nuthin particular...

So, I just wanted to write. I don't have anything in particular to write about...not today :)

Come this Wednesday, my two very best friends will both be out serving full time missions for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and I cannot even begin to explain my excitement for them :) Come next Wednesday...most of my close friends will be in the Missionary Training Center or already out in their assigned mission. crazy. I am just so thrilled for each of them! :) I'll write more about this topic later...it deserves its own post :)

An apple a day keeps the doctor away...so- do caramel apples count? Yes. Yes they do. and tonight I ate a delicious peanut butter and white chocolate covered caramel apple :) de-wish-ous :)

Sometimes I feel like no matter how much I plan, I am NOT a good planner. haha I always have great ideas of what I want to get accomplished, but I usually only get maybe half of it done. I have too much time. I don't know how to be productive in free time. I function much better when I'm in school full time, have a part time job, and a church calling while balancing a decent social life. This whole only-have-two-jobs-and-nothing-that-requires-you-to-wake-up-before-nine-am business...I just don't know how to take full advantage of all the time. so, yeah.

but I do like following the Bachelorette. yes. I admitted it. I am not completely ashamed. but shh- I haven't watched this week's episode yet!

alright. time for bed :) I don't know why I avoid going to bed, I always am very excited to go to sleep- but I guess I'm such a night owl, I'd much rather stay up super late and get up late than go to bed relatively early and wake up early...anyway...'night world :)

Lost Purse and Comforting Words

Do you ever have moments when you just need a little reminder that Heavenly Father loves you?

This morning was definitely one of those times. Sometimes these reminders come by way of finding a lost purse. Others are through the words of living prophets that expound on gospel principles. 

Today, I experienced both of the above. I am so grateful for a loving Heavenly Father who, in small  discouraging moments in our mortal life, gives a sweet reminder that all will be well and that He is aware.

"Don't you quit. You keep walking. You keep trying. There is help and happiness ahead."

Men. we recognize that we are complicated. but it's not about the nail.

The World Needs more Voice Lessons

so. There's this thing. maybe it's a feeling. I guess it is more a feeling than a thing. since it is something I feel...

I don't know if everyone gets it. I think so. Maybe not in the same way as me, but I hope everyone does. it is such a unique feeling, but maybe not...if everyone gets it...

ok- so, I don't know how to start out talking about this. I guess I'll just go for it.

I need to perform.

Well- I thought I did.

It has been over a year since I've been in a fully staged musical. This is by far the longest time I've gone. I can't even believe it's been that long. but then my heart starts to ache and I realize I can believe it. because I can feel how much it affects me.

Literally- my heart aches/hurts/is sad/is heavy- I feel it...right in the heart. on the inside.

so, I've been thinking a lot about this lately...but then the most wonderful thing happened today: my voice lesson.

You don't understand- my voice lessons are the most wonderful, inspiring, encouraging, incredible, fun, exciting, lovely, ground breaking, intense, always-too-short 45 minutes/hour of my life! (or at least week)

you think I'm exaggerating :)

but seriously!

I have been taking private voice lessons for...it'll be 2 full years in August. It has been an incredible journey! I can't believe how far I've come! And in that time...I don't believe I have had one "bad" or "unproductive" or "NON-groundbreaking/breakthrough" lesson...does everyone get that have those kind of experiences so often? the experience of always having something to progress in and to work on and to learn and to excel in and to grow at?

I leave every voice lesson on Cloud 9! How could I not? Every lesson I learn something new about myself, about my voice, about the GIFT of music, about these incredible bodies we were give, about life, about emotion, about honesty, about communicating, about growing, about being yourself, about being your BEST self...woah. I think the world needs more experiences like this.

basically. the world needs more voice lessons ;)

(this is the part I'm going to reference the feeling I was rambling about at the beginning- just in case you don't catch that!)

I hope that everyone gets to have something in their life that makes them feel so happy and confident in their life. I realized today that while I LOVE performing with all my heart- the journey and growth that comes between performances and during the preparation process is what makes it all worth it. There is a special emotion that comes from performing that can't ever be replicated, but there is also a feeling of progress that comes in a person pursuit of study that is so gratifying. More than gratifying: fulfilling, substantial, lasting, definitely long term :) :) What I really need is to keep learning. not just need because I don't have any other choice right now, but need  as in that-is-the-whole-reason-music-is-so-important-to-me-and-my-life-and-it's-more-than-just-music-but-learning-in-every-part-of-life-but-music-is-a-way-I-feel-the-closest-to-my-potential-as-a-Child-of-God.

 I am grateful that I have found the thing(s) in my life that is shaping me into my best self:
 my testimony of Jesus Christ & the gift of music He has given me.

I truly truly hope that everyone has something in their life that makes them feel this way. Whether is it calculus  or biology or drawing or writing or teaching or whatever your passion is.

I hope you don't think I'm being too dramatic. Passionate. that is a better word :)

Minimum Wage

Mom: I think every college student should have a minimum wage job...it keeps you in school!

Me: Yeah...even those going into music...

Mom: ~looks at me~ So...

Me: yeah...this job is just giving me a glimpse into life after college :)

**Actual conversation with my mother.

**I do not believe that all musicians are bound for minimum wage jobs.

**Yes, my mother and I joke about my future employment...often

Sisters...Sisters...

So, if you've ever seen White Christmas  and are familiar with the song of which this blog post is titled, yay. You are cultured :) for those of you have not seen that show/movie- I've posted the video here. but really. Do yourself a favor and watch the movie. It's a Christmas classic :)

To preface this post- my sisters and I all learned this song and performed it in a talent show when we were younger. It was so fun...and as I've grown up, the lyrics have proven true. :)

But the inspiration for this post came from my younger sister, the baby of the family. She is in junior high and she is very involved in choir (school and community) and she is very talented :) She always asks me to help her with hair whenever I'm back home and we always have fun together :)

But, a little background. (might sound random, but it relates, I promise!)- I haven't been awake before 7am for a year. not kidding. I don't remember a time when I had to be up that early, I have been up at like 7:15, multiple times, but before, nope. nada. seriously, I think I forgot that clocks still work that early.

Yet- since being home (a little over a month), I have been up at 6:30am two times. two times. TWICE. ok, I know, I shouldn't complain, and I'm not! I'm just saying this is very uncharacteristic :)

(Here's how it all relates)- both times I've been up that early have been for my little sister. She needed help with her hair for performances. And both times she came into my room, woke me up and asked me if I would be willing to get up and help. (that's important info, just so you know I did not make a previous agreement to wake up that early.)

Each time I would clearly (well, as cohesively as I could that early) explain how this was a labor of love. Sleep is not something I joke about. but the more I thought about it, it was so true. I really did love her. and I loved her so much that I was willing to do anything to help her.

I will say- my little sister did look DARLING for her talent show performance :)

It's made me think a lot about sisters. I am so grateful for them. REALLY! My sisters, my sisters-in-laws and my dear friends who have become my sisters. I love as I get older and keep learning, the deeper my understanding of love and sisterhood.

All my sisters- while this was taken a few years ago, I still love it :)

Sisterhood is so amazing! It is a bond that can't really be explained. It is a beautiful relationship- one that includes never having to explain why you are crying, boy talk, constant reminders that you are a beautiful daughter of God and lots of hugs :)

All my sisters and sister-in-laws :) Love them all!!

 My sisters are such amazing examples to me of faith, trusting in the Lord and doing hard things! They set goals and are hard workers. They are always there to support me and encourage me and mentor me- I just love them so much :)

My sisters (taken just a few months ago :)