Me, Leaves, and an 8 mile hike

Well Said;D

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Man Enough to Love a Real Woman

BYU and what's really important

I have been meaning to write this for a few days, but have been sick,  still it has been on my mind almost a week later.  Last Thursday I had the opportunity to go to the Cougar Club Luncheon with my Dad.  He rotates taking whichever kid is available and I was lucky enough to go to the one were Bronco Mendenhall was speaking.  We first heard the women's BYU soccer coach speak and then some players followed by Bronco.  What is said resonated with me.  In my own words he basically said that there is more to life then football.  He loves the BYU football firesides more then the actual games.  With that being said he invited those in attendance to the fireside the next evening which would be held on Temple Square.

A lot of people have been to these firesides before, but I had not.  I got my friend Kim to go with me to hear 3 speaker (two players and the coach) and two musical numbers.  While I was impressed with everything we heard while sitting in the Assembly Hall (it was my first time in there), my favorite part was the Polynesian players singing "Brightly Beams Our Fathers Mercy."  I have never heard anything more beautiful, I wish I had recorded it.  Coach Mendenall again reiterated that the firesides were his favorite part of being a coach and what really mattered in life was the gospel!  After the fireside we enjoyed wandering around a deserted Temple Square (most of the people were inside the old tabernacle watching Motab and of course President Monson was there). We also went over to City Creek and had a small dinner at Blue Lemon.

  

With that said I went into watching the BYU/Utah football game with a different attitude this year.  Normally I am heartbroken if they lose, but I just watched with a love for all man, regardless of how dumb people were acting.  It has carried over into this week as people have posted rude comments on Facebook and in the news.  Wish people would get what is really important over who wins a game.  REMEMBER! The gospel, people, friends, family, the temple, the plan of salvation, the Book of Mormon...those are the things that matter!!!

Lava Hot Springs

A little while ago I went with some friends to Lava Hot Springs, Idaho.  On the way we stopped at the Brigham City Temple Open house.  That was an amazing experience in itself which I talked about on my other blog.  After we left the temple we drove about another hour north to Lava Hot Springs.  The whole drive there we watched amazing lightening, but knew we would have to set up the tent in a hurry when we arrived to beat the rain.

       
As soon as we arrived we put the tent together super fast.  The minute we had it up it started to poor!  Two of us still need to blow up our air mattresses so we got soaked doing that.  Once we were in the tent we noticed that the rain fly was not installed properly so I sacrificed myself and went out to fix things.  When I got back in the tent the only place we had a big leak was over my bed.  I was pretty tired, so we hung an umbrella over my bed to catch the rain and I zonked out.  When we woke up in the morning there was a puddle underneath all of our mattresses, so we were happy we had brought them.  Luckily I was dry because of the umbrella:D  Needless to say it was supposed to be clear during the day, but rain again at night so we decided to leave early.

First we went out for breakfast, which was so worth it!  I loved the homemade bread and jam that I had in addition to a veggie omelet.  We then went back to camp to pack all the wet stuff up.  Then comes the best part of the day!  We went tubing down the river that runs through town.  It was so fun and we made 4 runs and got exercise.  They only scary part was two of us ran over a kid who had lost his tube.

After tubing we ate lunch and headed over to the hot springs.  LHS is famous because of these springs.  It comes from a natural spring, but they had filtered into man made pools.  It is pretty hot water!  The pool closest to the spring is the hottest and the further you move away the cooler they get.  I imagined that it would be amazing to sit in the pools in the winter time and I am planning to do that one day.

On our way out of town we stopped to eat and drove home in some pretty nasty rainstorms, but the trip was well worth it.  I just wish it could have been longer!  I sure do enjoy weekend trips and think I might just up and leave town one of these weekends by myself!  Until then I can look forward to my next trip in October down to Monticello/Blanding.

Happy Birthday!

Yep, I made the trifle 

So there's this chick I really love, my special Mom sent to me to love.  She is so kind, especially when I'm blind,
to see all that the Lord has to offer me..

She rescued me from 4 astounding men.
Even got after them when ice flew at me.

I don't know what I do without her Christlike manor.
The best part is she doesn't flaunt it on a banner.
I appreciate the teachings she instilled in me,
specifically the need to treat others tenderly.

Gossiping is not esteemed, but praise and non-judgement, if there is such a thing.  She has taught me that the gospel brings all happiness,
but also that life with her is bliss!

Okay, okay so I am not the best at writing poems, but I was trying to be creative in wishing this lady a Happy Birthday on September 6th!  I love you so much and want you to know that you are the best Mom:)

Funnies:P

My new favorite church comedy website!  Must read!!!

http://amenalready.tumblr.com/

31 reasons to be Happy:D

Yep that's right, I turned 31 today.  It was a little scary at first but then I started to think of all the reasons I am happy and blessed.  So I thought I would share them since I can do what I want on my birthday, right?

1-Getting flowers for my birthday!  Anyone who knows me knows I love receiving flowers!!! Thank you to 3 people (you know who you are:)
2-Having 3 parties over the last week, including a surprise party, tea party, and my family party.
3-I have the best family! I love and get along with them all.
4-I have a job that supports me.
5-The thing that will always make me the happiest is THE GOSPEL!
6-I finished reading the Book of Mormon today and will forever be blessed, humbled, and learn from the teachings therein.
7-Wow, can you talk about great friends!!!  I have felt so loved this birthday:)
8-I get to go camping this weekend.
9-I enjoyed a Diamond Rio concert last night.  They are one of my favorite groups and I love my memories of being introduced to and listening to country music because of my Mom.
10-Phone calls from people I haven't heard from in awhile.  I should be trying more often to call them (luv you Gram).

11-Dating, yes I said dating.  As much as any of us would rather be married I am learning a lot and like to get to know people.
12-Good books, just finished reading another 500 pager today that I loved (that was in addition to the Book of Mormon).
13-Cute babies and kids.  They bring smiles to my face almost daily.  I enjoyed E's besos during facetime the other day.  I miss that chick!
14-New cars.  I talked about that in my last post.
15-My favorite season coming up.  I adore Fall!
16-This number makes me think of my 16th birthday.  My parents got me a makeover/photo shoot and then flew me to visit my Aunt in California.  I will forever remember that trip since she is not longer here on earth, but I look forward to seeing her again someday.
17-I love animals.  That doesn't mean I want to have one in my house right now especially with my allergies, lol. I do look forward to having a dog one day.
18- Medicine!  Enough said.
19-Ice Cream.  I am back off sugar, but my Dad brought me an ice cream cone today.
20-Fasting and the strength it gives me!!!  I love that the Lord will always answer a prayer to be strengthened.
21-My bed.  I know most people probably think this, but I think I love my bed more then the average person.
22-The beautiful rainbow I saw tonight, not to mention the amazing sunsets that have been happening lately.
23-Appliances, yep I love that they make life easier.
24-Growing older.  It's true, I really am wiser!
25-People listening to me, I mean really listening.  I love when someone knows me well.  With that being said I am trying to work on listening better too.
26-So blessed to have two great Mom's. I need extra love, especially since I don't have sisters!
27-Tennis is a passion more of late.  Can anyone out there really play and challenge me?
28- I am learning not to be so judgmental.  If the Savior loves all of us do you think it is because he knows us?  So if I am judging it is because I need to get to know someone better!
29- Health.  So grateful for exercise and healthy foods to eat.
30- Attitude!  I think so much of life can be determined by how we think and I am HAPPY!
31-  I am just happy to be me:)