Birthday Weekend Extravaganza

I have the best friends and family.

I am going to try and explain my weekend, but in all honesty, I don't think I can even begin to explain the amazingness. 

First off, Friday night I had a great girls night (plus baby.)

Shaelee, Max, Marnie & Heidi

We ate at Chickfila, my fav, and went shopping for some wedding shoes. Did I mention Shaelee is getting married?!?! After shopping, we watched Princess Diaries, my fav, and played with baby Max.

You could say things are getting pretty serious.

Second, Saturday. Jami planned an entire day. She spoiled me. 

When she picked me up, she gave me an envelop.

She gave me a "plane ticket" to New York.

Well, more like she brought New York to me.

We ate lunch at Rich's Bagels, a cute bagel place in Holladay. Bagels is a very New York thing to do. 

Next off the aquarium. This was the original plan for the day. I have been craving the aquarium for about two months now, and Jami was the lucky person to go with me! I will be the first one to say that I am not an animal person. But I love the aquarium and the zoo. My favorite part of the aquarium is the shark tunnel.

 The aquarium was a little crowded so I didn't get a full tunnel picture like I did last year but this one will do. The shark tank was so clean that it was even better than I remember. We were able to see everything. I just love watching the fish, I feel like I am in the Little Mermaid and all the fish are going to start singing "Under the Sea."

Jami & Heidi in Shark Tunnel

Also, my other favorite part is the penguins.This time the penguins were actually swimming. I have a video if you want to see :)

After the aquarium I got another envelop for NY Pizza Patrol.

How can you go to New York without eating New York Pizza?

You can't.

I would highly recommend this place to a friend.

That garlic bread was to die for.

Next up, another envelop with "Broadway Tickets."

Guys, I think I found a new favorite musical.

That's right, I said musical. 

Jami and I were both pleasantly surprised when they started singing. The music was beautiful and the talent was exceptional. (I have actually been listening to the soundtrack for the past two days.) 

So even though Jami couldn't take me to New York to celebrate the big two one, she did the next best thing. 

Next stop on the the birthday weekend is Upton.

My family goes to Upton once a year for Memorial Day.

It is gorgeous up there. So green. *heart eyes emoji*

We eat dinner and hang out with the cousins. 

Heidi & Jennie

Also, I watched "You've Got Mail" on the way up. This is probably my favorite NON-Disney movie. 

Monday: The actual day. 

This day started out just like every other Monday. I did my school work. Economics to be exact. 

Every Memorial Day we visit my aunt's cemetery plot and then go out to eat.

This year we followed the tradition, except this year I had a baby to hold. A buddy. A new partner in crime (sorry Jen).

Beckett

He makes every family gathering more exciting. Understandable, right?

After the cemetery and food, I went back to Economics. Being the responsible adult my parents raised me to be. Went shopping with my mom and sister and then dinner with the four of us.

Basically, best birthday weekend ever. 

I spent time with all my favorite humans.

And I even have an adult license now. #grownup

Mormon Monday

These past couple of weeks, the Relief Society lessons have spoken directly to my heart. Yesterday, the lesson was on Tomorrow The Lord Will Do Wonders Among You, a talk by Elder Holland.

I know when I watch General Conference, I know I can do anything. I can become this person worthy of the celestial kingdom. I have hope for my future. But then General Conference is over and the adversary creeps back into my mind. Whispering how I won't ever be good enough. What is the point of even trying because you are just going to fail. Sadly these thoughts are regular in my mind. I am constantly comparing my progression to everyone else. And that is the most discouraging thing. 

Elder Holland included this picture in his talk.

  

He compared it to General Conference ending, but in reality, I think we feel like this everyday. With the responsibilities of school, work, church, family and friends, we are all stretching ourselves pretty thin. Every day we are trying to finish that "to do" list. I am guilty of just trying to get through the day. I am constantly wanting to get through today, this week, this month, this semester. I find it hard to see the progression in my life. While I am putting my entire heart on the web, I might as well say, that sometimes I don't see progression. I wonder if I am the same person I was a year ago or even five years ago. Or even worse, have I backtracked and now I am just trying to get back to where I was?

But then Elder Holland says this:

"With the gift of the Atonement of Jesus Christ and the strength of heaven to help us, we can improve, and the great thing about the gospel is we get credit for trying, even if we don’t always succeed."

*Sigh of relief.* I get credit for trying.

I don't have to be perfect. Ever. I don't need to magically overnight become the person I was meant to be. It is going to take time. I will be the first to admit that I am not perfect. There are somethings I will just have to keep trying to fix. I will fail over and over again, but at least I am trying.

"Keep loving. Keep trying. Keep trusting. Keep believing. Keep growing. Heaven is cheering you on today, tomorrow, and forever."

To end, I wanted to include this video. We watched this at the end of our Relief Society lesson. I love what Kim says "I began to think maybe I couldn’t do this. Maybe I wasn’t strong enough. Maybe I might fail. But the Lord wasn’t going to allow me to fail. I know that’s not unique to me. He does that for everybody... The greater our sorrow is, the greater our capacity to feel joy.”

 I know we are all going through trials. Some are outward and everyone can see them, but some are inward trials that you must carry, but please remember that Christ is carrying those burdens too. You don't have to carry anything alone.

Aunt Heidi

I want to introduce you to someone.

He is my favorite human.

He is perfect.

He is all I have dreamed about my entire life.

His name is Beckett Brandt Anderson.

He was born 5.18.2016.

He was 7 lbs. 9 oz.

And 20 inches long.

I can't express how much I already love him.

So everyone wish Brandt and Meme congratulations on making one cute baby.

Heidi & Beckett

And Then There Was One

I will forever be grateful for Deseret First Credit Union for bringing me Marnie and Shaelee. All three of us applied for a job not knowing what epic friendship was about to happen.

But, over a year ago Shaelee left the Murray Branch to work at another branch. This was a sad occasion, so we worn black to mourn her last day. Although she was just moving branches, it felt like she was leaving forever.

Marnie, Heidi, & Shaelee

 Now Marnie is leaving to work at another company. She is leaving DFCU and so that called for another all black day. It is sad that I won't be able to instant message Marnie every time our "favorite" members come in. We won't be able to have dance parties on Saturdays, or bonding time in the vault. Life is about to change for the both of us. She is starting a new chapter in her life and I am so excited for her, but sad for me.

With Shaelee gone, and Marnie gone, that leaves just me. 

Marnie & Heidi

Going With The Flow

I am a planner.

I think (overthink) about everything.

I like to eliminate the element of surprise in situations I can control.
I like to think I am spontaneous and fun, but really, that just isn't me. I plan. I think things through. That is just who I am.

The past couple of weeks have been a little difficult because almost everything isn't going according to plan. In other words, life is testing me. Trying to knock me off my game. But I am learning to go with the flow. It will probably take years of practice, but one day I won't think about every detail.

"What screws us up most in this life, is the picture in our head of how it's supposed to be."

Park City

I have been looking forward to this weekend since November.

I think it is safe to say we all needed this 24 hour getaway.

Marnie, Shaelee, & Heidi

We stayed at a condo we found on Airbnb. It was a cute little place that served us well. We played games, took pictures, and watched Netflix.

We explored Historic Main-street, twice.

Park City's Main-street is my second favorite Main-street.

 (Disneyland Main-street USA being the first)

We stayed up laughing and jumping on the bed. There is a video but it isn't in my possession. Also, we spent a good hour looking up random Disney facts. Obviously these girls know what makes me happy.

Heidi, Marnie, & Shaelee

To finish the weekend getaway, we bought matching sweatshirts and drove around trying to get the best picture.

Marnie, Heidi, & Shaelee

AND BONUS: POLAROIDS!

The Atonement

Today, all three hours of church had a common theme. 

We talked about the atonement and the resurrection.

It was a much needed day at church.

Plus, Relief Society ended in a musical number. How cool is that?

So remember, God is good. And life is sweet.

Ain't not time like this time, baby.

(If you know the song, you rock.)

Winter Quarters Cemetery

Priority Registration

It is my favorite time of year.

Signing up for fall classes.

Totally kidding. 

I hate this time of year because I get so frustrated with UVU.

In March, I started creating my schedule It was perfect. I had my fall and spring semester created. (AKA my last two semesters before graduation. Eek!) Well, looking through the course catalog, I am only able to take two classes because the other 8 classes I need for graduation are only offered on  Wednesday at 5:30. For obvious reasons, I can't sign up for these classes. I even went to see if only classes were being offered for anything. Only one class is offered online. I am officially upset. I even emailed my advisor because this is not acceptable. I don't not pay thousands of dollars just to have every class needed for graduation to be offered at the same time. Come on UVU.