my life

I will honor Christmas and try to keep it in my heart all year

December 30, 2014 — Leave a comment
Holy Cow. This Christmas season came and went SO fast. I’m not even sure what happened. I blinked, and it was gone! Here’s my Christmas and time with family in pictures! 
Spending lots of time with this guy, and making gingerbread people of each other:)
Lots of holiday shopping!

We had an amazing Christmas Eve with my extended family, and I love spending time with all these cute siblings of mine. Side bar–My brother and sister-in-law were supposed to be getting in from Boston late Sunday night, the Sunday before Christmas. My family and I head to church that morning, and guess who is sitting in our bench?? Ben and Kim! Those tricksters got in a day early and surprised us. I’ve just decided to never believe anybody when they tell me what day they are getting home. The end. 

The 18th Annual Christmas Stocking Exchange. We’re nerdy in my family. 
Christmas Day also included a trench coat I’d been drooling over, lots of books and games and so much family time. It made my heart happy. 

I just love Christmas:)

Off to see Savior of the World with my family!
This is one of my all time favorite Christmas pictures. While Christmas is about family and food and presents and snow, it’s about something much bigger. I know we kind of get that beaten into our heads, but it’s true. It’s about our Savior and the things that he did for us, it’s about his mother and her faith, his father and his trust in God, his Heavenly Father and his sacrifice, and that quiet night when the entire world changed. 
I hope you had a Merry Christmas everyone!
Happy Monday!

Go to college they said…it will be fun they said…

December 18, 2014 — Leave a comment

For most schools, finals are long gone. Even here at BYU, quite a few people have already powered through their finals and are on their way home. But no matter if you have finals or not, if college is way behind you or way in the future, the stress of taking multiple really important tests in one week along with a dating life, work, and family, is pretty crazy. Here’s what I’ve learned.

1. Having a missionary come home means you suddenly don’t really care about anything else. Randy got home and WHAM all I wanted to do was spend time with him and talk to him since we didn’t have a two-week delay anymore. Boy, did that throw my motivation for school for a loop!

2. Professors aren’t always as mean as people say. A lot of my professors actually understand that I have 14 other credits that I’m trying to get through, and wanted to help lighten the load. This isn’t always the case, but I loved that unexpected little delight.

3. Being an adult means biting your tongue. There were lots of things I wanted to say, times I really wanted to give people a load of my mind. But that’s what kids do. So as an adult you decide that being right isn’t as important as the relationship, and move on.

4. Never underestimate the power of hot chocolate. For real. I can’t count how many cups of hot cocoa I’ve guzzled in the past month, but it seems to have this magical ability to make everything better.

5. Good friends and family will make all the difference. Whether it’s keeping a good surprise from you, sitting up at 2 AM to chat, having a dance party, quizzing you before a test, or watching your favorite Christmas movie with you, my friends have gotten me through lots of hard times.

6. Pep-talks are essential. Mine usually start “Maddy, I’m sick and tired of everybody talking about the Soviets!” (name that movie!)

7. Candles. Holiday Wishes is currently burning in my apartment, and can I just say that I’m obsessed. It was pumpkin spice for all of October and November, now Christmas Tree and Sugar Plums and Gingerbread and deliciousness this month. Invest. I’m telling you, you’ll be happy you did.

8. Christmas shopping is 1000000 times more fun with a boyfriend. But really. Especially when he has no clothes and you get to help pick them out.

9. Set aside time to do a lot of studying. If you say, oh I’ll study tonight, it won’t happen. Set times. That’s the only way it will work!

10. Never forget what’s the most important. Take time for the things that really matter, like Church and family. Prioritize and things will work out.

Happy Wednesday everyone!

The Adventure

December 11, 2014 — Leave a comment

Hi friends!

Holy cow life has been crazy lately.

No video yet…be patient! I have finals!

I’ve been studying and driving back and forth from Provo to Kaysville and studying and working and studying and not getting enough sleep.

But life is so very wonderful.

With the Christmas season and the busy season of finals and my last semester of school coming up and so many adventures ahead, I wanted to share a little something.

In all the craziness going on in my life right now, I’ve be reminded so many times of what’s really important. And that’s the Gospel. No matter what else is going on, the Gospel is the thing I can count on and I am so thankful for that.

Now…enjoy some pictures!

Not the best pictures but like I care. 
We went along with every mutual group in Utah to see the temple lights this week! So wonderful.

Welcome Home Elder Low

December 7, 2014 — 6 Comments

WARNING: THIS IS A SAPPY AND CUTESY POST. IF YOU DON’T WANT TO DEAL WITH THE MUSHINESS, DO NOT READ.

Ok, what is my life?

RANDY IS HOME.

No longer Elder Low, he finished his 2 year mission and came home!

Oh, and I had no idea that he was back until the moment I saw him.

I have a video that I want to cutesy on up and everything, so look forward to that.

Until then, here is the story!

Randy told me he was getting home on December 8th. Which is Monday. Tomorrow. I went around all excited, posting like crazy, getting things ready, etc. etc.

Well, he then proceeded to email my friends and let them know he was really coming home on the 5th! He needed me to get home to Kaysville that night so he could come and surprise me!

My friends then proceeded to tell my other friends and family to make sure they could all help pull it off!

So over Thanksgiving I go home and my sister asks if I’m going to come and spend the night on Friday, the last weekend before Randy gets home. I tell her no, I have tests to study for and things to do. Well she FLIPS OUT. Tells me I HAVE to come home for one more sister sleepover, that I’ll ruin her whole fun if I don’t, etc. etc.

So, I grudgingly agree to go home, telling myself I’ll try to get studying done there.

So Friday comes, and I go with my family to the Festival of Trees and to lunch. We had a grand old time and I had no idea what was going on. Turns out, Randy was on a plane, flying home.

I went home that evening with my family and tried to do some studying, but nothing really exciting happened. We watched White Christmas and sat around, played some games. I was SO confused why it had been such a big deal that I come home. The hours got later, 8:00, 9:00, 10:00. I went down to my room to do some studying and be upset that I’d driven all the way home for a very normal, but still fun, evening with my family. 

I heard some squealing and some running around upstairs, and then my mom called me up. Only to tell me a funny story about my dad swatting a fly. All I could think was, “My family is crazy!” Turns out, they had just heard from Randy and he was ready to come surprise me!

Then, my dad and sister Olivia say they have to run an errand. It’s 10:15 and I’m so confused. SO confused. My mom and my other sister and I sat down to play games, and I was thinking my dad and sister must have gone to get a cake or something for me, but I had no idea.

Then I hear the garage door open and my dad walks in with his iPhone up, recording something.

Then, I see him. He had the biggest smile on his face, he was crouched down to run over and pick me up.

I screamed and ran over to the best hug I’ve had in 2 years.
Turns out that Friday December 5th is best day of my life so far.

Thanks to everyone who made this surprise happen, and cute Randy for planning it SO long ago (senior year of high school). I’m one very lucky girl. Now prepare for the sap.

Can I just tell you how surreal it is to have my best friend home?

Sometimes, I can’t believe that it’s real. That we did it. We made it. There are still hard things ahead, adjusting to do and figuring out how to click back into place, but I can honestly say I don’t think I’ve ever been happier. So much is different, but somehow we’re still us. Things just picked up where they left off, but with the two of us a little older, and smarter, and stronger.

So welcome home Elder Low.

And happy Sunday everyone!

The Past Two Years, My Best Two Years

December 4, 2014 — Leave a comment

This is another one of those posts that I’ve been writing in my head for a long time. I can’t believe I’m just one short week away from seeing Elder Low again! It doesn’t feel real, but I’m beyond ready. He’s been an incredible missionary, he’s changed lives with his testimony, grown so much stronger in the Gospel, and been an example to everyone, especially me.

For a lot of people, the best two years comes while serving a mission. For me, this wasn’t the plan. I’m glad Heavenly Father knows what he’s doing and was able to point me in the right direction. I learned and grew so much by listening, following, even though I didn’t always understand.

So here’s a quick look at what I’ve been up to for the past two years, what I’ve learned, who I’ve become, and why I wouldn’t change a thing.

1. I traveled. From places like Saint George and Park City, to Idaho, to Arizona (and crossed the Grand Canyon off my bucket list) to Disneyland and Dodger Stadium, to Boston, Cambridge and Concord. I had some pretty amazing adventures and loved seeing new places, meeting new people, learning and having fun.

View of Boston
Louisa May Alcott’s House in Concord

The Grand Canyon!

I also fished, a lot!

2. I had some incredible work opportunities. I started working for BYU Radio, and was able to do some fun work on national radio there. I then got an internship at KSL where again, I met some amazing people and learned so much about my career path. Then I got hired at KSL (twice), learned even more about working in a newsroom, and found a place to stick around for a while.

BYU Radio–The Matt Townsend Team

3. I powered through my freshman, sophomore/junior, and half of my senior year of college. I worked hard and got good grades, had some classes I absolutely loved and some that I tolerated, and just overall had a great time going to school.

And a cutie roommate of mine got married! 

4. I worked for BYU Student Alumni. I ran the communications for the BYU Food Drive for two years in a row, and ran communications for the Traditions Ball last April. The friends I made at Alumni will be people I cherish forever. I loved serving my university and having fun while doing it!

5. I made some amazing friends. Friends that will last me for a lifetime. And beyond. I figured out who was really going to be there for me when the going got tough, and I feel so lucky that I was able to meet those people.

6. I dated. Some of these guys were not so good. Others were part of a larger plan to help me learn and grow. I don’t regret that for a second. I was able to learn so much about myself, become a better version of myself, and make friends that will never, ever let me down. That’s pretty lucky if you ask me.

7. I became more confident and comfortable with myself. I can honestly say I have never been so comfortable in my own skin. I love that over these past two years I figured out how to stop caring so much what other people think of me, and really focus on what I think of myself, and what my Heavenly Father thinks of me.

8. I spent much needed time with my family. It’s been amazing to go home and chat with my parents, go on fun outings with my sisters, and we’ve grown closer together over the past months as we’ve all grown up.

9. I wrote to Elder Low every single week. And I wrote other missionary friends often. It was awesome to get to learn and grow with them.

10. My testimony grew exponentially. I had experiences that I’m sure I needed to have, that were planned and placed so I could learn, and become stronger in this gospel. I had missionary moments, service opportunities, church callings, and was able to go from knowing about my Savior, to knowing him so personally. I learned how my Heavenly Father speaks to me individually. And I learned how to be a better instrument in his hands by obeying what he asks me to do.

And that’s all folks.
Happy Thursday everyone!

Thanksgiving

November 28, 2014 — Leave a comment

Again, I’m the worst and only took ONE picture this Thanksgiving. ONE. I’m the WORST.

Ok I was enjoying time with my family though, so you’ll just have to read about it!

First though, a few days of gratitude left!

November 24th: I’m grateful for music. Heavenly Father obviously loves us so much to provide us such a wonderful thing to help us be happy.
November 25th: I’m grateful for Kaysville. I love my hometown so so SO much. So many people give me lip about living in Utah my whole life, but it has been absolutely wonderful for me.

Cleaning out my desk was hard. 

November 26th: I’m grateful for for the amazing opportunities life has thrown at me. I left my job at BYU Radio to move on to a different adventure (that I’ll be announcing tomorrow. Stay tuned.) But I am so lucky to have had the amazing experiences in my life. Heavenly Father has been looking out for me.
November 27th: I’m grateful for Thanksgiving! What an amazing holiday. This Thanksgiving was so wonderful! We started the day with a Turkey Bowl (that turned into Ultimate Frisbee) which was SO fun. Then we went around as a family and shared what we were grateful for, and got to talk to my brother and sister-in-law in Boston before they headed to Cape Cod for Thanksgiving. All of my extended family got together and ate and ate and ate and played games (Rook and Bang are our favorites) and talked and laughed, and we just had such a great time. I have so many wonderful memories of are crazy family get togethers, and I feel so lucky to have been blessed with my family. Love you all!

We are so cool.
Also, just a week and a half until Elder Low is home! I’m going crazy I’m so excited! 
Happy Black Friday everyone, and happy Thanksgiving and happy gratitude month!

Dear Nutcracker

November 23, 2014 — Leave a comment

Last night was my beautiful sister Olivia’s last time dancing in The Nutcracker at Clytie Adams Ballet. I remember the sick, sad feeling that accompanies that very well. The girls were all backstage crying and hugging and getting pictures. It really was a sight to behold. Before the last performance, Clytie (the school’s owner and founder and director and everything) made a speech (like she does before each show). At the end she said, “One of my former dancers came up to me after an earlier performance and said, ‘Oh, I miss dancing.’ And I thought…well that never really goes away.” She was talking about my sweet littlest sister Bethany who had found her after the show to say hi.

Clytie was right, you never get over that feeling of missing dancing. I’ve been done for about 4 years, and every day I miss it.

The other day I had the chance to interview Adam Sklute, the artistic director at Ballet West, for BYU Radio. (I was fan-girling pretty hard, PS). At the end of the interview, I asked him a question that I hadn’t written down or prepped him for. I asked, “If you could write a love note to The Nutcracker, what would it say?” He was a little surprised, but then started into a beautiful monologue about The Nutcracker and what it has meant to him (you’ll have to listen to hear the whole thing). It got me thinking though, I wanted to write my own letter to The Nutcracker. For myself, and other dancers who have been touched by this show.

Dear Nutcracker,

Thank you for giving every November of my life color, brilliance, and beauty. From the music, to the costumes, to the props, to the hours of “Ride that Pony” that can be heard from where the little kids are held, to the long car rides and Nelson’s Frozen Custard after the show, you have been a pure delight.

I have the steps and music memorized. I can’t help but dance in my seat a bit when I watch because I know every move, the counting, and the rhythm, better than I know almost anything.

Nutcracker, I miss you. I miss the anticipation in the wings just before stepping on stage. I miss the long hallways and dressing rooms that always smelled like hairspray. I miss the feeling of being laced into a tutu a little too tight. There isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t have a dull ache in my heart, and an itch in my feet for dancing.

Thank you for giving me so many memories, so many nights of laughter and tears, so many days of sore feet and muscles, and so many pairs of ruined pointe shoes from the hard stage floor. Thank you for giving me the thrill of being out of breath after finishing a show, and hearing thunderous applause.

Nutcracker, words can’t really express what you’ve meant to me over my life. And I think every November I’ll feel a bit nostalgic and want to come home to you. Thank you for being my home.

All my love,
Maddy

The three dancers…

She’s too pretty!
These cuties also came to see my sister dance and hang out with my fam bam.

Now gratitude!
November 21st: I’m thankful for pasta. I have a slight love affair with everything pasta related. Seriously, it’s kinda bad. But also so wonderful. 
November 22nd: I’m thankful for my new Mac! Yup, I did it. I pulled the plug and bought one. I’m in love with Mirage (that’s her name:)) and while I still adore PC’s, I’m liking this Mac a lot!
November 23rd: I’m grateful for oversize sweaters. Something about this time of year makes extra large sweaters just delightful, so cozy and fun. I simply adore them!
Happy Sunday dear friends! 
Also, I went to my last BYU football game as a student this weekend. So bittersweet, but I loved that I got to go with two of my best friends in the world! 

Thankfulness and stuff

November 20, 2014 — 1 Comment

Wow guys, this month has been rough. One of the harder months for me to get through. So I’m super glad I’ve been doing this gratitude thing, so I have to look at all the wonderful and amazing things that happen even in spite of all the not so wonderful and amazing things.

November 18th. Today I am so grateful for my high school experience being involved in theater. Being a part of the musical, getting to know some incredible people, and making friends that last forever is such a huge blessing. It made me a better person, it made me who I am. There’s this huge part of my life that only some will understand, and that’s being a part of the Davis High Musical. What an experience. I miss it every single day.

Shows come and go, people don’t have to.



November 19th (happy birthday beautiful Kim!): I’m thankful for temples. Without the temple, this cute family of mine couldn’t be together forever and always. I’m so happy that I know that there is a house of God on earth, and because of it, death has no power. 

And today, November 20th, for the opening night of The Nutcracker…I’m grateful for dance. I have been a dancer since age 3. Quitting and pursuing other passions was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done, and not a day goes by that I don’t really miss it. I love sneaking away to the RB and dancing for a bit, until I realize how not-good I am anymore! Anyway the point is this; I grew up on stage, with a leotard and tights and a bun in my hair. I still think I’m happiest when I’m on my toe shoes. Being a ballerina was complete and utter bliss, and the memories I have running around Weber State, lacing up costumes, keeping clothes on at the bar when it was freezing. All of those memories will be with me forever. To everyone who made my dancing dreams a reality, thank you. To all you beautiful Clytie Dancers (especially my sister) break a leg! 
Now enjoy some OLD pictures. 

Happy Thursday everyone! 

Gratitude!

November 17, 2014 — Leave a comment

Hello friends!

I’ve been a major slacker at posting lately, it’s because I’m so darn busy!

School, work, and the food drive are all I have time for these days!

Let’s play a little catch up on gratitude, yeah?

November 10th: I’m grateful for the BYU Food Drive. I had the opportunity to participate last year, and I’m doing it all again this year! It’s awesome, so fun, and so much work! We’re gathering food for the people in Utah County who suffer from food insecurity, not knowing where their next meal is coming from. We’ve been working like crazy to host fun events and get food and money donations! Contact me if you’re in Provo and interested in helping out!

(check it out: BYU Food Drive Article)

November 11th: I’m so grateful for those who fight to defend our country. We are so lucky to live in the land of the free, because of the brave. Thanks to all those currently serving, and to everyone who has served to protect this God blessed land!

November 12th: I’m thankful for my ultimate frisbee team. Seems silly, but seriously it made this semester so much fun! I loved getting to meet new people, and run around playing the game. I’m not the best, but I enjoyed every second playing with the BYU Radio Team.

November 13th: I’m grateful for family. I lucked out getting the best family in the whole world! They’re so supportive and wonderful, and I don’t know what I would do without them. I’m so glad they’re stuck with me for eternity!

November 14th: I’m grateful for my best friends. I’ve been struggling feeling unsure of myself, confused, and even a little sad lately. I have the best friends who bring me cookies, make me dinner, and tell me that everything is going to be ok. My life would be a whole lot less wonderful without them.

November 15th: I’m grateful for football! I love heading to the stadium all bundled up and excited to cheer for my team. I’m so sad I only have one BYU home football game left as a student, On to bigger and better things I guess…but I’m sure going to miss it!

November 16th: I’m thankful for hospitals and medicine. I met my sweet little self-proclaimed god-daughter Addie Juliette on Sunday. And wow, is she wonderful! I’m just thankful for modern medicine and the advancements and comfort it gives to us. We are so lucky!

November 17th: Today, I’m thankful for the career path I picked. There are some people in my major who have no desire to get a job in what we’re studying, and I’m just thankful that Heavenly Father helped me find a path that I love. I’m so excited to get out their and follow my dreams with a news/communications career. I’m a lucky girl!

Friends, I’m so blessed, and thanks to all of you who make my life sweet.

Happy Monday everyone!

And happy-three-weeks-left….what? Where has the time gone?