...

K wow...
It's been too long since my last blog post.
My apologies to those who read my blog.
So much has been going on.
Here are some quicky updates...

1. I am in the process of selling my contract here at Village and to be honest....I really don't like it. I hate the fact that I have to pack up and move. Worst part is not being able to live with Aubrey and my other amazing roommates anymore. I am excited to start classes at BYU and get into my major...moving is just hard right now.

2. I've spent a lot of time in Salt Lake over the last week. My sweet grandfather is old and in need of love. I will blog about that later.

3. I love doing Ultimate Harmony with Clayton. I love singing Christmas songs and being with good friends.

4. My best friends, Aub Jo, is the best.

5. I auditioned for the Nauvoo young performing mission. More updates on that and a neat story in a later blog post.

6. Christmas is coming and I couldn't be happier. I love the feeling I get around this time of year. Aub and I go all out, so be prepared for some rad pictures.

Yep...That's all I can think of right now. More posts to come!!

Lost.

I was driving home by myself last night.
I love driving by myself.
It gives me time to turn on music that I want to listen to.
I put my phone on silent.
I usually ignore texts or phone calls.
It's Annie time.
Not anyone else's time.
I found myself lost in the lyrics of a song.
I found myself being the story of the song.
Being a musician and someone who has grown up loving music,
I find this to be a regular occurrence.
I love it.
I love taking the time to listen to the lyrics.
I love putting myself in the song writer's shoes.
I get lost in their story.
I don't even realize that I have now pulled into my apartment parking lot.
It's when the music shuts off that I come to reality and know that
there is a world out there.
That there is other noise out there besides the sound of a voice, piano and guitar.
It sometimes breaks my heart.
I wish my life was a constant song that never ended.
I love being lost in the lyrics.
I love not caring about the outside world.
I love music.
I love the power it has in my life.
The influence.
The emotion.
The passion.

Firm Believer.

I am a firm believer in many things.
One belief that I have that I will never question nor deny is the gospel.
I am also a firm believer in the saying, "things happen for a reason."
Today was a day where that belief will never be denied.
I had the day off from work to attend doctor's appointments.
I couldn't for today to happen.
Late last night, my friend Sarah asked if I would go to the temple with her this morning.
I realized it had been a while since I had been and I couldn't turn that opportunity down.
I woke up at my usual time.
As I was pouring my cereal, I noticed that my scriptures were right next to my bowl.
I read my scriptures as I ate my honey nut cheerios.
I wanted to be prepared for my visit to the temple.
I needed to be prepared.
Something amazing was going to happen.
I could just feel it.
Got to the temple around 9:45.
There was hardly anyone there.
I was in the font area waiting for my turn.
Waiting for a miracle maybe?
Just waiting.
This older man was in the font talking to the temple workers.
He had long grey hair pulled back into a pony tail with a scruffed up beard.
In walks an older looking lady.
She had long grey hair pulled back into a pony tail and braided.
She was his wife.
They had a big stack of family names.
I could wait.
I watched as this man baptized his wife in honor of their family members who had passed on.
He began to cry.
She began to cry.
I wanted to feel what they were feeling.
So badly.
I listened to his words.
I watched him.
I felt it.
I began to cry.
I had a prayer of mine answered right then and there.

After I did my work, Sarah and I were getting ready in the women's room.
The lady come out in dry baptismal clothes ready to be confirmed.
I asked her about her family names.
I asked her about her husband.
She goes on to tell me that he looks like a biker dude and not to worry because he is "very LDS".
"He's a high priest!" she said with enthusiasm.
I couldn't help but smile and admire her love for her husband and this gospel.
Another girl came out to get ready to leave and I had noticed that the temple workers knew her by name.
She comes every Monday and has been for the past year and a half.
She just put in her papers and will receive her mission call on Wednesday.
I smiled at the fact that for a year and a half, she has been doing what I should be doing every week.
That she has such love and excitement for the work.
Again, my prayers were answered right in that room.

Sarah and I proceeded to the waiting room.
I knew that the temple was closing soon but I wanted to read The Book of Mormon for a little bit.
We sat and read.
A sweet old man came up to us and thanked us for being worthy to enter into the Lord's house.
Again, I smiled.
I read and felt the spirit so strongly.

There was no mistake that I was there at that time.
There was no mistake that Sarah asked me to go on my only day off of work.
There was no mistake that the lovely couple was there doing work for their ancestors.
There. Was. No. Mistake.

I am a firm believer that things happen for a reason.
That people come in and out of our lives at the most perfect times.
I didn't meet strangers today.
I met angels and friends.

Things happen for a reason.
I believe it.
Do you?

This. Is. Halloween.

Halloween is never really my favorite holiday.

Ya, I loved it when I was little.

Getting all dressed up.

Trick or treating.

Eating candy until my belly ached.

Parties at school.

It was all a dream for me.

For a few years, I was not a fan. 

I could do without the holiday.

But ever since I moved down to Orem, 

my feelings of Halloween have softened.

I love dressing up with my roommates and making my own costume.

Makes me feel a little creative.

Happy Halloween everyone! 

I can't get over how lucky I am to have such amazing roommates.

 I love them to death.

Hello there!

Wow.... It's been way too long since I've blogged!
I've been keeping myself busy with:
Working... Duh.
Preparing for school/mission.
Listening to RED.
Visiting Walmart.
Attempting to get sleep.
No sleeping cause talking with your best friend is a lot more fun.
Working.... Oh I already said that...shows how much I work.
Attending Carrie Underwood concerts with BFF Bob.
Crushing on Hunter Hayes.
Playing Mario Kart.
And being surrounded by good people.

Yep.
It's a busy, yet good life.
I'm happy.
I'm back to blogging.
More updates to come.
Smile people.
It's Friday.
It's payday.

Blessed...

It's days like today where I really had to "keep calm and carry on".
Work was a little up and down.
I wanted to go home the second I clocked in.
I wanted to go back to bed.
I just wanted to relax.
My shift was coming to an end and I found myself shutting down.
Physically and emotionally.
I wanted to be done.
I was praying for some sort of peace or maybe a miracle of some sort.
After counting down my till in the back, I walked out to the front to clock out and there was a surprise for me.
One of my best friends.
Trent.
He knew I was struggling today and he came to take me to Cafe Rio.
That was all.
Cafe Rio.
Then we went to Best In Music to play guitars and pianos.
It was a short visit but it was all I needed.
I came home to roomies Aubrey and Macy.
We sat and talked.
Laughed.
Watched Miss Congeniality and admired the actress Sandra Bullock.
8:30....I got tired.
What?
Just what I needed.
After a quick phone call with my mummy and a sweet good night from her I am off to bed.
This day started out a little slow.
I wanted it to end at 8 AM.
But after support from friends and family,
I am a happy camper.
I loved today.
Bring it on tomorrow.

Please?

Dear me,

Can I PLEASE just have one good night's sleep? Pretty please? With a cherry on top? I mean... It's been 3 weeks. Come on. Give me a break. Please and thank you.

Sincerely.

You're tired body.

My time is now...

I want to go so badly. So badly that it hurts. 

It hurts to a point that thinking about not being able to go makes me cry.

Thinking about maybe getting the chance to go makes me cry.

I feel like my time is now.

Not next year.

Not the year after.

Now.

I have so many things I want and need to do.

This is one of them.

And it will happen.

I will make sure of it.

Angels were there...

Sundays have been nothing but stressful for me lately.
Isn't it supposed to be a day of rest?
From preparing Sunday school lessons...
To trying to get to family dinners on time...
To attending multiple homecomings in one day...
To not being able to take my traditional Sunday nap....
Sunday's seem a little hectic.
Today was hectic.
BUT.
I witnessed a miracle.
A miracle that may or may not have even occurred.
But I saw and felt something amazing.

I was sitting in my friend Brian's homecoming.
During the sacrament, I looked over across the aisle and saw a little girl.
She looked about 13 and had long, beautiful brown hair with a yellow bow in it.
She was severely handicapped.
She had the mind set of a 3 year old as she would sit on her mother's lap, resting her head on her shoulder while cuddling up in her pink baby blanket.
She was smiling and I knew that she felt the security, warmth and love of her mother.
Then something incredible happened.
This little girl sat up and just stared at the vacant aisle.
Her head and eyes moving along as if she was following the movement of something...or someone.
She motioned to her mother.
Not being able to speak.
Little grunts were the noises she made.
She pointed.
She waved.
She smiled.
This went on during the entire time the sacrament was being passed.
I couldn't help but sit and watch this little girl witness something that I dream of witnessing myself.
Angels.
I have heard stories before of children seeing angels in church.
I have a firm belief that this little girl saw angels.
You can judge me all you want and think I'm wrong and strange.
I don't care.
I know what I saw and I know how I felt.
Angels were there.
I have no doubt in my mind.

9/12/12...

September 12, 2012 has been a day that I have been looking forward to for a couple of years.

It's kind of hard to put into words. 

All I can really say is that I am one happy girl to have her best friend home from Romania.

2 years have come and gone...and things haven't changed one bit.

(*The picture on the far left was taken at the last dance concert of mine that he came to before his mission....the one of the top right was taken right before he got set apart...the one of the bottom right was taken after he got released. :)*)

Now it's my turn...

I started teaching dance again tonight.

I have missed that studio dearly.

I have missed walking through those doors with my sweats on along with a water bottle and iPod in hand ready to teach girls what I was once taught at a younger age.

I still find myself learning new things as I teach.

I find it interesting being a teacher.

It's weird watching these girls as I take them through the stretch routine and think to myself, 

"I was once that little..." 

or

"I remember that frustration of not being able to do a double turn too."

or

"I used to be able to move my body like that..."

or

"Where did the time go??"

It's interesting growing up as a dancer.

I started at such a young age.

The age of 3. 

I remember Miss Connie teaching me my left foot from my right foot.

The pink heart on my ballet slipper was my right foot.

And the blue star was my left.

Now it's my turn.

To teach these little girls where their left foot is.

How to point it.

How to do a simple turn.

How to do a leap.

I remember Miss Connie holding my hand as I would do my leaps across the floor.

Now it's my turn.

To guide these girls as they learn something that is so new to them.

I remember being taught all of this.

I also remember being the one who would hang on the ballet bar like a crazy monkey.

My teachers were so patient with me.

They would bribe me with treats and such.

Now it's my turn.

To have patience.

To bribe my students with treats or games.

Now it's my turn.

My turn to watch these girls progress.

To watch them grow up.

To teach them what I have learned in my history of dancing.

To be an example.

To be the sister that some of these girls may not have.

To lift them up.

To be the Miss Connie in their lives.

I never thought I would ever be a dance teacher.

Of course....I dreamed about it everyday.

It was something I always wanted to do.

I just never thought it would happen to me. 

Now it's my turn... 

To have a lifelong dream...

Come true.

A Sure Foundation...

I spent 90% of my Saturday preparing my sunday school lesson.
This was my first lesson to prepare and I didn't know where to start.
Well I knew that I for sure had to start on my knees.
After I said my prayer, I stood up and jumped right into the manuel.
Who knew that preparing a lesson was this difficult?
It was tiring.
Hard.
Emotional.
Confusing.
I felt like there was no hope.
I felt like no one in the class would understand what I was trying to say.
I felt lost.
I felt very immature in the gospel and I was really discouraged.
Why did my bishop give me this calling?
Why was I given this lesson to prepare?
Why was I only given 2 days to prepare it?
I found it all to be so unfair.
I finally put on Jon Schmidt's album, "Hymns Without Words"
It shut out everything that was distracting me and making me doubt myself.
The obnoxious motorcycle the kept driving by.
My roommate and her friends watching TV.
The people in the pool outside my window.
The air conditioning blowing like crazy.
It was all gone.
It was peaceful.
I found myself applying myself to the lesson.
I found myself smiling.
It was getting easier.

I woke up this morning and finished preparing my lesson.
I taught it to myself in the bathroom mirror while getting ready.
Tears filled my eyes at some points of the lesson.
I finally understood.
I finally got it.

The lesson went pretty well.
There were a few people who participated.
It was helpful.
I was nervous and shaky but I got through it.
I got through it with help from the spirit.

It was stressful preparing this lesson.
But it was all worth it.
Our Savior is our rock.
Our redeemer.
Build your life upon the rock of our Savior.
Never doubt Him.
Never give up on Him.
He never gave up on you when He was on the cross.
I love my Savior...so much.

Chalking the world...

What do you do when your best friend sends you the following text:
"I got some free chalk at the women's expo! So if you want to, we can chalk the world tonight and pull out the camera and our jams!"
Well you say yes of course!
I'm never home due to work and dance so Aub and I haven't had a ton of time to spend together.
So we chalked up the world last night.
We were serenaded by our new friend Blake.
He used to be known as "the mysterious guitar player outside our apartment building".
It was a memorable night.
I love my best friend.

Obama has a last name??

Sometimes it's 9:30 in the PM and all you want to do is go to bed.
So you start getting ready for bed and then your roommate comes in your room wanting to watch Hunger Games.
So you bag going to bed, grab your blanket and pillow and jump onto the couch to enjoy your favorite movie with your roomie Melissa.
Then Brady Ashby calls wanting to play games.
Psh....too busy watching the best movie ever!
So some amigos come over and you watch the best movie ever...together!

Then your other roommate, Paige, gets home.
You log onto the FB and find that her status makes you laugh.... A LOT.
Like....to the point where you can't breathe and it makes your eyes leak.
Then PhotoBooth is pulled up and you start taking pictures together.
Again....
You laugh.. A LOT.
And your eyes leak.

It's times like these where I am super happy that I chose not to go to bed and stay up with my roommates.
I know without a doubt that it's going to be an amazing year with these girls.
I'm so lucky to be living with 5 other amazing girls.

B. Lake.

There are families who enjoy their annual trip to Lake Powell.

Jackson Hole.

St. George. 

California.

Europe.

Cruises.

For my family...

Bear Lake is the place to be.

So many things about this place makes it a second home for us.

Playing "The first person to spot the red roof of the cabin wins!"

Rook.

Having 9 billion dogs up there.

Raspberry shakes from Bear Cave.

Boating.

The BABLE (Bike Around Bear Lake Extravaganza)

Amazing food.

Taking up the whole right side of the ward.

Watching movies on the projector.

Cuddle sessions.

Did I mention the amazing raspberry shakes??

It's all just so amazing.

Having 45 people up there in 2 cabins is nothing but a treat.

It is my home away from home. 

We were all there except for Jake and Jess.

They were missed.

But we did enjoy ourselves.

We rented out a bowling alley up there and boy was that fun?!

There were 10 lanes.

They were all filled up.

I really love my family.

We went to church today.

We thought about splitting up and going to 2 different wards.

But that takes the fun out of going to church as a family.

So we headed to Paris, Idaho and went to church.

Not lying.... my family took up the whole right side of the chapel.

It was amazing.

Some of us bore our testimonies. 

I loved it.

Came home to watch Monsters Inc.

Snuggled and took a nap.

I loved it.

Ate a yummy lunch provided by my mother.

Took a nap. 

I loved it.

Woke up and we all gathered in the family room to watch my Ecuador video and my cousin Rachel's Cambodia video.

I loved it.

Loaded the car with Hugh, grandma and Gohar.

Drove home.

Talked to my grandma the whole time.

She told me stories about her sweetheart and my hero...Grandpa Hugh Pinnock.

I loved it.

I loved looking over at her as she told me about ApApDnarg.

She had an amazing light radiating off of her face. 

I love her.

I love Bear Lake.

I love not having service up there.

I love my cousins. 

I love the dogs. 

I love just cramming into one room and enjoying each other's company.

And I love the raspberry shakes.... a lot.

It's about time....

I've waited for this day for a really long time.
Well more like 3 months...but it was a long time.
I get to have my best friend back down in Orem with me.
This past summer was fun.
The only thing missing was my Bobbie Jo.
But she is back and we are ready to make more memories and go on our crazy adventures.

Reunited and it feels SO good!

Day 1 of Mission Prep..

Waking up with a headache is a feeling that no one deserves to have.

Going to work on top of that was not enjoyable.

Luckily work if getting better and I'm enjoying more!

I did, however, have a hard time getting things done on time with a migraine. 

I came home to lay down and got a text from Aub asking if I could come grab her from school.

I did and it was really good to see her and talk about our days.

I remembered that I had mission prep tonight and had absolutely no desire to go.

Only because I was EXHAUSTED and this migraine was killing me. 

But I knew without a doubt that going to mission prep was the best medicine. 

So I got dressed and dragged myself down to my car with scriptures and a notebook in hand.

I said a little prayer that I would find satisfaction in going with this awful migraine. 

I was a little late but hey...better late than never.

I will have to say....I enjoyed myself!

I love my teacher.

It's a small class and there may be a girl who does a lot of talking but oh well!

I'm so happy I went. 

Yes...I am still EXHAUSTED and my migraine still exists. 

BUT I learned a lot tonight.

Some things that I came to the realization is that this church is Christ's church. 

It is a church full of forgiveness, mercy and love.

These lyrics came to my mind when my teacher told us that statement.

"I have died everyday, waiting for you.

Darlin' don't be afraid I have loved you for a thousand years.

I'll love you for a thousand more."

It just made me realize that He'll love us forever no matter what.

I love that song. 

I loved class tonight. 

And now I love the fact that it's not even 10:00 and I'm ready to go to bed.

Every Story...

So a few months ago, I was on facebook talking to my friend Brad.
We were in Joseph together last summer.
He mentioned something about Sandy Amphitheater holding audition for "Aida".
I picked up my phone and called my friend Trent.
I knew Aida was one of his favorite shows and the main male lead, "Radames" was his dream role.
I told him about auditions and well...he auditioned.
He made it and I was so proud of him.
I was excited for him to play a dream role of his.
Well 2 months later and I found myself at the Sandy Amphitheater...
Waiting for my best friend to go on stage.
I went a few times with family and friends and the show just got better and better.
I could tell his dream had come true.
I had plans to go with some old friends from Joseph on closing night but those plans fell through.
So my cousin Kim and her friend Ray came with me to the closing night show.
We had a blast watching the show together.
I was so proud of my best friend and all of his hard work to make one of his dreams come true.

Liebster?

I have no idea was Liebster is but I was tagged in my dear friend Elsa Marin's blog. Els said so herself that it makes her feel like it's a 5th grade email chain. I will say something about those....I followed those chain rules religiously. The whole, "send this to 10 people within 5 minutes and your crush will show up on your driveway." I'd send the email to 10 people and go outside and wait for my crush to come....he never came. Yes I know...I'm was pathetic. Okay so here are the rules:

...Each people must post 11 things about themselvses.
...Answer the questions that the tagger set for you. PLUS create 11 questions for the people you have tagged to answer.
...Choose 11 people and link them to your post.
...Go to their page and tell them.

Here I go!

11 things that make me who I am:

1. I can't drink a drink out of a cup unless I have a straw. If I don't have a straw....I usually spill my diet coke or water everywhere. I guess I get this weird quirk from my mother.

2. If I am eating harvest cheddar sun chips, I can only wash it down with a Dr. Pepper. And if I am eating baked lays, I like to wash is down with some rootbeer....try it. It's yummy!

3. I hate stepping on cracks in the sidewalk....it'll break my mom's back!!

4. All of my dollar bills have to be facing the same ways in my wallet or in my catering till at work. I'm not OCD...I'm just weird.

5. When I am throwing a piece of paper away, I ALWAYS tear it in half. No matter what.

6. I only chew on half pieces of gum. Those who know me very well know this to be an Annie quirk.

7. Whenever I use a public bathroom, I ALWAYS use the stall closest to the door....I honestly don't know why I do. Maybe it's because it's the stall that usually gets skipped...therefore...it's more clean! Again....I'm not OCD. Just me.

8. I always play a game of sudoku on my phone before I go to bed. 2 reasons....1. I think I dominate at them. and 2. It helps my eyes get tired and so I fall asleep quickly. Again....those who know me very well will know that sudoku is my thang.

9. I'm a sucker for guitar players. I can play like 2 and a half chords. So my hat is off to those who can play anything.

10. Whenever I fill up my car with gas, the total has to be even. None of this $46.78 crap. I'll pay an extra .22 cents to get that $47.00 even total.

11. This is a confession....I am slowly...again....SLOWLY people....warming up to the idea of shopping. My close friends know that shopping is the devil for me. I get tired and really impatient. I honestly go to the mall for the food court...I mean...who doesn't? But yes....I have shopped more this year than I have in my entire life.

Elsa Marin's Questions:

1. Tell us about your blogging life. Why do you blog? What do you prefer to blog about? Those kinds of things...
--- I started blogging when I moved down to Orem. I am really bad at writing in journals but I love journaling. I felt that blogging would be the best way. I love blogging about my day. Like I said....I love journaling. I do have a private blog that only me, myself and I can see. That blog is where I let EVERYTHING out. It has really helped to get my true feelings out and only I read about it.

2. If you had to choose only one movie for the rest of your life, what would it be?
---- It's hard to pick ONE movie... but I would pick The Prestige. I love C. Bale. And I know he loves me. The Prestige or Dark Knight...ooohhh.. no.....Newsies! Shoot! Such a hard but good question.

3. Guilty pleasure? What is yours? ;)
--- CHOCOLATE... need I say more? Thought so.

4. What is your current favorite color of nail polish?
--- I love nail polish on my nails when they actually have some length to them....I'm a nail biter. BUT....I have loved painting my nails red! Makes me feel classy.

5. Favorite place to eat at?
--- Cafe Rio. They never let me down.

6. Who is your role model and why?
--- My 2 sisters and older cousins: Kim, Missy and Steph are my role models. I have looked up to them for as long as I can remember. They are my best friends. They are my angels. I don't know what I would do with out them. I have gotten closer with them as I've gotten older. They are my go-to gals! And they always will be.

7. What is your favorite Ben & Jerry's ice cream flavor?
--- Honestly? I don't eat Ben and Jerry's....I am a Haagen Daaz girl...coffee flavor please!

8. Where do you hope to see yourself in 5 years?
--- Hopefully back from a mission, married, done with school. I would love to be teaching. Maybe have a kid! We'll see! I just want to be 100% sure will all of my big life decisions.

9. If you could go to any concert, what would it be?
--- Another Billy Joel concert. The dude is getting old and it makes me sad. I went to his concert when I was a sophomore in high school and I will never forget it.

10. Biggest celebrity crush. Go.
--- Ryan Gosling. We are married and have 4 children in my mind. He's the best husband ever. It gets hard at times when my sister Jessica tries to steal him from me though. We both have an obsession over him.

11. What are your upcoming expectations for this fall?
--- I will be working my can off. I just got promoted and so I will be making a lot more money. I am also hoping to have made my decision for school for Jan. 2013.

I know I'm breaking the last few rules... I blogged about this because it's fun thinking of all of the weird quirks and habits I have. I loved Elsa's questions. This blog post took me back to 5th grade. And I loved it all!

The Orphanage....

Experience #2: The Orphanage...

It's really hard for me to put into words what I experienced this day. All I can say is that on July 15, 2012, my life was forever changed. To start off this incredible day, we sang at an LDS church in Cuenca. After sacrament meeting, the bishop asked us to sing at a funeral that was starting right after church. How appropriate was it that we were there right at that moment? We sang Prayer of the Children and I Wonder When He Comes Again. Kim put together an arrangement of I Wonder When He Comes Again not really knowing why he was supposed to do that. We all found out why that was the song he chose as we sang it at the funeral of a 12 year old girl. Some of us were in tears...me being one of those people. It was an amazing experience and that is a reason as to why Ecuador was the place we were supposed to go to for Synergy tour. To continue on this incredible Sunday, we arrived at our performance at an orphanage. I have been to an orphanage before but this place was different. We walked in the court yard and found a basketball court, laundry hung up to dry, chalk on the cement and little girls playing off to the side. I walked around with Stephanie Dana and this little girl came running over to us. She sat down with us and just smiled. Steph doesn't know too much spanish so I was able to ask this little angel what her name was. Gizelle. She was 6. She was small. She was special. She had a pink shirt on with jeans that had pink flowers on them. Her white tennis shoes had pink butterflies. The hair ties holding her cute little buns up on her head were pink as well. She loved pink. We just sat with me and Steph and we admired her clothes and cute face. It was time to set up for the show and get dressed. Kim reminded us at the beginning of the show to not worry about perfection. Weird...it's what we aim for. He told us that we were there to give a gift. A gift of love. A gift of hope. A gift of peace. I could tell that every single member of Synergy wanted to give that gift. So badly. And we did. The audience was full of little girls and senior women. The show went amazing. I've never performed with such a big smile on my face. They had no idea what we were singing, but they all sure loved the show. At the end of the show, one of the nuns began speaking to us while Ricky translated. She couldn't stop thanking us for our gift. We learned that these little girls are either found on the streets or taken away from their families. They are educated and taken care of in this orphanage. The senior women are there due to the fact that their families will no longer take care of them. I couldn't help but let the tears stream down my face as I looked into the eyes of these innocent girls and women. As the nun went on thanking us for our joy, someone from the audience said, "Because of your joy and energy, we will be able to live for another hundred years!!" They were all so gracious. So loving. So humble. So perfect. As soon as the nun finished her amazing speech, we were all off and free to play with the children and greet the women. I found Gizelle. She ran over to me and threw her arms around me. She didn't even know my name. Who cares? I think that we both knew that there was a connection between the two of us. I asked a nun what Gizelle's story was. Where did she come from? How did you find her? Story is that she was just found on the streets with no family. They aren't able to find her parents because they don't know her last name. She is 6 but has the body of a 4 year old. This is due to lack of nutrition. So the nuns are doing everything they can to get her to a healthy weight. Gizelle and I just played and played. I would throw her up in the air and she would just giggle. She wouldn't let go of me. As much as I wanted to go play with every single little girl, my heart was stolen by Gizelle. And forever it will be hers. I began walking to the hallway where we got dressed. She took my hand and followed me there. She sat down as I changed out of my costume and into my sunday dress. She would help me by handing me the hanger and the costume. I took out my make up bag and played around with her by pretending to put blush on her face with my blush brush. She just giggled and giggled. I found a hair elastic in there and something told me that it belonged to her. Or at least...it should now belong to her. I put it on her wrist and her eyes lit up. I had one on my wrist and she grabbed my hand. Friendship bracelets? Okay! I almost like to think of them as promise bracelets. Promising that there is hope for her to be found by her parents. Promising that her life will be filled with happiness. Promising her that I will see her again. She doesn't know that I feel this way about our bracelets. It was a gift for her that I hope she will keep. I wear one on my wrist everyday. I think of her when I see it. I know I will see her again. Just like I will see Elle. It will be a perfect reunion. We went back outside to the courtyard. Synergy members were still playing the kids and some were loading the bus. I played with Gizelle until Kim came over to me saying we had to go. I hugged her oh so very tightly and told her I loved her. It was one of the hardest goodbyes for me. But the with the knowledge that I have, I know I will see her again and I will be able to speak with her. I cannot wait. 

She loved kisses!

  

And sticking out her tongue...she thought it was the funniest thing ever!

"I promise..."

She is my angel and I love her so much...

Looking Forward...

I have come to a lot of realizations in the past 6 minutes or so.
I have a lot of things that I am looking forward to!
Here they are:

Watching more Olympics....we have watched them every night as a family. I love this year's Olympics!! GO TEAM USA!

Synergy's post tour concert...not only to perform again, but to be reunited with my second family!

Seeing my best friend again and heck! Have her move back in with me!!!

Freaky Fridays rehearsals to start! It will be a good show!

To see my best friend in his upcoming show, Aida. So proud of him of getting his dream role! 

Yep...life is wonderful!

Elle.

I was trying to figure out how I was going to share with you my experiences of Ecuador.
Day by day?
One big post?
None of the them sounded very appealing to me.
Would anyone read them?
I felt like maybe writing posts about certain life changing experiences that I had over there would be the best way to express to you how amazing my journey was.

Experience #1: The Iguana Park...

I'm going to be honest...our first night in Ecuador was interesting for me. I didn't feel like I was on tour and for some reason...I was already homesick. I don't know why I was. I mean...I had my old roommate and best friend in my room, I have done a Synergy tour before, I was with an amazing group who was my second family, and I was safe. I fell asleep and woke up excited for the day. We visited the LDS temple in Guayaquil and sang for the temple presidents. Tour was feeling more like tour. For some reason, I was waiting for more. We went to an iguana park in the middle of the city. Silly huh? Iguana park? Let me tell ya...it was awesome! Just iguanas roaming around freely, eating lettuce and enjoying the company of humans. We were getting strange looks from people in the park. They were all confused as to why a big group of white Americans were invading their city. I would be confused too. There was a big band full of older men playing all sorts of songs. They let us sing for them and then they played "New York, New York" for us. I knew right then and there that these people of this beautiful country were special. Then we sang "A Mi Lindo" for them. The crowd went nuts. Tour. Was here. I had a big smile on my face as I came to the realization that I was in Ecuador, performing for complete strangers and being the happiest I have been in a long time. A little girl caught my eye. She looked about 13. She had the biggest smile on her face. She was beautiful. She was perfect. She was down syndrome. I couldn't help but glue my eyes to hers while we sang a'capella for the crowd. **For those of you who know me, I have a special place in my heart for kids with special needs. I am going into special education and I was an aide for a special needs singing and dancing group for 5 years. I have a special connection with these children.** After we sang I ran right over to her and she threw her arms around me. Again...tour was here. I was in Ecuador. Ready to change the world and be changed. I just didn't expect it to happen this quickly. I was able to communicate with her with the little spanish I knew. Her name was Elle. She couldn't stop hugging me and smiling. I made a new friend. A best friend. I wish I was fluent in spanish so I could ask her about life. What her favorite color was. What she did for fun. What she loved about life. What her favorite Disney movie was. I wanted to know EVERYTHING about Elle. This language barrier was going to take some time to get used to. But all I really knew was that I had a connection with her and that she was special. She was my friend. I had a thought that I WILL see her again. And she WILL remember me. It will be a beautiful reunion and I cannot wait.

Viva Ecuador!

Soo....HELLO!
It's been a long long...looong time since my last blog post.
Pardon me for traveling the world and changing lives and being changed myself.
For those of you who know...I was in Ecuador for 2 weeks,
With my second family.
Doing service.
Performing my brains out.
Puking my brains out.
Playing with children.
Changing my life.
This year's tour was something else.
It's hard to put into words how incredible it was.
I decided to put a list together of things that I learned throughout these past 2 weeks.

1). Chicken is not known as a meat. It's either "chicken or meat?" for lunch/dinner.
2). Ecuadorians will hear that a show starts at 7... and will show up at 8:30-9.
3). They don't care about waking you up at 4:00 in the AM with a marching band coming down the street.
4). DRINK LOTS OF WATER!!....nuff said.
5). The doctors there like to give you hugs and kisses after treating you with meds. Made me feel a little better.
6). After being told not to perform for 2 shows because of illness is miserable...BUT performing after missing 2 shows is the most incredible and overwhelming feeling.
7). The children there love the hold hands, kiss your cheek and have you hold them.
8). It doesn't rain in Limone...it POURS.
9). There aren't a lot of monkeys in Ecuadors...in fact...I didn't see one....but there are llamas!
10.) In Guayaquil, there is a hillside that takes you up to the lighthouse. There are not 268 steps....there are 444. Thanks Jose.
11). The Ecuadorian people are the most gracious, loving, humble and incredible people I have ever met. I've never felt so much love from a group of people than I felt with the Ecuadorians.
12). I WANT TO GO BACK!!

I've never had such a hard time leaving a country.
I've never hugged someone so hard than I hugged our wonderful guide Jose.
I've never been so close with the people in my performing group.
I've never been so sick in my life as I was sick for those 4 days.
I've never experienced such love from children.
I've never not missed my phone. I didn't want to turn it on when I got home.
I've never been so homesick.....but then again...I felt like I was home being over there.
I've never held a child so tightly as I did with them over there.
I've never been the same since I've been home.
....and I don't plan on going back to my old ways.

It's Real.

As I started to get ready for bed,

I started feeling really sick. 

It was a sudden feeling that wouldn't go away.

In the bathroom I went.

And on the floor I sat. 

As I held my tummy and let the 'loo' be my friend,

I tried to figure out what I ate or what caused this.

All I knew was that I wanted it to go away.

But how?

It hit me.

Text Clint Pulver and ask him for a blessing.

Clint lives in my apartment complex and him and

I have gotten to be very good friends.

We have talks about our love lives,

Our families,

Our trials.

Our triumphs.

We listen to each other.

Earlier tonight was a venting session for us both.

I told him my confusions.

He told me his confusions.

I feel like we understand each other.

It's nice to have a guy friend who is going through

the same things that I am going through. 

Anywho...I'm just rambling now.

I texted Clint asking if he was awake.

He texted back immediately and said yes.

I asked him and his roommate (another dear friend) Pat, 

for a blessing.

Without any hesitation they came over.

Keep in mind....it's almost 1:00 in the AM.

Pat anointed and Clint gave the blessing.

Clint's blessing not only included blessing my body with health

and strength, but he blessed me to have peace.

With family.

With decisions I need to make.

With life.

It was amazing.

I was so grateful that I was able to open up to Clint 

earlier tonight and express my concerns.

He sure listened.

His blessing was beautiful.

One of the most powerful blessings I have ever received.

Tears filled my eyes.

There was a reason I started feeling sick.

There was a reason Clint and Pat's name popped into my head.

There is a reason for everything.

The priesthood is real.

It's amazing.

It's powerful.

I have asked for more blessings this year than usual.

It's because I know they help.

Tonight was just an amazing experience. 

It made me want to live my life righteously and be worthy 

to receive such an amazing blessing as I did tonight.

"I never said it would be easy....I only said it would be worth it."

2 years.

It was an interesting day today. A day that we are going to have to face each year...whether we like it or not. I will never forget where I was, what I was wearing and who I was with when I heard the news of Sophie Rose Barton's passing. It came to be as a shock. I didn't want to believe it. It was so surreal. My first thought? Prayer. We needed to stop what we were doing and pray. So we did. We prayed for Sophie. Her family. Her friends. We prayed. Later that night, it really hit me as I read posts on her facebook page. Thousands of people were influenced by her at one point or another. For me? Sophie taught me how to live life. We grew up in the same stake. We went to Cottonwood Elementary, Olympus Jr. High and Olympus High School together. We did Clayton together. We toured to Colorado together. Sophie and I were never best friends but I did consider her a good friend. I would watch her and her sister Tessa walk down the halls. Hand in hand. Loving and laughing. It was quite the sight. Sophie sat behind me in seminary. She was there...everyday without fail. She would have her scriptures and journal open. She was a spiritual giant. I would silently watch Sophie at school and admire her so much. I never told her how cute her outfits always were, or how amazing her hair looked, or how much I adored her as a person. I wish I had. I would watch her walk down the halls and feel as though I was in the presence of a godess. She is unreal. 

Ever since Sophie passed away, I have felt her in my life on a daily basis. I was able to spend this afternoon with my sister Jessica who was with me when I found out Sophie had passed away. She was with me at every fireside during that horrible week. It felt right to spend the day with Jess. We cooked lunch and listened to Sophie's music. It was peaceful. We drove around Holladay. It was quiet. Peaceful. Different. White ribbons were tied on trees and mailboxes. People remember. They always will. I feel her in the wind. I went to see her grave today and a small breeze came over me and I knew that it was her. It was obvious. It was her telling me that she was okay and so happy. Sophie is doing things that none of us could ever dream of doing right now. Heaven is so lucky to have her. 

We all have open wounds. Those wounds will eventually turn into scars. Those scars remind us of the pain we once felt when it was once a wound. It reminds us that life was once hard and that we overcame a trial. That rugged line in your skin is life. Every time we run our fingers over the scar, we are reminded that we are strong. We were once weak, but we are now strong. When Soph passed away, we were all left with open wounds. Deep ones. Wounds that seemed would never heal. Wounds that hurt deep to a point where it felt like life would never be easy again. Through facing our fears and trials, those wounds have healed. We become stronger. I have become stronger since that fateful day 2 years ago.

Sophie will always be with us. She is here to stay. We WILL see her again. We WILL hear her sing. We WILL feel her warm hugs. It WILL happen. And I can't wait.

I love you Sophie Rose Barton. Thank you for being an incredible example to me. Thank you for teaching me to "feel the fear and do it anyway."

Tamales.

I have a pretty fun job.
Sometimes.
I do drive a lot and I can get pretty sick of it.
Gas prices seem to be in limbo.
It's hot today.
My AC doesn't help much.
My back is hurting.
Oops... there's an accident up ahead.
Stuck in traffic.
Driving is my job.

I guess it's not always like this.
The fun part of my job is being able to be out of the store.
Driving.
All by myself.
Blasting whatever I wanted to listen to without having someone change the track or station.
Having the window rolled down.
Wind surfing with my hand.
Sunglasses on.
It's summer time.
The joys of driving.

Today was a pretty good driving day.
I deliver to a place called DHI about twice a week.
The ladies there are my favorite.
I marketed to them so I get to take all of their deliveries.
On my way to DHI, there is a cute little mexican lady that sits on
the corner of the street selling homemade tamales.
$1.25 is all she asks for.
I would always tell myself to pick one up and help the cute lady out.
I saw her a few weeks ago and told myself, "I promise I will purchase a tamale next time."
I took my delivery and as luck would have it...
She was there!
I passed by and kept driving.
Then I remembered my promise.
I pulled a U-turn and pulled over by her stand.
She came right over.
Eyes filled with light.
A big smile on her face.
A menu in hand.

Pork.
Chicken.
Cheese.
$1.25


I ordered a cheese one.
Realizing she knew no english whatsoever.
I gathered my 9th grade spanish skills and tried to communicate with her.
Senor Thomas' class really paid off.

She pulled out a warm tamale from her cooler
and put it in a brown paper bag for me.
She gave it to me with a big smile on her face.
I gave her $1.25.
It was all the change I had in my wallet.
It was worth it.
I drove off and ate this homemade cheese tamale.
It was warm.
It was homemade.
It was delicious.

I'm so happy I kept such a simple promise.
I don't know the lady's name.
I don't know her background.
Maybe I'll get another tamale someday and learn her story.

So ya...
My job as a driver can be lame sometimes.
But today...
I was more than happy to have the job I have.
I get to discover and meet new people everyday.
I even got to enjoy a little afternoon snack!

In The Dark

Kind of how I'm feeling right now...

I love this song. 

It always gives me a little hope.

...

I'm about to fall asleep.
Oh the joy of being tired at 10:15 at night and being excited to go to bed.
I got thinking about some things that I am looking forward to.
I couldn't help but hop on my blog and post before they leave my head.
Here we go.

Things I am looking forward to the most right now:

Despicable Me 2... 

Having nephew Hurley home...

Synergy 2012 tour to Ecuador...

Clayton Dance Company...(the hope of teaching again)

Having these amazing people home!...

Dancing...

This movie...

More swimming...

4th of July...

More memories with my sister...

Having all 9 of us here....

Bucket List....Check!

Aub and I have a summer bucket list.
And all I can say is that we are on a roll with getting things checked off.
Now I have had a lot of summer to-do lists with a lot of friends.
Do we ever accomplish more than 6 of the items?...
Not really...
Aub and I have stuck to our list and we will finish it!
One of the items was to make American flag shorts.
We see them all over Pinterest.
We HAD to make them!
So we did.

Aubrey's favorite holiday is the 4th of July.
So we are going to make it extra awesome this year.
Treating it like Christmas.
Blasting patriotic music.
Fireworks.
We even have a Synergy performance on the special day.
And now we have the apparel to show we love America!
God Bless the USA!

By far my favorite American song!

Summer 2012.

It's really starting to feel like summer.
My summer classes are coming to an end and I couldn't be happier.
I started out my day with work.
It's weird being back to a fast paced store.
I got off a little early and headed to the pool with Terann...my roomie.
She's awesome!
Then miss T met up with us later.
It was super fun.
And hot.
I got burned but oh well!
I shall welcome a tan soon enough!

Love these girls.
And summer!!