Reblogging

I stole this from my friend's blog (thanks Kristen!) because I like it. In fact, I give it one big AMEN!

"It is not a sacrifice to live the gospel of Jesus Christ. It is never a sacrifice when you get back more than you give. It is an investment. And the living of the gospel of Jesus Christ is a greater investment than any of which I know because its dividends are eternal and everlasting."

Gordon B. Hinckley

#3 - Check!

While I might not be writing my papers as quickly as I should be or could be, I sure am working at this years list!

I went to a rodeo. I thought it was my first rodeo but my mom informed me that I didn't have a deprived childhood after all and had been to several. I am still, however, going to refer to this as my first rodeo because it's the first one I went to on purpose and the first one I remember.

Ogden Pioneer Days Rodeo 2010

Isn't that a gorgeous arena?? I love the mountains in Ogden...they make for a spectacular backdrop.

Anyway... I am very thankful that even in my singleness, I can always get people to accompany me to an event. My people are awesome!

Clearly, I have been fully country-fied (not to be confused with country-fried) working in rural Idaho for all these years because I felt right at home with all the country music, cowboy hats, Wranglers, and pairs of Ariats around me. I loved every single minute of the night, but my favorite parts were the mutton busting (that is going on the list of things my future children will do, right after clogging...see what I mean about being country-fied?) and bull riding. It's official, I need to find me a good looking cowboy. :)

I was also happy to learn that my pioneer ancestors celebrated their arrival in Utah, two years later, with a parade and a rodeo. I believe I've got myself a new 24th of July tradition. Yeehaw!

Skydivers!

Such talent...right on target!

One amazing 8 seconds!

Bull fighters have a cool job.

I love these two!

Cousins!

Mary had a little...

Lamb!

I received a text last week that asked if I ever wanted to see a lamb then eat a lamb. Not gonna lie...that particular sequence of events wasn't part of my hopes and dreams, not to mention the fact that I have had lamb and it just tastes like beef gone bad, but again, I've learned to say yes because usually these things are fun...so...

This brings us to Fountain Green, Utah, Home of Lamb Days!

Can you feel the excitement??

So you might wonder... what do you do at Lamb Days?? Well, as far as we could tell, you had the following options to choose from:

see some sort of trailer display

watch some old guys play some music (they were pretty good)

try a homemade dunking booth (that's right my friends, she's using a swing and a folding chair...yay for rural America)

see pictures of past Miss Lamb Days, including this one of a girl who looks remarkably like the girl on the Lawrence Welk SNL sketch that sings "with my by myself"

buy a t-shirt

or sit in line for several hours...

while they take this...

and do this...

and turn it into this...

they are $3.50 and you can buy anywhere from 1 to 25...just in case you REALLY like nasty lamb sandwiches (seriously, they were super gross)

Random side note: My dog, Daisy, was born in Fountain Green! Yay for Fountain Green. Your lamb sandwiches may be gross (not that you make bad lamb sandwiches but because lamb is most definitely not super delicious) but you make great puppies!

It was a ridiculously fun way to spend a summer day...thanks friends!

Too cute not to share...

I took this photo of my niece on her birthday when I dropped a present by for her. It's too cute not to share. She was anxiously awaiting the toy I gave her to be freed from its package.

Isn't she so stinkin' cute??

Porcupine Reservoir

One thing I've learned in life is that when your friends or family say "hey do you wanna ____?", and you have the kind of friends and family that don't fill in the blank with something inappropriate, that the right answer is "yes!". I have seldom regretted saying yes, but I often regret a "no" when I miss out on a cool opportunity or experience. But again, this is because I have chosen my friends wisely and was blessed with an amazing family. :)

Anyway... "Do you want to go swimming and cliff jumping at Porcupine Friday?" turned into this...

And this...

Beautiful isn't it??

Josh and Sarah

Adam and Cassie

The cliff (which was full of people when I was swimming and therefore camera-less, but empty like this when I finally had my camera...go figure).

I LOVE summer! I LOVE water! I also love living in such a recreational area!

Thanks friends, I had a blast!

Got Courage?

Our theme for Girl's Camp this year was "Got Courage?" It was an incredible camp (as always). We camped at Beaver Mountain and it was

B.E.A.U.T.I.F.U.L.

Not the best photo, thanks to the shadows of those taking the photo...but what can you do? It has us all in it, so I'm not complaining.

We spent an afternoon at Bear Lake...which was AWESOME. I love that place!

Each Tent had to come up with a skit and a poster. This was the leaders' tent poster.

One of the best parts of camp for me was spending time with some of the most incredible people I know. I am extremely grateful for the opportunity my calling in the YW Presidency gives me to associate with people who are a strength to me. It was also nice to spend time with Shanne since she used to be my YW leader. It was fun to see all the things she does for the girls and how much she cares about them and wants them to succeed and be happy because it made me realize that she did that for me too. I hope she knows (as well as all the other people who worked so hard to help me) that it really did make all the difference in my life.

One thing that I've always loved about camp is getting away from everything and immersing myself in the spirit for a few days. I don't know what it is, but that doesn't happen when I go camping otherwise. Maybe a little...but it's not the same. It always reminds me of who I really am and what I really want.

Slacker!

Okay, so I just imported some photos from my camera. Clearly I've been slack because some were pretty old. Case in point...

My birthday cake (from May you know) was super cute!! Thanks for that Mom!!

But some were a little more recent...

I had a 4th of July BBQ with some friends. After dinner we played games...

By the way, the beautiful girl on the left and the good looking guy on the right are both single. So if you know anyone who needs an eternal companion...let me know. :) They are both great catches. That's right, I'm shamelessly trying to marry my friends off on my blog. Perhaps I should try to marry myself off while I'm at it... nah... promoting my friends is WAY more fun!

Sorry to the other friends who made it to my BBQ. I had great pictures of all of you...but in each of them, someone looked awkward. Granted it was someone different each time... but... I have a rule where I try not to post awkward photos of people I like online because I hate it when people do that to me!

Birthday Moment...

My little niece is turning 2 today. WHAT?!?!?! Crazy talk! She's ridiculously cute (of course) and this just in, can count to ten! I hope you have a great birthday, I love you!

Birthday Moment...

It's my brother's birthday today! He's literally one of my best friends, fun to be around, "persistent" (to quote a Delta employee), and just an all around good guy. I'm lucky to have him as a brother and to have his example in my life. Love you and hope your birthday is/was SUPER AWESOME!

Not gonna lie...

A new favorite

I just finished reading The Hunger Games and Catching Fire, both by Suzanne Collins. I cannot wait until the final book of the trilogy comes out in August. They have to be the best books I have read since The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls.

I just had to mention them because they were AMAZING and they are a read that I highly recommend. Thanks to my sister-in-law for the recommendation and lending me the books. :)

#7 - check!

It's July, so it's high time I get crackin' on my list of things to do before I turn 31. Well, this one wasn't one I could plan well, but it turns out I was able to do it. I think it's one of the best things I've ever had the privilege to be a part of. So here's how I accomplished #7 "Be someone's miracle"...

One afternoon of Girl's Camp this past week, we traveled from our camp at Beaver Mountain to Bear Lake for some beach fun. On the way back I wanted to stop for some cough drops (you'd think I'd know never to leave home without them by now). I was going to stop at a gas station I know well in Garden City, but I saw this handy market a few miles up the road. So I stopped and left the girls in the car and ran in. There was a lady rummaging through the medicines reading labels. I could tell from her accent she was either from New Zealand or Australia (but didn't dare ask which because they get offended if you guess the wrong one and I can only tell the difference when they say the word heart...weird, but true)...later I asked where she was from and she said New Zealand. Anyway, I asked if I could help her with something and she explained that her husband was a post-transplant patient and he had some kind of rash. She called the hospital back home and they said to give him benadryl immediately. The market was out. She was rather distraught and upset, not knowing what to do. She was going to call the hospital again to see if there was anything else she could give him. I wished her luck, made my purchase, and headed back to the car. I asked the girls if any of them happened to have some with them and they said no. So we headed back towards camp. I couldn't get that lady off my mind. As we got to Garden City, I decided to just stop at the gas station and see if they had any. Sure enough, they did! I got back to the car and told the girls to pray that she was still at the other store and we would be able to find her. We got back to the store and she was just coming out, empty handed...looking a bit defeated. I was so excited I went up and gave her the bottle I had purchased. She tried to pay me and I told her not to worry about it. Then she gave me a hug and asked me what she could possibly do to repay me and I told her "just know that God was watching out for you today". I went back to the car and we drove back to camp.

It was truly one of the coolest experiences of my life. I need to pay more attention to others and look for opportunities to serve. How easy it would have been to grab what I came for and rush out like I normally do, ignoring those around me. It's so easy to stay in my comfortable little shell, never connecting with those I come in contact with. The interesting paradox in the whole thing is that it blessed me far more than it possibly could have blessed that lady. I am thankful for her, and for the opportunity she gave me to feel important and needed.

My Temple

Well, the plans are out for "My Temple". This is what they think it will look like...

Isn't it gorgeous?? And only 6 blocks from my house!! I am so excited!!

Right now it looks like this...

Groundbreaking is July 31st. I can't wait!!