28 things I've learned... and a few I haven't.

As my 28th birthday was approaching I started to ponder all of the things I have learned this past year. It seemed like a challenge to come up with 28 at first, but as I thought I found it more difficult to limit myself to only 28. :) I apologize in advance because this is a long post.

So here are the things I've learned...

• No matter how hard I try or how much I want, I will never be just like my sister and that is okay.


• Those times when your mom seems like more than you can handle, just remember that everything she does is because she loves you. Hers is a thankless job with long hours and bad pay, so go easy on her and tell her you love her often.


• You will have many best friends throughout your life. Each one will bring something special to the table.


• Friends change and grow. Just because you don't spend as much time together doesn't mean you aren't friends.


• being an adult sometimes sucks. It is no where near as fun as Hollywood makes it seem.


• Disneyland can make anyone, no matter their age, feel like a child.


• Flying a kite and doing kitchen science projects will always be more fun than watching tv or playing video games.


• Sometimes it's okay to fight. As long as it is a fair fight.


• Bad self esteem isn't something that you can improve instantly. It took a long time to build bad self esteem. Logic says it will take a while to fix it.


• I can so anything I want as long as I don't give up.


• I am a cryer. It doesn't take a lot to make me cry and once I start it is sometimes difficult to stop.


• You can't force change on anyone. If someone doesn't want to change they never will.


• Some of the toughest people I know have the biggest hearts. Proving once again that you can't judge a book by it's cover.


• My family is AWESOME. How many other people will dress up like Harry Potter characters and go out in public looking silly.


• A nine year old boy is great entertainment even though slightly annoying at times.


• Birthdays aren't as much fun as an adult as they are as a kid.


• I am way better than I give myself credit for.


• I may not be the prettiest, smartest, or the most talented, but I am a daughter of God. A Heavenly Father who loves me just the way I am.


• I am glad I have a good relationship with my siblings. I would be very sad if I didn't.


• If you ever feel invisible or forgotten just post your birthday on Facebook. Then people come out of the woodwork to wish you happy birthday.


• I don't have to be popular. I just have to be me.


• There is always going to be something that stirs in my heart when I see a flag waving in the breeze or a soldier in uniform.


• I will always be a kid at heart.


• I am a nerd. I love books and movies and random useless knowledge.


• My life is made better by all of the wonderful people I know.


• If someone doesn't want you in their life it doesn't mean you should stop trying to include them in yours.


• Despite much protestation I always feel better when I look good.


• Worrying about the future doesn't do anything but give me wrinkles.

There are also some things I haven't learned...

• I haven't learned what it is like to have someone who looks at me and loves me and thinks I am beautiful and wants to spend eternity with.


• I haven't learned what I want to be when I grow up.


• I haven't learned how to be the person the Lord wants me to be or His plan for me.

As I embark on another year of life I look forward to all of the things I will learn. Who knows, maybe this will be the year that I learn some of the things that I haven't learned in years past.

The Thief Known as Time...

Lately it seems like I have been battling an intense thief. A thief so bold and brazen that he sneaks in and steals from you without you even noticing it. He isn't predjudice. He will steal from rich and poor, old and young, male and female. That thief is time. The clock is ticking closer and closer to my 28th birthday. 28!!!! I have been trying unsuccessfully to figure out where all of those years went. The only thing I can figure is that time stole them from me with no plans of ever giving them back. What a rotten thief.

Day 30. FINALLY!!!!!

Day thirty~ A photograph of yourself today + three good things that have happened in the past.

Okay so my picture isn't of me today, but it is the most recent picture of me that I have. This was last Saturday at the Sawtooth Relay. :)

Three good things that have happened to me in the past... Well, the first one is my car is fixed and working again. I hate not having a car. The whole relying on others thing kinda stinks.

The second one and this sounds terrible, but I got released from my calling. I was the FHE co-chair and it got to a point where I just didn't feel like anything I did was being helpful. I am now one of the gospel principles teachers. I love it. I love teaching.

The third one was lots of opportunities to serve and help out my friends and family these last two weeks. It has been so much fun. :)

Days 27-29 (Almost finished and it's about time.)

Day 27~ A picture of me last year and now and how I have changed since then.

This is me last year. I had just had me hair done by April and I loved it.

This is me this year. How have I changed???? Well, that is a good question. I would like to say that there have been monumental changes since then, but really I am kind of stuck in my ways and change doesn't come easy for me. The biggest change in my life has been my job. I am no longer working at the temple. I am now working at Planet Fitness. It has been a great job and I love it. Hopefully, there will be more interesting changes here in the near future. I'll keep you posted. :)

Day 28~ My favorite movie.

My favorite movie is White Christmas. It doesn't matter what time of year it is, I could watch that movie over and over and over again. I love Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye. They are amazing performers. I also love the story. It give me hope that someday some one will love me like that. :)

Day 29~ Something you could never get tired of doing.

Something I could never get tired of doing is reading. Through books you can go anywhere, be anyone, and do anything that you want to do. There are no limits when you have a book in front of you. Books are a great escape. :)

Days 24-26

Okay, this 30 day blogging challenge has taken far to long. I am going to knock out a couple of days in one blog. This could be kind of a long one. So please bear with me. :)

Day 24~ A photo of something that means a lot to you. This one is kind of different. The things that mean a lot to me are very random things. Very normal, but with lots of sentimental value.The first thing is my set of Pride and Prejudice videos. I got my set from my sister after I first watched it with her. I told her that was what I wanted for Christmas. Well she looked and looked and couldn't find it. So she wrapped up her set and gave it to me. This touched me a lot because I knew how much she loved it. For her to give it to me was incredible

The next thing is a book. Who cares about a book?? Well, I do. This particular book belonged to my nephew, James. James passed away while I was on my mission. I had a hard time coming to grips with this because I wasn't around for any of it. Well last week, I opened up this book to start reading it and I found an inscription to James from the author. Made my heart smile.

This one is less physical, but good none the less. This one is my memories of going to Disneyland. My favorite place ever. I went with my mom and it was a blast. I hadn't been in 20 years and it is something I will always remember.

This one is something I got from one of my companions on my mission. She knew that I liked VeggieTales and so she bought this for me. I love it. It is very special to me.

Day 25~ What's in your purse??
My purse contains the normal mess of random things. I have my wallet of course. I also have pens, lots and lots of Planet Fitness pens. What can I say??? I have a habit of taking them home from work. :) I also have lots of random things of chapstick. I can never find one when I need one, so I have lots. I also have paper clips, a purse hangy thing, scratch paper and gum. Gotta have the gum. :)

Day 26~ A photo of somewhere you have been.

West Virginia. Wild, Wonderful, Beautiful West Virginia. I went here on my mission and I am convinced that it is one of the best kept secrets in the country. It was amazing to see all of the beauties this small hidden state possessed. :)

Day 23~ Fifteen fun facts about you

Okay, for my own personal reasons I have decided to skip over day 22 (a letter to someone who has hurt you recently) and move right into day 23. Someday I might go back and do day 22, but I doubt it. Any hurt I have had I have dealt with in my way and I have moved on. :) Besides, why dwell in the hurt?

Anyway, here is my day 23. :)

Day twenty-one~ A photo of something that makes you happy.

Other than my family, the thing that makes me the happiest is the gospel of Jesus Christ. Being a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has influenced my life in the most profound ways imaginable. The knowledge that it has given to me has guided and changed my life. I can't explain how much it has impacted me. My testimony is the most precious thing I own. I have had my own private struggles some harder than I would have liked, but from each trouble and trial I have had, I have grown to know my Savior. I know of His love for me. I know that He came to this earth as a baby born in the most humble of circumstances and grew into a man who performed miracles and gave the world the gift that only He could give. He gave His life to save everyone, past, present, and future. He selflessly sacrificed for me because I am not perfect and I need his help.
The gospel has also given me a testimony of living prophets who lead and guide us through life. I know that Joseph Smith saw Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ and I know that he was called to restore the gospel to the earth. He has been followed by a living prophet ever since. I know that the prophet today is Thomas S. Monson. He is called of God to lead the church today.


The other thing that the gospel has given me is a testimony of the Book of Mormon and the Bible. These are two amazing books that work hand in hand to testify of Christ. The Bible tells of Chirst's dealings with the people in the old world and the Book of Mormon tells of Christ's dealings with His children in the new world. These books are amazing in their evidences of Christ. I love the Book of Mormon. Every word testifies of Christ. These are the things in my life that make me the most happy. :)