Valentine's Day

A few reasons why this year's Valentine's Day was the best ever!!

Reason #1. I'm in the elementary education program. 

Valentine's day cards-complete with Justin Bieber's beautiful smile and a tattoo!

Reason #2: Look what I got for Ammon:

hahaha!

Reason #3: Ammon sent me on the best scavenger hunt of my life! I am seriously so lucky!!

Reason #4: A candlelit dinner with Ammon while watching an episode of Lost

It doesn't get any better than that! 

home

             Today I feel

                              .... weird...

And I can't explain it. Have you ever spent hours in contact with numerous familiar faces, but not one of them seems to echo the warm expressions you’re trying to convey toward them? And everything that comes out of your mouth contrasts with what you gathered in your mind? And you go home to someone who really cares about you and even though they are providing just what you need, it doesn't help. You try and tell yourself that you’re being irrational; it doesn't matter what other people think. And yet you can’t shake the thought that maybe you don’t belong anywhere.

I see the same faces at work, school, and at church. And everyone is friendly. And some people are extra nice. But sometimes I still feel alone. It’s like I’m trying to be best friends with everyone I come in contact with that day. But in reality, all I need are the people I call family.  I came across a quote I really like:

“Everybody has a home team: It’s the people you call when you get a flat tire or when something terrible happens. It’s the people who, near or far, know everything that’s wrong with you and love you anyways. These are the ones who tell you their secrets, who get themselves a glass of water without asking when they’re at your house. These are the people who cry when you cry. These are your people, your middle-of-the-night, no-matter-what people.”-Shauna Niequist, Bittersweet: Thoughts on Change, Grace, and Learning the Hard Way

It doesn't matter if all my co-workers love me, or my classmates, or the people in my ward. What matters is that I’m the luckiest girl because I have the best home team. Just to name a few members:

My husband

My parents

My best friend Rachelle

My parents-in-law

My brothers

My grandma Mary

My aunties Laura and Karoline

My brother-in-law Nephi

My cousin Amber

And especially my Heavenly Father. No matter how near or far I've placed Him in my life, He still loves me. He knows all my secrets, my stumbles, and my irrational fears. He cries when I cry and He is definitely my middle-of-the-night, no-matter-what kind of person.

Today I feel:

much better

humble

and amazed.

And I can explain it. :)

the men in my life

Today I attended the Brigham City dedication with my family. 

 My mom couldn't find her recommend so I sat with my 3 brothers, my husband, and my dad. {My brother Taylor was visiting from Ephraim.}

As I looked down the row at the men in my life, it hit me how lucky I am to have each of them in my life. They mean the world to me and they've each played a part in who I am today.

First, there's my husband Ammon. There is so much to say about him that he deserves a post all to himself. {But I'll save that for later} 

I am more open-minded because of Ammon. He has broadened the way I look at the journey of life and the people I'm surrounded by. I used to be so scared to talk to people who were different than me. But Ammon has taught me how to be friends with anyone! 

I'm also a more contemplative, more insightful, and the happiest I've ever been because of Ammon.

Then there's Taylor. I am goofy because of Taylor. It's just what we do best when we're together. :)

Then there's Ryan and Daniel. Those two are the biggest goof balls. Sometimes they drive me crazy if I spend too much time with them, but I am extremely protective of them. They sometimes struggle socially and academically in school. I get so worked up when I think of other kids picking on my brothers. Ryan and Daniel can't help the way they act sometimes. And Ryan, before we adopted him, his life was no walk in the park. People act the way they do for a reason. And I will never ever allow the "different" kids in class to be made fun of under my watch. That kind of kid goes home and tries to pretend it doesn't happen. But it does. And I won't stand for it.

Then there's my dad. We are as opposite as day and night. Needless to say, we don't always get along. But I love him. And I know he loves me. My dad is always willing to help me out the second he thinks I might need something. I love that about him. He is also very hard-working. I get my creativity, organization, and desire to serve because of him. 

I'm so grateful for the men in my life.

Daniel and Ryan are making the EXACT same face!! Haha!

Ryan's just so excited for the dedication

                                                                                                                                                    

My wedding day :)

Honeymoon in Zion :)

taylor

Today is my brother's 18th birthday.
He is now officially an adult and tomorrow he leaves for college.
I sure love him. I hope he has as much fun and learns as much as I did (and still do) while at college.

Dear Taylor,
I remember the day you were born.
Mom tried to have you the natural way, but due to complications, you were rushed to the hospital. You came out very normal and healthy.
You were the cutest baby with the cutest laugh. I remember taking you to get family portraits and I was the only one who could make you laugh.
It was moments like those that I was proud to be your big sister.
As you got older, you followed my every move. Mom warned me to be on my best behavior. Did I ever tell you that I loved having you as my biggest fan?
Do you remember the day when you followed my friend and me all the way to the grocery store all by yourself!? You were only 5! We were so glad you didn't get hurt crossing the street!

I have so many fond memories with you, Taylor.
To name just a few:
 I remember making marble contraptions and stacking books as high as your head.

 I remember sleeping on the bottom bunk and trying to scare you by lifting up the top bunk with my feet. (forgive me?)
I remember taking countless pictures with our new i-zone camera!

I remember going through all the "fads" growing up: legos, Bionicals, Pokemon cards, Heelies, and scooters.
I remember watching all the classic Saturday morning cartoons before tackling our chores: Jackie Chan, Recess, Hey Arnold, Garfield, Ninja Turtles, etc! etc!

I remember Chex Quest, super nintendo games, and Talking Battleship.

I remember being in the Children's Parade with you for 4th of July:

I remember you hating these songs because I always dedicated them to you and then sang them at the top of my lungs just because I knew it drove you crazy:

Taylor
Jack Johnson

Taylor the Latte Boy
Kristin Chenowith

I remember getting your phone calls while I was away at college and e-mails while I was in China. They gave me more strength than you'll ever know. You are always there for me and I hope you know I am always here for you if you ever need me! Love you and good luck out there in Ephraim!

it's all about your heart

I dedicate this song to my husband, Ammon who has the biggest heart!



My dearest Ammon,
When I think of your heart I think of the lives you're changing for good-especially mine.
I think of you embracing me when I'm trying to hide my tears.
You wouldn't let me go no mater how silly I felt.
I think of Stephen in the ward who has the body of an adult, but the mind of a child.
You taught him a cool handshake and put the biggest smile I've seen on his face.
I think of Nephi, your brother.
You tease each other and I know you care so much about him.
I think of your past; your scars.
You never gave up and because of it, you can reach people no one else can.
I think of why I fell in love with you.
It's all about your heart, and yours is the biggest I know.

the sisterhood of the traveling pants

Okay, so we don't have a pair a pants we all share (although i bet we could find some capris that fit Allissa and Meggie. And then Rachelle and I could wear them as pants.) :) but we do have the friendship that the girls in the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants have; one that no matter where we travel or end up, we will still know what the other is up to and how the other is doing. 

Our friendship includes:

Allissa: the oldest of us all. She is very talented in almost anything she tries, but especially singing, cooking, organizing, working hard, sewing, and caring about people. Allissa is studying family and consumer sciences education and will be interning this next year for Alpine District, teaching 7th and 8th graders. Allissa and I ran hurdles together in High School and kept each other sane when we were so exhausted after a workout or nervous for a race! Allissa is really good at hurdles and equally good at running long distances.

Then there's Rachelle: the animal expert. Rachelle knows a lot about a lot of things; especially animals. I love having conversations with her because I always learn something new. Today I learned that sea lions have the equivalent aggressiveness as a bear! Rachelle loves to listen to people, is not afraid to say hello to a stranger, and truly cares about people around her. She also loves the outdoors and is way good at running. Rachelle and I have been friends since 4th grade and have been there through every heartbreak, hard-earned achievement, and finding true love. :) She is not sure what she wants to study, but is leaning toward community health. 

Meggie: the youngest, and first to get married. Meggie is also very good at running (are you noticing a trend yet?) Meggie introduced me to the show, Monk and now I've seen almost EVERY single episode! Meggie is really good at making people laugh, working hard, giving good advice, and knowing how to be strong in hard times.  Right now she is studying dietetics at BYU and is very supportive of her husband who just got accepted into Med school! 

All three of these girls have taught me so much and have always been there for me no matter what! It is so rare to find friends like them and I'm so lucky they keep me around. :)

Today I got to see all three them! At the same time! We went to Zupas and enjoyed a delicious meal while catching up. 

Leah. Rachelle. Allissa

Rachelle. Allissa. Meggie

Rachelle is so cute when she laughs!!

Besties

 Okay! Last thing. Just real quick. Isn't my husband so cute trying to find The Hobbit at the UVU library?

We couldn't find it... :(