A Ginger Night

Chuckie (Jackie) had a tender idea to decorate gingerbread houses this year as a family and have a little competition. We did a pretty good job, lets just say there was a lot of diversity in styles of homes but they turned out pretty great.

 

These were some children we found on the street, they said they were raised by wolves. 

They warmed up to us by the end of the night.

Here's the Mama's cottage...

Clarke's "teepee" for the ginger native americans

My barn...or something

Chuckie's chapel for the religious ginger people

Alec's Garage...

Pappy's Bachelor Pad

 The Inspiration for the Night

Hard Workin Pappy

Such a FUN time!
 

Musical Monday

So for the past four years our family has been doing a Family Night where we invite some friends over to perform a "Christmas" musical number. There's usually one serious Christmas song and then one weird one from each family. It's a pretty entertaining night for sure and is definitely something I always look forward to. Here's some crazy pictures from the night...

 The Cute Westovers

 The Houses

 The Tender Westovers Again

 Mickey's Quote: "Over The Top"

 The Tracy's

 I don't remember this family's name

 They were a little Creepy...

 The Oldhams

 

 The Buchanons

 

 The Millers

Such a Fun Night!! We have some crazy friends but it is how we do it Oregon. It's always so fun to be home! A great way to start the Christmas season : )

Merry Christmas!

I absolutely LOVE this clip. Today was truly a wonderful Christmas and at the end of the day with family and friends, I realize even more what Christmas is really about. It's love, the love we have for family, the love we have for friends, the love we have for the Christmas season, and most importantly the love we have for a Savior. He is the reason for the season. I feel so blessed to know of him in my life. I will continue to constantly strive to be like him everyday. He is my Redeemer and my friend and I am so grateful for his example and birth into the world so many years ago.
Merry Christmas Everyone!!!

Home For Christmas

SOOOOO good to be HOME!!!! Finals go by SO slow but it is always so much more enjoyable to be home afterwards. To be with the family, snuggle with the dogs, dance around to christmas music in the kitchen, eat way too many christmas treats than is healthy, party around the oregon place and crust some days. Really so so great to be with the family and back at my home! Love this time of year!

Life is a VERB

So I started reading this book called "Life is a Verb"...it basically is a 37 day guide to making life more meaningful and adventurous. Obviously I immediately fell in love with the book, and started my 37 day journey yesterday. It's been pretty good so far. I just hope i can stick with it...especially with finals around the corner. I might be off and on for a couple weeks but I'll come back to it! So for today's reading, it suggested to make a list of random, everyday things that make you happy. So these are just some of the things I came up with:

APPLES...I eat at least 1 every day, sometimes 2! They are a staple in my daily life and my favorite to eat are pacific rose, pink lady's, jazz, and honeycrisp. You will be my best friend if you give me a  great apple.

EXERCISE...I love working out. It keeps me sane. If I''m stressed, this is my way of handling it. The gym could be called my second home. You'd find me running, cycling, kick-boxing, doing zumba, yoga, pump...I love it all and am willing to try just about anything!

THE OUTDOORS...I love being outside. I love hiking, boating, snowboarding, camping...everything. I again would do just about anything that requires exploring or going on an adventure! I love the smells, the views, the exercise, and just being secluded from the world.

HOT COCOA...I could have some of this any time of the year. It warms my body and my soul.

SNUGGLING IN BLANKETS...yes I do appreciate snuggies but blankets in general make me really happy. A rainy Sunday, wrapped up in a blanket, while reading a book...umm ya love it.

PEOPLE...weird picture I know but I truly love all kinds of people. I love learning from them, hearing their stories, how they live their lives, how they grew up, traditions they have, etc. I just love being around different people and realizing how different we are but yer there is still so much in common.

SPOON ME SMOOTHIES...the spoonin in the dark with dark chocolate and strawberries has changed my life. I could have one EVERY DAY and not feel bad or get sick of them. They are amazing. Try one and you won't be disappointed.

GILMORE GIRLS...I forget how much I love this show. Yes it's cheesy, yes their town is not realistic, yes the people may seem crazy, and the acting might be sketch at times but I love this show and always will. It makes me laugh, it makes me cry and just makes me happy.

 

 RINGS....I love rings, I love getting new ones any time I can and especially want to learn how to make these bad boys (spoon rings). Pretty cool stuff, and I am definitely obsessed.

So this was my random list. Short and sweet and is definitely missing a lot of other things I'm grateful for but it's a little taste of me and what I appreciate! : )

Barbara Cage really knows her stuff.

This quote made me cry today...
It really put my life into perspective and made me realize I have a lot to do and a lot to face to make my dreams come true. They are going to happen tho don't worry. It is beautiful.
"The path to a dream is paced with sacrifices and lined with determination. And though it has many stumbling blocks along the way, and may go in more than one direction, it is marked by faith. It is traveled by belief and courage, persistance and hard work. It is conquered with a willingness to face challenges and take chances, to fail and try again and again. Along the way you may have to confront doubts, setbacks, and unfairness. But when the path comes to an end, you will find that there is NO greater joy then making your dream come true!"

-Barbara Cage

Look out world! That's all I can say : )

someone called me a hippie today and it made me REALLY happy

Sometimes I want to go back in time.
For a lot of reasons actually.

I'd love to meet Beethoven and jam out to some tunes with him.
I'd love to shake hands with George Washington...thank him for all he's done and then maybe try on his wig (in a completely respectful way).
I'd of course love to meet Christ and any other church leader...

BUT my recent thought of time travel has been because I've weirdly wanted to pay a visit to the 70's.
Mostly because someone called me a hippie this week...
and I liked it.

I realized at this moment that I would thoroughly enjoy just a week to really indulge myself in hippie life.
Buy the best polyester suit of all time (lime green preferrably),
Cover my arms in bracelets,
Disco dance the night away,
Wear the best headband of all time,
and finally go to the coolest concerts of the era.

Ya it would be a pretty good week.
And that is my random thought of life.
PEACE.
(and yes this is my hippie lover)

wasn't planning on crying this morning...

Every one has those days (especially in Provo for some reason?) where life just seems to weigh you down. Usually there's not a huge reason or specific event that makes me feel this way its just life in general. You're stressed about a test, worried about a sibling, boys are driving you CRAZY, you forgot to turn in a hw assignment, someone stole your parking spot, or you don't have milk for your cereal...the list could go on right? These are all stupid little things but some days they just put you over the edge! But today was not one of those days. I was having a pretty good morning. I surprisingly enjoyed the snow that I woke up to, got a little more sleep than normal, had an excuse to wear my uggs, AND found some really good music..which always makes me happy.

But  as I did my usual morning facebook check (why is it so addicting?), I had a HUGE wake up call. One of my best friend's old roommates, hopefully that made sense, had a status that just completely ripped my heart out. I have met her numerous times but really don't know her that well but through my best friend I found out that this past summer she lost her baby sister to cancer. I had heard that she had a sister that was sick but it wasn't until recently I found out that she had passed away.

Her status today was just merely saying how much she missed her sister and thought about her every day. One click led to another and I found myself reading her mother's blog about her daughter, found here. I read of her sister's story and the many experiences their family went through and I just started crying. This cute family lost their beautiful 13-yr old daughter and here I am having an occasional bad day, feeling sorry for myself over things that truly don't really matter.

I was completely moved by their story. It made me realize how selfish and consumed I get in MY life and just how there are so many people who go through these HARD, horrible things that you don't even know about. It doesn't seem fair. This family's just supposed to move on and live their life without someone who is so important to them. They have every reason to give up and be angry at the world and every one it but they keep going. They keep living. They have faith that everything will be ok.

They had days, I'm sure, that were not easy but have found light in our Savior and loving Heavenly Father and know that this life isn't the end. My heart just goes out to this family. I cannot even begin to try and imagine what they are going through but I know with Heavenly Father's help they will feel peace, love, and comfort that they can find in no other way.

I just was very humbled this morning and realized how blessed I am. I have so many wonderful people in my life that are so wonderful that I take for granted. I have so much to be happy about. I realized how I need to be doing so much more in my life for other people. I have been looking at everyone I pass today wondering what they are going through. Wondering what they are thinking about, what they are worried about, what makes them happy, what are they passionate about, what makes them laugh, what makes them angry, what is stressing them out, what's bringing them down, what keeps them going?? 

Every one has a story. We usually don't know what people are going through but we can do our part by loving everyone and doing more for them. It just hit me so hard today of how beautiful people are and how everyone is a child of God. EVERYONE on this earth was important enough for a Savior to suffer and die for us all. I want to do more to make people happy and feel loved because the sacrifice Christ made for all of us.  Our Heavenly Father loves us more then we can comprehend. He knows us personally. He knows the details in our lives and truly wants us to be happy. 

Sometimes horrible things happen in life. scratch that. Horrible things DO happen in life. Life isn't easy...it was never supposed to be. But it definitely is worth it and can be wonderful if we choose for it to be. It can be wonderful because of what we fill our lives with and spend our time doing. It is all in our attitude. There's a magnet on my fridge that says, "You do not FIND the happy life, you MAKE it." This is my motto...life IS what you make it. 

It is in the hard times you truly see what you are made of but we are NOT alone and never will be. All we need is to have faith in our Heavenly Father that he truly knows what is best, we must find happiness and beauty in everything around us, we must make the most of life and not take what we have for granted. There truly is so much to be happy about. 

When storms come, which they will, rely on the things that matter most. Put first things first and TRUST that things will always work out if you are doing everything you are supposed to. Find JOY in the journey...that is what leads us to the best destination!

my favorite

Today was a good day. The sun was out. The air was crisp. I could wear a jacket (notice I did not say COATS...there is a difference once snow comes into the picture). AND the trees are finally changing colors. It is finally fall.

Fall is my favorite. and Although, there is NOTHING better then fall in Oregon, Utah can come kinda close sometimes. Happy Tuesday!

Beautiful NieNie

Last Thursday night I had the chance to listen to cute Stephanie Nielson at a BYU fireside. I have been reading her blog for a while now and just have been so touched by her story.


She truly is such an amazing woman who has been through so much and manages to have such a positive outlook on life. You can read of her story here. The love that her and her husband have for each other and their family is truly so special. She is such an example to me and has forever touched my heart!

It's Raining. It's Pouring.

I LOVE rain. Weird to some I know. I blame it on my homeland...Portland Oregon. I love the smell, the look the clouds make in the sky, the puddles it makes EVERYWHERE, the sound it makes against the window and roof...ahhh I just love it all. But usually I am prepared for the rain. I almost always have an umbrella or some kind of jacket "just in case" something were to happen.

Today...I missed the memo of rain showers. My secret of loving rain got out and mother nature decided to POUR...and by pour I mean hurricane Brigham struck Provo this entire day. And I literally mean HURRICANE!

This morning I saw blue sky patches and thought it might be hot so I'll wear a skirt and maybe even ride my bike to school to have a tender little time. But at about noon, the rain began and the wind and the thunder. It was crazy! All I could do was laugh. Especially since I honestlynhave never resembled a drown rat more in my life. I was soaked. My hair, my skirt (it even had mud stains all over it), my shoes...basically I looked like I jumped in a river and rolled in mud.

I may or may not have resembled this poor human at one point too...



Basically it was an eventful rain storm to say the least...but I secretly loved the entire experience. Come what may and love it right?! So prepared or not...I still love the rain but from now on, I'm making sure I always have my umbrella or a poncho handy.

180th Semiannual General Conference

I LOVE conference. These weekends are truly the best out of the year! There is nothing better then having the privilege to listen to amazing leaders of my church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and be counseled on how to improve our lives.


Living in Utah these past few years has given me the opportunity to go to Conference almost every session since my Freshman year. This year I was able to go to both the Saturday sessions and they were so good! This particular talk by President Uchtdorf was probably my favorite...click here for a little excerpt.

We truly are so blessed! What an amazing conference weekend <3 To watch more conference or to find out more about what we believe visit here.

Happy Tuesday!

let the drummer KICK

Well as you know the month of september is always the beginning of school. I'm not quite sure why they chose the best month of the year to start school because it just makes me want to completely drop out.



I really related to the children in this picture...I feel the exact same way about school right now! This year more than normal I have had absolutely NO motivation for anything. This may be because I am actually an official "senior" which is seriously SO WEIRD!!!

I would have never guessed college would go by so fast. I mean I technically have more than one year of school (obviously...when have I ever known exactly what I want to do with my life??) but it still is so weird to think I have been at BYU for almost FOUR YEARS! It kind of freaks me out some days. It's so crazy to be in this stage in life, in between being a young adult and a real one. You have the comfort of just saying I'm going to school when you don't really have an exact clear plan, but you also have the reality of life flashing in your face every so often that makes you recognize you have to make the most of your time!

So again...I think. A lot. But I just have been pondering how close I am to the end and how I really need to have a plan. I've been so content lately with the fact that all my old plans failed so I haven't REALLY defined a new one. AHHHH! : / It's freaking me out cuz really I would love to just make jewelry, own a floral shop, and write music or something...not go to 4 more years of school to be a physical therapist! So ya that is my head right now...a complete tornado of ideas. Trying to decipher between what I want to do and what I should do...there is quite a difference and I'm trying to find something that involves both!

Anyway this fall has been awesome so far! Probably too much fun cuz it definitely feels like summer still until I look at my planner and see the 4 TESTS I HAVE THIS WEEK!!! The new move was truly what I was supposed to do tho. I miss all my girls at the house so much but I needed the change. Thank goodness I still see the tenders every once in a while! But change truly is necessary sometimes...it is SO hard to do. But when you know it's something you have to do you have to act on it! Well Happy Wednesday...these are all the thoughts I have time to write now! I'll update random events of life soon!

Peace and Love
<3

Thoughts....a BLAST from the PAST

I am a thinker. Always have been, always will be. Not a day goes by where I haven't had a period of time just thinking to myself of life and just randomness.

Today my thoughts went back to a plane ride I experienced a couple months ago on my way to Redding California for our famous family SHASTA TRIP. I had just got done with two weeks of doing EFY in Tacoma Washington and had to fly to Shasta cuz there was NO way I would drive 12 hrs after getting absolutely no sleep all week at EFY. Anyways I probably looked a little homeless and dead with my fluffy, satin red pillow in hand. Naturally this was a great conversation starter. This lady who was standing in front of me complimented it, commented on my look of complete exhaustion and just started talking to me about life. She (Chris) was literally one of those people that could make friends with just about anybody. So we were chatting about books we were reading, our families, our hobbies...we really just spoke until they called our flight in to be seated. And of course by coincidence our seats were right next to each other.

We then talked about her world travels to Africa, India, South America, Australia, Europe...this woman had been literally EVERYWHERE so of course I was drooling listening to all her stories. She just talked and talked about how i just need to GO. The time to travel is now and that it can be done for cheap if you budget wisely. She just kept telling me and telling me how I need to take advantage of this time of my life and learn. She told me these experiences truly shape your life and open your eyes to how other people live. They make you grateful for your circumstances and just how things could always be worse in your life so just have a good attitude and you'll get through anything. AND she told me I looked like a traveler which really made me want to switch flights immediately to Costa Rica or something.

She just was such a pleasant person. Making friends with every one. The lady next to us and her beautiful baby, the old man behind us with a cane who was struggling to walk, the male flight attendant who I'm pretty sure had a secret dream to be a Broadway star because he was VERY dramatic, the little girl who had never been on a plane before...literally everyone around her. I thought to myself I want to be like this woman. She went out of her way to show random people she cared about them. It wasn't anything huge or earth shattering but it made a difference. I saw shy people open up, people with hot tempers cool down, scared children feel at ease...all because of this one darling woman.

It just hit me that day of how often in my life I look at people and think I know what they are like so I just keep to myself. I remember looking at Chris and thinking she was this woman who was rough around the edges, who was unfriendly, and hated the world but with one word she COMPLETELY changed my impression of her and hit me like a ton of bricks how wrong I was about her. She taught me a lot that day and I don't think she even knows it or ever will. I have no way of telling her how much I appreciated my little life lesson from her that day. Her general love of people just literally moved me and made me want to be like her. So from here on out...I will not ever judge. I want to go out of my way to just befriend those around me EVERYONE. I may look weird, I may get a little embarrassed but as Papa James would say...it's better to be looked at as weird and friendly then cold and ignorant. So that is my motto for life...in any aspect. Thank you cute Chris, wherever you are, for your example and literally touching my life that day! <3

music of my week...

songs that have been makin me happy this week:



1. Lisztomania- Phoenix

2. Terrified- Katherine McPhee

3. Helium Hearts- Jason Reeves

4. Is it Any Wonder?- Keane

5. This is Your Life- The Killers

6. Fader- The Temper Trap

7. Back Where I Started- Curtis Peoples

8. Free- Zac Brown Band

9. Have a Little Faith in Me- Mandy Moore

10. For the Summer- Ray Lamontagne

11. Come Back Song- Darius Rucker

12. Love Vibration- Josh Rouse

HAPPY MONDAY!!

Can You Become

So this tender title is the title of the felicity theme song...it's one of those tunes you completely hate at first but it definitely grows on you by the end.



BUT I can officially say now that I have found a favorite show. This show truly was not like any TV show...it felt real, the characters felt like my friends, and I literally thought some of their problems were in my life too ha pathetic i know! Some may think this is a sign to stop watching and maybe hammer out some of these issues at a mental institution or something but to me and my sister this meant to just keep watching, EVERY NIGHT for the last month. one episode...maybe two...maybe six at a time. We were obsessed.



Last night was the finale and don't worry I cried (and by cried I mean almost hysterically bawling) twice. It just was of her graduating and saying bye to all these people that have shaped her life along the journey and it just made me realize how blessed I am to have the people I do in my life. I mean she had a little more luck with boys than I have had lately ha but still...I just really related to this show.



And I may or may not be looking for a man that resembles Ben almost completely...I just have a slight (aka HUGE) crush on the human.



Definitely recommend this show to everyone...it'll change you and make you want someone real that is worth the wait and hard times. Can't believe it's OVER! Next one to start...One Tree Hill baby.

Families that BOAT together....STAY together

So to start off...I hope my future man knows that a boat is for sure part of the plan because it is my FAVORITE thing on earth to do! I would go every day if I could. Especially if it's on my heaven "Shasta Lake".



This year was our 6th year going to this blessed lake as a family and as usual it was a blast! We got to go with our good friends the Millas and Westies and Bryce and Vicki's family came too. We had a lot of people but such a good time.


I'm pretty sure this week goes by faster then any week of my life...but it is super busy. Here's some highlights of the week...






Tender pro "all-Natural" hats....a true oregonian hat so naturally we posed with them on


So...one day one of the papas forgot to leave keys so we had to fit 12 people in 1 truck. It was tight and megan and i didn't appreciate because we got put in the back


oh HEY family!!!


Tube Wars!!


Knee-Boarding Wars...the best!!


The NATURAL not "Man Made" slide hahaha SO FUN!!


SISTAS & SHASTA = perfection


HOME SWEET HOME hahaha

SO FUN!!! Can't wait to be back there next year : )