the log home

That's me, the little blondie in the car seat.
And that over there with the super cool glasses is my grandpa.

Some of my favorite memories from my childhood are with him. I remember riding in his truck with him sometimes. He drove around on the ranch property and would whistle most beautifully (as he still does). He would drive with his knees and eat fig neutons and call me "lissabell."

The day time was a time to play, but early in the mornings, and the evenings when the sun was setting, those were some of my favorite. The quiet times, when I liked to think about my life and think about the world, even at a young age. And the warm nights when grandpa would gather the kids together and we would sing primary songs and he would tell us the stories of Jesus. And grandma would fuss over us and spoil us and just love us and love us, and we always cried when it was time to go. The log home was a haven from the world, far away, with my family.  I remember being so, so sad when it was time to leave.

They don't live there anymore, but I visit the empty house every time I get the chance. Everywhere I look, I see another memory.

Is there a special place in your childhood you remember?

KICKIN IT!

This is Kimmie Walker, now going to be known to the people of Donetsk, Ukraine as "Sestra Uoker." Legit, right? Anyhow, I'm going to be the admin for her blog Kickin' it in Donuts while she's gone (she leaves on Wednesday), and you guys should definitely check her out and follow Follow FOLLOW, mmmmkay?

DO IT YOU'LL LIKE IT.

For Today.

I could do a "this is bliss" today. But I feel like that's all I do lately. So I leave you with this:

Happiness for me right now, is having the worst week, but knowing it's all okay because I have a boyfriend who makes everything better and just loves me so much, and because of the reminder that everything (yes, everything) is going to turn out just the way it's supposed to, because God loves me and knows what's best.

And that's just the truth.

This is Bliss VII

I know it's Monday. I promise, I know. But I've missed the bliss, so here it is a little late.

surprises
the BEST SNUGGLING EVER.
sincere compliments
pajama parties
sweet revenge (with silly string, don't worry guys)
little talks
doing awesome on my homework
ice cream therapy
music (aka my life right now)
feeling fine with no makeup
eggo waffles
the happiness project
my pretty new planner
dreaming of the future
the rain
chivalry
sweater season (oh, it's coming)
jumping off a bridge (just cause)
napping in the student lounge
the coffee shop
vanilla bean white chocolate steamers (i die)
pretending

After taking the leap. Also, Spencer is eating my hair. He does that on occasion,
on account of how delicious my locks are.

what makes you happy?

The Best Day.

I just love my boyfriend, okay?
This is Spencer. He's super attractive and my best friend. Remember him?
Yes, well, he stopped by today just to bring me flowers and say hello and hug me.

It made today, which had much potential to be awful, just so wonderful. And then everything following was wonderful, too.

I've been having a bit of a rough week. You know the weeks. The "I'm-just-so-cranky-and-there's-nothing-to-eat-but-I'm-hungry-all-the-time-and-everyone-is-SO-annoying..." weeks. aka pms. IT'S MY FAVORITE THING. And Spencer's just been like, it's okay, I just love you and here's some chocolate and here's some flowers and the most amazing hugs for forever.

And then there's me, who's all of the sudden optimistic and smiley, and then I get great tips, and it rains, and my life is just set.

This is Bliss V

all-girls' weekend
saving bucks on textbooks
clean room
muppets' treasure island
pikmin with spencer
the local town days
sugar-free treats
wedding receptions
when she announced "cervix exchange" in relief society
     (instead of "service exchange") bahahaha
my new union jack-et (pics later)
feeling helpful
albus severus
pwning theory like a boss
weird dreams
dressing up like a frenchman just cause for fun.

What makes you happy?

This is Bliss IV

fifteen-point-five credit hours
the folks who smile back
generous tippers
making organized lists... in Sunday school
the boy who just wanted to bear his testimony about his little brother
     ("he can just fall asleep anywhere!")
crying it out
finally understanding interval quality
sibling laughing festivals
street tacos
fresh fruit from the farmer's market
monsoon season
"Dumbledore's man, through and through"
showing off my (super hot) talented boyfriend

I mean seriously. And look at that killer smile of his. I'm just one lucky girl. :)

Happy Sunday, everyone!

This Is Bliss III

a rainy day at lagoon

dressing like hobos to keep warm
NO MORE SCHOOL!
makin videos with my sisters

cran-apple juice
being funny in the car
performing by myself like this:

(except . . . with more clothes . . . )

deciding to learn how to crochet (dishrags for everyone!)
snow cones
new journal
having a clean house
mostly loving my handwriting
letters and packages
coloring
dresses
being ALIVE.

What makes you happy?

This is Bliss II

I know that tomorrow is going to be just long and hard, and I'll be grateful when it's over. I've been so stressed about getting end of year testing and paperwork done, that I've just been a mess. 

I also know that the times that are the worst are when I really need to think of the things I love and am grateful for. So here you go.

• discovering a harper on the street outside city creek 
• getting laundry done
• water (I LOVE WATER.)
• making time for breakfast in the morning (twice this week)
• long hugs from Spencer
• re-reading harry potter (I'm on the third)
• hangin' with my hamsters
• watching "the vow"
• the things Tarah says
• FINALLY getting a new journal
• this song:

Tonsils-Schnosils.

Taken by the FABULOUS Kimmie Walker

Spencer and I went out last night, to IHOP for delicious pancakes and french toast, and then up the Draper mountain to walk around the temple grounds and talk. It was a beautiful evening. I'm so lucky to be in love with my best friend. :)

Why go out on a Tuesday, you ask?

Spencer just got his tonsils out, and a deviated septum fixed.
 So it was his LAST MEAL.

. . . Just kidding.
But really.

Oh man, I know. He's going to be so miserable.
But it's a great thing, because he'll be able to breathe so much better after everything heals.

Say a prayer for him, will you? He needs it.
Getting tonsils out as an adult is 2304873461 times worse than getting them out when you're a kid (so I've heard). thank you. :)

Life Without an iPhone

Sometimes I get jealous that I don't have an iPhone, and I can't use instagram to take pictures of little things that make me smile. (And I wonder how I'm ever going to survive)

But then I have days like today, where I take my little brother to get a hair cut and have the best chess game with him (I would have won, too, if it wasn't his turn for the chair), and I realize that somedays just don't need pictures. Somedays, we can just remember it and enjoy that it happened.

I'm grateful for my brother, who likes to tell me things I don't know about the world (those cylinder things on power lines? They're called "transformers.") and who sometimes tells me I look really cute, even though he's ten and feels sheepish about it.

The end.

p.s. what a good lookin' kid! he's gonna get all the ladies.

Weekend thoughts

I love General Conference. 

Especially spring sessions, because then it's right close to Easter 

and I love Easter.

I feel so much love for the people that are close,

and for the people that are not.

Everyone needs to be loved.

Everyone deserves to be loved.

And in spite of all the ugly that surrounds us,

There's a whole lot of beautiful, too.

My radiant grandmother.

"Never let a problem to be solved 

become more important than

a person to be loved."

Thomas S. Monson

When your best friend finally realizes she's in love with her soul mate.

Get some cookies and milk right this second, because I'm going to tell you a story. 

Once upon a time, there was a little girl. She had dark hair and chocolate eyes and the sweetest smile you ever saw.

There was also a little boy. He had dark hair, too, and freckles.

They were friends.

(Well, as friendly as they could be. Second grade girls are not supposed to be friends with boys. Boys have cooties.)

One day, the girl kissed that boy.

She kissed him right on the cheek.

And that boy, from then on, he loved that little girl.

Fast forward ten years.

The boy has been her best friend,

confidant,

support,

happiness,

and strength.

But it's time for the boy to go.

Off to the other side of the world,

for two whole years.

The boy?

He still loves her.

He always has.

The girl?

She cries.

Why should she cry?

The boy is so excited to go,

he's been waiting his whole life.

The realization hits.

She thought she knew love, but it was different than this.

This is so much easier, so much more real than anything.

She had experienced lots of kisses, yes,

but nothing like that one she gave

when she was seven

and he was eight.

And so, the girl fell in love.

The kind that lasts forever

because the boy

just wouldn't 

give up.

NOT the end. :)

p.s. visit Tarah's adorable blog here.