Sunday Thoughts.

xoxo,

Linds

Life Lately

1. I'm a list maker. You should take a quick peek at my "notes" on my phone. Chalked FULL of lists..or maybe don't cause I'll tell ya, it's actually kind of overwhelming. An organized mess that only makes sense to me? That it is. (See? I'm even making a list right now)

2. I am so so so excited for Fall to arrive! The leaves are just starting to change colors in the mountains and I am thrilled about it. The only thing that would make the changing season better is if I actually had friends here to celebrate it with me .. #lonerprobz

3. I miss my camera terribly. I think I left it at Stephen and Rachel's ? Or it is possibly in Idaho? Having all my belongings spread out everywhere is starting to drive me crazy.

4. So, like I'm actually in love with a puppy. I named her Harlow and I go out to the barn all the time to see her and well, we bonded. I'm dreading the day (next week) when she has to board a plane and move to Arizona to live with her new family. She can't possibly live a better life without me in it, am I right?! I'm dying. She's perfect and um, did I mention I am in love with her?

5. I spent my Sunday afternoon making recipe cards. Call me old fashioned, but there's something special about having a box of handwritten recipes. Cook books are also kinda my thing. The only items I've asked to inherit one day are all of my grandmother's old cookbooks. Slightly obsessed.

6. Fun fact about me: I am absolutely terrified of chickens. I won't even go near them. They are evil, little devilish creatures with beady eyes who have a desire to peck me to death, I just know it. I can't even go out back to clean out their water/food dish..so I made a 7 year old do it today. She's braver than me..sad.

7. Watched "Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead" and am currently in the middle of doing a juice fast//cleanse//detox (whatever you want to call it) with Katie and Dean. It's hard. All I want is California Pizza Kitchen and cookie dough.

8. Sometimes when I need to get out of the house, I go for a run..and somehow end up finding myself lost on a beautiful road after taking a wrong turn. Heber is a gorgeous place to live.

9. Maybe this whole "all my friend's are leaving me for 18 months" thing isn't so bad after all. I LOVE Monday's now (because that's the day I get emails!), receiving letters is fun and I always look forward to getting the mail andddd by always writing them, it's forcing me to be a better journal keeper. I mean, it still sucks..but there's SOME perks :)

10. I have nothing else to add, but it felt weird ending on 9. 

xoxo,

Linds

And take 17!

Last Wednesday I went and picked up the newly set apart Sister Ramsey from the airport and took her to the MTC so that she could begin her missionary service in Twin Falls, Idaho. I was HONORED that she asked me to do it..considering she has so many loved ones and friends out here in Utah. I love this girl SO MUCH and am beyond proud of her. {Of Kels, Beth and Vannah too who are all making the decision to serve} I could go on and on saying good things about this one. Not only is she beautiful inside and out, but has been such an amazing friend to me over the years. I am a lucky girl to be surrounded by such strength. I have the most loyal, supportive and faithful group of girlfriends and I count my blessings daily. I am grateful and super stoked for the sweetest of reunions that will take place roughly 18 months from now. Until then, I am continuing to be the best letter writer ever.

 

  

 

You'd think we'd have posing for pictures downnn by now, but who are we trying to kid? After a million tries and a lot of great candids, we finally got an instagram-worthy shot. #success.

A note to add: the whole "sidewalk drop off" thing at the MTC is thaaa worsttt. I was totally fine, and then all of a sudden I had to give her a hug and just say goodbye ? That's when the water works began to flow. For the both of us. Terrible, I tell ya! So obviously I treated myself to a green tea frapp from Starbucks and spent the rest of the day running some much needed errands to cheer me up.

xoxo,

Linds

Time.

"Spend a little more time trying to make something of yourself and a little less time trying to impress people..."

--The Breakfast Club

**I'm on an 80's movie kick as of late and finally watched this classic Friday night! (Big shout out to Netflix, my bed and no social life.) Funny to think that now if the same scenario were to take place, we'd all just be silently texting on our cell phones, away from the world and never befriend one another. I'm trying my best to be conscious of that, not be so "digitally distracted" and live in the moment! I think I was born in the wrong decade. ;)

xoxo,

Linds

Tid Bits

Guyssss I know, I know..I've totally slacked when it comes to posting "tid bits" every Thursday. But hey? I'm only human! ;)

Couldn't resist posting another picture with this cute girl! We had a photo shoot to keep us entertained while we waited for everyone else at the beach. And my hair looks so much blonder than usual ? Looovee them natural summer highlights.

And while I'm still on the Bear Lake kick, here's another of tubing. This time one of me, Mike and Rachel. My toes mayyy have actually bled from this run (ok yeah, they did.)

A box of the sweetest, most delicious peaches were delivered to the house. No other state has anything on Utah peaches..the best of the best.

And for a week straight, we ate peach after peach. Hot cereal with fresh fruit and crushed walnuts eaten on the deck Saturday morning? Perfection.

Speaking of perfection, having a dog to run with is my absolute favorite. Piper is such a sweetie and never made me feel bad when I had to walk instead of run...which may happen more often than I'd like to admit. #altitudeiskillingme #outofshape

It's a good night when you come home to Chinese food waiting on the table and an even better fortune to go along with that. Now I just need to figure out what those chances I'm taking are!

Spent a night listening to music while writing letters and putting together packages for my missionary friends. Cause ya know, "I'm not like one of those regular friends, I'm a cool friend!" (I try to incorporate Mean Girls quotes into my daily language..it's fine.)

Helloooo WHY DIDN'T ANYONE TELL ME ABOUT 33 CENT COOKIES AT MCDONALDS?! (Or 3 for a dollar..cause that's how I roll) For like a week straight, I was cravinggg a chocolate chip cookie. One night I was driving home and wanted something sweet..there was a McDonald's on my right and Wendy's on my left. McFlurry vs. Frosty. Mickey D won the internal battle (because we all know had I gotten a frosty, I would've felt the need to also get fries.) I knew I made the right choice when I saw "hot, chocolate chip cookies" on the menu! Umm what?! I ordered two and a kids' size jug of milk. Don't judge me. And the menu did not lie; they were hot AND fresh and melt in your mouth, so amazingly perfect.

Babiez and puppiezzz = my life. And I am not complaining. Like seriously? The cutest..every girl's dream combo.

xoxo,

Linds

Progression.

We all have challenges and trials..they are a part of life, but I know that our Father in Heaven and Savior not only understands but obtains the ability to help us, to uplift us, to fight for us and to encourage us to realize our greatest potential. This is kind of a new (to me) concept that I'm finally beginning to accept. I have so much to be grateful for. I know that and am doing my best to recognize those things.

Dwelling on the past as well as the "what if's" and "what if not's" of the future is not helping me progress. A few months ago when asked the question to describe himself in one word, my friend processed it and replied "progressing." I didn't think much of it then but have thought about that response quite often lately. We can ALWAYS be better. For him to be able to confidently say that is something that I desire. Every day is a new day and in order for me to progress in different aspects of my life, I first must be happy with my life. Waiting around for something or someONE to make me happy is not the key to solve my problems.

"If the foundation of faith is not embedded in our hearts, the power to endure will crumble." Remain strong. Remain faithful. The Lord has a plan and everything will work out. Hard times and struggles will always be evident in this life but we do not have to endure them alone. Christ is anxiously awaiting to answer our prayers and give us the strength we need but He cannot do that unless we ask for help. That is something that I am consistently reminding myself. I am not alone. Nobody has to be alone.

I absolutely L O V E D this talk of President Eyring's:: "If we have faith in Jesus Christ, the hardest as well as the easiest times in life can be a blessing...We never need to feel that we are alone or unloved in the Lord's service because we never are. The Savior has promised angels on our left and our right to bear us up. And He always keeps His word."

"Even acting on a twig of faith allows God to grow it" --And I am so very grateful for that.

xoxo,

Linds

Gang Signs & Babies

First of all, Bear Lake is BEAUTIFUL. The crisp water is this gorgeous shade of bright blue that I cannot even begin to describe (and you can't see cause the pictures are in b&w. hah) The Bigelow fam has a house up there so we went for the long weekend and it was so much fun. Despite fearing for my life and almost dying with Rach, tubing behind a boat will forever be one of my very favorite activities. Time was spent boating, playing in the water & sand, lots of kiddos running around, cooking, baking {peach cobbler with the besttttt peaches} which resulted in toooo much eating, playing games and sharing a bed with Ava..which is an experience on its own. I'm so lucky to have been able to go up with the Schmidt clan; their whole extended family is so good to me and makes me feel part of the fam! And I got to see my brother too soooo win, win :) And don't even ask why I decided to throw up some gang signs when Maddy snapped the pic. It's just what I do. Also, is that not the most adorable little girl you've ever seen?? She is the sweetest lil thing.

xoxo,

Linds