Not a want, but a NEED.

My life is borderline perfect, lately. After much thought* I have found the solution to what could make my life entirely perfect. A trip to Disneyland. Really, I need some lovin' from my favorite vacation spot along side my favorite people. C'mon, does that not sound like the best thing ever?! So, parents...If you're reading this, whaddya say???


*This actually took very little thought. It is just common sense in the home I was raised in to crave Disney vacations.

The Weekend

i didn't make you wait too long for this post, now, did i?

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ROAD TRIP!

March 22nd - the 25th I was invited to accompany Craig to his family reunion in Bryce Canyon.

Lets just say, it was the best weekend I've had in a long time. 

The trip to Bryce was definitely not like the family vacations I take with my fam (in other words, it was no Disneyland/Disney World) but was so much fun!

I had so much fun with his family, going exploring and finding little adventures along the way.

A small group of us went on our own little exploration one day and found a big..wall(?) thing. Craig's dad, had a tarp in his truck and decided to turn this wall thing into a slide. We had so much fun sliding down it and watching each other slide down.

 Me sliding with two of Craig's nieces :)

 This trip also made for many kodak moments. This was such a pretty place with so many amazing things to see. I loved being able to really be in nature and take it all in.

 Craig's pretty, sweet sister, Jen.

THIS is my new favorite picture of Craig and I, I think.

Here, we are inside of a slot canyon hike.

Craig's brother, Scott and myself about to go down a big drop-in.

This hike was new for me. I had to use a lot of muscles I haven't used in a long time.

There were a lot of scary parts, too, but I'd say I held my own pretty well with minimal embarrassing moments, and thankfully I had Craig there to help me (tons) along with the rest of his helpful family who came on the hike.

Lunch break.

Dirty, dirty. Fun, fun.

After the hike we went on a bumpy ride on the back of a jeep. We stood on the bumpers and held on for dear life...in my case, at least. Also, very fun :) Oo, no picture, but I shot a real gun. Cool, right?

This is me and Craig's nephew and niece, my little, sweet friends before dinner, one night :)

 Finally, and sadly, Sunday, our super great trip had to come to an end.

That morning, we got ready, attended Sacrament Meeting at Craig's aunts ward and made our way back to Springville.

This trip was really so, so much fun.

I'm so thankful I had the opportunity to go with Craig and his incredible family and do so many new things I'd never done before.

Like I said, it was the best weekend I've had!
(thank you, craig!)
:)

Something to Anticipate

This weekend I was invited by my wonderful, handsome boyfriend to go to Bryce Canyon with him and his amazing family for a family reunion.

I had a great, great time.

There will be a better post, later.

Just getting you excited ;) 

bruises and bunnies

I have two stories and two pictures for you from this past week.

Story One: I was drying my hair, listening to music through headphones like I do every time I dry and do my hair and make up. You know how when you dry your hair you kind of shake the hairdryer? Well, that is what I was doing when I turned my head and smacked myself in the eye with the front of the dryer. Almost as quickly as I hit myself, it turned into a sexy little black eye. Its a week later now, and its just slightly yellow, thank goodness bruises heal because I was tiring of looking like I didn't know how to do my make up. The picture does't entirely do it justice, but you get it, basically. Right? 

Story Two: Angus, or as I like to call him, Bunny, is the funniest, cutest, most psycho puppy. I love him. The other day I took Walter and Bunny outside in the back yard to lay on a blanket and read. Bunny Puppy hadn't been feeling very well, and I think he's afraid of wide open spaces (aka, the backyard--he will typically just stick close to the house, on the porch when he goes outside without a human escort) so he stuck close by me while I laid on my belly and read Hunger Games. (i'm trying to finish it before the movie i am seeing thursday..thats right, a day early) As I was sitting there reading, I noticed Bunny was sitting right next to my shoulder just staring at me. I looked at him and probably asked him what he was doing. He scooted closer. I thought to myself, "Self? This is a kodak moment." So I grabbed my phone and stuck it out in front of Bunny and me. Then what did he do? The little cutie-head leaned closer towards me and looked right at the camera! Made for one darling picture, if I do say so myself. Sweet little chicken Bunny Puppy, Angus. 

The End

#blessed

I'm fairly certain I'm the poster-child for forgetting how blessed we are. Thankfully, Sunday comes around every week and I've made it a personal goal of mine to really ponder my life every Sunday night and think of ways I can improve my life, reminisce on the good things that happened in the past week, make a mental note of how to better things I may have messed up on and I always end these personal thought-sessions with myself by thinking of and writing down a bunch of my blessings. It. Is. So. Cool. And best of all? Its helped me focus throughout the week on my blessings rather than my "tragedies." 

I swear I've got to be the most blessed person on planet earth. I don't know how or why so many good things can happen to one person, especially me! But you won't find me complaining. Its an incredible life I live. Especially lately. Its amazing to me how much ones life can change from one year to the next. A year ago, I was in an icky place and I was NOT happy. My life was so crummy at that point, it felt nearly impossible to even try and focus on my blessings (i'm sure if i would have changed my woe-is-me attitude i could have found the light, but unfortunately, i didn't..but thats another story) it was just a bummy time of life. But this year, this year is so different and SO dang good! I finally have a few GREAT people in my life who I trust 100% completely and they're supportive, uplifting, happy, optimistic people who really help in making my life the best life ever, despite the trials I still face from time to time. Now if thats not a blessing, then I don't know what is! 

As I said, I like to reminisce on the past week... Tonight (blasted insomnia) I've decided to share my reminiscing/blessings with you. You lucky people ;) I find that my greatest blessings are usually people and experiences, not objects..

I couldn't talk about my blessings without mentioning my lovely little sisters. Savannah Klaire and Miss Adi are the most phenomenal little ladies the world will ever know. I love these girls so much and I'm so, so, soooo thankful for their examples in my life and for how happy they always make me. Seriously, though, these girls are as close as they come to perfect and if you've met my sisters, before, you know what I mean.

 Somehow my family (minus mom..and kind of me) have decided to become shooters. Gunmen? I don't even know what its called... We've decided to take up shooting guns. (does that one make sense?) Maybe I'd like it more if I could aim at all - but I can't. I don't think the fact that I can't wink helps much, either. However, its been a lot of fun to shoot cans in our backyard with BB guns with the girls and Craig. Bonding time is too good for words, you know?

we're setting up cans - not gardening

 Another blessing I'd be silly to ignore is my handsome boyfriend. Man, I love that Craig. There is something magical (don't make fun of my cheesiness, now) about having your boyfriend/best friend be a person you can be totally open with and know there will be no judgement and no ridicule, only care, support and a smile on his darling face. It is the best feeling in the world to be respected and treated how a girl (or anyone, for that matter) should be treated! Unfortunately that is a luxury I've not experienced fully before I knew Craig. I am so beyond happy with him and I get butterflies in my tummy just thinking of him and hearing his name. He's perfect, I tell you. I really am dating the most phenomenal, uplifting, supportive, funny, sweet, attractive, charismatic, caring, concerned, respectful, gentlemanly man. I'm so thankful for his kind words and the faith he has in me and the way he can make me feel like the prettiest girl!

Craig, you are one heck of a guy! :) :) :)

There is also my perfect parents (sadly, i didn't' photograph those cuties, this week) who are the best of the best. I'm in awe of the luck I have when it comes to a mommy and daddy who love each other and have built a happy, funny home and family. I'm so thankful for their support and motivation, daily. Like my sisters, if you know my parents, you know exactly what I'm talking about. They're uh-maze-ing! 

I hope this week you can all take a minute, a minute is all it takes, to ponder your blessings, I can promise you that if you do this you will feel your attitude change and you will have a much better, brighter week. And who doesn't want that??

Love you all!

A Really Great Grandma

On Saturday, February 25th, 2012 my Great Grandma Ruth passed away.

It was surely her time to go, but of course, still sad. 

That woman lived one very, very good life and I'm thankful for her example I've always had in my life.

I'm thankful for her cute little smile, little high voice and for the fun times she gave me when we saw each other. She was a super great grandma :) 

I will always remember her as the lady who collected a little bit of everything, especially copper.

The grandma who would put my food and drink in bowls on the floor when I was little so I could pretend I was a kitty.

That sweet, funny laugh.

The sweet lady who spoke my fake Spanish with me.

The letters in the mail from her with her difficult-to-read handwriting.

The woman who always watched the news and read the newspaper.

All in all, she was one heck of a wonderful lady!

Last Saturday, on the 3rd, my family and I traveled up to windy Twin Falls, Idaho for her funeral.

It was a great little celebration of her life!

I enjoyed hearing stories about grandma Ruth and being able to really remember her.

I'm blessed to be her great granddaughter!

in front of grandma's house..very windy!

I love you and I'll miss you, Great Grandma Ruth!