The Little Things...

It's here-- that mid-semester slump where you've been going to class for two months and theres a month left and all the projects are starting to be due, you're neck-deep in round two of midterms, and you're just ready for the summer nights, summer vacations, and summer loving to be here, but they're just not... So I'm focusing on the little things in my life that make me smile:

The First Bloom of the Season

This little beautiful crocus popped up in my front flower bed and beat all the other bulbs that were planted last spring. Seeing it still makes me smile, and I'm grateful for the beauty of the earth that our Heavenly Father blesses us with (:

This Girl

Miss Jennifer Seiter makes me smile endlessly. Certainly she's one of the many reasons I'm glad I served my mission in The Great Ohio Columbus Mission-- we always have such a great time whenever we're together, and I'm so grateful for her friendship! We talk about everything, and one of the things we always end up talking about is the gospel of Jesus Christ. It's so great to have such an uplifting best friend who I know will love me no matter what.

My House

This cute little house in Provo, Utah has been my home since August, and being able to decorate it, host parties in it, and learn how to be a domestic goddess in it has provided me with endless smiles. I'm so grateful for my parents who so wonderfully let me live here and who enjoy visiting!

Breakfasts and Facials with a Best Friend

Robert Baker is one of the best friends a girl could ask for... We like to get together every so often and get breakfasts at Kneaders on Saturday mornings, and make midnight Walmart runs to have facials. Speaking of faces, he can always put a smile on mine. I'm going to miss him for two years when he goes on a mission, but I'm grateful for his desire to serve the Lord, and I know he's going to be an amazing full-time missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Crafting

I just love to create things. It makes me smile. That's all.

Newlyweds

I have had the privilege of being able to see two of my dear friends sealed for time and all eternity in the House of the Lord. Scott and Natalie Savage were married on the 24th of February at 11:00 in the Salt Lake City, Utah Temple, and Aubin and Jeff Palmer were married on the 11th of February at 11:00 in the Albuquerque, New Mexico temple. These two wonderful couples are as happy as can be, and thinking about their bright futures makes me smile, and I am so grateful for the knowledge I have that families can be together forever

Corny Jokes

There is nothing greater than jokes that make you groan and smile and roll your eyes...

Friends from The Ohio

Where would I be without these friendships and the things I have learned from these wonderful men and women? I treasure the times when we are able to get together-- seeing them makes me smile-- and I am so grateful the Lord put us all together in The Ohio to have the opportunity to become lifelong friends.

Life is BEAUTIFUL...

A thankful Heart

I'm at this wonderful point in my life called young adulthood. I've fallen in love a time or two, traveled, studied abroad, served a mission, had my heart broken, discovered several things I'm good at-- and even more that I need to work on, been lucky enough to make a few really wonderful lifelong friends, and blessed with amazing testimony-building experiences which have made completely clear in my mind and my heart that the restored gospel of Jesus Christ is 100% true. By every definition of the word I am blessed... Not to mention my fantastic forever family. Seriously, they're amazing.

In an effort to jump back into the blogging world and to continue documenting my young wonderful life, I will be posting at minimum one post a week expressing grattitude for the tender mercies the Lord bestows on me... After all, Izaak Walton said,

"God has two dwellings; one in heaven, and the other in a meek and thankful heart."

This week, I am thankful for:

Daily scripture study and the weekly opportunity to partake of the sacrament

The temple that is five minutes up the road from me

Sewing and creating beautiful things

Amazing friends like Jenn S., Bethany H., Rob B., and Aubin P. whom I get to see often

Good music on Pandora

My life experiences which give me wisdom, memories, and perspective.

What are you grateful for? Take thirty seconds and make a list... Try it, you'll like it!

Salt Lake and the Maloufs

Today, we were going to go to Salt Lake to go to the Lion House for lunch and to the Salt Lake temple for a session. Both were closed. So instead...

We took pictures outside the temple

And ate at the garden room!

We also saw the Joseph Smith film at the JSMB. I highly recommend it!

Tonight we met up with Jordan and Bethany at Cafe Rio. I missed them and i missed the Rio Salad! We had a great time!

I got lots of good advice from both of them... I sure am going to miss these two!

Besties since third grade!


Bye you guys... Love you :)

DOWN in Manti

Manti, Utah is home to My uncle Jay and his wife, Danon, The Manti Temple, and the Mormon Miracle Pageant!

After we arrived in Utah, we headed down south about two hours to this fun little town. When we got there, we were greeted by this cute little motel...

It's just reminding all who come into town to C.T.R.-- or Choose the Right! What a great reminder!

This temple was the third operating temple, and it was dedicated on May 23 {my half birthday} of 1888. And it is just stunning! My mom, dad, Aunt Danon, and I went to the 5:30 session Saturday night. The inside woodwork is completely breathtaking!

Super Cute!

Group shot!

Sunday, we went to their 9 o'clock church meeting, came home, snacked, napped, and talked, and then went to my cousin Celeste's home in Moroni.

Shalynn made Zupas tomato soup with pasta... It was SO yummy!

Celeste made fresh bread, and when we walked in the door, her house smelled just like a bakery!

Piper got a manicure from Abby and Janey... Lucky duck!

And here she is again... Just too cute-- especially since she shares my birthday!

The family that bakes together, stays together! This is one that will be together forever! :)

We left Monday morning to head up to Provo, but...

We had so much fun in Manti Saturday and Sunday...
Thanks, you guys, for such a great time!

"You're Never Lost When You Can See The Temple"

Christmas Lights on the Mesa Temple grounds are quite a sight. In a place with such beautiful lights and scenes depicting Christ and other events from the New Testament, you can't help but feel the spirit.








Saturday morning, Mom, Dad, the grandmas and me went to the Mesa temple. I have grown up admiring Mesa temple's lovely simplicity and beauty, and I finally was able to go in! It's even prettier on the inside!

Mesa's temple is on LeSueur street... How awesome is that!? :)

Group shot sans Daddy-- he was getting the car cuz it was super cold outside!

"You are never lost when you can see the temple. The temple will provide direction for you and your family in a world filled with chaos. It is an eternal guidepost which will help you from getting lost in the “mist of darkness.” It is the house of the Lord. It is a place where covenants are made and eternal ordinances are performed."

-Elder Gary E. Stevenson

Team Edward... Most Definitely

The best part about turning 22?

Going to see Twilight with all the hormone-raging highschoolers and acting just like them when Edward came on screen...

Lance is wonderful-- and for my birthday, he took me to Studio Movie Grill in Lewisville where we met up with Michelle and Patrick for a little birthday dinner/movie action!

We had so much fun-- and Michelle and I were really thankful we have such wonderful men who will not just sit through a chick-flick... but actually ENJOY it!

Favorite Quote from New Moon:

Edward Cullen: Happy birthday

Bella Swan: Don't annoy me.
Edward Cullen: Bella your birth is definitely something to celebrate.
Bella Swan: But my aging is not.

There was one of the trucks there that they actually used for filming the movie! Photo-op!

Thanks for kicking off my birthday in a spectacular manor everyone!

Tomorrow I get to go through the temple... CAN'T WAIT :)