Life is Short

 This morning I received some terrible news that my dear cousin Taylor Leonard and her boyfriend Nathan were in a tragic car accident that resulted in his immediate death and her being rushed to the ICU. Early this afternoon, Taylor's organs were failing and she was pronounced brain dead. It was devastating but her family made the decision to to let her go. Taylor was such a sweet amazing girl and she will be so missed. I didnt know her too well and wasnt incredibly close to her, but what I did know was that she was smart, funny, kind, loving, accepting, and very welcoming of me and my family into hers. I wish I had the chance to get to know Taylor a little better. She is only about 3 weeks younger than me. It is crazy to realize how quickly life can change. We must not take a single moment of it for granted. 
 Today has really gotten me thinking about my life and all of the things I overlook. Like how much I love and cherish my family, how important the gospel is in our lives, how great of friends I have, and how much I am grateful to wake up each day and make it through the day.
  "Life is short. Hug the people you love, the people you want to love, and the people you are supposed to       love." 

Dearest Taylor and Nathan: Rest in Peace <3

 

Ive realized today the things that I need to work on in my life. I dont want to do anything that if something were to happen to me or someone Im close to one day that I would regret my decisions earlier. Sometimes it takes a tragedy to make you realize how important your life is and how much you need to remember that it is short and you need to live each day to the fullest :) Love you Taylor and my prayers and love go out to the family.  I look forward to the day we are reunited and until then I will live peacefully knowing you are watching out for us all above! RIP

Changing of the Seasons

Well Spring Break has come and gone and as of yesterday March 20th it is officially SPRING! So Spring Break was kind of the best thing ever in my life haha I got to go visit Brooke is Hawaii for an entire week. It was so great to be able to spend the time with her. We went to the beach... a lot ha and got totally fried. We got to go shopping and eat lots of McDonalds ha and we met fun random guys and got to climb the Stairway to Heaven. It was honestly so amazing. I cant even imagine attempting to explain how perfect the scenery was. I can show pictures, but even that wont do any justice! Its okay though.... Ill see if I can still manage to make some of you jealous :)

This is the view from the top of the Stairway to Heaven. It was absolutely breathtaking. I am so glad we were able to do this while I was there. Hardest hike Ive ever done but honestly so incredibly worth it.

Me and the good ol Bestie having a fun little photo shoot :)

Brooke and I about halfway up the mountain doing Stairway to Heaven

Almost to the bottom of the mountain and looking up. Its insane to see how high up we went and all of the stairs.

Best Shaved Ice in Hawaii

I thought it was so funny how many chickens were just wandering around everywhere. And to think that my mom and Wayne went out and bought and raised some :)

Too much fun playing in the sand.

Our fun photo shoot!! Brooke is quite the photographer

Took Brooke to dinner at Turtle Bay: Lei Lei's all the way baby :)

More fun pics

hahahaha we decided to have fun with these really freaky stairs we had to hike up

Almost to the top

This temple is seriously so incredibly beautiful!!

I got hit by a friggin Big Gulp drink!!! Locals can be mean!!

Just Ms. Beckstead and I chillin at the beach watching hot surfers

Okay... you cant look at this and still tell me that it doesnt look terrifying!!! But definitely worth it. I think I would do it again. I think I would definitely do this entire trip again :) Thanks Brookie for letting me come stay with you!! <3

Happy Happy Happy

Well today has seriously just been a great day! For starters... HAPPY BIRTHDAY BROOKE BECKSTEAD!! My best friend is 20 years old today (getting ancient I know). Cant wait to be able to celebrate with her in just a few days!
    On another note ha.. I got a new job! Im now working as a CNA at Williamsburg Assisted Living. And so far I absolutely love it. The residents are so freaking adorable and they just make me so happy! As of right now at least... I love going to work haha. Hopefully I can keep that attitude for a while. Working two jobs is a little exhausting! Today is the first day all week I could sleep in and relax a bit! It feels great in case anyone was wondering :) I dont even know what else to write... pretty much just that this last week has been amazing and I just love life right now! Love you all too <3

Waiting for the Finish Line

So as many of you know I have had my CNA for about 2 years now. I have tried hard to get a job but it is just difficult here in Logan, UT. Anyway, the time has finally come and I have finally gotten a job working at a retirement home. I am seriously so excited. This is one of those moments where you get to thinking and I just realized that sometimes it is worth the wait. There is a reason why it took me until now to finally get this job. I know that I needed to go through the experiences that I did leading up to this occasion. I know that this happens with anything you are waiting for in life. When it comes to waiting for love, it is worth the wait to not settle and let your heart go to someone who truly deserves you. When it comes to school, there is no need to rush through your education. Take your time to get your degree that wait could be worth it in the end. Waiting sometimes can be a huge blessing. I know that it was for me today. Someone posted this on facebook today and I really liked it.  This is so true. Sometimes we need to take that time to not think constantly of what it is we are waiting for and just focus more on what we need to do before we get there. It is not the finish line we should be so worried about, it is the road that leads us there that really should take up most of our concern. Learn to enjoy life and enjoy those waiting moments. Because when the wait is over. When that one thing you can check off your list is done. Then, then it was all worth it. I know to many people me getting this job really doesnt seem like that big of a deal. But its just one of those little examples of how the wait can be worth it and can be such a huge blessing. So dont just stare at the finish line focusing on how far away it is. Look at the road ahead and take each moment step by step. As my favorite Christmas Movie says "Just put one foot in front of the other." <3

Its a Good Life

So today is Valentines Day. As today slowly approached I wasnt too thrilled about it. Nobody ever wants that lonely reminder that their single. But tonight, as I should be doing my math homework and studying for my test tomorrow :/ All I can seem to do is reflect on how grateful I am for all of the many people I have surrounding me. Today is my thankful day. Because as I look at who I love in my life... I think of these folks.  My little sissy Emma: a.k.a. Ed, Emster, Emma Lou, Lou Bear, Edna. Whatever we call her she is always her beautiful loving self. I am so thankful everyday for the love I feel for this little girl! Well not so little anymore. She is driving now and I am shocked at how fast she is growing. No matter how old she gets she will always be my little sister, crossing the street with a blind man and smacking random ladies bums in Target. This is one amazing girl who seriously is growing into a woman I seriously admire :) Thank you Emma for being so great and always being you <3
 Missy Kaye Bevan!! Weve gone through our ups and downs but in the end that all doesnt matter anymore. She is such an amazing girl and one who has ALWAYS been there for me. Shes accepted me for who I am and never tried to turn me into someone else. She really has been my rock for the last 2 years that I have known her. Des Moines, Iowa is seriously going to be getting their hands full with this one for the next 18 months. I honestly could not imagine a better missionary. Cause she has been the best example to me and I couldnt ask for a better friend!
 Well this picture just says it all about the Baumans :) Love them and their friendship to me for the last few years... even when theyve been married! They are so much fun and are always there to listen to my drama, problems, and gossip. Their there to give me a hug when I need it and laugh when Im being stupid. Best couple I know <3
 Well Ive already done a whole post on this little gem but I am thankful for her today. And am so happy for her as she is about to embark on her own marriage here soon. Thank you Angela for your AMAZING friendship for the last 17 years. Time truly does fly but I am glad to have had you by my side all this time!
 Ms. Brooke Beckstead is seriously the greatest! Miss her so much while she is away in Hawaii. But so thankful for phones cause I dont know what I would do if I could not talk to her on a regular basis. She is by far my rock and it will always freak me out the way we seem to be going through the same situations at the same time. I am so thankful for our times together and look forward to having her back by my side this summer :)
 Well this is my family. The entire family believe it or not! I honestly dont think I can put in words right here how much I love them all and how much I am thankful for them! They are all so amazing and I dont know what I would do without them. Thank you for dealing with me and always being there for me! I seriously have the most amazing family and couldnt ever ask for anything or anyone better!
 Ive been so blessed throughout my life to not just have my family, but I have my non family (my friends). To me its all family. Because those close girlfriends are just the sisters that God wasnt able to give me. So they became my friends. We fight, we disagree, we dont speak at times, but we always love one another and support eachother. So Happy Valentines Day to all of you! Today just would not be the same if I didnt have you in my life :)

A Day of No Love....

Oh Valentines Day.... what a day this is. Well I know how I prefer to spend this romantic holiday! With my best friend some sappy movies and work. I know Im a sucker for the romance. In all reality Im not against this holiday, but Im not for it either. I just hate the fact that as much as nobody wants it to it is "Single Awareness Day." Like Hello World! I have no plans on Valentines Day because I dont have any Love Interest. Its depressing. And then there are the couples... I mean isnt this what anniversaries are for? The one day a year you can be all sappy and lovey dovey? I just dont really get the whole point of Valentines Day.
                                                    
All that I can seem to think about is how I need to remember to not try and rush things. Even on these days when you are forced to realize that at this current moment you dont have a certain someone.... you are never alone. I love this saying above. Since I was a little girl I grew up dancing with my dad, you know when he puts you on his toes. So when I read this I cant help but think of Heavenly Father as just that, my father. And Im his little girl dancing on his toes not ready to let go. I am his little girl and though he watches me go through many different heart breaks and trials, i believe he will let the Perfect man cut in. I believe that someday someone will walk into my life and then I will realize why it never worked out with anyone else. Today... on the day of lonely hearts, Ill cuddle up with my 3 Valentines: Netflix, Chocolates, and my Sweats. And I wont be sad. The only reason why I wont be sad is because I know that there will be a time here someday soon when I wont have to have those as my Valentines. Because when the right time comes:  It will find a way. Heavenly Father will make sure of this. "Love is Patient, Love is Kind, it does not envy it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrong. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always preserves." 1 Corinthians 13:4
Happy Valentines Day Everyone. And dont let today get you down <3

Its beginning to look a lot like.... SNOW!

I think I would be under exaggerating if I were to say its just been snowing. It has been a practical blizzard outside. It wasnt that great at first when I was having to dig my car out from the snow... but now its just beautiful and I love it! Walking around on campus today I couldnt help but stop and take some pictures. I love living in a place where it is covered in a white blanket like here in Cache Valley. Heavenly Father has blessed me so much and I love that I live in the middle of his paint canvas. 

My beautiful walk home today from campus! I just love the trees covered in snow. 

Old Main is the prettiest building in all of campus. I just cant get over how pretty it is with the snow and the trees. Everything is just covered in snow and I love it!

My amazing house! I just want to go play in the snow all day long. Dying to go make a snowman and my own personal snow igloo :)

"Happiness will never come to those who dont appreciate what they already have."

Here come the Wedding Bells!

Well, I always knew that this day would be coming but didnt quite expect it to be so soon! My best friend... the girl who Ive known since I was 2 years old.... the girl who has been there for me through the thick and thin is getting MARRIED!!!! I wasnt quite sure how to react to this at first.... a little upset I guess that I didnt get that special phone call. I was scared that I was losing my best friend. But all I wanted was to be excited for her. Its not everyday your best friend gets engaged! I was able to talk to her today and get the full story and what not. I am so incredibly happy for her. I honestly can not wait for the day that I am able to find my special someone and share this experience with her. On a happy note, Ill get to have my best friend there in the temple with me someday :) Seems like just yesterday we were playing barbies in the basement, making music videos, dressing up like boys, having dance parties, playing house, and thinking we were celebrities! Now hopefully her finance knows what hes getting! Well, I guess in the end I am so excited for Angela and Ryan! Love them both so very much. And am excited to go through this journey with them <3

The Goodbyes That Cant be Said

Ive never really been one to say goodbye. "See Ya Later" or "Talk to you soon" seem to be easier than that dreadful "Goodbye." Ive said those words too many times and its not something I take lightly. Ive said it to past family members, to boyfriends, best friends, and even parts of myself. Its hard to say goodbye but its worth it when you watch the countless doors swing open to say HELLO! I always heard that "The most painful goodbyes are the ones that are never said." This is true. Closure is a much needed part of life. Its not always easy to get though. Why is it that when it is time to say those hard words, most people arent quite sure why they are even saying them in the first place. Ive let my self worth come from those people Ive surrounded myself with. Not anymore. Im done with saying goodbye to the people I love. So... To my many close friends leaving on missions, Ill see you in 18 months. To my friends getting married, Ill see you once Ive got my somebody. To the people who wish to no longer be apart of my life, Ill wave to you in hell! :) I am so thankful for the doors that have swung open for me in the last 6 months. I have met the boy that I want to wait for and marry someday. I have met the best girls and have the privilege of living with them. I have grown closer to my family and I have realized the type of person I want to be. So Thank you. Thanks for the Goodbyes because they have only welcomed the Hellos.

Oh such a terrible picture but I seriously LOVE this girl and dont know what I would ever have done without her. She is seriously one of the most amazing, strongest girls ive ever known :) Love Linsey so much!!!

My amazing sisters! Theyll never know how much I miss them. I am so thankful for their amazing example to me <3

Oh just my bestie Ms. Brooke Beckstead!! So ready for her to come back from Hawaii!!