sometimes.

    Sometimes one moves two thousand miles away to a place too far away from her mommy and sweet nephews. But sometimes one is blessed to come to know and love a sweet family in the place she now calls Home.

    For me, this family is the Good family. I’m able to be a nanny for four beautiful, energetic, and intelligent children. These kids are my best friends. In all seriousness, I’d probably watch them without being paid. We get to sit in the living room playing games, talking, watching our favorite movies. We get to go on adventures to the Nickle-Cade, Chuck-E-Cheese, and Planet Play. They make me laugh and they teach me more than I think they realize. I think Daniel would out smart me in anything science related. Emily teaches me that it’s okay to be a lady and still choose a dragon over a Barbie doll. Jake and I could color all day and we’d be perfectly content, but I think he’d rather climb on me like I was a jungle gym in a past life. Benson has completely stolen my heart with his blonde curls and blue eyes; we’re best buddies, he says, because we like the same of everything.

    Their parents have become such good friends to me. They have welcomed me into their family and I don’t know how I can let them know how grateful I am for them.

I thank Heavenly Father for them every day.

meacham.

Maybe I just need my best friend back.

i needed someone to dance with me. in an obscure place. under unlikely circumstances.

         It’s hard to see the light in times of trials. It’s hard to be happy when you feel like you’re losing control. It’s hard to keep your heart and your mind aware that these trials are needed to mold you into a better and stronger person. It’s hard to keep your faith strong when you feel so undeserving.  It would be easy to just stop. It would be easy to pretend that you don’t care. It would be easy to stop trying. It would be easy to let it all go.

          That’s when I remember a conversation I had with Elder Price. “The easy way may never be the right way,” he told me. He was right, you know. Like he always seems to be. It can’t possibly be stormy weather forever.

          So find someone who gives you flowers and hugs you for no reason other than to be close to you. Someone who dances with you when the time seems unlikely. Someone who appreciates you in the moment. Someone who’s not willing to let you go.

Happy Monday. 

just grassin' around.

In an hour and thirty minutes, give or take, it will be a new year.

New adventures.

New loves.

New friendships.

But let’s not forget to remember the year that we’re leaving behind.

For it made us who we are.

The Arielle and I celebrated this day perfectly.

Freezing walk to Smith’s.

Crafty canvas painting.

Super nachos.

Three red box movies.

Don’t worry, ya’ll.

The night will be completed with sparkling cider and kisses to our build-a-bears.

becoming ...

“… there is no process more insightful than becoming. It is the act of leaving behind something you already are in the hope of what you might become.”

Today, three years ago, was a “becoming” moment for me; if you will. It was the day that I chose to join The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. How powerful is the meaning behind the act of becoming? It’s such a blessing to look back and see how the Gospel has changed who I was, and who I am, entirely. My heart is full of joy and peace. My life seems to possess more meaning and love.

Every day I am becoming.

Every day I am thankful for that simple invitation.

Every day I am in awe of the Savior.

Happy Friday.

what's a girl to do ...

When she’s left all alone for an entire day.

She’s to take a trip to the library that’s just down the street.

She’s to pick out five books to her hearts content.

So tonight her heart will get to enjoy stories by Thomas S. Monson, Charles Lamb, and C.S. Lewis.

She’s to come home and deep clean her room slash bathroom for over two hours.

She’s to turn on tswift’s new cd and sing as loud as her lungs will allow.

She’s to make her new favorite soup.

That’s been made three times this week, mind you.

Happy Wednesday.

so, it's been awhile ...

You know that moment when you finally get it. You get why you are where you are. You get why you need to do the things you’re doing. You get why you feel the way you’re feeling. You just. Get it.

It’s a happy moment.

Remember to be thankful this week. Remember to cherish those you love. Remember to thank Him who’s given so much to all of us. Keep His name written on your hearts.

Happy Monday and Merry Christmas.