roomie love.

2 meese and ms. overall chick
{L to R: KC, Brett, me}

Suuuuch a great picture. Let's take a second & talk about how great the 90's were...

-Take a good look at the picture above & you will see how great the styles were: overalls {they were a personal fave}, jackets tied around the waist, graphic tees that would pass the style test if compared to any graphic tees made today, the colors, scrunchies {not only in your hair but wearing them as bracelets too}, fanny packs, chokers, & the list goes on & on. 

-N'Sync & Backstreet Boys {they were the heart throbs...need I say more?}

-{Movies}Dumb & Dumber, Newsies, Lion King, Toy Story, Beauty & the Beast, Aladdin, Mulan, Homeward Bound, Mrs. Doubtfire, It Could Happen To You

-{tv shows} Sister, Sister, Power Rangers, Full House, Duck Tales, Scooby Doo {cartoons that were actually good}

-Gel Pens

-Discmans

-Fruitopia drinks

-Easy-Bake Ovens

-Playing MASH to see who you're going to marry, what kind of house you'll live in, car you'll drive, etc. or the fortune tellers

Wow,

& sometimes, a part of me wants to go back.

Anyways, back to my roomies, and yes, they both happen to be males {pretty sure that's BYU approved right? haha}

KC: Ask him to give you a math equation where you have to find 'x'. Bet he can stump you...well, he stumped me {shocker??} 

KC & myself singing a lovely duet on Disney Sing It :)

Brett: Biggest Bieber fan I know...hahahahaha not even close. He dislikes my love of Bieber greatly. I enjoy making him listen to JB though :) I find great joy in sharing great music with those I love, & not only do I love Justin, I love Brett as well, so it seems to be a no brainer for me. 

Brett & I at Coney Island, NY

Brett is 6'8" & KC is only about an inch shorter than him, so I feel extremely protected living with these two :)

When you live with people you usually get use to any odd behaviors they have. Brett has always been use to me randomly breaking into song, but I'm glad KC has also gotten use to it now. They know that I can be a little out of control & they are pretty good about letting me be the crazy self I am {even though they sometimes give me crap for it :) but that's their job & I give it right back}

I love these two to death & I'm glad that I have such good relationships with them 

{which doesn't mean they don't ever get on my nerves...& I know that goes both ways, but that's when you know you're close:)}

And that's a little taste of our little home..."The Bat Cave." Thanks for visiting!

early birds & green crepes

The beginning of last week did not go as I had planned or even wanted. My mom was on the high school choir trip in Cali and ended up having to go & stay in the hospital there :( Her feet and legs had swelled up like balloons (gross) and she was finally convinced to go get them checked out. They did a bunch of tests to see what the deal was but they couldn't figure it out (thank goodness Craig was able to stay back and keep her company). We didn't know how serious it was or what the heck was going on...so you can imagine how well I was able to pay attention in class on Monday and Tuesday...I didn't...at all (haha). I skipped both my classes on Tuesday because my daddio called and asked if I'd come play "substitute mom" while he flew out to Cali. Luckily, my spring break started on Wednesday so I didn't miss much school, and I definitely didn't picture myself waking up at 5:30 a.m. every morning to help the "kids" (Liss & Cam) get ready for school, but I am really glad I was in a position to help in the best way I could though. We had a good time too :)

A few things we did:

--Liss & I woke up at 5:10 one morning and went running. It was a little dark (since that's usually when normal people are still in bed, curled up in their blankets, dreaming of beaches and nice weather, while sipping pina coladas), but we are thinkers & solved the darkness problem quickly...we snagged one of papa Al's head lamps, bundled up, and headed down to the river and back. It felt so good and was fun to be able to run with her. My dad, me, and her all share a beautiful long stride when we run. Must be genetic :) Thanks dad!

--Had fabulous aunts who brought us dinner one night (pizza, salad, drinks, cheesy bread, dessert... mmm.mmm.good) & listened to the Bieber while eating :)

--Had a movie night & played Uno (Cam won every time but once...that shouldn't surprise anyone who knows  him)

--Made green crepes for St. Patty's day (even though it was a couple days later we felt like it was better late than never right?) 

  

If you're asking if she is always this cute, then the answer is yes...

matching vans...they remind us of summer, which can't come soon enough
& don't worry, C-Man is sitting in the car waiting
 for us to take these picture ;)

So, even though we were worried about our madre, we were still able to have a good  time, and thank heaven's she was okay. They drove back and made it home safe & sound :)

Being home & having to take care of the kids made me realize and really appreciate all that my parents do. I was grateful I was able to help out and have that experience because in some situations you don't realize how much someone does and how hard someone works until you are in their shoes, and my parents gave me BIG shoes to fill. They are great at what they do.

This past week also reminded me that we have such an amazing support system that I am so grateful for. People were calling and asking if they could bring us food or asking if there was anything they could do to help out. It was awesome to say the least.

As you can see I was feeling very grateful (& still am), and while I was driving back to Orem to start school back up this week I couldn't help but be super grateful for music. It can have such powerful and great messages or just give you the beat that you need to get your head bobbing (I especially love driving in my car, by myself, with darth blaring the music over his awesome sound system [eh hem, it's really not that good :)] because I tend to sing at the top of my lungs and love the feeling that the music is completely surrounding me). In any stage in your life, no doubt there is a song that can fit right into it, and I love that. I love lyrics, I love music, and I don't think I could survive a day without it. Here's a list of my top 10 songs right now that I love having come onto my Ipizzle (in no particular order. I can never pick ONE favorite. no way jose):

1) Pray - Justin Bieber (especially with what has happened over in Japan, I love listening to this song)

2) Till I Collapse - Eminem [clean] (such a good running song...loooove it <3)

3) What I Wouldn't Do - A Fine Frenzy (just a happy one)

4) A Little Bit Stronger - Leighton Meester (from the movie Country Strong)

5) Rolling In the Deep - Adele

6) Lovelier Than You - B.O.B.

7) Home - Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeroes

8) U Smile - Justin Bieber (I've still got the fever)

9) Winterwinds - Mumford & Sons

10) Come Thou Fount - David Crowder Band & Passion Band

If you don't know some of them I highly suggest going and YouTube-ing them (yes, it is a verb). They're great. If you have any favorite songs right now you should probably pass on the song titles so I can go listen to them :) finding new music is my favorite. Love you all & thanks for the support this past week :) 

The FEVER has taken over...

I LOOOVE weekends way too much. Especially when my russian freaker genius (aka shay) comes to partay with me. We tend to have a pretty OK time together I guess ;) I mean, she's only 3 weeks older than me (summer birthday shout out!) & we've been super close since I don't even know when. My guess is that it all started when I was in Mamma Shell's belly and she was in Mamma Sheila's. So, in other words, we've had some time to spend with one another. I am so blessed to have such a great family with great cousins. On both my dad's and mom's sides I pretty much have the most amazing & supportive family anyone could ask for. 

We like to live a life of style:
Backwards hat, pig tails with curly bangs..it does not get much better than that my dear friends

So, Shay came down to spend the last few days of her spring break with me. She came on Friday afternoon, left Sunday afternoon, & none of our time was wasted. 

Friday: 

Riverwoods mall...we love the store, Called to Surf. We found some super cute summer clothes and were pumped about it. Summer needs to get here ASAP.

Next, if you're not ready for this, please go prepare yourself for something that millions of people around the world (when I say people I am mainly talking about girls) are obsessed with. I never thought I'd catch the FEVER...but just like any other sickness, it is extremely CONTAGIOUS and there is absolutely nothing you can do to stop it from taking over your entire being. This fever that I am talking about isn't just any fever. It's BIEBER FEVER and it has officially taken over us. We went and watched Justin Bieber's movie, Never Say Never (in 3D...no joke), and let's just say that our emotions were running high during the entire thing (& even afterwards). We walked out of the theater feeling a little bit more complete & we each wanted to become that "One less lonely girl."

 So, as you can see, we enjoyed the movie just a little bit. 

I feel like everyone would appreciate this picture...& if you don't, it's a cryin' shame.

Next, we went back to the mall and finished our shopping extravaganza. I finally gave in and bought TOMS. I have been wanting (and actually needing) black ones for a long time now. And I love the idea behind them too. For every pair of shoes bought, a pair is donated to a child in need. It makes you stop and think of how extremely blessed we are. We have shoes on our feet, roofs over our heads, food to eat, and people to make us happy. The Lord really does have a hand in all things. 

one of THEE best sodas ever created...

Saturday:

Nothing says "Hello world!" like a morning run. So that's exactly what I did (especially after all the sugar we ate the night before...chocolate covered Cinnamon bears=a serious weakness of mine). Shay wasn't totally convinced that she wanted to go running so she stayed at the condo while I ran my six miles for the day. I'm training for the Wasatch Back Ragnar Relay that is coming up on June 17-18. It will be my first 'real' race and I am getting pumped for it. Eminem helps the miles just fly by so I feel like I should thank him. This blog thanking will have to suffice.

I got back, and we got ready for the day while listening/dancing to the Bieber (of course. who else would it have been???) 

We headed back to Riverwoods Mall for a little indoor surfing, which was worth every penny. SOOO much fun! It was both of our first times trying it out. I didn't like boogie boarding (at all..probably because I was awful), but I fell in love with the surfing. It took me a little while to get the hang of it, but by the end I didn't have to use the rope, wasn't shaking like I had absolutely no balance, and was even able to pose for a picture. Boom baby. Shay was the pro with boogie boarding so I'm glad she could since I was not coordinated at all with it. We left with a few cuts and bruises (mainly injured knees), but it was all worth it :)

After surfing, it was time for boutique hopping. 

Next, was dinner at the fabulous California Pizza Kitchen, otherwise known as CPK. I had the buffalo chicken pizza (which was scrumptious) and Shay had BBQ chicken with pineapple and you can never go wrong with that choice. Delish.

We made it back to the condo around 7:30 and were exhausted so we decided it was a movie night.

A double header.

We don't mess around.

("Do you have a euthanasia program here?") 

Sunday:

We woke up and went to my ward (morning came too soon). Our necks were really sore too from the whiplash of biffing it surfing and boogie boarding the day before and we both had a hard time moving our heads. But overall, church was great. I love being able to go to church every week. It has a way of getting me ready for a new week. I am so grateful to be a part of such an amazing church that brings so much joy, meaning, and direction into my life. 

By the time Shay left I was feeling extremely blessed. It was a much needed girl's weekend and I loved every second of it. The friends & family that the Lord has blessed me with blows my mind. There's no way I can stay down with the support system that surrounds me & I thank you all for that. 

Love always,

the one who suffers from "the fever"

neatness all around

Okay, so I have something you need to watch before you go annny further...it's super neat and you better enjoy it :)

So I'm hoping you enjoyed that...and if not, watch it again because you can't watch it twice and not at least crack a smile ("smiling's my favorite!!" says buddy the elf). I was on Facebook (surprise, surprise) a few weeks ago and my friend, Taylor Cusick (a neat fellow), had posted this video to his wall. The first time I watched it I wasn't sure how to react; then I watched it again and BAM! couldn't stop laughing the entire time (hahahahaha). I explained to Taylor that I was crushin' big time on both of these guys, and by the end of our conversation we had decided that the only thing we could do was go on our own neature walk, and with how amazingly gorgeous the weather was today (hallelujah!) we couldn't pass up the opportunity. 

We drove out past Spanish Fork into the "Uinta National Forrest: Land of many uses" looking for a specific trail. Unfortunately, it was no where to be found, but that didn't stop us from enjoying all the neatness nature had to offer. No-siry bob. We pulled off to the side of the road, picked a mountain peak destination, and started hiking, bush wacking, tripping, shaking the earth up a bit, etc. It was such a neat view when we made it to the top too.

Would you look at that!?! NEAT!

Not too often do you get all this neatness in one location. That's called nature.

Well, we started down the mountain and if you're wondering if we got lost, we did not! We knew exactly where we were the entire time...that's what's so neat about nature. You can get lost and trip all you want, but at the end of the day, nature will still be neat. 

Once we did make it to the car it was dark and getting a little bit chilly. 

The neat news is that we found a sign that was built just for me...

A 'K' for Kelsey??? How neat is that?! That's pretty neat.

We also passed/dodged 31 deer on our way out of the park, so overall it was a very eventful, neat, action packed adventure (thank goodness we were in Taylor's jeep. It's built to handle neat explorations such as this). 

We love nature & all it has to offer.

<3

I hope this has helped you see how neat nature is...cuz it sure is neat

Well hello there :)

So I get home from a lunch date at Olive Garden with the lovely Lacey Ramirez, and what is the first thing I do? Well if you're thinking "not get on Facebook" you're wrong because that is exactly what I did, and hopefully that isn't a shocker (everyone knows I am on a few times a day...darn you book of faces!). Anywho, I got on and my friend Jen told me to go check her blog out, so I did. I loved reading through it (I love reading through all my friend's blogs actually), and then a light bulb went off (ding!), "Why don't I make a blog?" I ask myself. I couldn't think of a reason not to, so here I am, sitting on my bed (which needs to be made), blogging...and it only took me an hour to figure it out. I'm pretty excited about starting one up, but I'm especially excited about the cute border I found to use :) I guess I'll just leave you with a fun little quote then let you get on your way:

"Go forward in life with a twinkle in your eye & a smile on your face, but with great purpose in heart." 

-Pres. Gordon B. Hinkley

I love that quote. I have it hanging up in my room as a reminder everyday to enjoy life, but to not forget why I'm here, which is so important. Begin with the end in mind :) 

Oh & happy Wednesday....only 2 days until Shay (my russian freaker genius) comes to visit for a weeeekend getaway! Can't wait :)