Niagara Falls!

This past weekend I loaded up my suitcase and two friends for a quick road trip to see Niagara Falls for the first time. I was so excited!!

We left my house Friday after I got off work and literally jumped in the car and started driving. My GPS hates me as it made us go through every small town in the state of Pennsylvania! Danielle claims we were following the Heritage Route (she said she saw a sign) – I, on the other hand, dubbed it Highway to Hell! ;)

Finally after a couple of stops for gas, stars, and slowing down due to extremely thick fog – we made it to Buffalo, New York! That is where Andy’s brother lives and they kindly let us stay in their home for a couple of days. When Danielle and I made it up to the guestroom this is what we found. I thought it was absolutely adorable and so welcoming…

Woke up bright and early Saturday morning and it was fun because they have four kids ranging from ages 2-9. The kids informed me that they always have Waffles on Sunday and then they did their chores while I showered and got ready.

I opened the door to find the oldest daughter ready to give me a lesson on her new sewing machine. So, downstairs we went and I “helped” sew together a purple hamster for her friend at school. We then put everything away and played Wii Dance while waiting for everyone to get ready.

Then it was off to the Falls! They were gorgeous!

I didn't realize that there were two sections to the Falls - American Falls and Horseshoe Falls.  Both of which were beautiful - but Horseshoe Falls are the Falls I thought about when someone was discussing Niagara Falls. 

American Falls

Entrance to Canada!!  We walked across the bridge which wasn't too scary!

Canada and off to the right you can see the overlook on the American side...  That was super scary to walk out on!  I pretty much stayed in the middle and handed my phone to one of my friends to take pictures with.  Also, you can see the Ferris Wheel that we went on and I thought I would be fine but ended up wanting to pass out...  It was super scary!

The lights that shines on the falls so you can see them...  They were so pretty when it was only the purple color - too bad!

American Falls lit up!

Beneath the Falls - If you look close enough you can see the Maiden of the Mist waving.

This is a picture of Horseshoe Falls...  I thought that this was a cool picture!  I loved seeing the two rainbows right next to each other - to me it means everything is going to be alright!  ;)

Danielle, Andy and our new friend Murray the Moose!

Overall, the trip was a ton of fun although I think that I would like to go back when I won't feel so rushed! 

MARCH MADNESS!!!

In about 15 minutes my favorite time of the year begins...  March Madness!  NCAA Basketball Heaven!

This year I have UNC winning it all - I hope they don't let me down!!  After watching Tuesdays game of BYU vs. IONA - I know this is going to be a great season fulls of talent and amazing skillz!  If only I was lucky enough to go to one of the games!!!  It is on my bucket list!  :)

GO UNC!

Yea Mon - Jamaica is AWESOME!

My friend Molly and I purchased tickets and a hotel for a quick little vacation to a little island called Jamaica.  It was AMAZING!!! 

First of all, we flew First Class - it really is just as awesome as I thought it would be.  We boarded first, they gave us little drinks and warm cookies and nuts...  It was heaven!  I was actually sad when the flight ended!

We finally landed in Jamaica and grabbed a taxi to our all-inclusive resort Sunset Beach Montego Bay.  We were upgraded to an ocean front room with a patio that literally opened right up to the beach!  I was so excited that I woke every morning before the sun and practically jumped out of bed with my swimming suit on!

The first night the entertainment was a steel drum band that was so cool!  I hope the videos show their awesome moves and ability to play!

We mainly stayed on the resort to just relax on the beach with our little smoothies that they would give us.  The last day we went zip lining and I thought I was going to die for the first 8 out of 9 lines...  Practically every picture they had of me was of my eyes shut and a VERY scared look on my face!  She has those pictures so I will have to grab them when we swap pictures! 

I loved every minute - even when I realized that I was having an allergic reaction to the sunscreen Molly let me borrow because I ran out of mine.

An act of kindness...

My friend, Andy, made dinner for me and a couple of friends last night.  It was delicious!  :)

It was also the first time that I can honestly remember someone of the opposite sex making dinner for me!

He made this yummy Ziti - which I had never had before.  I was in charge of dessert and therefore threw together Nutella Strawberry Shortcake.  It was actually pretty good and the perfect light dessert to that amazing dinner!  I am hoping that if I keep telling Andy just how much I loved his cooking that he will offer again in the future!  After all these years, I now understand why men love having a wife that will cook them dinner!!!  I wanted to put my feet up and yell for Andy to bring me a Diet Coke from the fridge.  Ha! 

I will admit that I had a hard time just turning the kitchen over to him or letting him chop up the onion his own way (I may or may not have pulled out my chopper and showed him an easier way).  I attempted to play the piano and then the guitar because I was hovering - no cook likes that!  But my playing was terrible because I was too distracted by what was going on in the kitchen...  Well that and because I am not very good at either the piano or guitar and I felt bad for his ears!  :)

So, Andy, thanks!  It was really nice to have someone else be in charge of making dinner!

Random Note:  I will be in Jamaica in six days!

February - Valentine's Day

February is a month of mixed emotions for me. 

I don't think it is just because I am single either...

This February is the second anniversary of my changing my outlook on life.  Two years ago, February, was one of the hardest months - I made a lot of poor choices and hurt my family. 

This year it hit me extra hard and I was really struggling - then the worst day of the year was around the corner - VALENTINE'S DAY!  A single persons personal Hell...

But something weird happened - I received chocolate covered strawberries from my brother and his family.  They were delicious and helped lighten my dark and sour mood.  The next day I received flowers from another brother, homemade Valentine's from my sister and  her kids, yummy cookies from the parents and then even MORE flowers from my other sister. 

I went home that night and found a lovely card from another brother and a sweet homemade Valentine with yummy suckers from my sister and her family.  It completely made my mood change!

I was brought to tears by the love that my family has for me!  And I know that not because of the flowers, strawberries, cards, suckers and/or cookies....  But because the past two years, they have really been there for me! 

Emailing me loving words of encouragement
Holding me up when I couldn't hold myself
Flying out to see me when things were a little rough
Purchasing a Wii because they knew it made me happy (Thanks Dad - not only am I grateful, but so are all of my Wii Dancing friends!)
Helping me move into a more suitable environment
Cleaning my room of hazardous materials - thanks Erin and April!  :)
Crying with me on the phone when I don't understand things

That to me is L - O - V - E!! 

Family - you mean more to me than life itself...  I am here today because of the love and strength you have shown me!  Thank you for everything. 

I LOVE YOU!!! 

World - here I come!!!

This year I decided to spend my vacation time not in Utah but traveling the world!!  :)

I am lucky enough to be flying to Jamaica in March, London in April, and then going on a cruise this September in celebration of my turning 30!! 

Things are exciting in my life right now.  School is keeping me really busy at night after work...  So I literally fall into bed exhausted!!  But, the courses are only 8 weeks long and so I am a quarter of the way through!  Ha!  :)

I am enjoying my roommates and love the location of where I am living right now!  My roommates and I get along famously and I just enjoy getting to see them and catch up every night!  I just inherited a HUGE television from Erin and therefore ready to have Wii Dance Parties with friends. 

I haven't done as much cooking lately as I would like, so I am hoping to change that.  Especially when I am trying to save money for all of my world-wide adventures.  I think that I am even going to attempt learning to eat and LIKE leftovers....  ugh!!

To Whom It May Concern:

With the New Year - one of my resolutions is to become the person that I want to marry.  This song has been one that has been rolling around in my head the past few weeks.
To Whom It May Concern - The Civil Wars

I am going to work out more often
I am going to study the gospel
I am going to be a more kind and gentle person
I am going to allow myself to love and be loved
I am going to have more confidence in the awesome person I am
I am going to finish my degree

I would say that I am turning a new leaf, but I believe at times in my life I have tried to accomplish everything on this list already...  This time it is different though - this time I believe in myself.