11 Memorable Moments in 2011

2011 has been quite the year! But a good, quite the year.  It wasn't a year full of traveling around the world, or the year I fell in love, but it was a year full of fun and learning. Since the world is ending in 2012, I thought I would reminisce for a moment about some fun things I have done the past 12 months.

11. Went to The University of Utah.
Much to all of my families dismay, I became a student at the U. This decission enabled me to be put thousands of miles on my car, spend thousands of dollars on gas and spend thousands of moments hearing interesting people converse with one another. Probably my favorite part of the U was the "unique" classmates and their conversations that I overheard.

10. Moved away from Provo.
Although Orem is only the next town up, it's definitely been a step up from Provo for so many reasons, but most importantly the fact that I no longer live in student housing. Best thing EVER! I've met so many great friends in Orem and am apart of a fabulous ward. Although I once never thought it would exist, there is life after the Omni!

9. Lake Powell is heaven on earth.
It's becoming a yearly tradition now that my aunt and uncle have a houseboat, but it's the best tradition we've ever made. Magical things happen at Lake Powell. No make-up and hair-doing is the most magical part about it. Can't wait to go in 2012! Maybe in 2020 I'll clear the wake.

8. Relay for Life

This event consumed a lot of my life in 2011 up until it happened in August. I headed up the committee with another guy and we put on the Relay for Life in Utah County. As much fun as it was, it was also a real pain in my behind. I learned that getting people to do things for free is hard work. All in all, it was a great event and we raised over $10,000 towards The American Cancer Society. Although I decided to not be apart of the committee this coming year, it was still a blast  and I am grateful for all the friends I made.

7. Stood 2 feet away from NIGEL BARKER!
Yes, you read that right. Nigel Barker. If you don't know who that is, shame on you! Watch America's Next Top Model and you will know and you will love. In February, I went to Las Vegas for WPPI, a photography convention and trade show. It was insanely awesome. It's also where I almost got a picture with Nigel, but since his bodyguards took that moment away from me, all I have is a picture of Nigel.

6. Brad Paisley, you're much shorter when we're so close.
Yep. I was close enough to know that I am much much taller than Brad. My guess is that he is 5'7" or so. Stadium of Fire this July was the best ever. Our friends gave us tickets for the 2nd row and it was the most magical night of our lives. Brad, I'll get mud on your tires anytime.

5. Became great friends with Marisa & Merrilee. 
These two girls are so great. You know when you can stay home on a Friday night and play CLUE and have the best time, you've got some good quality girls who know how to have a good time. We're still searching for Monopoly so we can have our next Friday night in!

4. An entire year pain & nausea free.
I'm aware that my condition was never fatal or anything extremely serious, but it wasn't very much fun. 2008-2010 I was always sick and in pain. It caused me to have to put a hold on school and life until last November my Doctor's finally figured it all out! A couple hours under the knife and BAM! I feel great. This year I've been back to normal life and it's been pretty awesome to say the least.

3. Completed my first Triathlon!
In May, I did the Women of Steel Triathlon. I've wanted to do one since I was in tenth grade, so it was a long time goal accomplished! My cute mom was there the whole time and cheered me on the whole way. Seriously. Each time I passed, she cheered so loud the entire town could hear her. I'm certain of it. Proud moms are the best. So are Triathlons! Can't wait for Women of Steel 2012!

2. Went through the Temple.
I had been wanting to go for quite a while, but was never "old" enough until this year. Then I finally became brave enough on November 26. Several of my aunts and uncles, cousins and Grandparents (some from Canada) were able to come because everyone was in town for a funeral and Thanksgiving. It was a great day and a perfect ending to a bittersweet week.

1. Devin returned home.
I never knew what missing someone meant until Devin passed away. Missing him is now a physical feeling more than an emotional feeling. My heart physically aches at times, but as soon as I remember where he is and what he is doing and seeing, I am okay. Devin helped me and the rest of our family become closer to one another.

That is the biggest thing of 2011. Our close, loving family and all the memories we now share.

{The Sibs} St. George, Utah Photographer

For Christmas, I got some new camera equipment. I was maybe more of a Christmas, Birthday, Graduation and Favorite Daughter (hmm... sorry Amy) gift.

So... naturally, I dragged the sibs out. I've clearly got a lot to learn, but it's such a fantastic camera!

For the next few weeks, if anyone wants to come out and practice with me (aka, model), let me know!  Think of all the fun we could have. Lots. 

I'll be in St. George for another week or so, then back up to Orem. 

Let me know if you are up for some fun!

Photo of me (left) was taken my my little brother. He's very proud.

Go Rest High On That Mountain

It's been a month since Devin passed away. It's the strangest feeling. It's finally starting to feel real, and it's not a feeling I love, but one I need to accept. The smallest memories make me cry. And some make me laugh.  It feels like part of me is missing. But also that it is still there. Kind of like how he is now. Gone, but here.  I'll miss that boy forever and ever, but he'll always have a big piece of my heart. Just for him.

I'd Fall in Love With the Beast Too.

I'm so jealous of Belle right now.

Because Asking Someone Is Just Too Hard To Do.

99.999% of men suffer from one of the most annoying things EVER.

Although this man is beautiful and everything, clearly he's lost. What do you bet he could have stopped 20 miles back and asked for directions? Yeah, he could of.

 He's just too 'manly' for that.

So, this morning, there I was following my friend (who is a male) to pick him up from the dealership where he needed to drop his sweet new truck off for a little fix. He decided it would be best if I would just follow him there instead of meeting him there. Which is fine... except... somehow he got lost. And, I mean lost.  We drove around forever.  Forever as in I was gone for 2 hours forever.

The best part about this? I knew exactly where we were supposed to go and every wrong turn he made I wanted to call him and say NOOO it's THAT way! But, I felt as if I was not allowed to make such phone call and it would be a huge blow to his manhood.  So, instead we drove all the way up to Thanksgiving Point, through Lehi, and around American Fork... all for a dealership that is just two exits up the road.


Next time I am navigating and driving. 

What if...

Big events that are life changing cause me to think. A lot. I've kind of had a lot of those big events lately, resulting in a lot of thinking on my part. And it's been deep. And it's been good.

Sunset the night of Devin's viewing

During the last 4 months of Devin's life, he was under the care of 3 amazing hospice nurses. These 3 ladies are among 3 of the most incredible women I have ever met. One of them I met the night Devin passed away, but she still felt like family that night. During the months that they cared for Devin, I watched them become apart of something so special and so incredible. Caring for someone that is dying is an experience that words cannot describe. It's more than just caring for them. It's loving them.

So here I am, hopefully about to graduate and I am now deciding what I really would LOVE to do with my life. And, lucky for me it has nothing to do with my degree. Nothing at all. I've been too caught up in just getting done that I haven't taken the time to think about what I actually love doing. And who knows, maybe I needed to go through things and meet certain people to figure things out. Or maybe this is just a phase. Maybe I think that I can have a relationship like I did with Devin if I did it. I don't know...

Right now, I want to become a Home Hospice Nurse. 

Don't worry... I'll think long and hard on this one. But, my desire right now is pretty huge.

Through the Bittersweet Tears

November 19, 2011 will always be a special day for my family and I.  Full of sad, yet happy memories. It's strange how perfectly those two emotions went together today.

The last two years, I've thought a lot about why good people go through such hard things. I don't know that we will ever know why exactly, until we are on the other side. And that's okay. But the not knowing lead me to ponder into believing more and more of the possibility that we chose our trials before we came down. Or we knew what they would be and accepted. I don't know if it's true or not, but knowing our little Devin, I know that he came down to this earth with a mission. And that mission, he accomplished with honor. I know that his miracles were made known to us, to help us all now. Now that he is back home. We can remember what an impact such a sweet little boy had on so many people in such a short yet full life. And we can know that he accomplished what his Heavenly Father sent him here to do.

Today I spent the day with Devin and his family and was there when he took his last breath. It was an experience I will never forget and one that I am so grateful to have been a part of. The spirit that was with us tonight was one that I have never felt before. It brought great peace to all of us there.  As we cried together, we knew that Devin was no longer in pain. He can walk and run. He can see. He is happy and is probably conversing with Abinadi, whom he was hoping to get in contact with once he was in Heaven.

Tonight as we sat with Devin in his final hours, we were sad, yet very happy. It's hard to see such a beautiful boy go, but knowing where he is and what he can now do makes us happy and leaves us at peace. Happiness and sadness usually don't join each other, but tonight as they did it was perfect. It was a beautiful heartbreak.

Black Heels to Tractor Wheels

This semester I have 19 credits. Whoever thought that was a good idea clearly was not thinking properly. Right now, my life consists of writing papers. Non-stop. I can't even begin to tell you how much fun it isn't. Did I mention how the papers are on the most terrible topics anyone could possibly think of?

Example: Unpacking the Knapsack of White Privilege. 


Really? Who even thinks to name an article that? Okay, so maybe they could be worse topics, but from going from being a Fine Art major to this... It's pretty much torture.

Basically it's like going from having a lot of fun all day to driving a garbage truck all day.
There's nothing cool about that.

So since my life is just being consumed in terribleness right now (and really... life is good. Just full of terrible classes that I have to finish with zero motivation. It basically equals terribleness.) all I want to do is sit on the couch and read a book.

I am dying to read a book, but I am not letting myself do so until December 15 - when school is over.  I plan on reading, and only reading from December 15 until I am employed (or back in school because I failed all my terrible classes).

I am going to start with this book, because I can't handle not reading it any longer...

Basically, I want to be her when I grow up. If you don't know who she is then AHHH! Check.her.out. She also has a cookbook which I'm sure is cool too, but I want to read about her love life in this book since my life is lacking in that department.

After I read that, I promise I'll read the Hunger Games so I can be ready for March, but not until I read this one.

I.Can't.Wait!

If there are any books you think I should read, I would love recommendations. I'll probably be reading a lot in the future... You know, since I'll be reading only until I am employed.

"What if trials in this life are mercies in disguise"

I don't have anything to say before this video. There just aren't words. I just know that I am so incredibly lucky to be a part of this family and so grateful that I can spend as much time as I do with them. They are a huge blessing in my life.

Devin had his hands casted to be bronzed and they made a short film about the process. Beautiful and tender shots of the entire family!



Devin from Deb Savage on Vimeo.

I appreciate your concern, but...

So there I am at 9:00 a.m. waiting in the Chiropractors office awaiting the relief that will soon follow from a little crackin of the back. It's early enough in the day that I don't have a lot of things on my mind yet and it's a good day. The Dr. calls my name because it's my turn, I lay on the table and the first question out of his mouth before he asks how my back is doing is "So, how's the boyfriend?"

So much from my good morning.

I had to break the news to him and inform him that, once again, there is no boyfriend.  I had hoped by the tone of my voice he would catch the fact that the topic should be changed and conversation of "boyfriend" over.

Nope...

He then proceeded to tell me that around his office, they all guessed I was jugglin multiple men each weekend.

That sounds sketchy, I know. But it wasn't.

15 minutes of my 30 minute appointment was consumed of DATING ADVICE from my chiropractor!

MY CHIROPRACTOR!

Things like, "well, the guys are most likely more nervous than you to talk to you, so you should initiate some conversations to ease their nerves." or, "a smile goes a long way." and "you'd be surprised what a touch on the elbow will do".

OK... I can understand the little nudges here and there from the family and friends, but really? Him?

It's not as weird when I walk into my aunt an uncles house and the first thing Devin asks me is whether or not I'll be getting married anytime soon. Then after I reply with that answer that everyone hates he says "Oh... I better start praying for you then. How about we say a prayer right now?"

Thank you for your deep concern world, but I'm fully aware of the fact that I am single. And, it's okay.

Most days :)

{Mason Moore} St. George, Utah Senior Photographer

Remember me? I used to take pictures all the time, then I decided that I needed to take the year off so I could focus on finishing school. I've missed it SO much - not school, photographing cool people like you. I've been working on a few things that I will be posting here soon! 

A few weeks ago, I went down to St. George during a week off of school and was able to do Mason's senior pictures! Before this shoot, I was thinking of maybe not doing photography anymore. Thank goodness for this shoot and helping me realize that I never want to take a year break from photography again. Worst. Decision. Ever.

Here is Mason Moore. Mason is pretty cool. I mean, he plays Lacrosse! I feel like my life is that much more cool now that I know someone who plays Lacrosse. Mason also loves having his picture taken. I'm really glad that I was able to be apart of the highlight of his senior year of high school ;)  And, how cool is it that he wore a TUX?! 

Enjoy! 

And show me some love down in the comments section. It's been a while!

Pictures taken in Snow Canyon State Park

"If we spend our days waiting for fabulous roses, we could miss the beauty and wonder of the tiny forget-me-nots that are all around us."

"Never stop striving for the best that is within you. Never stop hoping for all of the righteous desires of your heart. But don’t close your eyes and hearts to the simple and elegant beauties of each day’s ordinary moments that make up a rich, well-lived life." -- President Uchtdorf.

"The happiest people I know are not those who find their golden ticket; they are those who, while in pursuit of worthy goals, discover and treasure the beauty and sweetness of the everyday moments. They are the ones who, thread by daily thread, weave a tapestry of gratitude and wonder throughout their lives. These are they who are truly happy." -- President Uchtdorf

Why is trusting in the guy upstairs so hard when life is so good?

First of all, can I just say how annoying Facebook is? Why do they have to always change things...

Anyways.

I'm kind of having a month long anxiety attack. And by kind of, I mean I am.

I'm supposed to graduate in December. That's a lot of pressure when the final semester turned out to be 19 credits worth of terribleness. Hooray for graduation (or the possibility of) and not hooray for what comes after that.

Growing up, I thought I'd be the girl that got married at age 20, graduated college, had a few kids, then turned 30 with nothing but raising kids left to do. Yes, I was a naive teenager. Looking back, it seems a lot more fun than what life has turned out to be.  I'm not saying I have a bad life, because I know I'm so lucky with everything I have. I'm just saying.... REALLY?!

I'M READY TO MOVE ON!

Yeah. I said it.

Come January, I will be that girl that is staying in Provo (better yet, Orem) to wait and get married. I never thought I'd be that girl, or never ever wanted to be that girl. But, guess who I get to be? That girl.

Why am I having such a hard time trusting that things will work out? I mean, am I really going to just be the friend that is always designing everyones wedding announcements (leaving of course the most bomb of them all design in my head, for the wedding)?

Basically, the other night I realized that my next birthday I will be 25, and I've started to panic. Mostly because all my life plans have always included... you know... the husband and kids stuff.

Why is trusting in the guy upstairs so hard when life is so good?


Yes, I know I'm just 24 (I'm not 25 yet...), but really? Lets get this party started!

And, yep. I just blogged about how I think I should get married and can't. 
I'm cool.

19 credits

I hate homework. 

yep, I said hate.

All 19 credits worth.

The end.

If I Had A Million Dollars

I dream of planning an event that isn't put on by a non-profit organization.  Because, finding sponsors in Utah is like finding a tall single man that LDS in Utah to fall in love with you.  (Hypothetically speaking, of course.) It's just almost impossible.

It's hard work to feed 750 people on a LOW budget.  And I'm glad it's most likely the last one I have to ever do.

That's all.
With that said, you should totally come to this.  It will be fun if... people, you know... show up!

Let Freedom Ring

Remember that one time I sat on the FIELD on the 2ND ROW at the STADIUM OF FIRE with BRAD PAISLEY?

Okay now, let me back up...

Freedom Festival.  Have you heard of it?  It's a big celebration of America.  Yes, I celebrate America (so many people this year have asked me if I do... I live here. duh.)  This is going to be a hard year to beat for my celebrating of America.  And, it's all thanks to two great guys!

A week ago we kicked the week off with a Patriotic Service that was oh so emotional.  Tears were shed.  During the service, they presented a mother with a flag in honor of her son who died in the war.  It was really one of the coolest things I have ever seen.  The rest of the service was great too.  Even Miss America was there.  It was an excellent production of why we celebrate America.




The next event I attended was a Gala!  A GALA!  Who even goes to those?  I went with my friend Emory.  He wore a tux, I wore my version of Kate Hudson's yellow dress in How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days.  It couldn't be exact because, well, her entire backside is exposed along with a lot of her front side, but it had a small train!  Chad took Tania, a friend from the ward so we were able to hang out while the guys were off doing business with the famous folk of Utah.  Might I add, BRUCE from CHANNEL 5 NEWS was there!  We. Were. Starstruck.  Other greats such as Stephen R. Covey, General Authorities, Alan Osmond and so on were also in attendance.  A professional singer, Dallyn Vail Bayles, provided the entertainment which was just amazing.  His performance of Bring Him Home was the best I had EVER heard in my life.  We were all impressed.  The menu had steak and salmon on it, and Tania and I were stressing out about that decision.  Not to worry though, we were all served BOTH! The dessert was interesting.  It was a pear dish that came in a purse.  A food purse though.  Weird.  It was a top night.

Saturday night, Mer and I were getting ready for Stadium of Fire when Emory called.  Odd, since it was such a busy night for them with Stadium of Fire.  Turns out he was just calling to offer us 6 2nd row seats!  SIX 2ND ROW SEATS! Okay.  Are you understanding more in full circle the awesomeness of my friends?  A gala, now this?  Awesome. I told Mer, and her response was "I think we need to hug".  It was then followed by the next 3 hours before the show, full of screams, jumping up and down, more screams etc. You get the picture. The night was bound to be magical. And, it was!  We were probably 98% excited for Brad, and 2% excited for David.  The show was seriously SO awesome!  Brad came down off the stage a few times, and I could have touched him if I wanted to he was so close to me.  But, I kept my cool and let him be.  Also, he's short which was sort of a disappointment.  It's okay, Brad... it never would've worked out between us anyways.  I will forever need to sit 2nd row at Stadium of Fire.  Even if I have to pay the $130. It's that great down there.

The show was magical.  It's the only word that describes such an experience. Really.

I love America.

Hush little baby...

I have this big giant huge fear.  It's the fear that I will be able carry around my husband, pat him on the head, lean on his shoulder, you know... I might as well tuck him in at night and sign him nursery rhymes.

I had a dream last night that this was my destiny.  

I'm praying hard that it turns out a little more.... beautifully!

In a World I Would Love to See

"Though difficult and painful, death is an essential part of our mortal experience. We began our sojourn here by leaving our premortal existence and coming to this earth." - Thomas S. Monson

Essential part of our mortal experience.


"Through tears and trials, through fears and sorrows, through the heartache and loneliness of losing loved ones, there is assurance that life is everlasting. Our Lord and Savior is the living witness that such is so." - Thomas S. Monson

Life is everlasting.

On a beautiful day that I dream about

In a world I would love to see,

Is a beautiful place where the sun comes out

And it shines in the sky for me.

On this beautiful winter’s morning,

If my wish could come true somehow,

Then the beautiful day that I dream about

Would be here and now. 

“The Beautiful Day,” from the movie Scrooge

For those of you that know me and who/what this post is referring to, go back and re-read the lyrics.  It is the most beautiful thing.  He will be able to see.

I don't know how to prepare for this, or if preparation is even possible.  All I know is that it is hard.  

I have never known more that the Gospel is true more than I do now with this forthcoming experience.  It just makes sense.  And, it's all true.

The End Is In Sight

I applied for GRADUATION.  Yes, I said graduation.  You know, after you've spent millions at a university where they teach you things for years and years so you can walk around in a black gown, throw a square cap up in the air and they give you a piece of paper saying you are AWESOME.  Yeah, I applied for that this week.  Come December 2011, I will be ALL DONE with school.

 Yeyeah!

Once I graduate, I will have taken me 4 years (in school) to do this (6 including time off for being sick stuff).  So, I guess that's okay.  It would've been an easier road minus that 2 year sick break.  But whatever.  I'M ALMOST DONE!  I'm so excited I'm already job hunting.

I know, I think it sounds fake and unreal too.  I really wont believe it until I actually throw that square cap up in the air.  

Do they really do that in real life, or is that just in Legally Blond?  

Can I also say that Summer School is AWESOME?  Seriously.  Everyone told me I would hate it, BUT I wish I would have done it every summer now.  Maybe that's just my graduation motivation speaking... I don't know.

"Stop looking for the storms and enjoy more fully the sunlight."

"I believe that the very purpose of our life is to seek happiness. That is clear. Whether one believes in religion or not, whether one believes in this religion or that religion, we all are seeking something better in life. So, I think, the very motion of our life is towards happiness." - Dalai Lama


Happiness has always been one of my favorite words.  It was/is that thing that I have to always buy when I see it in a frame, or a rock, or a necklace.  I once bought a charm with a Chinese symbol on it.  The store had it labeled as "happiness" so, I was pretty excited about it.  A few years later I started dating a guy who spoke Chinese on his LDS mission and one day asked me "Sarah, why do you always wear a necklace that says delight?  Excuse me, did you say delight?  Fail.  I really just love all things happiness.  Maybe it's because it's one of those things that myself and many others I know struggle with frequently.  Overall we're a happy people, but then you have a day that just makes you feel like you're world is going to end and you feel unhappy about life.  Luckily, the sun rises again the next day and it's a brand new start.


I recently came across a fantastic article called "60 Small Ways to Improve Your Life in the Next 100 Days".  It splits the 60 ways up into different aspects in our life (home, happiness, finances etc.).  I'm going to start implementing some of them into my own life.  Starting now.  


Here are some of my favorite ones:


1.  Follow the advice proffered by positive psychologists and write down 5 to 10 things that you’re grateful for, every day.
2.  Make a list of 20 small things that you enjoy doing, and make sure that you do at least one of these things every day for the next 100 days.  Your list can include things such as the following:

• Eating your lunch outside.
• Calling your best friend to chat.
• Taking time to sit down and read a novel by your favorite author for a few minutes.

3.  Set your alarm for one minute earlier every day for the next 100 days.  Get out of bed as soon as the alarm rings, open your windows to let the sunlight in and do some stretching.

4.  For the next 100 days, make it a point to feed your mind with the thoughts, words and images that are most consistent with who you want to be, what you want to have, and what you want to achieve.  

5.  Connect with someone new everyday for the next 100 days.  

This is just a glimpse of the article (the full article is here).  I have it saved and have looked at it everyday for the past week.  I think that for the most part, we are a happy people.  We need to replace those down days with things that are improving and benefiting not only our own lives, but others as well.  

Gordon B. Hinckley said "Stop looking for the storms and enjoy more fully the sunlight."  
Oh, he's good.

Here's to setting my alarm 1 minute earlier (or just waking up at the first buzz...) and opening my window to enjoy the sunlight and stretch.

Just like the Dalai Lama said, [one of] "the very purpose[s] of our life is to seek happiness".

Marriage Advice From an Eighth Grade Graduate

When it comes to dating, or getting married in this case, I typically think of a progressional pattern that slowly leads itself to eternal bliss.  You know, something like this:

Maybe I'm way off when I think this, but... I thought it was the way to go.

Turns out, I've been mistaken my WHOLE LIFE!  It's actually a LOT easier than that.

Friday night, I was with a boy.  I know, right?!  He is honestly the most adorable thing ever.  We spent a lot of the day together - hanging out, dinner, then frozen yogurt.  Perfect night?  Yes!  We even got a few minutes alone in the car to chat.  About you know, life, what he wanted to eat for breakfast the next morning, his recent experience of recording his own song he wrote, and MARRIAGE.  

Yep, Marriage.

Oh, did I mention the adorable boy was my cute cousin Devin?  He's 14.

I sure got the hit about not being married.  Geez!  I'm only 24!  But, I told him that it just wasn't a very easy task to just do.  His response?  "Oh, come on!"  

Okay, really?

The rest of the conversation went like this:

So hilarious that I recorded it.  Here it is, word for word.  

Devin:  (slightly disappointed tone) Okay, Pink (Pink is my nickname), This is your marriage assignment from me.  It's your homework.  You need to find the perfect guy.  A worthy guy.  Then you have to ask him if he is interested in marriage.  (Okay... what happened to the flow chart?  I guess in order to get the job done, we're going in for the kill.  First question. And, what happened to guys asking the question?  I have to do it?) If he says yes, then you decide what day you are going to get married.  When that day comes, you will go to the Temple in your regular church clothes and you get married in them.

Pink:  Wait, I can't get a wedding dress?

(boys... not knowing important details)

Devin:  Oh, you ARE supposed to wear a wedding dress.  (phew) So you'll go to the Temple in your wedding dress as well as your church clothing.  (Attractive, yes.)  Then, there will be a lot of family who will be there.  And, I will.

Pink: Perfect!

Devin: Then, once you are married...

Pink: Then what do I do? (I'm digging for the awkward 13 year old "please, lets not talk about this face...)

Devin:  Then you start having children.

Pink:  How does that work?"  (Still digging...)

Devin:  Oh, I know how it works!  (Yes.. here it comes!)  God grants permission to only those who are married to have children.

Pink:  So, what do I do?

(I'm trying.. really)

Devin:  Well, sometimes after people get married, the wife gets pregnant. (I tried to dig again, but he was clueless.  Adorable.) When you get pregnant, that's when you discover your first born child.  Then, your husband, whoever it is, will bless it.  And, that is when you will have your own little family.

Pink:  So, what should I name my firstborn child?

Devin:  How about.... oh wow.  Well, you don't want Charly.

(I don't?)

Pink: Oh?  What if it's a girl?

Devin: Hm... probably Lisa?  (hmph....) And Britton for the boy.

Pink:  So... where do I find my perfect, worth guy?

Devin:  Probably, well I guess you'll find a lot of worthy men at church.

Pink:  Uh... where else?

Devin:  Hm, maybe at an activity.

Pink:  What kind of activity?

Devin:  Like, a movie, or swimming.  OH I know!  Your apartment!

(Guys, my address is....)

Pink:  Great ideas!

Devin:  Oh, and Pink.  The due date for this homework assignment is July 30th.

JULY 30th!?

Normally a conversations that alludes to the fact that I'm not married I don't let go far.  Because, gosh!    But, this was one of the most sincere conversations he and I have had.  

He's truly concerned for my well being :)

Turns out dating flow charts aren't the way to go.  Next perfect, worthy man I see, I'm asking him if he's interested in marriage.  However, there was never any mention about a ring.  Another important yet forgotten detail.  Do I have to buy my own since I'm asking him to marry me?  I'll have to clarify with Devin and get back to you.  But, Dev is convinced it will work

So, it must!

... Movies, Swimming or my apartment anyone?

I gained 1 million pounds because...

I was bored, okay?

P.S.  They are TO DIE FOR. 

Reading is to the Mind What Exercise is to the Body

I once was in a book club.  Not too long ago.

We met once.

So now I need good ideas on books to read.  Although, I have zero time to do that this summer, I still want to read as many books as I can.  For when I go out to the pool, beach, and the pool again.

 Any ideas on a good book?

So many questions...

Dear Boys/Men/all Male Gender humans:

I just have a question.

Is it really comfortable while driving, to lean your seat back, drive with your wrist, and to tilt your head ever so slightly to one side?  Or, are you trying to be cool?  Because, I'll be honest.  The ladies tend to laugh when we see it.  So I am trying to understand why you do it.  Is it really more comfortable?  Because, I tried it once and it was a very awkward position to be in while driving.  I mean, what if an accident was about to happen?  Your reaction time is about doubled, potentially causing more harm to yourself than needed.

Again, it's just a question.

Since we are on the topic of questions, WHY on earth did I sign up for not only ONE triathlon, but TWO for this summer?  I keep having nightmares that I'm going to be the girl that the motorcycle is following because he's trying to close up the race.  I just really don't want to be that person.  I just want to finish.  And preferably still be living afterwards.  But, that's just a preference. 

Today I rode an actual bike instead of the ones at the gym, and OUCH!  All I have to say is if I would've known that training your bottom was part of it, I would have started that a long time ago. Bruises will be part of my bottoms life for the next few weeks I'm sure.  Rude.  and Ouch!  Really, the thought of getting on that bike again is just making me hurt thinking about it.  But, it has to be done if I am choosing life. 

If I live past Saturday morning (1st triathlon day), I'll tell you about it.  So, this very well may be my last post on this blog. Ever. 

I'll see you soon, or in the next life.

My artwork on the Fridge

Remember when you were in Primary, or Kindergarden and you would do "art" and bring it home and mom would put it on the fridge and she was oh, so proud?

Well, I'm having one of those moments right now.

I have successfully created my first working website.  

Yep, you read that right.

Now... whether to include the url in the blog post... that's a little risky.  Yes, the website works, but does it look good?  Heavens no.  I can't do everything right the first try.  

So... no, I will not let you see it.

I just needed to post my hard work on my "moms fridge".  It is Mothers Day weekend after all!

Fast and Furious

7th Grade was definitely an interesting year for me.  I saw The Fast and the Furious in the theater SEVEN TIMES!  After the first showing, I had to do chores around the house to earn money so I could keep going to the theater to see it.  My parents thought I was wasting my money on this and every time they dropped me off at the movie theater, they would ask me before I got out of the car "Now, are you sure you want to see this movie again?"  Yes.  I was SO sure.

Little did they know, this movie was shaping my future.  Or, so I had hoped.

In 7th Grade, I thought that Sarah = Car Mechanic.

 Can't you see it?  I totally can.  Still!

Well, my plans didn't really pan out the way I had hoped.  One weekend when my grandparents were visiting, they asked the question "what do you want to be when you grow up?"  I confidently told them that I was going to be a car mechanic.  They were mortified.  I think my grandma may have lost a bit of her soul that day.  Her granddaughter a CAR MECHANIC? 

Well... for some reason, I ended up not being a car mechanic.  I've lost most of my car knowledge, but I still know how to put the blue window stuff in the hole that is labeled very clearly with a front window sign.  THAT, I can do!

With that said, Fast and the Furious 5 came out this weekend.  I'm totally going.  In... 2 hours!  I've still got it in me.

Happiness is: A Choice

I moved a week and a half ago.  To the most beautiful apartment. Ever.  It's been a little bit of an up and down rollercoaster for me the past week, but with all that, I am trying to put into practice something that I think is one of the keys to life.

I just made this and I'm going to get it printed and hung in my room.  Because, I can.

I've been working on a Documentary Photogrpahy project for school and it's based on happiness.  In my serach for quotes and insights on the topic, I came across this one and it made me smile. 

 It's my new favorite thing.

"Smile big for everyone, even when you know what they've done."

                                                                 - anonymous

I'm trying.  Really, really hard to be a grown up right now.  And, it's kind of hard.  BUT... this new quote makes it a lot more fun!



The Secret Life of Men

Today during lunch, I went and got a pedicure.  It was marvelous.  Until, I looked over at the person next to me and it was a man.  In his 50's.  Balding.  Little on the bigger side.  Not gay, or metro.  Just a normal 50 year old balding man.

It gets better.

He had the spongey toe seperaters in and he WAS LETTING HIS TOE NAILS DRY!

Okay... weird.

But it gets weirder!

He had his toes painted yellow with the black shatter polish on top!

What The Heck!

So, my question is this.

  (And I really hope I have not been in the dark about this my whole life.  Not for the now knowing part, but for the mens sake part of it.)

1.  Was this a normal behavior that men have and is just not talked about?

or

2.  Was this man just having a bad day and needed a pedi?

or

3.  Was this man just... odd?

I'm really hoping the answer is 3 for not only this mans sake, but for all men's sake.  Dont' get me wrong, pedi's are GREAT...  but men probably shouldn't paint their toe nails yellow with black shatter polish on top.

That's all.

Even on my weakest days

Whenever I listen to music, I hardly ever listen to the words.  It's weird, I know.  I've done it for as long as I can remember, and I just listen to the instruments being played and it's worked great for me.  Really, it has... until I'm the only one in the car who can't sing along but I do know that in 5 seconds the bass guitar is going to come in and go "strum" and it's going to sounds so awesome.  Yeah, I'm the weird one..

But.. sometimes there is a song where for some reason I know every word to.  There aren't many of these, but now that I think about it the ones that I do know word for word are ones that I kind of... relate to... or something.

Well...

Tonight I finally watched Country Strong and Oh. My. Gosh.  It is really just such a great movie!  But there's this one song that I've been listening to for months now (okay fine, I have been listening to the entire soundtrack for months now...) and when it came on, I knew every word. 

Read these words and see if they make YOU cry too.  Dang it.
It's just so true.  And truth is good.

Woke up late today and I still feel the sting of the pain
But I brushed my teeth anyway
I got dressed through the mess and put a smile on my face
I got a little bit stronger

Riding in the car to work and I'm trying to ignore the hurt
So I turned on the radio, stupid song made me think of you
I listened to it for minute but I changed it
I'm getting a little bit stronger, just a little bit stronger

And I'm done hoping that we could work it out
I'm done with how it feels, spinning my wheels
Letting you drag my heart around
And, oh, I'm done thinking that you could ever change

I know my heart will never be the same
But I'm telling myself I'll be okay
Even on my weakest days
I get a little bit stronger

Doesn't happen overnight but you turn around
And a month's gone by and you realize you haven't cried
I'm not giving you a hour or a second or another minute longer
I'm busy getting stronger

And I'm done hoping that we can work it out
I'm done with how it feels, spinning my wheels
Letting you drag my heart around
And, oh, I'm done thinking, that you could ever change

I know my heart will never be the same
But I'm telling myself I'll be okay
Even on my weakest days, I get a little bit stronger
I get a little bit stronger

Getting along without you, baby
I'm better off without you, baby
How does it feel without me, baby?
I'm getting stronger without you, baby

And I'm done hoping we could work it out
I'm done with how it feels, spinning my wheels
Letting you drag my heart around
And, oh, I'm done thinking that you could ever change

I know my heart will never be the same
But I'm telling myself I'll be okay
Even on my weakest days
I get a little bit stronger

I get a little bit stronger
Just a little bit stronger
A little bit, a little bit, a little bit stronger
I get a little bit stronger

And the point is...

I am a believer that if things are said in conference, it's serious business.  

So... men...

What are you doing?

I dare you to trust them and "go and do"!

Ready?  

Okay, 1-2-3 GO!

(p.s. I'm single... but that's not the point!)

{Lauren Johns} Salt Lake City Portrait Photographer

Lauren is graduating from BYU this semester and needed some pictures to send out with her announcements!  This girl is the best smizer I know.  Tyra would be proud!

Enjoy!

Don't forget to enter to win a free shoot!  There's still time!

Click here to find out how.