.i'm.just.happy.

Life is beautiful. 

And I am a happy girl. 

Nothing specific is bringing this on.

 I just made the decision to be happy and so I am. 

Do it. 

It's fun and well worth it! 

The glass is half full people. 

Live it.

.fortune.favors.the.brave.

Last night Trent and I decided to try out a new Chinese restaurant. If you know me and Trent...we LOVE trying new things. And this was totally worth it. Along with the bill came fortune cookies. (My favorite) My fortune read the following:

Trent and I just looked at each other and started laughing! How crazy?! I was so excited and happy to get a fortune that was soon going to be coming true. INDIA!!! May 14,  2013 will be the start of something pretty amazing and I cannot wait!

**p.s. that night I had a dream that I was packing up for India and I woke up so excited and happy!**

.wait.what?.

Hello. My name is Annie and I am a VIP member at Gold's Gym and I actually go.

Wait...what?...Ya I'm just as surprised as you are. Go me.

**Credit for gym pass goes to my amazing cousin, Miss Kimberlee Anne Wells. She is kind of amazing.

.anchor.

As you can see, I gave my blog a completely new make over. This is something I do every once in a while because I have never been 100% happy with my blog designs. Four hours later, I finally mastered it and am 100% satisfied. 

Now you can probably tell that I love anchors and sailboats. This is something that I picked up on about a year and a half ago. Aub has this shirt that has sailboats all over it and I kind of fell in love with it when I first saw it. After borrowing that shirt a few times, my love for sailboats and anchors grew.
 I love the innocent feeling of sailing. My dad and I go sailing in Florida whenever we get a chance so that is kind of our thing. I love the peaceful feeling of being out on sea with my dad and having wonderful talks with him.

Anchors have a really special meaning in my life. Over these last few years, I have been through some really tough times where I feel like I am stuck there or where I have lost all hope. Thankfully I have been able to get out of those situations. However, there was no possible way I was able to do that alone. I have so many "anchors" in my life that have helped me stay on my feet and stay strong. Family...friends...school...the gospel...my Savior...dance...music...so many little things in life. I am forever grateful for those anchors and for the sturdiness and consistency of them. 

"We have a HOPE as an ANCHOR for our souls. Firm and secure."

This blog make over helped me see the anchors in my life and has given me an opportunity to make some changes in my life. I feel like my attitude in life needed a make over just like this blog did. Thank you every one who has been an anchor, past and present, in my life. I am forever grateful.

December 5, 2012...

This is a day that I will never forget.
I remember what I was wearing.
I remember what I ate.
I remember it all.

I woke up that morning in my bed at my parent's house.
I woke up knowing that it was going to be a long day.
I called my mom who had slept over at my grandpa's care center.
My grandpa was already on his way through the veil.
It was just a matter of time.
I went over there around 9 AM so my mom could come home and shower.
I got there and about 10 minutes after being there, Joan, the Hospice nurse
came in to tell us that he was so close to passing away that my mom might want to stay.
We stayed and watched.
Eventually the rest of my family came over.
We all sat around his bed, watching old John Wayne movies.
Trent was nice enough to bring us all lunch.
We sat and sat and sat.
My siblings would come and go.
I was fortunate to have the day off of work.
I didn't leave my grandpa's side.
1:30 AM came around and we were all exhausted.
I asked to have a few minutes with him alone.
I sat and prayed.
Prayed for him to just go.
I wasn't sure if he was in pain or not.
He was asleep the whole day.
His breathing got slower.
It looked difficult for him.
It was painful for us to just watch.
My mom told me just to go home.
But I knew that if I were to go home, that I would miss something.
She kept on insisting that I go home, but I was too stubborn to give in.
I slept right next to my mom that night while she slept next to her dad.
I surprisingly enough fell asleep.
Around 3:30, my mom fell asleep.
It surprised me due to the circumstance.
At 4:00 in the morning we both sat up at the same time.
Looked over at grandpa and listened for one of his painful sounding breaths.
Nothing.
Pure silence.
We were in shock.
He passed.
He was finally through the veil and reunited with his sweetheart and his Heavenly Father.
It was a long, emotional day.
I won't go into so much detail of what was said and what exactly happened.
But all I will say is that it was a peaceful night.
I have learned so many things through this experience.

•  Life is short. Live it.
• People are kind and have good hearts.
• This gospel is so true.
• Take advantage of the time you get to spend with family.
• Love one another.
• He never said it would be easy. He only said it would be worth it.

I love my grandpa so much. 

I loved holding his hand and walking around with him.

I loved sitting with him and watching old cowboy movies.

I loved it when he would pull me in for a kiss.

I loved his stories.

I loved his example of hard work.

I love him.

I will never forget the legacy he has left behind.

I can't wait to feel his presence at my wedding.

I can't wait to see him again.

Because I know I will.

...

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!!

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?

Good Feeling.

I love meeting new people.
I love hearing their stories.
I love it when we have things in common that make me so excited.
Meeting someone who has the same values as you.
Who loves doing some of the same things as you.
Someone who has a tender heart for those in need.
I love having a interest that no one really knows about it.
And then when you meet that person...they have the same interest.
They are advanced in that interest and so you ask them questions.
You sit down for dinner and they educate you a little bit about that specific interest.
I love the excitement I feel inside when I sit in awe.
Nothing makes me happier than meeting someone who has a lot in common with you.
I love meeting new people.

Discovering a new ME!

Let me start out my apologizing.

I haven't blogged since my trip in California (which was incredible)

I got caught up in my sisters wedding.

Family get togethers.

Sickness.

Blah blah blah.

But I'm back!

As you know, my sister Bethany got married!

It was a beautiful day and she was a beautiful bride!

I am so happy to have Andy as a new brother.

So happy for them!

He makes not only Bethany so happy...but he makes us all so happy!

Me and my best friends.

             

                                                             

My amazing family!

So ya...

It was an amazing day.

Synergy started!

I did it in 2010. 

Loved it.

Life changed.

Miss it.

We had lift clinics on Friday.

I was proud of myself.

I worked harder than I ever had.

I was able to nail the lift, "Wicked" again!

I haven't done it in almost 4 years. 

So doing it again felt really good. 

Thank you Greg Dowse for doing it with me!

I woke up Saturday morning with nothing but pain in my legs.

Painful?...oh ya!

Worth it?...totally!

It's going to be an amazing group this year! 

We are going to Ecuador and I can't wait!!!

So second semester has started.

I LOVE my classes and professors.

I got really lucky.

Man! Doing your research on ratemyprofessor.com really pays off!

I just love it down here.

I spent a few hours moving my stuff back in and organizing my room and getting rid of junk.

It is the new year and so de-junking is essential.

I decided to do this semester different.

I was walking around on campus today and I told myself, "It's going to be a good semester."

Now, at the U of U, I slacked hard core.

Working 2 jobs and living at home, I never did homework or got off my butt to be social.

I don't have night classes this semester, so I can go to FHE and Relief Society activities!

I was always bummed out that roomie Aub had met so many fun people in our ward...that sounds rude. 

Let me rephrase that.

I was stoked that she met so many fun people. Good for her!!

But I was more bummed that I was stuck in class on Monday and Wednesday night and that prevented me from meeting people like Aub did.

I'm taking classes for my major and so I know that I will enjoy them a lot more!

I have motivation to actually do my homework and do it well.

I am just really excited for this semester.

I'm taking this week to discover a new ME!

I can't wait to figure everything out. 

This is going to be a good year.

Bring it on 2012!

By Small and Simple Things...

"By small and simple things are great things brought to pass..."

This has been my little motto for the past few weeks.

About a month ago, I was having bad luck in life.

Bad days at work.

Mean professors.

Sickness.

And just crummy days.

I decided to make some changes in my life.

Going to bed a little earlier.

Eating healthier.

Studying harder.

Praying every night.

And making better choices in my life.

These small choices made HUGE changes in my life.

Things are going very well and I couldn't be happier.

I find myself having more energy.

A bigger desire to be adventurous.

More willing to meet new people.

And draw closer to my Savior.

I'm not the only one who has experienced this in my life.

I hear about stories from other people who have experienced this too.

I heard one today.

It was living and walking proof that by

keeping the commandments,

being more positive,

communicating with your Heavenly Father,

being healthy,

etc. etc.

you will be blessed.

I don't know what this year would be like if I hadn't made the decision to move out.

It was a scary decision because I still wasn't 100% sure if coming to UVU was the best choice.

But after these past 2 weeks...

I am 100% sure of my decision.

I've gotten to know Aubs in a different way.

I got lucky with 4 other incredible roomies.

My relationship with my family has improved.

And my relationship with other people in my life has improved as well.

I'm stronger in testimony.

I'm more independent.

I'm more motivated to do well in school.

I'm working on going to the gym.

I'm working on managing my time and money.

I'm working on my confidence in myself and others.

But I know I am blessed to be where I am at in life.

Yep...

"By SMALL and simple things...are GREAT things brought to pass."