some things i've learned...

all IS FAIR in love and war

i will ALWAYS be a princess in my mommy's eyes

it takes more muscles to frown than to SMILE

a bubble bath can cure ANYTHING

DADDYS give THE BEST hugs

life is too short to hold grudges

yoga is peace

when life gives you lemons, make LEMONADE

having a sister is like having a BEST FRIEND you can't get rid of

"life's a dance you learn as you go"

vanilla ice cream is best with gummy bears

never loose sight of what you believe in

summertime is for flip-flops and sunglasses

music can change ANY bad mood

LOVE with ALL your HEART

cute underwear can make any girl feel GOOD

everything happens for a reason

tanning is LOVE

life without friendship is like the sky without sun

live so your glass is always "half-full"

pray daily

a good country love song can bring a smile to ANTONE'S face

life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass. it's learning to DANCE in the rain.

camping = smores

nothing beats the feeling after a great workout!

'retail therapy' saves lives. TRUE STORY.

cuddling is INTOXICATING

kickboxing is butt kicking!!

sunflowers = happiness

a BLT is not the same without HOMEGROWN tomatoes!

i love how thunderstorms make me feel like a little girl

challenge yourself everyday. you'll feel more ACCOMPLISHED!

nothing beats a good book

springtime is for HAMMOCKS!

snowy weather is only fun for about a month. then it gets OLD!

SERVE OTHERS

don't put all your eggs in ONE basket

Some days you gotta dance

Live it up when you get the chance

'Cause when the world doesn't make no sense

And you're feeling just a little to tense

Gotta loosen up those chains and dance

I've tackled that mountain....

STORY TIME :) last May I had the chance to go to Moab and hike all over the place. Southern Utah is BEAUTIFUL! There's nothing like seeing the realness of the red dirt in person. It's crazy. There are some beautiful hikes that are yes, challenging, but have extremely rewarding views. Went with some friends and had great conversations the whole way up.
Come June I realize I really want to hike the Y. Just in my backyard in Provo, Utah. If you don't know this about me, I'm extremely spontaneous and act on pretty much all impulses. So it's 7am and I'm wide awake laying in bed when I decide to conquer the mountain. I figured that since I had hiked all over Moab, I could pretty much conquer the world. Boy was I wrong. I start the hike and the whole way I'm thinking to myself, how am I ever going to make it. I had no idea how hard this was going to be for me. Hiking the Y is all switchbacks, all uphill. No level ground or downhill at ALL! Well, I get to switchback number 8. Extremely exhausted and having no idea how much further to the top, I then turn around and call it good.... Not knowing how many switchbacks there were left. I jogged down the hill feeling bummed that I turned around but happy that I made it that far.
This morning I woke up with a little extra hop in my step. I decide I'm going to hike the Y and this time make it all the way. I wasn't going to let myself turn around again. This time I come fully prepared with my ipod fully charged, some water, and my inhaler (don't laugh!). I start up the mountain, knowing this time that it's all or nothing. I make a little stop to rest after about the 3rd switchback. As I'm sitting there I notice a girl coming down the mountain. She smiles and says, "Goodmorning!" And I quickly say, "I have a question.... How many switchbacks are there?" She responds, "There's 10 to the bottom of the Y and 12 to the top. But don't worry, the first few are the hardest and longest of them all. You can do it!" I say thank you then start on my way back up. I get thinking to myself... "ARE YOU SERIOUS? I MADE IT ALL THE WAY TO NUMBER 8 LAST TIME THEN TURNED AROUND AND WALKED ALL THE WAY BACK DOWN!!!"
I quickly learned turned this into a life lesson... Me, walking on a path with the end not in sight, so often turn around to go back down the road already traveled. The first time I tried this hike I had nothing. Not an i-pod, no water, no inhaler, no friends to say keep going, and no road map to say how much further I had. I was walking completely blind on a path with literally no end in sight.
Well, I knew how much longer I had to go and lets just say when I was getting to the 11th switchback, I saw my final destination right there in front of me and starting running to reach my end goal. I DID IT! I MADE IT! All I needed was a little map, support, and entertainment.
Now, going back to the first time I tried this hike. I had no idea what I was getting myself into. I thought that it was going to be a peace of cake. I had no idea that hiking the Y was all switchbacks and all UPHILL! Personally, I prefer my hikes with it's ups and downs. But this morning, I put it into perspective... In these last days there can't be ups and downs. Where I'm strong, but then fall a little downhill just to pick myself back up in a week or however long. These are the final days where it is going to be an uphill hike! Striving always to become better. I know the end goal and my final destination. I only hope that towards the end of my hike of life that I will again run full speed only this time to my Heavenly Father to embrace Him with a hug. Just as I did the final steps of hiking the Y.

the map of the Y

Beginning the trail...

I dropped my phone as I was sitting on top the the Y. I laughed as it fell all the way the the base of the Y. Hitting every rock and flying into three pieces: the back, the battery, and the front. I got it all put back together and working. Makes for a good story and great laugh. The scratches give it character!!! :)

PEACE + LOVE

LOOK MOM, I'M LIKE 10 YRS OLD AGAIN :)

laying on top of the Y, feeling on top of the world!

GOODMORNING UTAH!!

one of my most FAVORITE things...

As I am wake up this morning, naturallly- to the sunrise not an alarm clock I notice a few things. The clean fresh air of a beautiful spring morning. The birds happily chirping already off to a fabulous day. And me, bundled up in my bed. My face being the only thing that's sticking out of my cocooned body wrapped in blankets. Oooh how I LOVE sleeping with my window wide open. (i can do this since I'm on the 3rd floor.).. And waking up feeling and wondering if I really am camping or if it's just another beautiful spring morning in Utah.

... Of course two minutes later I'm kicking off the covers and rolling over to grab my box of tissues needing to blow my nose. Realizing I still have a fever and a dang sinus infection. :( Well, at least I was able to enjoy the peaceful serenity for a couple mins!

what a beautiful day in the neighborhood...

i LOVE LOVE LOVE sundays. it's my favorite day of the whole week... wednesdays aren't too far behind though. This week i've finally become an avid gym goer. I think i went 6/7 days. GO ME!! I worked about 48 hours this week... GO ME!!... Going to LOVE that paycheck. The weather on the other hand... ughhhh. Snowed I swear 8 inches on Wednesday. Good thing it was wednesday and NOTHING can get me down that day. I was still smiling from ear to ear despite the cold that made me want to cry! Friday morning I wake up and check my bank account to see how broke I am... then BAMB. My tax return came a whole week early. Couldn't be happier. I promised my mom I wouldn't spend it on clothes, "I'M GOING TO PAY OFF ALL MY BILLS!" Which, I am in the process of doing, but still, I deserved a little of this big chunk of change. So, I bought myself a little spa package: facial, pedicure, and massage. Ooooh what a GLORIOUS day I had. And I don't think I did anything wrong at all by spending a little money on me... Someone has to spoil and take care of me :)
This next coming week the average is going to be about 75 degrees :) which means... CAMPING NEXT WEEKEND! I'm so excited. I just love love love spring/ summer/ fall. Hahaha. But really. So this should be a great week.... If only I can get rid of this bloody cold!!

Happy Easter...

I love easter. And it's not because of the easter bunny, all the candy, and the new easter dress. Lets be honest, it's been about 6 years since i've gotten all of that! Today I had the pleasure of giving a talk in sacrament meeting. As soon as I finished, my bishop came up to me and said, "We need to get you on a mission!" And I couldn't agree more. I'm so excited about life. These next few months are going to be AH-MAZ-ING. The sun is starting to SHINE. The flowers are starting to bloom. I should be getting my amazing tax return back shortly :) My best friend Tracy who's been in France since August is coming back. I'm going home in May and my WHOLE FAMILY will be home! Photoshoot? Yes PLEASE! I just love life. I'm starting to really embrace the mystery life holds instead of hating it. It's better this way. Oh, and i LOVE country music. Went country dancing THREE times this week :) wahaha. I LOVE IT. Plus I'm now an avid yoga goer and kickboxer. I'm finally getting out of my anti-social winter phase and ready to meet some new friends and have a wonderful summer. It's going to be splendid.

i miss my BROOKIE

So a couple weeks ago I went to go see my best friend Brooke who is serving a mission at temple square in Salt Lake City, Utah. I was so glad that I went because 1. it was totally last minute. i was afraid i wouldn't be able to find her in the dark. and 2. once i found her she told me she's leaving for Washington in two days!!!! Ahhhhh... sooo excited for her. So we decided that the next day I'd go visit her and she'd give me a full tour, her last temple square tour before Washington! Here's some pictures... enjoy :)