D A D

I'm a day late (but it's better then never right), but this handsome man is my dad + he turned the big 50! Its kinda crazy I was looking through old pictures and as I was so wanting to grow up...It really showed me that everybody else was growing up as well...be looking forward to when I post about a flashback or something. haha I still can't get over some of those old hairdo's and clothes that were in style! This dad of mine is one of a kind. I would not be who I am today with out him (and mom) raising me. I wrote down a list in my actual journal (this never happens!) of my favorites things about my dad.

• he randomly bursts into singing at the most random moments. his ringtones make me laugh...they are like the old hit songs and then tells me and nicole how he found a 'new' song when we've known about if for at least a year or so
• his obsession with Oreo's and chocolate (that trait got passed down to me)
• his love for the outdoors: he truly is happy when he finds a fresh batch of powder to ride on. 4-wheeling, hunting, camping you name it
• his sports obsession: he cares and cared so much about how well we all did in our games. he is there at every single one. i love going to football games and having him teach me knew things about the game i love so much
• his work ethic. this past year i have been in the 'real world' i come home from work and don't want to do anything, yet he is still working
• he holds the priesthood. he has a testimony. he loves the gospel. over the years i didn't realize how much of a blessing it was to grow up with a dad who held the priesthood till i moved to college. father blessings are something i will treasure forever
• he loves my mom and the family. the saying goes you need to find a man like your dad to become your husband...my future husband has a lot to look up to
• he's a handyman. he fixed my car (and everything other motor vehicle i somehow managed to crash) he built our home. he knows plumbing, electric, literally you name it he knows how to do it
• his manliness when picking out trucks...haha chevy all the way!
• the fact that ever since i was born at least i don't think he has had a drink to himself with out me drinking out of it. Pepsi, Mtn Dew, Coke, Milk, and heck even water
• friday nights he wants to have pizza. he also gets hangry (i picked up that trait as well)
• him growing up with 4 sisters gives him an insight of a girls mind (at least that is what i like to think)
• he taught me to be a friend to everybody. charity. because you never know down the road they will be the ones helping you. and when you borrow something from anybody you always leave it better then how you found it.

 

My ultimate favorite of all is that he is my DAD. I have to share him with only my brother and sister. But I'm his little girl. I may be exactly like mom but I will always be my daddy's (first) little girl. Happy Birthday Dad, there will be plenty more I am sure. But since its 50 years since your birth I thought it was important to post. Love you!

24th Week

Work, work, work, That is all I ever feel I do now. (why do I want to go to college exactly and be all grown up?) However, this past week did not consist of work. It was delightful! One of my favorite things I look forward to in the summer is Ogden Pioneer Days Rodeo. There is just something about the sport on dirt that makes me one happy cowgirl. I have gone to this rodeo ever since I can remember. This year though it meant something different to me maybe because I am getting older and I guess am starting to get wiser...(haha not really I just paid attention to things I usually don't).

 

1: Ever since I went skydiving I love when the skydivers come in. Someone posted this picture...I wish I could claim it, I just saved it because I loved it! Adrenaline rushes through me as if I was jumping again. This flag though when it flies in makes the world stand still. Everybody stands + for a moment we are in unison remembering how blessed we are, the sacrifice, the freedom, the rights, and what it truly means to live in America. 

2: "Whether you're 6, 66, or 96 we've got something for you!" This rodeo literally is for everybody. Indoor rodeos are just not the same. This arena is one of my favorites (wish I would've thought to take a pana with the sun). You can see the stellar Rocky Mountains to the east + the open area out west. It is beautiful. The first thing before the actual rodeo starts is the cowboy prayer. Rodeo is the only sport that I know of where we publicly announce we are praying + then we all bow our heads + pray for those participating, for this country, etc. It is something a lot might like to argue about. But it shows me that many for a moment prays to the Heavenly Father I know (or whatever faith they are of). 

3: I always go the rodeo with this handsome cowboy in the middle. My grandparents mean the world to me (a post in the future about them). I am who I am today because of them. This guy is a farmer through + through. Years are becoming more valuable. I am a cowgirl + I honestly can say I don't think I would have the pleasure of being a cowgirl if it wasn't for him. I slightly get irritated and laugh when others dress up as if they are a cowgirl. (some I think would die if they had to muck stalls) However, this year it didn't bug me. I simply was glad to see so many dressing up and participating their small part to the rodeo. I realized once again how I am fortunate to live my little girl dream of owning a horse + being a cowgirl. (yes I am that horse girl) haha I love the sport on dirt. It makes me one happy girl.

Mom: "I have to go to a conference for work at New Port Beach for 4 days. Do you want to come?"
Jess: "Sure I mean why not?"
The next thing I know, I am on a plan heading to the sunny state of California. The conference was held in the lovely (way too nice, too expensive, and not my type) Hyatt Hotel on New Port Beach. Too nice + expensive in the fact that I wanted chocolate milk for breakfast one morning thinking it would be $2. But nope the freaking Nesquick bottle cost me $4 and then...I was supposed to tip. (I mean can a girl who drinks milk by the gallons just a have a swig of milk with out having to empty my pocket?) Not my type as I laid by the pool for 2 days straight I overheard many different conversations + not one was in English. Don't get me wrong I really enjoyed the hammock by the pool. And then the desserts I ate as well!

                   

I am not a girl who loves to shop (surprising I know). My mom and I decided to explore the city so we went to Fashion Island mall/stores/shopping place. For someone who doesn't shop I still ended up with a shopping bag? Cheese Cake Factory is literally heaven sent. The cheese cake is to die for, but also their main course meals that they offer are delicious! We also went to Balboa Island. I enjoyed walking down the streets seeing all the home town stores and what not. I decided though that I could never live so close to someone where they could feel my breath + me feel theirs. But for those who own a beach house, a yacht, and part of the beach, my hats are off to you.

Overall the get away to Cali was exactly what I needed. 3 of the best guys I know are serving missions in Cali. I was on the lookout! Then seeing how 2 of my best girl friends left on their missions recently you could say I needed some time to remind myself of things. 1: I am not sure exactly what my plan the Lord has in store for me, but it is my plan. I am excited for the adventures that are to come. I am also nervous + scared, but am reminding myself to not have fear, but faith. 2: I have been blessed with the best friends in the world. I love all of them. The boys basically have hit their year mark. (post soon to come on them as well) To the girls who are sticking around here in Utah with me...I love em. 3: My family is important + we are eternal. 4: I finally got back into being a book worm + finished two books! The Giver and finally came around to reading The Fault in Our Stars. (I recommend both) 

So cheers to me for doing my 3rd blog post even though it's so long (there is no way in the world I would have wrote this all in a journal..thank you technology!) Cheers to my skin being sun kissed and not doing anything for a week. Lastly, best wishes to this upcoming busy crazy week that starts bright + early in the morning...(jobs, working, and making money isn't the first thing I had in mind.) I guess I am just welcoming myself back to the real world.

My Best Friend

My best friend...Kaycee Shae

It is crazy for me to think that the time has come where we take our separate adventures. I feel like I knew one day we would grow up + things would change. But lets face it we made it through grade school, then weird years of junior high, graduated high school, and then were roommates up at Utah State. Through everything you were there. From Lake Powell trips, to girls camp, to high school dances, and cheerleading. We were inseparable. Kaycee Shae is my best friend. She is now a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and is going to to serve the people in Virginia, Richmond for the next 18 months. She is in for the adventure of a life time. I just wish I could tag a long.

 

                                       

 

(m e m o r y) We were driving in my car and the song "The Rising" was blasting through the stereo. After the song was over we talked about how all of our guy friends in a year will be serving missions and how crazy time is moving so fast. You then said "Jess I think I'm going to go on a mission." I said "Kayc we need to go to college first." Nothing else more was said. We packed our bags and headed to Utah State. Fast forward and now we are in college. It was late one night and you were telling me about your mission prep class. You loved it. Once again you told me that you were going to go serve. I complained and said, "What the freak am I supposed to do, I need you." You then said something that has stuck with me forever. "Jess if I don't share the gospel that we love so much to others who will?" That was the end of that conversation and I went to bed. We continued to live up the college life. Your mission call came and thing got a little more real. But I still felt like you actually leaving would never happen. ha

                      

The time has come now for you to serve. Your farewell talk was on gratitude + for not loving public speaking you did amazing. You said that because you are so grateful for this gospel that is why you are serving a mission. Well Kayc, I am grateful for you. The Lord knew that I needed you in my life. I am so thankful for the memories that we have + will have when you return. I get asked a lot what I am going to do without my best friend anddd last night driving to your house to say goodbye I had no clue. As all of us girls sat in your room reminiscing of old times + as we cleaned out your closet. I just kept thinking is this for real or am I being punked. haha And as I drove home with tears down my face from saying "see you soon" a feeling of peace and comfort came over me. These next 18 months away from each other is a good thing. The Lord has a separate plan for both of us right now. These 18 months away from my best friend is for me. Its a time where I will make decisions, I will grow up, I will decide what to eat, what to drink, what I should wear, remember the titans or Cinderella story, what boy I should like, etc...without my best friend helping me make those decisions. It is a time for me to know that I can be/do me. (99% sure I will still email and write you about everything and probably will have you decide things for me anyway...haha but I'm going to give it my best shot!) While she is in Virginia on a mission, I'll be here in Utah.

There are things I wish she would be here for. But more than anything...I wish I could be in an investigators home as she testify of Christ. I wish I could be there as she shares her testimony daily. I wish I could be there when she needs a shoulder to cry on or a hug when it gets rough. (she better have good freakin companions is all I'm sayin). I wish I could be there. But somehow I know that part of me will be. Because we are best friends + I can't wait for January of 2016 anddd the next car ride we have with TSwift blasting in the back ground. Go gettem Kayc. 

Online Journal

In the world that we live in today, it amazes how much technology has changed, even in the 19 years I've been alive. So here I am jumping on the bandwagon with this new blog. I am mainly starting this blog in hopes that the memories, pictures, and words I share will be useful in years to come. I want to be able to look back and remember. This blog is my "online journal" or now days in this world known as a blog. The fact that I can print it off (gotta figure out how to do that!)excites me. I don't know what the years to come shall bring, but I am hopeful that somewhere along the way someone will thank me for putting my words down.  Feel free to come along for the ride as my post start coming in. Fair warning that I am not the most technological person out there, or the best writer, I am just simply me. Simply Jess. So here is to this new adventure of blogging!