Just Give It Time.....

I heard this song today and it really hit home. I wish I could have heard this song a few months ago, but it is so true!! I have never heard it before. I just wanted to share it. Even if no one else likes it as much as I do, now I will always remember what song it was(in case I forget-- which I do. a lot.)

Stop and feed the Duckies....

I love my roommate!

Yesterday when she got home from work I was just sitting at my apartment watching a movie and getting ready to write some letters. She asked me if I wanted to go feed the ducks at the dam and to be honest, it sounded fun but I was feeling kinda lazy. She finally convinced me I wanted to, she grabbed her camera, and we headed up to the dam.

There were SO MANY DUCKS! Which kinda scared me. Mostly, I'm afraid of the geese- we use to have some really mean geese when I was little. But it was so much fun!!!

The weather was so nice(which is strange since it's January) But it was such a pretty and warm day! It gave me some time to stop and think about the simple blessings in life.

Friends, sunshine, laughter, nature....

The Next Chapter.....

Well, 2011 has come to an end and "the end of the world" is here!

I don't know about you, but I was ready for 2011 to end. It was a pretty good year for the most part, but the last few months just kinda stunk. I had a lot going on in my life that I just wasn't balancing very well. By the time Christmas rolled around I had kinda got my feet back under me and was doing a bit better, but I am excited for the new year and the chance to start over. It's pretty crazy that a new year kinda washes your slate clean, but isn't that the way the world sees it?... if only!

2011 brought me a lot of new blessings, adventures, and trials.

My nephew Xander Scott Allen was born in April

I had many friends get married, engaged, and pregnant(which are all so very exciting!)
I had friends leave on missions and other friends come home
I got to go to California again and visit my grandma, aunts and uncles, and cousins. I also got to spend quite a bit of bonding time with my wonderful big brother and mom.
My brother Mark went through the temple and received his endowments.
My beautiful niece Kaysia got baptized.

I discovered Pandora- and with it LOTS of great new music
I went on some pretty fun adventures
I made new friends, and strengthened friendships with my old ones
I moved out to my own apartment which is great! I love the freedom and self-reliance that comes along with living on my own. I also have the most remarkable roommate ever-- Mariana has been there for me through so much and I am so very grateful for her, her love, and her support. <3

I FINALLY started college, and survived my first semester with A's in all my classes but one!
I dated a really great guy who taught me a lot of wonderful things. Things didn't work out the way I may have thought they might, and I got pretty hurt. But because of it I am stronger. and I am more prepared for next time.
I discovered a little bit more who I am and what makes me tick.
I went to Frightmares for the first time ever!!
The last Harry Potter came out(yes that is worth mentioning!!)
I took some pretty amazing pictures.
I went to my first Masquerade ball!
My brother Mark got engaged to the wonderful Camille!

Not everything in the year was good. I stressed myself out wayyy too much, doubted myself more than I should have, and forgot to look up quite a few times but I have changed because of it. Both the good and the bad were given to me to do with as I wanted. I definitely could have done things different but I wouldn't have learned the lessons that I learned.
2012 brings the opportunity for even more blessings, adventures, and trials. I know I can't avoid the trials(even if I wish I could) and through my trials will come even more blessings.
I have a lot of things to look forward to this year:
* More weddings! Especially my brother Mark and Camille(and inheriting Callie and Josh as my niece and nephew!) and my friend Paige and her Fiance Alex.

* Continuing my education
* MORE BABIES!!! :)
* Deciding if I am going on a mission or not-- at least for now
* A possible trip to Las Vegas for my cousins graduation
* turning 21(hamubrger at the white owl!)
* and even more Love, laughter, friends, and family! :)
* oh and naturally, surviving the end of the world!

I have a feeling it's going to be a good year. and I have 2011 to thank for that.

New Years Resolutions 2012

I generally don't make new years resolutions. Let's face it, I'm pretty bad at keeping them. But the last several months have left me feeling like I can do a WHOLE lot better this next year. There are a lot of things I'd like to improve on. So I figured, what better umpf to do it than by setting some resolutions to start the year out. So, here's to hoping I can keep them up for a while!!
* Come up with a better time management plan
* and a money management plan
* get good grades(not just passing grades, but good grades B or up!)
* keep on top of the cleaning/organizing. it's depressing when I get behind and then I just sit and look at the mess but don't know where to start!!
* cook dinner AT LEAST once a week(like-- not from a box or anything) but the goal is to do that more than once a week!
* get to sleep at a descent time(as I type this at 11pm.... oops!)
* follow through with plans-- whether it's "hey we should do something!" or, "let me do this for you".... i'll do it!
* do homework BEFORE the last minute-- no more super crazy cram stress sessions!
* remember: there's more to life than guys, what others think about me, if I have the cutest clothes, most fashionable hair, or skinniest waist. There's more than how many facebook friends I have, what I do on the weekend, and how much money I have. That's not what life's about-- life is about love, family, friends, happiness, God, and finding yourself- and feeling comfortable in your own skin.
* Try to figure out what I'm doing with my life..... (education, future career, mission or not... etc)
* Read The Book of Mormon, Pearl of Great Price, and D&C
* Spend more QUALITY time with family.(and friends)
* BE POSITIVE! Even when it's hard
* get to work 5 minutes early every day
* don't let one little thing in life throw me totally off track.... things are going to fall out of place and tip my life upside down but if i continue to remember the Lord has his and in everything then I shouldn't let it effect me as much!
* write missionary letters--at least once a month
* Read good books- just to read!
* exercise regularly
* not let my past hinder my future. My heart will probably get broken a few more times, my trust will be placed in the wrong hands here and there, I will disappoint myself, and I will be disappointed. But I can't turn bitter and cynical. I can't build walls or turn my heart off. because that will NOT help me at all!
* Perform a random act of service and kindness each day.
* Pack lunches most every day and not spend money on lunch at work or on campus.
* not be so reliant on technology(cell phone, ipod, computer, tv...)
* become more crafty
* Don't Complain
* improve my photography/photo editing skills.
* express my appreciation for those around me.
* Remember, I will fail at some things. But that doesn't mean to give up. It means "try again."
* write in my journal at least once a week
* and when all else fails, Smile, turn to the Lord, and remember- he's got this!!!

So, this is kinda a lengthy list, and I will probably keep adding to it(unintentionally) but, they are things I need to work on majorly this year. I know I'm not going to be perfect at them, and I wouldn't be surprised when a few of them seem to find their way off my list(sad but true) But I'm going to try my hardest to improve in all of these areas. I'm going to try to keep a smile on my face even when it's the last thing I feel like doing, I'm going to complain less, and remember my blessings more. I'm going to serve others when I feel like I have nothing to give, and I'm going to express my thanks for those around me. I'm going to remember that everything will get better, trials lead to triumphs, and I am never alone.

And I'm going to remember that ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE!