My Kind of Perfect.

This post is dedicated to my best friend. He is the most important person to me, and my most favorite person on the earth! :)


Reasons why I love him:
-he is absolutely hilarious. the kid knows exactly what I need to hear on days when I'm sad and feeling blue. my most favorite one. *background story* I'd just gotten my wisdom teeth pulled, and I was HUGE. I was in need of some comfort, and I just wanted to talk to him, so we got on skype, but I was too embarrassed to show my face. he finally convinced me... *the punchline* "well babe, you don't look any different than you do on a normal day." thanks hun. really appreciated that one... he was "ONLY trying to help."
-he is generous and kind. not just to me, but to EVERYONE! it's one of my favorite things about him.
-he is strong and steady in the gospel.
-he always has something positive to say.
-he is A.M.A.Z.I.N.G. with kids. watching him with his niece and nephews just makes my heart flutter out of control! I would just sit back and watch him all day if I could.
-he's smart. he's not the greatest studier.... he's just a bit a.d.d.... but he tries to truly understand the material he studies. unlike me, I just memorize.
-he is such a hard worker! he works long days in the hot sun, and he doesn't complain. I come home from working 8 hours in an air conditioned building with an earful of complaints for him, and he just listens patiently. I don't think he knows how much I appreciate the hard work that he puts in, but I truly do. I admire him SO much for what he does. :)
-he is such an excellent listener. he listens and I know he cares. it's one of his strongest traits.
-he likes a clean mouth. that might be weird to say... but I'm pretty O.C.D. and I'm constantly brushing my teeth... turns out he does too. we're basically a match made in heaven. :)

-he likes the same things as me.. except, he doesn't like the sun. that isn't really okay with me, so I dragged him to the waterpark for a day.. he crisped like a lobster. poor guy. but he didn't complain very much. he's just such a trooper.
-he can handle an evening with my crazy family! and here's the kicker, he actually likes them! :)
-he loves country music. I have yet to find someone else who listens to as much country music as I do, and he does! he knows every word to every song. it's fantastic!
-he is "ridiculously good looking" (that's a self description I get quite often from him) but seriously. he really is handsome. blonde hair, blue eyes... what else could a girl ask for?! :)


The list could honestly go on and on. Words can't describe how much I love and miss the boy! My fingers are crossed that he will be able to make it up this weekend for a wedding!

We're pretty much the cutest couple on the block. ;)

A Weekend of Epic Adventures! Part 1.

I never blog anymore, because I never really have anything good to say... but maybe this will interest some of you..

This past weekend I took a nice roadtrip to Utah, just like last summer, but this one blows last year's right out of the water! :) I left right after work on Wednesday night (bad idea... driving through the night SUCKS!) but luckily I didn't crash, I didn't run into any animals on the road (except for a few dead skunks, those were always pleasant) and I made is safely to Lehi at 6:30 in the AM on Thursday. I wished my boy a happy day at work, and I attempted to sleep. Epic fail. My mind was still moving in a forward motion, after 12 straight hours of driving, but my body was in a horizontal position. Mix those two together and you get some serious nausea. Not fun. For most of the morning I attempted to sleep, but when I heard the bustling of people upstairs, I went up to join the fun. Aunt Wendy was on her way to work, so I said hello and goodbye and hopped in the shower. We all got ready for the day and I took my mom and Hannah shopping. We spent the day just roaming around Walmart, went to eat at Quizno's and then I dropped them off at Wendy's. I attempted to miss rush hour traffic by leaving early to get to South Weber by the time Shae got off of work, epic fail again.

I pulled up to his house at 5:00, and asked him if he was done work. He said he'd be home at 6:30.... yet again.. epic fail "what to do with an hour an a half?" "should I go to Ogden?" "Should I just sit in my car and read?" I didn't know if anyone was home or not... luckily his mom came out and invited me in, so I played with the three most adorable boys on the planet! His nephews are SO much fun to be around. The weather was PERFECT for me... smokin' hot! I just soaked up the sun, and very much enjoyed spending time with the boys. Then MY boy came home from work and what did we do? We had a waterfight. After he was soaked he gave me a big hug. I'd been looking forward to that for the last month! After we were all ready for the night, his parents took us out to eat in celebration of his 22nd BIRTHDAY! woot! I've never known a grown man could laugh so hard! His parents are absolutely hilarious, and I just love them both to death! It was a fantastic meal, with excellent company! :)

The rest of the night was great, lots of laughter, and hugging.. maybe a kiss here and there... ;) I was just so glad to be with him on his birthday. It meant a lot to the both of us! After being awake for almost 50 hours, I finally left him and went to Ogden to sleep. I hate driving to Utah, but I'd do it a thousand times more for another day like this one. I just love being with him, and his family!

My Number 1 Fan.

I've gotten in trouble quite a few times lately for NEVER blogging.. but I just don't have the time. Well, today I guess I'll make some time to blog about someone very special to me.

I kind of missed the whole, 'let's blog about our dad's because it's Father's Day thing' but here it goes...
My dad is... the most amazing person I know. He's one of the first people to know ANYTHING that goes on in my life..
My dad is... my sure foundation.
My dad is... the reason I am who I am.
My dad is... an incredible teacher, not only as a career, but in lessons of life too. I couldn't be more grateful for the lessons he has taught me.
My dad is... amazingly talented. He doesn't know it, but I think he's the cat's meow. :)
My dad is... my banker. He not only manages to keep everything organized for himself and my mom, but Justin, Mitchell, and me as well! It's pretty amazing to know that my money and everything associated with finances is in good hands with him around.
My dad is... my support. When I am going through a hard time, he is there to offer his two bits. I'm stubborn, so sometimes I listen, sometimes I don't. Usually when I don't it bites me in the butt, and I owe him for all of the things he's told me that I neglected. Life is about learning though right?
My dad is... my best friend. Most people think it's weird the relationship I have with my dad, but it's a special one, and I know it. I was talking to my Grandma Baker the other day, and she said "it's a special connection that you and your dad have got." I just replied with, "I know." I promise to never ever take it for granted!
I LOVE YOU DADDY!!!! :) Thank you for being there for me through every minute of the last 19 years.

Peace in Troubles Times.

Okay, so I know I take forever to blog.... and I started that 15 day challenge thing... epic fail. But I've had a lot on my mind lately, and I just needed to share.

So, last week I got the news that I would have.... drum roll... 7 exams in the span of 6 days... Did I freak out when I got this information? Of course I did. Obviously I've known about the 4 exams I'd be taking in my core classes (Calculus, microbiology, physiology, and music) but then a microbiology lab exam popped up, and so did 2 Spanish tests. Great. So entering into the week of death, I was not excited.

Last night I was on LDS.org looking up some stuff to better prepare myself for my institute class I had this morning on the Lost Coin and the Prodigal Son (in case any of you want to check those out: Luke 15) :) I'd had kind of a rough day, I wasn't feeling well at all and I just wanted to crawl in a hole and bury myself alive. The upcoming week left me feeling doomed. A video clip caught my attention... it had a caption about Canadian teens finding peace in tragedy, or something like that... so I clicked on it and watched it.

It really got me thinking, and I especially loved the scripture they showed at the end. "But there is a resurrection, therefore the grave hath no victory, and the sting of death is swallowed up in Christ." -Mosiah 15: 8. As I read this verse and continued onto the next verse I was touched with peace. verse 9 says, "He is the light and the life of the world; yea, a light that is endless, that can never be darkened.." Above it I have a quote written from institute a couple of semesters ago, "There is no darkness that the Light of Christ can't penetrate." The Holy Ghost comforted me through the video, the scriptures, and institute. I know how important each of those things is in my life. When I feel like I'm about to sink into the depths of despair (okay, so that was a little dramatized), and there's just nothing else I can do to move forward, that's when the Savior's love comes into play the most, and I experience moments like these where the Light penetrates my soul and I know everything will be okay.

I absolutely love the gospel of Jesus Christ, and all those who do their best to live it worthily and provide strong examples for me to follow. I would be lost without my Savior leading me in my life, and I am ever indebted to Him for the sacrifice He made. I know institute blesses my life, I've seen it in my life as I've tried to live up to President Monson's challenge to "make institute A Priority". "One by One" we will return to Him. (3 Nephi 18: 15). Life is good, and I'm so blessed to be breathing! I try not to take life for granted anymore, knowing that so many die with lives barely lived.

Day Four: Something You're Looking Forward To.

Oh gosh... I'm looking forward to today being OVER.

Here's how it started, once I explain, you'll understand why I chose this.

At 5 o'clock AM I woke up with a screaming headache, barely able to breathe, and could hardly speak... only to remember that I had an audio log for my Spanish class to complete before class at 9.. so, I whip open my lap top, and very quietly (not that I had much of a voice anyway) spoke in Spanish for a whole minute..... don't ask me what I said, because I don't remember. I hopped back in bed, but then my roommate woke up and was getting ready to go to work, so I couldn't fall back asleep. My day started off with a glance out my window to find that my perfect sunshiny weather had turned to snow, and there was a lot of it.. ugh. I'm thinking "Okay, this day can't get any worse." Wrong. I bombed my Spanish exam, there goes my 4.0 gpa. :( and I've felt miserable all day long. I didn't understand a single thing in calculus because my mind and body are exhausted... then I had a microbiology lab. Well, I fail at this subject.. and I couldn't even get one slide to focus on the microscope. I have a test on Thursday I have to take, and I haven't even looked... today, life actually caught up with me, and it's been horrible. So, I am very much looking forward to tomorrow. And hopefully I'll get some mail in the near future. That would be nice.

The best part of the day was institute. 1. I got a break from the stress of life. 2. I love Bro. Brassell. 3. I got to sit and listen to a certain somebody read the scriptures, and it was excellent. :)

Day Three: A Dedication to All Things Wonderful!

Day Three: Siblings and parents day.
I would be utterly lost without my family... they are my one true support system. Family will be there with you until the end and beyond.. Friends come and go, but family always stays the same, it just grows :)

My Dad. I absolutely love this man. He has advice for EVERYTHING that goes on in my life, because he's been there... who knew parents actually know what they're talking about? .... I love our evening chats about life. He encourages me to do my best at all times, and I do everything I can to make him a proud father. He's my strong hold, and my comforter. We love to go hiking together. When I live at home Friday nights are generally dedicated to time with my papa. We sit on the couch together, and I snuggle up real close to him (I'm still daddy's little girl) and watch Cake Boss, Ace of Cakes, The Deadliest Catch, and Ice Road Truckers... those are our favorites! I love spending time with my dad, and I really do appreciate all the advice and care he gives to me.

My Mama. She hates it when we call her 'mama' because she's says, "I'm no one's big mama".. so nobody but me gets to call her that. This woman is INCREDIBLE! We didn't really have a strong relationship while I was growing up, we butted heads a lot, because we are so similar in personality. I hear that's a pretty common occurrence between mother and daughter... but boy do we ever have a strong relationship now! I love her more than words can describe. She is a trooper. She gets up every morning before the butt crack of dawn, aka 4:50, and works out until scripture study at 7... then she packs lunches, makes breakfast, gets kids ready for school, herself ready for school, works all day, and comes home and makes dinner, and works out again at night! She is dedicated to family life, and is a very devoted fan. Sometimes it's embarrassing. :) She is so supportive, and just wants what is best for her kids in life. She's my shoulder to cry on, and I love talking to her. She just got a cell phone, so we text now... way to be technologically advanced! ;)

Justin Rex. What ever would I do without this boy? I honestly have no idea... we are the closest. I love every minute I spend with this kid. It absolutely devastated me when he went on his mission... but I soon learned the blessings associated with having someone on a mission. His testimony and love of the gospel spread to me, and we grew a lot closer over the duration of his mission. It was a blessing for him to be in SLC, because he helped me find home in Utah. He's learning what it's like to be a devoted student, while still having fun at school.. something I wish I knew more about. I love going to visit him in Rexburg! We always have a good time, and he can ALWAYS put a smile on my face. His laugh, or should I say giggle, is SO contagious. I love that he's ticklish and a big softy.. I love his guts.

Mitchell Keith. This kid is a sure hoot, and he comes home in 62 DAYS!!! Oi! It went by so quickly! I am so proud of him, and his dedication to serve the Lord. He had a rough start, but he made it through and continued the full 2 years mission, honorably. He is a big goof. I love him and his passion for sports. He's a bright kid, and an incredible athlete. I can't wait to get to know him when he comes back! His missionary spirit is awe-ing.. that's not a word, but it amazes me the knowledge that kid has got. He helps me with the problems I struggle with, and is always offering ways for me to improve my life. I laugh at his emails, and how absolutely ADD they are.. he's an 'all over the place' kind of writer. Growing up with him a grade above me was an awesome experience, and we became really close after JR went on his mission. Choir trips were a blast with him there!!

Brigham Randal. I hated this boy while we were growing up. Honestly put, it's the truth. We shared a room for the longest time, and it drove me crazy. He thought that everything in the room belonged to him because it was in the room.. even when it was clearly mine. I'm really glad we grew out of that stage. This summer I got closer to him. He still sometimes drives me crazy, because he doesn't understand the importance and necessity of family, and he's not always the most patient with the little ones. But I know that will change. He is a skilled athlete, and a not to shabby actor. ;) He starred in "Beauty and the Beast" last spring, and I got to go to it. That was an incredible experience and I was really proud of him. He likes all types of music and blasts them at 7 AM when I'm trying to sleep... I could do without that quality. :) I love him and the relationship that we have found.
Tyler Wade. He's such a character! He has such a sweet spirit, most of the time. He is the puniest kid I know.. 12 years old (almost) and under 70 pounds... that's not very normal. I love all of him though. He's a little stinker sometimes, and he LOVES to tease me about a certain boy I like.. He's super shy, and I had to pay him to sing in church with the primary at Christmas. The little weasel. I miss him. I'm excited that he's turning 12 and will hold the responsibilities of a Deacon. It will be good for him. He's addicted to video games... not the best thing, but he's really good at them. ALL of them. He 'pones' be every time.. apparently that means something bad.. but I'm too old to understand that lingo. :)

Hannah Lorraine. I have a post dedicated to her already... but this little girl is the best blessing I have ever received. She is such a sweet spirit, and a little angel. I've learned so much by having a sister. It's the best thing ever. I love talking to her. I love her innocence, and the testimony she has already. I love to cuddle with her. She is the WORST bed partner ever... but I forgive her for that. I know she looks up to me a lot, so I am careful of the things I do and say. I miss her probably the most when I'm at school... She's a little trooper, and has had the weirdest childhood.. She suffers from anxiety, and sometimes it's hard to be patient with her. She's beautiful, and I get a little jealous of her beauty. She has perfect blonde hair and piercing blue eyes.. she'll be a heartbreaker for sure! The boys better watch out though, because I can be nasty if someone in my life gets hurt! I love her so much!

Day Two: Stressings and blessings.

Oh man.. I just looked at Neechel's blog, and basically mine is exactly the same as hers...
Day Two: Something that stresses you out.

There are SO many things in life that stress me out, I don't really know where to start. But amongst the bad, there is always good. So at least I have that as a blessing. :)

1. The biggest source of stress for me I would say is the unknown... or rather, the future. I hate not knowing where I'm going and how I'm going to get there. Then I remember that's what faith is.. not knowing, but going toward it anyway.
2. School. I'm so obsessed with grades and achieving the best I can it's not even funny... it tends to make me sick sometimes. Then I remember how fortunate I am to live in a free country, to have the amazing opportunity to be educated from proper instructors, and people who make it easy for me to learn.
3. Living so far from home.. it kills me almost every day to be 12 hours from home. I miss the kids, my parents, and my friends SO much it hurts. There is so much of that life I'm missing out on.. Then I remember that I have skype, and a phone. Technology makes communication so much easier.
4. Making decisions.. I am the most indecisive person EVER. I can do almost anything, as long as I am instructed to do it, and given instructions on how I am to do it. But when it comes to choosing for myself it's a tolling process. I hate making decisions. Then I remember that the Plan was for us to come to earth with the ability to exercise our agency and choose for ourselves.

So, as stressful as life can be sometimes we just need to remember that with it all comes the blessings. There is always a positive to a negative.. you can't have one without the other, for there is opposition in all things. I love my crazy life, and I wouldn't choose to do it any other way!

Fifteen days: Day One.

Day 1 - Self portrait and 15 interesting facts
Day 2 - Something that stresses you out
Day 3 - Your siblings and parents
Day 4 - Something you're looking forward to
Day 5 - Pictures of things that make you happy
Day 6 - A song that makes you cry and why
Day 7 - Favorite movies
Day 8 - A place you've traveled to
Day 9 - Put your ipod on shuffle, first ten songs
Day 10 - Something you're afraid of
Day 11 - Favorite TV shows
Day 12 - What you believe
Day 13 - Goals
Day 14 - Some pictures you love
Day 15 - Pictures of your dream house

DAY ONE: Self portrait and 15 interesting facts

Alright. Well one time my best friend Stephanie took my sister and I on a photo-shoot. Best day ever. I love both of those girls in my life! :) This is the portrait I choose.. I think it represents me pretty well.

15 Facts:
1. I love the color purple. It's my favorite by far. :)
2. I am currently taking 5 classes at Weber State University. It's the most stressful semester I've had so far, but I have good study friends, so it's not so bad.
3. I have the most amazing best friends in the world, basically the best support team to get me through the good and the bad.
4. I'm getting an iPhone on February 14th, and I honestly cannot wait!! And, I get to stay on the best network.. thank you Verizon. :)
5. I am a calculus nerd. I absolutely LOVE it. One time my high school math teacher said "if you like math, and you like fun... take calculus" I laughed in his face. Now I truly believe it... calculus is so much fun. It's basically become my hobby. I do nothing but eat, breathe, and even sleep it. Call me crazy, but it just comes naturally.
6. I am addicted to facebook. It's an unhealthy, and unnatural addiction. I hate it, but I can't make myself stop. The reason: it's my communication to my world previous to college. And I like to stalk people.
7. I stalk people. I'm not as bad as I used to be, thanks to a facebook friends purge. I needed (or tried) to kick the habit.. I was a bit creepy in high school. But, if it weren't for stalking I wouldn't have Laura as my best friend, and I would still be calling Richard Maxwell Taylor "man".
8. I'm basically OCD. I have the perfect system for taking notes. And people make fun of me for it.. I color code everything. It helps me remember... and it helps me be more organized. Poke fun if you want.. but color helps my photographic memory. :)
9. I go to my family before I go to anyone else. Usually it's JR first, and then my dad. But before I go to my friends they are always the two I need to talk to first. Some people here in Utah think it's weird that my ultimate best friend is my oldest brother, they don't understand the relationship we have... but it's true. He's my number one.
10. I really wish I could transfer to BYU-I. I love Rexburg.. I love the people, the town, the school, and the feeling. If I wasn't so close to grad school I probably would, but going through the stress of transferring and moving twice just doesn't seem like something I want to do.
11. This summer there is a study abroad trip to Costa Rica. I want to go, but I haven't decided if I am going to go or not.. it's for my Spanish class. I hope to be fluent some day.
12. I love music. I can't do anything without it... I recently got a car adapter for my iPod. It's basically the best thing I've ever bought.
13. I am taking "The Parables of Jesus" as an institute class this semester and I absolutely love it. I didn't used to understand how applicable Christ's teachings were to me, and to be honest I didn't understand them at all... but taking this class has opened me up to a whole new view of life! It's basically incredible. Not to mention I love the teacher. I am also enrolled in the institute choir called Chorale. And I love that more than anything else this semester, even calculus! GASP! The teacher is absolutely hilarious. And I love to sing, so it all works out for me in the end!
14. I love to see the temple. I love to be on the temple grounds, inside the walls. Everything. I think each one is beautiful and unique and a masterpiece. My favorite: Logan, Utah. If I marry an American, that is the place it will be. My opportunity to be "princess for a day". Literally it looks like a castle.
15. I am boy crazy. It's a true fact, but I hate it. I don't know what to do about it.. but that's the stage I'm at in love. I'm definitely not ready to be settling down and providing with someone else a life of our own.. I have a new crush every week it seems like. I'm not proud of it, but that's just what happens.