Can you paint with all the colors of the wind...

Yes, we are watching Pocahontas on a saturday night and I have no problem with that. This movie makes me want to start a Disney movie marathon! Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Lion King, etc... What could be better?

Today my dad posted a picture of my brother in his marines uniform. For anyone that doesn't know, I moved here in January and haven't seen him since. He left earlier then we thought for bootcamp and I wasn't able to make it home in time. I am SO proud of him! I think about all of the things he has probably been put through and they tug at my heart strings. My little brother who grew up in a house full of girls, the little boy who was constantly picked on by his older sisters. In less than two weeks time, we get to see him graduate!

There is nothing like family and I have realized that more and more as I have gotten older and moved to a different state. Man I love them :)

17 year old self

For some reason last night a certain thought popped into my head. If I could tell my 17 year old self advice for the future and things to come, what would it be?

If I could tell my 17 year old self...

I would say not to buy a car.
I would say it is okay to be alone.
I would say it is not okay to drink.
I would say to strive to live a righteous and virtuous life.
I would say focus on your goals.
I would say be happy and don't sweat the small stuff.
I would say work hard.

But more than that I would have never in a million years guessed where I would be today. I wouldn't know that I would turn my life completely towards Christ and that that would be the best decision I could ever make for my self. I would not have guessed that the first time I moved out of my parents house that it would be to another state. I wish I could have told myself to focus on things that matter like faith and family and education. I wouldn't know that I would get engaged and break it off. And although those tough times and mistakes have happened, I know that they have taught me extremely valuable lessons. Lessons that I would have never gotten any other way.

Sometimes when I scroll through my facebook feed, I think, "what a stupid person," or "what a stupid thing to say." Then I have to remind myself that I was one of those people at a point in my life. I too was lost, didn't completely understand morals and certain mannerisms. There is no reason I should even for a second judge other people, and that is exactly what I am going to work on. No one is perfect, everybody just needs to be given the chance to accept the truth. I hope that I can be an example to people at home, that real happiness comes from the gospel, and living righteous ways.

stagecoach

Am I sad that I haven't gone to stagecoach the past two years? Not at all.
Am I sad that I didn't get wasted and make numerous stupid mistakes? Definitely not.
Do the pictures that everyone who attended is putting up online make me jealous? Not in the slightest.

I am so happy for the gospel and the joy it has brought to my life! I would never trade that for anything. I am grateful for the guidance and deep deep happiness that it has allowed me to feel. I love my relationship with our Heavenly Father. It makes me sad to know that at one time I was unaware of this, and that people I strongly care about are still unaware. I just pray and hope that I can set an example. I pray that the blessings and the improved quality of my life can be seen by all and that I can open them even in the littlest bit to the truth.

... I was pretty happy at home, in Utah, sober as can be, loving and appreciating this life :)

I don't think I could ever keep track of all the thoughts that go through my head in a single day. I woke up this morning from a nightmare that someone was trying to kill me. What kind of thought is that? Sleepily I jumped out of bed to get ready for work. I always feel slightly bad that I turn on a light in mine and Ingrids room around 6:45 am everyday. Rise and shine to her too haha, I see her roll over and pull her blanket over her head.

This past saturday Brian and I went and played outside. Two of my favorite things, outside and Brian haha. When you can enjoy someones company while doing nothing but entertaining one another, you know it's good. Sunday came and went and was a day that I reflected on a lot of things. I am so blessed, seriously! I can not reiterate that enough. The unique and countless ways that Heavenly Father shows himself in my life is beyond amazing.

After our outdoor adventure of Saturday, we babysat Brians nephews. In little Lincolns room there is a baby monitor (obviously), but it has a screen. As he was in the there calming him down and pretty much lulling him into a sleep, I sappily watched the monitor from the kitchen. Could he make my heart melt anymore? I quickly positioned myself on the other side of the kitchen, as far from the monitor as possible as soon as I noticed he was leaving the room. If you ever read this Brian, sorry I was being a creeper haha. 

I also watched How To Train Your Dragon for the first time... needless to say, I loved it.

Sitting in my apartment, at my table, surrounded by index cards, thinking about how blessed and grateful I truly am! Ever since I made the decision to join the church, my life has only gone in a positive direction. I have grown as a person for the better. I constantly I am considering ways that will not only improve myself, but improve others around me. I want to be the best me that I can be. I continually pray for guidance, and that is continually what I get.

Sometimes I consider how great everything is going for me and I am scared it is going to come to a screeching halt. Life is really that great right now. I have been blessed to be able to financially support myself, and live on my own in an entirely different state with no family around. My roommates have become my family. I have had some setbacks that allowed me to lean closer to my Heavenly Father and trust in Him instead of stressing out, and what did you know, something great and new came along to help me with them. I have had people put in my life here that put a smile on my face everyday and show me love. I have met a person who makes me want to be great for them and always strive to make them happy.

God is good. Life is good. I wish this knowledge for everyone.

The sense of smell

Is it weird that I love the, "smell" of things? I couldn't imagine my life without that sense. Actually, I couldn't imagine my life missing any of my senses but that is besides that point. Certain holidays have certain smells. As you walk into a house during christmas time, you take in that pine tree and cinnamon candle. You take a walk to the beach and breathe in the salty ocean and refreshing air. The sense of smell isn't just in places, it can be the food that your roommate cooks, luring you into the kitchen when you aren't even hungry. It can be the smell of a boy you like and the shirt that he left behind.

My point is, I love our ability to smell.