Okay so just a little update, I have accomplished ALL of my goals this week, and I can not even BEGIN to describe the difference it has made in my life in just these last 5 days! Seriously, it's incredible! :) I also did a 3k on Wednesday and went for a bike ride on Thursday, I am LOVING being outside in this wonderful weather! I think maybe that my scripture reading, and my goals may have brought this post on, actually no, I'm sure of it. But today my heart is full and I just need to express my gratitude for the wonderful life that I live in.
When I woke up Friday morning, I had NO clue my weekend would be as amazing as it really turned out to be. It all started with my Dad waking me up to put my head board together--finally! Once we put it together, I read my scriptures, and then Dad and I went to do baptisms at the Provo temple. It took two hours, but I really don't mind just sitting in the temple. Actually, I love it more than going right in and out. You see, In Rexburg, I learned just how much I don't mind waiting to perform baptisms. In Rexburg the temple was literally directly on campus so EVERY one went as often as they could which meant 3, 4, or sometimes even 5 hour waits every day of the week, even at FIVE a.m.! So this little two hour wait was nothing, but so great. I really do just love the temple! The spirit is so amazing there and you can learn so much, it's a beautiful place to be!
When we got back in the car, it was about 12:30 ish. Dad and I then went home to change, (And check the mail even though it does come until 3 p.m. now.
;)) and then hoped on the Spyder to go eat at Magelby's Fresh. Dad and I both got Philly Cheese Steaks and found out AFTER ordering them, we could have had one between the two of us, but nevertheless, we ate it ALL and even shared a huge slice of the delicious and very sinful chocolate cake. Probably about 1,500 calories but oh so worth it!
About a week ago, my mom decided that after 31 years, this would be her last year teaching and that she was going to retire! So the reason why she wasn't at lunch with us is because she was at the end of the year (her last) teacher's banquet! But right as we finished putting that last piece of chocolate cake in our mouths, she called us and we met up at Costco! After spending 45 minutes in the store and buying nothing that we went there for, we went home to check the mail again! (It was 3 o'clock!) My parents I think love checking the mail as much as I do and it's now a race every week to see who can get to the mailbox first! Ha ha. I love it. This week my mom got to it first, and then had a frowny look on her face and said, "Saturday is always better..." So as my hopes for an envelope with my handwritten name on it shipped from Wisconsin slowly slipped away, I still went to the mailbox to check. As I opened it up I heard my mom start to laugh and there WAS a letter in there! :) Ha ha. So it was a VERY
Happy Fri-letter-day!
We then went and cleaned up my mom's class room and drove another carload of her school stuff home. Afterwards my parents headed up to Bountiful to take my Grandma grocery shopping like they do every week and I stayed home. Then my friend Kristy and I decided to get together and do something. I was really craving to just be outside some more and came up with the thought to ride bikes to summer sno to get a snow cone and then come back. Lets just say, for a girl that has not been very active other than dance since she was 12, I did NOT know what I was getting myself into. The ride there wasn't that bad considering it was down hill, but the ride home we both wanted to kill ourselves. Ha ha! When we FINALLY got back I googled it and we had biked 5 miles. And BOY can we still feel it.... ha ha. Lets just say, we gained a great appreciation for our missionaries that have to bike everywhere. I probably most likely could not do that. Especially where Jacob is, he's always telling me about all of the hills they go up and down numerous times a day... yeah, they're pretty much amazing. Ha ha. Then for the rest of the night, we curled up on the couch in sweats and watched "Gnomeo & Juliet".
I have no idea how, but Kristy some how managed to convince me to do a 5k with her the very next day which was Saturday at 8 a.m. Mind you, we were ACHING from the bike ride we did just 15 hours before. But I'm really glad I went. Aside from seeing a lot of my high school friends, one of my all time favorite seminary teachers, Brother Fletcher was there and I'm pretty sure I lost about 5 pounds from just talking to him! He had me laughing like crazy! Anyway, after Kristy and I almost giving up, and me saying, "I"m going to die, I'm seriously going to die", over and over, we FINALLY finished! Pretty sure I was like 10th to last place, but hey, I did it! It was actually really fun, and it gave me an idea of what I needed to do to be able to run one at the end of the summer, and it WILL happen! :)
We then spent about 5 hours swimming, then ventured down to Mona Utah for some good ol' dinner and four-wheeling with a friend of Kristy's family. I have never been four-wheeling in my life, and neither has Kristy. But nevertheless we hopped on the four-wheeler and Kristy picked up super fast! It was so fun going up the canyon on a sunset ride as a group. The ride also consisted of us singing the "Indiana Jones" theme song and pretending to be on a jungle safari. On the way down Kristy and I had probably the best conversation I have had with anyone in a long time. It made me realize how blessed I am.
Heavenly Father really does have a plan for each and everyone of us. For instance, when I was eight years old, we moved down to Orem and Kristy was the very first friend I made at church our first Sunday down here. Ever since then, we have been best friends. There were times when we would go a LONG time without speaking to each other but when we would talk again, it was as if we never went without speaking. We are the perfect pair. You see we both have missionaries out right now so we both understand each other. It's been the greatest to just hang out every day together again. I'm so grateful for her and the example and support she is for me.
There are so many people in my life that when I meet them, it's SO obvious to me that Heavenly Father most definitely had a hand in it. I am so blessed to have such wonderful friends and most importantly, family. I love my family so much. My family alone is a testimony to me that Heavenly Father has a plan. If you know the situation of how and when my parents met, you'll know that this was the family that I was meant to be in. Had my dad never gotten divorced, or had my mom married one of the three other guys that proposed, I would not have the wonderful 4 brothers and 1 sister that I have today. I hardly ever get to see them, and even though they are all 12 years+ older than me, I love them and wouldn't trade them for anything in the world. They are the most wonderful family and I am so lucky.
People always ask me, "You're 19, why do you still live at home?". Well, if you've ever seen how my mom and dad and I act around each other, you'll know right then and there. Yes they are my parents, but they are my best friends. We never go a day without laughing so hard that we're all crying. Our house, to me, is just like a dorm but better. I love being at home and I love my parents. The three of us are just the best of friends and I'm so grateful that it can be this way. I love them so much and I'm so grateful for them and all that they do for me. I am so grateful for the family and friends that I have. I am SERIOUSLY the luckiest girl in the world. My heart is so full of gratitude today for everything that my Heavenly Father has provided for me.
If you are reading this post still, (sorry it's so long), then know that I am so grateful for the blessing that you are to me in my life, and I am so grateful for you. All of you have made me who I am today, and I'm so grateful for all that you have done for me. I couldn't have asked for a better life. I'm so grateful. Thank you everyone, sorry this post is so long again, I just needed to express my gratitude on this wonderful sabbath day. Hope you all had wonderful weekends as well!.................... and THAT'S a sip of Livi's Lemonade!
