JoKes on YoU!

Last night, I went down to Temple Square to plant flowers with my ward. As we were standing on the sidewalk, waiting for buckets of "dirt" aka horse crap, we saw something in the distance. A man was trying to maneuver his way on a unicycle down the sidewalk. That right there just makes me happy, I can't help it! If that wasn't good enough, he was also sporting a large bow tie and carrying a briefcase. I have no doubt that he rode that uni ride out of the church office building. As Molly and I saw him coming, we just had to stare. As he passed, I just smiled while Molly yelled, "YAY!" He just looked at us like we were idiots. Her tone made it seem like he was 5-years-old, learning to ride a bike for the first time, or a uni...

I don't know what it is but for some reason, I can't take a unicycler seriously. Balancing on that one wheel definitely takes skills, but what drives a person to ride one? Is it for attention? Reminds me of a classic story. My friend Ally was dating a guy when we were at the U. Things were going well until she saw him riding a unicycle on campus. It was a deal breaker. I can't blame her. As shallow as it seems, I would have pulled the same move....

Ode to the FNL

Dear FNL,
My Friday nights aren't exactly the same without you. Besides The Bachelor, you were the one show that I looked forward to during the week. Even with DVR, I have to plan my night around you. We have FNL parties in your honor. Ten girls, sitting around watching a show based on football and your little town of Dillon, TX. I want to share one of our great FNL moments. During one of your heated football games, Kelli's brother had to ask, "You know this is just a TV show, right?" We know that FNL, but the drama you've created makes it all seem so real. Please don't be gone for long.

Heart,

Alli

If you haven't seen this show, I'm telling you, start now! The third season ended a few weeks ago and it DID NOT disappoint!

Let's start off with my reasons for LOVING this show.


I'm sorry Tammy and Eric, but you have the best relationship! On a number of occassions, I have thought about basing my own future marriage on yours. Sadly, I am dead serious. And it doesn't help that you are both ridiculously good-looking.


Matt Seracan. I need to find me a man that bases his whole life around the health of his grandmother and is always concerned about her well-being. Nevermind the fact that you were pretty much abandoned by your parents. What 17-year-old kid is mature enough to be QB1 AND the care taker for an 80-year-old woman? Sign me up!


Sorry for the soft porn, but my goodness Tim Riggins! Pretty sure all of my friends decided that we would "give it up" to you. Pretty sure we were all dead serious too. I have come to love your mullet...and I'll just forget about the fact that you are always drunk and have no aspirations of going to college.


Lyla, Lyla, Lyla. You are super annoying but you have come to love Jesus and I can't fault you for that.


Texas forever ya'll! Clear eyes, full hearts, can't lose!

Disneyland!

This might be the most spontaneous thing I have EVER done...and it was so fun! Kelli's birthday was last Tuesday. We had originally planned to have a bonfire for her until Kimi realized she had two buddy passes that expired on Thursday. Coincidentally, you get into Disneyland free on your birthday which gets you a little badge telling everyone it's your birthday. To make a long story short, we found pretty cheap flights and booked them on Monday night at 11 to leave the next morning at 8AM. Who wouldn't want to spend their birthday in the happiest place ever with the funnest gals ever?

We arrived at DL right as it opened along with the masses.

We rode everything we wanted to, and some things we didn't want to. Jessie was ticked that we went on It's a Small World", a DL staple,



but alas, we survived it.




We had a dog and a churro, and were out of there by 5:30 to catch a flight at 7. We were sad to leave....



but, it was pretty much the best day ever! Happy birthday Kel!

If you need a laugh...

Go here. She is gonna kill me for this but those of you that know Jess Morrow Gardner will love this. And if you don't know her, I promise she is not slow, just awesome...Rare pics of Jess in her glory days. Sorry but she is probably the coolest girl/bestest friend ever and these pics are proof! Always up for a good time! I have my own set of billybob pics with her that I will save for her birthday next year....Cannot WAIT for you to be home in 3 weeks! Wahoo!

Things that bug

A few things have happened lately that really chap my hide. What does that even mean anyway? So normally, I consider myself a pretty laid back person. I don't really get stressed or let things bother me. I have come to terms with the fact that people are weird, that they do weird things and I should probably just get over it.....or just laugh at it. Just a few of my random thoughts as of late.

1) Every ward has "special people". I know you all know what I mean by this so I will just leave it at that. I have multiple guys who always IM me on Facebook even though we've never had a conversation in the flesh. Trust me on this one, I am in no way trying to let you know how many guys IM me. They are "special". "How's your day?", "how's work?" It's like we are cyber friends but I don't even know who these people are. Sure, I recognize them at church, so what's the harm in becoming FB friends, right? Sometimes I even pretend like I am my brother hacking into my account so I don't have to talk to these people. They keep asking questions over and over again until you respond. If that green little dot quickly changes to red after you IM someone, take that as your first sign. Does anyone else think this is weird?
2) When people say wuffs instead of wolves...this could totally be my bad and maybe I have been incorrect my whole life, but wuffs? That just sounds weird.
3) When you are at a stoplight and the car next to you is a good 15 feet behind the white line. Is it really necessary to leave all that space? Is there something you can see that I can't?
4) The invasion of personal space. Apparently some people have never learned that there is a one foot diameter around everyone that should never be invaded, unless of course you are invited in.
5) Crocs. The shoes, not the animal. Hideous.
6) Grown men walking around in packs at Disneyland with mouse ears on. They have automatically thrown themselves in the "creepy" category.
7) Two hour meetings that could be over in a half hour if 20 tangents weren't taken. Why must we make them longer than they need to be??
8) Being asked out on a date, through a text. If you are constantly doing this, and I am consistently saying no, stop asking. You've already killed it.
9) Mean girls. Aren't we old enough to get along? Your dirty looks aren't doing you any favors.
10) When guys use girls to get to their friends. We would be more than happy to hook you up if you just want their number. All you have to do is ASK! Heaven forbid, you ask the girl yourself!Maybe it's the first red flag that you can't approach them on your own. I don't know, you decide.

On a side note, I may or may not have gone to Disneyland yesterday, hence #6. Left SLC at 8AM, home in bed at 11PM. The happiest place on earth has never been happier... Details and pics to come!

Top 10 reasons not to go out with someone again

10) He had a glass eye. Not that there is anything wrong with that but I was never sure where that little wandering eye was looking.
9) He repeatedly tapped his glass eye, thinking it was cool while secretly, I wanted to vomit.
8) He told me that he has been the EQ Pres. twice and he's pretty sure he'll be called again.
7) He picked me up in a ridiculously nice car but proceeds to talk about his "new" car that is much nicer than this. I seriously could have cared less.
6) In the course of an hour, he proceeds to plan our next 10 dates. Bless his heart.
5) He conveniently LOVED everything that I love and wanted to do all of these things on our next 10 dates.
4) He asks if I work out or if I am naturally thin. And then wants to know how often I work out and when was the last time I went.
3) He tells me how his last girlfriend dumped him for an ex-boyfriend. He couldn't believe it because he gave her everything she could have ever wanted and her parents were SO impressed by him! (his exact words.)
2) He LOVES Provo.
1) At one point, this came out of his mouth. "That's okay, we all have hair down there." I don't care who you are, this should NEVER be a conversation starter!!

H.O.P.E.

One of my best friend's world is changing.

Within a two week span, EVERYTHING that she knew will forever be different.

This turn of events has made me think a lot. About how we take our everyday lives for granted and the people in them. About how getting up in the morning and going about our days is something we should be grateful for. Not only do I love her, but I LOVE her parents and I can't help but wonder what the future holds.

The strength and attitude of this family is something to live for. When she broke the news to me, SHE was the one comforting me and telling me everything was going to be okay and that it was just "part of the plan". I can't help feeling a little silly because SHE had to reassure ME about something I already knew. Ironically, it should have been the other way around. That shows the kind of strength and spirit she has.

My mind has been flooded with memories of my time in their home.

Their house was a second home for me and I will forever be grateful for the kindness and generosity they have offered me. I single handedly drank most of their milk, ate most of their candy in the "drawer", and ALWAYS felt welcome there. Between the road trips and late nights at their house, I dare say that THEY were definitely the coolest parents around. Parents that you wanted to hang out with, because they were seriously that cool.

In times of trial, our FAITH is the only thing that holds us up. It's times like these that define who we are and what we are made of.

If anyone can fight this, HE can. It's in his nature. He won't go quietly. I have no doubt about that.

Elder Ballard said it best.

"My message to you today, my brothers and sisters, is simply this: the Lord is in control. He knows the end from the beginning. He has given us adequate instruction that, if followed, will see us safely through any crisis. His purposes will be fulfilled, and someday we will understand the eternal reasons for all of these events. Therefore, today we must be careful to not overreact, nor should we be caught up in extreme preparations; but what we must do is keep the commandments of God and never lose hope!
Faith in God and in His Son, Jesus Christ, is absolutely essential for us to maintain a balanced perspective through times of trial and difficulty. Remember, nothing will occur in our lives that He does not understand. Alma taught, “And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.”
As the end of the Savior’s mortal ministry drew near, He offered this reassuring hope to His beloved disciples: “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”

My prayers are with you...