school. The ones I made more memories with than any other group of friends. The group that was inseparable and hung out together every night. They are the friends who stuck with me through high school, college and beyond. They're the group I would spend time with over anyone else. I can honestly say that every person in that group was so close to me and I would always call them my best friends.
6. I have the best friends who got me through the best and the worst times in college. The ones that live far away from me but always will have a special place in my heart. The ones who I laughed with and stayed up all night having dance parties with. The ones who would get McDonalds with me at 3 a.m. and who knew all the secret boy drama. The ones who would laugh with me about bad dates and tell me I'm being ridiculous when I need to hear it.
7. Lastly, I have my best friend who is there for me through EVERYTHING. The one who is all of those and more. The one I want to marry someday and the one I want to spend all of my time with. The one who has literally seen me at my worst and still loves me. The one who is always willing to work through everything.
So now you see that there are so many different types of friends but they're all BEST friends. So next time you say that a girl can't have more than one best friend. Think again. I guarantee we all do.

Blessings Coming Into Play

2015-01-13T13:25:00.001-08:00

Well...
I'm going to be a florist! I got hired as a florist and I can't wait to get started! I have always wanted to get experience in the floral industry but I never knew when or how I could get my foot in the door. Right now is the perfect time. I am in a transitional phase between graduating college and starting my career. While I'm hunting for the right profession, may as well be learning something.

I took this photo last spring on the front porch of my house in Logan.

I love flowers. The way they look. The way they smell. Basically everything about them.
Who knows, if I love it, I may stay in this industry and start my own floral business. And how fun would it be to do my own wedding flowers?

I am so excited to be following my dreams and learning another skill. I know it's a blessing to have this opportunity right now in my life. It's something I've always wanted to do and now I'm going to! Photos of my arrangements to come soon!

My 2014 Reflection

2015-01-09T12:45:00.000-08:00

As it's now the beginning of 2015, it's time to reflect on the good and bad of 2014. Instead of bombarding my blog with new years resolutions, I'm going to reflect on the positives and negatives of last year.
***Side Note****
Often times, social media can make us think that people don't have bad times. For women, we think the girls we follow have perfect lives because they're gorgeous and get so much attention from their looks. Expensive clothes, fancy make up and professional photographers make us believe they live such better lives than us. WRONG. Social media shows the best of the best of everyone. I mean really, does anyone ever post a photo of themselves having a break down because of financial problems? Or the feeling of heartbreak from a troubled relationship or marriage? How about battling with self worth or self esteem. We all go through things yet, we don't post photos of our hardships because we don't want others to see us struggle. It's natural.
But, if I've learned anything, it's that I can't judge myself and my life off other people's social media profiles. I don't need validation from Instagram to know that I live a great life. I don't need to see other people's struggles to know that they're there and I'm not alone.
**End Side Note**
To start, I don't publicize my struggles for attention or for sympathy. Only to show that they happen and they're real. Often times, struggles lead to great accomplishments, and that's exactly what I experienced in 2014.
I graduated from college in December but oh... there were constant struggles along the way. For starters, there were times I had less than $20 in my bank account. I would give myself $2 a day for food until I got my next paycheck and I would try to eat all the canned food from freshman year when my mom stocked me up. I literally would have cereal and canned green beans for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
The last semester I spent in Logan, I lived with 9 girls. That was the HARDEST living situation I ever experienced. It was always a mess, my things would get trashed, it was so loud when I had to go to sleep early, the internet sucked and needless to say, the struggle was real.
Along with early mornings and living with so many girls, I struggled with school. I took 24 credits and was constantly stressed out with the thought that if anything goes wrong, I'm stuck in Logan for another semester and can't graduate. I am a person that thinks a lot of "what ifs" and that never helps a stressful situation.
What's next..
Oh, yes. The Tahoe.
Up until 6 months ago, for years I drove a 1995 Chevy Tahoe. It didn't have working air conditioning, it had 200,000+ miles, it took a pint of oil every hundred miles, the doors took every ounce of human strength to open, it felt like a thrill ride with the shaking while driving on the freeway, the back windows didn't roll down, the exhaust pipe had fallen off on me, the tires were bald and it was actually embarrassing to drive. (I know I mention the Tahoe in many of my posts.. but it was a rough time.)
During the summer, I would sweat from every single inch of my body and get delirious from the heat. No amount of icy water would cool me down because it would melt instantly. It was miserable. It may not seem like a big deal, but commuting down to Salt Lake to see family and my lover was the longest, hardest drive in the world. Even going five minutes away to work was miserable in 105 degrees. My clothes were completely sweaty and I would have to change upon my arrival no matter where I went.
Enough about the bad times, although I could go on. I want to share with you some good times that came from the bad.
Because I put in the hard work and stress, I was able to graduate from college and be finished! The feeling of being finished with college is unlike any other. It's the greatest accomplishment in my life thus far. The feeling of putting in the work and finally being done is more than satisfying. All the stress and hard work eventually paid off with obtaining my degree. It turned into a blessing after all.

One of my last nights on campus of Utah State University.

Because I lived with 9 girls and put up with them, I learned patience and got close to girls I wouldn't have met if I only lived with a few people. At first, I knew two of the girls well, and I was a bit skeptical of living with the other 8 girls that I didn't know. But many of them became my good friends! I bonded and became close with the girls that I had a hard time with at first. I even missed them when they moved out and when I left Logan. Although I didn't click with ALL of them, the great times and living with my best friends was worth it.

My eight roommates and some random little girl from the park.

Because I drove the Tahoe for a few years longer than I wanted, I was able to afford to buy a newer nicer car. Now I have a wonderful Elantra that does the job. I think another reason I drove the Tahoe for so long was to learn humility. I learned to be humble and love what I have. I sometimes look back and think, "Oh, that wasn't so bad." Why was I embarrassed to drive the Tahoe? At least I had a car. I needed to learn a valuable lesson before I could move on and purchase a new car.

My Elantra and the old Tahoe in the background.

So there you have it. A very brief reflection of 2014. This year I am taking risks to make 2015 my best year so far. I'll be sure to keep you in the loop so be sure to subscribe to my blog posts! You can do that by entering your email address and pressing submit in the right side bar!

Our Unadulterated Story of Love

2015-01-07T19:10:00.000-08:00

How two people come together in a world full of adversity is a mystery to me. All I know is that we found each other through a tangled web of events that began a few years ago.

It all began on an adventure trip in Moab, Utah. I was with a small group of friends, one who mutually knew Braden, and he was with a group of friends (girls mainly.. although he swears there were boys there too.) I first noticed his dark hair and big jeep when he made it nearly impossible for me, or anyone else, not to. Hot doggin' in his jeep with a new girl in the front seat everyday made him stand out to most of the females in our group, although not in the best way. The trip came and went and we exchanged names. Later we became friends on Facebook and followed each other on Instagram, but that was the extent of our relationship. Every now and then I would see a picture in my feed about him traveling to China one week and Costa Rica the next, thinking to myself that he was just an arrogant playboy.

Years passed and another Moab trip approached at the start of the summer. It's called the MMT-Massive Moab Trip. Hundreds of adventurous people go to engage in every outdoor activity imaginable with people who share similar interests. Every year people into jeeping attend, and naturally Braden would be there. I hadn't thought of him in what felt like ages until I stumbled across his payment on Venmo. (Venmo is a money transferring app that connects you to your friends on Facebook. It's great for paying a few dollars here and there to contribute to bills, pizza, gas, or to pitch in for any group expense. You can also see a feed of your friend's payments and like them or comment on them.) Because Braden and I were Facebook friends, I could see his payments. As I was creepily scrolling through the payments after paying my portion of the utilities bill, I saw he paid his fee for the MMT and I liked it. The next thing I know I got a Facebook message from Braden with some cheesy comment alluding to the idea that he didn't know he was going to get to talk to a cute girl today. Blah, blah.. It was crap to me at the time.

He invited me to the MMT with him and his friends. I accepted. Of course with the condition that I could take two of my best friends.

On the third day we jeeped to the top of a mountain late at night to see the stars in a caravan of vehicles. Everyone in the group admired the stars for a while and when it was time to leave, we all went back to the jeeps. I was the copilot in Braden's jeep. As I sat in the passenger seat, he began to flirt, and I mean hard. He was intense and I knew where it was going. I let him lean in and I even leaned in a bit. I let him go further. I stayed put. He went further and when I could almost feel his breath I asked in my sassy tone, "What are you doing? You haven't even taken me on a date yet!!"

Dumbfounded and slightly uncomfortable, he looked at me and smiled an awkward smile. He pulled away and put his jeep into gear and proceeded down the trail. A few minutes later I realized what I had done and timidly asked, "Are you mad?"

"Not at all," he said.

I was so relieved. I can't remember who made the first move next but I knew we were holding hands and we held hands every second we could from that moment on. While the caravan was taking forever, and I mean forever, Braden and I were dying of hunger. We ditched the group, took off and headed to Denny's. Thus began our first date. Eating hashbrowns and eggs at 3 a.m. has never been so fun. We talked and laughed until we couldn't keep our eyes open a minute longer.

After the Massive Moab Trip ended we both returned to our homes. PLOT TWIST! I lived in Logan and he lived in Spanish Fork. That's a 2.5 hour drive from one place to the other. So that was fun... NOT! Braden came up two to three times a week for the next few months until I graduated from college and moved back down to Salt Lake City. He saved my life that summer. I lived with 9 girls and my room was over 100 degrees with a major Box Elder Bug infestation. Braden provided me with an air conditioner and vacuum that I otherwise wouldn't have been able to afford. He helped me find the perfect car within my budget instead of my 1995 Tahoe with no a/c that got 10 mpg and took a pint of oil every hundred miles. He helped me push through my last semester of college taking 24 credits and he kept me sane while waking up at 4 a.m. for work.

Braden is a blessing to me. He is my adventure partner and my emotional support. He helps me practice patience and solve problems in every aspect of my life. We have been blessed with opportunities to travel together and explore new things. I even conquered my worst fear with him by my side. My biggest fear is heights and a few months ago I rappelled myself off the edge of a 120 foot cliff with him easing me through it.

All in all, Braden is my best friend. He's my companion and my confidant. He's the biggest gentleman I know and I never doubt his ability to get through a situation or protect me. He's burly and manly yet he's sensitive and sweet. He's kind and selfless to everyone he meets and he's one of the hardest workers I know. He supports my dreams and helps me make them realities. I am whimsical, he is logical. I am emotional, he is reasonable. I am the dreamer and he's the achiever. I am his and he is mine.

We are opposites that fit perfectly together.

J.O.Y.

2014-12-29T13:56:00.000-08:00

Today Choose Joy is more than just a phrase about choosing to be happy. It's more than a blog to rant about my life.
It's about becoming a better person and always trying to progress. It's documenting my journey to finding myself and hoping someone is inspired along the way.
It's about choosing JOY to find happiness and bring it to others. We receive joy and happiness by serving first Jesus, others, and finally ourselves.

I hope by following with me along my journey, you will be one step closer to finding joy.

So.. I GRADUATED!

2014-12-23T13:37:00.002-08:00

Hey guys! Yep, you read correctly. I GRADUATED FROM COLLEGE! It's a crazy feeling being done with school and not going back in a few weeks. But it feels so good. Like I finished something I started.

It's comparable to that feeling you get when you have been reading a book for a long time and you finish the last page.. you close the cover and reflect for a moment..then you move on. I guess that's sort of how my graduation from college was. It was as if I just finished, reflected for a moment and now I'm moving on. -- Graduating in December is anticlimactic.

** Disclaimer- This post is long, sappy and slightly dramatic. Continue at your own risk. **

I haven't decided yet which career path I want to take. I've been praying about it and I'm trying to put my trust in the Lord to know that whatever happens next will happen for a reason. There's quite a few things I'd like to do and it would be ideal to get a job doing something I love. Right now I'm figuring out with direction I want to go. Finding my niche.

I moved away from Logan and I've been having a hard time being gone. Logan became my home and it was hard to up and leave my life up there.. I miss the town and my friends and even Utah State's campus. I miss how quaint it was. I miss how close and compact everything was. I miss how social it was. I miss everything about it.

Since I began college in Logan, I've formed hundreds of friendships- big and small- and I know they'll never be forgotten. After we have all passed away, I look forward to seeing everyone again and talking about old times. I am excited to watch my life movie and be reminded of the happiness that came from that chapter of my life. Part of me wishes it didn't end so soon.

I left behind best friends. Old roommates and constant support systems. I left behind my yoga buddies. My sushi dates. My painting partners. My study groups. I left my routine and my hobbies. I am now recreating my routine and finding new places to continue my hobbies. I am strengthening old friendships and trying to keep my life going at a pace I feel comfortable with.

Phorist, my yoga buddy and me.

If you didn't know, I graduated with a bachelors degree in Journalism and Communications with an emphasis in Public Relations and a minor in Multimedia. I am eternally grateful and so blessed to have had the opportunity to attend and graduate from college. I know it's not a possibility for everyone and I consider myself very lucky to have made it through. I loved college. So far it has been the best years of my life. I was the happiest I've ever been in Logan. I didn't take it for granted. I lived to the fullest and took advantage of every opportunity I had while I was there. I'm so glad I did.

I'll tell you what though. I won't miss homework or wasted time with professors that don't know how to teach. Or paying for the spot you left your car in for 10 minutes while you dropped off a paper. Or buying food on campus that costs a million dollars.. but you have to buy it becuase you're STARVING. Or living paycheck to paycheck and barely making it through (even though I'm still doing that.. except I'm not getting paychecks now haha.)

But, I will miss being around people that relate to me. People that are in the same phase of life as me. People looking for friends and finding themselves. I found myself in college. I found what kind of person I wanted to be and would strive to be for the rest of my life. I found new hobbies and interests. I found a list of things I need to work on to become a better person. I found my struggles and my weaknesses but also my strengths.

I learned more about myself and how to grow up and live on my own then I did actually attending classes. I KNOW I went to Logan for a reason and that Heavenly Father blessed me so much while I was there. I want everyone to experience college as I did. I want everyone to have the happiness and laughter that I had up there.

I had hard times too. I had constant financial struggle. I had jobs I disliked and roommates that were hard to live with. I had boy drama. Oh did I ever have boy drama. I am blessed that I had the opportunity to date as much as I did. I made so many friends from dating and I met some of the neatest guys. I also met dirt bags and divas.. but I wouldn't trade them for the world. If I didn't date as much as I did, I wouldn't know what I want. I wouldn't know how a guy should treat a girl and how I deserve to be treated. I wouldn't know what ambition and hard work looked like.

Friends and I at Hyrum Dam for a summer BBQ. (I'm the second from the left.)

I'm happy to be graduated and I'm thankful for my parents who helped me along the way. I'm thankful for my friends and my employers and everyone who has been a part of my life. I'm so happy to be graduated and I'm excited to get started writing the next chapter of my book down here on earth. Cheers to a bright future!

Here are some pics of my closest friends and I this past year.

John, Jashon and I ate this whole pie during "Friends night." Every Tuesday was friends night.

Natalie & Ryan Humpherys at my birthday celebration.

Natalie and I standing outside our freshman dorm the week before I graduated.

My freshman roommate Amanda. She was also my roommate my junior year.

My favorite roommates. Amanda, Amber and Jess.

Jess and I getting frozen yogurt.

Jess and I saying goodbye after I moved out.

Mairen and I making tinfoil dinners in our make shift fire pit last summer.

Amber and I at the concrete jungle in Logan canyon last summer.

Hayden, me and Mitch in California during the 4th of July. Best. Vacation. Ever.

FALL 2014 BUCKET LIST

2014-09-12T10:27:00.000-07:00

Because fall is the best season ever, Braden and I have been thinking of things to do this year! Here is our bucket list! Feel free to print it or do whatever you want with it! Hope you enjoy!

Sorry that it's a jpg. You may have to convert to pdf if necessary. My computer was going crazy and it wouldn't open as a pdf.

Did You Serve A Mission?

2014-09-09T12:11:00.000-07:00

I'm assuming you read my post's title... and if you didn't... I don't know why you would end up here. So lets all rhetorically answer that question. Did you go on a mission? If you are a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints you know that this question is one of the first asked to all men and nowadays increasingly more women.

I think missions are an amazing thing. I think they teach people life lessons and help them learn knowledge they may have not learned elsewhere. I know missions have changed the lives of millions. Not only the missionary but the people and families all over the world who have been served and touched by missionaries. Missionaries even learn languages oftentimes in just a few months, and if that's not amazing enough they have to adapt to new climates and cultural lifestyles.

Many of my close friends have served missions and it's incredible to listen to their heart softening stories of converts and even stories of self conversion. Return missionaries have so much to offer and have done so much good... but what about those people both men and women who haven't served a mission?

For the sake of the cause, lets call the question of if one has or hasn't served a mission, DYSAM (did you serve a mission) because I will referring to it a few times.

People often get caught up in the yes or no of DYSAM rather than the intentions and heart of the individual. I feel strongly about this because over the years I have dated many, many men.. some who have and some who haven't served missions. Here is what I have found.

I have found that the men who have served missions are AMAZING guys...but guess what? The LDS men who haven't are still AMAZING guys! They have high standards, attend church, have testimonies, want to get married in the temple, etc.. I could easily say their character and spirituality is based on the present, on the now. It's not solely based on DYSAM because yes, that's wonderful but what are they doing now? Have they fallen away? Are they still reading scriptures, praying and attending church? I know some have fallen away, some have stayed strong.

As mentioned before, I think missions are SUCH a positive thing. When I have children, I will encourage all of them to serve missions, especially my boys (if I have boys..) but what if they don't? I'll love them unconditionally. They are still perfect and will still have every chance to make it to the Celestial Kingdom.

Does it mean you're a bad person because you didn't serve a mission? Absolutely not! There are many reasons one doesn't serve a mission. Sometimes heath issues prohibit one from serving. Other times anxiety and nerves deter someone from going into the mission field. Maybe they are taking care of prior sins and going through the repentance process? Lastly, sometimes a person doesn't yet have a strong enough testimony to withstand a mission- and that's not necessarily a bad thing. All that means is that the person needs to search, pray and build a deeper conviction for them self. Who's to say they won't go later?

I know that there is a time for everyone. It could be at age 19, it could be at age 50. We can all be missionaries regardless of DYSAM. That yes or no doesn't mean we can never be missionaries or that we don't have to continue to be a missionary. We are all eternal missionaries, some have more experience than others and some are still growing their testimony.

Instead of focusing so much on DYSAM, let's focus on the now. Let's focus on what each individual is doing in their life currently to draw closer to our Heavenly Father. Let's use those wonderful missionary experiences to learn and grow but also realize we are all at different spiritual stages of our life. We are all special and we can all be missionaries.

What are your comments?

Top 5 Ways to Experience Washington D.C.

2014-09-08T19:56:00.001-07:00

Washington D.C is one of the most interesting and culturally rich cities I've been to in the United States. It offers something for everyone. Around every corner is incredible architecture, a new museum to explore and hundreds of new restaurants to try. Braden and I decided to go over Labor Day and we were extremely surprised to learn that there was so much to do and we wanted more time! I put together the top 5 things you have to do in Washington D.C. that we learned from our trip and hopefully you'll get to experience them too!

1. Rent Bikes from Capital Bikeshare

If you've never been to Washington D.C. you'll learn quickly that your poor feet will hate you from all the walking you'll do during the day. If you've been there, you already know this. I didn't bring the best shoes because "uhm hello, tennis shoes don't match my dresses." Psshh, doing it over again, I'd bring those tennis shoes, wear them proudly and sacrifice gallivanting around in my dresses.

Joyriding around D.C. with Capital Bikeshare bikes

Around day 3, Braden and I talked to some of the locals that lived in the D.C. area. They told us about the bikes all over town that you can rent. The bikes we used were called Capital Bikeshare. The reason we chose these bikes were because they have rent stations literally all over the city. You can check one out and return it to any other rent station in the city.

TIP: These bikes have a small rental charge for 24 hours or 3 days. They are always free for the first 30 minutes. There is a fee for ever 30 mins - hour after that. Braden and I never paid over the rental charge because we would return our bikes to a new rental station before 30 minutes was up. We always had enough time to get from place to place in that amount of time.

Here's how it works.

a. You swipe your credit card and choose between a 24 hour rental or a 3 day rental. The 24 hour rental is $7 and the 3 days is $15.

b. Accept and acknowledge that the company will take a $101.00 hold out of your account to ensure the bikes are not stolen or lost.

c. Agree to the terms and conditions.

d. Print your 5 digit code.

e. Punch your 5 digit code into the numbers just left of the bicycle you want to rent.

f. Return bikes before 30 minutes to a new bike rental station.

g. Understand that you will be given back $94 per bike unless you are charged more with the time.

TIP: Download the Capital Bikeshare App to find all the different bike rental stations. Map out where you want to go and find the station closest to your destination. You will most likely make it in the free 30 minutes if you're touring and sight seeing.

Bikeshare stations

2. Take a Hop on Hop Off Bus Tour

We went through the company Big Bus Tours and it was so convenient. They have four day routes that take you everywhere and anywhere you would want to go to sight see in Washington D.C. Braden and I purchased a 48 hour pass and allowed us to hop on and hop off the buses all day for two days. The first day we took a few routes for almost the whole loop to sight see and learn facts about the city. We then used the map Big Bus Tours provided and circled the interesting places we wanted to return to. It was so easy to navigate and hop on and off the buses at the stops we wanted to go. The bus tours are also great for resting your feet.

TIP: The buses are double decker buses so sit on the top for the best view! Make sure to bring a jacket or umbrella for inclement weather.

Our 48 hour bus ticket also included free tickets for many other activities. It included a river tour on a boat in the Georgetown Harbor, admission to Madame Tussauds Wax Museum, admission the Crime & Punishment Museum and admission to the Washington D.C. Zoo. Braden and I went to the zoo and did the boat tour and it was a good time.

View of the Lincoln Memorial from the river tour

3. Visit Georgetown

Georgetown is full of many historic neighborhoods and buildings as well as restaurants and shopping. If you love quaint towns and gorgeous buildings, you will adore Georgetown. It was one of my favorite places in D.C for sure. We went once during the day and even went back one evening because we loved it so much.

Amazing shops in Georgetown

There are dozens of restaurants to chose from as well as dozens of stores to shop. We were told before we went that we had to try Baked&Wired, a local cupcake shop. We searched it on Google Maps and when we found it there was a line out the door; but, we waited and were NOT disappointed. The cupcakes were delicious. They were large and moist and basically the best cupcakes we had ever had.

With so many restaurants to choose from in Georgetown we narrowed it down by the ratings online and the type of food we wanted to eat. I suggest using Yelp and making reservations if you're going for dinner. It gets really busy in the evenings.

I mentioned Georgetown has shopping didn't I? I may have spent some time in H&M because I have a slight addiction to that store. I splurged and got some clothes for fall. Shhhh... don't tell. They basically have any store that you would need if you were to take a shopping trip there.

One of my favorite parts of Georgetown was the harbor. The waterfront is just gorgeous-- especially in the evening. There are multiple restaurants along the water that if we had time, I would have loved to go to. I suggest trying one out.. and letting me know what you think! You can also take the boat tour, like I mentioned above, at this harbor.

The harbor in Georgetown

4. Walk the National Mall

The National Mall starts at the Lincoln Memorial and ends at the Capitol-- it's about 2 miles long. I would spread it out into a few days if possible because there is a lot of walking with much to see. Start at one end and make your way to the other. Braden and I started at the end with the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument and got to explore that end of town first.

Braden and I at the Lincoln Memorial

We then made our way to the row of Smithsonian Museums but couldn't get through them in one day. Spread out the museums and take a few a days if possible so you don't burn yourself out. Along the National Mall you will also get to see the front and back of the White House.

The White House

Further along, after the museums, you will see the Capitol building and the Library of Congress as well as many other government buildings. You can get a free tour of the Capitol when you arrive or you can schedule one in advance.

TIP: The capitol tours take about 45-50 minutes and take you into the rotunda among a few other rooms that used to be used by congress.

The Library of Congress is an extremely beautiful building on the outside and even more extravagant on the inside. I would highly suggest vising this while you're at the Capitol. The Library of Congress is directly across the street.

TIP: Get a map with all of the monuments, museums and sights and circle which ones you want to make the priority just in case you don't get to everything in time.

View of the Washington Monument

5. Take Advantage of the Smithsonian Museums & Zoo

In Washington D.C. there are 19 Smithsonian museums and art galleries all fairy close to one another. If you didn't know, each Smithsonian museum is free to the public. It's AMAZING! There are so many interesting ones. You can spend as much or as little time as you would like in each museum which makes it great for managing your time. Braden and I had a list of priority museums that we wanted to go to and we spread them out over a few days.

The first day we did the Holocaust Museum and spent 3-4 hours reading, watching and listening to all the eye opening facts and information. It was a sad experience but a place I think everyone should visit. I would definitely recommend it.

The second day we went to the Air and Space Museum as well as the National Museum of Natural History. Both were incredible but only took us an hour or two to walk through. The Air and Space Museum had a lot of information of early flight systems as well as dozens of planes to look at. A few of the planes even allowed for you to go inside. The Museum of Natural History had everything from ocean exhibits to early human evolution to birds and all size mammals. The dinosaur area of that museum is currently closed for a few years due to the assembly of a new T-Rex.

If I had more time, I would have loved to visit some of the beautiful art galleries and gone to more museums.

I always knew I wanted to visit D.C. but I didn't ever think I would love it as much as I did. No one ever told me there was soo much to do and see. I hope my favorite things from our trip help you in your ventures to Washington D.C.

If you've been to D.C., what were some of your favorite things?

I added a bunch of extra pics... so if you don't want to see our touristy iPhone photos, stop scrolling now!!!

Photographing the Washington Monument

Dinner downtown at a quaint little Italian restaurant

Continuing our touristy adventures

Breakfast at the Wicked Waffle shop- the ladies there were so nice!

Inside a hallway of the Library of Congress

Dinner for a whole family.. that's what it felt like!

Lights in Georgetown

REVIEW- Mountain Warehouse Alpine Warmstretch Hoodie

2014-09-05T08:36:00.000-07:00

If you've stalked me on any form of social media, you know I absolutely adore the outdoors. Very recently I spent a long weekend in Yellowstone National Park photographing, exploring and fishing. It's the perfect time of year to go to Yellowstone because the afternoons are warm and the evenings are cool. This August was the rainiest August they've had in years and years but for me, that added to the excitement. I prefer rain to sun because I don't do well with extreme heat which usually follows hot sunny days.

Braden and I at Yellowstone Falls

I had no idea what to pack because the weather was so unpredictable. It would be sunshine and blue skies and an hour later there would be a downpour of rain. I decided to pack a little bit of everything and I'm not even joking, my go to article of clothing was my Alpine Hoodie from Mountain Warehouse. Seriously, I brought it along to try it out in cooler temperatures and see what I thought but I ended up bringing it with me EVERYWHERE.

I even wore it on the boat, along with my wellies from Mountain Warehouse. Let's just say I was reppin' MW to the max.

Fishing of the back of Braden's boat on Yellowstone Lake-- wearing my Mountain Warehouse wellies and hoodie

Now more about this fabulous hoodie--

Photographing Fishing Bridge in Yellowstone National Park

Let me just start with the fact that it may be the softest article of clothing I own. The inside is so nice and fleecy that I didn't want to take it off. It was the best layering article on my trip. I would wear a long sleeved shirt underneath and add a light rain jacket on the top! It was also great over just a t-shirt during those cooler afternoons.

The vibrant purple color is a nice, feminine color that makes me feel like I look the smallest bit cute while being outside and dirty. Forgive all the pictures of me without makeup and gnarly hair.

Another feature I love about this hoodie is the thumbholes around the wrists. Those thumb holes were perfect while being active to help keep warm. Especially if you're layering with any overcoat because they keep your sleeves down.

Fishing at Yellowstone Lake

The neck area on the Alpine hoodie is thicker than some providing warmth for your chin as well as extra coverage on your ears. The hood came in handy as well. Did I mention it's a quick drying fabric? Well, it is. It drys super fast from a light sprinkle or splash. While fishing on the boat in a storm, we took on some water and my hoodie wasn't even drenched.

The back of the hoodie is a tad longer providing extra coverage for your lower back and rear. This is always a bonus to me with any article of clothing because I never like to have my skin exposed.

Mountain Warehouse Hoodie

All in all, I would love to have a wardrobe filled with hoodies like this one. It's one of the best zip up jackets I've owned. It's comfortable, functional and manufactured with quality. Not to mention Mountain Warehouse has impeccable customer service.

WELLIES FOR ALL SEASONS- REVIEW

2014-08-01T20:17:00.000-07:00

Wellies, rain boots, galoshes.. they're all basically the same thing. Their purpose: to keep your feet dry from any elements that come your way.

The Forest Womens Wellies from Mountain Warehouse are a fantastic and practical boot that will keep your feet dry through any outdoor experience. These particular wellies have kept my feet nice and dry through the summer rain and while I'm out and about in my garden.

Mountain Warehouse's products are made with exceptional quality. These wellies are thick and resistant but still comfortable to walk in. I am very impressed with what I received and how true to the web description these rain boots were. You can see the product description here at Mountain Warehouse's website.

The buckle on the outside of the boot is more than an added accessory. It can be used to tighten or loosen the boot around your leg for added comfort. This feature is great for those of us who are active and want to avoid large gaping at the top of the boot.

The wellies come equipped with just the right tread for extra traction in slick areas. I have used mine outside in the mud after a rain storm and the tread was definitely a bonus. The boots are completely waterproof and the rubber is easy to clean. The inside is lined with soft cotton and an EVA footbed for cushioning; trust me, it makes the biggest difference in the comfort level. Rain boots that I've worn in the past make my feet sweat and rub my ankles with the hard lining. These boots are actually soft and comfortable inside.

To me, wearing a boot that is fashionable and durable is an important factor. I absolutely love the look of these boots. I would feel comfortable wearing them them out on a rainy day or I wearing them to work in the yard. The purple lining even gives them a feminine flare. They're modern and practical. Win, win.

All in all, if you're looking for a comfortable and affordable boot to keep your feet dry, these wellies are for you. I promise you won't be disappointed. Thanks Mountain Warehouse for providing a great product for us outdoor girls.

Memoirs of a Moab Adventurer

2014-07-16T12:42:00.002-07:00

The MMT. Hundreds of adventurous people gathered together enjoying the outdoors and playing on mother nature's playground.

I had the opportunity to attend the 2014 Massive Moab Trip about a month ago and heck, it was an absolute ball! I made new friends, grew closer to old friends, got my fill of adventures and almost DIED (okay, not really...read on.)

I chose a few of my favorite photos taken by my favorite photographer Scott Jarvie at Jarvie Digital to represent our trip in a nutshell. I love these pictures not only because they're fond memories but because I have strong emotions attached to each one. I remember the way I was feeling when each photo was taken. My smiles are genuine and not posed or pushed for a photo. The people surrounding me radiated positivity and to think, photos are just a glimpse of the real thing.

Jarvie taught me that everyone has a personality to capture in a camera. Some may be harder to capture than others but everyone has a story to tell. I love this picture of Jarvie and I because it's literally a photo of us sitting doing nothing significant. But, it captures our silly personalities.

No that is not frosting on my lip mom, it's the sun.

As I mentioned above, I met many new friends. Of course not all of them will ever read this but I want to say thank you. Thank you for the friendship. Yes, I know I can be a bit overdramatic sometimes (okay, like all the time) but I appreciate the people so much who are willing to open up and show kindness to someone they've never met.

Mandy, one of my adorable new friends. :)

I spent the majority of the time jeeping while we were in Moab. If you've ever been jeeping in Moab you know that it's a good time. It's also a scary time... like when the jeep rolls. Oh, how would I know you may ask? Why don't you talk to Mr. Ta'ala about that one. I personally think there was no logical reason he rolled on that obstacle so he likes to blame it on me "distracting" him. Come on Braden! Admit your faults. Don't worry though.. he had to do it again and prove his manhood. Needless to say, I watched that time.

See the guy standing on the jeep? Meet Braden. See where his hand is? That's where I was!

After the rollover, I spent more time in the Razor with these fun folks that look like models.

Swimming and cliff jumping at Left Hand

Jarvie and the besties

All in all, it was an unforgettable trip full of surprises and adventures.

The end.

Flabbergasted by Anis Mojgani

2014-06-10T12:51:00.001-07:00

Anis Mojgani.

Who is he?

A poet.

His words are real. His eloquent poems ignite reflective flames on our lives. My life.

I feel inspired again. To revive the dwindling hopes of my future. Because it's mine.

Shake the dust. Written for all of us.

"When the world knocks at your front door, clutch the knob tight and open on up. Run forward into its wide spreading arms with your hands in front.. fingertips trembling though they may be." -Anis Mojgani

Thursday Ramblings..

2014-06-05T06:24:00.002-07:00

This week I've had a lot of interesting topics come up in conversation.. I mean A LOT! My mind has been racing and I haven't been able to turn it off for one second. I've just been thinking, thinking, thinking.

The first thing I've been thinking about a lot this week is mermaids. Are they real? Because apparently there was a mermaid body found and I just heard about it! The documentary is called, Mermaids, The Body Found. What the weird? I can't even get my mind to stop thinking about them

My opinion: I think mermaids are real! No joke! Not the Ariel ones that wear shells on their chest and sing really pretty but the dark eerie ones with sharp teeth. I think a "mermaid" is a prehistoric sea creature that existed at the beginning of time. I also don't think they were so human-like, I think they were more fish-like with a few human characteristics. Such as an upper skeletal structure like a human but with webbed hands and gills like fish.. and sharp teeth. I bet they didn't have noses and ears like humans, but like fish. And probably not skin but something more like scales.

Disclaimer: Is that weird? Am I a freak for thinking they're real?

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The second thing on my mind is the word judgement. What does to judge even mean? If the world had a more universal definition and everyone was on the same page, it wouldn't be such an issue. And can anyone really say they don't judge?

My opinion: Everyone judges. Every. Single. Person. Even those who feel judged. They're making a judgement by accusing someone else of judging them, therefore being judgmental. It's a word that is overused and taken advantage of. It's a word that people throw around lightly when feeling insecure or vulnerable.

How many times have you heard people criticize a religion for being judgmental? Personally, as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I hear "mormons are judgemental," all the time. Well.. shall we turn the tables and look at how they are "judging" mormons? Maybe the people of the religion feel judged and not accepted by the other person? It's a two way street and a vicious never ending cycle.

Solution: Stop thinking judging is going to end. Because it's not. So just accept it and move on. Don't be so sensitive and "judging" won't be such an issue. Trust me.

Disclaimer: In no way do I think to judge someone is a positive thing, but more of the natural man in each of us that needs to learn how to be controlled.

Wow, these are just two of the many many things on my mind. As you can see, the topics vary drastically and trust me, there's even weirder things than mermaids. What do you think about mermaids? And judging?

I'd love to know your thoughts on my Thursday Ramblings...

DEAR FRIEND

2014-04-14T15:32:00.001-07:00

Dear Friend,

You don't know who you are and my guess is, you'll never read this.

But thank you.

I've learned things from you. Simple things. Just by watching you and spending short amounts of time with you.

People don't influence me very easily... hardly ever really. But by you not trying, you have. That makes you unique.

I've learned the beauty of silence from you. I've learned that it's okay to sit with with someone and be silent. It's not awkward. It's not rude. It's solace in this chaotic world.

I've learned introverts can emulate confidence. I gained confidence from you. Your quiet personality doesn't make you insecure, it makes you an observer.

If I took more time to observe rather than be the one being observed, I could learn much more. And luckily I realized that now.

Anyway, I just wanted to say a simple thank you.

Sincerely,

Madeline

MY FAVORITE CONCEPT FROM CONFERENCE

2014-04-06T16:21:00.001-07:00

I learned an exuberant amount from General Conference this year. It was the first year that I stayed home and watched the Saturday and Sunday sessions alone in peace and quite. I'll admit I enjoy the company but I got much more out of it this way. I could go on and on about the things I loved and the incredible talks given but I want to share my thoughts on one simple concept presented by Sister Jean A. Stevens.

Photo cred: Yours truly. Aren't my tulips gorgeous?

"The gospel is not weight; it is wings." -Sister Stevens

Many people inside and outside the church think the commandments and teachings are so called "weight" when in reality we have those things to help us reach our full potential. Every commandment put in place is there to benefit us.

We as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints don't smoke or drink. Why? Because it's a commandment from God and it's not healthyAT ALL! Prove to me how putting smoke in your lungs or altering your mind with alcohol is healthy for you, oh wait.. you can't.

We don't have sexual relationships before marriage. Why? Because it's until marriage that one makes special covenants with our Heavenly Father and we are then ready to be fully committed to one another. Abstinence protects us emotionally from harmful relationships and feelings one may have before marriage as well.

We believe marriage is between a man an a woman. Why? Because only between a man and a woman can children be created. And with children comes the family, the most sacred and special unit of our gospel.

There are many other commandments that we as members of the church follow. God's commandments are a part of our road map in life. They aren't strict rules but guidelines to benefit us. The gospel is to help us fly, not hold us down.

We as members of the church, and even those are aren't, should realize the gospel isn't something that we are forced to do or that we carry on our shoulders as a burden. We embrace the opportunity to have wings and reach our potential. We do these things because we are striving to become better people.

Another way the gospel gives us wings is by understanding the atonement and repentance. Having the chance to wipe away our sins and be forgiven from all our wrongdoings doesn't seem like weight to me. It's the furthest thing actually. Having the chance to live guilt-free lives and know if we mess up we can fix it is the purest form of wings.

Finally, a personal way I receive wings from the gospel is through praying and feeling the spirit. By praying, I am able to receive personal revelation through the Holy Ghost. My revelation is a thought that comes to mind while I'm praying or throughout the day. It helps me make the right decisions as well as serve those around me.

I hope you will find the ways the gospel gives you wings in your own life. It's a beautiful concept and I hope one day everyone will understand.

4 SIMPLE IDEAS TO STRENGTHEN YOUR SUNDAY

2014-03-23T10:57:00.001-07:00

Every week when Sunday rolls around I want to detach myself from the world and focus on what's really important. It's always been a constant struggle for me to do this when there is so much going on in my busy life, but I'm slowly learning how to manage. It gets easier as time goes on because the feeling that comes with reverence is a feeling I never want to loose. I used to think the spirit was only felt strongly when in church or reading the scriptures, but oh how I was wrong. I love to bring the spirit on Sundays by doing these things.

The first thing I do every Sunday when I wake up is change my Pandora to The Mormon Tabernacle Choir station. I wake up to wonderful soft music and listen to it while I shower and get ready. It brings a sense of serenity and peace to my home.

I'm a firm believer that cleanliness is next to godliness. When I wake up on Sunday morning I make sure to open my blinds to let the sunshine in and before I do anything else, I make my bed. I love having a put together bedroom because it helps me gather my thoughts and focus throughout the day. By tidying up your bedroom and living spaces, it helps to clear your head of those overwhelming thoughts in the back of your mind throughout the day telling your bedroom is a mess.

Now that it's finally Spring and warming up, I've been sitting on my front porch and reading. I bring a blanket outside with me and sit on my porch steps. I think reading is a great way to separate oneself from the world and keep the spirit. I have been reading a fiction book when I find time but I'm also focusing on The Book of Mormon. On a Sunday before or after church would be a great time to go outside and read the scriptures. It sets a tone for the day and a little spring sunshine never hurt anyone.

I have a leather journal that sits beside my bed collecting dust six days a week. I can't seem to make time to journal throughout the week, I just don't make it a priority. Putting aside time on Sunday to write my thoughts and feelings is a great way for me to evaluate my life and collect my thoughts. By journaling I can often see where my life is headed and what's missing or how my focus needs to be realigned. I don't like to blog about my deepest personal feelings which makes my tangible journal that much more special. It's for me and only me.

There are so many ways to strengthen our Sundays.. and these are just a few that I've found work for me. I also think Sunday is a great day for cooking or baking treats to share with friends and neighbors, writing letters to missionaries or loved ones and of course, the notorious Sunday nap.

I apologize for not having pictures in this post.... Find it in your hearts to forgive me.

What are some other ways you strengthen your Sunday? I'd love thoughts and suggestions!

10 THINGS YOU HAVE TO DO THIS SPRING

2014-03-21T17:52:00.003-07:00

Welcome to spring. I absolutely LOVE spring. I love spring so much that I made a list of the great and productive things you HAVE to do this year. Trust me, it will enrich your life. Here we go!

1. Take a hike

Yeah, take a hike. Get out there before it gets too hot during the summer. Spring is the perfect time to hike in the mountains. It's brisk yet often gets warm enough in the middle of the day to take off the jacket and just wear a t-shirt. Pick a hike that isn't too high in elevation so you won't run into snow and don't forget your camera!

Spring Hiking

2. Read a book in the park

I say read in the park because there's something about the park benches or a blanket on the grass and the sunshine on your face that makes it magical for a book. I also personally love the background noise of birds chirping or kids playing on the playground. It helps me feel included in the community as odd as that may seem. I like to be part of things but also have my own personal space. Start a new book or grab the one you're already reading and head over to your local park! If you have pets or kids, this would be a great activity for them as well.

3. Plant something

If you have a garden, my guess is you'll be starting to plant in the next few weeks. But if you don't have the space for a garden or the time, get a pot, some soil and plant seeds or flowers you bought from the store. Keep your plants on your porch or somewhere you will see them often to bring you fresh happy thoughts. If you would rather plant fresh herbs or vegetables, those can be potted and some can even be kept inside as well. Do your research before you plant. Green plants and flowers bring a fresh spring feeling to the home and yard as well as a satisfying feeling when the growth becomes noticeable.

4. Spring Clean

The moment cleaning is mentioned, most people tune out and get overwhelmed. But in reality, think about the feeling you get after your house is clean. It's worth it! I personally love to stay clean because I'm happier in a clutter-free and sanitized environment. Start with a room a day and after a few days or a week, you're home will be spotless! It's that easy. If you don't know where to start.. Mom It Forward offers great cleaning printables. They have one for every room. While you're cleaning, find things you can get rid of or never use and donate them to your local secondhand discount store. I find that opening the windows and blinds in my home makes it feel fresh and clean. I always like to light a candle as I'm cleaning or once I'm finished. It gives it the finishing touch.

5. Get in the Easter Spirit

Get festive. Pull out your Easter decorations! If you don't have any, it's a great time to craft and make some! Even putting fresh flowers on the kitchen table or counter make it feel more festive. Put out a bowl of easter candy. Bake fluffy Easter cupcakes! DO SOMETHING!

6. Shop the sales

During the spring, most stores have sales on their winter clothing. It's the PERFECT time to get great deals on jeans, sweaters, coats, jackets and shoes! I have found many of my favorite winter and cold weather articles of clothing during the off season months. It's cheaper and it's fun to wear the new clothes the next fall and winter! Trust me, it's a great money saver. H&M always has great blowout sales on their winter clothes. I've bought the most adorable sweaters there for $10!

7. Clean the car

Spring is a great time to get a car wash and vacuum out the inside. I know that I hate washing my car in the winter because it just gets dirty again from all the dirt and salt. Say goodbye to snow and crap being tracked onto your floor mats! It's SPRING!! Clean the inside of your windows too! They usually get a gross winter film on them. If you really want to go all out, get a new scented air freshener to make your car feel extra clean and fresh.

8. Get the yard cleaned up

Take a Saturday afternoon and sweep the porch, rake up the old leaves, clean the flower beds out and get the yard looking clean. If you don't have a yard, clean up your porch or garage area.

9. Have a bonfire

Get your friends or neighbors together and have a bonfire. Bring camping chairs, treats and drinks and make an evening out of it. Bring the kids or make it just a friends night out. Go up the canyon or by the lake or even to a fire pit. Have everyone bring some wood or pitch in to get some pallets. A bonfire is a great social event for when it's not to hot and not to cold outside. Everyone likes a bonfire.

10. Visit baby animals

Usually the zoo or a farm will have baby animals in the spring. I know Cache Valley has baby animal days on April 3-5 at the American West Heritage Center. It's so amazing. You get to hold baby chicks, ducklings, bunnies, goats, and pet sorts of baby animals! They also have little baby bear cubs that you can see. Anyways, my point is that baby animals are the best and you should make time to see them this spring.

Holding a baby duckling

Petting a baby calf

Now that I have provided a list... there is no reason or excuse why you shouldn't do a few of these things.

HAPPY SPRING!!

SUDDORA: FIND YOUR WORKOUT HEADBAND

2014-03-17T15:23:00.001-07:00

Okay, I’ll admit it. I have an extremely contagious case of spring fever. All I want to do is spend time outside! I've been soaking up the sun and finding any excuse to enjoy this beautiful spring weather! It's definitely that time of year when we start to take our exercise routines outside and gain that extra kick of motivation.

As bizzare as it is, I get my motivation from new products to improve my exercise and people to share them with! My latest motivation has come from a batch of amazing athletic headbands from Suddora. I had the wonderful opportunity to do a review for them and along with being great products, I got a blast of extra motivation to get outside and get going again!

I’ve been practicing yoga when I can but I’m also starting to throw in running for extra cardio. Thanks to Suddora, I’ve found headbands that are versatile and comfortable enough for an active sport like running as well as strengthening exercises like yoga. I've reviewed three headbands with the input from my running and yoga partners!

Non-Slip Sports Headbands With Comfy Velvet Lining

Amber wearing her choice velvet lined headband

This non-slip sports headband is great for holding back hair without causing pressure on your head. I would recommend wearing this if your workout continues for a long duration of time. We all know the massive headaches that come from wearing our headbands too tight. But these velvet sports headbands truly are unnoticeable even after a few miles. The ladies I run with love them as well. They come in some great colors such as white, black, shades of pink and shades of green! They fit thick at the top with a velvet lining and along the bottom is a thin elastic strip to keep the headband fitted.

Amber, one of my running partners in the photo above, prefers the velvet-lined headband for her soft fine hair. She recommends these headbands for the way they hold sturdily in place without adding extra pressure to the head.

Left: The Suddora Non-slip Sport Velvet Lined Headband
Right: The Suddora Elastic Headband

Yoga Headband –Super Soft Cotton

Natalie via N&R Humpherys, and my work out partner for a few years, wrote a great review for me regarding her favorite of the headbands, the Suddora Yoga Headband.

Suddora Yoga Headband- Yellow

"Finding a headband that I like is difficult. I have an odd shaped head that stretches out most headbands and my naturally fine hair also makes it difficult for any hair accessory to stay in place without dozens of bobby pins. Another problem I’ve stumbled upon in the past with thicker headbands is finding one that doesn’t itch my forehead.

The Suddora Yoga Headband fit my head perfectly and I didn’t have to worry about stretching it out. I was pleasantly surprised by how soft and comfortable it is too, no itchy forehead!

I’m almost always interrupted during exercise to adjust my headbands but the yoga headband stays firmly in place. I wear this headband running, during Zumba and even while dancing. Usually I find other headbands on the floor after whipping my head around and eventually I give up trying, but this wasn’t even a problem with Suddora’s headband.

The best part is, the material doesn’t put pressure behind my ears, so no headaches!

I also love how many fun colors these headbands come in. I even have some that match my shoes! Talk about style while working out."

Suddora Yoga Headband- Dark Green

The yoga headband- Black

Thin Elastic Athletic Hairband

The Suddora elastic headband is my personal favorite headband. I think it’s best for those with thick hair who need something tight to keep it tamed. I love the bright colors and the convenience of these little guys. They’re great for a quick jog or trip to the gym but shouldn’t be worn for too long because there’s potential for headaches to occur. These headbands come in black, white, blue and pink. Each time I wear one, it’s just as tight as the time before. They are great quality, not itchy and really hold your hair in place.

Suddora Elastic Headband- Pink

Suddora Elastic Headband- Blue

Zipper Sweatband Wristbands

Suddora recently came out with this sweatband/wristband with a zipper! I had never used a sweatband on my wrist before because I never felt a need while jogging. Now that I’ve had the opportunity to try it, I use it all the time! It’s a great place for my home key or emergency money. It’s also great for keeping a lip balm or any other small item one would need while working out. It’s a great product for women to take the place of a bag for such small items.

Pink Suddora Sweatband Wristband

Natalie assisted me with a great review on this wristband as well.

“When I go running with my dog I like to just go and not worry about my bulky keys. I used to take my house key off the chain and put it in my bra. But Suddora solved this problem for me with their Zipper Sweatbands that include a zipper pocket. It is a wristband that matches their other products, like my favorite Yoga headband, but it has a zipper conveniently the size of a card or key. I used to find myself worrying and wondering if my key had fallen out but now I always know it’s there with this sweatband. The zipper puts my worries at ease. I am excited to use it in the canyon when my dog and I go on more intense hikes.”

Suddora's pink wristband sweatband and pink non-slip velvet lined headband

Check out more awesome headbands and athletic products at suddora.com or simply click here.

GIVING LIFE LEMONS

2014-03-09T13:31:00.001-07:00

When life gives you lemons, make lemonade, right? But what is a lemon? Is a lemon a trial in this life? Is a lemon an unwanted gift? Is a lemon a sour attitude?

Who's to say what a lemon is. Everyone's definition of lemon is different but they all possess a common attribute; they're there to make lemonade.

Recently I've been reflecting and self assessing. I do this often and each time I learn something new about myself. I reflect by talking out my feelings with those who are close to me. As I was talking to an individual a few days ago, the thought of lemons came to mind.

To me, a lemon is a situation. One I can learn and grow from.

Lemons are my stepping stones. They're what pave the way for my existence. I'm stuck without them. At a standstill in the road. Like a railroad track that abruptly ends. Each lemon is another piece of the track laid down in front of me urging me to move forward.

I frequently search for lemons because I love making lemonade. I love paving my path. Each person I meet, activity I attend, situation I place myself in and decision I make is my way of giving life lemons.

Not all lemons are good. Some are sour, some are unwanted and some flat out strive to make my life miserable. That's when I start to make lemonade. Every lemon is capable of of producing lemonade. It could be sweet or it could be tart. Either way, there's something to be made and something to be learned.

It's taken me awhile to grasp the fact that the bad lemons serve a huge purpose in my life. They are half of my railroad track and without them, I wouldn't be where I am now. I wouldn't be able to get to where I'm going.

It's important to recognize the good lemons as well. Often times the saying "when life gives you lemons, made lemonade" has a negative connotation. But when you realize life is constantly giving you lemons in the form of blessings, it's that much easier to move forward.

The next time you are feeling like you've been given a sour batch of lemons, count the sweet ones and remember lemons are a gift and life doesn't have to give them.

Why You Should Grow Your Own Herbs

2014-02-25T21:07:00.002-08:00

I have a deep rooted passion for plants and gardens of all kinds -- see what I did there? Deep rooted? Okay.. well anyways, I wanted something I could have indoors through the cold months, so last fall I planted a variety of herbs. I planted Basil, Cilantro and Chives. After struggling to get them healthy and growing, they are finally producing enough leaves to cook with! I LOVE IT! They're not only delicious but it's actually rewarding to watch them grow.

I had to take pictures of my first clippings! Look at those beauties!!

Another reason I have an herb garden is to add some green to my kitchen. I keep them near the window in separate pots and water them every few days. My chives don't seem to need a lot of water yet they grow like crazy!

TIP: If you're growing Cilantro, be patient. The first time it sprouted, they never made it far. A few weeks later, another round sprouted up and they are now thriving. They took longer than the Basil and Chives but now are producing rapidly.

Speaking of Chives, they're a great herb to grow if you're just starting. They don't need much attention and they will continue to grow and grow and grow. I've now trimmed mine twice and they have kept growing healthy.

TIP: I personally find Basil harder to grow than other herbs I've had. I am still perfecting its routine to get it to produce continuously. I'm not even sure it's possible.

My next herb adventure is Lemon Balm and Mint. I have seeds planted and am hoping to see sprouts in the next few weeks. They say Mint is a great herb to start that will continue producing with minimal effort. I guess we'll see.

CARRYING THE WEIGHT OF THE WORLD..

2014-02-24T23:09:00.000-08:00

Sometimes I feel as if I'm carrying the weight of the world. But here's the catch... I bring it completely upon myself. And I kinda like it.

I have such a high expectation for myself and I feel like in order to maintain it, I need to stay as active and involved as humanly possible.

Very recently something has changed.

I had the opportunity to receive my roadmap. Guidance and inspiration from Heavenly Father through a patriarch. It's something I could have never imagined until I had the sacred opportunity to receive it for myself. It's a blessing that is dedicated only to me. I didn't feel like life was cloudy until I saw the clarity after receiving my blessing. Many of life's worries disappeared. I am comforted with the soothing reassurance and promises made to me and I am excited for the path that lies ahead of me.

I was reminded that I am loved. I am loved immensely not only by my mother and father but by my Heavenly Father and Savior Jesus Christ. I am a chosen spirit with a purpose here on Earth.

I realized my worth. I realized that I am not just "another person" in God's eyes. I am not just a human walking the earth aimlessly living pointlessly day by day. No. I have duties. I have responsibilities and I have purpose.

He has a plan for me.

Things were put into perspective. I realized how much He knows me. How much he admires me. And how much He knows I'm capable of. His faith in me strengthens my faith in Him.

I am blessed beyond measure.

I know I'm right where I'm supposed to be. I now realize carrying the weight of the world is a privilege, a privilege that I have. It's something meant for me. The weight of the world is just another way of saying endless opportunity.

I have a book full of empty pages that I get to write. I get to decide what happens and where my journey goes. I get to carry the weight of the world and craft it into whatever I so desire.

---

If you would like more information about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, visit lds.org.

The Comeback of the One Piece

2014-01-28T16:13:00.003-08:00

I noticed swimwear has been quite the topic of conversation lately and I'd love to share some thoughts.

Over time we have seen swimwear develop and evolve into what it is today. We've gone from high waist bottoms to high hip legs, thin straps and now bikinis of every size and shape.

First, I would like to share a story with you about when I was in high school.

All growing up I was raised with the values to wear modest swimwear. Modest to me meant tankinis or one pieces. But we all know that the majority of people wear bikinis and of course in high school, one pieces weren't/aren't cool. They were for prudes and little girls. No one was caught dead wearing one. So that left me with tankinis as my only option. I recall always feeling a little bit embarrassed because I was always covered up and many of my friends wore bikinis and got more attention from boys. (Remember this is high school and that stuff mattered back then.) Being a girl, usually we are more self conscious about what other girls think rather than boys. But with swimwear, it was the other way around. I know this because of the questions I'd frequently get asked and the comments that were usually made by boys before they knew I wore modest swimwear.

"If you ever go to the beach, not one girl wears a tankini."

"I hope you girls aren't the type of girls that don't wear bikinis."

"Tankinis and one pieces are so ugly."

Of course people don't say these things with the intent to be rude. Many of them didn't think I wore that type of swimwear but it caught my attention. Especially the beach comment. I started noticing every time I went to the beach that I was the only young person wearing a covering suit. I always felt like I stuck out like a sore thumb, and really, I did. I became more aware of swimwear as I grew older. It also became harder and harder to find tankinis. They started to look very childish or too mature for my body type. I decided to look into one pieces a few years ago and hope I'd have better luck. I bought my first one, since I was a child, my freshman year of college and I loved it. I wore it everywhere-- where swimwear is appropriate of course. After high school, I didn't mind the attention and looks I got from wearing my one piece. I liked it. I started shopping around to find more and it was really difficult. I didn't want to wear something that looked like an old lady but I didn't want to wear something completely skimpy. Eventually I found another one I liked and I got more and more compliments and questions asking where I'd gotten my suits.

All that happened a few years back. Shortly after that time I got a job in my college town at a swim shop. I became an expert in all types of swimwear and slowly saw the trends changing. It went from the majority of the catalogues filled with bikinis to slowly a one piece popping up here and there. The store started ordering more and more trendy one pieces and they started flying off the racks. I bought a few from the store and wore them on trips or hot tubbing with tons of other college students. So many girls (who could definitely pull off a bikini) started asking where I got my suits and where they could get a one piece. A few friends even frequently borrowed my one pieces. I even started noticing younger women at the beaches were wearing one pieces. One pieces are coming back. Last week in Huntington Beach I wore my very favorite Perry Ellis one shoulder polka dot swimsuit and multiple women commented in person and on the pictures I posted. (Don't mind my crazy huge bun in that pic below.)

Paddle boarding around Newport Harbor

My personal opinion is happy to see the return of the one piece. I also truly think one pieces tend to be more flattering and sexy on most women. To me, they show confidence because they stand out and go against the norm.

FOLLOWING YOUR DREAMS

2013-12-09T15:59:00.000-08:00

While on the bus today, on my way to take my first final, I met someone who inspired me. It takes approximately 4 minutes from where I get on to reach campus where I get off. Let's add an extra minute today for snow and say I was with him for 5 minutes.

Here's the story.

The Route 1 bus rolled up to a halt and dozens of people began crowding toward the entrance. I patiently waited knowing I would get my usual seat at the very front. People don't like sitting toward the front of the bus, some will even stand to avoid it. I take full advantage of this everyday and I always get a seat.

I sat down and waited for the bus to fill. An older gentleman with a briefcase and a long white beard climbed aboard among the students and I smiled at him. He took the empty seat next to me. Finally! Someone who's not afraid to sit at the front of the bus. He wore a black beanie, glasses and his snowy white beard still held food remnants from breakfast.

"Does your beard keep you warm?" I asked.

"Eh.... kind of." He shyly replied.

I pulled the headphones out of my ears to be polite. He asked me if I had any finals today. I said yes. He then proceeded to ask which ones. I told him. Being unsure of his scholarly state, I decided to say the words, "and you?" That's when I learned he was an advanced calculus professor to seniors and students in the masters program. "I am giving one today," he said almost as if he was glad he was on the other side.

What I said next was probably not the best but it just came out!! "I'd rather die than take that test!!" Ooopps.. good thing he laughed. To cover my tracks I asked him if he's always been or always wanted to be an advanced math professor. He sighed and said, "I sure have. I knew the second day I was in calculus that I wanted to teach it and I've been teaching for almost 40 years."

He was saying it in a way that was almost shameful. Like he was embarrassed that his dream was to teach math. But I was impressed. "Wow! You followed your dreams!! Not many people actually get that far! That's something to be proud of." I told him.

He rambled about the final he was going to give and for some reason he said the word out. With a slight Canadian accent. Was it a Canadian accent I asked myself?

"Are you from Canada?" I asked.

Chuckling he said, "You're good! Yes. I sure am! But I've been here for 40 years!"

"What part?" I was eager to know..

"Montreal."

WOW! My best friend Alli is on her mission there! I know strangers don't really care about that sort of stuff but I told him anyway. We talked about Canada for a minute and then I asked him where else he has taught.

After mentioning literally half the universities in the US, I concluded that he's had quite the experiences as a math guru. He even mentioned his children at some point leading to the conclusion that he has a family.

Now, although half of my story is completely irrelevant, I want to focus on one part in particular. I am inspired by this man because he followed his dreams and made something of himself! He has a family, he's travelled and experienced a country outside of his own and he has so much knowledge! I have many young dreams and ambitions as a college students and I only hope I get half way there.

Thank you man on the bus who I'll probably never see again. Although I didn't even catch your name, you inspired me. I will follow my college dreams just like you did.