a 17 year old..

Wow! I can't believe I'm 17!! It's weird to think about! I've learned so much over the years, and have so much more to learn. I am grateful for the blessings God has given me, especially my family, friends, and church. I wouldn't be where I am today if I didn't have them in my life.
This year I hope to grow closer to my Heavenly Father. And to find a greater appreciation of myself and the people around me. I hope to spread smiles and sunshine to everyone I know! :) loves to all<3

-things i am grateful for-

God.

family.

Nathan

prayer.

home.

piano.

TOMS.

friends.

goodmorning.

laughter.

individualworth.

stars.

twizzlers.

temples.

HeavenlyFather.

smiles.

imagination.

JesusChrist.

music.

wishes.

change.

waffles.

movies.

Jasmine.

forgiveness.

driving.

trees.

integrity.

dancing.

kisses.

sunshine.

countrymusic.

Michelle.

photography.

decency.

creativity.

parents.

rain.

colors.

theAtonement.

cookies.

sweatshirts.

grocerystores.

service.

brothers.

virtue.

jeans.

Autumn.

movies.

military.

hugs.

Prophets.

amazement.

hands.

church.

mousse.

EFY.

food.

clouds.

peace.

teachers.

Madison.

divinenature.

hair.

thoughts.

time.

modesty.

learning.

talents.

texts.

beauty.

Katie.

inspiration.

Christmas.

lactaid.

happilyeverafter.

fun.

shopping.

goodworks.

airplanes.

money.

birthdays.

trust.

childhood.

walking.

contacts.

dreams.

Annie.

growth.

quotes.

faith.

safety.

theHolyGhost.

facewash.

charity.

ancestors.

challenges.

kids.

work.

memories.

theSacrament.

ribbon.

understanding.

gifts.

princesses.

eternity.

socks.

RascalFlatts.

knowledge.

pillows.

footsteps.

constancy.

baking.

Patty.

hearts.

remembrance.

flowers.

rainbows.

TaylorSwift.

crazy.

baseball.

support.

calm.

Seminary.

phonecalls.

weekends.

new.

progress.

comfort.

doctors.

Summer.

light.

coziness.

happiness.

theBible.

creation.

choice.

accountability.

bodies.

sweetness.

technology.

books.

sleeping.

tears.

LadyAntebellum.

secrets.

massages.

improvement.

backroads.

openness.

theBookOfMormon.

journals.

fairytales.

lucky.

pancakes.

cleanliness.

guitars.

thePriesthood.

joy.

wonder.

precious.

moments.

simplicity.

love.

quotes

A few thoughtful words that have really meant a lot to me:

"well being pretty is mainly on the outside. Plus you can always put effort into looking pretty. You're beautiful if you're beautiful. You can become beautiful or lose beauty. But it's not just about what you put on or how hard you try. Being beautiful is who you are."
~nathan van katwyk

"every woman deserves a man who calls her baby, kisses her like he means it, holds her like he never wants to let her go, doesn't cheat, wipes her tears when she cries doesn't make her jealous of other women, instead makes other women jealous of her, is not scared to let his friends know how he feels about her, and let's her know how much he really loves her."
~cody carlson (fb)

"love is louder than the pressure to be perfect"
~annasophia robb

“I have come to realize that I am like an old 20-dollar bill—crumpled, torn, dirty, abused, and scarred. But I am still a 20-dollar bill. I am worth something. Even though I may not look like much and even though I have been battered and used, I am still worth the full 20 dollars."
~dieter f uchtdorf

"the best kind of friend is the one you could sit on the porch with, never saying a word, and walk away feeling like that was the best conversation you've had."
~christina christensen (fb)

"‘Bill, I have never helped a “nobody” in my life. In the kingdom of our Heavenly Father, no man is a “nobody”’”
~marvin j ashton

"once in a while, right in the middle of an ordinary life, love gives us a fairy tale"
~anonymous

"just be you, because that's who I love."
~mark norman

"Life is like a piano. The white keys are happiness, the black keys are sadness. As you go life's journey, remember the black keys make music too."
~katie kay martin (fb)

jazmatazz!! <3

Awww man I love this girl!! 138 days since I had seen this girl. Aww man have I missed her!! She is just the sweetest thing ever. And no matter how far apart, we're still the best of friends. We can have the craaaaaziest adventures together. From scary movies to getting lost, shopping to goofy pics, school to running in the rain with our TOMS on, this girl is mine:) I love her sweet spirit, and I love how almost nothing has changed between us. She is beautiful and I love her to death. Can't wait til spring break;) love you jaz!

the miracle worker

Whew! Another play done! And many more to come (I hope.) it was definitely crazy. I learned so much about myself, and others. I wanted to portray Helen as realistic as possible. Yet i wanted to find myself, be real to myself as well. It wasn't always easy. There were quite a few times my steps were taken grudgingly. But I am happy with the way it turned out. I am happy with the people I was able to work with on both casts, and through the long hours, silly emotions, bumps and bruises, lack of sleep, and the craziness of it all, I'm so grateful for the learning experience it became. I dedicate this to the true Helen Keller, Annie Sullivan, and all those associated with them, and I cannot wait to meet them someday in Heaven. Thankyou for the amazingly inspiring story. May your memory live on! <3