Changed Layout

So I decided to change the layout of my blog. Still debating what I think. While I was at it I changed the title, since I haven't ever been super attached to the one I had before.

Thoughts?

You may be seeing it change the next few days as I try out some new things, and I would love some feedback.

Guess who made it into Utah State??

I did. That's who :)

So that is 3 for 3.

Let the decision making begin!

Babies

No, I'm not pregnant, and yes, this post is about babies.

Lots of girls my age have started to have babies in the last year, and 3 of my siblings are married and have lots of kids.

As I watch people have babies, I can't help but wonder why there are so many different ways to prepare for having a baby. You can find out the gender, or you could wait. You could have it in a hospital, or do an at home birth. I know for me, I am not patient enough to wait to find out, and my philosophy is that I will be just as excited finding out from a sonogram as when it comes out. I will just know 6 months sooner, or however long it is til you find out. And as for hospital or stay at home? I am a hospital type gal. If I can get drugs in me, I am so all for that.

What are your thoughts and why? It is a mystery that I don't think will ever have a solid answer as everyone is different and all situations are different. Just thinking about babies today and wanted to share.

2nd Bachelors

For those of you who don't know, I have been applying and auditioning to go back to school for a 2nd Bachelors in Vocal Performance. So far this is what I have heard back:

UVU: didn't give me a scholarship but you can go there no matter what

University of Utah: let me into their program, but I haven't heard about scholarships yet.

Utah State: haven't heard anything yet.

Honestly, after hearing back from UVU I was terrified that the U and Utah State wouldn't accept me, so it was such a relief to hear back from the U that I got in.

I still have no idea where I will end up, but I am just relieved to have gotten in somewhere.

Arizona!

This last weekend I went to Arizona to visit my sister Erika and her family. They are moving to Singapore on March 23rd, and so it was so great to see them. Here is a quick summary of the weekend:

- Left at 6am and drove for 12 hours.
- Got to the house during my nephew's science party, and it was awesome.
- Stayed up until 5 am helping Erika get ready for the baptism stuff the next day
- Andrew got baptized! I can't believe I have 3 nieces and nephews that are baptized. Best thing he said afterward, "I am so glad to be a member of the church! And James is just a guest." James is his 4 year old little brother.
- Amelia's half shaved head. James cut all the hair off of half of her head and so she had a sideways mullet - business on the right side and party on the left. So cute.
- Having warm weather where no coats are necessary and I even went outside and laid out. It wasn't super warm, but warm enough. I can not wait for summer.
- Audrey was blessed. She is such a beautiful baby. She is now 6 months old and almost 11 pounds. Tiny little girl!
- Shared these YouTube videos with my family: Boys will be Girls, Neature Walk, and Guy on a Buffalo. Love them.
- Drove home today, and at a Circle K that we stopped at, there was one bathroom in the gas station and there was a sign on the door that said, "Open door slowly. Restroom May Be Occupied." Whaaaaaat?! Awesome. So funny. We laughed pretty hard about that one.

Overall a fantastic weekend, and I am also glad to be home, even if I'm not excited to go back to work. I can't wait until May where I get to move down to Provo and start EFY.

Winter......

It's that time of year again. The time of year where you feel like you've put on your winter weight and you could just hibernate for the next month survive off the new found thin lining of blubber on your body.

Resolved: 3 weeks with only one dessert a week.

I have been eating far too many sweets lately....and by lately I mean since Thanksgiving. Yeah. It has been a rough winter that way.

And yes, 3 weeks doesn't sound very long....but that is also 21 days. Sounds a lot longer now, doesn't it? I'm just justifying myself but I don't care.

I hope all of you are having better luck with your winter hibernation, or less luck. However you want to look at it.

My New Mantra

Right now is the best moment of my life.


And I'm going to make sure that is true. Always. Never fear or hate the adventure of life.

Projects

Society dictates fashion. Irritating isn't it? Well, I'm sick and tired of other people telling me what styles I have to wear, and how short they need to be. Now don't get me wrong, I love new styles and I especially love getting new clothes, but I hate shopping because most styles are immodest. And it irritates me to no end.

So yesterday I decided to take destiny into my own hands.....and make my own clothes. I know. Daring! Adventurous! But those are 2 words that often describe me, so I'm going for it.

I will let you know how it all turns out, but here are the patterns that I bought yesterday, and yes, I did buy more than I probably should have, considering I have no idea how good I will be at making these, but I really don't care. I was excited, and when I get excited about something it is hard to contain.






Cute, right?! I can't wait to go get fabric and get started on these.

I have also recently bought a guitar, and I am fully intending to learn how to play it. I have dreamed of being able to play the guitar since high school and now that I own one, I will be the next Taylor Swift.

It's kind of nice not having school so that I can focus on doing things that I have wanted to do for a while but never had time to do. Especially because that time will all go away once I start EFY again this summer.

“Creative expression can also represent the celebration of our gratitude to God for our gifts and talents.”

—Neal A. Maxwell, “Creativity,” New Era, Aug. 1982

“Creation brings deep satisfaction and fulfillment. We develop ourselves and others when we take unorganized matter into our hands and mold it into something of beauty. …

“The more you trust and rely upon the Spirit, the greater your capacity to create. That is your opportunity in this life and your destiny in the life to come.”

—Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “Happiness, Your Heritage,” Nov. 2008 general conference