2018 Rewind

2018 could be described in many words, but I'll pick one. 

GROWTH

That may be a word that a lot of people use to describe their year.... or every year for that matter, but this year I've really felt it. 

The following images explain why I picked this word. 

This year has been an ADVENTURE, so keep your hands and feet inside the vehicle at all time.

I'm not responsible for any lost or stolen items.

*shoutout to google photos for helping me remember*

1. Went back to visit my mission for New Years. The 18 months I spent in Houston, Texas will forever be my favorite.

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2. Chopped my hair short and got highlights, both completely irrational decisions. Hated both the length and the color. Haha, oops!

3. Became the favorite aunt, AGAIN. It's no secret. AND I celebrated one year of best buddies with my sweet Becca!

4. Visited Zion National Park and decided it's in my top 10 favorite places in the world.

5.  Spent a MONTH in Europe with my backpack & friends!

6. Presented research at BYU's MSE conference and the ASHA convention in Boston, MA. #kickedsomeasha

7. Licked the SALT FLATS. They say it's good luck??

8. Touched the top of the golden gate... yesssssss....

9. GOT SO SICK... like sicker than the time I had salmonella... 

10.  Went to Seattle!!

 

11.  Fell in LOVE with ASL.

12. Got a tattoo.... hahahahah, it's fake loco.

13. And met some amazing people along the way....

"Our lives are like a chessboard, and the Lord moves us from one place to another -- if we are responsive to spiritual promptings. Looking back, we can see His hand in our lives... What may appear to be a random chance is, in fact, overseen by a loving Father in Heaven, who can number the hairs of every head." Elder Rasband

I didn't have a ton of goals to accomplish going into 2018. 2017 was a really hard year. After getting home from my mission and transferring to BYU, my life took a complete 180, but that's okay! I decided that in 2018, I just wanted to learn to live life better, enjoy the little moments that seem so insignificant, and to do something I've never done before, EUROPE!

Bruh, it was lit. *2018 LINGO*

In all seriousness.... it was a good time. Not only did I grow as a person, but I feel like my head is screwed on a lot tighter now and what I want for my life is clearer. 

I'm so grateful for my blessings. 

For 2019, I have three words I want to live by:

- Ritual

- Execute

- Value

1. Ritual. I feel like morning rituals and organization are so crucial to a good start to a good day, therefore, I have decided to plan my days out better. I want to start my mornings out with good scripture study and possibly... (I meaaaaan like take this next sentence with a grain of salt) the gym (haha, no really), always have my bed made, record my feelings that morning in a journal and continue the pattern throughout the year! I'm sure I will add to this as time goes on, but this is the goal for now!

2. Execute. I saw this word online and I loved it. I want to "push the button"... make something happen! This applies to my future career, learning ASL, any travel plans for 2019, church callings, ministering, etc! Take action. I want to plan my future out after I graduate so I know where i'm taking my next step. 2018 was wonderful, I learned so much, but at times I felt like I was being acted upon rather then acting. In 2019, I don't want to feel sluggish. I want to do something instead of just think about it, have the difficult conversations. (like if I want a diet coke, IMA GO GET ONE)

3. Value. I chose this word because sometimes I don't put enough value into things that REALLY matter to me. I tend to do things, just to do them, but I want to prioritize my time according to what I value most. I want to make sure those that matter to me FEEL valued. I want to value my job, my blessings, my future, and my religion. And most of all... I want to value who I am more. That's a big one for me this year and 2018 set me off on the right track. 

ANYWAYS. As if any of this matters to you, it matters to me. Just thought I'd share.

I really believe that we can be whomever we want to be. Speaking from experience, we let fear and the opinions of others limit the things we are capable of. That's why this year, I will drive to horseshoe bend one weekend just because I want to. I'll probably end up visiting Point Reyes National Seashore and NYC just because I want to. I may buy a ticket out of the country after I graduate just because I want to. I hope to go to a concert this year, the lantern festival, AND to camp outside... somewhere... all just because I want to!

It's all about what YOU want to do. So let's just go do it!

Cheers, 2019.

COTOPAXI QUESTIVAL

One of the best 24 hour adventures I have ever had.

Thinking about it? DO IT.


And always...



DO GOOD.

My Three Little Sweets

Yes, sweets is what I like to call them. 

This summer it's been #threelittles or #threelittlesweets....

THEY'RE SO CUTE, I know.

Anyways, the back story. My wonderful aunt and uncle live about 30 min away from me in Utah and I was looking for a summer job. Not only did they offer me a position to watch their girls BUT this job came with the opportunity to see them all daily...

You had me at hello.

.....heartbeat.....

I took it. (took it in a heartbeat... hahahahah, get it?)

Job responsibilities included:

- Come to their home daily

- hangout with the girls/have fun

YES FOLKS, I was well qualified considering these three girls are my best friends and they bring out the inner 6 year old in me. Like that one time I was the only "adult" waiting in line for the frog hopper ride 5 times in a row. LOVED IT. Or that I became pretty good at spinning a fidget spinner on my nose and pretending I was a fairy in fairyland.

TALENT. *cue applause*

But in all seriousness... it was the best summer and everyday was spent doing something fun.

We started off by making a summer bucket list of all the things we wanted to do. We sat outside my apartment and got long pieces of paper and just started brainstorming away! We came up with so many ideas and I even started thinking "are we going to have enough time to do everything we want to?" Well we did as much as we could and enjoyed every single day!

Accomplishments:
*CUE MUSIC/GRAB A TISSUE*

- 7 peaks sun burn

- kool-aid hair dye

- library book check out/late fee (whoops, haha)

- killing the laser tag game at the fun center (team blue), and if you're Keaton, this means wearing all black to even further disguise yourself
- Lehi fun center
- finding out a sweet little sister will join them in January!

- becoming a pro at different hairstyles. Keaton either likes simple hairstyles which include ponytails or one braid in the back and never keeps her part OR she likes to try new things (see awesome hair below), Britain doesn't care, as long as it's smooth and has no bumps, Rowan has the most TENDER head, so I brush soft and usually put it in a ponytail, haha.

- learning that Nutella bread cannot be eaten for daily breakfast or that milk goes SO fast

- graham cracker cereal (WHAT, I know. Genius)

- museum visits

- how to manage a dog that's the same size as you

- how to chase down the same dog when he runs out the front door

- sidewalk chalk masterpieces

- saying "I Love You" always

- eating giant snow cones 

- disco skating
- aquatic centers
- WATER SLIDES

- cow appreciation day

- ihop hot chocolate is a hit hence the 3 milk moustaches

- puppy barn

- slumber parties

- launching ourselves off a half inflated air mattress

- using tape to change our face (picture below, you're welcome)

- Soccer games/soccer practices
- softball games
- morning cartoons
- star wars plays

- cherry picking

- creativity to change up daily lunch routines

- Zumba together in the living room or really wherever there is music

- PARKS ARE FUN

- splash pad
- dressing up American Girl Dolls

- nickel city

bumps/bruises/scratches but a whole lot of forever memories

It's been a blast. One of those summers where you feel the 'I NEEDED THIS' feeling.

I have felt nothing but love from these sweet girls as they greeted me by the door every day when I came in or consistently asked me "are you coming tomorrow?" There's something so special to be said about children. Christ taught, "Except ye be converted, and become as a little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as a little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven." I really believe that. They're so loving, non judgmental, want to serve you and make you happy. They're pure, kind, and have the best imaginations.

SPEAKING OF IMAGINATIONS..

It's the best when I'm talking to the girls and they're playing and I tell them to do something and out of nowhere Keaton says, "Chelsea, can you please stop?"

HAHAHAHA, WHO'S CHELSEA. Beats me. Apparently I'm Chelsea? So I just replied "Okay Bianca" hahahahaha.

I never realized how much I was going to learn from being with them daily and how much it would impact my life. It was sure an adventure and a summer I will never forget. I'm very grateful that Heavenly Father blessed me with the opportunity to spend all my days with my three little sweets! It's starting to hit me now that I wont have the blessing of seeing them every day and hearing their crazy fun requests to go do something together, or cleaning up after their spilled lunch and leftover PB&J crust. I wont be able to tell them to take just ONE more bite.... and after that just ONE more bite until it's all gone hahaha, or look into my rearview mirror everyday and see three of my favorite girls occupying my back seat asking me to play our summer jam..

2 Heads by Coleman

or hearing them beg me to jump into the pool with them.

But life if full of seasons, isn't that what they say? And this one has come and gone, but I cherish the 4 months of pure ADVENTURE with these girls! I have loved every single second and we have nothing but memories upon memories!

PLUS, i'm their cousin..... so they're stuck with me!

STAY TUNED. Summer 2k17 video coming soon.