Best friends :)

Best friends make me SMILE!! My two best friends are better than your best friends, I promise. The first best friend I ever had, and who will always be my bestie forever, is my dear kindred spirit Anastasia. We first met half my life ago, when she moved into my home ward and our mom's signed us up for the same dance class. We've had our ups and downs, but through it all she's still my bestie. Stasia is the BEST best friend you could imagine. She's the one who introduced me to Pride and Prejudice. We used to day dream about Gilbert Blythe as well as Frodo Baggins. Watching ancient movies from the library, the slightly sketchy bus ride to the dollar theater, girl's camp every summer, cuddling when we're scared, making up our own rendition of "Footloose", so many memories of her and I that make me who I am today. If I had to marry a woman, it would definitely be her and I'd love to be sealed to her if that were allowed. We grew up a short walk from each other, now it's at least a 5 hour drive on a good day. We've kept in contact even after our friendship has changed, from her moving out, to me moving out, to her getting married. I love her soooo much! She led me to my other best friend, Chase. Stasia dated Chase's older brother and decided that he and I would get along, so she worked her magic and set us up. And guess what? She was right. We fell in love very fast and were very young, but it's lasted. Chase is the ultimate boyfriend and best friend. He bought me flowers if I felt sick or was having a bad day, brought me a Jamba Juice so I could know he was thinking of me and knew I loved White Gummy. He took me to movies he didn't want to see but watched them anyways because he knew how much I wanted to see it. We had so much fun together, one of my favorite memories of him is the time that we got tickets to see the midnight premiere of Transformers 2 together. We drove all the way to Salt Lake and didn't get home until about 4 AM. We couldn't say goodbye very easily, so we layed down on the grass and looked at the stars and talked and laughed for well over an hour, but how I wished it could have lasted forever. That moment was perfect for me, it was one of the first moments I really realized how much I loved him. I've loved that boy for three years (YEARS!!) now, and there are many more to come. I haven't seen him for almost a year, because he's serving an LDS mission in California, but he's still my very best friend in every possible way. I am so excited to see that boy again in a little more than a year. 13.5 months to go Elder Johnson! I love both of my best friends, and this is a tribute to them. Chase and Stasia, you make me smile :)

Now... it's picture time.

The very studly Elder Johnson, serving the good people
of Riverside, California 

He found a street, with his name!
He works that nametag :)

We got really bored during play practice one day.
I had so much fun being in plays with my bestie.
We're the best part of that play.

We went to China together. China!
Neither of us could sleep during those many, many hours on the plane.
This is what happened instead.

Twilight... midnight premiere.

Us with more of our best friends.
Basically, her last night being single.
That's right, Bachelorette Party baby!

Chase and Rauni :)
Although I hate my braces, I have always
LOVED
this picture of us.

We look so little...
That's because we were.
You can fall in love at any age.
Take my word for it.

One of the only pictures of the three of us.
BFF's :)
When he comes home, we'll take more.

Happy Birthday wishes :)

Yesterday was my birthday, and I have to admit that I didn't think that anything really great would happen. Birthdays have always been kind of a big deal to me, and it's important to me to do something special on my birthday and I love it when people plan things for me, it makes me feel so special and loved. My best friend, Chase, has not been able to make it to a single birthday for me, yet he's made every birthday so special. The first birthday I had when we knew each other was only a week after we had first met, but he still remembered and sent me many birthday wishes. The next birthday he couldn't make because of family reasons, but he made it special for me by planning our own Homecoming dance in our friend's basement, a surprise party with my closest friends and dinner to one of my favorite restaurants. The next birthday I spent my first year at college, and he planned a surprise party for me at my cousin's apartment. He had pizza delivered and worked with my cousin to make sure that I had friends who came and ate with me, and also delivered flowers to her apartment for me. This year, he's on his mission, so I really wasn't expecting anything at all, hence why I didn't think anything would happen. Well, boy oh boy was I wrong. I hadn't heard from him in about a month and was feeling really down and upset over it, when I received a package in the mail. Due to complications I wasn't able to get it til later on in the day, and walked into my apartment after all my classes at 3:30 to find 6 red roses with a card on the table. I have no idea how he was able to do that, but he did it! And he made my birthday so special. Afterwards I had fun with my friends who came over for a cake party, but Chase was still there in spirit through the flowers he gave me. Chase makes me smile :) And so does turning 20! Happy Birthday to me :) And here's a quick shout-out to my mother: thank you for giving birth to me 20 years ago. I appreciate it.

Yes, I did cry. Only the happiest tears :)

Making New Friends

The best part of college is making all sorts of new friends. In high school, I was rather shy and reserved and was perfectly content with just spending time with my best friend Anastasia and my boyfriend Chase. I was terrified at the anticipation of going to school, leaving my friends and family, and being completely alone in a new place. Yet I was so excited to think of all the experiences I would have, all the memories that I knew I would someday cherish. I came to Snow College a little over a year ago, and I have loved every minute of it. Some moments haven't been the best, but even more are the moments that I can't quite express into words. I love making new friends! I have had the time of my life at school and am so excited to see what friendships I will discover in my future. So this post is dedicated to all my college friends who I love so much and who I never thought I would be able to grow close to. This one is for you, you make me smile :)

September 2011
At Palisades, near Ephraim
Me, Austin, and Kris

September 2011
My roomies :) Victoria and Kris. Plus me.

October 2010
Right before a 50s dance
With Ragen, Shanny, and Rachelle

March 2011
Off-Roading with friends
Parker, Me, Kris, and Brandon

February 2011
With two of my best friends, Jessica and Sydney

August 2010
Bonding with my first set of roommates
Attending the first home football game
Heather, Me, Jessica, and Lauren

February 2011
Snow College isn't the same without a Denny's run
P.S. The nearest Denny's is a 45 minute drive away.
We go at midnight.
Braden, Kris, Brandon, Me, Parker, Robert, and Whitney

Phone Calls From My Big Sister

Sometimes we all have those days where all we want to do is cry. Does there always need to be a reason? I think we all have those days where you're sunshine and giggles one moment, and the next you just want to cry your heart out. Today was exactly one of those days for me, I was quite giddy throughout the day until about 7:00. After 7, I just needed to have a good cry. Luckily for me, I have a lovely older sister who I can call at any time. She always knows exactly what to say to make me feel better. I love my sister Sandra, she is the poster child for what a big sister should be. Phone calls from my big sister make me smile. :)

Owl City

One of my favorite bands of all time is definitely Owl City. The reason why I love this band so much is because Owl City opened for my favorite band, Relient K, at a concert my then boyfriend Chase and I went to. We went on the last day of school, a great way to end both of our Junior years in high school. Owl City to me is a reminder of the great relationship Chase and I have, it reminds me of him more than any other music I listen to. It also reminds me of the summertime. Eating popsicles, watching fireworks, staying up late on weeknights, walking through the neighborhood with my honey. All the things that make summer fantastic! Owl City makes me smile :)

This song is my favorite.

Strawberry Avalanche

Awesome Teachers

I have really had some great teachers in my life. Many teachers have inspired me to be a better person and to be the best I can be, and I have decided to be a teacher partly because of the great teachers I have had growing up. Right now, I feel especially grateful for my high school Adult Roles teacher who taught me about important subjects I'll use throughout my life. Her advice and encouraging words of wisdom have recently helped me to avoid a terrible situation. Her influence in my life has been so greatly appreciated, and I am so happy to have had her and other equally inspiring teachers in my life. So thank you Mrs. Lucas, you make me smile.

Letters

I love getting letters in the mail. And I love having someone who sends me a letter every week. Every time I look in my mailbox, and see my name addressed on that small white envelope, I get butterflies in my stomach and feel giddy inside. My best friend is serving an LDS mission in Riverside California, and letters are the only means of communication that we have. I also love all things old-fashioned, and a letter is just the perfect way to let someone know that you care for them and are thinking of them. Letters make me smile :)