Magic.

You know those happiness moments?

The ones where the weather is perfect,

the sky is the right shade of blue,

when nothing seems to be the matter,

and you curl up with a blanket and a book,

or take a hot bath.

Those moments when you feel so content,

where everyone around you is smiling,

and you just can't seem to wipe the smile off your face.

When you sing loud in the car,

or catch a glimpse of something breathtaking,

when the snow is falling so magically,

or you feel loved perfectly despite your imperfections.

I love those moments. 

I live for them.

Magic is real,

I just know it is. 

I remember walking home from class my freshman year on my birthday.

It was in the end of February, and weather is never very good then.

But the sun was shining and it felt so good on my face.

I can remember exactly where I was at that moment, and I remember how it felt.

Magic.

I remember seeing my kids waiting for me at the front of the orphanage when our bus pulled in.

I remember dancing with them all night to the sounds of Peruvian voices and guitars.

I remember Jerry holding my hands and walking on my feet and smiling up with that toothless grin.

Magic.

I remember coming home for a weekend in the summer of 2009 and sleeping under the stars with my family.

Magic.

I remember driving down dirt roads this summer with the music up loud...singing at the top of our lungs,  and catching frogs in the muddy banks of the pond.

Magic.

Life is never perfect. 

But I think He gives us moments in which we glimpse for a moment what pure joy feels like.

It's that peaceful, calm, happy moment when nothing else seems to matter. 

Where even if all other things are wrong, you just know it will be ok.

I think that might be what eternity feels like.

I suppose I'll have to wait to find out.

These are some of my favorite "magic" pictures on my pinterest account.

I think the older I get, and the more I make the distinction between what matters and what doesn't,

I have more and more "magic" moments.

It's more of the feeling than the circumstance or action.

That swelling in your heart. 

Magic.

In those moments, and always....

truly, my cup runneth over.

Wedding days are the happiest days.

Dear Utahans....

have you heard of La Caille?

Well, regardless of who you are or whether or not you're a current UT resident,

I'm going to tell you something. 

The place is incredible.

My roommate and I went to a wedding reception there this weekend and it's one of those places...

the kind where you walk in and everything just keeps getting better. 

We just kept opening our mouths and saying things like "wow" or "one word:classy"

Think brick colored cobblestones, lattice fences, willow trees, a pond with swans, incredible mocktails, and last but certainly not least: great company.

 The reception dinner [not to mention the fact that the food was incredible] was in a greenhouse lined with greenery and chandeliers. It was honestly one of the best wedding receptions I've ever been to. Not only was it absolutely gorgeous, but the bride and groom were blissfully happy, both sides of the family fully participated in the dancing and festivities [the bride has 10 siblings. fun, no?], and there was a live band.

Happiness at it's finest.

So worth missing the BYU v. UTAH game.

[not that there was much to miss...]

Jess and I decided we should give up the front about our blogs being based on our lives individually..... because let's face it. It's more like the adventures of us, together. Literally, I see her probably every day. Yesterday, for example:

we ate JDawgs on the grass.

 and watched Tangled in 3D.

and took a picture with a flash in the dark theater. 

They all hated us. But I felt great about it :)

 

 Mostly we have to get in every sister adventure possible before she leaves for New York. 

I love her. Way to be the best person I know Jess.

Also, watch this. Greatest thing I've ever seen.

And in case you haven't seen it.....do.

Beauty and Love

9.24.2010

Today I loved people.

I love them everyday, but especially today.

Nearly every day on my walk home from school, I talk to my mom on the phone. Talking about my day makes me think. I think of things that have happened in my day, but have you ever noticed how conversations and thoughts linger through the rest of your day? At the end of the day I'm left with all of these wonderful ways the Lord has blessed me.

How has the Lord shown his hand in my life today?

Today it was people.

It's a fascinating concept to think that everyone has their own life, and really the world doesn't revolve around mine and my immediate surroundings. I had opportunity to interact with a lot of people today. Well, this week in general really. I went into the academic advisement office and after asking me about the things I know I like we promptly realized that Humanitarian work is what I would be happiest doing for the rest of my life. Business major? Nonprofit minor? That's the new direction I'm headed.

9.30.2010

Speaking of directions, I used to think you had to have a life plan. An exact vision. But you don't. You have to know the important things. Priorities. And if you work towards those, everything else will fall into place. And surprise! Those "things" don't have to be tangible! They can be that you want to help people, or that you want to get married in the temple to a worthy priesthood holder, or you want to do an internship, or that you want to be happy (although remember, happiness is a choice). So choose. work toward those things. Eventually I will have to make an exact plan, but for now? I'm just moving in the right direction.

Does your heart ever feel so full it could burst? Sometimes mine does. There are just so many wonderful things. If I know anything, it's that Heavenly Father WANTS to bless us. He really does. I have the opportunity to be at BYU right now. It's incredible. Tuesday night I was able to meet and listen to this man...

Merrill Bateman

He is wonderful! Talk about having a list of incredible accomplishments. I was one of the first to shake his hand afterward and he looked me in the eye and asked, "How are you?" there were people waiting in line to see him, but he didn't move on before he waited for my answer and honestly made me feel important among the crowd. To be completely honest, he reminded me of Santa Claus :) Really rosy cheeks and just so kind.

Then tonight, wow.....

NieNie.

I was there. Fourth row. The capacity for the room was said to be 1700. There were hundreds more than that. In the back, on the sides.

She was wonderful.

Favorite quote of the night?

"I came back because I wanted my body.... I didn't care what it looked like"

We really do need to understand beauty. Beauty isn't "pretty". It's not something you inherit from your Mom or Dad here. It's something you inherit from your Father in Heaven. It's that light. The light in your eyes. That spirit in you. Beauty is health and strength and confidence.

"Of all the creatures of the Almighty there is none more beautiful, none more inspiring than a lovely daughter of God."

-Gordon B. Hinckley