you make me smile

Everyday on my morning run, I pass under the shade of a great big oak tree. Underneath the tree there is a swing made out of a wooden board, and tied to the tree above with some rope. Just a few days ago, as I passed by the same swing yet again, I noticed something somewhat different. Written into the wood on the side facing me, with permanent marker, were the words..."I have never met a girl more beautiful." I stopped, looked around, and thought, "oh me?! Why thank you!" haha. Obviously I am not crazy enough to think whoever wrote it was talking about me, but now every time I pass by that swing, it just makes me smile. I always wonder who wrote it, who they wrote it to, why they wrote it, and how many people it has made smile as they pass by.

life...an old time rail journey

One of my all-time favorite quotes is by Jenkins Lloyd Jones...

• "Anyone who imagines that bliss is normal is going to waste a lot of time running around shouting that he has been robbed. The fact is that most putts don't drop, most beef is tough, most children grow up to be just people, most successful marriages require a high degree of mutual toleration, most jobs are more often dull than otherwise. Life is just like an old time rail journey-delays, sidetracks, smoke, dust, cinders, and jolts, interspersed only occasionally by beautiful vistas and thrilling bursts of speed. The trick is to thank the Lord for letting you have the ride."

I shared this quote with a friend one time, and they expressed to me how they didn't understand why I liked this quote so much. They found it rather depressing, not inspiring. I can see where they are coming from though. This quote doesn't make life seem too exciting or special. It simply states that life...is just life.

But I love it so much because it always makes me stop and ponder on my own life...where I have been, and where I'm going. It helps me to reevaluate my attitude and my outlook. Life really can be many times just full of sidetracks, dust, jolts, etc. But, even through the jolts and sidetracks of life, if we are always grateful for what we do have and for what is wonderful on our journey, we can always come out of it, and find ourselves coming encounter with beautiful vistas and thrilling bursts of speed. Heavenly Father has given us this mortal life to experience different trials and challenges so that we may experience growth, strength, change in character, and eventually true joy and happiness. Even through times of struggle and sadness, or a life thought to be just plain dull or monotonous, we can find joy. This joy is found through the simple things of life, and through our all-knowing and all-loving Father in Heaven and our Savior. For me, I am personally grateful for my "ride" on the "old time rail journey". Trials and challenges have come and gone, and these have brought to pass the experiences, opportunities, and growth, that make me the person I am today.

here we go

A few days ago, I happened upon the beloved byu bookstore, climbed the stairs, and stepped into textbook heaven, where I proceeded to collect my own textbooks for the upcoming fall semester. Being the nerd that I am and always have been, I went straight to my apartment, up to my room, and started thumbing through the pages of my new books. Is it just me, or does the smell of a new textbook always bring with it happiness and a smile upon the owners face? ha.

The fall semester is fast approaching. The weather has cooled down somewhat. The days are getting shorter. School starts is approximately one week. Where has the time gone? It feels like just yesterday I was packing up all my "school stuff" and getting excited for summer months full of no worries and bundles of fun. Well, those summer months WERE full of loads of fun, and it is sad to say that they are mostly gone. But, a new chapter is already beginning to unfold. Me personally...i am very excited. With the start of the new semester comes new classes, new professors, a new schedule, new faces, continuing friendships with old faces, cooler weather, the changing colors of the leaves, new opportunities, new experiences, and....more memories.

So, even though the hot summer days are soon to pass us by, and fall begins to call our names, I say...bring it on!

i just love love...

long time no type,huh?
so precisely about a week ago, my older bro/wonderful friend got married to his highschool sweetheart of about 5 years...YAY!!! The weather cooperated just perfectly for them on their special day, and we all enjoyed the company of long time friends and family. So, with this wedding and the wedding of my other brother at the beginning of the summer, this makes for an addition of two new sisters to the family in the past 5 months....pure awesomeness! I love watching my family grow and grow as the years pass by.
oh, the beautiful bride also had the courage to put enough trust in me, haha, and gave me the wonderful opportunity to construct and make the cupcake wedding cake (so much fun!!)


Rhen and Kori


Sara and Terence


The wedding cake