5 Truths

 

5 truths about life that I have come to know.

 

1. Just because 2 things are different doesn't mean 1 is good and 1 is bad. It just means that they're different.

 

2. If your happiness depends on people or things, you're going to spend a lot of time unhappy.

 

3.Smiling at strangers is good.

 

4.It's okay to let people help you.

 

5. If something is right there will be nothing you can do to keep it from happening, if it is wrong you won't be able to make it happen.

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!

And only 3 days late :)

New Years was a ton of fun. My friends and I were all scrabbling trying to come up with plans of something to do. Our region has a big New Years dance, but we're all getting a little old for that now. Kind of awkward dancing with 14 year olds when you're about ready to graduate ;)

So my friends and I just decided to get together and go out to dinner then show up for the last hour of the dance for fireworks and balloon drop.

The night turned out way better than anticipated :)

Dinner was way fun and the dance wasn't so lame after all!

I'm so bummed I didn't get ANY pictures.

Well, except for this photo strip with my friend ,Justin.
 

 

The photo booth was the hit of the night :)

All of my friends took lots of pictures

(How in heck did I not get a strip!?!)

Oh well :) Anyways fun night. Here's a quote from Jake.

Jake: "Do you guys want to go get ice cream?"

Me: "Sure, I don't care. I just don't know where is going to be open on New Years 12:30 in the morning."

Jake: "Oh yea.. Rats.. Hey do you guys want to go to Smiths and just grab a tub of ice cream?"

Me: I don't care! Sure, whatever you want to do sounds good to me!"

Jake: "No lets not do that.. I don't want to go in.."

Me: "Well I bet McDonalds is open"

Jake: "I don't want McDonald's ice cream I want like real real ice cream."

Me: "Do you really want ice cream?"

Jake: " YES!!!!  IT SOUNDS SO GOOD RIGHT NOW."

Me: "Okay then lets get ice cream!!"

Jake: "Nevermind. I don't know what I want. I'm sleepy and I just want to go to bed."

 

 

This probably doesn't do it justice haha! Jake is the most laid back and chill person on the face of the planet. You could dye all of his clothes orange and he would say, "Oh shoot everything is orange. Bummer." and still wear it all. (Okay that was a weird example, but you get it)

I don't know, Jake just makes me laugh :)

 

I'm really glad that it turned out being a fun night because all I have been doing my entire winter break is sewing and cleaning. I needed a fun day :)

 

LETS TALK GOALS

Yada yada I know y'all could careless what my New Years Goals are, but this is mostly for me :)

If I tell you guys about them I am more likely to uphold them.

-Be more patient

-Maintain a clean room

-Continue reading scriptures/praying/journaling every night

-Pray on knees

-Never drop below 3.0 GPA

-Get YW Medallion

-Run 2x week minimum no exception

 

 

I think that's it :)

All my love, Lauren.

 

Missionary Package: Christmas

I had SO much fun putting this package together!

It was tiring, and tedious, but I am rather please with the way it turned out and it was a whole lot of fun :)

 

THE BOX:

My strategy for this package was to avoid crazy shipping costs by getting a small box and just jam packing everything possible in it. Mission accomplished. I lined the bottom of the box with Christmassy scrapbook paper and the sides with polka dots. I painted the box red and made a "Merry Christmas" banner for when he opened it! It was perfect for the box shape. I'm not sure how I would do that in a box with 4 flaps. Another smart box idea that I didn't think of is getting a flat rate box from the post office. I was kicking myself for a while once the pounds started adding up, but it all worked out pretty well for me. 

 

Gatorade (aka Priesthood PowerAde)

Chapstick

Tic-Tacs (Missionaries can't chew gum)

Hot coco with candy canes

 

Fruit snacks

Goldfish

Beef Jerky

Snickers

Starburst

M&M's

 

Sheet music for Love Story by Taylor Swift

and I Can Show You The World from Disney movie Aladdin

3 bookmarks

-Missionary quotes

-A poem

-My favorite scriptures

 

More "Open When" letters. I made these a couple months back but decided against sending them all at once because I am almost positive Joseph would just sit on his bed and open letter after letter until he had read them all haha! So I space them out, sending a few at a time:) You can find "Open When" letter post here. Making the letters was my favorite part of the whole package. Some of the topics were:

-When you're having companion problems

-When you need a good laugh

-When you're bored

-When you need to feel uplifted

-When you are discouraged

-When you feel like reminiscing

It was so fun writing these! For all of the letters I prayed for guidance on what to write and say. Especially the spiritual ones. It was really uplifting for me as I felt the spirit guiding me what to say, scriptures to share, talks to print out, testimony to bare. It was such a cool experience.

 

Warm socks for the winter months

Lint roller

Hand sewn Hand Warmers.

I just sewed two square pieces of material, flipped it inside out so the seams weren't shown and filled them with rice before stitching them up completely. You can also fill them with oats and they will work the same. You pop them in the microwave for a minute or two and they will stay warm for up to a couple hours! Just slip them in your pockets and they will keep them nice and toasty:)

 



This was the final product before I shipped it away.

I put the letters in the box and wrapped almost everything because I thought it would be fun for him to have something he could actually open on Christmas morning.

Everything has a cheesy saying to go along with it, if you couldn't read them in the pictures just leave a comment on this post and I will send them to you:)

I loved putting this together and any of my ideas are free to be used!

Goodluck!

 

All my love, Lauren.

Just Another Missionary Post

I love the girls I follow on my blog.

I've never met them, but have you ever had that silly connection with someone totally random?

Yea. That's me with them.

They are all super great and I love them.

One of the gals I follow is Aleigh.

I have followed her blog for almost a year now and I FELL IN LOVE WITH HER.

She is the craftiest, sweetest, most fun person ever :)

And no I have never met her but who says I can't think she's awesome?

She has definitely had an influence on my life.

So this post has to do with missionaries.

Sweet Aleigh has a missionary who is coming home in just a few days and I'm crazy excited for her!

For no good reason at all, except for the fact that

1) They are crazy in love and adorable

2) She is proof girls CAN wait for missionaries

3) I have been following her story and can't wait for him to finally be home!

4) I love happy endings :)

 

And what a happy ending this will be.

Check out her blog and her story with her sweet love :)

She posts more and more of their story once a month and I am always left on the edge of my seat.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oh, and I have a couple ideas I'm working on for y'all.

A post about running,

Joseph's Christmas package,

a Young Women Project

just to name a few :)

 

All my love, Lauren.

5 Things

Hey there!

 

 

No need to say I have a really hard time keeping up with myself haha.

Stuff magically piles up...

And where did the time go?

I keep nagging myself to blog, then it takes a friend to nudge me back into it;)

So to get back into the swing, I will list 5 things and bombard you with pictures.

 

 

1. Track season is starting and ohhhhh how bitter sweet haha. Say goodbye to after school naps and hello to sore aching bodies, but it is so worth it. I love what I am doing, but I feel like I know NOBODY in track. Everybody has their own friends and I didn't really branch out last year either. So trying to make friends:) Trying to get back in shape(I thought I already was!?!?!?)

 

 

2. Joseph(because no blog post would be complete without mentioning him, right?) I get a kick out of his stories. Apparently it is totally possible for the inside of your nose to freeze;) Monday emails can't come quick enough.

 

 

3. My friend, Dorian, is getting baptized on the 21st! NO WAY!!! Everyone is so excited because he has been investigating the church forever... Really, though. Has it been 6 or 7 years? I am sooo excited! This is news of a lifetime. I am so excited for him to receive the constant companionship of The Holy Ghost and receive the blessings of The Temple. I'm beyond excited. Maybe even more than Dorian.

 

 

4. I was a vegetarian for 6 years and just started eating meat a few months ago. Boy did I miss out. Cheeseburgers are the best haha. And bacon. And biscuits and gravy is SO much better with sausage. Chicken noodle soup too.

 

 

5. Which brings me to my last topic. I have been sick for going on my... 7th or 8th week now? Fevers, chills, coughs, head aches, nausea, I've seen it all. Gosh dang. Pray for me guys because I'm sick of it. (Pun totally intended)

 

 

Life lately, in pictures.....

 

Finally finished this painting! I'm really proud of it.

Priest and Laurel South Stake Temple trip!

Las Vegas temple

Beautiful and crazy hard hike on a mountain over looking the entire city!:)

 

 

 

I think that's all for now:)

All my love, Lauren.



An Unusually Gloom Day

Today I am discouraged.

I'm packed with work and things I need to get done and I straight up don't feel like doing them.

I miss Joseph. Sigghhh.

I haven't gotten a letter in 2 weeks, but he did send me a bunch of pictures!

Which resulted in tears.

Happy tears and also frustration.

I'm feeling like laying in bed listening to Home by Blake Shelton on replay and doing nothing with myself all night.

Which would be an awful idea because I have 2 essays to write and a lesson to prepare for seminary tomorrow.

Maybe I will just eat a whole row of Oreos and get on with my life haha!

Anyone feel free to cheer me up on this unusually gloom day :)

All my love, Lauren.

Playing Catch Up

I know, I know, this post is sooooo over due.

But, life is busy, and that's a good thing.

 

Anyways, I am a Junior now!

As lame as it sounds, I really do feel a ton older.

Although I am as positive as positive can be I want to go to BYUI filling out all the college recruit letters is really fun haha!

Makes me feel official ;)

The first 2 weeks of school were crazzzzzyyy.

It never fails, I always get "those" teachers.

The unorganized ones who are mean and scary that everyone in the school avoids at all possible costs.

Yup. Without fail, I always get um.

Buuuuuut, I got a couple *cough* 5 *cough* schedule changes and not things are looking pretty good.

I'm happy with it.

And the really great thing is now that all my friends are driving we go every Friday to get food after school

Haha. We call it Food Friday. I'm so clever.

So there's that. This year really is going to be a bundle of fun:)

 

 

 

And........ Joseph hit his 1 month mark!

Yayyyyy.

Here's a pre mish picture to commemorate.

But mostly because I am sad and miss my bestfriend and look at old photos way too much.

Enjoy!

 

This one is sooooo awkward haha I love it

 

 

 

 

Today in church they had the Laurels teach and the topic was virtue.

You know when you feel like you know what you want to say but then you get all emotional and flustered and it comes out all wrong?

Yea, hi. You are my people.

Trust me, I even had it all written down but between my messy hand writing and teary blurred vision I lost it all.

But, I've been periodically sobbing all day and think I have finally got my thoughts together,

hopefully I will get this out a little better.

And if not, well, I'll just delete it ;)
Ok. Virtue.

By definition it means behavior showing high moral standards.

But broken down and with lots of thought it means sooooo much more.

I feel like it's a constant topic in Young Women's class of you have to be prepared for your future husband which yayaya is great but honestly I am soooo sick of hearing.

Literally every time it is brought up I cringe a little, especially with the topic of virtue.

Maybe that's why I got flustered, because this lesson I prepared on virtue got tuned into a "Ladies, you have to be virtuous so you can find a virtuous guy" Then I look around and see all the mortified Beehive's faces.

To me, virtue is the ultimate quality of Christ.

Yes, you need to marry someone good. It is one of the (if not the) most important decisions in this Earthly life.

But so many people never get married, or like my Mom, you marry a good guy and he goes astray.

I could probably ask any woman, "Do you love your husband?" ... yes

"Is he the most perfect love for you?" .... yes

"When you married him did all the world become perfect, did every temptation go away, was there no more trial or suffering ever because you married the man of your dreams?" ...

HEEYYCK TO THE NO.

You could marry the prophet and still have struggles!

Look at Lehi and Sariah, he was the prophet! And did she still murmur? Yes.

Struggles and trials do not just go away because you are married to a great man.

This is where virtue comes in.

The MOST important relationship in your life should be the one you have with Heavenly Father and Christ.

And know this is all my opinion.

But I have shared with you guys multiple times how terrified I was that when Joseph left I felt like standing on my own would be hard.

-And it has been, but it has been the GREATEST blessing I do not think I am capable of explaining.

My testimony of The Atonement, Prophets, Book of Mormon, My Savior, God, has been elevated so much.

Through study of The Book of Mormon I have determined political views, and morals which will help me stand when the going gets rough.

It's The Book of Mormon that will help you become like Christ and obtain virtue, not a husband.

This topic was obviously for me because I learned so much.

 

 

 

 

I feel bad ending this post on such a heavy note so it's been really rainy and wet here and I enjoy that.

I stopped running for about a month, then started back up to train with a friend for a race, and phew it's hard getting back into it haha, but I love running!

I went out early Saturday morning and ran up a mountain to see the sunrise, then I laid in the grass for a while pondering.

I know it totally sounds like I wasn't running much, but I ran a lot haha.

I just took advantage of the super peaceful moment and took a break.

Here are some photos I took while running!

 

 

Yes, Las Vegas really is just 1 big ol' dust hole.

But I kinda secretly love it.

 

 

All my love, Lauren.



Music To My Ears

I seriously love music.

I know, who doesn't?

But today I just felt like publicly giving thanks for it.

I don't express my gratitude enough, especially for all the little things that I love so much.

Like lavender, dusk and dawn, the lines on the carpet after vacuuming.

But especially music today.

I mean, it's pretty much what has gotten me through this past month of my life.

And I like all music, even though I consider myself a country music junkie.

I love some good Broadway, MoTab, and Metal too.

I pretty much can find music in any genre that I like...... with the exception to rap.

But hey, I'm not close minded to it. If I hear some rap that I like-well, I guess I will like it.

Anyways, here's the playlist I have most recently set my life to.

I will put a star by the really really good stuff ;) but check it all out if your heart desires!

 

*Better- Maggie Rose

Foundations- Kate Nash

*Give It All We've Got Tonight-George Strait

*Love Is Alive-Phil Vassar

***Breathe-Taylor Swift

Dust to Dust-The Civil Wars

Hero-Skillet

*Home-Blake Shelton(or look up the Micheal Buble version)

Mr.Mom-Lonestar

Somewhere Only We Know-Keane

*Amazed-Lonestar

*****Gravity-Sara Bareilles

 

All my love, Lauren.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Enduring Love

I'm sorry I seem to have so much to say lately.

A couple weeks ago the missionaries in my ward showed me a Mormon Message.

They warned me that I might cry (Not a shock because I cry at everything), but boy is this powerful.

I was writing my bestfriend tonight who is on his mission and I remembered this video.

I had to share it with you guys.

 

 

Isn't that beautiful.

I love the scripture they opened the video with..."Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it." -Ephesians 5:25

That's what got the water works going and gets me every time.

 

While I hope that as I grow old I can remain healthy, I know that things happen that aren't planned.

And you can't control the situation or the circumstances, but you can control how you handle them.

And lets talk about how sweet that husband was.

I feel like no matter how much I say no compliment could do him justice.

I guess writing my bestfriend reminded me of this video because I can picture his parents.

Both of them are very much healthy, but the kind of love that was displayed in this video is that of the love they have.

The love I hope to someday have.

And I know I can have if my life and marriage is centered around Christ and the gospel.

 

Anyways, I'm glad I could share. I love that video so much.

 

All my love, Lauren.



A New Light

I'm well aware I sound like a broken record, but everyday I learn something new.

New about myself or about life.

I'm beginning to understand who I am. A tiny part of who I am, because I think life isn't "discovering" who you are it's inch by inch making decisions and choosing who you are going to be, but anyways I'm rambling and just going to get to the point.

 

1. God will never leave you comfortless. NEVER. He is bound by covenant that if you are faithful and ask for His help He literally cannot and will never deny you.

 

 

2. Forgiveness doesn't have to be a 2 way thing. Stop holding onto grudges because you are only hurting yourself. Honestly the person you are mad at could blatantly not give two craps how you feel about them, but you know who cares? You. Do what's right and what you can to fix things and then let it go. It's not hurting anyone but yourself. And if you don't forgive others you can't be forgiven.

 

 

3. I always consider myself to be afraid of commitment, but I actually think the opposite is true. Recently having something I love dearly being ripped away from me, I want love more than anything else. I just want something and anything to cling onto. Maybe my being afraid of commitment was just mistaken from fear of committing to the wrong person, because it couldn't be anymore more clear than it is now how badly I just want to feel secure in the right things.

 

And that's a wrap.

All my love, and good night. Lauren

Goodbye July!

I'm not going to lie, July sucked. And I am absolutely thrilled it's over.

Even though I look back now and the whole month felt like 5 minutes.

It's August now, and I put my big girl pants on, did my hair and makeup, then turned on some good country music to get ready to and I'm not going to lie it feels good to feel sassy.

July I decided to take a break from blogging for the fear that I would rant and say something unfiltered. BUT I'M BACK! I'm sure you were all dying to hear from me.

 

 

So what's new lately?

I've been feeling extra crafty sewing all kinds of stuff.

So far I have made pocket warmers for my friends serving missions and for the cold winter months, a turban wrap headband, and an infinity scarf.

Woohoo! Not to mention working on that big "Open when" Letter project!

 

 

School starts in under a month. Is this real life?

Am I really going to finally be an upper classman?

Last year I didn't go to a single sports event, so I'm changing that this year.

Count on seeing me in the stands for just about every sport because I really missed that this past year. I have already been in high school 2 years and hardly have had any high school experiences.

Probably because I have had the "I just cant get out of here sooner" attitude, but I', changing that this year. I want to be happy more.

I want to enjoy school, I want to make friends, make memories, and have fun.

 

 

The job hunt is on.

I really really want and need a job, yet again... I don't want a job.

Ughh. I've applied a couple places but so far nothing. Really crossing my fingers for Einstein Bagels.

 

 

When is it going to start cooling off?

I can't take this summer heat much longer.

 

 

I've spent the past two years on my life in jeans and t-shirts.

If somebody asked me what my style is I would say comfortable. Haha is that a style?

But, going back to what I said about making this school year different.... I actually want to get dressed for this year. And if I get a job..... I may actually have money to buy nice things haha.

Really praying for that job.

So I have been on Pinterest trying to discover my "style"

and I have discovered that I like preppy and simplistic clothing.

I'm not a flashy neon color, high low skirt, maxi dress wearing girl.

I like polos, and sweaters over button ups, and sperrys.

If you can't tell I'm starting to get really excited about discovering my fashion identity.

 

 

 

So I think I have covered all the bases.

This blog post was all about trying to play catch up so sorry if I bored you to death, but I promise I have a month of really really good blog ideas coming your way soon.

So stay tuned!

 

 

 

All my love, Lauren.

Extreme Makeover Blog Edition

Boy.. I really didn't realize how ugly my blog was until I started venturing out more to check out others. I realized it was time for an upgrade. I'm still working on it, but I hope y'all can check it out and enjoy some of the new features!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Along the right side I added some picture of the most important things/ people in my life.

The LDS temple, nature, my best friend McKenzie who has influenced me so much.

The one, the only, Joseph. If you read this blog much you know how important he is.

Shoes, and my family. That is a lovely picture of my sister Lindsey and I on our last family vacation to Hawaii!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Over here under my labels I have made it so you guys can check out some of my favorite blogs!

There are many that I read but these are my usuals. And they are fantastic.

Go check them out.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OVER HERE NOW!

Under my blog archive I have added some contacts!

They are links to my Pinterest, Instagram and a Q&A section.

So now you can follow me and become nice and familiar with my life and the things that occupy me.

Please check these out, I want to follow back and get to know my readers! :)

 

 

 

 

And that's about it! I'm working on it, so I hope my page isn't too much of a construction zone!

Thanks for bearing with me. :)

 

 

 

 

All my love, Lauren.

Aimless

I have been so awful with updating, I wish I had enough time to write everyday but I also wish I didn't have to wear a bra. Some things in life just aren't fair!

 

Because I have been so awful with updating and I have nothing in particular to rant about, I will just flood you all with pictures and the random thoughts that perplex my mind.

I'm gushing at the thought that some people might actually care about reading my blog

So here goes nothing!

 

College. For as long as I can remember I have always wanted to go to BYUI. Don't know why the topic of college bothers me so much if I love BYUI and want to go there so badly? It's where I have pictured myself forever, I love the weather and location, want to get married fresh out of high school, its inexpensive and perfect. So why do I think about that decision so much? Well probably because it will dictate my life and who I do end up marrying. Hmm. I'm stumped. Don't know what it is about me that makes me so obsessive compulsive about the future because I'm always so worried about it, must just be something programed in me. There's nothing wrong with being prepared?

 

Kissing. It should be short and sweet and personal. PERSONAL. So you shouldn't talk about it like the weather. That's all I'm going to say.

 

"And you stood there in front of me just close enough to touch. Close enough to hope you couldn't see what I was thinking of" -Taylor Swift

 

"Never knew I could feel like this
Like I've never seen the sky before
Want to vanish inside your kiss
Every day I love you more and more
Listen to my heart, can you hear it sing?
Telling me to give you everything
Seasons may change, winter to spring
But I love you until the end of time"

-Come What May, Moulin Rouge

This song has been stuck in my head all week

 

Pimples. Gosh I hate them. They're like your crazy ex, always showing up at the worst time and ruining everything. UGGH.

 

Junk food. We have a love/hate relationship, shamefully its mostly a love relationship. I either find myself eating reeeallllyyy reaaally healthy or crap. Just me? And as soon as I have a really good healthy food streak going on I wind up eating an ice cream cone or two

I'm weak for soft serve

Or a big bag of BBQ Pop chips, oh my those are heavenly. I don't think my eating habits are normal. I should probably work on that.

 

Technology. Are we plugging in or tuning out? Seriously, technology can be so helpful sometimes! I constantly use it for looking up recipes, its a study tool, great way to keep up with friends,       *cough, cough* blog. -but are we using it for good as much as we use it for bad? How many times in the day could you be doing something better with your time but you just sit and idol on your phone checking your fave social media outlet or playing back in a word game? Think about it. Probably more then you should, huh? Because I know I do! I have a gal friend who gave up her phone for a week, willingly. Yes... WILLINGLY. The will power of this girl, sheesh. I should take more notes. But really, she just ranted and raved to me about how much more peace she felt and how much more productive she ways. Yes she missed her Instagram and Pinterest for the first two days but after that didn't even miss it! Now that she has her phone again she still checks them, but its not an urgent compulsive check for updates. This got me thinking. Technology is GREAT, but not a necessity to live. So here I am promising to spend less time idling on my phone and maybe more time cleaning my room :)

I'm sure that would make my Mom very, very happy.

 

 

That's about it for the thoughts category, now here are a few photos that summed up my week!

 

 

Ahh, having a cat means you are never alone

 

 

The joys of babysitting:) I love this cute boy and love when he snuggles up in my arms!

 



 

I mentioned early I had a love for soft serve ice cream... I was proud of my perfect "swirly" on the top

 

 

This is my sweet friend Maddie :) She's gorgeous and has AMAZING hair. This is right before we went to a regional dance she let me do her hair! I was quite proud of my work ;)

 

And these are my four great friends in school. I typically don't do dress up spirit days but today was the exception. Happy Workout-Wednesday everyone!

 

 

Well, that pretty much sums this one up. I know it was all pretty aimless and random but I always feel a lot better when I can vent and write out everything that has been on my mind.

I hope you aren't too disturbed

 

 

All my love, Lauren.

 

 

A Perfectly Good Heart

Boy talk. I've had my fair share of crushes, breakups, makeups, fall outs, and misunderstandings but boys have never in my life been more difficult or confusing as they are right now. I turned 16 a month ago and being mormon thats kind of a big deal. Its a big deal no matter how old you are! You can date, drive, work, you become "double the age of accountability" and you get a whole knew level of responsibility. This should be the time of my life right?

I don't mean to complain, Im pretty happy in my life! I guess Im just saying that dating is hard! Ever since the mission age change for guys turned to 18 I feel like every guy I talk to wants a girlfriend of MG (missionary girlfriend) and one day I hope I get that opportunity, but I just want to date! I want to go out on lots of dates and get to know lots of different people. I want to explore different personalities and find out what I like. If I don't ever try it how will I ever know what I could have missed out on?

When I was younger and watched my older sister and friends go out on dates it seemed like everyone had a date every weekend! Mormons are famous for loving going on dates right? All the sudden I turned 16 and nobody seems to be an active dater anymore? I have even heard some of my guy friends complain about not going on any dates!? What did you expect? That girls would pick up that initiative? Sorry no, I would feel like Im taking your man card. I guess to sum up my rant, girl want to go on dates, boys want to go on date, girls don't want to ask, guys its your job to so start asking!

I know that is extremely bold of me to say, but definitely needed to be said.

All my love, Lauren.