Surprise Visit

I love these boys. They always make me smile. (:

Me and Binks (alec).

Me and Jacki (jackson).

Me and Momma (christian) with alec's leg.

Their dinosaur impressions. One word: Blackmail.

Jackson's cute imitation.

ORLANDO BABY.

Easily the BEST week of my life. (:

Disneyworld. Happiest place on earth, right?

I freaking won this game. First time. Kadee cried.

The best ride ever. Almost peed my pants.

Look at how cute they make the rooms. They were so nice! We were super lucky.

Yo ho, yo ho, a pirates life for me (:

I wasn't too happy that Justin Bieber was getting more attention on this trip then me.

Just looking at this makes me so angry. This man is a line cutter. Yeah. When you wait in line for an hour, it makes you bitter.

Nothing like a late night jungle cruise.

Our bill: $107. boom.

We tried to take it ourselves. But the nice man across from us realized we were struggling and saved us any further embarrassment.

Fun times.

Castle in daylight.

Loved. This. Ride. I swear I could have rode this a million times.

Fancy shmancy.

Rock n rollercoaster.

Me and Kadee in China.

Me and Kadee in I'm not sure where...

Me and Kadee in Egypt.

The name's Mater.

Such yummy and amazing food!

Beauty from Ashes

It's hard to give all your life stories and experiences a name, but when I came across "Beauty from Ashes", I felt like it would fit perfectly. To me this means focusing on the good things in life through everything. Even the biggest of storms. I feel blessed to be who I am. I love my life and I am so thankful for the people I have been blessed to know.

Letting Go.

Oh boy. This topic is one of the hardest for me to address because I myself struggle with it all the time, and maybe too often. Maybe that's why I decided to write about it. Because I suppose if I have this to refer back to, it will remind me to just let go. Ever since I can remember, I have been one to wear my heart on my sleeve. I love people, and when I meet someone who I instantly feel like I could be close with, my heart just automatically let's them in. Bad quality or good, I trust very easily. Even when I have heard or know otherwise. I'm the girl of apologies and giving chances. Most people know that, and some have definitely taken advantage. There have been times where I have felt like a person has literally broken my heart. I have felt pain beyond measure, wondering to myself how I could let go even though the other person already has. I could never imagine leaving someone I love. Let alone ever hurting them. Because when I love, I love with everything I have. But experience has taught me that time truly heals all wounds. I'm not one who lives regretting things in my life. Because I know I wouldn't be where I am today without those things. And I definitely would not be as strong. Even though I'm far from perfect, I feel like I don't need to change who I am. Sometimes people would tell me I need to stop being so trusting and stop wearing my heart on my sleeve, but just because people have hurt me that way, doesn't mean I'm going to change me. If people hurt me, or use me, that's their problem. Something they have to live with. There is nothing wrong with loving people and trusting people. Because that is just who I am. I decided I can let go of the things I can't control. And even though I still struggle with it at times, letting go has truly set me free and I am genuinely happy.

The Maine Concert!!!

Kadee. Ashley. Nicole. Me.

MUSIC + BEST FRIENDS + CUTE BAND BOYS + SCREAMING SONGS AT THE TOP OF OUR LUNGS = priceless (:

Bands. Boys. Screaming girls (and some boys) haha.

Oh the LIFE!!!

Me, kadee, ashley, and nicole all went to the MAINE concert.

It was such a blast. i love these girls (:

Life's trials and the lessons they teach us.

Allie. Mom. Alex. Me. Dad. Ken.

Me and Alex. He didn't know I was sneaking pictures in! haha (:

My brother got his mission call during the summer and he was called to varacruz mexico.

He left for the MTC on September 1st, 2010.

30 hours later he came back. At first I was angry and hurt. But what a blessing it really was. It took me a long time to see the blessing in him coming home. But you know, through this event I learned that the Lord knows you and what you are going through better then you do. It brought me closer to my Heavenly Father. For that I am so grateful. A family's love is unconditional. That love will forever be eternal. Nothing can get in the way of a strong family. Every single day we make it through brings us that much closer (:

i love my family.

The Grand Canyon

Oh my. It was worth the 3 hour drive.

What a beautiful place. Honestly.

You HAVE to make sure you go there at least once in your life.

It is amazing to me how sometimes we just get so caught up in so many things that aren't important but seem so at the time.

I got the amazing opportunity to go go to the Grand Canyon with my family. It was such a neat neat neat experience. We ate lunch there, looked at the little shops, and just enjoyed the view.

I will for sure tell you it is an AMAZING way to spend your day.