If you want me in your life...

My Inspiration...

• Call Me Maybe by Carly Rae Jepsen
• Why Ya Wanna by Jenna Kramer
• Even If It Breaks Your Heart by Eli Young Band
• Brokenhearted by Karmin
• My dad’s diagnosis with cancer

This summer has started off to be a bit of a doosy. My life has been turned upside down and shaken up quite a bit. But, through the darkness, there are some things I’ve come to realize. 

And number one is: You find out who your friends are. 

Are your friends the ones that are there for only the bad times? Are friends the ones who are those you can laugh with? Are friends there for the good times, but tend to, for some reason or another, disappear when things get rough? Do friends hold back when faced with obstacles, or do they rush in to help? What is a friend? And where are they?

Friend(frend). Noun. : a person attached to another by feelings of affection or personal regard; 

a person who gives assistance; 

supporter;

I have been blessed to have a lot of friends in my lifetime. Some I have had for a long while. Some I have had for only a short time. And some come and go, depending on what life brings. I often feel like I get forgotten in this crazy life, and that is truly a demon in itself.

 

Starting today, I am following the advice of my favorite quote:

It’s not up to me anymore.

If you want me in your life, you’ll find a way to put me in it.

I am done trying to track my friends down. If you want me in your life, put me in it. Otherwise, I’ll see you when I see you. Life is too short to waste it on people who don’t appreciate having you in their lives…

Maybe this is just my boggled mind speaking. But it's the honest truth. 

A big thank you... 

To those of you who have been there for me through these last couple of weeks. Thank you for the prayers and the support for my family and me at this time. Thank you to those who have performed random acts of kindness without asking what was needed. Thank you to those who constantly checked in on my family and me, showing your concern and care. Thank you to those who have listened to me, regardless of how negative or hopeless I may have sounded. And thank you to those who have given us the strength to accept this new obstacle in life. We don't have it as easy as others, but we definitely have it easier than most.

My Inspirations...

• Recent Experiences
• She Is Love by Parachute
• Home by Michael Buble
• Forever and Always by Parachute
• Consider the Lilies by Mormon Tabernacle Choir
• God Be With You Til We Meet Again by Mormon Tabernacle Choir

This is my family. We haven't always gotten along, we haven't always been this happy, but we have always had each other. I wouldn't trade them or the experiences we've had together for anything. I love them more than words, and they are the most important thing in my life. My brothers have taught me patience and how important it is to always be a good example. They have helped me to prepare to become a mother, and I love and adore them more than they will ever know. My mom has taught me to always be strong, despite the difficulties that life throws at me. She has taught me to be a hard worker and to never, ever give up. I love my mom more than I think humanly possible-she is my real BFF. My dad is my best friend; I can talk to him about anything, and he always tells me the honest truth and how it really is. He can make me laugh when I really don't want to. My dad and I have been through a lot, and I know that because of that, that has made our relationship unbreakable, and we are closer than ever. My dad is a fighter, and he always has been, and I pray that he always will be. My dad has taught me to look past the adversity that I have faced and to move forward. I wouldn't be who I am today without him-really. I couldn't imagine a life without any of them, and I pray I won't have to anytime soon...

I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the only true church on this earth. I know that my Savior atoned for me, and for all of my brothers and sisters among me on this earth. I know that He lives! He rose from the dead, and because of Him, I can be resurrected one day as well. I know that Joseph Smith saw Jesus Christ and my Heavenly Father, and they knew him by name. I know that Joseph Smith restored Christ's church to the earth, and I know because he died for this church. I know that the prophets in the past, and our present day prophet are all called of God, and they speak with him daily to guide Christ's church. I believe the Book of Mormon to be another testament of Jesus Christ; I have read its words and they are truer than true. I know that we were given scriptures to guide us in this life and give us support and encouragement to face our trials with confidence. I know that my scriptures have helped to guide my life in the direction it is going in now, and I know that if we read these gifts that God has given us, they will direct us and answer our questions and prayers. I know that the Temple is the house of the Lord. I know that we are able to do work for the dead in the Temple, and I am so blessed to be able to participate in this great work. I know that because of the priesthood and our temples, families can be together forever. I may not be sealed to my family or anyone right now, but I have faith and trust in the Lord that everything will work out. He won't leave me alone or without my family. I know that after this life, I can keep all of the relationships and knowledge that I gained here on earth, and I can be with my family again-God will make a way for that to happen. I know that there is life after death. I believe in the Plan of Salvation. We came from our Heavenly Parents to our Earthly Parents, and we will return to our Heavenly Parents when our time on this earth is done. I know I will see those who have passed before me and those who will pass after me again. I know that God doesn't give us anything that we can't handle, and He is there to lift me up when I feel I am completely struggling. I have felt His love and His strength getting me through my everyday life, and I feel it right now especially. I know that God has a plan for me, and for every one of His children. I know that I have never been left alone in this life, and I never will be. I know that God sends us to other people's lives to answer their prayers, and ours as well. I know that prayer truly does change things-I have experienced it more times than I can count in my life. I know that God answers our prayers in His due time, but He will answer them. I know that we chose our trials that we would face on this earth, and that God will "support us in our trials and in our tribulations, and we will be lifted up at the last day" (Alma 36:3). I know that my Savior loves me, and He knows me better than anyone else. He is truly my very best friend, and He can give me the comfort that no other friend could. I know that my Father in Heaven loves me, more than I could ever comprehend. I am His daughter, which gives me great worth. I know that I am here on this earth to be an example to those around me, and that I have taken my Savior's name upon me. I know that I can be forgiven when I have not lived up to this promise that I have made. I know that I am a Child of God, and He loves me so much. He knows me by name, and He knows every little detail of my life and everything that I feel and think, and He keeps me going. My life saver is my Savior, and He performs miracles everyday, even today. I know all of this to be true in the name of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.

My Mother

My Inspirations...

• Like My Mother Does-Kristy Lee Cook
• Mama's Song-Carrie Underwood
• Best Days-Taylor Swift
• Teach Me To Walk In The Light-Sang in Sacrament Meeting

20 years ago, this woman gave me life. And ever since then, she has given me countless reasons to love the life that she gave me. She says I am her greatest blessing, but in reality-she is mine. 

This is my mother. She is more than beautiful, inside and out. There are not words to explain how amazing and incredible this woman is.

She is strong, stronger than any super hero anyone could imagine. She is kind, kinder than any imaginable individual. She is smart, book and street smart, and she passes that knowledge onto her kids every day. She is a hard worker, a harder worker than any man could even attempt to be. She is beautiful, more beautiful than any model or animated character. My mom is amazing, more amazing than any person that I have met or will meet.

If this song doesn't describe how me and my mother are, then I don't know what does. I love my mom more than words could ever describe. She is the best.

Happy Mothers Day, Mom!!