on avoiding reality

So, lately there just happen to be a lot of life decisions coming at me......very rapidly.

Sometimes I deal with them like a real person and do things like homework,

thinking, praying, and actually making decisions and such.....

...but then sometimes all this makes me lose my mind and I do things like

leave a candle lit and set the fire alarm off

or sleep through my alarm four times this week.

And thus, sometimes I pretend like they aren't coming at all.

So I do things like:

(1) make an army of gummy bears during board meetings

(2) go shopping with my sister

or (3) chop my bangs and wear a cute new trenchcoat [bought in picture #2]

I highly encourage at least a little bit of the avoidance option.

Too much of the facing reality option can make you go insane.

Upcoming and exciting?

My best friend's birthday was yesterday.

I will probably blog about my love for her soon.

And fun fact, I had an article about me in the paper this week!

So that's all exciting and blogworthy, right?

Love you forever and always, 

Taylor Ann

because it happened

So, remember my rose-burning-fun a few months ago?

Well, around that time I also found my old box of notes.

And, you know, reading them helped me remember how much I loved them. 

And when you remember those times, you wonder how it ever came to be that you aren't close now.

In some cases, it was my fault. 

I was immature and did things that put a wall between us.

In some cases, time and distance placed us far apart.

And that was that.

Sometimes I get sad that they're over.

But then I remember to smile because they happened....those friendships that I needed so much.

I am so grateful for those memories that I shared with them, and I will forever look back fondly

on writing secret notes and sticking them under the church couch,

making waffles and peanut butter and dressing up late at night,

decorating envelopes and sending handwritten letters,

taking friends on family vacations to the beach and the mountains,

taking pictures and writing notes during class,

and giggling about silly crushes [these notes were chalk-full of those]

I will always love these girls.

No matter what comes between or where we are.

Their friendships got me through hard times.

And helped me appreciate the good times.

So in the words of Dr. Seuss...
smile because it happened.

Love Always, 

Taylor Ann

Adding another Taylor to our evening

Last night Taylor Lautner showed up outside of ward prayer.

So, naturally, we couldn't keep away.

We proceeded to kidnap him and take him home with us,

and he spent the night in my room where he belongs.

[bahahahaha]

He has become a coveted object, and two sets of thieves have tried to take him away already.

Kinda like Where's Waldo... but where's Taylor? :)

I fought them off real good,

don't you worry.

Have a smashing evening, folks.
Love Always,
Taylor Ann

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.

Homecoming Happiness

This week was homecoming, and it was so great.

I love feeling that energy that accompanies school spirit in all its forms.

Where ever you may be, take pride in where you are- own it!

I certainly have tried my best to embrace BYU and all it has to offer me. 

I truly would not want to be anywhere else in the world.

This week aside from being wonderful, was also very hard.

You see, I'm pretty heavily involved with student Alumni [due to my aforementioned love for BYU]

and we put on events and help host luncheons during the entire week of Homecoming.

In particular, Hike and Light the Y falls under my list of responsibilities-and it's a large event.

When I say large, I mean like 900 people type of large, so... pretty large.

Mostly, for a while there I was in uber-stress mode.

Jess brought me a cupcake and a diet coke the night of the event- she knows how to take care of me.

It made for the perfect "Happiness Package".

Needless to say, the event went well, and I got a picture with Cosmo too!

And the week ended with a date that let me use a vintage clutch and patten leather shoes.

Love that.

Livin the dream... from a great angle.

Last weekend we got to sit in the president's box... 

well, let's call it a "Loge" since that's what the ticket says.

Plus, it sounds way cooler.

Although we girls may have complained at having to wear matching polos with the boys-

[I mean come on, on our first dates with these boys?] it was way worth it.

1. Look at that view

2. WE WON

3. RILEY....

4. We got to watch the rushing of the field happen from that angle.

[Seriously, watch the progression of the field in these pictures...]

 I mean, in all honesty, the last 4 minutes were the most exciting part. 

But all you need to remember is the strong finish anyways, right?

And if great food and company happen to be a part of it all- yeah, that's alright with me.

Hanging out with President Samuelson and Sister Beck on my Friday night. 

You know, living the dream.

what a weekend.

Last weekend started out with beautiful blue skies and puffy white clouds.

Not bad for the beginning of October, huh?

Friday, I rushed as fast as my little brain could to finish my midterms and get to Salt Lake.

[come on, church University... midterms during General Conference?]

Grandma and Grandpa, along with my aunt and uncle's family, were in town.

So, naturally, I had a sleepover with my two cousins Saturday night...

and spent all day Sunday with my grandparents.

The company and conversation couldn't have been a more welcome reprieve from my crazy week.

Even if they're short, much-needed breaks seem to come right when you need them.

We spent the day watching conference, walking around temple square, 

and visiting the Joseph Smith Memorial Building. 

Grandma told me about staying in the building when she was a flight attendant-

at that time it was still known as hotel Utah.

We looked at the beautiful architecture and the little blurbs about the building's history.

We found out that my dad gets his love for history from my grandpa.

They both stop to read every sign.

It made me feel right at home, being with my family last weekend,

even though I'm still far from it. 

I think grandparents are one of those really special gifts He gives us.

They aren't parents, but they love you almost as much.

And you just can't help but love them back even more.

Here's to adventure

and learning

and miniature retreats from college life.

I really do.

I miss blogging.

But this is what I do 24/7. 

Ok, so maybe like 22/6...but you get the picture.

Someday soon I'll tell you about my wonderful weekend.

Including seats in the President's Loge [who ever knew that loge meant box] for the game Friday night.

& conference weekend in Salt Lake with the Grandparents.

All kinds of happy, good things are happening.

And now, back to the grind.

A divine direction kind of day

Here's what I believe. 

I believe that I love my family.

I believe that girlsdays are some of the best days.

I believe weekends are a very important part of life.

I believe that sweets are good. 

I also believe that I can't do everything by myself-

I need as much help as I can possibly get.

I believe that I really need divine help.

And I believe in a loving Heavenly Father who gives it to me.

Today, I went to Salt Lake to watch General Conference with these cute girls.

I believe that the church on the earth today is the same as it was when Jesus walked the earth.

I do not believe God would leave us without a way to know what he wants for us.

I believe we have a prophet who can tell us what He needs us to know and wants us to hear.

This conference happens twice a year for two days in April and October. 

It happens tomorrow at 10a.m. and 2p.m. and if you are curious, you are more than welcome to see.

The things they say are meant for the world, not just for me or members of the LDS church.

I promise it will lift your day a little higher.