Happy birthday to the woman who has completely shaped my life. I have no idea what I would do without her.

My mom taught me everything, from drinking out of a cup to love the Gospel, to the difference between Impressionism and Post-Impressionism, to how to write a five paragraph essay, to baking, serving, and loving.

My mom is seriously my best friend. I call her pretty much every day to chat, catch up, hear about her crazy busy schedule, tell her about my crazy busy schedule, and everything in between.

My mom raised me to be a thinker, to value culture, art, and music, to love the Gospel, to serve others. I can only hope that someday to be half the woman she is.

She is a hard worker, she is one of the smartest people that I know, and I am so lucky to be her daughter.

She didn’t miss a single ballet performance, she taught me to play the piano, she has worked for me doing laundry, driving, cooking, and loving. I can’t even say enough about how wonderful she is!

Mom, happy birthday. I love you and I hope this year is one of the best years ever!

Holy cow how the time flies. Another weekend come and gone. But thank GOODNESS for warmer weather! What would I do without it!

Check out the weekend vibes:)

Friday we spent time with our friends Rachel and Steve. We got to go see a concert that Rachel’s sister was in, and grab some Crown Burger with them after listening to some beautiful music. It was SUCH a fun night; we always love seeing our Provo friends!

Saturday started early with my cousin Emily’s baptism in Kaysville. It was so incredibly fun to be with all our family, and to be with Emily on her special day.

Saturday after the baptism we celebrated my Dad’s birthday! The day was spent at Maddox for some DELICIOUS steak, eating cake, opening presents, playing games, and going for a walk. We reminisced on parts of my Dad’s life and it is always so fun to hear the stories.

My mom made my dad a Black Forest cake – isn’t it so beautiful?? It was also SO delicious!

Sunday Randy and I headed off to Church, I taught Sunday School to my favorite kids who made it so meaningful and awesome, and then had dinner with Caleb and Nanette, which is becoming a Sunday tradition! Sundays are my favorite days of the week, Randy and I get to go to Church, do our family scripture and gospel study, and we get lots of time with each other to talk, go for walks, and spend time together.

I am seriously so lucky, and I feel so blessed for my life every day.

Happy Monday everyone!

Happy birthday to the best dad in the entire world.

He taught me about love, the gospel, kindness, and more. He sat with me explaining math until I stopped crying because it was too hard. He introduced me to classic music and movies. I felt his love for the Gospel through lessons and testimonies. He is the king of jokes and goofing off, is one of the hardest workers that I have known, and I’m truly amazed at the person he is.

Thank you so much for everything you are and everything you mean Daddy.

I can’t believe you’re finally 25!

But really, happy birthday:)

Dear You,

Things are hard right now. You’ve been beaten up, you’ve been beaten down. You’ve been pushed, pulled, dropped, dragged, and more. You’re done fighting. You just want to give up, give in, and give yourself an out. Sometimes it’s easier to sink, sit, stay.

Nobody understands why you’re making the choices you’re making.

Nobody knows what it feels like.

They don’t get it.

They don’t, won’t, can’t, and never, ever will.

You have to make the choices you’re making. The good ones and the bad ones. You know better. But you don’t really have a choice.

You didn’t want to end up here. You weren’t supposed to. You had plans, dreams, goals.

You didn’t get to choose what brought you here.

Life happened.

And now they judge. And they don’t get it.

It’s pain of loss. Loneliness. Uncertainty. Anxiety. Despair. Fear.

It eats you up. And you are done fighting it off.

But there is light. There is hope. There is a future. A tomorrow. A perfect ending.

And today, there is someone who understands.Who knows every thought, every shard of your heart, every piece of your struggling soul.

You are in your own personal Hell. Your own dark Gethsemane.

And Jesus Christ walked through that very spot. To save you.

He knows what it looks like, feels like, sounds like. He knows the consuming emptiness and fear.

Jesus Christ can, and will carry you through. He will fix you. He will heal you.

Jesus Christ chose to live, so that He could understand what you are feeling.

He knows that pain. Familiarly. Closely. Perfectly.

He does know how it feels. He’s the only one who could. Who can. Who does.

So don’t quit. Just reach out. Just ask. Just pray.

You will know, that He knows.

Sincerely,

Someone who has had to reach for Jesus too

So after a great day of birthday celebrations, we entered into birthday weekend! Unfortunately like a fool, I forgot to take ANY pictures of the weekend. #ashamed

If you saw my Snap story you saw Randy jamming out and having a great time. Too bad I didn’t snap any ACTUAL pictures or videos. i know, I’m the worst. So here’s a picture of Randy cuz he’s a cutie.

Friday after work, Randy got to grab some In N Out for dinner, and then all of our friends came over for games, cake, chips, and Alexon brought some wings that were TO DIE FOR. We talked and played and laughed until 2 AM, #whitesquad style. It was such a blast and I love love love our friends.

Saturday was full of sleeping in and then a little bit of homework but then we went to Chili’s and Guitar Center with Caleb and Nanette and Randy got to play every single instrument (because he’s that talented) to his heart’s content. It blows me away how he can sit down at literally every guitar, bass, piano, drum set, and even the DJ equipment, and make it sound amazing. He’s truly gifted and I love getting to see that side of him regularly.

Saturday evening we watched Casino Royale which is one of Randy’s favorite movies.

Sunday we went to church which is always fun, and then went to Kaysville for a roast beef dinner with my family, also one of Randy’s favorite meals. We played games and planted Easter grass (another Easter tradition for another post) and had a great time.

All in all, I think it was a really successful birthday weekend.

Also, what do you think of our new header, and the About Us page? Comment below if you can’t read it, if you like it, love it, think my explanation of who Randy and I are is good…all the things.

XOXO

Happy Tuesday everyone!

In memory of the wonderfully talented Harper Lee. The thoughts she shared have truly changed me.

When I found out about the passing of Harper Lee, this quote immediately came to my mind. It’s one of my very favorites from To Kill A Mockingbird. And funnily enough, it had been running through my mind quite a lot as of late, for a few reasons.

Let me start this out by saying I’m not angry, upset, frustrated, or feeling any ill will towards anyone. I think people need to make their own decisions and do what is best for them. I think religion especially is a personal journey and finding God is a personal endeavor.

That all being sad, I have had many friends, neighbors, etc. recently decide to distance or disassociate themselves from the LDS Church. The reasons why vary from person to person, but generally people inform me their motivations stem from disbelief in either policy, or doctrines, or both.

 I have been thinking about this a lot. Searching my own feelings and understandings and testimony. And what I have come to is this quote.

People generally see what they look for, and hear what they listen for.

If you are looking to be upset, offended, and if you are looking for the Church NOT to be true, chances are you’ll find it.

If you’re looking to understand, gain God’s perspective, and if you’re looking for ways to strengthen your testimony of the Church, chances are you’ll find it.

It has made me pause and ask myself what I am looking for, and listening for, in regards to my religious beliefs and my testimony. What am I actively searching for? Who am I listening to? Am I opening my ears to hear the still small voice, or am I wanting to hear the words of the world around me about how our Church is wrong? Am I listening to the voice of the men chosen by God to lead this Church, or am I listening to the voice of people who say those men don’t know what they are doing?

I want to look and listen for God. And I know that He directs this Church.

Happiest of birthdays to my darling Randy.

This Valentine’s Weekend was absolutely perfect. It was our first one as a married couple and it honestly was an absolute dream come true.

We spent Friday night with some of our best friends, watching movies and eating pho (which is always delightful).

We started Saturday off by sleeping in a bit, then packing our bags and off to brunch! We ate at Mimi’s and it was DELICIOUS. Pancakes, bacon, sausage, eggs, potatoes, hot chocolate, croissants, and more. It was seriously awesome.

We then shopped at the Outlets in Lehi for hours. Randy and I love to shop, especially together. It was so fun to wander the stores, find things with awesome specials for the holiday, and just be together.

Randy and I then headed up to Provo where we saw one of my best friends, drove around and saw some of our favorite places, and Randy took me to my favorite nail place to get my nails done! Is he not the sweetest? We then got to go see my sister which was a blast.

Then it was off to dinner where we had great food, and only OK service. The waitress wasn’t super great, which was frustrating. But it ended in us getting free dessert so I was OK with it!

Back to our hotel for hot tubbing and then the Food Network and candy. Randy and I got each other watches (it’s kind of becoming a Valentine’s Day tradition) and he also got me some more jewelry, because he spoils me absolutely rotten.

We slept in on Sunday and had breakfast in bed. We then were off to our good friend Kristen’s mission homecoming with my family which was awesome. Valentine’s Day night was just full of relaxing and reading.

It was seriously probably the best Valentine’s Day we have ever had, and a perfect mini getaway that we needed.

I am so incredibly lucky to love Randy, and even more lucky that for some crazy reason, he loves me back.

I hope you all had a wonderful Valentine’s Day and got to celebrate with the people that you love.

Happy Monday and Happy President’s Day!