Friends

I love FRIENDS. I think i have the best friends in the entire world. Seriously. Because it's summer, its hard because we don't see each other very often. So when MARISA got home today after being in utah for 10 days, i practically tackled her when she got to my house. Seperation makes the heart grow fonder?? I think so...but I'd rather not test it again. I've never laughed so hard in my entire life than wehn I'm with these 3 girls. From Utah to carmel apple dipping, John "Bythewater" to the crazy lady doing my toenails thinking that she was inspired by God, "exfoliating" to 98.thrizzle, these girls are my life. They laugh with me, cry with me, put up with me, and love me even though i'm crazy. They are amazing and i love them to death!

Mila

mila means miracle. one of my best friends, kelsey, is mila's dad's cousin. mila was almost 3 years-old, and at the age of 2 had already been diagnosed with brain cancer. This sweet, sassy little girl passed away this week, and I had the privilege to attend her funeral today. It was beautiful, but SO sad. This little girl truly was a miracle, because I know that she chose to come down to earth, fully aware of the pain that would come along with her short journey here. She came not only to stregnthen herself, but to teach those of us who were lucky enough to be around her. She gave everyone stickers as her greeting. So, appropriately, everyone who attended the funeral today received a sticker as a reminder of the giving, loving spirit that Mila had. She was loved so much, and her family and friends all miss her very much. It makes me realize how lucky I am to have the knowledge and the comfort that comes along with it of the gospel of Jesus Christ. I know because He died on the cross, I can live with my Heavenly Father once more, just as Mila is now. I know that she is in a happier place!

my SIBLINGS

you know those days when everyone just is funny? you have funny days and not so funny days. and today, my brother, sister, and I were FUNNY. or maybe just tired...at lunch my brother and I were CRACKING UP and even my sister, trying to be annoyed, couldn't resist bursting into laughter. we were to the point where, had we been my mom, we would have been snorting. thank goodness i am not EXACTLY like my mother!
If i can explain a little about my younger sister...we are both...hmmmm how can i say this? We get a little obsessive. Some people would call it a good quality, we're focused, driven, and determined. SOOO we got the piano music for the EFY medley, the most amazing song. everrrr. i love this song so much. we're to the point right now where we actually FIGHT over who gets to play the song when we sit down to sing it together. She always wins, maybe i'm just too nice! ha it's days like today when i realize how much i really LOVE my family.

Family

I just spent all night at my grandparents house. my mom has 4 sisters and 2 brothers, leaving me with about 24 cousins. let me just tell you its a madhouse when we all get together. i've learned that it's necessary to take advil after a get together. but i love them more than anything in the world. the craziness and the chaos is so worth it...the little kids are the most perfect, innocent, beautiful little things EVER and i can't wait to have my own!! even though its so far away! it makes me appreciate the quiet at my house so much more!

EFY

i've never been to a place that is as MAGICAL. except for maybe Disneyland. but this week has been an amazing spiritual, social, stregnthening time. its one of the things that i am always excited for, but i don't even realize how much i NEED it until i'm there. I met some pretty amazing people...i miss them like crazy already. i learned sooo so much. This week makes me want to be a better person and to be around better people. Here's a "quote of the day" from my FANTASTIC week.

"True FRIENDSHIP helps give meaning to LIFE. It is an ANCHOR to the soul...stronger than the chords of DEATH."