The People I'm Most Grateful For

The most important part of showing my gratitude is to the people I care most about. These are people who helped shape me and change my life. I may never be able to fully express why I am so grateful for them, but I will try my hardest. This is in no particular order, so if you're on this list don't be insulted by your position, it doesn't matter.

My Friend Kalee -I am grateful for Kalee because she unknowingly helped me start this blog. I had been debating the idea for a long time and started one but gave up. Then I saw her blog, Fred Rongo, and decided it was my time to actually start blogging. I love this blog and so I am very grateful for Kalee for inspiring me to start it.

My Grandma & Grandpa Clark -I've always loved my grandma and grandpa, but growing up I didn't get to see them as much. My grandpa passed away a few years ago, but I'll never forget when I was little and complaining about Michelle getting to read Harry Potter and I couldn't until she was done, and my grandpa drove me to the store and bought me the second and third Harry Potter books. I love him and I miss him a lot. My grandma is incredible. She used to always hike with us in Jackson and now she lives in Utah with us and I get to see her a lot. Lately I've been hearing more about my grandma and grandpa when they first met and when they were dating. She was the only girl my grandpa ever kissed and ever dated. They were sweethearts and they had a perfect relationship. They adopted my mom and gave her an incredible life. I am truly grateful for my grandparents because they are truly incredible people.

My Nana -I love my Nana for teaching me how to be creative and find the beauty in little things. I remember making crafts out of pinecones and other ordinary objects. She has this wonderful ability to take these small, seemingly useless things and making them something beautiful. She finds the positive things in life and I think that's a beautiful thing. I love my Nana and I think she's an incredible person with an incredible ability to make life more fun and more beautiful. I'm grateful to have her in my life and grateful for the way she raised my dad. She helped make my dad the wonderful person he is, and I am grateful for my Nana for everything.

My In-Laws -If I could have chosen my in-laws, I would still chose Scott and Michelle. They are the perfect second parents that I didn't know I needed. They raised a perfect son who I love and who treats me like a princess. They take us on adventures and we always have fun when we're with them. I honestly love my in-laws. They are so kind and fun and they work hard and are incredible parents. I am so grateful for them. I love them with all my heart! I am also very grateful for my three brothers in-law that I got when I married Chris. They are so much fun and it was exciting for me to get new brothers. Now, in only a few days, I get a sister-in-law as well. My in-laws are the absolute greatest. I love the Farnes family so very, very much.

My neighbor Tamara -Tamara is an inspiration to me. She was one of my Young Women's leaders. She honestly cares about what happens in my life. She threw me an amazing bridal shower. But mostly, she inspired me as she struggled with cancer. She battled it right back and never seemed to give up hope. When I had my cancer scare I was able to turn to her and she gave me inspiration and hope. I love Tamara and I am grateful to have her in my life as a friend.

My Cousin Desi -I truly believe that Desi saved my wedding. After I thought my dress was ruined, and I wouldn't have the sleeves that I had wanted, Desi stepped up and saved the day. She expertly sewed new sleeves on my dress that were exactly what I had been wanting. Not only that, she gave me eyelash extensions, and did my hair and makeup for the wedding. Desi is incredible and I am so grateful to have her living nearby and for everything she did for me for my wedding, and everything she does for me now.

Such an old picture! I couldn't find any newer ones! 

My Old Dance Teachers/Coaches -Dance was such a big part of my life and I am forever grateful for the people who helped me learn how to do it. Barbara, Nicki, Christy, Dayna, Addie, Andrea, Jay, Candice, Jeanne, and Adam, you all have helped teach me and change my life. You are all such incredible people and you helped me to do something that I truly loved. I am forever grateful for you and I wouldn't have been able to do all that I have without you.

My Siblings -Nick and Michelle, you are my best friends in the world. We have been really lucky to never really fight that much and to have such a good relationship. I've had the greatest times with you. The most exciting moments of my childhood always involved you two. Michelle, I loved sharing a room with you and having sleep overs and watching Gilmore Girls and Pirates of the Caribbean with you. I loved when we went to The Dark Knight premire together and you said, "It's a dark night tonight" and made me laugh. You're crazy and fun and I love you! Nick, we had the best time crawling on the floor playing with toys together. We had the biggest imaginations and spent so much time together plotting against Michelle. I feel like we are the greatest siblings in the world. I can't even begin to explain how much I love you guys! I'm am forever grateful for you and I love you more than anything!

My Aunt Cherene and Uncle Jeff -One summer my aunt and uncle let me live with them so I could stay in Logan and keep my job. Again, this summer after moving back from Texas and having no where to live, they allowed Chris and I to live with them for over a week until we could move into our apartment. I truly believe Cherene and Jeff are some of the nicest people in the world. They are always inviting us over for dinner and celebrating my birthday with me. I feel so much love and gratitude for them for giving me a home when I needed one. They are like a second set of parents to me and I love them so very much!

My Best Friend Lauren -No relationship, other than family, has lasted as long as my bond with Lauren. Lauren, you are 100% my best friend/cousin/sister. You are a part of my family and such a big part of my life. I love you and your family for making me part of your family as well. I loved Forth-of-July fireworks at your grandmas, sleeping downtown for the Pioneer Day parade, dance class, soccer team (go Yellow Sunflowers!), Real games, sleepover, High School Musical premieres, dollar movies, St. George trips, double dating, inside jokes, working together, being a part of each other's weddings, and having the greatest friend in the world. Even though I don't get to see you nearly as much as we used to, you have always been and always will be my best friend. I love you and I'm grateful to have you as a friend, who is pretty much like my sister as well.

My Mom -Mom, there is so much that you have done for me and I don't know if I'll ever be able to thank you enough. You were always my biggest supporter in dance and in anything else I set my mind to. You support everything I do. You love me unconditionally even when I've been acting like a brat. In high school you wrote me a letter that both broke my heart and made me realize how important you are to me. You helped save my life. When I went through one of the worst things of my life in college you drove up here right away and took me out to eat and took care of me. You helped me to become  the person I am today. You are perfect in every way and I can only hope I end up like you as a parent and as a person. You mean so much to me and I love you!

My Dad -Dad, when I told you that I didn't want to continue with college, you didn't get mad. You didn't chastise me for wasting money, you didn't try to convince me to stay, you didn't make me feel bad. You trusted my decision and you supported it. You've supported me through everything my entire life, writing, dancing, blogging, and you've shown your support in so many ways and helped whenever you could. You've always been there to keep our family protected and well cared for. You work so hard and you care for us so much. I love you daddy and I am forever grateful for you!

My Husband -Sometimes I like to wonder where I would be if I hadn't met Chris, but the thought terrifies me. I know, without any shadow of a doubt, that my Father in Heaven led me to Chris, He knew we needed to be together, because without Chris I would be nothing. No one else in my life has brought me this much happiness. I can count on him for everything.

Chris, you are my life. I love you more than I thought I could ever love anyone. You make me happy when no one else can. You always know what to say to make me laugh. You let me watch my favorite movies over and over again. You buy me treats and gifts for no reason. You treat me like an absolute princess. I love you. I'm so grateful to have found you, and even more grateful that I get to keep you for eternity.

My Readers -All of you reading my blog, you may never know how grateful I am for you. You are what keeps me going when I'm feeling discouraged. You are what brings me joy with each new comment of like and appreciation. I love being a blogger and getting to talk with all of you. You are so incredible and I am truly grateful for you. 

I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving and get to spend time with the people you are most grateful for in your life! 

The Places I'm Most Grateful For

I knew I wanted to make posts about the things and the people I was most grateful for, but I felt like I needed a third thing. As a joke I thought of places, because nouns are people, places, and things. But as I thought it over I realized that there are a few significant places that I am truly grateful for.

Jackson Hole -Anyone who knows me, knows that my family goes to Jackson Hole, Wyoming every year (because I talk about it frequently and I feel half my t-shirts say Jackson Hole or Yellowstone on them). I am honestly in love with that place. We go with my cousins and my grandma. It started out having my grandpa with us until he passed away and that was usually the only time I would get to see my grandpa that year, and I was always grateful to see him. My cousins from Washington used to go with us and it was so fun playing with them in the pool, hiking, or shopping together. Later they stopped coming and my cousin from Austria came and it was incredible to really get to know her because the distance had never really allowed it before. Now I bring my husband, the condos are more crowded, but it has and always will be my favorite place to go. There is so much to see and to do and being with family the whole time makes it even more incredible.

Utah State University -Since I was about fourteen I always knew I wanted to go to USU. I didn't even apply anywhere else, it was the only place I wanted to go. And while I sort of gave up on college and only got my associates, USU let me become a different person. I grew up at USU. I met my husband at USU. I learned a ton, not just in school, but I learned a ton about myself. I was two hours away from home with no car, essentially trapped up here, but being on my own was an incredible experience and gave me the confidence I had been lacking my whole life. I used to be so shy I never spoke to anyone and I believe that USU helped me to overcome that (sort of, I'm still pretty shy). I'm truly grateful for USU and I still believe that I was supposed to go here.

Photo Credits: Utah State University

Eastridge 3rd Ward -I grew up in the same ward for most my life and the people there helped raise me. While I was too shy to speak to most of them, there were some that I allowed myself to get to know. My parent's neighborhood is filled with people who, despite having moved away, still love me and care for me. When I go visit my parent's ward they all come up to me and let me know how happy they are to see me. They care about my life and what I'm doing. I am so grateful that I grew up in the neighborhood I did. It changed my life and I am grateful for it.

My Parent's House -I still call it my house all the time because it's where I lived the longest. I love my home. I love the city it's in. I love the atmosphere around it. I love the neighborhood. I love the surrounding mountains (actually I'm more obsessed with said mountains). I love everything about that home. And while things keep changing, new carpet, my grandma moving into my old bedroom, new furniture, etc. It will always be a home to me and I love that place more than anything.

Temples -I was married in the Draper, Utah LDS Temple and that was quite possibly the greatest day of my entire life. When I was in high school the Draper temple was being built and I was chosen to sing in a youth choir for the dedication. When the day came, we stood on stands outside the temple, sang our songs, and watched as President Thomas S. Monson dedicated the cornerstone of the temple. It was by far, one of the most incredible experiences of my life to be there watching it happen and to participate as well. Later the valley put on a big show to celebrate the Draper and the Oquirrh Mountain temples and I sang in the choir there as well. These two events changes my perspective on temples. I am truly in love with temples, especially the Draper one, because of the experiences I've had, the feeling it give me, and for the love I feel inside of them.

The Things I'm Most Grateful For

Happy Thanksgiving Week!! This week I am giving you three different posts all about gratitude and what I am thankful for. The first is this one, the things I'm most grateful for, then I have the places I'm most grateful for, and lastly the people I'm most grateful for. I have so much gratitude in my heart this time of year and I wanted to share it all with you.

Music -Music has been a huge part of my life for a very very long time. My sister and I used to sing together in church while my mom played piano and I always felt surrounded by music growing up. Music makes me happy and I'm so grateful for it.

Rain -It almost feels like our move to Texas this summer never happened. It just feels like I skipped a summer and never left Logan. But I will always remember the Texas rain and how beautiful it was and the lightning and thunder. I would open up our porch door and sit inside just watching it rain, specks of water coming inside. Rain makes me so incredibly happy and watching and listening to rain is one of the greatest things in the world. I'll also add in snow falling, I don't love snow, but I love sitting inside with a cup of hot chocolate and watching the snow fall because it's one of the most peaceful things in the world.

Books -Books allow us to escape into a different world, be different people, and do things we would never normally do. I'm in love with books and the way that they make me feel.

Warm Blankets -There is nothing better than after a long day of work getting into my bed and snuggling among my many blankets (and husband). It's such a good feeling and it gives me a moment of peace that is always needed.

My Apartment -Chris and I have lived in four different apartments since getting married a year and a half ago. That's pretty ridiculous. Because of that, even now it just doesn't feel permanent. I haven't put up any pictures yet because I keep thinking we're going to leave again. But regardless, I am grateful that I have an apartment and a place I can call home. And despite having our door knocked down by firemen in the middle of the night, I do feel safe here. We don't plan on staying in Logan forever, but it's nice to have a home.

Having A Job -I am so insanely grateful for my job. I stare at a computer screen all day and sometimes I get really bored, but I genuinely love my job because I feel appreciated and people are kind to me. I'm making friends and I get treated really well. More than that, I'm making enough money to allow my husband to not work and focus on school, which was a big decision that was important to both of us.

Writing -As you may know, it's my life goal to write a book. It's a struggle lately with no computer, and too many ideas swirling around in my head, but I'm so grateful that this is the only thing that I've ever truly wanted to do. I've wanted to do so many things in my life, teach, write for a magazine, dance, etc. And writing is the only things that has stayed with me and that I've pursued my entire life. I'm so grateful that I can do it, and I'm grateful for doing it because it makes me happy.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints -I was born and raised in the LDS church and because of that, I have taken it for granted many a time. Sometimes I forget how important this church and this gospel is in my life and am just going to church and ignoring everything else. Lately I've realized how much I need this church, remembering the moments that it saved me and changed my life. I truly am grateful to be a member of the LDS church and I hope I never forget that again.

Writing On This Blog -It certainly may not seem like it lately, but I am so grateful for this blog. I love writing on it so much! It makes me happy and it lets me express myself through writing, which has always been my favorite thing. I hope that I keep moving forward with this blog, that I keep writing posts for many years to come because this has been an opportunity to meet people, share my ideas, and I hope I never once take this opportunity for granted.

Cows -It may seem childish, but every time I see a cow I get excited. I don't know exactly what it is, why I'm in love with cows so much, but they make me happy and my life goal is to be happy. Cows help me fulfill my life goal and I am truly grateful for them.

Winter Begins

Oh look, finally a fashion post with my dyed hair! I died my hair about a month ago but I haven't posted any pictures yet. I went darker because I love having darker hair! It has red in it as well but not an orangy red, a really pretty dark red that only really shows up in the sunlight. I love having my hair this color! 

It snowed this weekend! I always love the first snowfall and I love snow in December, but that's it. Starting January I just want the snow to go away. But I live in Utah where that doesn't happen, and quite frequently the snow starts in October. It started at a good time this year though, mid November, I approve of that. I hate when there is snow on my birthday. 

This outfit is excited for you because every part of it is older and you won't be able to find it anywhere. So below I have a few suggestions for similar items or items I just like, also because the dress and sweater were gifts and I don't know where they came from in the first place. But this outfit is very brown and I don't wear brown often so this is different for me, but I loved it. One last thing, when I was creating the widget with similar items, the pieces I chose were all brown or close to the colors I wore, but they changed color. Basically if you click on the picture to actually see it better or purchase it, it is available in brown. 

Lastly I want to add that fashion posts will be more difficult for me because I work until five and the sun sets at five. So either I have to take pictures at lunch (in the freezing cold) or inside my apartment with horrible lighting and blank white walls. So outfit posts will be very scarce this winter but I will do my best.  

It's so cold!!! 

I'm 24

A week ago I turned 24 years old. And I felt that perhaps maybe this year I should set some goals for myself. Yes, I'm very big on making New Year's Resolutions, so I already have goals for myself but these are a little bit different.

Despite now being twenty-four, married for a year and a half (as of today exactly), having a full-time and very grown up job, and being all around considered an adult, I certain don't feel like one, or act like one, to be honest.

Now this isn't necessarily a bad thing. I think it makes life more fun to act like a child sometimes, and, as some of you know, my most current goal in life is to do things that make me happy and not acting like an adult can be a pretty happy thing. It's very freeing and reminds me of the time before I was fully aware of my depression and everything seemed so much happier.

But I'm twenty-four now and Chris and I are settled in our marriage and making plans for our future, decided future jobs, when to have kids, and where to live. So while I enjoy acting young (and am mistaken for a teenager quite too often) in a way, I feel like it's time to start acting like an adult.

Here are my goals:

• To create a daily schedule and task list for myself with all the responsibilities I need to complete for the day. 
• Stick to that list!
• Stop being so lazy. 

There's only three, and that way I should be able to accomplish them by the time I'm 25 (ew, that sounds gross!) 

These may seem simple, but I am notorious for my laziness. I get home from work and sit on the couch and watch Gilmore Girls, sometimes even to lazy to eat. This is a problem. Sure I do work for eight long hours every day but I have to keep up my energy and motivation at least for a couple hours after work as well, and that's the plan here. 

When I was in school the best way for me to keep up with homework was to make a checklist of what I had to do each day and it would work for daily tasks as well. This is something I need to start doing again to keep my life in order and make sure that I get stuff done. 

The past few months have gone by so fast and it feels like my life has taken a huge shift. But I'm excited to make changes and I work on being the kind of person that I want to be. I don't want to be lazy anymore and I'm ready to make that change.

Twenty-four sounds like it could be a pretty good year. 

Red, White, & Blue

I don't know why the following pictures are so awkward. So I apologize. These were taken about a month ago, and my hair is now darker, and I also have nothing to say about these photos. But here you go. 

Shirt: Old Navy, Vest: Vanity, Pants: Walmart, Boots: Ross