Sister Smack

You know those friends you make and you don't even know how you became such good friends it just sorta happens? well that's how Kara and I became friends. We became besties i think mostly due to talking about boys haha and figuring out our problems with them.  Now she's one of my best friends and i love her so much. At school we had sleepovers, workout sessions, study sessions, and nights out on the town (if you can even call Rexburg that). We would skype all the time durring our off tracks at BYU-I while she was in Boise working her tail off and while i was in Utah. She called me the day of the October conference with the news that she would be going on a mission! it fit her perfectly. she knew right then and there that was what she was supposed to do in her life and i couldn't be anything but ecstatic for her!! She's been busy preparing ever since and this weekend of the 17th i went to her farewell in Boise. She is going to the Anaheim California mission, American Sign Language. Kara will be an amazing missionary and she is beyond ready to leave to the MTC on the 19th. I'm incredibly proud of her and love her dearly. She has been a part of many memories of 2012: which i blogged about some Here and Here.
 i can't wait to write Sister Smack soon:)

My list of THANKS.

November=gratitude. I love thanksgiving because everyone just seems happier, probably because thy are looking at all the things they are blessed with. Here i have a list of the MANY things i'm beyond grateful for.

1. I have marvelous parents. They are an awesome example of LOVE, patience, and working on communication. They have taught me what a good relationship is. They have also been parents who have raised a phenomenal family. I couldn't have asked my Heavenly Father to place me in a better one:)
2. My eternal family. I have the cutest family that just keeps growing! i love to hear that another niece or nephew is on the way. It makes me that much more excited to have my own future husband and family. My siblings are wonderful examples of loving families.
3. Also, a shout out to my sis, Shelly. Just recently she brought Easton Judd into the world and helped me to put things into perspective.  She is awesome for letting me be there durring the delivery. It was such an experience. She is also a champ for going through what she did and being so controlled about it! #inspiring. the even crazier thing was 20 minutes after the delivery she was all concerned about my plans and asking me questions like when i'm leaving and in my mind i'm like "are you crazy?! you just went through unfathomable pain for hours. we should be focusing on you here!"so yeah my big sister just became even more of a role model for me after that. I love her.
4. Going to church. It is a habit that i grew up with, and maintain on my own simply because i love Jesus, God, others, and the Spirit.
5. Lifelong friends. They know who they are:) They shaped me into the person i am and i love that i can turn to them for anything at anytime, even if its for a good laugh or some good advice.
6. Going to college at BYU-I.  I LOVE IT. especially Tuesday devotionals. Going to school here not only makes me want to be a better person but it helps me do it.
7. Colors. I love painting, i love nature, i love beauty, i love fashion, i love nail polish and all the beautiful colors that these things come in.
8. That i live in America.  Freedom is priceless and it takes a humble heart to recognize what has been sacrificed to get us what we so mindlessly take for granted.
9. Peanut butter. It makes everything taste like it was sent from the gods!
10. My car that gets me where i need to be quickly and comfortably.
11. A welcoming home that my father built. A welcoming home in Utah with my Grandparents. A welcoming apartment with people who want to live with me in Rexburg.
12. Music. It is calming, exhilarating, happy, and sad all the same time. It can say exactly what you feel in a way you couldn't say yourself.
13. Missionaries. They save people's lives and save families. I'm so grateful to have a father and brothers who so willingly served and now i have so many friends who have/are/going to serve!! it makes my heart sing.
14. Challenges. I hate them, but they are worth it. I learn so much that i didn't think i needed to learn.
15. Institute.is.awesome.
16. The priesthood. Because it is power from God for worthy men to use here on earth. It is such a blessing to have.
17. My testimony. I don't share it often but it is unshakeable.
18. The atonement, even the things i don't completely understand about it. I love Jesus Christ for what he did for me.
19. Laughter. I love having that one kind of laugh only the special people you have in your life can bring out.
20. Prayer and communicating with my Heavenly Father.
21. Being able to have a job when so many aren't as lucky.
22. Sleeping is my favorite. I always have comfy beds too.
23. MY SMILE! it's an outward expression of the gratitude i feel for all of these things and many more.

Imagine

If we could all be a little kinder each day, not judge others, be peacemakers, love unconditionally, smile and tell people how important they are this world would be SO much better. Am i insane for wishing everyone to do this each day? yes? i know, but i'll keep wishing in hopes that someday the world can just be in harmony.
Do me a favor and try your best today, tomorrow and forever to make this world just a little bit better. Thanks:]

Tyler! Tyler! Tyler!

TYLER WARD!!! i'm in love. i always have been but now it's a whole new level. I went to his concert here in Salt Lake, it was at a small little venue that fits a total of 200 people and the tickets were sold out. (luckily i got mine like 2 months ago). But i got there and we ended up being pretty dang close to the stage. Like i had the PERFECT view.  His voice was angelic and he was unbelievably entertaining, but i can't get over how amazing he sings! I was in heaven for a solid 2 hours. Then afterwards we got to have him sign things, and i bought a shirt and had it signed all fan-girlish like. We also got pictures!! It was the best night i've had here in Utah and i couldn't wipe the smile off my face even if i tried:]

AHH i just love this picture:] It made my night.....and maybe my life

Take a brief listen. Be prepared to fall in love and feel free to explore his other stuff. i highly recommend it.----->Red

Halloweeeeeen

Let's be honest. We all know Halloween just isn't my favorite. I would rather not focus on scary things or gory or evil things.  I don't even like the candy. But there is one thing that i do enjoy and that is dressing up with friends.  This year i didn't do anything on halloween night, except for homework for my online class but it's ok because at Great Harvest we all dressed up at work.  It was actually lots of fun! Last minute i threw a costume together. Thank goodness for Grandmas who have square dancing dresses and ruffly pantaloons!! It was fun dressing as a porcelain doll and we had a little photo shoot at work and took pics. That is just another reason i like working at Great Harvest. These girls are awesome to work with!!

I'm glad October is over and we're on to November!! It's a month of THANKS and gratitude is something you can never have enough of. Plus on thanksgiving i'll get to see my family again and hopefully that new little addition Easton that i only have seen for a few minutes. Can't wait!

Classy Pumpkins

This Saturday craft kept me plenty busy but boy was it fun:) it's the perfect centerpiece for the table. All i needed were some lovely home-grown pumpkins and gords, black paint, gold spray paint, some lace and ideas from Pinterest. Sometimes i feel like its hard to find halloween decorations that aren't tacky and i thought a centerpiece like this might class it up just a bit.

Happy Halloween!

Cozy and Delicious

I have to admit, I've sorta gotten addicted to these babies. It might just be the recent change in weather but the sound of pumpkin flavored things has caused me to experiment with pumpkin breakfast foods. I tried pumpkin oatmeal, which was okay but nothing  compared to pumpkin pancakes! and that's as far as i've gotten with the experimenting haha The fact that i know i'll be making them for breakfast is what gets me out of bed early while its still chilly outside. (that's what makes them cozy) I made the batter and saved what i didn't use. i've had these pancakes for 3 mornings straight and i'm still not sick of them. The combination of the warm festive pancakes, piping hot cinnamon syrup, and crunchy pecans is simply irresistible. So i thought i'd share the happiness.

Pumpkin Pancakes

Original recipe makes 12 pancakes  

1 1/2 cups milk

1 cup pumpkin puree

1 egg

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

2 tablespoons vinegar

2 cups all-purpose flour

3 tablespoons brown sugar

2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon ground allspice

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

1/2 teaspoon salt

Mix the first 5 ingredients first. Then the rest of the ingredients in a seprate bowl.  Then combine and mix just enough, don’t overmix. Bake on griddle.

Cinnamon Syrup

1/2 c sugar

1/2 c packed brown sugar

2 Tbs flour

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp vanilla

1 c water

bring to boil. Stir until syrup consistency. 

YUMMM