A Long Few Weeks

Do you ever feel like your life is sprinting full speed ahead and you're barely keeping up? I feel like the past few months have kind of been like that. I finally hit that point where I can sit down and not feel anxious...and it is feeling real good.

This past semester was a little crazy for me. I was working full time and taking a full load of classes along with reporting for BYU's newspaper so I felt slightly frantic most of the time. Right before the end of finals a few weeks ago, I found out my grandfather had passed away. Knowing the condition of my grandpa this was really a wonderful thing, but of course losing someone is never a happy thing. But, lucky for me, my brother Fred's graduation and my cousin Daren's wedding was that weekend so I was able to see all of my family. Their love and support can literally cure anything. Just seeing them is enough. We all got to go out to dinner for my brother's graduation, but the next morning my dad went to the emergency room. I've never experienced either of my parent's actually being for reals sick. I mean the flu or a broken bone sure, but seeing by dad go in there for the real stuff got real, real fast. 

Daren's Wedding

My dad wasn't able to attend Daren's wedding, but it was really a beautiful event. I think I stared at Daren's face for three hours straight. He was just SO happy. It was so cozy to watch. We visited my dad that evening and it was clear he wasn't leaving anytime soon. 

The Blessing

The next day we all got to gather for Georgia's baby blessing. It was the most beautiful blessing I think I've ever attended. The house was just flooded with loved ones.  

The Funeral

The next day everyone headed to Santa Barbara for my grandpa's funeral and my sister Darci's wedding, but me and Ryan and my brother Jimmie were home for a few more days so we were able to sit with my dad and get some real quality time in, which was actually really refreshing. There's not much time anymore to sit and just talk with my Dad just because every time we get together now, five thousand people are around. That was really special for us. Then we had to leave for the events and it just felt so weird leaving my Dad behind. But, by this time the doctor confirmed he was going to be okay, which was a little comforting, but it didn't make up for the fact that my whole family was going to be together and my Dad was going to be stuck in a different state. 

My Grandpa's funeral was beautiful. I was doing so good until my cousin Taylor stood up. As he spoke I just lost it. And then of course all of us girl cousins get up to sing "Homeward Bound" and I lose it even more. We ventured to the burial site and because of my grandpa's time in the Navy, they played Taps…there isn't a more beautiful song. It was really wonderful.

The Rehearsal Dinner

After we celebrated my Grandpa Dean's life it was time to celebrate Darci and Mike! We had their rehearsal dinner at the beach which of course was perfect. 

Darci's Wedding

The next day we got to watch Darci walk down the aisle. My papa wasn't able to make it to walk her down the aisle, which was really hard to be okay with, but my four brother's each walked her down part of the aisle and it didn't make up for it, but it definitely made it special. The ambiance was perfect. We were encircled by these beautiful vines and the aisle began and ended with these beautiful flowered wooden arches. My brother Jimmy officiated and hearing him talk about Darci and Mike could not have been more perfect and special. I got to sit in a spot where I got to watch Darci's face and she was glowing: completely stunning and happy. The day was perfect. We obviously danced the night away and I'm so stoked that I get Mike as my brother now. It was especially a special day because it was the same day and place Ryan and I had a reception one year prior so we got to celebrate our marriage with Mike and Darci's! And we are SO excited for the future anniversary trips we will be taking :)

The Birthday

To top it all off my husband Ryan turned 24 the next day and there's nothing he loves more than 'Merica. So we appropriately celebrated. 

It was a really long bitter sweet couple of weeks. But, I found out that no matter what hard things we have to go through, our family will always be enough to get us through it.

I'm so grateful for the bunch I've been given.

Happy Spring Everyone :)

Lady Trip

The girls in my family, we love to travel. But, for some reason we really can never get ourselves in the same place at the same time. So this winter we decided that we were just going to make it HAPPEN. No matter what it took. Of course we bounced around a million different locations, but eventually we decided we wanted something that would just be snuggly and cozy and provide optimal giggling time. So, naturally we chose to go to Charleston, South Carolina and Savannah, Georgia. They're only two hours away so we squeezed in both. Both towns are literally to most quaint and adorable things you will ever come across. So, we all buy our tickets and President's day weekend rolls around and we are all beyond excited and prepared to go and then...disaster after disaster strikes.

First, my sister Darci's flight got cancelled. Then mine and my sister Holly's flights got cancelled. Then my sister Reagan's flight got cancelled, she made it all the way to the airport before she found out and then didn't have a ride home or a house key. Then my sister Cubbie had to sit in an airport for a million hours missing a million stand-by flights. My sister Katherine was traveling with a newborn. And my sister Kim's spare car completely broke down, making it so they had to rent a car for her husband to use while she and my mom drove their car to meet us. It was looking a little grim...

But MIRACLES HAPPEN. After waiting on hold for two hours I was able to reschedule mine and Holly's flight. Darci got hers rescheduled after a million hour wait. Reagan got her flight rescheduled. Cubbie finally caught a plane. Katherine made it by without any intense baby freakouts. Mom and Kim drove safely. And two days later than originally planned we were all together!!

And then from there...all things were magical.

Georgia was obviously the star of the trip...she's incredible.

We got to visit the most incredible plantation in Charleston.

She's amazing.

Her name was written on the blackboard since we were in Savannah, Georgia so we couldn't resist the photo...

And of course she's the cutest again...

We took the most romantic historical carriage tour in Savannah...literally the most darling town you'll ever come across.

Her face though...

I'm obsessed.

 This was the home on the plantation... it was seriously a dream.

I may have gained ten pounds this trip because we ate the most DELICIOUS southern food nonstop...

Our hotel was on the beach and those white sands are breathtaking.

I encourage everryyyone to make it out there at some point. It's just too much magic to be missing out on! Also...girl trips are the bomb and I'll never love anyone like I love my sisters. Girls girls girls girls girls!

Cozy.

The feeling when you're mom is hugging you. When your sweetie kisses you. When you're giggling with your sisters. When you're sitting by the fire reading a love story. When you're snuggled up watching the snow fall with a cup of hot chocolate in your hand. When you rest your head on your best friend's shoulder. When you're standing on your porch watching the rain fall in the middle of a summer thunderstorm. When you're playing in the grass with the sunshine on your face. 

When you're surprised by the ones you love. When you're reading a letter from someone you care about. When you're holding hands. When you're laughing so hard you start to cry. When you're wrapped up in cuddly blankets. When you're being held. When you're being taken care of. When you're playing in the leaves when fall comes around. When you're venturing through a pumpkin patch. When you're going around the Thanksgiving table sharing your gratitudes. When you're driving with the windows down. When you're eating chocolate with your girl friends. When you're painting your nails. When you're holding a newborn. When your mom brings you soup when you're feeling sick. When you watch your love play with little ones. 

When you cry so hard it heals you. When your family is all piled on the bed together squeezing in as many memories as possible before bed. When your mom combs through your hair. When you're walking with your toes in the sand. When you're watching the sunset.  When you're cuddling and snuggling.When your Dad sings you your lullaby. When you visit the beach after a long time away. Watching the sun rise. When you're watching your loved ones get married. When you're slow dancing under Christmas lights. When you're sitting on the beach listening to the waves. When you're gathered around the Christmas tree surrounded by the ones who love you the most. When you're watching someone open a gift you worked hard to make. When your love first tells you he loves you. When you realize you're in love. When all sounds drown out and you witness the magic of the moment.When that moment becomes a part of you forever. When you realize everything in this moment is perfect and you hope with every part of you that you will always feel this way. You're experiencing coziness.

I don't know if any of you have ever been asked, "What are you passionate about?" But I used to hate getting asked that question. One day I was sifting through all of the things I enjoyed in pursuit of an answer to this dreadful question. I thought of all the generics: sports, dance, event planning, baking, so on and so forth. As I sat there, pondering about these things, they weren't satisfying my need to adequately represent the word passion. These were more of just enjoyments. They made me happy, but they didn't light a fire within me by any means. Later that same day I called my Mom, which is obviously my first move anytime I feel unsettled like this. I could not comprehend that I was living a life without passion. My Mom, being the most inspired woman I've ever met, brought me to a much needed realization when she shared the following passage with me from a book she had previously read (forgive me I don't remember the book).

A little girl had asked her aunt why she had such a passion for rescuing and restoring old historic buildings.  She told her niece: 

“It’s my fire – Everyone needs to find the one thing that brings out her passion. It’s what we do and share with the world that matters.  Far too many people die with a heart that’s gone flat with indifference, and it surely must be a terrible way to go. Life will offer us amazing opportunities, but we’ve got to be wide-awake to recognize them.  If there’s one thing I’d like most for you, it’s that you’ll find your calling in life. That’s where true happiness and purpose lies.  Whether it’s taking care of abandoned animals, saving old houses from the wrecking ball, or reading to the blind, you’ve got to find your fire, sugar.  You’ll never be fulfilled if you don’t.  One day you’ll do something, see something, or get an idea that seems to pop up from nowhere.  And you’ll feel a kind of stirring – like a warm flicker inside your chest. When that happens, whatever you do, don’t ignore it. Open your mind and explore the idea. Fan your flame.  And when you do, you’ll have found it."
That warm flicker sounded so familiar to me. I know I'd felt it somewhere. And that's when all those moments I shared came flooding through me. Each moment so special and each moment so perfect. Those moments are what I live for. Those moments are what I want to share with the world. Those moments are my flicker. Those moments are my passion. 

Peace, warmth, security, happiness. Coziness.
Creating moments of coziness is my passion. I hope you find yours :)


I thought I'd share a few more pictures of coziness.

 I know I've shared this photo before, but I think one look at this photo and you can feel the most perfect definition of cozy.

Now, these two photos may not make sense for those that weren't there, but if you were I hope you felt the same way about it as I do. I've never felt more magical and cozy and perfect than I did this day, when we celebrated Kath's birthday. My whole family dressed up like the characters of Alice in Wonderland (which is a favorite of Katherine's). Jack, being the rabbit, led her through a "hole" where she was told to put on that skirt you see her wearing now. Jack, waiting for her outside saying "We're late, we're late!" Eventually led her to this table, where she sat at first alone. Then my whole family came out of the house at the same time singing a "Very Merry UnBirthday." As we did you could feel magic filling the air. And once we all sat at the table, there were no words to describe the coziness. These are the kind of moments I hope to make more of.

Happy Valentine's Day

I hope it's a cozy one :)