Soundtrack to my Summer

As the weather begins to cool off and I get away with wearing long sleeves all day and can't float down the river because it's too cold, I realize that I am not ready for summer to leave me. 

This summer was fabulous.

Not everything was perfect.

But it sure did have some fabulous moments. 

I was listening to the radio and thinking about all the songs I listened to the most this summer.
So there's one for every picture.

All This and Heaven Too by Florence and the Machine

Lounging in Parker's hammock and reading The Magic Barrel. 

Call Me Maybe by Carly Rae Jepsen

I went to 7 Peaks A LOT with my Pass of All Passes. 

Easily the best money I spent all summer.

It's closed until next summer and I miss it so bad.

I just want to go back right now. 

Springsteen by Eric Church

My early morning drives to work were incredible.

I did work a lot, but it was great.

I love my job.

Niagra Falls by Sara Evans

We went to Strawberry Reservoir where Derik did some fishing.

anything Mariah Carey and Beyonce. These crawdads had soul!

We were more successful catching crawdads, though.

They really like bacon.

The best moment was when Joey wrapped his arm in bacon and stuck it in the water.

It worked!

Hell on the Heart by Eric Church

The sky continued to be stunning and made me remember why I love Utah so much.

You're Gonna Love Me by Chris Young

(I made Kenzie play that song for me over and over that night.)

I didn't get to a ton of concerts, but this was a good one. 

Kenzie and I have excited faces to see Jo Dee Messina.

She's still got it. 

What a woman.

One Thing and That's What Makes You Beautiful by One Direction

The Spanish Fork Reservoir was another one of my favorites.

I went there quite a few times.

Red Dirt Road by Brooks and Dunn

(Have you ever tried to keep headphones in your and the driver's ears while on a motorcycle? It's a tough job!)

The best part was perhaps when this boy brought home a motorcycle.

Rides are less fun now that it's getting chilly.

So now it is time for apple cider and pumpkins and tights and HALLOWEEN (my flavorite!)

And normally it is my most enjoyed time of year. 

But this year it is going to have to work to win me over.

Because I WANT SUMMER!

Fun Times.

So I have these friends...

And they are crazy cool.

Fun.

Kind.

Silly.

Adorable in every way.

Here we are marching off for an adventure.

Matt doesn't like having his picture taken sometimes.

The adventurers. 

The whiners. 

The gang. 

Matt forgot how to make an excited face.

Joey took a leap of faith and came out muddy.

Aren't they the cutest?

Talana and I have been besties for 12 years, now. 

I love her still.

7 peaks silly times are required. 

The amount of energy one gets there from excitement is incredible.

The crawdad lets go of the bacon?

No big deal.

Stick your hand in and grab it.

But watch out for pinchers!

Adorbs.

I love my boys.

haaaa!

You're sleeping in the car!

I love them.

And the past week or so has been a crazy whirlwind of nonstop fun times.

I have never felt so blessed.

sort out your priorities

This is a picture of one of my pinterest boards. 

I have priorities, people. 

I did a lot of things today. 

I should have done a lot of other things today. 

Example:

Should have done the dishes

Did go see Snow White & the Huntsman in the dollar theatre

Should have taken a bath

Did eat half a carton of ice cream

Should have done charts for work

Did balance my checkbook

Should have left for work on time

Did eat a leisurely breakfast and check my email

Should have not responded to an email

Did write a scathing response and almost pressed send but then erased it and wrote a polite one

Should have done laundry

Did talk on the phone for an hour

And yet, I am completely satisfied and feel accomplished. 

Strange how that works.

Privileges

I heard this story at institute this past week and have been thinking about it ever since. 

Some years ago President David O. McKay (1873–1970) told of the experience of some of those in the Martin handcart company. Many of these early converts had emigrated from Europe and were too poor to buy oxen or horses and a wagon. They were forced by their poverty to pull handcarts containing all of their belongings across the plains by their own brute strength. President McKay related an occurrence which took place some years after the heroic exodus:

"A teacher, conducting a class, said it was unwise ever to attempt, even to permit them [the Martin handcart company] to come across the plains under such conditions."

Then President McKay quoted an observer who was present in that class: "Some sharp criticism of the Church and its leaders was being indulged in for permitting any company of converts to venture across the plains with no more supplies or protection than a handcart caravan afforded.

"An old man in the corner . . . sat silent and listened as long as he could stand it, then he arose and said things that no person who heard him will ever forget. His face was white with emotion, yet he spoke calmly, deliberately, but with great earnestness and sincerity.

"In substance [he] said, 'I ask you to stop this criticism. You are discussing a matter you know nothing about. Cold historic facts mean nothing here, for they give no proper interpretation of the questions involved. Mistake to send the Handcart Company out so late in the season? Yes. But I was in that company and my wife was in it and Sister Nellie Unthank whom you have cited was there, too. We suffered beyond anything you can imagine and many died of exposure and starvation, but did you ever hear a survivor of that company utter a word of criticism? . . .

" 'I have pulled my handcart when I was so weak and weary from illness and lack of food that I could hardly put one foot ahead of the other. I have looked ahead and seen a patch of sand or a hill slope and I have said, I can go only that far and there I must give up, for I cannot pull the load through it.' "

He continues: " 'I have gone on to that sand and when I reached it, the cart began pushing me. I have looked back many times to see who was pushing my cart, but my eyes saw no one. I knew then that the angels of God were there.

" 'Was I sorry that I chose to come by handcart? No. Neither then nor any minute of my life since. The price we paid to become acquainted with God was a privilege to pay, and I am thankful that I was privileged to come in the Martin Handcart Company.' "

There are a lot of experiences in my life that haven't been easy.

But when I let them pull me closer to my Heavenly Father, they become sacred and so incredibly worth it. 

Story found here

Quoteables.

I just came across the best quote.

"Bear true witness, even if it be against yourself, your parents or your family."

~Ayaan Hirsi Ali, Infidel

Just think about it. 

Tell me your thoughts.

I have mine and they are SO GOOD.

I feel like the hardest one is bearing witness against yourself.

Yeah 7xs! (Because 3 is not enough. And because I miss Liz.)

Today was great for me. 

Let me tell you why.

1. I got to see these ladies. 

And it's been a long time since we've been all together. 

It was so lovely to see their beautiful faces and to remember how much love and fun we had growing up.

Yeah for weddings!

(I feel like that's the only time we see each other any more. Not for long. We're gonna plan a fun San Francisco trip to visit Alissa soon. Woot woot!)

2. Brother and Marc visited.

And made me giggle like I haven't in a few weeks.

Those boys are super funny.

My favorite was when they followed me around the grocery store pretending to be secret agents in their suits. 

Tee hee they are grrrrrrreat!

Yeah for silly brothers!

3. I got in a nice big dose of my Long Talks with Troy. 

I could have those all night, every night.

I love my sleep.

A lot.

But I think I would rather talk to him. 

Yeah for good friends!

(And for the Emotional Process of Change. And for vulnerability. And for California Speed.)

4. Sammy emailed me and and said the following:

"His voice is all smooth and amazing and makes me want to bite a pickle." 

I don't know what that means, but I laughed and laughed and laughed.

Yeah for funny brothers!

5. I got to have texty with Talana. 

Yeah for red heads!

6. I did some Therapeutic Recreation.

Sometimes when I am at work I have to stop and pinch myself.

I cannot believe I get paid to do some of the things we do.

I am so blessed. 

Yeah for TR!

7. Yeah for pie!

Nuff said.

What I Know

I don't talk about the Gospel too much.

Maybe because sometimes I forget what it means to me.

And all the blessings that come from it.

But today I remembered a lot of reasons why it is important to me.

As significant events happen in my life, I am reminded that the Lord is in the little moments that have led up to and prepared me for all those big moments.

1. I am grateful for the organization of the Church. 

Last week, my roommate bore her testimony about how we need organized religion.

A company wouldn't run without organization.

In the same way, the Gospel can't go forward without being organized.

I am grateful for what that gives to me.

2. I am grateful for the Priesthood.

For the sacred ordinances that it allows us to perform.

For Priesthood blessings.

For leadership and inspiration when I can't hear it on my own.

3. I am grateful for the Atonement.

For my Savior who forgives me and makes me clean again.

For a Redeemer who loves me in spite of my failings and is able to lift me up and help me be better.

4. I am grateful for a Bishop.

A Bishop Benson in particular.

Today, as he was released and another man took his place, I was able to look back across the past 3 years and see just how much he has affected me. 

I have grown in ways I never thought possible as he has taught me and guided me back to my Heavenly Father when I was lost. 

I have come to understand even better the love that my Heavenly Father has for me through this good man's love and humility and patience and guidance.

I don't know what I would have done without him these past few years.

The Lord puts certain people into our lives at certain times for a reason.

And I don't have enough fingers to count all the reasons why I know Bishop has been in my life. 

More than just a bishop, that man has been a father to me when mine was so far away. 

I can honestly say that the moments sitting and talking in his office are more valuable to me than anything else that has happened in the past 3 years. 

5. I am grateful for a living Prophet who leads and guides this Church.

What a blessings his words are to me.

They bring safety and peace in times of confusion and turmoil.

And they bring understanding and clarity to principles of righteousness.

6. I am grateful for a Heavenly Father who loves me.

I am His child. 

And He loves me enough to give me opportunities to learn everyday.

Sometimes those opportunities hurt.

But as I pray, I can see more and more how they are helping me grow.

7. I am grateful for the Book of Mormon.

I learn something new from it every day that brings me closer to my Savior.

Those are my thoughts. 

They make me strive to be a better person each day.

Because I believe.

Go here to learn more.

Puppy Times

Last night I got to puppy sit!

Troy brought this cute little thing to work and I got to take her home for the evening.

I just loved her! 

But puppies are a lot more work than I thought they would be...

The part where they get into everything,

And are not potty trained,

And like to tear stuff apart,

And eat bugs.

I was not ready for that part.

I was ready, however, to give her a bath,

to cuddle with her,

to watch her sleep,

to show her off to adoring friends and neighbors.

Most people turn into a ridiculous babytalking stranger when they see a puppy.

It's awesome.

And it makes me like some people even more.

And it makes me like others less for their general lack of caring.

I mean, IT'S A CUTE LITTLE PUPPY!!!

Look at that face!

How can you resist?

Running is the worst!

Once, I ran a race.

I trained for it.

I did it.

I didn't like.

I won't be doing it again.

The only reason I look so happy here is because it is over.

And because they gave me water and a popsicle. 

But I did it. 

Fanks for pushing me, Kenzie.

You're doing the next one alone. 

Mickey D and Magnifying Glasses

Last night I came home from work and visited with Parker.

I brought McDonalds and he provided the entertainment.

Which, in this case, was the Oxford English Dictionary.

In which the print is so tiny that one would need a magnifying glass to read it. 

Like so. 

I'm grateful for the fun times I get to spend with Parker.

For our McDonalds runs.

For our long talks.

For his not abandoning me even though he got a fantastic Lady Friend.

For his babysitting Gus Gus (aka Zimbra).

And for his endless patient with me. 

I'm super grateful for my friends.

I have some really good ones. 

Lucky, lucky me. 

Sometimes I Have Skills

I'm trying out my crafting skills. 

I made a shirt. 

I'm really proud of myself.

'Merica!

This Fourth was pretty fantastic.

On Tuesday night, I drove up to Layton with Parker, where he dropped me off at some of my favorite friends' houses. 

Helloooooo Chrissy and fam! 

I had a yummy dinner with Mom and Dad Pasqua, then a sleepover with little Ziggy at Chrissy's house.

It was sooooo fun to wake up in the morning and lay in bed and chat with Chrissy.

I have missed that girl so much! 

We had a pool party and barbecue at her parents house,

 then I went to Parker's for a Firework Death Fest.

Which was fantastic.

I love fireworks! 

Here we are watching some fun fireworks.

My hair is soooooo red!

(I love it.)

And his momma got some great pictures!

I'm just sad I didn't get any pictures from the morning. 

But I left the day feeling very patriotic.

Yay for America!

My daddy

This is me and my dad a few years ago.

I love him.

A lot.

My favorite things about him include the following:

1. His singing shark

2. His white hairs

3. How he always brings a Book of Mormon to the dinner table for us to read after

4. He thinks I'm funny

5. He's pretty funny himself

6. He works so so hard to take care of his family

7. He can fix anything

8. He encourages me to be the best I can be

9. He tells me I'm pretty

10. He tells me I'm smart

11. He tells me he loves me. ALL the time.

I lurve 

luff

loaf him.

Because love is not enough.

3 reasons why December will be my flavorite month this year

from space

You should go look at all of these.

Now.

via Black Eiffel

Oh it is love

Oh, Oh.

I do love John Steinbeck.

Here is a letter that he wrote to his son.

Perfect.

New York
November 10, 1958
Dear Thom:

We had your letter this morning. I will answer it from my point of view and of course Elaine will from hers.

First -- if you are in love -- that's a good thing -- that's about the best thing that can happen to anyone. Don't let anyone make it small or light to you.

Second -- There are several kinds of love. One is a selfish, mean, grasping, egotistical thing which uses love for self-importance. This is the ugly and crippling kind. The other is an outpouring of everything good in you -- of kindness and consideration and respect -- not only the social respect of manners but the greater respect which is recognition of another person as unique and valuable. The first kind can make you sick and small and weak but the second can release in you strength, and courage and goodness and even wisdom you didn't know you had.

You say this is not puppy love. If you feel so deeply -- of course it isn't puppy love.

But I don't think you were asking me what you feel. You know better than anyone. What you wanted me to help you with is what to do about it -- and that I can tell you.

Glory in it for one thing and be very glad and grateful for it.

The object of love is the best and most beautiful. Try to live up to it.

If you love someone -- there is no possible harm in saying so -- only you must remember that some people are very shy and sometimes the saying must take that shyness into consideration.

Girls have a way of knowing or feeling what you feel, but they usually like to hear it also.

It sometimes happens that what you feel is not returned for one reason or another -- but that does not make your feeling less valuable and good.

Lastly, I know your feeling because I have it and I'm glad you have it.

We will be glad to meet Susan. She will be very welcome. But Elaine will make all such arrangements because that is her province and she will be very glad to. She knows about love too and maybe she can give you more help than I can.

And don't worry about losing. If it is right, it happens -- The main thing is not to hurry. Nothing good gets away.

Love,

Fa

via Cup of Jo

We are all made of air

Whew!

That last post was a downer!

Don't worry, I have my new red shoes to comfort me.

(A steal at H&M. So glad they opened one here in Utah!)

I know that you think this is about dating because you know me, but it actually isn't. Despite the not-dating setting off these thoughts.

For awhile, Everything was going great.

I had Everything I wanted.

Not that it wasn't hard sometimes, but I wanted that, too.

I've never wanted things to be easy and just handed to me.

So, not easy, but great!

Then Things happened.

And it was great.

But Everything fell apart.

But that was ok, because of Things.

But then Things broke.

Beyond repair, it felt like.

Then Other Things happened.

Good things.

Other Things that put me back together again.

But there were still a lot of cracks.

Broken beyond repair, it felt like.

Then those Other Things started falling apart, too.

Not in the same way at all.

But they certainly tugged at all those cracks.

And now I am sitting here feeling like I am left with nothing.

I know that isn't true.

But most everything important to me is not really around.

I still have what counts, I suppose.

But I am at a point in my life where Those Things just are enough.

I need the Other Things.

But the Other Things are being awfully elusive.

And as spending time with a friend tonight was interrupted and I quickly became the seventh wheel (yes, that's right, seventh. In a matter of 5 minutes.) I started to really feel the gap left by those Other Things.

And I want Everything back.

But I do not know how to get it.

So be patient with me while I find it, ok?

Letters of Note

I've discovered a new website, Letters of Note, that has me completely fascinated.

It is full of amazing letters, from J.R.R. Tolkien to an editor, Adolus Huxley to George Orwell, Abigail Adams to John Adams, Fredrick Douglass to his former master.

Some are boring, but most are amazing.

This one, a letter from a slave to his former mistress, struck me so strongly.

Go explore!

Important Information

I saw you wondering who Benedict Cumberbatch is.

Let me help you.

Amazing Grace.

Warhorse.

and above all, Sherlock!!!

Don't worry, he's just the best.

If anyone can make you fall in love with a selfish sociopath, he is the one.