Summer, Summer, Summer

I am grateful for SUMMER! I seriously, seriously, love summer! So maybe this is turning into a "Things I Love" blog, but still, it works. Summer is my favorite season! If I ever moved anywhere else, it would be somewhere that it is warm most of the year!

Here are some of the reasons I LOVE summer: (Add to the list if I've missed anything you love!)
-Wearing flipflops
-Shortsleeve shirts, capris, and shorts
-Being outside!
-Driving with the windows down
-Swimming/laying out
-Family Vacations to Bear Lake
-It stays light until really late
-Campfires
-Camping (although I don't go all that often)
-Sunshine
-Ice Cream and Popsicles
-Outdoor movies and other activities
-Playing sports at a park
-S'mores
-Weddings
-Going Barefoot
-Concerts!

And so so many other things!! Summer is my favorite. So, its time to party it up because Summer is here!!!!






Some fun pictures from Bear Lake!

Good Ole' Utah!

I am grateful for this great place that I live! Granted, I don't really know anything else, since I've lived in the same place my whole life, but it is great! I love living in this valley, so close to all of my family and friends. I love that we have great summer weather, and, even though I complain, I sometimes like the snow, and that we have (mostly) 4 seasons here in Utah. I am grateful that I live so close to Temple Square, and the headquarters of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints! I know that I take that for granted, and I shouldn't, because that is such an amazing thing, and a great opportunity to be so close, and visit often. I see hundreds of people each day and week who come to visit Temple Square, and are amazed at how wonderful it is, and all the history of the saints that is all around. I love you good ole' Utah!

This is the closest picture of my house that I could find on my computer! This is the standard "porch pose" picture that we take for everything major in our lives- start of school, weddings, graduations, and lots of other stuff. Its been a great house for 24 years!

Plus, its pretty much the coolest shape! ...And easiest to draw in school!

Fabulous Friends!

I am so grateful for such wonderful friends!! I have been blessed with many friends in my life, friends that have come at different times, for different reasons, that have made such an impact on me. All have been great examples, been there for me, made me laugh, helped me when times have been hard, listened to me, and so much more!

Jaimie & Jessica, my best friends! We have been the 3 of us since high school! We laugh a lot, and always have a great time together, no matter if we are out to dinner, scrapbooking, hanging around with Jaimie's boys, or anything that we do. I don't know what I would do without them!

The 7 of us who started "The Gang" (haha yep, cheesy name!) have been friends since high school. Many have gotten married, making a larger group of great friends! We have a blast when we get together, laughing so hard that I start to cry! It's always great to catch up, and be with friends.

Melissa and I have known each other since high school, but have become better friends more recently! We always have a good time "partying it up" at lots of singles things (haha!) and we have even been told we are "animals" on the dance floor! Whatever that means... :) We have a great time laughing and meeting new people.

Bree & Jaime, what can I say? Friends since we were young! Lots of good times swimming at the pool, birthday parties, sleepovers, and much more! I love these girls!

The For Every Scrapbook girls. Working together was so much fun, we were always laughing! I am so grateful to have gotten to know all of them, and for their examples to me! Its so fun to keep in touch even though we have all gone many different ways.

Music

I am so grateful for music! It seriously is the greatest thing ever! I love listening and singing (although not very good!) the hymns of the church, and primary songs. I can feel the spirit, and feel so good and uplifted when I hear them, and truly can feel the sermons and truth of the words that are in the songs. There have been many times that while singing, I have started bawling, and can't get through the rest of the song because they are so great. (which isn't really surprising, if you know me, haha) I love how I get something different each time I listen to a song, and how they can help me with things I am going through at different times. One of my favorites is "I Believe in Christ" the whole song is a testimony to me. I especially love the line, "I believe in Christ, so come what may" that helps me so much, and helps me get through when life is crazy!

On another note, I just love music in general! I probably have the craziest music collection with so many random songs and genres, I love it! I love listening and learning about all new kinds of music, and am (mostly) open to all of it! (I can't do the screamy stuff though...) I love how there is a song for any mood that I am in, at any moment of any day. I love that there are songs that I can relax and chill out to, my "Girl Power" playlist that helps me realize that I am single, and loving life, my party in the car songs, that I can turn on, and jam out to that can make me happy, no matter how I have been feeling throughout the day! I love that there are so many songs that I can listen to and bust out the moves to, even though I don't have the best rhythm. iTunes is pretty much my favorite, I love buying and listening to new music.

Country music is also pretty much fabulous! I sometimes go a little bit without listening to it, and then when I come back to it, I remember how it is my favorite! Plus, country concerts are amazing!

My latest favorites: Darius Rucker, Keith Urban (So Awesome!), ADELE, Runner Runner, Angels and Airwaves, Dierks Bentley, Glee!, John Denver, Kenny Chesney, and so many others. Seriously, I love music!

Happily Ever After

I am grateful for marriage, and weddings, and the blessings of the temple!

My cousin CC & her fiancee Bradon got married this past weekend. The wedding was beautiful! I love weddings, they are so much fun! The centerpieces, and the mix of colors they chose turned out great, and the day went great! They looked so happy, and so cute! It was fun to celebrate with them, and all of our family.

I am grateful for the blessings of marriage, and how two people commit to love each other, and work things out together for eternity. There really seems to be nothing better. I realize that it is hard, and takes lots of work, but what a blessing to be able to make the covenants in the temple to each other, and start a life and family with the person you love most! I am grateful for the wonderful day we were able to spend with CC & Bradon, and their example to me, and their love for each other.

Forgiveness

I am grateful for Forgiveness. What an amazing teaching this is. Elder Packer, in this past April General Conference said, "Latter-Day Saints are taught to love one another and to frankly forgive offenses."

I love this quote! I love the word "frankly" that he uses. Not after we sit and think about it, or if we decide that they deserve it, we just have to do it!

I am grateful that people are forgiving, and forgive me for I'm sure the many things that I do wrong each day, and for the things that I (hopefully unintentionally) do or say that could cause offense.

I am grateful that I can forgive, and how great that feels when I do, and get those harsh feelings and grudges out of my life, because then a huge weight is lifted off of my shoulders and I feel so much better, and closer to the spirit. Am I perfect this way? OF COURSE NOT! I have a very hard time sometimes, but I know that when I do allow forgiveness into my heart, my life is so much better, and Heavenly Father blesses me even more!

I am grateful that the Savior forgives us! What an amazing gift that we can repent, and ask for forgiveness, and He will give it to us! I am so grateful for His mercy!

Sunday

I am so grateful for Sundays! I love that it's a day that I can go to church, listen to wonderful lessons, talks, and testimonies, and feel of the spirit! I love that it is the one day where I know that I don't have anything that I need to get done, work or other obligations. It is a wonderful day of rest, to spend with friends and family. I look forward to it every week!

I belong to the Church of Jesus Christ, of Latter-Day Saints

I am so incredibly grateful to be a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and for the gospel of Jesus Christ in my life!!

I am grateful for Joseph Smith, and that he restored the gospel to the earth, and all he sacrificed to bring the church forth. I am so grateful for the Book of Mormon, and I know that the words and teachings in it have blessed my life so much, and are continually an answer to my prayers. I know that Heavenly Father knows me, and loves me, and blesses me with the Holy Ghost to help and direct me in my life!

I have felt the spirit many many times, and I know that if we trust in the Lord, and have faith, He will guide and direct us in our lives.

I am learning (it's not an easy, but a continual process!) that the Lord will help us, but it will be in His timing, and that patience and complete trust in Him are essential!

I have a testimony of all these things, and that the gospel is true. I am so grateful for the blessing that I have to attend church each week, and partake of the Sacrament to renew my covenants with my Heavenly Father. I am so grateful for the spirit I feel during the Sunday meetings each week, and in my life when I ask Heavenly Father.

I am grateful for temples, and know that the covenants we make are essential, and such a blessing from Heavenly Father.

I know this gospel is true, and that I wouldn't be where I am today without it.

What an incredible thing to be grateful for, and something that I need to keep learning over and over!