Fall

I'm so happy that fall is here. What's not to love about this season? It's so beautiful, especially here in Utah where you look at the mountains changing colors every day. Fall brings sweaters, football games, hot chocolate or steamers from Star Bucks, the beginning of the holidays, traditions, comfort foods, changing leaves- the good stuff!

Even though Utah is really pretty at this time of year, I get SO homesick for Eagle. I can't quite pinpoint why I get so homesick around this time- but year after year it's the same thing! My parent's yard constantly comes into mind. I guess I should just feel blessed and lucky that I have such fond memories of home. Home is definitely where my heart is, especially around this time of year!

Be Your Best Self

So lately I've been thinking a lot- probably too much actually. Because once I start thinking about something, heaven knows how long it will take for my mind to shut off. But this time I think I was actually thinking of something worthwhile instead of all the chaos that goes on up there. I've been thinking of how to be my best self.

Yes, that's right, MY best self. Not anyone else's best self, but my own. I am constantly catching myself green with envy towards other people. My thoughts sound a little something like this:

"I wish I could be as easy going as her"

"I wish I was as spunky and spontaneous as her"

"Why can't I be as funny as her"

"I'd kill to be as pretty as her"

"Why was I not born with that talent"

"I wish I was as classy as her"

"I wish I was more care free like that girl"

or the most obvious-

"I wish I was that skinny"

I wish, I wish, I wish.

Why, Why, Why!

Sounds so pathetic! But I also know I'm not alone in this. What is it about girls that can't just accept ourselves and love ourselves for the strength and power and talents that we DO have? Why do we kick ourselves down when we really are capable of so much and have so much to offer with what talents we already possess?

We need to CHOOSE to love ourselves. No it's not bad to see qualities we admire in others and aspire to be greater. It's good to see traits we want to work on and try every day to be a little bit better than yesterday. But far too often focus on what qualities they have and forget what strength WE have and what makes people love us.

I really am going to try to stop comparing myself. It sounds like a goal that is far too high to achieve, that's for sure- but why not? I want to be 100% ME and not what I think others would want me to be. I want to be ambitious and accomplish more than what I can already do, but I hope along the way I'm true to myself and that I do things for the right reasons.

This little video always makes me smile. Melts my heart every time.

And then this video really does show that what we are sometimes jealous of isn't even REAL. Let's be honest, the media can do whatever it wants to those photos. So just be yourself, be good to yourself, and love yourself! Sorry these videos get cut off- I can't figure it out with my template.

Two Years

August 23, 2010 was our 2 year anniversary! It's been such an amazing two years. Bridger and I have learned a lot from each other and have helped each other grow. He's been nothing but supportive to me in all I'm trying to do, and believes in me more than I believe in myself. I'm grateful to him for his good heart, his work ethic, and his baby blues. Oh wait, maybe I should thank his parents for those! :)

Happy Anniversary Bridger!

End of Summer Vacation

How about some more badminton in the back yard? We don't play it much at all do we...

Have I ever mentioned I love this man?

The traditional Back-To-School photo on the front steps. Notice the rivalry going on already- oh boy!

Me and my boys...

Bridger left earlier to start school at the U of U, so I came down with my family when they dropped Dallan off here at BYU... Goodbyes are hard, and I wasn't even saying goodbye to Dallan! I just had to watch...

Dallan's a big boy now! And living in Provo close to us! WAHOO!!!

Vacation Part 2: Turnbull Family

We were able to spend 6 days up in McCall at our cabin with my family for the next part of our summer vacation. Talk about pure bliss, honestly. First of all, Bridger and I drove up there super early in the morning (this was my compromise to him for not leaving at 11:00 p.m.- last time we drove up that late we saw too many deer for comfort). What a beautiful drive- sorry if the pics are boring but really, how can you not enjoy this beautiful part of the world? As we drove up the canyon there was so much steam rising up from the river rapids, and then as we got more into the valley it was thicker than ever! Kinda spooky lookin'- but so pretty.

How to sum up our week in McCall? We ate like kings, played badminton galore, surfed, wakeboarded, went on a hike, woke up for an early morning kayak ride around Pilgram's Cove, read (or attempted too), finished so many cross word puzzles, jet skiied, searched for golf balls in the lake, played cards/cranium/billball (ladder ball), basked in the sun, etc. Best of all, it was just some good quality family time. What a week!

We can make some really pretty faces too.. as seen below.

Before our hike...

Lily Marsh hike

Fun in the sun

Morning kayak ride

And this picture pretty much sums up why we love it here...

It's just bliss