Midwinter Nights dream

I am suffering from dreams of Summers past.......

.....And Summers Future.

 

And gorgeous days in places like these....

And a place where it is socially acceptable to do things like this....

 

If anyone is reading this in the future... And time machines have been invented... I would appreciate it if you would come pick me up right about now.

Feel my Sunlight

Day 30 & Forever greatful

So here we are... We have come to the end of my "30 days of Thanksgiving" List. Wow. I have lots to be grateful. I am healthy, and strong. I have a family that loves me. I have a testimony of the church that offers me peace and love in my life. I have the greatest friends. I love tumbling and I have the best team! I have had so many fantastic experiences in my lifetime, and I have gotten to know some truly fantastic people. I couldn't have gotten here without you. Thank you for all you have taught me. All of you. So here I am on the last day of November feeling truly thankful for the happenings of my life thus far, and also for the things that are to come in the future. I know life won't always be sunshine and lollypops, but I do know that we will make it through this. We will prevail and we will prevail strong. Thank you to the God who created me, and his son who died for me. I am forever greatful.


Feel my Sunlight  

First to Kiss First

My little sister got the part of Adelaide in the Jr. High production of Guys and Dolls. And we are so excited and proud of her. BUT.............




This brought me to a very sad realization.




My sister will have her first kiss before I do.




Ya. I know.




So we are talking at dinner tonight this is how the conversation went....




Mom: "guess what! Danielle might have to kiss someone."
Me: "My little sister will have her first kiss before me."
Danielle: "It won't be real!"
Me: "I can assure you that your lips will touch."
Danielle: "Ya, but our hearts won't!"
...and I will just end that conversation right there before my dad starts talking....

As my mom was walking out the door I say
"Bye! I will try not to kiss anyone while you're gone!"
Mom: "Hey.....If you get the opportunity!"




So congrats to Danielle at Dani's Purple Notebook. Love ya! And I now have a new goal of having my first kiss. Someday.

Day 27, 28, and 29

Wow I've been a big slacker on my thankful posts this week. Probably because in my mind its December, and in my mind my ultimate goal is to do is make it to Christmas Break. Oh please oh please come faster!

Day 27
So I'm looking back at my calendar trying to figure out what I did on the 27th. I went to school, I coached tumbling, and I went to young women's. I am super thankful for young women's, and the lessons it has taught me over the last 4 years. I love the girls in my ward, and I have had some great leaders over the years. I am thankful for all the leaders I have had an for everything they have done for me. Thank you for all you have taught me, and for keeping me on the right path.

Day 28
I am thankful for my little athletes. I love the things they say and do. Their big hugs and even bigger smiles. I love the handshake my class made up. And I just think they are the greatest.

Day 28
I'm thankful it is Thursday, and that the week is almost over. I am thankful for good teachers, and everything I learned from mamma L in theatre last year.

Feel my Sunlight

P.s. good luck to everyone trying out for the musical at the junior high tonight.

Day 25 & 26

Oh my word! I totally forgot to post yesterday, and almost forgot today!! So I will post two.

Day 25~I'm thankful I was able to receive my patriarchal blessing.

Day 26~I'm thankful for American Girl Dolls, and the joy they brought to my childhood. I know that if I have daughters I will show them all the movies, and pass my dolls on to them.

Day 24

It's hard to be thankful when you have the stomach flue, but I will try.

I'm thankful for the new clothes I got today, and warm blankets. I'm thankful for saltine crackers, and frozen sprite.

Now I'm praying I am better soon, because I am supposed to get my patriarchal blessing tomorrow. Fingers crossed!

Feel my Sunlight

The sky

 

Found this on pinterest. Thought you would enjoy it.

{just scroll}

 

day 23

I know Thanksgiving is over, but I have to got to day 30.

Today I am thankful for Traditions.

Traditions are things that we always, do that really make us who we are. Traditions are a very important part of the holidays. Its a tradition that we go to family's house on a certain day in November an eat a bird until our bellies explode. It's a traditoin that we look at adds of toys and electronics after dinner. It's a tradition that we hang out at Grandma's house until the sun dissappears on this certain November night. It's a tradition that on the day so called "Black Friday" we put up a big fake tree in our basement, and decorate it with shiney objects that hang on strings, and tiney lights that we never seem to have enough of. It's a tradition that we listen to the sounds of the Holidays through our little speakers until a special day in December comes around. It's a tradition that we go to Grandma's house on the night before that sepcial day in December and exchange things wrapped in paper and ribbons. It is a tradition that we walk through the park and look at dispays of animals, and airplanes glowing in lights. It is a tradition that I make a fort with my siblings, and we sleep in it this night. It is a tradition that we wake up on this special December morning, and sneak upstairs to wake up our parents. It is a tradition that we offer a prayer of thanks to our Father in Heaven before we head down stairs. It's a tradition that our parents make all of us use the bathroom at this time. {okay....maybe that part isn't so much a tradition.} It is a tradition that we run downstairs and find our red socks, and emptie the contents of candie, and toys in a pile. It is a tradition that we go youngest to oldest, and rip open boxes that a large old man with a white beard brought us. It is a tradition that afer we open all these boxes we head to Grandma's house to open more boxes. It is a tradition that we eat food, and hang out with family all day. It is a tradition that on the day before the new year we spend time with the family again. It is a tradition that we exchange silly presents in a game. It is a tradition that we count down until midnight from 10 to 1, and cheer when it is all done.

The Holidays are a tradition. What traditions make your holidays special?


Feel my Sunlight

Day 22 {the official day of thanks}

Wow today's the day!!!

HaPpy ThAnKsGiViNg EvErYoNe!

Now where should I start for this post today? Sorry if I repeat from other posts.

Thanks...

1-I'm thankful for the Church Of Jesus Christ Of Later Day Saints. Ya.

2-I'm thankful for my wonderful family. I love you all so much, and I am thankful that I have a great relationship with everyone in my family. I love that I get to see my extended family every Sunday, and I love how there is never a dull moment when I spend time with the people I am related to.

3-I'm thankful for my fantastic tumbling family. I love how close we are as a team. We always have tons of fun, and I don't think there is a better team out there. I love it when team mates that don't tumble anymore come and visit. I love love love that we are so open to talk about church at tumbling. And I love those nights when we stay late just to talk. I love you all!! <3

4-I'm thankful for all of my friends, and how we have absolutely no drama between us. I love all of our inside jokes, and how much fun we have together, and how I don't have to worry about having to stand up for my standards, because I know my closest friends share them with me.

5-I'm thankful for EFY! I have been alive for 841 weeks, and have only spent 2 of those at EFY, but those two weeks have been two of the most influential weeks of my life. They changed my life. I gained my testimony my first year at EFY. I learned so much with Kjarinda as my counselor, and could never thank her enough for the example she has been in my life. My second year at EFY was just as influential. I had the very best company that ever existed. I made some lasting friendships that I hope never end. I loved having Braden and Randi as counselors. They were both fantastic, and we had so much fun with them!

6-I'm thankful for holidays at families' house. This is kind of an extension of #2. I have the greatest extended family in the world, and I don't think I've ever laughed harder with anyone else. Today we had dinner at at my aunt and uncles house, and the food was great. Everyone on my mom's side is extremely tall, and my favorite part of the night was my cousins speech about accepting bald people, and my little cousin saying to my mom "you know, I think Whitney is going to be one of those short kids. After dinner we headed to my grandparent's house on my dads side. The Reid family is short, hard of hearing, sarcastic, and the best people ever. I get to see most of them every Sunday, and I love when I get to see the rest of them during the holidays. Today was filled with jokes, catch phrase, food, laughter, and we were joined by our new friend Falonda. We joke, and we tease, and I couldn't ask for a better family.



Feel my Sunlight

Day 21

*as my tumblers are running back and forth on the mats for warm ups.*

Me: "I wonder if in England, they make them run on the left hand side of the mat..."

Other Coach: "you are such a nerd."

Me: "haha I know."


I'm thankful for my friends for making me this way. <3 data-blogger-escaped-br="br">

I'm thankful for Breakfast,

And cutie oranges,

I'm thankful for blankets,

And the fire place

I'm thankful for my team

and thankful for my coaches

I'm thankful when I get to talk to team mates that don't tumble anymore.

I'm thankful for Church discussions at the gym.

I'm thankful for late night discussions at the gym






Feel my Sunlight

Day 20

Today I'm thankful for early morning scripture study.

And Temple Tuesdays.

I'm thankful for Seminary, an my fantastic teacher that I was blessed with.

I'm thankful for EFY music, and the power it gives me to withstand temptation in the horrendous place called high school.

I'm also thankful that I have no school for the rest of this week.

I'm thankful movie nights with my siblings, and parents.

And I'm thankful for my cousins... And aunts...and uncles...and Grandparents.

And I'm thankful that my cute tumbling students were so super good today, and that we had white tramp.

I'm thankful for my coaches, and teammates, and that I get to spend so much time with them.


I'm thankful.


Feel my Sunlight

Day 19

2011

2012

Today I am thankful for EFY.... I know what you're thinking.... "EFY?! AGAIN?!" and yes! EFY AGAIN!!! If you have ever read my blog you know that EFY is an obsession of mine. I have only spent two weeks at EFY, and let me tell you, those two weeks were the most life changing two weeks of my entire life. So you can read more about my EFY experiences in other posts, but I'd just like to tell you how thankful I am for the EFY program.

This morning was a hard morning for me. See, we only have two days of school this week, and I wanted nothing more than to head up to Logan for a session of EFY. {That's pretty much the only thing that ever occupies my brain during my brain's free time. That, and tumbling.} I know, I know, that is absolutely, ridiculously, unrealistic. But I girl can dream can't she? Well I was dreaming of EFY, and Utah State, and the best spiritual experiences I have ever experienced. So naturally when I got to both my 5th, and 7th period classes {in both of which we are allowed to listen to iPods} I plugged in my earphones, and heard the sounds of EFY music poring into my ears, and bouncing off my eardrums.

At school during lunch their are often College recruiters that give out different things, along with information about their school. Well last week Utah State Eastern came and psyched us all out. {Ya, I didn't even know there was an Eastern.} But as I walked into the commons guess what school was there?!?!?!? UTAH STATE!!! The real one!

I was excited! When I couldn't go to Logan today, Logan came to me! So I took a chap stick, and a pen, and a window sticker, and two pamphlet things about the school, but what I really wanted was the T-shirt.  The T-Shirts where being given out to people who could answer certain questions about the school. Well, I brought the pamphlet back to my little group of friends, and my friend Katie, from Katie's Korner proceeded to read the entire thing. Later we headed back to the table, and the lady asked a question and Katie got it right! She gave me the T-Shirt, and promised her cake, or cookies, or something.

I was WAY too excited about this T-Shirt! WAY! But it was fun. And I will wear it to school tomorrow.

So today I am thankful for EFY, and Utah State, and my friend Katie, and the fact that I only have 2.75 years of high school left. And weather I am headed to College after that, or headed on a mission, I don't know, but I do know their are great things ahead of me, and I am excited.

Feel my Sunlight


p.s. Tomorrow is LATE START! Who is thankful for that?!?! THIS GIRL!!! Plus it is the last day of school this week! DOUBLE THANKFULNESS!!!! :) happy girl

Day 18

Today I am thankful for books.

I am a huge fan of the Hunger Games,

And Harry Potter was my childhood.

I am a fan of John Bytheway.

The little Gymnast was my favorite as a little kid.

I love the books by my favorite gymnasts like Landing On My Feet by Kerri Strug,

And Winning Balance by Shawn Johnson.

Revived deafinatly makes the top 5.

I really loved a book called Rescue,

And Mandy was a fun one too.

Fablehaven kept me pretty busy,

And Percy Jackson was just as good.

I loved it all by Gail Carson Levine,

And that's just to name a few.

I love all these books, but the one I love the most has to be this one....

Fail

"It is impossible to live without failing at something, unless
you live so cautiously that you might as well not have lived
at all -- in which case, you fail by default."

-- J.K. Rowling

Day 17

 

 

These last few days mark a monumental historic event. It will go down in history, and be written in all the history books of our children. Hostess has closed their doors. Forever. Stores everywhere are freshly cleaned out of all Hostess products. At work today a few people asked me if we had any Hostess products left. I laughed to myself, and told them the were too late, and that I was pretty sure there was nothing left.

 

 

 

 

This is me eating my last frozen Twinkie. {excuse my crazy hair, I had just woken up.} My mom's dad was a huge Twinkie fan. My grandpa died of MS before I was born, so we never got to meet him. My grandpa always froze his twinkies, so every year we eat frozen twinkies at his grave on Mamorial day. It just so happens that the day Hostess closed, was my grandpa's birthday. I can't wait to meet him someday.

 

Now, all this talk of my grandpa that passed away brings me to another subject, the one written about by THIS BLOGGER. This is a family friend of ours, who's husband has had his stomach removed because of Stomach Cancer. He went in to get tests done yesterday, and they found out that the cancer is back and he only has 6-8 months to live. This will be a hard little bit for this family, and I ask you to keep them in your prayers.

 

I know what you're thinking....I haven't said one thing I am thankful for. So here it is, I'm thankful for the lessons that death teaches us about life. We had a lesson in Seminary on November 12th about the things the Savior did in his last days before he died. As he was questioned by Pilate about wether or not he was the King of the Jews, he replied with "I am, even as thou sayest." (Mark 15:2) To me this teaches us that we should never deny who we are. We must never deny our beliefs, no matter what the circumstances. Jesus didn't deny his identity, even though he knew that by telling the truth would lead to his crucifiction. In his last days he taught of the sacrament, that we may remember him. (Mark 14:22-5) He put his trust in the Lord. Although he didn't want to go through this, He knew it was the Lords will. "And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto the; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not waht I will, but what tough wilt." (Mark 14:36)

 

 

Through our trials we must trust in the Lord. If we are faithfull it will all work out when we return to live with him. We must live every day as if it were our last. If I only had a short time to live I would forget the worldly things, and spend time with my friends, family, and people close to me. I would tell the people that I love that I love them. I would probubly skip biology.... and attend a few extra periods of Seminary. I would share my testimony with everyone, and make sure that it was recorded, so that it may be shared with future generations. I would spend much less time on pinterest, and facebook. I would want to see my EFY family again, and I would want to do my best to leave my legacy on the world.

 

Even though we haven't all been told that our end is comming soon, we must all be living like this, because we never know when our time to move on could come. We can do these things right now. {exept the whole skip biology thing....that could be detramental to my grades.} Now, I ask you to commit, and live the way you would if today was your last day.

 

 

Feel my Sunlight

More soda pop

 

This stuff. 

I was at the grocery store with my ma yesterday. 

When out of the blue she said...

                "I think I should drink more pop."

                                                          Now, 

her logic in this is that if she drinks more pop,

 then she will eat less sweats, 

and that will make her more healthy.

Good luck with that mom.                            

                        {we now have Pomegranate 7UP in the fridge}

Feel my Sunlight

P.S. What do you think about the white background? I miss my old background, but I am liking the more professional look. Have you ever seen a really successful blog without a whit background? I haven't either, so I changed it to white. Your thoughts?

P.S.S. Did y'all notice the new grab button on the left? Well, for all of you who have a blog, I would love it if you would put it on your blog. And hey, if you do, I might just put yours on mine!

                                                          

Day 16

I'm oh so very thankful for spell check, though it doesn't always do its job.

Day 15

Felicity and Elizabeth

Emma and Whitney 9th grade

Whitney and Emma 2nd grade

Isn't everyone proud of me for posting before 11:00?!?!?! I feel accomplished.

So today I am thankful for the amazing childhood I was blessed with. I was a shy girl {I know what your thinking....ME? SHY? shocker right?!} I was little, and innocent {still am... I promise} Life was simple, and things were perfect. Memories of my wonderful childhood just sprang on me as I started looking through the November American Girl Doll catalog that came in the mail (I have gotten them since I was about 10, and we never unsubscribed from them, because they always bring back memories.) Well, as I was looking through it I noticed that my first American Girl Doll that I ever got is now in the archives. ARCHIVES! I remember an article that was in the American Girl catalog several years ago about the retired dolls of the past, and thinking about how old the people must be that played with those dolls.

 MY DOLL IS NOW ONE OF THEM!

My childhood is officially over.

My first doll was Elizabeth. Elizabeth was the blond haired blue eyed best friend of the dark red haired Felicity. My best friend was named Emma... Emma had dark red hair, and also happened to have the doll Felicity. So when it came time to decide what doll I wanted I picked the blond haired best friend of Felicity, named Elizabeth. {even though my first favorite doll had always been Kit.} I still remember clearly the day Elizabeth arrived at my house. I was the most excited I had ever been in my entire life up to that point. This was greater than any Christmas present I had ever experienced opening. I opened the box carefully, and held the doll in my hands. Life was good. I ran over to Emma's house as fast as my little legs could carry me, and rang the doorbell in utter excitement. I hid my new doll behind my back as Emma answered the door. I then said "GUESS WHAT I GOT!?!?" and pulled it out from behind my back. It was one of the greatest moments of my childhood. Emma and I played American Girl Dolls all the time. We made houses for them, and way cute Surf Boards, and lots of crazy other stuff.

I later won Kit on KSL 5. They had a contest right when the Kit movie was about to come out. The grand prize was the Kit doll, a huge movie poster, and tickets to the movie. All you had to do was email them. I sent them 60+ emails. Needless to say, I won the doll. And I took Emma to the movie with me. 

My American Girl dolls were a huge part of my Childhood, from playing with Emma, to sneaking off with my favorite cousin Aspen on Thanks Giving, and Christmas Eve to avoid the adults, and play with our dolls. Aspen and I were more obsessed than you can imagine. Every sleepover consisted of americangirl.com, and creating furniture, and clothing for our dolls. I loved those days. I love American Girl Dolls, and am so thankful for the positive influence they had on my childhood. 

Feel my Sunlight

Day 14

I'm thankful for ice, and ibuprofen, and products like icy hot. But even more, I'm thankful for days that nothing hurts. Life of an athlete.

Sorry it was so short... It's 11:18 and I want to go to bed.

Feel my Sunlight

Day 13

It's late, so I will have to make it quick. I'm thankful for the people who inspire and teach me about the gospel. From EFY counselors, to EFY speakers, to, seminary teachers, to church leaders, to TOFG speakers, to morning side speakers, to Sunday school leaders, to YW leaders. I have learned everything from you. Thank you for sharing your light with me.

Day 12

I'm thankful for the body I've been blessed with. The world around me tries to tell me that its not good to be short. But my grandma always said "if your leg are long enough to reach the ground, they are long enough." I was blessed with a body that can flip and twist high in the air. I am thankful for that. "God only lets us grow until we're perfect, some of us just didn't take as long as others."

Day 11

Since today is Veterans day, I am thankful for the Veterans, and all their service to our country. Thank you to all the men and women who fight, and give their lives, so that we may live in the country that we do. We are blessed to have people like you fighting for us. Thank you.
Happy Veterans day!

Day 10

Today I'm thankful for coaches. I love all my coaches a ton and I am so thankful for everything they have done for me! They have done a lot. I'm also thankful for Justen who came and did a camp for us today. He fixed some things that have been giving me some frustration. Thanks so much! I love my coaches!

Day 9

{picture via Google}

                                                                                   {Read this story!}



Today I'm thankful for forgiveness, because not a single one of us ever lived a day where we didn't do something wrong. We all make mistakes, but there is no mistake that is so sever that it can't be paid for by our redeemer Jesus Christ. He paid the ultimate price so that we could be forgiven of our sins. With him we can be made clean. I'm thankful that I can forgive others, and that I don't have to hold the weight of a grudge on my shoulders forever. I have had countless times in my life when I haven't been the best person, and I'm glad that through Christ, and the Atonement, I can be again made perfect so that I can live with him in the life to come. I have felt the power of the Atonement strong in my life. I offer this as a challenge to you, to forgive a little more, and to love a little deeper, as our Savior has done for us, and I will try to do the same.

Feel my Sunlight

must be doing something right

Do you ever have those days where everything goes right, and you figure you must be doing something right? Well today was one of those days. First period in Biology I bombed my vocab quiz, yes I know what your thinking...how is that good?...well, the rest of the class bombed that quiz too, so we are taking it again on Monday, and this one doesn't go on our grade. Then, in Guitar we were supposed to have a finger picking test. I was mostly ready for this test, but not as ready as I had been for past tests in guitar. I probably would have been fine, but my teacher decided that it was a hard test and that we should have more time to practice. He postponed it to Monday. Seminary is always fantastic, and amazing, and today was no exception. At lunch I got some chocolate from a friend, and I had a fantastic time in World Civ today. {"it just exists in NATURE!" #mrconnerquotes} I've been in my pajamas since 6:18 and life is good. I think I can say that today was a exceptionally great day. And do you want to know what is even more fantastic.... tomorrows FRIDAY! Friday, Friday got to get down on Friday! {now I am imagining my seminary teacher dancing to Friday, and I am smiling stupidly to myself."} Hope everyone else has a fantabulistic Friday tomorrow!


Feel my Sunlight

Day 8

In case you are just jumping on the train here, and are wondering what the "days refer to" I am doing the 30 days of Thanksgiving, all thanks to the inspiration I received from my awesome friend Hannah {she has a great blog! after you are finished reading mine, read hers HERE} So it is day 8 and I am having a hard time deciding what I should write about, not because I can't think of anything I am thankful for, but because I am having a hard time picking just one. So I think I will do two today. Because we can always be more thankful right?

So first I am thankful for the song Home by Phillip Phillips. I know I have already done a post on music, but this song really hits home {see what I did there?!? Sometimes I think I'm funny.} It was the song they played right before I full filled my childhood dream of meeting an Olympic Gymnastics team. Yesterday I was at the gym and only one of my "upper level" team mates was there. Well, he had to leave not long in, to do homework. I was feeling alone, and I was wishing my team mates were there. I was feeling bad for my self, when this song came on. I listened to the words "Just know you're not alone, I'm gonna make this place your home." And it made me think "self, you aren't alone, you may not have anyone older than you, or at a higher level than you here right now, but you have a coach, and you have younger kids around you. Don't let this affect weather or not you have a good workout." So I fixed my attitude, and got a ton done. I did some things by myself that the younger ones didn't do, but I know its workouts like this that make me a stronger athlete. I was very thankful that this song played last night.

Secondly, I'm thankful that I acted on the prompting to switch out of my World Civ class, into an Honors World Civ class. I went into my normal World Civ class the first day of school, and just hated it. I knew nobody, The teacher was okay, he kept talking about how we have more potential, and he is known for working with the kids who have a hard time getting good grades in school. I truly think that is a fantastic thing, however, I don't have a hard time getting good grades, and I kept thinking "this isn't for you." I knew I had some friends in the other teachers class during the same period, but that class is an honors class, and I had heard that that teacher was extremely hard.. When I first thought about switching, I thought "that's crazy! Your terrible at history! You can't do Honors!" But the more I thought about it, the more it sounded like the best option. I prayed about switching and just said "if I am supposed to switch, let me switch, but if I am supposed to stay, make it so that I can't switch." I really didn't want to have to say to the teacher that I didn't like his class so I prayed about that and I had the idea to just say you want to switch into honors, that way you won't have to say you don't like the teacher or the class. I went to the counselor. Said "I was wondering if I could switch into an honors World Civ class if I could keep it the same period, and not have to mess up my schedule. {see, If you tell them you want to be with your friends the charge you $10, but if its for an academic reason, the don't charge you. I knew very well that all my friends were in the only honors class during the same period. ha!} Se said "looks like there is a spot. let me print your new schedule" and just like that I was in honors! I am so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so  glad that I switched. I absolutely LOVE Mr. Conners class. I get to be with my friends, and I love the way he teaches. He is a hilarious teacher, and he makes me want to work hard, and do well at life. I'm thankful for my World Civ Class!

Sorry this post was so long!

Feel my Sunlight

Day 7

I am thankful for seminary!!! Seminary is by far the best part of the day! I am fortunate to live in a place that offers seminary as a release period from school, so I don't have to attend early morning seminary. I have the best teacher ever, who has taught me so much and makes me excited to be there. I love the spirit I feel when I come to seminary, and the sense of refuge that let's me escape the worries of the rest of the world. It's a place where I don't ever half to worry having to stand up for my standards, because I know the people around me share similar standards. I love seminary so much!!!

Day 6

I am thankful for my two jobs. I know there are lots of people who can't get jobs, and I am fortunate to have my two little part time jobs. I have the best two bosses ever! One just so happens to be my dad. I'm thankful that in this day in age we have a safe work enviornments, and equal pay as women. I love the little kids that I get to teach every week. It is so exciting to see them progress. I am thankful that I have money for things I need, as well as extra things I want. It feels good to pay for things by yourself, because you know you have worked for it, and earned it all by yourself. I'm thankful for my jobs!

"It is impossible to live without failing at something, unless
you live so cautiously that you might as well not have lived
at all -- in which case, you fail by default."

-- J.K. Rowling

Day 5

I am thankful for................{wait for iiiiiiit}...............TEMPLES!!!

Day 4

I am thankful for clean music! I love music, but you will never catch me listening to bad music. I am thankful for EFY music and how uplifting, yet fun it is. I love Broadway music. I REALLY love Country Music, but don't like that half the songs are about drinking and girls. I am what you call a "Swiftie" I have always been a huge Taylor Swift fan. I love playing guitar, and singing {but don't ask me to do it in public unless it is a church event} I am thankful for music!

Time Out For Girls

Here is the long awaited post! Last weekend I had the opportunity to attend TOFG. For those of you who don't know what that is, it is an even put on by Deseret Book. It is a partner with Time Out For Women where motivational speakers, and singers come and speak. {for more information CLICK HERE}



Danielle, Me, Carmen Rasmussen, Lauren, Lexi





Danielle, Me, My mom, Sandra Turley, Lauren, Lexi, Lauren & Lexi's mom

We got to hear from some incredible and inspiring people…So inspiring that I took a total of 33 pages of notes. (Why is it that notes are so much more fun to take when you aren't going to be tested on it?) We heard from Carmen Rasmusen, Sandra Turley, Mercy River, John Bytheway, Brad Wilcox, John Hilton the third, and Laurel Christensen.

Carmen Rasmussen

Carmen Rasmussen took 6th place on season 2 of American Idol, and also appeared on Fear Factor. She is an author, and a singer/songwriter. She was the person I was most excited about hearing from, since I have had her music on my iPod for quite some time now. Little did I know she has an incredible story that changed my perspective of her. Her story was a HUGE inspiration to me. I am still in awe in how she tackled the media, and managed to keep to her standards. Through Idol she had many experiences where she had to stick up for her standards. She shared what we believed with the other contestants, and in the end gave up the glamorous dream of a singer, to live an even more glamorous life, as a wife and mother. After Idol she was signed with Big Machine Records. Sound familiar? That is the same record label that the ever so popular Taylor Swift is signed to. Carmen and Taylor were both trying to make their mark as a singer at the same time, doing just about the exact thing. At just about the same time Taylor released Tim McGraw, Carmen found the person she wanted to marry. Her record label told her that if she got married her carrier as a singer may be over. She exchanged promise rings with her husband that said "someday Forever" and said she would marry him, just not right now since her carrier was taking off. About a week later she decided she couldn't wait and she had to get married. After she was married she would go on tour promoting her music during the week, then go see her husband on the weekends. After a while she felt a distinct impression that she should have kids. Everyone told her that if she had kids it would for sure ruin her career. But she wanted kids. What she said really stuck out to me, she said: "All those people who said you won't make it if you get married and have kids...They were right....I never released another single again." She told us that one day she was cleaning oatmeal off her son’s highchair and thought, so this is what I chose?" One day she turned on the T.V. while holding her boys to see an image of Taylor Swift with her arms full of awards and she thought 
"I would so much rather be sitting here holding my two boys then holding those awards."
Carmen is a huge inspiration to me. She helped me realize that I can live my dreams, yet still keep my standards. One of my favorite things that Carmen said was "there is a true beauty that can't be taken away when you take off your makeup." Then she took off all of her makeup while she was on stage. She sang the song Beautiful to Him and some of my favorite lines in that song are "it comes from within I want to be beautiful to him." and "It's not a worldly climb, it's all about his design." This taught me that appearance doesn't matter, and it's what happens inside of us that counts.

                               Sandra Turley

Sandra Turley's bio on the Time Out For Girls website says; "Professional actor and singer; role of Cosette in Les Miserables on Broadway in New York City" Sandra was AMAZING! She was one of the best singers I have ever heard. She was super nice too. We got to meet her during one of our breaks. She asked us if we were all related {we weren’t sure how to answer that question since we call ourselves cousins, but aren’t really} we told her we weren’t really related and Lauren said “those two are the same age, and Whitney and I are the same age.” She looked at us for a second and said “you two are the same age? How old are you?” I told her I was 16 and she is like “you’re tiny! Are you a gymnast?” I told her I was and then she asked me how good I was. Everyone else replied with “she is awesome!” Then she asked if I was going to go to the Olympics in 4 years. I laughed. She asked me my name and where I was from, then after I told her she said “Short Whitney from Layton…I will remember that if I ever see you on T.V.” I thought it was nice how she made an effort to get to know me and cared about what I do. One of my favorite things Sandra said was "Seek to be worth knowing, rather than to be well known." Our goal shouldn't be to be the most popular, but to be the best person for the people in our lives.

       Brad Wilcox
Brad Wilcox was an amazing speaker as well as a teacher. He taught us the entire quorum of the 12 & first
presidency in order of seniority. I dare anyone to ask me to recite them all the next time I see you. He said "If you say you've never felt the spirit you are like a fish. A fish doesn't notice the water until it is out of the water. We have all heard the saying "the spirit of God is like the fire is burning"  well most of the time "the spirit of God is like the furnace is working." You don't wall in your house and think "oh the furnace is on" but you surely notice when it's not. The spirit is the same way. You may not always notice the spirit, but you will feel it leave if it does." He told us to find a hero. He told us to look for heroes like Laura, Carmen, and Sandra, not the people in the media that the world wants us to choose as heroes. He said that "self-esteem is not something you came to earth to get, it is something we need to stop letting the world take away." Don't let the world defile you.






                                                                       Mercy River

 Mercy River was only with Time Out For Girls for the first day, because they were with the women for the second day, so we didn't get to hear a ton from them. I get to see Mercy River every year at Cherry Hill and I always love them! One of my favorite quotes from the whole event was said by Mercy River. They said:       

            "You must do

 everything           

you can to make yourself look pleasing,    

                         but when you walk out of that door 

you must forget yourself." 

                                              

                                          John Hilton {the third} 

John Hilton talked about the warning signs of life. Life gives us warning signs that are right infront of our faces, all we half to do is read them and obey. He told us to Respect the Respect. He said that boys want to respect you but they don't always know how to do it, and we must help them. He said that when we are walking towards a door we should just assume the boy will open it for us, he will open it. It's not like you will get to the door and stare at it thinking "what should I do?!?" He told us to assume he will open the car door for you. If he starts to walk away tie your shoe, or fiddle with something in your purse to make it look like you haven't noticed he hasn't opened your door. He will eventually notice you aren't with him, and come running back to open your door. And my favorite....when he pulls out his chair at a restaurant sit in it as fast as you can then say "thank you so much! You are such a gentleman!" He told us to live the standards. He said that "if you break the rules, the rules will break you." He gave us a challenge to dare not to compare ourselves to others. And to never look sideways, always look Heavenwards"

           

   Laurel Christensen

Laurel was like the host of the weekend. She introduced the speakers, and spoke to us a little bit through the event. I don't really have anything written down from her, but I remember she was a great example of how we should live our lives.

 

 

 

                          John Bytheway 

We didn't know he was going to be speaking to us until we got their because he wasn't on the list of speakers online. I have heard him many times before, and he is one of my favorite speakers, so I was so excited when I found out he was speaking. He talked about snooze buttons and how they are built in procrastination devices. He asked us what a spiritual alarm sounds like. If you aren't listening, you may not hear it at all. It is possible to awake, but not arise. He told us that we are the light of the world, and we must hold up our light. Our light is spiritual attractiveness, it can not be painted on. It is deep beauty. He talked about how God is always about freedom, and Satin is always about bondage. John Bytheway is a fun speaker and I am so glad he came and spoke to us.

 

 

I had so much fun with the Daniel girls on this weekend. From running to Subway, to praying that the elevator wouldn't break while we were in it, there was never a dull moment. I had a blast! Thanks for finally buying your tickets, and we will half to do it again next year!

 

 

Feel my Sunlight