gonna party like its 2012

2012.

Completed the Yearbook

Went to senior ball with my life long friend, Mike Witham

Graduated High School

Survived working at Vivint with Tyler Hill

Went to Aspen Grove. Twice. With the Huish Fam and my Martinis Fam 

Moved out and started UVU

Was a Big Cat for a day
Went to Vegas to support Mitt Romney

Watched all 5 seasons of Merlin

Spent most of my time with baby Eloise
Survived the end of the Mayan Calendar 

Made some pretty bomb awesome friends

Kept some pretty bomb awesome friendships

It wasn't the best and it wasn't the worst. I had quite a bit of life changes this year and I'm growing to love each and every one of them as they have come. I'm quickly learning that life is a big adventure. So here's to you 2012, thanks for the memories, the people I have shared it with and for helping me grow to the person I have become. 

in my new apartment

The first thing in my shopping cart today was a 20-pack of diet coke. Ironically, I won this hat on my way out of the grocery store.

Welcome to the 408. Home sweet home.

Check out a new blog here. 

all packed up and getting out of here

Two and a half years ago, I promised myself this would never be my home.
I hated every bit of my life, bitter and angry, I told myself I'd never accept this place.
I was embarrassed about the move, I was ashamed of my parents, I was upset.
8 months of construction followed. 
The worst 8 months of my life.
Our whole main floor was being torn about with my mom's own two hands.
7 of us were crammed in 3 rooms, no kitchen, hardly any money to our name.
I felt alone and bitter. This place could never be my home.
It was hell.

I look around at my half packed room, clothes all over the floor.
I still don't have carpet installed and I haven't had closet doors since we moved in.
My walls are painted half blue and the air conditioning doesn't function properly.
The toilet in my bathroom is still hideous pink and the boys still haven't learned how to flush it.
I laugh each time I remember we still don't have a railing and we have a broken baby gate so Maddox doesn't fall down the stairs when he sleep walks.

This place is far from perfect but it is everything my home is.

Home is coming home from a long day of school and activites and having Puffy greet me with a hug.
Home is the countless hours I've spent listening to music while doing the dishes.
Home is a skate ramp in my garage because that's just the way my dad is.
Home is stickers on my door and writing that says "Maddox" all over it.
Home is the annoyance that my TV always has to be on during family dinner.
Home is rushing to get the perfect Sunset photo at 7:45.
Home is loud. Crazy loud. One million little people, big people, all over the place, going and going.
Home is the leftover Little Caesars boxes and Wills Pit Stop Cups all over the place.

I've been so excited for freedom.
No more doing dishes for 8 million, or arguing with my parents.
No more little kids yelling at me or watching dumb tv shows or babysitting.
Freedom. I get to do what I want when I want.

Nothing breaks my heart more than saying goodbye to home.
I can't imagine what it is going to be like to not see punk Maddox every day or Walker saying something ridiculous like "I'm not sitting down, I'm kneeing" No, not kneeling, kneeing.
And don't get me started on Puffy.
She's my little best friend. I love her more than anything I can explain.
Little Puffers has been through a lot for an 8 year old and I just see this amazing human being she is going to grow up into.
I love the way she youtubes Primary songs and asks me to read the scriptures to her.
She has the most special spirit I've ever seen in a person.
Truth of the matter is, these kids have been my best friends for almost ten years.
These kids are my home.
They are my everything.
And it breaks my heart to know I won't be around as much.
I'm going to miss their daily innocent laughs and the silly things they say.

I'm saying goodbye to home so I can make my dreams into reality and grow up. It's time. I'm ready. Four days from now I'll be out. I'll be free. It's all I've ever wanted.

"Happy is what happens when all your dreams come true, well isn't it?"

If that's the case, why am I bawling my eyes out? 

swaggy

If you asked me what I did this summer I'd say, "Look homeless, go to work, eat Cheetos and hang out with McKann." 

I'd also tell you I've enjoyed every moment of it.

a good good life

 There are no words, life is just wonderful. I am very blessed. 

My cousin Maggie had a Hunger Games Party.

OLYMPICS.

hahahahah McKann sends me jokes.  I joke back.

Uncle John, Jensen, Mayson and Grandpa Jim. <3

Jacey Rose.

Ginormica bounce house slide+water+soap=epic.

SALTWATERS. Favorite purchase.

It's decided.

BEST COOKIE EVER.

Only at Vivint.

Taste of the Valley.

McKann and I did not behave at church very well.

 There are no words, life is just wonderful. I am very blessed.

i plan on sleeping in

I lost track of how many times I've said, "I feel homeless" today.

in another life

So I kind of love her.

i grow fonder everyday

We don't sleep anymore. My body and brain have decided staying up all night is much more fun than sleeping. We think about moving out and college and working and money and boys and tv shows and church and life. We enjoy our thoughts. After all, these are exciting thoughts. Our favorite thought is that all of these things don't worry us anymore like they used to. We're just ecstatic and counting down the days. Not gonna lie, summer needs to end now.

I'm fed up with goodbyes, I'm just ready for hello.

i feel it close around me

Stadium of Fire

World Of Color

After watching fireworks again tonight with family+ Andy, I remembered that heaven just isn't something we can comprehend. God gives us these moments where we can experience heaven at a glance.

I simply cannot imagine it.

just like raindrops

I love driving in the rain, it is beautiful.

Until your car floods.

And you leave your window open.

 

Oh and PS.  I got a housing scholarship today!  I have a place to live! 

(I really am happy about the rain. I did get a good chuckle out of it thought)

born on the fourth of july

About once a week, she asks me if I have a friend named Josh, I usually say no. One time, I was taking her to cheerleading and Josh Burr was walking out and greeted him and she was like "YOU DO HAVE A FRIEND NAMED JOSH YOU LIAR!!!" It was pretty great.  

Yesterday she asked if I could marry Mike Witham so she could be sisters with all of Mike's millions of sisters. How do you say no to that?! (Plus, it's MIKE WITHAM!) 

On Sundays she usually gives me my favorite treat, Reese's Stix, because her primary teachers always give her one and she knows I love them. 

She helps me with the dishes and gives me the biggest hugs. Oh and she still thinks our huge 4th of July party is for her. And I am jealous that she is prettier than me and she is 7. Pretty soon,  I will understand Jensen's pain of having a little sister that is better than me. :) (hahahahaha just kidding, Jensen is the best)

It's a day early, but oh well. Happy Birthday Puffs! I absolutely love you will all of my heart. I'll always be your best friend, no matter what you do or say. You're gonna go far in life and I'm proud of you. You're a strong little spirit and our family couldn't be luckier to have you. I'm so proud of your decision to become baptized and I love to watch your little testimony grow. Don't let a boy break your heart, they aren't worth it, never lose your sense of wonder. Be amazed with the world. It has a lot to offer.  Find beauty in the small and simple things. I love you. Be careful.

Happy Birthday Puffy!

in over my head

There are 168 hours in a week.

I spend 32 of them at Vivint, 56 of them sleeping,  and 3 hours at church on Sundays.

That leaves me with roughly 77 hours.

I'm pretty sure, I have spend each of those hours watching "The Office" or laying on my bed.

Oh the life of a sick girl in the summertime.

Pathetic. 

everybody talks too much

my exact feelings right now

I spent 8 hours on the phone today and somehow managed to talk to Taylor on the phone for another hour and half. (talking to Tay was much better than taking calls at work)

I concluded that I'm a pretty good at talking. 

grow a foot or two

Lately, I've been trying to convince myself that I'm not growing up.  

But today, my best friend since the 7th grade got his mission call.

Arcadia, California, Mandarin Speaking

 The people of California are the luckiest people around.

all the small things

I walk into my first day of work and saw one of my old friends, Tyler Hill. We talked and found out that we are working in the same department, same shifts, same everything. Later that day, we find out that we are the only two with our 4-10 shift. What are the odds that the one person I knew had the exact same schedule and position as I did?

On Saturday, I planned to go to UVU to open up my UCCU account. I never got around to it, so I decided that after work, I was going to open up my account. In orientation, they told us that if we opened a new UCCU account, because we are Vivint employees, we get $30. I mean, honestly, who doesn't want free $30? I sure was happy that I didn't go on Saturday.

The other day,  Isabella and I went to Sammy's for shakes. Not sure of the reason, the guy gave me $1 off my shake. He just said he wanted to.


While in Office Maxx purchasing ink for my mom, I decided to get a sharpie. After all, they are my favorite. The guy felt generous and gave me 20% off my purchase "just because" so I got another sharpie.

Whether it's a sharpie, or an old friend, or some extra cash, I just love the little coincidences of life. Sometimes they're a pain or embarrassing, but even those turn out to be funny as well. 

Today was just great.

summer lovin

WELCOME TO SUMMER.