this is my life

via

cjane is my bff

I don't even know what to say about this show.  Basically, y'all know I love Fictionist.

Did you know I love The New Electric Sound?  Me neither.

I mean, I knew I really liked them, but then all the sudden I was 50 feet away and I was in love.

We also saw and partook of the Waffle Love truck for the first time.

Yeah, also in love with that.  So good.  I'd even take a plain waffle.

I just don't even know what else to say, because I'm still in my post concert coma.

So please enjoy these songs that are currently always stuck in my head.

And if anybody asks, I want to marry them all.  

life

A few weeks ago, someone pinned a blog post called
"how to love yourself without hating other people."

I was all over that, so I clicked on the link, and amazingly enough I found a gem (and not spam).

I love that she just said it.  It needed to be said.
It reminds me so much of Elder Holland's talk from April Conference:

       "May I plead with us not to be hurt—and certainly not to feel envious—when good fortune comes to another person? We are not diminished when someone else is added upon. We are not in a race against each other to see who    is the wealthiest or the most talented or the most beautiful or even the most blessed."

I am too often guilty of hating on the other side.  It's something I really have to work on.
And I am!  So, that's something.

Happy Friday!

*also, I love her blog now.

jack

I miss this crazy pup.

He's my best friend.

He just doesn't know it yet.

He's a pro at giving hugs, but

I'm still trying to teach him how to snuggle,

and not eat my hair.

I can't wait to see my spoiled boy!

I'll even let him eat my hair.

it happened

four weeks ago.

i'm so proud of that boy.

we met in ninth grade

after i went to a concert with my cousin and his best friend (Justin's brother)

and i decided that was a good way to break the ice.

and he's been like family ever since.

him leaving has reminded me of the best parts of the last five years.

it was a bittersweet see ya later for me, and i think he picked up on that.

i worry a little that we won't be as close in two years, 

but then i remember that he's Justin, 

so it will work out just fine.

besides, i stocked up on enough Justin hugs to last until 2014.

from his first letter:

"I'm learning so much about myself here at the MTC.  It's crazy how much it tests your limits.  

Limits of faith, patience, diligence, Cebuanoness, how much you can eat, 

and how well you play beach volleyball.  But it's been a great learning experience."

he also said he wouldn't mind if i stalked him at the temple.

he loves it.

but he's still him.

and i love that.

camping, pt. 3

pt. 2 here

red banks.
first time for all of us without parental support.
emotional overload.

it was perfect.

camping, pt. 1

it was the most beautiful site i've ever seen.

we were the only campers there without a dog or a trailer.

i didn't quite match my fishing record, but together we got about 13.

i still make maddy kill mine for me.

i rocked the socks and sandals

and decided it's my new favorite camping attire.  

practical and comf.

we got rained out on the second day.

i laugh at my younger self who cried during storms, because 

mountain storms are gorgeous. 

i've realized that i cry more about beautiful things, than sad.

i guess that's what's so wonderful about growing up.

surfin' usa

Two months ago I had a twice in a lifetime* experience.  I had every intention of spelling out every detail, but I just couldn't put it into words.  Then I was semi-unplugged (meaning I didn't have my computer and was attached to my phone) for the month of August, so it never got done.

On the fourth of July, my very favorite holiday, I saw The Beach Boys, my very favorite band.

My dearest Rachel invited me to the Stadium of Fire after her sister won tickets!

Basically, this is how it happened:
We go sit down in the middle of all these old people.
I get a broken chair.
Scotty McCreery opens.  Hey, I never noticed how cute he is.  Good thing I'm on a country kick.
Ryan Innes wins a battle of the two bands.  Love him.

It gets darker, and then finally, my Boys come out.

They start playing a song.  I wish I could remember the set.

I CRY.
Like, I sob.
And then I control myself.
But I am literally shedding tears the whole time they are playing.

It was the best night of my life.  For real.

If you want to see some probably not so legal video footage, hit me up.

*I first saw The Beach Boys in 2001.  They were my first concert!  I actually tried really hard to figure out a way to attend a show on their reunion tour this summer, but it just didn't work out.  But then it did.

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The day before was spent celebrating the Centerville way.  Fireworks and food.  

And homemade cream soda.  

And a parade.  

And cute kids.