Good Finds

I have been doing some thrift store/vintage store shopping lately. I have had some really, really good luck (at least I think I have). Check it out!

I have been wanting boots for a while but not shiny, expensive new ones. I found these gems at a thrift store in San Diego for....$14! 

This super cute serving tray came to me today at a cute shop in Salt Lake. It cost $6! 

Ahhhhh....I love it. I love it!

Turn your face to the sun and the shadows fall behind you. 

~Maori Proverb

Photo found here

Happy Birthday Momma!

Today is my sweet momma's birthday! She is one of the coolest people I know, for sure. She has such a strong love of family and service and is a great example to me. She is the toughest person to buy for because she wants nothing but a happy family. I had a very happy childhood because of her efforts to keep us entertained and out of trouble. I am terrified of being a mom because I know I'll never be able to compare with Rosie. I love you, Momma!

I had pictures of her face, but I just love this one too much!

Oh yeah...it's this guys birthday too.

8 Things Tag

Bryton tagged me, so here goes nothin'...

8 things i am looking forward to:

1. Working again in the Fall
2. Seeing McCall and Stephe's sweet baby boy
3. Buying a new car soonish
4. A girls night in the near future
5. Getting my Level II
6. Going to Seven Peaks with Eliza
7. Accomplishing that goal I just blogged about
8. More time with friends and family

8 things i did this weekend:

1. Watched the dumbest movie EVER (Knowing - don't do it)
2. Slept in too long
3. Went to Cafe Rio with some amazing people
4. Went to a BBQ at Trish's house
5. Dressed up SUPER cute for church (wore my cowboy boots!)
6. Interpreted Sacrament Meeting like a champ
7. Thought about working out, but didn't
8. Started looking for a new place to live and seriously started thinking about moving home to San Diego

8 things i wish i could do:

1. Nothing. Because I can do anything I put my mind to
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

8 shows i watch:

1. sytycd
2. The Bachelorette
3. Glee
4. Dating in the Dark
5. 30 Rock
6. The Office
7. Diners, Drive Ins & Dives
8. Say Yes To The Dress

8 places i'd like to travel:

1. A California coast line road trip
2. Italy
3. Fiji
4. New Zealand
5. New York City
6. Connecticut (I was born there)
7. Scandinavia
8. Thailand

8 things i am grateful for:

1. My amazing family
2. Super sweet friends
3. The gospel in my life
4. Sign Language
5. Ben & Jerry's Phish Food ice cream
6. My hidden talents and gifts
7. Love!
8. Forgiveness

I never tag people, but if you'd like to do this, I would love to see your answers!

He Wishes For The Cloths of Heaven

Had I the heavens' embroidered cloths,

Enwrought with golden and silver light,

The blue and the dim and the dark cloths

Of night and light and the half-light,

I would spread the cloths under your feet:

But I, being poor, have only my dreams;

I have spread my dreams under your feet;

Tread softly because you tread on my dreams.

-William Butler Yeats

This has been one of my favorite poems since high school.  It is so simple and sweet, I love it.

Thanks Ms. Earhart

"Decide whether or not the goal is worth the risks involved. If it is, stop worrying."

- Amelia Earhart

I love these words.  Here's the problem though - I will soon be taking a very large, super scary  risk in hopes for accomplishing a really, really amazing goal.  The risk is absolutely worth it, but I am terrified beyond belief to go through with it.

I need to just take Amelia's advice and just stop worrying.  If only it were that easy!

Whenever I see the sun hiding behind the clouds like this, I think that this is what Heaven looks like to me. If that is what Heaven does look like, I want to make sure I get there.

I took this photo while hanging out with the family.  That is Heaven on Earth for me.

On a tangent....

Dear ___ ,

I'm so sorry you're struggling and hurting right now.  I see it when you try to hide it, but you can't hide it from me.  I know that you want to deal with things alone but it's painful for those of us who care to watch you go through this.  Please don't push me away, all I have is a shoulder and my love for you, but can't that be enough?  You're incredible, but you're doing your best to keep it hidden.  Please....whatever you need.  Okay?

-R

Westward Ho!

Today is Pioneer Day here in Utah and we are celebrating the anniversary of the day Mormon pioneers first came into the Salt Lake valley. On Wednesday I went to the "This is the Place" monument with my sister and her family. I had never been there before and it's pretty cool...if you like history. Good thing I do!

This is the place.....heck yeah it is!

This is a view of the Salt Lake valley from where they entered. Can you imagine seeing this sight after months and months of painful travel? 

Harry Potter - Finally!

No, this is not a post about how cruel the producers of the Harry Potter series is to keep us waiting 2 long years. In fact, this is about how awesome it has been to see how these cute kids have become attractive young adults.

Take Draco Malfoy for example. He started out the series as a cute towheaded kid and then proceeded to go through an awkward phase that was not only painful for him but for the audience as well.  He is pretty hot in the new movie, if I do say so myself.  How sad/amazing for all the Harry Potter actors to have their teenage years so painstakingly documented.

Last night I went and saw HP again and I have to say, they are all turning out really cute! How do casting directors know? When you choose a child actor who will be on film through those awful teenage years, how do they pick ones with future hotness potential?

Look at Full House....DJ, Stephanie and Michelle all turned out to be attractive adults. Well, actually Stephanie ended up being a meth addict, but that's neither here nor there.

"Ability is what you're capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it."

- Raymond Chandler

Who's With Me?

Seriously, who wants to have a night of awesome, wholesome debauchery?  I would love to make someone's day/night/week/month and would like to invite you along.  

I have noticed that there is nothing like anonymous service to lift your spirits.

Let me know!

The Bigger the Better

These are real animals! They aren't photoshopped, I promise.  I read it in the article where I stole these pictures from.

When I was little I wanted animals very, very badly. We lived in Navy housing and other than stupid fish, they weren't allowed. I thought every kid loved animals like I did, especially because most of them were allowed to have them.

I know a bunch of people my age who despise animals. I find it rather shocking, especially because these people are so fun and loving. I still love animals and can't wait to have a dog, but that definitely won't happen as long as I room with Eliza :)

For Bryton

Hey girlie, I saw this and thought of you. I hope you like it and I especially hope that you have a wonderful week!  You're fantastic....let's be better friends, ok?

A friend and I were talking last night and she asked me what quality I thought to be most desirable in a guy.  I thought integrity was probably a good choice for the most important quality.  It's something I look for in friends and I try to have integrity myself, so I should probably keep it pretty close to #1 on my "list of desirable traits".  (I don't have a physical list, just a mental one.  Who doesn't?!?!)   Merriam- Webster gives us:

Main Entry:

in·teg·ri·ty
Pronunciation:
\in-ˈte-grə-tē\
Function:
noun
Etymology:
Middle English integrite, from Middle French & Latin; Middle French integrité, from Latin integritat-, integritas, from integr-, integer entire
Date:
14th century
1 : firm adherence to a code of especially moral or artistic values : incorruptibility
2 : an unimpaired condition : soundness
3 : the quality or state of being complete or undivided : completeness
synonyms see honesty

Your thoughts?

I'm Back....

San Diego was amazing! Eliza is a fantastic travel partner and shopping companion. I had a blast catching up with old friends and making a few new ones. Here are some pictures from our adventure! (I hate to say it but I also missed you all a TON!)

Check it out!  Eliza found a license plate paying homage to the super weird Zzyzx Rd!

Ahhhhh....home.  This is taken at Crystal Pier in Pacific Beach

That's me on the pier

Just wanted to see how this looks  :)  

The Mission at Presidio Park

Eating a Santana's California burrito...one of my faves!

Waiting for Harry Potter to begin!  That's Eliza, me and Holly.  Holly is my former roommate, Alicia, current roommate.  She's super fun and cute!

A view from the main walkway at Balboa Park.  This is one of my favorite places in San Diego

The lily pond at the botanical gardens in Balboa Park

Making a wish....and no, I won't tell you what I wished for!

View of the sunset over La Jolla from Mount Soledad

Two of my most favorite girls ever!  Alicia, me and Natalie

Eliza and I liked this cloud, we thought it looked like a whale!

"Accept that all of us can be hurt, that all of us can and surely will at times fail. Other vulnerabilities, like being embarrassed or risking love, can be terrifying, too. 

I think we should follow a simple rule: if we can take the worst, take the risk."

- Joyce Brothers

"I Miss You"

I'm in San Diego with Eliza for the week. I'm blogging from the beach...you may begin to feel jealous. See you in a week! Call me if you want a souvenir!

Latest Obsession

Clouds make me happy lately. Actually, everything makes me happy lately, but I have been enjoying the awesome spectacle nature has been supplying so far this summer. Have a wonderful Sunday!

PS - I totally beat everyone at bowling :) 

Timing

I'm realizing more and more how important timing is in regards to everything in our lives. Yeah, I'm 27 now so I'm very deep and reflective all of a sudden. Enjoy these nuggets of wisdom ;)

I've realized that timing and the events that are seemingly out of our hands are the means of getting us from step to step in the journey of our lives. I have often bemoaned the bad timing of things in my life, but looking back, if I were to change certain events, I wouldn't be where I am now. I love my life and how it has turned out, so I am extremely grateful for how timing has worked out for me.

One of the worst experiences of my life has ended up being a blessing in disguise. When I was in high school I was little Miss Volleyball. I played almost everyday and I was good. My sophomore year brought about a back injury that just got worse and worse over the next few years. I was prescribed muscle relaxers and went through the last few years of high school playing through the pain. I had several colleges contact me but it was useless because of my back injury. After high school I took three years off of school to be a bum and do some wallowing...not fun. 

I realize now that if I would have gone to college on a volleyball scholarship, I would have a political science degree and not feel a fraction of the passion and satisfaction that I get from my current field. I still get emotional at volleyball games (seriously, I cry a little because I miss it so much), but this is exactly where I should be. I am so grateful for this bad back and how perfectly the timing has worked out for me.

I know that we all experience hard times and often find ourselves asking "why"? I did today and I had to stop and think about timing. My life in my hands can be a very scary idea, but my life in God's hands and on His time schedule is a miraculous and beautiful thing. He has a schedule for us and often times, it doesn't match ours.  I know He is aware of me and my situation, as He is aware of you and yours.  

Our church has a biannual conference every Fall and Spring and one of the messages from last Fall struck me to my core. Even if you are not a member of my faith, I think these are good words to live by -

"Come what may, and love it" 

- Joseph Wirthlin (full article found here)

No matter what we face everyday, find joy in it. Love your trials because they are tailored to you to make you the very best you there is. In the midst of heartache and pain, find happiness because that is one of the only true success' we can achieve in this life. Find love and hold on to it. 

Please don't read this and think that I perceive my life as perfect, for it is far from it.  Taking my own advice is something I struggle to do everyday but in the struggle I have found joy and love. I long for a better understanding of myself and why certain things have played out the way they have, but for now, I will find joy in the steps along this crazy journey.

I love you.  I do.

And the day came

when the risk to remain

tight in a bud

was more painful

than the risk

it took to blossom

If I Were A Bike

I would be this one. I saw it up at Sundance and unfortunately I couldn't get any closer to take a good picture because it was locked together with the other bikes. We still did our sneaky best though!

Yeah, I love it!

It just speaks to my soul!

Bicycle gangs are all the rage

Up at 1:30am

So, I'm up at 1:30am, dead tired and avoiding sleep.  Blah.  Please take this post with a grain of salt.  Please.

I do not like planning things.  I like having the ideas and then depending on a trusty support staff to carry out my ideas exactly how I imagine them.  Planning can be incredibly stressful!  Granted, this summer I literally have nothing to do but when I'm actually busy, planning is no fun!  Also, sometimes I feel as though if I don't plan things, no one gets together and I like it when my friends and I can get together.

Recently I was able to spend the day not being responsible for any of the plans and it was odd.  I had no idea what would be coming up next and it made me feel a little anxious.  (I was also incredibly tired that day, therefore I was much more reserved than normal). 

When asked about my change in attitude and I had to admit it was odd for me to give up control, this person also kindly reminded me that I dislike planning.  Yeah, I got called out.  Huh?  Who am I?

Seriously.  If I dislike planning but felt a bit uncomfortable not having any control....who am I?  I suppose I should feel grateful that it was pointed out, but yuck, I thought I knew myself better than that.

Ok.  I'm done, you may stop reading.  No comments necessary.  Love you.

Isn't It Romantic?

Every full moon, the resort at Sundance offers moonlit ski lift rides for $10. Since meeting Eliza she has talked about wanting to go, so last night we gathered a group and made her dream a reality. It was awesome! We got there around 9pm and played around on the grass for about an hour before beginning the trek up the mountain. The weather was perfect, the company delightful and the moon did not disappoint. Eliza and I are already making plans to go back.

Isn't it beautiful?

Again, beautiful!

The boys

The girls

On the lift!

"No matter how busy you may think you are, you must find time for reading, or surrender yourself to self-chosen ignorance."

- Confucius

Love, love, love this.  Taken from a real church!  

I wish Mormon churches had marquees  :(

Kat: Pros and Cons

This lovely lady is celebrating a birthday today and I thought it only appropriate for me to once and for all let her know what I love and loathe about her...

PROS

• We are always laughing when we're together
• She is one of my favorite people to interpret with
• She loves hard and deep
• We have taken road trips and never run out of things to say
• She can quote "The Office" and "Arrested Development" better than anyone I know
• My personal style has improved since meeting her

CONS

• She looks good in every single hair color and style, while some of us can only go dark
• She's younger than me and is a spiritual giant compared to me
• She can read me like a book - nothing slips past this girl, I can never fake anything with her
• She is a far superior interpreter
• She writes the most amazing notes with the most perfect advice and encouragement and leaves me feeling inept when I try to reciprocate
• She and her husband have an insanely loving relationship and has made me realize that I should settle for nothing less....great - where is that guy?!?

I love you so much Kat!  You are the greatest friend I could ask for.  My life has become enriched since I met you and continues to do so each time I see you.  There is no way for me to describe how much I appreciate all you do for me, except to say...

THANK YOU!  I LOVE YOU!

Best Weekend Ever! (super crazy long post - if you don't read it I won't be offended)

This weekend started at 6pm on Friday with a birthday dinner at my house for my friend Sam. We then moved on to a Real Salt Lake soccer game...it was awesome! Obviously I run with a crazy group of friends who love pictures so I took about 200 that night alone! Then back to my house for eating cake and staying up WAY too late. 

The next morning, I took Lindsey, Sam and Jason up to Hyrum to hang with the fam for Independence Day. We went to the parade, ate, went shooting and just played around with my family.

When driving home this morning someone suggested we take Sam's Jeep up a canyon and have a picnic. It was a ton of fun!

Shanna, Gregg and Paige stopped by the birthday dinner for a bit and it was marvelous to see them!

Jason, Rachel and Sam.  Can there be too much love?  It's possible.

Eliza!!!

I got the tickets and it was decided that I needed to do a gangster shot.  Good decision.

Rachel, Eliza and Jason.  Sigh.  These are some good people.

Brandon and Sam...this was totally candid  ;)

GOOOOOOOOAL!!!

Sam, Luis and Jason.  Jason didn't get the memo about getting a special edition Real Salt Lake scarf...

They were shaking their heads back and forth and we ended up with this picture.  Yum.

That was outside the car...I need to wash my windshield!

Fun times in the backseat of my car

Lindsey!

Cake smashing time

We like taking pictures...she's just pretending to hate it!

Lindsey and Jason with my nephew Porter.  So cute!

Hyrum city parade.  Woo hoo!

Aunt Meghan was helping Haven fend off the bigger kids so that she could get some candy

They let just about anyone ride in the parade.  Meghan and I will be involved somehow next year.

Jenny was there!  I haven't seen her in about 3 years!

Aunt Maria and Porter

Maria as Annie Oakley

Beautiful Rosie

Lovely Haven

Cute Naomi

On our way up the canyon!

Switch!  Me and my fat arm were able to drive the Jeep for a while

The clouds were amazing today

Photogenic ladies

Jason, me, Lindsey and Sam

Nope, not a postcard!