Friday, June 22, 2012

[30 things] 20 random facts about me

Question #1: List 20 random facts about yourself.

  1. I love the color red.
  2. There are 10 kids in my family, and half of us are adopted (I'm not).
  3. I eat tomatoes like apples.
  4. I have been to Russia twice, but have never been anywhere else outside of the country (unless you count airports, which I don't).
  5. I hate the Twilight books and movies. A lot.
  6. I was homeschooled besides a few classes in high school, and loved it (most of the time). Considering how surprised people are sometimes when they hear this, I guess my parents did a good job since my siblings and I aren't complete social rejects. ;)
  7. I am majoring in Elementary and Special Education
  8. I'm a natural redhead. My husband is too. :)
  9. I love, love, love scarves. I would wear them every day if I could! In the fall and winter I pretty much do. The same goes for cardigans.
  10. Tulips, daffodils, and daisies are my favorite flowers. 
  11. I love all kinds of berries, but raspberries are my favorite. 
  12. I like shopping at thrift stores. You never know what you'll find! 
  13. I go canyoneering almost every weekend with my husband. 
  14. I take pictures of everything, especially now that I have an iPhone. Instagram is my favorite app :)
  15. I play the ukulele and some piano, and when I was little I played the violin.
  16. I'm a pyromaniac, thanks to my older brothers. :) Maybe it has something to do with my red hair...?
  17. I am almost always barefoot if at all possible.
  18. I don't like seafood.
  19. I love country music
  20. ...and I'm a Mormon. ;)

30 Things


One thing I have noticed about this blog is that 90% of the content is just pictures. I've been wanting to do some more writing but haven't really had anything that I wanted to write much about. 

Today, I saw that my lovely friends Emma and Autumn are completing this 30 question survey on their blogs and it inspired me to do the same. I probably won't do it in order, and I might not do them all, but I figure this is a good way to get myself writing more. That's what a blog is for after all, right? 

I've already started working on some of the questions so be looking for them in the next several days! :)

1. List 20 random facts about yourself.

2. Describe 3 legitimate fears you have and explain how they became fears.

3. Describe your relationship with your parents.

4. List 10 things you would tell your 16 year-old self, if you could.

5. What are the 5 things that make you most happy right now?

6. What is the hardest thing you have ever experienced?

7. What is your dream job, and why?

8. What are 5 passions you have?

9. List 10 people who have influenced you and describe how.

10. Describe your most embarrassing moment.

11. Describe 10 pet peeves you have.


12. Describe a typical day in your current
 life.

13. Describe 5 weaknesses you have.

14. Describe 5 strengths you have.


15. If you were an animal, what would you be and why?


16. What are your 5 greatest accomplishments?


17. What is the thing you most wish you were great at?


18. What has been the most difficult thing you have had to forgive?


19. If you could live anywhere, where would it be and why?


20. Describe 3 significant memories from your childhood.


21. If you could have one superpower, what would it be and what would you do with it first?

22. Where do you see yourself in 5 years? 10 years? 15 years?


23. List your top 5 hobbies and why you love them.


24. Describe your family dynamic of your childhood vs. your family dynamic now.


25. If you could have dinner with anyone in history, who would it be and what would you eat?


26. What popular notion do you think the world has most wrong?


27. What is your favorite part of your body and why?


28. What is your love language?


29. What do you think people misunderstand most about you?

30. List 10 things you would hope to be remembered for.

Thursday, June 21, 2012

Wilbur Canyon

Here's a few pictures from the canyon we did last weekend with some of our friends. :)
















Monday, June 11, 2012

Trek

I spent last week on a handcart trek with the youth in our stake. We spent 5 days out in the backwoods of AZ dressed up in pioneer clothing, and to get to our main camp we had to drag heavy, awkward handcarts made of wood and metal 20-something miles over the course of 2 days.

If you haven't heard of a trek before, it is an opportunity to experience, in some small way, the challenges the Mormon pioneers endured as they traveled 1,300 miles to the Salt Lake Valley to escape persecution and have the freedom to practice their religion. Some came in wagons, and some came in handcarts that looked something like this:


To make it as authentic as possible, we all wore pioneer clothing and left our cell phones, iPods, and other luxuries at home. We were put into 8 families with a Ma and Pa (I was an adult sister and had 8 younger siblings), given a handcart that we loaded with our water, food, and other supplies, and then trekked 20-something miles over the course of 2 days before arriving at our main camp where we stayed for the remainder of the week.

I'm so glad I was able to attend. I wasn't asked to until the week before the trek, so I wasn't expecting to go and was pleasantly surprised when my bishop asked me if I was willing. I definitely missed Dallin though, who had to work, and was very happy to see him when he came up to spend the last night with us. He still slept in the same tent with me even though I'd been in the dirt for days, so I guess he really must love me! ;)

This is what I looked like when I got home. I look a little dirty, but this picture doesn't even come close to
doing it justice! My arms alone were a few shades lighter after I showered.. haha. So much for that tan!
Here's just a few thoughts about what I experienced and learned during the week:

  • I think all of us were challenged in some way by this trek, and it was definitely difficult, but it amazes me to think that we only got a very small taste of what the pioneers sacrificed and endured. I'm so thankful for their courage and that I have the gospel in my life today because of them. 
  • There were some times when I really struggled, and if giving up was an option I'm sure I would have jumped on that. One of the reasons I like doing things like this (and the crazy adventures Dallin and I go on) is that it helps me to see what I am capable of when I keep going even when it is hard. I especially loved seeing my "family" as they pushed through some of the challenges, especially when the men were enlisted in the Mormon Battalion and the women had to pull our cart up a steep, long, rocky hill without the help of the men. It was really difficult, but we did it and when we were discussing it later in our trek family I was very impressed with how it had impacted my siblings as well, especially the ones who struggled the most. Oh, the things you can learn when you are put to the test! :)
  • There's nothing like dragging a handcart 12+ miles (that's how much we did the first day) until 11:00pm that makes you appreciate finally crawling into your sleeping bag. I've never slept so soundly! 
  • It's amazing to see how close each "family" became after just the first day. There was just something about working and being challenged together in pursuit of a common goal that brought all of us together. 
  • We were only apart for a few days, but it felt oh so good to give my husband a big hug and kiss when he came to our camp Friday night. I think I just might like him a little bit. ;)
  • After being in the dirt for 5 days, it felt like heaven to finally get to shower! :) 

Monday, June 4, 2012

Happy birthday to us!

Our birthdays are just a few days apart, mine on May 31 and Dallin's on the 3rd.
It's fun to have them so close. :) Here's some pictures from the festivities. 

German chocolate cake... mmmmm. :)



I got an iPhone! It is pretty dang sweet! Of course, any phone is sweet in comparison with my old phone... :) It's been fun playing around with different apps and I love having a decent camera with me all the time. 


This is kind of a funny story. I briefly mentioned in passing several weeks ago this cute bike I had seen at Walmart. My wonderful husband took note and decided to get it for me for my birthday. Unfortunately, I didn't describe it very clearly (I wasn't thinking that he was going to get it or else I would have been more thorough :P) and this is the bike that he thought fit my description the best. It's kind of hard to tell in this picture, but it is quite a bit too small for me... haha. :) Wasn't that sweet of him though? He managed to buy it and stash it away without me knowing, and then got up in the middle of the night to put it in the dining room so I would see it when I got up. He is pretty much THE best. :) I was pretty sad when we returned it but it was way too small for me. 


Originally we were going to make pizza margherita for my birthday dinner, but we ended up going out too dinner with Dallin's parents so we made it the next night. It still tasted heavenly. Definitely my favorite... although I think I've made that pretty clear. ;) I think I take a picture every singe time and end up posting it on my blog or facebook since it is just so beautiful. Yes, I am obsessed. 

Being Mormon, turning 21 isn't as "exciting" as it would be if I drank. I am completely and totally okay with that, but I found it hilarious that this is the most exciting milestone I reached. 



I get to have a HORIZONTAL driver's licence? Thrilling! :)


I got Dallin the Millennium Falcon Lego set. Yes, I am the coolest wife ever. 



I really, really love this guy, mountain man beard and all. :)

Birthday dinner. :)
Well, that's about it. Happy birthday to us! :)