that's soo funny...

texts, textes, textses

2010-06-03T10:06:00.007-06:00

when we don't know what the plural form of a word is

we make it up.

alls i've got to say... is whoever decided the plural form of 'text' (multiple text messages) is

'texts-es'

was wrong.

why is it that when this form of 'texts' refers to phone texts instead of actual text (ex. in a book) people think the plural form is different?

when people say what should just be 'texts'

'textses'

i die laughing at how ridiculous they sound

sounds like 'Texas', no?

Now back to all my texts.

both academic and cyber.

i miss my roommate!

2010-05-24T10:37:00.002-06:00

i wish i could lay in bed at night and talk to her for 2+ hours

before falling asleep like we used to.

the hardest part is i will never get that back!

i miss you laur!

come back!

i'm a floral designer now

2010-05-10T12:52:00.005-06:00

photo by nicole

i'm in a floral design class at BYU and am LOVING it!

gave my mom a bouquet for mother's day.

discovered carnations (okay i'm a little retarded.

but i LOVE them. unlike most people)

decided my favorite so far is a snapdragon:

photo from http://fd.fountaindesigns.info/images/snapdragon.jpg

...well those and carnations :)

my first midterm is today! wish me luck!

you don't know jack.

2010-04-12T09:09:00.006-06:00

last night my dad said:

"you guys don't know jack and you don't give a rats.

I know jack and I give a rats."

we all died laughing.

this made my mom think of this video. i about wet my pants it's soo funny.

Queen of Bouquets

2010-04-09T09:21:00.003-06:00

Last year I caught

not one

(photo by Nicole)

not two

but THREE bouquets

(this bouquet split into three.. the last 3 single girls of the legit 6 caught all three of them. ironic, eh?)

weird.

i'm sooo excited! (snl)

2010-04-09T09:20:00.000-06:00

i watched the whole show last night.

so worth the $12

(pic from byu.edu)

this is sooo funny

2010-04-09T09:19:00.000-06:00

my cousins were on a road trip (probably on their way to Utah to visit)

they were playing games to make the time pass quicker

one person chose an object. In this case my aunt chose the

CLOUDS

and gave the kids clues to guess:

"what is soft, white, and puffy?"

my cousin who was probably 8 or 10 at the time said:

"DAD!!!"

He will never hear the end of it.

(image stolen from: http://ahmedfernando.files.wordpress.com/2008/11/clouds_320.jpg)

the cat claws the dog!

2010-04-06T14:35:00.003-06:00

this was my favorite book as a child because i laughed hysterically when i saw the picture of the cat clawing the dog. i would belly laugh for minutes... my mom must have been confused as to what was so funny.

anyway, i'm doing a report for my Children's Literature class on Audrey and Don Wood. It's interesting to see the "behind the scenes" stuff about their books -- especially this one!

Happy Birthday Lauren!!!

2010-04-02T15:25:00.009-06:00

Again, I'm a day late... just couldn't do it on April Fools ;)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!

to my La La (my randomly selected roommate freshman year. She has blessed my life more than I could ever say.)

Last year's birthday celebrations

my favorite picture of us

BYU Basketball

BYU football Vegas Bowl

midnight Oreos.... every night..

and my favorite pictures of all.. brings back so many memories of us just giggling on our dorm room floor. she is sooo funny!! she always makes me laugh...

especially when she leans back too far on her chair and falls over!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LAUR! I LOVE YOU!

Happy Birthday Nicole!!

2010-04-01T13:28:00.003-06:00

I'm a day late... but I couldn't help but post these adorable pictures of Coey.

my only other straight haired, blue-eyed sister.

i love this one because our faces show pure joy

thanks for babysitting, singing me to sleep, and putting up with my tantrums! I LOVE YOU NICOLE! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

peace be with you.... definitely

2010-03-31T09:21:00.011-06:00

this video is the only thing making me laugh today.

"i love these guys more than myself."

sorry to be a debbie downer lately. whaaa whaaa

just remember:

"always have true faith, and always be victorious!"

"i march to a beat of a different drummer."

"i like the fact that people look at me with twelve heads like.. ooo what's that?!"

"judges, i plan to knock you on your feet."

"i'm gonna just wing it!"

"why do i feel like giving the camera the finger?"

"take it! take it! take it! I'm going for actressing!"

"If I could legally moon ya, I would!"

magic 8 ball

2010-03-31T09:14:00.005-06:00

do you ever wish we all had a magic 8 ball

in which we could see our future?

i know it's possible to make life's decisions (because obviously everyone has made them) but i am so overwhelmed and confused by them. i can't wait until i can just hold my baby and know that it's all over...

until my kids grow up and then i have to worry about them

(picture: cousin Laur's son Nicholas Quezada)

2010-03-30T13:55:00.001-06:00

why is it that you always want to grow up too fast until you realize that growing up just gets harder? i'd kill to be 3 again. right now.

smudge

2010-03-28T20:42:00.004-06:00

this week i realized (again) how amazing my little sister is.

i smudge her because i'm so proud.

she pushes me away because she acts older than i

i ask her advice

i make her talk to people for me

i look to her for help

she always makes the right decisions

she is always logical

she is such a good, good girl.

she stands up for herself and for what

she knows to be true when friends do not.

and i'm so proud to call her my little sister!

i love you al!

i will not

2010-03-28T17:38:00.002-06:00

come to terms with my eyes not being blue.

some tell me they're green. others tell me they're grey.

i wish they were as blue as they used to be!

General Conference!

2010-03-26T09:07:00.001-06:00

I'm STOKED for conference! I think I have finally grown up enough to stay awake all 8 hours ;)

i am so lucky

2010-03-24T09:32:00.002-06:00

that i met 3 of my best friends freshman year.

being randomly roomed with Laur was such a blessing.

thanks to my Heavenly Father!

I would have died without them.

BYU football (and basketball and volleyball) FULLY INVESTED

2010-03-19T09:35:00.003-06:00

Have you ever seen a crazier fan?!

i'm amazed

2010-03-19T09:33:00.001-06:00

at how quickly the tickets for our concert are selling out.

the only seats available now are nose-bleeds. so hurry!

BYU Ballroom Dance Company Presents:

2010-03-16T20:17:00.006-06:00

The BYU Ballroom Dance Company Concert is

Friday April 9 @ 7:30 pm and Saturday April 10 @ 2:00 and 7:30 pm.

They are touring and competing in Blackpool, England this year so it will be a PHENOMENAL show! I will be performing one number besides the finale.

Tickets are $12 (or $25 for floor seating).

It will be in the Marriott Center.

I get credit for how many tickets I sell so talk to me about tickets! You can buy them at the Marriott Center ticket office. But get them from me! I get first dibs when they go on sale tomorrow morning. Good seats = contact me! :)

cold, cold, go away, come again another day (week)!

2010-03-16T16:07:00.005-06:00

don't colds come always at the worst times?!

i'm sleeping 9+ hours a night so i can get rid of this one. it's terrible.

i think the last time i got this much sleep was in elementary school.

but today is so

WARM, PRETTY, AND HAPPY!!

before we know it, it will be pool time again!

but for now, back to my 6 page paper :(

we did it!

2010-03-15T14:09:00.004-06:00

We won 1st place!!

in the Gold Latin Samba

IN N OUT after to celebrate!

it was a great weekend!

oompa loompa do ba dee do

2010-03-12T12:10:00.003-07:00

check out what i look like struttin around on campus today. can't wait to show up at the library like this! think this is bad? you should check out some of these other chicks!

this is the final round of the novice latin event that i competed in yesterday.

rising star

2010-03-10T13:06:00.003-07:00

one of Nicole's first photos taken with film and a dark room...?

Disneyland - Alice in Wonderland's door

Mom took pictures of us here every year.

it's BACK!

2010-03-09T16:17:00.004-07:00

can't wait to watch the ballroom champs this weekend at the BYU DANCESPORT NATIONALS!! Last year, I watched with Nat, this year I'm still looking for a buddy! The best times to go are Friday night (Battle of the Champions) and Saturday night (Amateur Latin Finals). CAN'T WAIT!! Just picked up my dress... same one as last semester. Still deciding if I'll get a spray tan or not..

I think not..

could i pay someone to...

2010-03-09T00:50:00.002-07:00

make all my decisions for me?!

i am the WORST!

sometimes Jeffie will make me decide just because i'm so bad at it.

children's books

2010-03-05T16:17:00.004-07:00

one of the best things about being an elem ed major is that i get to be a kid again.

it's like reliving my past only better because i don't have to learn everything again.

i'm in a children's literature class right now and was reading a book called "rules" for the class when a girl asked:

"so... why are you reading a kid book?"

me: "oh i'm an el ed major so i have to take a class called children's literature and we have to read several children's books."

her: "really? i wonder why..."

me: "well the class is called children's literature so..."

her: "ya.. i just don't get why they would have you read those."

hmmm... wonder why... ;)

just had to laugh at that one.

i do recommend reading "Miss Spitfire" by Sarah Miller. It's Anne Sullivan's point of view while working with Helen Keller. Really interesting. Quick read. Absolutely loved it! It definitely opened my mind.

i also recommend "Rules" by Cynthia Lord so far (i'm only 60 pages into it). It's about a girl who deals with an autistic brother. I just love reading about people with disabilities. So interesting to me! maybe i should look into that for a major... hmm.. ;)

have i ever told you?

2010-03-05T16:13:00.002-07:00

how much i LOVE pilates?

i went back yesterday for the first time in 2 1/2 months

today my body feels solid, sore, worked, and healthy

i just feel accomplished after.

can't wait to lose the winter weight.

bring on the hundreds!!!

Tori Schmanski

2010-02-28T23:32:00.015-07:00

been thinking about my Tori lately...

PRAY 4 TORI

will forever be something that frequently runs through my head.

sweet Tori passed November 7, 2009 at the young age of 19

but we really lost her when she was just shy of 15

it was an unforgettable experience to watch her

through this journey the past 4 years.

she changed my life.

and many others'.

she was a hugger

she asked questions

she was interested

she was sincere

she was deep

she was thoughtful

she was affectionate

she was smart

she was caring

she was sympathetic

she was happy

she was a dancer

she was my dear friend.

Dancing "Victoria" that bff Mckenzie and I choreographed for Tori

Tori came to watch

finding joy in the journey

2010-02-26T17:42:00.006-07:00

if i had to pick one constant trial in my life that's the most difficult for me it would be

change

i hate it.

i hate everything about it.

i would go back to high school,

i would go back to jr. high

i would go back to elementary school

i would go back to the dance club

it's one of those things that i need to be better about dealing with.

and because one of my goals lately is to watch a conference talk every day, i found this gem today and remembered loving it when i heard it. however, it was given a year ago (when i was a freshman in college and really needed to hear it) and i don't think i took it to heart. i'll try harder now. i think everyone can use this talk. change is constant and we all must get used to it.

sadly.

but surely.

now let's just find joy in this journey

called life.

i'm writing a book.

2010-02-26T14:54:00.002-07:00

for my children's literature class.

I CAN'T WAIT to tell you what it's about!!!

stay together for the kids?

2010-02-25T11:02:00.003-07:00

so i'm writing a research paper for my parenting and child guidance class on whether or not parents should "stay together for the kids." what are your thoughts? do you think it's better for parents to divorce or stick it out for the sake of their children? any experiences? (i have to have 2 personal experiences;)

i'd rather be

2010-02-24T09:06:00.000-07:00

in Lake Powell right now

going back to Prom

2010-02-23T23:00:00.002-07:00

One of Nicole's boss' invited me to help with his Prom/party shoot. It was a blast! I really felt like I was back in high school again! You can view it here

it's just one of those days

2010-02-23T14:47:00.008-07:00

where i wish i could curl up into a ball and sleep the day away

where i feel so overwhelmed by everything i just want to quit it all

where i forget things that i was supposed to do

where i can't focus on getting one thing done at a time because i'm too worried about all the other things i have to do

where text messages are stressing me out and i can't possibly respond to even one of them

where i feel like my mind is trying to make decisions for my future all today

where i woke up late for a final and things have not gone right since.

do you ever have one of those days?

i feel like they are happening a lot lately. and last tuesday was one of them... is this a trend? i hope not.

BYU stresses me out.

probably the cause of all of these canker sores.

charity: an example of the believers

2010-02-23T14:15:00.003-07:00

now that i feel like Satan has entered my body and crushed my heart after reading such terrible things written to my sister because of such an awesome quote, let's all watch a video about Christ-like attributes and try to be like these cheerleaders from Syracruse High School. So inspiring! Charity; this is why women are special!

REALLY??!

2010-02-23T00:03:00.009-07:00

Remember my quote about women? Well, recently, Natalie stole it for her own blog and it created an uproar! Totally reminds me of the hygiene post (that i lost friends over... totally ridiculous. SHOWER PEOPLE! And don't lose friends because they do and you don't)... anyway, I'd like to respond. Because I can. You're entitled to your opinions, and I am entitled to mine. This is my blog and I'll post what I want! Isn't that great? Ok so you get to listen to me because you chose to come and stalk me. Now hear me out...

I can't believe I started this! When I read this quote I was thinking "BOOM BABY!!!" (Emperor's New Groove). That's how much I loved it.
For those of you who are LDS, shame on you. This is a PROPHET of the Lord speaking. How can you possibly disagree?! Do you know better than He does? Read it again. It says that you are equal to man and just as competitive as they are (Natalie is an example. She is in such a harsh community and career. Hard to compete. She's doing it! And let me tell you, that girl is a brilliant one).
Let's refer to The Family: A Proclamation to the World: "By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families. Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children. In these sacred responsibilities, fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners."
Those of you who aren't members of our church, we do not believe that women should never have a career. In fact, we are told by our last prophet that women should seek as much learning as possible. Education is vital. Check out this article by President Gordon B. Hinckley from 2007.
At the end of the day, I don't care if you agree or disagree. That's why we have such an interesting world. Whatever your view, enter to LEARN, go forth to SERVE. (BYU's education motto, if you will).

God bless you and your little fiery competitive heads ;)

And don't forget to shower the people you love with love.

oh and ps. i love my sister so be kind or don't read her blog because you don't have to! thanks.

miracles are wrought through prayer

2010-02-22T11:15:00.008-07:00

love this video.

fav quote from it:

"Prayer is the provider of spiritual strength. It is the passport to peace. Prayer is the means by which we approach our Father in Heaven, who loves us. Speak to him in prayer, and then listen for the answer. Miracles are wrought through prayer."

-President Thomas S. Monson

and why is the carpet all wet Todd?

2010-02-22T09:14:00.004-07:00

One of my favorite comedies. We watch it every Thanksgiving to kick off the Christmas season.

"I hope you kids see what a terrible use of resources this was."

"He worked really hard grandma."

"So do washing machines."

"I give you the Griswald family Christmas tree."

"Dad, that thing wouldn't fit in our yard!"

"It's not going in our yard, Russ. It's going in our living room."

play ball!

surprise!!

2010-02-19T10:46:00.002-07:00

i spontaneously threw him a surprise party and it went better than expected!!!! more details to follow..

it's a very special day!

2010-02-18T14:39:00.000-07:00

It's his birthday!!!!

stairs of death

2010-02-18T13:43:00.004-07:00

i walk up these 2-3 times a day. you should hear me pant after. it sounds like i'm dying. poor asthma.

haha

late = no makeup

2010-02-17T11:24:00.007-07:00

I have a major problem waking up in the morning. I can't EVER wake up on time. It's been an issue for as long as I can remember. My alarm goes off, I can't hear it. Mom would have to come shake me in bed because I'd have no idea she even came in my room, turned on the lights, and told me to get up. This semester I have class every day at 8 am. I've been late more than is acceptable. Especially because its the class I care most about (sadly) - Gold Latin Ballroom... Anyway, I go with a fresh face because I would rather publicly humiliate myself with the way I look rather than be late to class.... again..

Oh, by the way, I'm a sophomore in college. Most people are decked when they come to school. My poor mother thought this would just be a trend in jr. high when I put my make up on ducked down into my seat on the bus on my way to school. When I hit high school and this habit continued, she just made my hair bigger to hide my face ;)

when will I grow up? this is getting embarrassing.

pictures: (top: 10 pm trio rehearsal at the dance club, 2006?. bottom: 8am tech rehearsal for our company showcase 2007)

women are special

2010-02-17T11:18:00.010-07:00

(photo copyright Rubberball Productions)

my NT teacher Brother Stanley Johnson (whom I LOVE) showed us this quote that i love because it validates my going into elementary ed and not accounting or pre-med because that's what i'm interested in. Can't help it! Wish it were something that could produce a larger salary. But I'll be poor and happy ;) Or just a really, really good mom who know's about her kid's development more than the average chick!

"You were not created to be the same as men. Your natural attributes, affections, and personalities are entirely different from these of a man. They consist of faithfulness, benevolence, kindness, and charity. They also balance the more aggressive and competitive nature of man. The business world is competitive and sometimes ruthless. We do not doubt that women have both the brain power and the skills to compete with men. But by competing they must of necessity, become aggressive and competitive. Thus their godly attributes are diminished and they acquire a quality of sameness with man. The conventional wisdom of the day would have you be equal with men. We say, we would not have you descend to that level."

-President Ezra Taft Benson

pretty cool, huh?

my holiday

2010-02-16T11:07:00.002-07:00

Hope your Valentine's Day was as wonderful as mine!

J and I started our Saturday off with our favorite activity - McDonald's breakfast. Then we snuggled all day while watching Benjamin Button (he'd never seen it) and then the BYU basketball game. We finally showered at 6 and then I ran to my performance with my BYU ballroom team in Midvale. J came to watch, then he treated me to Market Street Grill. No biggie. He then gave me Kara chocolates. I finally realized this year that this is MY holiday! Never had a boyfriend before to make me realize that.

Sunday he came to our family dinner, we made chocolate espresso pudding, and then Mama and I dominated he and Papa in Rook. Yesterday, we had a date with Mom skiing Deer Valley. And finally, watched 24, the Office, and 30 Rock with M&D.

Today I woke up late and look homeless. Definitely wanting the weekend back right now.

joke of the day

2010-02-16T09:27:00.002-07:00

my stats teacher told me this one last semester:

Q: how do you find Will Smith in the snow?

A: you follow the Fresh Prints!! (prince)

i crave this daily

2010-02-11T14:58:00.002-07:00

natalie and i invented this at baskin robbins last week after i competed the rumba at byu and then i found myself there again last night wanting more...

jamocha almond fudge ice cream milkshake mixed with tonnnnssss of oreos

hurry to BR! it's to DIE for.

joke of the day

2010-02-10T14:32:00.006-07:00

my New Testament professor at BYU told us this one last week:

A teacher notices a student on the back row is sleeping so he decides to put him on the spot and asks him:

"Bob, what do you think about that?"

Bob: "Well, I don't know...what do you think about that?"

teacher: "Oh I don't think.... I know."

Bob: "Well I don't think I know either."

i died laughing...

(pictures - top: somebody's birthday breakfast at Magleby's 2006 with Mckenzie. Bottom: Brick Oven for Lauren's birthday with roomies April 2008)

the most casual day of my life?

2010-02-09T15:10:00.009-07:00

i cannot understand these kids getting married these days.

first of all, they're 18.

secondly, and most important, they've made poor fashion choices.

what makes people think

"on my wedding day i'll wear converse!! they're the nicest thing i own!"

classy.

since when did the wedding day turn into the most casual day of our lives?

on my wedding day i sure hope i look amazing.

that's how i want to start my life off with my husband.

so he'll be proud to have me on his arm.

not some teenager.

i will hunt you down

2010-01-27T22:11:00.003-07:00

tonight at the ohs/mt view basketball game i grabbed a kid sister Ali used to like and told him to stop saying such crude things about her or i'd hunt him down. told him to watch his back as i stand a foot lower than he is. kid was shaking in his boots. red in the face, lying sack told me he hadn't said anything. told him i wouldn't have it and he better not say another word.

bet he was scared.

mom and cousin kate died laughing as they watched.

high school boys...

don't miss them.

high school...

miss it!

high rollas!

2009-11-23T23:24:00.007-07:00

so... boyfriend has the hookups. we were given $704, front row, right behind the baseline tickets to the Jazz game Saturday night. Let's just say that the salmon dinner beforehand on the top level of the delta center (it still is named that in my book) wasn't half bad... neither was the escort onto the court to get to our seats while the clock was ticking... or how about the halftime refreshment room too... man, these people that are part of the 100 club are stinking pampered! Or maybe it's because they pay for everything they get. At one point boyfriend said, "MAN!! Everyone is sooo nice!!" Well babe, that's because tonight you are RICH!

Oh so aunt angie said, "so did you make the paper since you had such great seats?" so i checked the deseret news and there we were. what are the chances?! Where's Waldo? Find us!

such a great night! thanks b&j! you made our weekend.

19 days!!!!

2009-11-19T21:48:00.001-07:00

till i get to see this face!

you know you're at BYU when...

2009-11-16T21:30:00.006-07:00

an unfamiliar boy comes up to you and says,

"this might be an awkward question to ask but...

what is your calling?"

to be continued...

that'ssss my boyfriend.

2009-11-16T02:53:00.002-07:00

just came across this photo...

isn't he adorable?!

dancing through life

2009-10-21T23:14:00.004-06:00

Remember this post about how I didn't understand how college students manage their grades, jobs, boyfriends, etc.? Well the other day I just realized that this year I gained all those things that I never thought I could...

Job? Check

Boyfriend? Check

Grades? uhhh.. they're better :)

now I'm wondering how people go to college while they're married... oh and... let's just throw a kid or two into the equation too. I keep seeing students pushing strollers around campus and I ache for them.

HOW??!!!

after this stressful week, I decided that taking a dance class tonight was going to be the only thing to get me through. Something familiar. normal. natural.

...and I rationalized a lot! "if i go to the class then I'll release endorphins.. which will keep me awake while I'm studying!"

cheers college. cheers.

amazing week, terrible week, amazing week

2009-10-08T22:58:00.005-06:00

it's funny how one week to the next can be completely different!

-2 weeks ago was amazing.. everything fell into place. I know that the reason it went so well is because I was continually feeding myself spiritually (and literally... if you know me well then you know that is vital to my happiness!).

-Last week was terrible (okay I am over-exaggerating! It really wasn't that bad but still...). I had statistics and church history midterms that stressed me out, came down with pneumonia and couldn't study because of it, and frantically threw one of the LEGIT 6's bridal showers with Madi (our other 3 friends are all paralyzed because of a car accident, mono, scooter accident, etc.).

-This week has been amazing! Hardly any homework, awesome jazz classes that let me dance again, placed 5th dancing the foxtrot for a ballroom competition, and going to VEGAS tomorrow for the BYU game! Definitely hitting IN N OUT first, then H&M.

can't wait!

ryan shupe

2009-09-16T23:15:00.002-06:00

love these lyrics from the song "dream big" by ryan shupe and the rubberband

When you cry be sure to dry your eyes,
cause better days are sure to come.
And when you smile be sure to smile wide,
and don't let them know that they have won.
And when you walk, walk with pride,
and don't show the hurt inside,
because the pain will soon be gone.

And when you dream, dream big,
As big as the ocean blue.
Cause when you dream it might come true.
So when you dream, dream big.

And when you laugh be sure to laugh out loud,
cause it will carry all your cares away.
And when you see, see the beauty
all around and in yourself, it will help you feel okay.
And when you pray, pray for strength
to help to carry on when the troubles come your way.

have you ever tried to smell your face?

2009-09-13T22:29:00.002-06:00

I hadn't either.

until i found this gem in my basement bathroom.

now i sniff mine all the time.

thanks to whoever left it! (nikkie?)

now i've got ali hooked.

this week.

2009-09-04T01:00:00.009-06:00

i think i have

stepped in more puddles

gotten more bruises and cuts

had more ballroom disappointments

been stressed about adding enough classes

gone to the bookstore

run into more walls

and had every plan i had fail

in one week than i'll ever have.

next week will surely be better.

"cause tomorrow's another day.

and i'm thirsty anyway

so bring on the rain"

....oh great! my phone just broke!

an unforgettable Cafe Rio experience

2009-08-31T23:58:00.006-06:00

today my family and i dined at cafe rio.

while in line, dad found a friend and was discussing "the cancer"

meanwhile, the line continued to move and we did not.

still being far from the front of the line

a woman behind us angrily yelled at us for holding up the line (while a little girl was playing just in front of us)

my mother then turned around and let the woman have it.

i then looked at the chick and said,

"there's a child in front of me! what do you want me to do?!"

a few minutes later while at the cash register,

we were waiting for our food

same lady says, "there you go again holding up the line"

my mom whips around and says to the lady's husband,

"SOMEBODY NEEDS TO FEED HER!"

mean people SUCK.

needing to vent

2009-08-31T23:50:00.003-06:00

listen people...

DON'T mess with my Jellybean.

i will take you down.

there is this profound statement that goes a little like this:

if you can't say something nice,

DON'T SAY IT!

what makes people think that they should tell you their opinions about your siblings/family?

i thought that it was common knowledge that you shouldn't even go there...

FAMILY= my life.

don't mess.

mean people SUCK.

Happy Birthday Nat!

2009-06-03T11:53:00.006-06:00

What i love about Natalie:

1: she has my dad's excitement for life. (doesn't she look flirty and fun?? it's because she is!)

2. she fights for what she wants and believes in such a harsh community and occupation.

3. she is interested in others' lives and wants to hear your stories. she is very supportive of me.

4. she's a rock star.

5. she led the way for my sisters and me perfectly. we all had a high expectation to live up to and were able to make accomplishments because of what she did. thanks nat for all the teachers you made love me just because i was your sister.

6. she makes everything funny/fun.

7. we do cool things together. it has been great to have her home for a little while and get to know her again since i was only 9 when she moved out of the house!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY NATALIE!

i'm lovin it

2009-05-13T08:16:00.003-06:00

so for the spring ballroom team at byu we are dancing the cha cha to britney spears' new song "circus."

at byu...

haha i think that's so funny.

but i am lovin it! who doesn't want to dance a sassy cha cha to britney? even though i strongly dislike her, her music is still fierce.

i really hope nobody complains because this choreography is amazing.

i am such a rookie and everything is way over my head but i am just faking it till i make it!

7:00 am never felt so good

phew...

2009-05-04T21:21:00.002-06:00

it has been quite the week...

new apartment, new roomies, new ward
made byu's spring ballroom team
saw Natalie brilliantly play the role of ellen in miss saigon
2 thunder games... saturday's made us tied for #1 after winning in the last minute to wyoming who was undefeated
saw tdc besties beautifully dance in their timpanogos' dance team concert and bring me to tears. my abi and annie danced their senior solos and touched me
adam's birthday festivities

let's recap freshman year: byu football

2009-04-23T01:33:00.006-06:00

byu at utah. bff abi had tickets and decided to invite the person she knew would appreciate them most :) terrible game..

i'm feeling blue.

2009-04-22T20:15:00.007-06:00

today i came back to my dorm room from my last final to find my roommate gone and her side of the room looking completely like a jail cell. there was NOTHING there. bare white cinderblock walls. old blue mattress. clean empty floor. clear desk.

i thought she was only moving a few things home and we would move out tomorrow.

i immediately felt this empty, sick feeling.

i thought i had a heart attack followed by depression.

for some reason i didn't know this freshman year would come to a close. where did this year go? i still remember when everything was so new. names were a blur. it was so fun to come home to my "place"... my computer. my desk. my bed. my things.

i hadn't thought through that i am done here. it's over.

no more cannon.

no more helaman halls.

no more dance parties in the parking lot at 2 am.

no more hall full of smiling girls.

no more shower parties where i provide the music.

no more dinner with friends every night while scoping out the men.

no more late movie nights in kait and claire's room or on our couch.

no more midnight oreo snacking with friends.

no more walking up that hill of death to campus.

no more free food whenever i want.

no more free everything.

i didn't realize how much fun i was having here and what i'd miss.

i know i shouldn't hate change. but i can't help it. i've never done well with it.

why do we have to move on to new things in life?

i'm still trying to get over high school and Dance Club.

so now i think i'm sleeping in my dorm alone tonight.

with a desolate opposite side :'(

i don't want to say goodbye to these people.

i don't want to say goodbye to this place.

life is so convenient in the dorms.

trace adkins' song is constantly my theme song:

you're going to miss this.

you're going to want this back.

you're going to wish this days hadn't gone by so fast.

these are the good times.

so take a good look around.

you may not know it now,

but you're going to miss this.

weekend

2009-04-22T10:17:00.003-06:00

finally our whole fam (minus our little missionary) will get to be together this weekend!

today adam and nicole are coming! oh and of course molly...

Backstreet's back... alright?!

2009-04-21T23:02:00.005-06:00

probably the highlight of my freshman year...

for our ward talent show i set a "boy band" dance on my friends and me that i had choreographed in high school for our "Mr. Orem" pageant last year.

the mix included Backstreet Boys, NSYNC, LFO, and 98 degrees. we were introduced as bryan, nick, howie, aj, and kevin and our ward literally thought we were boys for about the first 20 seconds and many never figured out which girls we were.

the video is HYSTERICAL. i'll get it up sometime.

we took off our jackets in the middle of the dance and then danced "bye bye bye" revealing my drawn in armpit hair.

we decided to scare some friends at Sonic after the show and a few others were given private shows.

rachel, on the far right looks pretty legit.

we surprised my roomie's (la la, on the far left) older brother and his friends and gave them a little show as well. now what they did for us after that... that will be coming soon.

to be continued...

finals

2009-04-21T17:07:00.001-06:00

i am in dire need of one of these

finals make me go crazy! i think my roommate is afraid of me.

SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE DANCE DANCE

2009-04-21T13:46:00.003-06:00

i am stoked for the season to start! last June, the legit six (madi, kelli, emily, kayley, and regan) and i went on our senior trip to California. A few days before we left, kay found out she had sytycd tickets that just happened to be on a day we were going to be there. so we drove 45 minutes to Hollywood and were actually picked out of line to be VIP's... turns out i was right next to Cat Deeley and was shown on tv. i'm shocked, but people recognized us too.

it was really interesting to see how they filmed it... what's live and what isn't.. and to watch the pussycat dolls film their number "when i grow up" twice because they didn't like the first take.

i was an avid...

2009-04-21T10:10:00.001-06:00

7th Heaven watcher... ohhh yeah...

sooo funny and cheesy, but yet soo good ;)

as I got older and realized it wasn't as good as I'd thought... something else became more interesting to me...

George Stults. He played Kevin Kinkirk (Lucy Camden's husband)

isn't he gorgeous?

I mean, check out that JAW line!

I always thought that she was never cute enough for him and they didn't work well together (not to mention the fact that she is a terrible over actress and I couldn't stand her and her whining). See for yourself:

he's gorgeous. although he was a terrible actor as well... i forgave him really fast ;)

we are the Thunderbolts... not the Thunder Cats

2009-04-20T10:59:00.009-06:00

Thunder's first announcer introduced us as the Thunder Cat dancers...

don't worry... he was fired immediately.

a little wardrobe malfunction during the second quarter... no big!

Fat Cats Fan Fest. The post-game celebration

at David Archuleta's after party

my bff Abi

at Fat Cats with TC the Thunder Cat

are we cheerleaders or dancers? maybe chancers? That's what our coaches told us...

we're dancers... the Thunderbolt dancers.

want to come to a game? click here

a weekend of ballroom dance

2009-04-20T10:49:00.004-06:00

nat posted about our DANCESPORT weekend together.. we watched all day and night on Friday and I watched by myself on Saturday. I think my picture is cooler... don't really know what happened here.

my waltz and quickstep (semi-finals, top 12 couples) partner.

my texas two step partner! (semi-finals, top 12 couples)

it was a blast! Hopefully next year I'll be better... much better.

day 10: Niagara Falls, Canada!

2009-04-19T23:40:00.006-06:00

why is my little baby sister growing up?

she is so adorable.

on the Maid of the Mist boat

covered head to toe!

the Skylon tower... now this is a story..

waiting to go up

at the top of the tower

turns out we got stuck... apparently some of the elevators were being renovated and they let too many tourists go up at one time... we were stuck at the top for 2+ hours. I was going insane.

getting on the elevator.. FINALLY!!!

WHO ARE YOU??!!

2009-04-17T16:25:00.010-06:00

two years ago, i was at the mall with my sisters Natalie and Nina, when my sister natalie's name was called from a Nordstrom employee. Natalie ran over to the girl and Nina and I hung back, however still overhearing their conversation:

"NATALIE!"

Natalie gasped, then proceeded to say with a face of surprise and confusion:

"WHO ARE YOU??!!"

(Nina and I are wetting our pants at this point)

"It's Sandra!"*

Natalie still showed a confused face...

Sandra: ".....Stephens.."

Natalie: "Oh Sandra! How are you?!"

later during this conversation, Nina and I approached them (giving Natalie the "Let's go!" cue to end the conversation)

Natalie, trying to be polite, introduces Sandra to us.

Natalie: "Nina, Kara, this is Sandra. She is my friend Audrey's little sister."

me: "Audrey... Johnson? Smith? Evans?...." (Natalie has several good friends with the first name Audrey)

Natalie shot me a look that I'll never forget. Deer in headlights mixed with "help me out! why did you just ask that?!"

There was an awkward silence.

Sandra finally said: ".....Stephens.."

Natalie: "Oh! Did you see me shoot Kara that look like, 'Did you really just ask that?!' I thought she would know it was Stephens...'

Nice try covering your butt Natalie. This had to be my favorite memory with you.

"Who are you?!" is now a regular statement of mine.. especially whenever I see Natalie.

Love you Nat! xoxo

*names changed for privacy :)

day 9: Palmyra, N.Y., Sacred Grove

2009-04-16T15:56:00.005-06:00

after attending church, we went to the Sacred Grove

one of the Smith's homes

all we did was sit on a bus all day... but we were exhausted all the time!

EB Grandin - where the Book of Mormon was first published (we also visited Alvin's grave and the 4 churches)

Palmyra temple

Hill Cumorah memorial

dinner

my sister is so pretty.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY NEE-NEE!!!

2009-04-15T14:13:00.012-06:00

I am so proud of my little missionary who is serving the Lord!

we are always crazy funny when we're together.

her laugh and smile make my day.

we share the same passion.

she is the queen bee of movie lines. everything i know i learned from her. "If I know Mary like I think I do, she'll invite us right in for tea and scrumpets!" -Dumb and Dumber

she always supports me and tells me how proud she is of me :)

she is the peacemaker in our family... even though this picture contradicts that.

Oh I miss her so much!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY NINA!!! wish i could spend it with you.

I CAN'T WAIT UNTIL WE'LL BE COUGS TOGETHER!!! only one more semester...

COLLEGE NIGHT with the THUNDER

2009-04-15T14:02:00.004-06:00

THIS SATURDAY APRIL 18 - 7:00 vs. Ogden

i'm so excited...

2009-04-10T11:09:00.002-06:00

i am going to the BYU Ballroom concert tonight with my mama and papa.

i can't wait.

i am anticipating tears to be shed during the waltz!

or maybe throughout the entire thing.

ballroom dance is beautiful.

so excited for tonight!

i want. i want. i need. i need.

2009-04-07T11:32:00.007-06:00

not really..

but i LOVE these and have kept my eye on them for a long time it feels like...

when will you ever go on sale??

when my mom tells me my neighbor told her...

2009-04-06T02:29:00.005-06:00

that she saw me the other day,

and that i looked

terrible

maybe that's a good indication that i should start getting pulled together.

make-up and outfits?

this is going to be a lot of work and a lot of thought...

over things i don't like to worry about.

true story.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY COEY!

2009-03-31T09:41:00.011-06:00

i love this picture of her

She....

1. helps me with EVERYTHING in life. everything. always calling her for favors.

2. had a big year... she picked a good one!

3. has lots of skills

4. constantly keeps us laughing. her sense of humor and amazing whit are unreal.

5. is the most creative person i've ever met

6. is my prego partner

i love you Nicole!

day 8: Harmony, PA and Fayette, N.Y.

2009-03-21T17:32:00.008-06:00

Hill Cumorah Pageant (it rained so much so we put these garbage bags on)

the pageant was AMAZING!!

this grocery cart was her size!

Fayette, N.Y. - the Peter Whitmer farm. Joseph Smith lived here for 3 years while:
he reorganized the church in 1830
the first three conferences were held
11 other men witnessed the plates
the Book of Mormon translation was finished in 1829

the Susquehanna River - where Joseph Smith was baptized

Harmony, PA - monument representing the Priesthood being restored to the earth

college (at byu) makes me..

2009-03-20T11:39:00.014-06:00

say: "A 'D'.... I passed!!!!" -Tommy Boy
feel so insignificant
become independent... i don't like it
miss my mom's home cooked meals
hate dance parties
bored of myself and my own thoughts... because i'm always by myself
realize my vocabulary is soo soo soo small
miss rehearsal at The Dance Club
wonder why people loved freshman year so much? if fun=school work maybe my priorities are set incorrectly
add more and more to my list of missionaries i'm writing
concentrate extremely hard to try to understand my professor's language.. there's no way thats English!
miss my LEGIT 6 (madison call, kayley gardner, emily julian, kelli davies, regan bailey)
constantly consciously think about what i am eating
CHERISH dinner time at the Cannon center.. it's my only social hour of the day
vow to never show pda ever again. ever
lose hope that there is someone for me out there..
stress about what my major will be
have a constant radar for cute boys.. and then check for a ring
feel like a dumb blonde
appreciate the easiness of ohs
make my bed
wonder what my life has in store for me
miss performing at high school events with my ODC and just be able to dance for a teacher who i knew loved me and thought i was a good dancer.. my 'haven' and the place i could just not worry and dance!
forget my self-worth when i walk out of the testing center
realize that i have to grow up whether i like it or not.

a close friend always reminds me:

"second star to the right and straight on till morning." -peter pan

THUNDERSTRUCK

2009-03-18T23:49:00.005-06:00

Utah Valley's new arena football team...

the UTAH VALLEY THUNDER

home opener Monday March 23 - 7:00 vs. Wyoming Calvary

$6 students

$12-35 general admission

Mckay Events Center

Utah Valley University

call 888.568.4050 for tickets or buy at the door

*make sure to mention my name when you buy your tickets!! (I'll get free stuff)

day 7: Ben and Jerry's and Sharon, VT

2009-03-16T20:46:00.010-06:00

lots of driving this day.. only 2 events.

ali's favorite

my favorite

their factory was amazing..

she ate all my oreos and hers

Sharon, VT... Joseph Smith's birthplace. Right after this picture was taken it began to pour.. that monument turned white and glowed through the rainstorm! It was beautiful.

let me revise... how do you possibly

2009-03-16T20:30:00.003-06:00

go to college

AND have a boyfriend

AND have a job

AND do well in school

AND WORK OUT?!

i don't get it...

nat, i'm already not sleeping... and D. all of the above are non-existent!

not funny...haha that's soo funny

2009-03-14T15:58:00.001-06:00

i love people that search for things like this and show them to me.

how do you possibly...

2009-03-12T16:53:00.003-06:00

go to college

AND have a boyfriend

AND have a job

AND do well in school

I don't get it

there's this thing...

2009-03-12T10:37:00.004-06:00

called DanceSport

let's just say it's pretty intense..

i watch these people and am in awe.

it also discourages me and makes me realize i have a LONG road ahead of me...

how will i EVER be that good?!

i'm pretty sure it will never happen.

but i'll still try..

it's my first year competing at DanceSport nationals.

it's at the BYU Marriott Center

apparently it's the biggest ballroom competition in the nation

people come from all over.

these people are insane...ly amazing!

i'm competing in the BYU class events

thursday: rumba and texas two step

friday: quickstep

saturday: waltz

rumba went well this morning. cut before quarter-finals.

called back for texas two step.. tonight at 6!

there are outrageous people here... if you want to watch them, this is the schedule

or visit www.BYUnationals.com

Thunder scrimmage and press conference luncheon

2009-03-10T11:42:00.006-06:00

*uniforms unfinished...

day 6: Boston, MA and Vermont

2009-03-08T16:56:00.007-06:00

we ended the day with a bonfire in the mountains in Vermont after tubing down a river

Boston!

day 5: New York City, NY

2009-03-06T23:51:00.012-07:00

we played and shopped with Natalie alllll day :)

we had wayy too much fun in here.. our picture strips are hysterical. Michael looks like a pedophile.

photo booth for an hour.. maybs?

our first Bubby's experience

Bubby's

thaaat'sss my sister...

a proud sister moment...

shake shake shake shake shake shake it

shake shack of course!

day 4: Philadelphia, PA and New York City

2009-03-06T02:17:00.005-07:00

met up with Nat after seeing "Wicked" and had dessert at Serendipity... then spent the night with her

ferry from New Jersey to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island!

after visiting Independence Hall we saw the Liberty Bell

day 3: Gettysburg, Philadelphia and Hershey, Pennsylvania

2009-03-05T12:03:00.001-07:00

Philadelphia

go Rocky!

Hershey, PA!!!

Gettysburg

Little Round Top - this is where my sister, Ali, was her courageous self... She noticed a man listening in on our gospel discussion. When he left to get on his bus, she followed him all the way to his bus, got on the bus and found him in his seat then gave him a pass-a-long card and explained what our church is about. WAY TO GO AL!!

i dream about...

2009-03-04T23:16:00.001-07:00

Costco's DIVINE dark chocolate cake...

this picture doesn't do it justice.

i've critiqued every chocolate cake and this is still my #1... by far.

day 2: Washington, D.C.

2009-03-03T22:48:00.012-07:00

Back to my American/church history trip this summer... absolutely loved it

Washington, D.C. temple.. it poured!!

I was so proud of myself... I gave out a passalong card at the Air and Space Museum

Grandpa Smith's marker at Arlington Memorial... sorry Michael your head is gone!

Iwo Jima

right after church in Virginia.. puffy morning face!

round 2

2009-03-03T13:40:00.004-07:00

last month I had another mini dance competition at BYU. I competed the Paso Doble and the Waltz. Made quarter-finals in the waltz then changed into this little Dance Club costume from 2003 for the Paso and placed 4th!

Kimber- my ballroom sister

MY mom is a redneck woman?

2009-03-02T08:47:00.001-07:00

back in the day, my parents were at Lake Powell with their best friends D & B. They filmed my Mom running down the sand hill and turns out... she fell. B decided to send it into America's Funniest Home Videos and it was shown in an episode. Now, years later, Mom's nephew called her to tell her she's all over youtube. She's second to last in this clip . Now THAT'S soo funny to me... MY mom... redneck?

I mean, I know THIS (the poodle hair) wasn't the best look for her but...

I think she's dreamy...

Charlie Bit Me

2009-03-01T18:37:00.002-07:00

I'm sure everyone has seen this... but in the case that you haven't... I love this