I left my heart in San Francisco...

My sister Bethany went on her mission to Oakland, California.
A couple she taught decided to get sealed and so Beth wanted to be out here for that ceremony.
She gets married in a week and we thought it would be fun to go on this trip together.
Best Christmas present!
We flew in yesterday in the morning.
Cathy Holt picked us up from the airport.
The Holt family was Beth's mission family here in her ward.
Bryan and Cathy have 3 boys.
Griffen.
Issac.
Noah.
Cutest little boys.
Beth and I took the car and went out to lunch.
We went to the Cheesecake Factory.
Then we hit up some shopping.
I hate shopping.
But for some reason...it's more enjoyable in other states.
We didn't buy anything. But it was fun to look around.
We found this cute little alley way...darling.

Then we got Coldstone!
Went back to the Holt's.
We relaxed a little before we met up with Roxanne.
The lady that Beth taught.
We walked around this big lake.
I asked Rox about her conversion story.
She is incredible!
Then we got take out sushi and took it back to her house.
After dinner we went over the Bishop Sherwood's house.
We had a chocolate fondue fountain.
We sat and talked.
They are such an incredible family.
Came home and bed time it was.

Thursday came.
We got ready for the day.
Off to San Francisco!!
We took the BART. It's a train!

We got lunch at an asian restaurant.
It was so good!
Then we walked around San Fran.
We ran into this guy that had this dog that was dressed up as...well let's say...we don't know.
All we know was that he had sunglasses, a santa hat, some couture sweater, feathers in his fur, a diaper on and his name was Louis Vuitton.
Cathy said that the dog was gay....the poor dear.

We hit up Tiffany and Co.
Tried on a $45,000 ring....whoever I marry better start saving up....nah I'm kidding.
Then we walked around China Town.
I had never been.
It was interesting! haha

Beth and I got matching t-shirts!
Off to Pier 39!
We got hot chocolate and saw the sea lions.
We walked through shops and enjoyed every minute of it!
So on our way home, we were at the Trolley stop waiting and waiting and waiting.
A tour bus pulled up to us and we joked around with the driver about giving us a ride back to the BART.
He then told us to hop in!
For free!



It was a double decker so we ran up to the top and danced around during the ride.
Now that's how you do it in San Francisco!












Made it home and went to Chipotle for dinner.
Came home and watched Planet of the Apes.
I really love it here!
I love being with my sister.
She gets married next week.
So it was out last little sister bonding time together.
Thank you Bethany for serving a mission here!
Stay tuned for more California adventures

Famous Four...

My cousins are the best people ever.
I am so lucky that all 41 of my Pinnock family members live in UTAH.
Better yet...
About 35 of us live right here in Holladay.

Let me tell you about the Famous Four....
At least...that's what the Pinnock family calls us.
Annie.
Sarah.
Rachel.
Chelsea.
Yup...we are legit.
Ever since Chelsea (the youngest of us 4) was born....
We have all become best friends.
We all do everything together.
It's weird if one of us is missing.
Although Sarah and I are no longer in high school....Chelsea and Rachel still fill us in on the dirt and gossip of Olympus High.
I just love these girls.
They are little sisters to me.
Sarah is the funny one. She keeps me laughing 24/7.
She is adventurous and is always up for getting off our lazy butts to do something fun.
Rachel is the sweetheart. She is always smiling and has the best mood.
Chelsea is the outgoing one. She loves the sleepovers and long talks.
We all like to go toilet papering....we only toilet paper people we love and care about.
Weird huh? It's like an oxymoron.
Oh well.
We like to play on playgrounds and go rollerblading.
We just like to spend time together.

Me and Sar before an Oly Dance Co. performance.

Cousin sleepover and rollerblading night.

Me and Rach at a baptism.

We are so well behaved at baptisms...

Me and Chels at my mom's party.

 A few summers ago, our family went to Aspen Grove for a family reunion.
We made friends with other families and it was a blast.
I listened to Alvin and the Chipmunks' "Witch Doctor" and had this vision in my head of a dance to it.
Aspen Grove had a talent show so I brought up the idea to Sar, Chels and Rach and they were all for it.
We danced and lip synced to this song.
Here is just a small clip of it.

Then one the last night up there...
My mom.
Sarah's mom.
Chelsea's dad.
And our uncle Rob,
put on a show for us too....it was epic.

So Christmas comes around right?
We have our annual Pinnock Christmas party.
I had the idea to do another chipmunks number...
Christmas style.
Told the other 3.
Of course...
They were all on board.
Love them for that!
Here's how it turned out.

All I can say is...
I LOVE my cousins.
My family is the best.
My cousins are better than yours.
Haha
I know that sounds 5 year oldish.
But I really don't know what I would do without them!

I LOVE MY FAM DAMILY!!!

Christmas!

It was a good year for Christmas.

I know I can go on and on talking about what I got and what I gave to people.

But that's dumb.

I loved going to church on Christmas.

I know people think it's kind of a bummer because they would rather stay at home opening presents.

But I loved church because the spirit and the music reminded me of what Christmas is really all about.

I loved sitting with my cousins and my grandma Pinnock.

The closing hymn was "Silent Night"

This song is very scared to the Pinnock family.

Reason is because my dad and all of his siblings sang this song around my grandpa Hugh's bed the night he passed away.

When they all sang the last 2 sentences, "Sleep in Heavenly peace....Sleep in Heavenly peace."...

My grandpa left this Earth and returned home to his Heavenly Father.

My grandma and I just cried throughout that hymn.

It was a special moment.

I loved having Aubrey stop by.

We exchanged gifts.

We hugged.

We laughed.

We caught up.

She gave me a jar that had "Feel the fear and do it anyway" and "I light the candles in my room."

This is a quote and some lyrics of Sophie.

She also got me a uke. 

Now my cousins and I can jam.

I loved it!

I loved having my cousins over for dinner.

Sarah P. and I watched "Switched at Birth" for hours!

Obsessed!

Ended the night throwing up.

Yuck.

Trent said that if there was anything I needed, that I should let him know.

Well 1:00 AM came around and I was back at the toilet.

I didn't want to call him...but I did.

He stayed up for an hour just talking to me.

Aub even offered to come over to sit with me.

I guess you could say that I have the greatest friends....ya...I do.

The 4 best friends....that any one could have...

You know who I love with all my heart??

 These girls:

Lexi: the quirky and soft spoken one...she is her own person!!

Els: the artsy and laughable one...she is amazing!!

Kristen: the hilarious and smily one...she is lovable... and she uses big words!

We had a night filled with Cafe Rio, the Christmas house, "Name that tune" (Nate joined for dinner and the house), photobooth fun, playing with the dog, watching previews for new movies, talking, laughing and enjoying each other's company.

Oh how we have all waited for this day to come! For all of us to reunite as one! Lex has been on study abroad to London, Els goes to BYU-I and Kristen goes to Gonzaga. So it is pretty rare for all 4 of us to be together. We all met through working at Zupas. Who would have thought that working at a restaurant would give you 3 beautiful friends?? I sure didn't!

What a blessing it is to have such amazing girls in my life! I love all 3 of them and I always will! What better way to spend a night of your Christmas break with 3 girls who are a big part of my life. Love you all!!

And they are the four best friends that anyone could have....plus Nate sometimes...

My amazing dear friend...

I have one amazing dear friend.
I bet he's better than yours.
Ya...I KNOW he's better than yours.
My dear friend took me to Tucanos for dinner.
We ate, laughed, ate, sat in silence, and ate some more.
My dear friend gave me a necklace that has my birth stone on it.
It's beautiful.
It's perfect.
It's me.
My dear friend made me a blanket for Christmas.
He knows how I'm ALWAYS cold.
It's big.
It's blue. (My FAVORITE color)
It's warm.
It has polka dots on it.
It's me.
My dear friend knows me.
He knows my birth stone.
He knows what make me happy.
My dear friend wipes my tears.
He makes me laugh.
He makes me cry....then make me smile within 7 seconds.
No one can do that.
My dear friend knows my insecurities.
He makes it so I don't have any.
My dear friend knows my fears.
He makes me brave so I can face those fears.

Yes.
I have an amazing dear friend.
I bet he's better than yours.
Ya...I KNOW he's better than yours.

Thank you Trenton James English...for being my not only dear... but best friend!

A day with a grandfather and an angel...

Sunday was great!
It was good to be back at the home ward!
Came home and took a nice..long..nap...
With Oscar of course!
Woke up and headed to Grandpa Albert's.
He lives in a retirement center.
We finished watching one of his favorite cowboy shows and off to dinner!
He had a nice hardy steak dinner.
I sat with him and held his hand.
He has Alzheimer's and so he wasn't 100% sure of who I was or what I was even doing there.
But I hope he felt the love I have for him.
I reminded him of his daughter, Tammy...he remembered her.
He has to! She spends every day with him and shows more love to him that anyone I know.
He would often ask me when I was going to take him home.
This was a difficult question to answer.
"You are home grandpa..."...even though to me....a retirement center and far away from a home.
We went back to his room and finished a movie we had started a few months ago.
My Fair Lady.
Grandpa seemed to understand what was going on when Professor Higgins was trying to teach Eliza Dolittle how to speak properly.
I sat there with him, hand in hand for 2 hours.
It was almost like his dear sweet wife, Rosemary (whom I have yet to meet) was sitting on his other side...holding his other hand.
I guess you could say that I enjoyed a movie with my grandfather and an angel.
He started to doze off towards the end.
We finished the movie and paged one of the sweet nurses.
He asked if my folks were aware of him going to bed.
I said yes.
He asked if HIS folks were aware of him going to bed.
Of course they are grandpa.
Before the nurse could get his PJ's on, he walked me to his door and made sure that I had a way home and that I would be safe driving.
I hugged him and gave him a kiss goodbye.
"I love you Grandpa!", I said.
"And I love you too sweetheart." He replied.
For a second there...I knew that he remembered me and knew that I was his granddaughter and that I loved him dearly.
It was hard for me to leave.
I wanted to watch another movie and hold his hand throughout the night.
I came home.
Sat in my car for a good 5 minutes and had myself a little cry....k maybe it was a big cry.
It had been a while since I had literally cried to a point where I couldn't breathe.
I went inside to my mom.
We sat on the couch and she held me while I cried and cried.
It's hard to see someone who you love so much go through that.
Not knowing where he was.
Not knowing who the strange lady was helping him into bed.
Not remembering if he had already ordered dinner yet.
When I was little, I never took the time to actually sit down and have a good conversation with my grandfather.
Now that I'm 19 and aware of his poor health, I'm taking every chance I can to sit with him.
Even if our conversations consist of "I love you's" or "Do you remember me grandpa?...then a shake of his head." I am more than okay with that.
I want him there for my wedding.
I want him there for the birth of my first child.
Only God knows if that will happen.
I love my grandpa so much.
I will never forget those 4 hours I spent with him on December 18, 2011.

Later that night, Jamo and Els came over.
It was fun catching up with good friends I hadn't seen in a while.
I can't wait for more fun Christmas break memories with Els.

Busy Saturday!

Started off the day with a bridal shower for my sister Bethany!
The women there were my mom's best friends growing up and friends through BYU and study abroad.
It was fun to see many familiar faces and being in the Johnson's home....my second home growing up.
Received a phone call from little brother Stephen:
"Annie! I'm late for Clayton concert rehearsal!"
I was off to the rescue!
We hurried over to Juan Diego in Draper. He was only 6 minutes late.
Phew!
While pulling out of Juan Diego, I thought to myself,
"The Paulsen family lives just up the street! Let's pay a visit!"
With a phone call asking to visit, I was off and up to their street!
I was welcoming by 3 little girls, Olivia, Ana and precious Kambria.
The 3 little sister the God forgot to give me.
I visited with them for just a little bit.
While talking to James, Kambria kept climbing up my body...wanting to be thrown in the air and cuddled.
It's so easy to love this little girl when all she gives to you is LOVE.
Our friend London was there too.
So me, London and James were able to catch up together.
We talking about school.
Roommates.
Boyfriends.
Girlfriends.
It was just a good time to catch up with old friends and a family I love and adore!
Back to Salt Lake I went!
Walked into my room...
KABOOM!
WWIII! I still hadn't put away an clothes. A bomb had hit my room!
So I cleaned while listening to Christmas music!
I receive a phone call from brother Stephen,
"Hey Annie....ummm...I'm hungry. Can you bring me lunch?"
For some reason...I was so willing to do it that I didn't even say YES.
I answered with "Okay just text me what you want from Wendy's and I'll be there as soon as I can!"
I guess the reason I was so willing was because I have been in his position.
Long Clayton concert rehearsals can be really fun...but at the same time....exhausting and well...LONG!
I went over to pick up Trent so he could join me and finish putting in my stereo.
Oscar came along too!
Picked up Wendy's and went in to take it to Stephen.
While Trent worked in the stereo, I watched Stephen's group run through their show one more time.
He did such a good job!
Back home we went!
I got ready for a night with the English family!
While taking some time to decide a good place to eat that will be easy to monitor little Jake and Portie, Trent showed me some new songs he was working on.
With the final decision of Red Robin...we were off!
Portie serenaded us with Taylor Swift songs and the first line of "Hey Soul Sister"
This 4 year old makes me laugh more than any little kid I know!
After 30 minutes of waiting for a table...we were finally ready to order!
Banzai Burger it was for me!
Hold the bun...give me a lettuce wrap.
Although it was rough eating it...I was able to manage and it was delicious!
We headed over to Liberty Park for a nativity show.
Several stages were set up along the park where volunteers endured the cold while putting on the story of Christ's birth for us.
It was cold...but amazing.
I loved spending time with the English family and seeing a fun show.
I love this family!
Thank you Carl, Becky, Jess, Tom, Portie, Jack, Justin and Trent!

Surprises...

I love working on surprises...
Not gonna lie.
Yes. I do love it when people surprise me.
Yes. I LOVE surprising people!
I love receiving packages that are for other people.
I love hand making someone's present!
Stayed up until 4:30 AM making my roomie's present...stay tuned!
Ah!
Tis the season!

Friday night lights!

Friday was a good day for me!
Went to Pei Wei for some good asian lunch!
Went bead shopping for bridesmaid jewelry with my mom and Beth.
Now I am known as an anti-shopper....yes...it's true.
I am now known as an anti-bead shopper.
I mean....it was fun for the first 20 minutes or so...then I just had to find a chair and sit while mom and Beth finished up.
Came home and we dove right into those beads! We made our necklaces and let me tell ya....they are beautiful!
Trent came over to fix Stephen's guitar. He was so great to do that!
We were both hungry so we went to Pan Wok for dinner.
Had some good story time and laughs.
Why not continue a fun night by going to see the Christmas house in Murray??
The line was hours long...we we parked the car and walked.
It was cold yes.
It was a long walk yes.
It was worth it yes.
We stood there for a few minutes while watching this amazing man put on a Christmas light show! His house was decked out with all of these lights that were synchronized with FM 99.9 radio station. It was incredible.
It got cold.
So we went back to the car and tuned into 99.9 and watched for a little bit more.
We went back to my house and watched the classic Richie Rich.
One of my favorite childhood movies.
Thank you Trent for an amazing night!

Home Sweet Home...

Being back at home and with my family,
I'm hardly on my computer which prevents me from updating my blog.
Well I moved back at home on Thursday!
With a car loaded with hampers, bags, clothes and shoes....we were off.
I had roomie Aubbie Jo and high school friend Sarah Howard joining me.
We had a grand ol' time with good ol' talks.
Dropped them off at their homes.
I got to see Brett Nilsson...Aub's dad.
I love Papa Nilsson!
He greeted all of us with a hug!..Even Sarah...when he didn't even know her.
Went over to Stephen's Clayton performance...unfortunately only seeing the last song.
He did a wonderful job though!
We headed back home.
Stephen had plans with his friends that actually fell through.
Lucky me!
We made our tradition dip....secret recipe that only our family knows about.
And watched The Incredibles.
Ya...I fell asleep for a bit...by the fire.
Best feeling ever.
I just love being home with my family.
I wouldn't have this break any other way.

P.S. One of my best friends...Trenton James...decided to surprise me with a  new stereo for my car!
Mine was pretty busted. He is the best. Seriously.

Chills...

I already blogged today...
But who cares? Here comes another post.
I was studying today while listening to Pachelbel Meets U2 by Jon Schmidt.
I wanted to see him the man himself play it.
So I got onto good ol' YouTube.
Then I searched "All of Me".
This video popped up.

Best part about this video is that this is the ONLY video on YouTube of Jon Schmidt playing this song himself. I began to tear up...not gonna lie. I now have a goal set for Christmas break...to finish learning this song. 2 pages down...a lot to go.

TaKe WhAt YoU nEeD...

A few posts ago...
I talked about this piece of paper that
was left on our fridge.

Still to this day, we don't know where it came from.
I'm so grateful for that anonymous person.
Today.
I took...
PEACE.
I need nothing more but peace right now.
There are things in my life that aren't too easy right now.
Peace will calm my heart.
Peace will make me happy.
Peace will help me overcome fear.
Peace will lighten my cloudy day.
Peace will wipe my tears away.
Peace.

Last final will be taken tonight at 7 PM.
I couldn't be more happy.
I need to feel peace and confidence in this final.

Other feelings of sadness fill my heart.
My feelings get hurt.
I hurt other people's feelings.
I don't feel confident in decisions that need to be made.
I need to feel peace that everything WILL BE OKAY.

Some wise people in my life have been telling me this lately.

IT WILL BE OKAY.

After ripping off "peace" from the "TAKE what you NEED" paper...
I was already starting to feel the peace.
By praying, attending the temple, reading my scriptures and having faith...
I will have peace in my heart.

"Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you."
2 Thessalonians 3:16

Updates on life.

Hello world.
It's been 3 days since my last post.
(Must say above sentence like Bruce in Finding Nemo)
Finals finals finals.
Not fun.

So yesterday was our ward Christmas program.
I'm the ward choir pianist.
They did a really good job.
My roommate Katie played the cello and did very well!
My mom surprised me!
She told me she wasn't going to make it.
She was the first person I saw when I walked out of Sunday School.
She is amazing!
Trent come too!

It was my mom's birthday too!
She is turned 29!
....just kidding...
She really turned 50.
She looks like she's 29 though.
We threw a surprise party for her at my aunts house!
I had told my mom that I wasn't going to make it because I had to play at a stake fireside.
I got someone to cover for me thank goodness!
So she was surprised to see me there too.
I love my mom!
She is so incredible!
It was fun to see some of my parents' friends there that I haven't seen in a while.
I even saw some of my cousins whom I haven't seen in ages!
Man I love my family!

Came home...
To study...
Did I?
Well not at first.
All of my roomies were home.
Except for Kat.
Katie was playing Zelda.
Aubrey was facebooking and pinning.
Hoa and Elise were studying hard for their last final!
I was going in my room, when Katie said,
"Annie just study out here and be with us!"
So I did.
Took me a while to finally crack open my science notes and study.
I listened to Pachelbel Meets U2....one of my favorite Jon Schmidt songs.
While clapping along with the piano on Aubrey's hand....
Weird?
Yes.
Helpful?
You betcha!
Thanks Aubs for letting me be so weird!

Took my science final today at 7!
SOOOO happy to have this class done!
1 down....3 to go.
Now I'm off to take final numero dos!
Wish me luck!

Letters to Sophie Rose...

This day was one of the most memorable days I've had in my life.
Aub and I had a photography assignment due that had to tell a story in 5 pictures.
I received inspiration on Monday night to do a story about Sophie Rose Barton.

It's been a little over a year since the passing of such an amazing person.
I was at my grandma's house that evening and I called my cousin Chelsea to come over and hang out.
She passed the news to me and I was in shock.
I didn't know how to feel.
I didn't know what to say.
I didn't know why.
Instantly, I told Jessica and Stephen about the news.
My first action was to kneel down right there in the backyard and say a prayer.

That night as I lay in my bed, looking at Sophie's Facebook profile,
Tears filled my eyes.
I began to question why her?
Why such a perfect human being who had so much going for her?
Why does her family have to go through such pain?
I got mad.
I was furious.
Then an overwhelming feeling of peace filled my room.
Sophie.
She is happy.
She is no longer in pain.
She is singing with the angels.
She is watching over her family.
She is helping me.

I did Clayton with Sophie.
We weren't in the same group, but we went on tour together.
I had seminary with Sophie.
She sat behind me.
Studying her scriptures.
Writing down notes.
She was perfect.

I would watch her and her sister Tessa walk down the halls of Olympus.
Hand in hand.
Smiles on their faces.
Beautiful clothes on.
They are best friends.

Aubs and I went to the funeral together.
Most beautiful thing I have ever been to.
Most everyone was wearing white.
Sophie's color.
I sat there with Aubrey.
Holding her hand.
Not wanting to think of the thought of ever losing Aubrey.
I held onto that moment.
I always will.

Aubrey and I drove to Salt Lake and went straight over to the Barton home.
Her mother, Anne-Marie, welcomed us with open arms.
They have made the "Dream Tree".
People come and write notes for Sophie.
We stood next to the tree in awe.
We decided to go in Sophie's room.
It's the same.
Sneakers in place.
Books in place.
Everything left the way it should be.
We sat on her bed with Anne as she told us stories about Soph.
She let us read Sophie's song writing journal.
She started writing songs at age 10.
She was so determined to finish 10 songs by age 17.
17.
She did it.
She did more than that.
Anne took pictures of us as we read her lyrics and recognized the songs.
We found a page with her song "This Feeling".
All 3 of us were singing them.

Aubs took pictures of the room while Anne-Marie and I sat on the bench in her room and looked at a scrapbook made by a complete stranger.
The pictures were from the funeral.
Anne hadn't looked at the book yet.
We were both in silence.
In tears.
We left with good advice given by Anne-Marie.
Such a strong woman.
Such an example.
I cannot wait to see that reunion between Sophie and her mother.
They are eternal best friends.

Aubrey and I made our way over to Sophie's grave.
We got white balloons...Sophie's color.
We sat there and wrote a letter to her.
We laughed.
We sat in silence.
We hugged each other.
We shared a moment that will never be forgotten.
The weather was freezing.
But my heart was warm with the feeling of Sophie there.

We tied the note to the balloons.
We released them into the sky...up to Heaven.
People always say that the balloons will eventually deflate or get caught in a tree somewhere.
I don't believe that.
That letter made it to Heaven.
Sophie read it.
I have the faith that she did.

We we were leaving,
Aub pointed out the moon.
It was 4:45 and the moon was out.
Whenever I look at the moon, I think of Sophie.
She was there with us the whole time.
She was laughing with us when we laughed.
She sat in silence...right next to us.
She smiled.

I have gotten to know Sophie in a completely different way.
She is one of my guardian angels.
I feel her in the wind.
I feel her when I'm sad.
It's like she is sitting on my bed with me.
Wiping my tears away.
She is a friend.
She is a sister.
She is perfect.
The moon.
The roses.
The rainbows.
The wind.
The rain.
The sunlight.
The music.
It's all Sophie.

I am forever grateful for this perfect soul who taught me to:
"Feel the fear and do it anyway."
-Sophie Rose Barton

I love this girl.
I'm so grateful for this assignment.
I'm grateful for the story.
Yes. It's horrible and sad.
Yes. It's meaningful and happy.
Sophie only wants us to be happy...
because she is.

I love the impact this assignment had on my life.
On Aubrey's life.
On my photography instructor's life.
...Yes...as he looked at my assignment...
He teared up.
Sophie was there.
I know it.

I am eternally grateful for that amazing angel.

                               

 

 

We love and miss you Sophie Rose Barton.

Live your Life

Lately...I haven't been Anna Marilyn Pinnock.
I haven't been feeling myself at all.
I haven't been happy with some situations in my life.
I get moody, discouraged and disappointed.
I feel the most let down then I have ever felt in my life.
I have been trying for weeks and weeks to figure out how to live my life in such a way where I won't feel so lost and alone.
Every time I get to a low point, I sit there and think about the people who help me be happy.
The things that make me happy.

I'm so grateful for my amazing roommates.
All 5 of them.
I'm so grateful for my family members.
All 8 of them.
I'm grateful for my mom's phone calls and her "I love you's"
EVERYDAY.
I'm grateful for Aubrey and her amazing hugs and snuggle times.
All BILLION of them.
I'm grateful for my education.
All of it.
I'm grateful for the Book of Mormon.
All 531 pages of it.
I'm grateful for this gospel.
Forever and all eternity.

Last night in Psychology, my amazing professor started out the lecture with a movie that changed my whole perspective on life. People will come in and out of your life. Your feelings will get hurt here and there. It's up to you whether or not you let that affect the way you treat others and live your life. Focus on those who are consistent in your relationships. Focus on the spontaneous moments in life rather than the dull. I now know how to live my life in such a way where sadness and discouragement doesn't exist.

Live your life...

A penny for your thoughts...

I was at the post office today and there was a cup that said, "A penny for your thoughts"

I see this quote everywhere...

Never really understood it...

But when I walked out of the Student Center, I start thinking about a lot of things...

Family.

Church.

Christmas.

My lovely roommates.

How my tummy was hungry.

Friends from afar.

Old memories.

Memories to make.

How I love school.

Ways I can improve my own life. 

I guess you can say that was 10 cents for my thoughts.

The more I thought about these 10 things...the bigger my smile got.

I've never really thought about life like that.

"A penny for my thoughts, oh no, I'll sell 'em for a dollar.

They're worth so much more after I'm a goner

And maybe then you'll hear the words I been singing

Funny, when you're dead how people start listening..."

-A Band Called Perry

This verse of "If I Die Young" is brilliant.
I think it's one of my top 5 favorite lyrics.
Why?
Many reasons.

Aubrey is wise...

Today I wasn't planning on blogging because nothing really exciting happened...but then I just barely read my roommate, Aubrey's most recent blog post and I had to share what I learned. I sat there and read it and just fell in love with what she experienced today. I even read the post twice! Today...Aubrey had HOPE. Something EVERYONE needs. There was this sheet of paper on our refrigerator:

No one in our apartment knows where it came from....I personally think it makes it that much more special. Today...Aubrey took HOPE. Just read her post and you'll know what she experienced today. I'm not going to go off and mimic what Aubrey wrote about HOPE. Her blog post says it all! I found this quote about HOPE and wanted to share... "Learn from yesterday, live for today, HOPE for tomorrow. The important thing is to stop questioning."

-Albert Einstein

Today I learned that everyone needs HOPE. It's one of the only things that can really make life so much better and more enjoyable. With HOPE comes FAITH. And with FAITH comes a stronger YOU....Just made that up...It might not make any sense to any of whom read my blog...but it made sense to me. 

So thank you Aubrey Jo for giving me that little piece of HOPE that I've been looking for. 

"For we need a little (more) Christmas!"

Oh tis the season to be jolly!
Have yourself a very Merry Christmas!
Jingle freaking bells!
Monday night was one that I'll always remember!
I usually hate Mondays...
Oh but today was so much fun!
Early morning class was cancelled...work was alright...the rest of classes went well too!
Psychology was interesting...we had a death and dying lecture.
I couldn't help but cry in the middle of class with the thought of any of my loved ones dying.
Friends...family....roommates....I would be heart broken.
I came home and walked straight over to Aubrey in tears and gave her a hug.
We stood there in silence...she let me cry. I am so grateful for her.
We talked about how beautiful the plan of salvation is and how we are so grateful for the Atonement.

We decided to have a fun night!
We got on our freaking awesome Christmas sweaters, leggings and boots and headed off the Walmart!
We needed hot chocolate!
After Walmart, we goofed around on photo booth and then headed over to Breann's apartment.
She is one of Aubrey's best friends!
It was fun to show her our Christmas get up and sing carols to her!
We came back and Addison was there!
We popped some popcorn...made some delicious hot chocolate...got in our PJ's...and watched the Polar Express!
Another one of my favorite Christmas movies!
I just love Christmas.
I love how Aubrey and I are making it our own...TOGETHER!
This Christmas wouldn't be so magical if it wasn't for her!
Thanks Aubs!

We are known as Santa's favorite reindeer!