Another Year Older

 January 29, 1994 this picture was taken at Desert Sam's.

Yesterday, January 29, 2013 I was blessed to celebrate my 19th birthday!

 

NINETEEN! That's like, old! ;)

 

It was a weird birthday being away from home, and family, and having NON-STOP snow for the first time ever on my birthday. It's a good thing I have two wonderful brothers up here in Utah with me, and such awesome friends!

 

My day started with a not so great night sleep--that has been a common theme lately for me. Anyway, I got up around 1:30 to go to the bathroom, opened my door, and all the sudden balloons were falling ALL OVER ME! I was so confused, but once my brain clicked on, it was a fun surprise. :) And there are cute little notes all over my door. Hanna and Sarah sure know how to spoil me!

 

Then, at 6:30 I got on Google Hangout {which may be one of my favorite things in the world} and "hung out" with my family while I opened the packages they sent me.

 

They spoiled me. I love my family!

 

 

I got to spend the day, 9-2, in class, and making my first bouquet for my floral design class. It was HARD. But I loved it, and it smells SO good! So fun to have something living in my dorm, especially since I don't have another human in here with me anymore.

 I chose the rose first, so I wanted to do everything around that. That rose is seriously BEAUTIFUL.

 

My brothers took me out to dinner that night. We went to Bombay House, a little Indian food place that is pretty close to my dorm. It was good! And it was fun to have a little time with family!

 

 

 Hanna made a delicious cake, and invited over a bunch of people. So, after dinner, we had cake and chatted for a little bit, and it was super fun! There are great people in this world, and I'm so glad I know some of them!

 

It was an exhausting, and freezing cold day, but it was also an awesome day!

 

It is weird to think about life, and how sacred and special it is.  I am so thankful for the life that I have been blessed with. I know I have problems. My body doesn't function like I want it to all the time, and I get frustrated when my knee or my lungs hurt, but when I really start to think about it, I have such a good, and such an easy life.  My body works. I can breathe. I can talk. I can laugh. I can smile. I can walk. I can run. I am independent.

 

I have an amazing family. I have 2 great parents, who, I can say, CHOSE me. After looking at this one picture:

{even thought I had a bowl cut. That's love. ;)}

 

I have 3 amazingly talented and beautiful sisters who are the greatest examples to me. They showed me how to be a girly girl, and to love  clothes, shoes, make up, boys, you know, the life of a girl. But they also showed me how to be strong, and smart, and an independent woman.

I have 5 wonderful brothers who are also talented, and handsome, and always looking out for me! They showed me how to be tough, and taught to eat a lot. :)

I have 5 of the cutest nephews anyone could wish for. They keep my love for Legos/star wars/cars/all things BOY alive.

I have 4 beautiful nieces who are the greatest. They keep my nail painting/house playing/dress up/arts and crafts/and all things GIRL alive.

They all encourage me to pursue anything that I love; to dream big, and then to get to that point. They are the best family a girl could ask for.

 

I have come to understand a few things better this last year.

 

Life is precious. We never know when it will be taken from us. Life is challenging. There are fast-balls thrown at us all the time, from every angle. But, life is worth it. Life is happy. Life is full of learning and growing. Life is sacred. Life is beautiful. I LOVE LIFE~~ And I'm so thankful that I have been able to live, love, and grow these last 19 years!

Missionaries, Missionaries EVERYWHERE! :)

I've successfully made it through the first two weeks of winter semester! And it has been GREAT!

 

My awesome FHE family shrunk, which was super sad, but, seriously, I don't know how I got so lucky to get that calling! I love those kids! {it is a HARD calling...but, it is SO worth it!}

 

I literally feel the pride of a mother {okay, I know I don't really know what that feels like, but I'm pretty sure it's close to it} when I hear about their successes, and I really want to do anything to help them continue to make right choices, and be prepared for all that lies ahead of them!

 

This weekend, two of my "sons" got their mission calls!

During break, one of my "daughters"/my awesome roommate (who may or may not have left me alone...) got her mission call, and soon--within a few weeks, another "daughter" will get her call!

I AM SO PROUD OF THEM! 

 

Tiff the stiff (she told me to call her that, I'm not just a jerk. haha) is the greatest girl ever.  She cares about everyone.  She takes time to get to know people on a personal level.  She goes out of her way to make people happy.  She rocks Spiderman.  She also rocks Fiona's (from A Cinderella Story) voice.  :) She knows just what to say to get me going, and we had many a night where we just laughed. About anything and everything!  Tiff got her call to Motevideo, Uruguay leaving April 10! Now she'll know Spanish and we won't have any more of our crazy sit on google translator nights. :)  

 

Karch, my "golden child" as he called himself, left my family at semester to move in with some friends, but, regardless of that, he's still an awesome kid!  He is a typical California boy--tall, dark, and handsome! (I can say that because he's my son. haha) And, he's huge--especially compared to my mere 5 feet!  He's always out having fun and meeting new people, but he is also never too busy to smile and say hi to anyone.  Karch got his mission call to New York, New York North, Spanish speaking, leaving May 29.  Those peopele are going to love Elder Smith!

 

And Hunter, oh Hunter.  He's definitely my wild child. :) He's also the jokester of the family.  That kid shows up to almost every FHE event we have, and comes with his crazy spunky personality.  He can always seem to make me laugh!  Hunter is a big teddy bear from Boston, and I love having him around in the family!  He got his call to Rome, Italy leaving on June 12! How cool is that?! Hooray for Elder Romano! 

 

I am so proud of all these people who heard the prophet, and are now heeding that call!

 

A guy, and a girl in my ward, were both called to London, England South, and will both be leaving May 16.

 

Two guys in my ward were both called to Japan, Kobe leaving May 15.

 

And a few other calls that I heard this weekend up here:

Orlando Florida, Spanish speaking, Korea, Busan, Peru, Cusco, Dominican Republic Santo Domingo West, and somewhere in Russia!

 

It really amazes me when I think about missions, and where everyone gets called, and the realization comes that each call is divinely appointed.  Each call is assigned through inspiration from the Lord.  And wherever you go, whether it be Rome Italy, or Boise Idaho, there is someone who is there, ready to hear the gospel, and because YOU heed the call of the Lord to get out and serve, you get to bless their life, and all of the future generations of thier family. 

 

I'm so grateful for the opportunity I have to be up here, around so many awesome people, meeting new friends, and learning so much.  It really is a blessing to know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is true.  I am so thankful for that knowledge in my life.  It didn't come to me because of a big, cool expeience, but by small experiences, and by the promptings of the holy ghost, and reassurance from my parents and leaders to turn to scriptures and prayer in times of need, which only leads to reassurance from my Heavenly Father.  I know He lives, and loves me.  I know He sent His son, Jesus Christ to this Earth to live with, and bless the lives of everyone, and then to die for our sins, that we might be able to return to live with our Father again, if we only take the time to repent, and keep the commandments.  I know that the atonement is individual.  It was suffered in order that I might have a friend at all times, that I might know that I can always turn to my Savior for guidance, that I can live a normal life, which is full of mistakes, and I can still, through the process of repenting and taking the name of Christ upon myself, return home one day.  I know that families can be sealed together for eternity in the temple, and I am so excited for the day that I get to kneel accross the alter from the love of my life, and make lasting covenants with him, for time and all eternity.  I know that President Monson is our prophet on the Earth today, and that he leads and guides our church through revelation he recieves from the Lord.  I know that the Book of Mormon is the word of God, and that it was translated by the Lord, through Joseph Smith.  I know that the principles taught in it are true, and that if we study the scriptures, and pray for guidance, and follow the simple commandments laid out for us, that we will be happy in this life, and in the life to come.

 

I love my life, and all of the people in it, and I am thankful for the opportunity I was given to live it.  My life could have been so much different had I not been adopted into my wonderful family.  Had I not made the decision at age eight to be baptized a member of the true and everlasting gospel.  Had I not met the people who I call my friends.  Had I not come to BYU.  Had I not made a lot of choices that I have.  Everything in my life has made me a stronger person so far, and I look forward to getting to learn and grow so much more in the years to come! Have a great weekend!  

Meanwhile, at BYU...

Day two of classes: DONE.

I am exhausted! 

This semester will be a work-out for my brain, that's for sure!

BUT, I am really excited for it!

 

 

I love all my classes already,

and all of my professors,

and my schedule is pretty dang awesome, especially for having last pick of classes!

 

 

Plus, let's just add that some how, magically, there are a GREAT number of attractive men around. 

I've been told that I haven't been paying enough attention, which could very well be the case, but no  matter what the reason, boy does it make school more fun! :)

 

 

Oh, and one more happy note for today; I SOLD ANOTHER TEXT BOOK!

{Thanks to Carter for listing it for me! :)}

That is one of the most satisfying feelings ever!

 

But for now, I have to go, and read 55 pages of a text book--my favorite thing ever...haha

 

Happy Tuesday!

 

Oh, and I thought this was pretty funny.

 

 



Break Break

**WARNING: LONG POST BELOW, FILLED WITH LOTS OF PICTURES**
Well, I'm back in Provo (or P-Town if you desire).

Break is {basically} officially over. :(

I was seriously SO blessed this break though--I got to be home for almost an entire month, in fact, just six days short of a month, and I loved EVERY SINGLE MINUTE OF IT!

 

Why, you may ask? Well, because I got to spend it with all of these lovelies:

Funny story about this picture--So, we always take a silly picture, right? well, seems like every time around Adam, {my nephew standing right next to me} tells me to look at his silly face. So all of our "silly" pictures, are of the side of my head. haha

But anyway, I really love this family of mine, and I am so thankful for it!  We spent lots of time at parties, and singing, playing fun games, eating food {that's what we do best},going to the Nutcracker, going to The Piano Guys, watching Christmas movies, going to Disneyland, riding bikes, having sleep-overs, finding goats, you know, just havin a grand ol' time!

My family is my favorite, that is for dang sure!




I also spent a bit of time with these lovely ladies:






And yes, we did go and conquer Camleback again. That mountain's got NOTHIN on us! :)

I was also blessed to get home just in time to see this handsome young man get set apart to leave for his mission! 

It's still hard to believe that baby Jed is out on a mission, but I'm so proud of him!

I was also blessed to be able to go back to work when I got home!  I work with some of the coolest people ever, and what is better than working at a BAKERY?! I mean, really? Fresh bread smell all day long. YUM. Plus, I love all of our customers, so seriously, I don't see a down side to this at all! I loved being there, and getting to catch up with everyone again, and to let my bank account catch back up as well. :)

We had our traditional Bradshaw Family Christmas party--with all of my Dad's siblings/kids. It's a BIG hullabaloo.  This year we got a DJ and had a huge dance party.  IT was pretty dang fun!

My niece's art work was chosen to be hung in the Gilbert Public Schools office, so my mom and I took a trip to go and see it!  Here she is next to her picture--So proud of you Maya girl!


We got to go see the Piano Guys! They came to Red Mountain High School, and my dad got us tickets!  Holy cow.  PLEASE look them up if you don't know who they are. You won't be sorry! I promise! I'll even give you a link:
http://www.youtube.com/user/ThePianoGuys?feature=g-subs-c
See. Now you have no excuse. :)

We also got to go see the Nutcracker. But not just any version.  We got to go and see the greatest version ever.  Why, you might be asking yourself? Well, because my amazingly talented, and handsome little brother:

 was in it, along with a number of other children that have special needs.  The cast was a mix of typical children and those wonderful children who are just a little closer to Christ than the rest of us.  It was amazing.  They did such a great job! And I loved seeing how proud the little buddy was of himself! He's one of my biggest role models. That is for sure.

We also, as tradition, went Christmas caroling with the fam. 



One of the greatest parts of Christmas Eve for sure! And then we had the family gift exchange, and Parker had me this year, and boy did I score! He got me perfume! :) Smart boy! {smart mom :)}

My amazingly talented sister Candice made super hero masks for all the little boys, and so they had to take a little picture.  Oh how I love those kids!


My sister, Kelli:

 is amazing, and talented, and beautiful, and kind, and rich {okay, maybe she's not that rich anymore, but that's because she has a beautiful house. :)}, and she is such an amazing example to me as well.  But, this break you could almost say that she was crazy! ;) She invited all 9 of my nieces and nephews (ages 8,8,7,6,6,4,2,2, and 6 months old) over for a sleep over at her place the day after Christmas.  It was a WILD night, but it was SO fun, and I'm glad that she did it, and invited me over to participate in the festivities!  I hope that I can be more like her one day soon!


And last, but not least, my parents took us to Disneyland!  Carter, Kelli, Parker and I got in the car with my parents and drove up to Anaheim on Thursday the 27th, and we made it to our hotel in time to crash for the night.  We got up, and all day Friday went and played at the park!  MY FAVORITE THING EVER!  I LOVE DISNEYLAND. We had a great time, even with the failed 2 and a half hour wait in line for Space Mountain. We learned patience, and got to see some funny people, that's for sure! :) 

But overall, it was a great trip. {especially the churro, and pickle. Must haves at Dland)And we got to see the beach on Saturday while my parents went to a sealing for my cousin in the San Diego temple.  I love the beach too.


I love Arizona, and I love California, and I'm learning to love Utah in all of it's -8 degree, snow, and ice glory!

I'm working hard this year on my new years resolutions.  And I hope that they will help me to be a happier and more outgoing me! Hope everyone had a VERY Merry Christmas and a happy new year as well! Here's to a GREAT 2013!