Baby Shower for My First Nephew!

I'm so excited! My first nephew is due this month! I'm so excited! My sister-in-law's sister threw her a baby shower today. She got some really cute things, and I got SUPER excited! :) I can't wait to meet this little guy! They are naming him Evan :) Super cute. Anyway, here are some photos of the things she got!

"Diaper Cake" - Cute huh!?

Then afterwards, I went to The Pizza Pie Cafe for my cousins birthday! It was delicious, and it was good to see family and friends that I'd known growing up with my cousin! After we went to Comedy Sportz in Provo and let me tell you, I just might not have abs anymore since they were ripped to shreds from laughing so hard. It was the funniest thing I've been to in a really long time! I cannot wait to take Brady there when he gets home! Also, I saw the movie Midway to Heaven last night, and I met the man who plays the dad in that movie, at Comedy Sports! He's been there for a really long time! :) It was sweet! I didn't get very many pictures, because my camera died, but we weren't allowed to take any either.

Inspiration

I know I have a lot to be thankful for, and I'm completely inspired to be a better person, do better things, achieve more in my life, become stronger; all the time. I really have this good friend, who just lives her life the way I would like to live mine. She completely trusts the Lord in all she does. She has a smile on her face always. She's so grateful for life, and absolutely loves her family more than anything. She's a really great example to me, and always inspires me to trust in the Lord more. Move on with my day and stop being so hard on myself with certain things. She inspires me to be grateful for what and who I do have in my life, rather than what I used to, could have, and want. I'm so grateful for the Prophets, and for all that they teach us. How they lead and guide, and direct me today. How I trust them, and follow them, and stand as a witness. I'm so grateful for General Conference and I'm always really excited when it approaches! I'm really grateful for Brady serving a mission. I always get really excited when I hear how he is doing, and how it makes me want to be more involved in church, and Institute and serving others and all that good gospel stuff :) Decisions have been hard lately, but I'm just going to do my best to make it day by day because that's what these people have taught me. To trust in the Lord as if everything depends on Him, then work as if everything depends on me.

2, 8 & 22 :)

Today is a good day :)

Would you like to know why?

Today is the anniversary for many things.

First off, the groundhog told us Spring would come soon.

Let's hope he's serious!

But...

Brady has been gone 2 Months now!!!

It has gone by slowly, but I can't believe I'll never have to relive those two months again!

Also, it's our 8 month anniversary :)

I love my Brady babe!

And, he has 22 more months to go! & on Sunday, it's 21 more fast Sundays!!

Not peace, 2.
For 2 months done! :)

Utah State

I went to Utah State this weekend to visit some friends :)

It was really fun, and I'm totally glad I went!

I met up with an old friend from high school, and went and ate at Pounders. It's a Hawaiian grill, but it was really good :) Then I met up with some of the girls from high school that I've missed so much! It was super fun! We went and got ice cream, and then just talked forever! Cause that's what girls do. Then we watched a movie called Red Eye; jeez it's jumpy! I thought I was going to die while watching it! It was fun though. We talked some more and then fell asleep :) We woke up and the girls had breakfast (I wasn't hungry, plus they had blueberry muffins.. yuck!) and then talked some more. I got ready and headed home to visit my family!

It feels so good to be home. I miss my family. I miss the smell of my house, and boy do I miss my dog! The last time I saw him, he had just gotten a hair cut. I came home today, and he's so fluffy!! (I could die!! ;)...) But it just feels good to be home. It feels right. I've been in Ephraim way longer than I'd ever like to be, but as a college student living away from home, that's a sacrifice you make!

Here are some photos:

Hahaha, I don't think I'm ready. ;)

 I took a picture of this because I was headed to USU and
that's where I was at for EFY last year, and we put
this hand sign on our banner! :) It was awesome.

The beautiful Logan Temple :)

So, I felt very happy to go. This next paragraph might sound cheesy and totally off subject. But Utah State is an option of where I could go to school (if things work out financially) and I felt really close to Heaven going up North. I don't know why. I always get really nervous going anywhere past Bountiful because my sweet Andy is in Kaysville and the only time I've ever been past Bountiful (other than a dance competition, and horse shows) was to visit my sweet Andy's grave. I felt nervous, but it was like Heavenly nervous. I can't describe it. There are just some circumstances, and places where I feel really close to Heaven, and my Father and my Savior. And driving there, was one of those circumstances.

I can't decide if maybe that feeling I had driving up to Utah State was something I should pay attention to, and pray about. It was such a good feeling, but I was nervous. Maybe Utah State is where I need to be. I don't know for what reasons, but maybe.

I just had a really good time, and I can't wait to visit again :)

Rescued by His Hands

(This was shared in institute today, written by a student of my teacher.)

I sit in darkness self employed

By thoughtless, selfish actions

Exposed to things to make one cringe

And shake in strong reaction

Brought on by choices bad in nature

I wallow in my shame

And walk a lonely path I've blazed

Where silence sings my name

Then from a distance I see a light

Peaceful and serene

My hopeful heart begs the question

What is this light I've seen?

I slowly turn, begin to walk

Towards the brightness I beheld

I long to feel the warmth and strength

Of the light that burns so well

I turn to walk, but soon I see

The path is dark and dreary

The hope that burned inside of me

Leaves as I turn weary

A silent prayer, I pray in hope

That pity will be found

On a heart where prayer is foreign tongue

Except when hope is bound

Then on my shoulder do I feel

A hand so strong and sure

Then turn to see a smiling face

With peace and love so pure

It looks at me with strength and love

It strengthens my own being

A question tugs inside my mind

Who is this man I'm seeing?

And as he leads me down the path

That once seemed so foreboding

The darkness fades and light abounds

From the man who's hand I'm holding

Not a word is said but still I find

His touch has healed my sore

And then I look and realize

I've seen this face before

We carry on in peaceful silence

As my mind begins racing

My heart beats quickly as we go

In time with my foot's pacing

And as I took, I do behold

There are others in this place

With loving arms they welcome me

A smile on every face

Some I know, some I do not

But still their hearts extend

I know I'm home where I should be

Here amongst my friends.

And as I sit I realize

I had not thanked the man

I turn to Him and as I do

I see nail prints in His hands

A woman leans and says to me

As in awe I stand

You've been rescued by the hands

Of the Great I Am.

You Can Change

Well, I've got a lot on my mind today.

It's been a fabulous Sunday.

Very spiritual, and just what I've needed.

Something was different about today. Normally, when I'm at church, I always am so tempted to leave early. Either I'm not focused, or I'm bored, or I just don't want to be there. It's been really hard sitting through a class learning about the Old & New Testament. I guess I need to study those books more. But today, I didn't want to leave. It was right at the beginning of sacrament and I just felt like it was going to be a good 3 hours. And it was.

In sacrament meeting, they spoke about the Plan of Salvation and the happiness that comes from it. It was really good, and I learned a lot. I said the closing prayer, and that's something I've never done in sacrament meeting before.

Sunday school was really good. We talked about, Preparing the Way of the Lord and repentance and such. It was really good. I enjoyed it. In Relief Society, we spoke about a conference talk called, Come Unto Me with Full Purpose of Heart, and I Shall Heal You by Elder Patrick Kearon (From Conference Oct. 2010) It was just amazing. The young woman did a great job. I'm going to write her a thank you card. We basically discussed sin and repentance and what we can do about turning our lives around and being obedient. I'd like to share a quote, from the very beginning of the talk. He says, "Tonight I would like to share a message of comfort and healing with any of you who feels alone or forsaken, has lost peace of mind or heart, or feels that you have thrown away your last chance. Complete healing and peace can be found at the feet of our Savior." - I really like that. He almost sounded like he was crying and he was only seconds into his talk. At the end of the lesson she shared a song called You Can Change and I cried.

That song means everything to me; and she has no idea. That song is from EFY 2009. That's the Summer I went to EFY and met my sweet Andy :) That song touches my heart, and causes me to cry, so most of the time, I usually never listen to it. I do really well when it comes to remembering my Andy. Unless the memory of him, or something is right in front of my face, then I lose it. And today, I lost it. I miss him so much today. That song reminds me of him, and has meant more to me since his passing, than ever before. I dealt with a lot of guilt and regret after Andy passed away. I had a hard time with some personal things, and was just a tad angry with myself and Andy.

I was mad that I didn't help him more. I was mad that I didn't reach out to him. I was mad that he didn't come to me. I was mad that he stopped calling. I was mad that I didn't see him again. I was mad. I was mad, and I was upset. I missed him. My heart was broken, shattered. I felt guilty. I felt sadness. I felt hopeless, and at the end of the road. This song related to Andy because he could change. He could have turned his heart around, he could've flown and been happy. He could have stayed here. With me. With his family. With his friends, pets, etc. But he didn't. And there isn't anything I can do anymore.

I really miss my Andy. I was crying when I heard that song. We listened to the whole thing in church. It was a beautiful day outside and I decided to drive to the Manti Temple.

The Temple is a beautiful place. A place I go to for peace. A place I go to because that's where I feel closest to my Heavenly Father. All church long I knew I needed to go to the Temple and pray out loud to my Father in Heaven. All the things of my heart, all my concerns and just ponder. I love the Temple grounds. It was windy and sunny. It wasn't cold and the sky looked beautiful. I know my Heavenly Father and sweet Andy were there today. I miss them both so much everyday, but I know I still need to go forth here on earth and prepare the way of the Lord. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Anubis

Okay, so that isn't this cute puppy's name.
The boys tried to name it that;

But yes, my roommate & a friend got another puppy.

He's a Great Dane/Mastiff.
He'll be big.
He's adorable.
He just snuggles.
Sleeps.
Whines.
Eats/Drinks.
Goes potty.
And makes you happy :)

Have I also mentioned how badly I want a Silhouette machine?

Want to see what I'm sending Brady?

I'm sending him his favorite chocolates.

A disposable camera :)

Frosting, sprinkles, and I'm going to freeze sugar cookies so they'll thaw out on their way to Brady :) (I got cookie cutters that are hearts!)

I'm sending him just cute Valentine's things.

Maybe a few funnies.

A lovey-dovey card ;)

And I'll seal it with a kiss.

Boy do I love my man.