As you might know, I have planned on going to Kenya Africa to volunteer for a couple years now. I am planning on leaving sometime next year and I'm so excited.
Today, I saw on the news that a terrorist attack happened in Nairobi (the capital) at the Westgate mall.

I am crushed.

As I read through the article my heart was slowly shattering. This is a place I have come so close to over the years of planning my trip, looking at photographs, reading news articles, exploring on Google maps, and contacting others who have visited. I have considered Kenya to be my home although I have yet to step foot in the country. Hearing that 39 people were shot and killed with 150 injured victims hurt my heart so much.

I don't really know what to say about it but I needed to write out  my feelings for this terrible tragedy. I am heartbroken for the families of those killed, I want to hug all the injured and I wish I was there to help pick up the pieces and put the community back together.

Kenya, I love you. I love your people. My prayers will be with you.
 

Wow. Talk about an amazing day.

I have to thank my wonderful friends Abby and Malorey because they are just so kind. Today they came and woke me up and 7am to take me out to breakfast then surprised me with a pedicure! I can't even explain how much they brightened my week. They knew things have been hard lately and flipped it right around. It's surprising what a gesture of kindness can do to your attitude.



I encourage you all to go out and do something nice for a friend or stranger even if it's just saying hello.

Thank you again my sweet friends.

I've been in a rut lately. This rut has consisted of confusion, stress, anger, more stress and exhaustion. I haven't wanted to go to work, I haven't wanted to finish the remodel on my room for stupid reasons, I haven't wanted to handle my photography business the way I need to. Then I realized, WHAT THE HECK AM I DOING?! I've always been one to tell others that their attitude changes everything. So you know what? My bad attitude has been kicked out of the party. I have so many things to look forward to each and every day and the opportunity to meet new people. So cheers to today! Let's all look on the bright side and smile because it's wonderful to be alive.

 Here's a beautiful song to make you smile and dance:

Honestly I've been having a hard week. Another one. I've always tried to look at the good things in life but some days that gets really hard. So I'm going to quickly write about the good things that happened today instead of the bad.

This morning I got an unexpected delivery. After having 0 contact with my man for 3 days (I know that sounds pathetic..I've gone longer I promise I'm just.. don't laugh at me. It's been a long week) I went to grumpily answer my door and saw a man standing there with a BEAUTIFUL bouquet for flowers for ME! Payden sent me flowers because he wanted me to know he was thinking of me although we haven't been able to talk much over the past month. How dang sweet is that? I couldn't wipe my smile off my face all morning it was wonderful.

Then later I went to my friend Abby's house and we got a henna kit so I got to practice on her which was a blast then we made camouflage cake just for fun but also because we are both nerdy about "military things" right now since her boyfriend just left for Army basic training and my love has been out training for a while. Here's a "great" collage I threw together on my phone. 
 Then my day went downhill from there so we'll just leave that out. Now I plan ridding myself of my stresses with Netflix and this delightful cupcake. See you next time!

Yesterday I had to send one of my dearest and best friends off to college

. . . and that was really hard.

I have known Geena since I was 9 or 10 years old. We've lived "around the corner and a few houses down" for 9 1/2 years. We've been through so much, especially in this last two years. She's my #1 go-to girl when I'm having a bad day, need to talk about important life problems, need a good laugh, just want to have fun or just need a really good hug. . . you know, one of those hugs where you don't let go for a really long time but it's never awkward. . . yeah, one of those. I'll miss you best friend!
Enjoy all of your beautiful adventures at BYU-I and wherever life takes you!

P.S. Don't go off and get married too quickly! Wait for me!!

The past two days have been spectacular when it comes to weather. We went from High 90's to 60's overnight (which I am not too happy about). What was fun though is the RAIN! I came home from work and within 10 minutes it was raining so hard you could hardly see across the street. Pretty soon after that one of my dearest friends Geena and her sister ran over to my house and pulled me out into the storm. We ran down the streets fully clothed getting soaked! It was one of the best days of my life. We jumped in puddles and went to her house and jumped on the trampoline until our amazing storm came to an end.

She's leaving for college in 5 days. I'm heartbroken.  Here are a few more photos from the next day when the rain didn't stop for a few hours and flooded the neighborhood park.

Now what? Well, I'll tell you what. I have officially made myself a small piece of the internet to share my dreams, fears, hopes, life travels, creations, and so much more. I hope you enjoy this spectacular ride I call LIFE and  stay a while.