Do not augment!

I can't believe it has been a week!

Life has been fun and eventful this past week.

I've played volleyball.

Hung out with Ang, Braden, and Mark daily.

Kierstin came home.

I went home!

Yes, that's right!

I had a chance to go home and surprise my mommy.

I have not been home in four months and it was time for a trip home.

I love going home and being loved.

I had great talks with my family.

We laughed, talked, and ate a lot.

Friday night we got home pretty late.

Emily got asked to prom. (I know, it's so weird that she is old enough to go.)

I had ice cream.

We stayed up late talking and I went to bed with a happy heart.

Saturday we went shopping, to a concert, Distinguished Young Women, and talked some more.

It was a very long and full day.

It was so nice to be with my family.

On Sunday I had a chance to go to my home ward.

It was so nice to see everyone that I have grown up with.

I think I really do have the best home ward.

Everyone genuinely cares for how I am doing and cares for me!

I had a chance to hold a baby and put him to sleep.

I really do miss that.

I had a great dinner.

I went shopping in my house. (That's one of my favorite things to do when I go home, :) )

I helped my mom with her blog. 

I jumped on the tramp with Brigham.

Which brings back a lot of memories from last summer.

The drive back to Utah with Porter and Brandon was a blast.

I am a blessed girl.

This was a little bit of my life this past week.

I love Summer.

I love warmth.

I love smiling and happiness.

Life is so grand!

Oh boy! ;)

Oh baby!

What a winner.

Sign me up!

This scene just gives me the giggles!

There's Always Good, but Sometimes I Don't See It

Today I got to have a chat with two lovely ladies.

I've mentioned Angelynn(whom I love alot) before but I've never mentioned Paige.

She's a beautiful person, on the inside and the outside.

The past month I was feeling down.

My heart felt like it was being put in a blender.

Well, after a chat on Sunday and a few realizations I started to feel better.

I really am doing good, but after today I am doing great.

Paige gave me a new outlook on life and I realized that I do deserve better.

I am a daughter of God and I deserve to be treated like a princess.

I can't make someone see my point of view or make them change theirs.

I realized that good things can be worked out but only if both people are willing to work.

It's funny she didn't say some of these things, but I still learned these lessons from her.

I learned a lot of other lessons as well.

I wish I could have had a pen to write down everything Paige said.

She was almost in the exact situation as me but just on the opposite side.

Her insight was amazing and I needed to hear her story.

She is an answered prayer.

As much as I still want things to work out I am moving on.

So how am I doing that?

I have been on two dates this week and I might have one on Saturday.

I loved my "date" on Tuesday, but that's because  I was babysitting.

Give me a kid on a date and I will happy!

Now my second date was not my favorite date.

I learned a lot of things.

For instance, I do not like squid or shrimp.

I never want to go on a date when someone spends all of that money on me.

I am not a public person.

I will not hold a boys' hand if I do not like them.

It's alright to tell a boy that you just got out of a relationship and you are not interested.

I never thought I would have to do anything like that.

One of the biggest lessons I learned  is that it's alright to be sad and still want.

However, I do need to move on and give other people a chance.

My relationship with my Heavenly Father and savior is the most important relationship.

I am going to focus on that and being a better disciple of Christ.

I am going to focus on finishing up the healing process.

I think Paige was the disinfectant and gauze I needed for my bullet wound.

Now I just need the scar to come.

Terrible analogy?

Probably! :)

Tonight I am HAPPY, HEALING, and THANKFUL.

Life is good!!

Look for the good everyday, and I think we will all be shocked.

Thankful Thursday... Friday

Oh dear, I have not done a post like this in ages.

I decided it was time to do one.

1. I'm done with my freshman year of college! 

I did it and I am ready for a break.

It was a very long semester.

2. I'm thankful for opportunities.

I had a chance to sing for Elder Holland and Elder Christofferson.

One of the greatest experiences.

3.  LDS Business College.

It has helped shape my future.

4. Play Theory.

The principles are amazing!

5. The chances I have to make decisions.

I've had to make some big ones and I might write about them soon.

6. Book of Mormon.

I finished it again this last week.

It's one of my favorite books.

7. Sincere Prayer with a Heavenly Father who loves me.

8. Chats with my Daddy, Mommy, and family.

They are great.

(Shoot mom I just realized I forgot to call you back. I'll remember tomorrow or Sunday)

9. Jello

10. My testimony.

I have a lot to work on, but I hope I am improving.

I need to do this more often.

I do not appreciate things like I should.

Oh, and three posts in one day?

Yes, I am that good! 

Words

Happy                           content                            Blessed                          
                           unsure                        confused        
Impatient               awkward                        anxious                          
            satisfied                                free and easy            hesitant                                           

Befuddled                            relaxed                                                                      

Thrilled                 nervous               inquisitive                                   optimistic      dismayed                                         passionate          weary                                                     attracted                                   touched                    discouraged                        

                       admiration                            devoted        reserved                  hopeful                                     

It's kind of tiring having all of these feelings in one day.

Life can be a thrilling roller coaster sometimes.

Right now I feel Anxious.

Hair...

Sometimes I decide to do my hair.

I really love days when it works out for me.

It kind of worked out today!

Oh, and thanks for the hat mom.

I put this picture on facebook and I remembered that you didn't have one.

So, here you go!!!

In this next picture I am not sad.

Well, I am sad my roommates are leaving and I made the face for them.

I am happy!!!

See happy!!! 

  

Happy Easter!

I'm very excited for today.

This is technically my first holiday away from home.

I don't have candy in an easter basket.
I guess the Easter bunny doesn't like college kids! ;)

I'm not having ham or funeral mashed potatoes.

I am not going to be with my family, but that's just for today.

I will be with my family forever.

I am excited to hear from President Richards.

He is an amazing man.

I am sure I will hear an amazing message about Easter from him.

Which isn't hard because the Easter's message is amazing and very humbling.


Although Easter in the house is just not the same as it is back home with all the excitement of eggs and baskets, one thing is the same no matter where we are in the world or what stage of life we are in. We have a loving Savior who atoned for our sins and felt our pains. He was ressurected and lives again making it possible for us to live with our Father in Heaven again. I am so thankful for Him. 


I hope everyone has a great Easter!

I love you mom, dad, and family! 

Eat some candy for me.

In the mean time, here is a great message from another amazing man.

I love Elder Wirthlin and I miss him so much. 

I'm thankful to know where he is at.

Happy Easter!

Matters of the Heart

"No one can go back and make a new beginning, but anyone can start from now and make a happy ending."

I am in a reflective mood.

Tonight was going to be great, well it was great.

I worked on homework all day and I was going to have a relaxing evening.

I did have a relaxing evening.

I had a chance to watch Remember the Titans.

I really love that movie.

Then I played Ultimate Frisbee with my roommates.

Some of the rules were broken and I hate that.

It left me in a bit of a sour mood.

I realized I was being a party pooper and I tried to improve my attitude.

I feel like I did a pretty good job.

What do those last sentences have to with the matters of the heart and a reflective mood?

Nothing, but I just wanted my family and friends to know that I do have fun times and I'm not sad. 

These past few weeks, even months I've had a chance to be a part of great discussions.

Discussions that have helped me grow, think, and become a better person.

I use to be scared and I did not like these conversations.

Now, all I want to do is have those.

I always get in these moods after discussions.

Put on a smiley face and act as if nothing is wrong.

Why?

Because that's what I talk about in my discussions.

However, there is something wrong.

I realized I often say things in conversations with people, that I don't necessarily believe.

I know what I'm expected to say.

I hate to disappoint so I go with what my mind and what people expect me to say.

Forget about what my heart thinks.

Then I act the way my mind says I am suppose to.

Put a smile on.

Everything will be alright.

Yes, everything will be alright.

Sometimes I really do believe my mind and think nothing is wrong, but than I remember.

My heart does hurt and it's allowed to hurt.

I was made that way.

I have trials, challenges, AND blessings come into my life to learn and be hurt from.

I am a girl.

One day I will be a mom to a little girl who will need to hear my experiences.

I hope I will be able to help her like my mom helps me.

I am part of the Mentors & Ambassadors program.

In the Code of service it says something along the lines of not getting in heaven's way.

I know I said I was getting the way, but what if I am wrong.

What if it's not me who is getting in the way?

That's not a good thought.

I don't know if I was getting in heaven's way.

What if everyone else is?

I know I let you go, but that doesn't mean I wanted to.

I'm thankful that I know everything will work out for me.

It's hard to know that a lot of my future decisions rely on others and that they might not choose me.

I feel like I am suppose to be part of all of these different experiences, but what if others don't think so.

The matters of the heart and mind are confusing.

Braden's Enchanted Dinner

I'm sure I've mentioned Braden Cope before?

Yes, I know I have.

Well, he has done a lot for the Bytheway House and we wanted to give him a little thanks.

We were having a roommate meeting and we were trying to come up with a few idea.

Kylee came up with a brilliant one.

Braden loves theme dates.

For example, he is going to have a nickel themed date, and everything will be centered around a nickel.

Kylee came up with Snow White and the seven dwarves.

Which became Joe White and the seven Bytheway girls.

That's really clever, huh?

Kylee is brilliant!

Well, we were going to have this huge party, but it became dinner and social time.

Which was so nice because we had not talked with Braden in a very long time.

We had a lot to catch up on! 

Our dinner was delicious and the talking was even better.

I don't think Braden will ever know how much he blessed our lives this semester.

He always uplifted us and encouraged us to become better.

He taught by example along with words.

He gave us multiple priesthood blessings.

Yesterday I needed someone to talk to and he was there.

I didn't say much, but he just knew that I needed him.

It turns out he was having a rough week too.

I've become caught up in myself and it was exactly what I needed to be able to hear his problems.

It's nice to know that one of my friends needed someone to talk to and I was there.

Braden is a tender mercy.

I wish him the best in his life.

I think he is definitely going to be a stalwart member of the church.

Thanks for being great Braden!

Here are some pictures from Braden's Enchanted Dinner.

Final result!


I can't wait to do parties like this for my kids!
Cheap, fun, and great memories! :)

A Hard Night

Oh dear, I know I started today on a high note, but I am ending on a bit of a low.

Life is hard.

Why didn't anyone tell me that?

Oh wait, everyone told me that.

Tonight I'm thankful for Angelynn and Crysta.

For asking if I'm alright and being there.

I don't like crying in front of people.

I haven't cried in a really long time.

Actually, January was the last time I remember crying.

However, today was hard and I cried.

I feel a wee bit better.

There is opposition in all things, right?

That must mean there is going to be a good day.

Good night!

Going back to the start

I love this song and all of the memories that go along with it.

I've had a great life so far.

I can't wait to make more memories. :)