Just Becuase.

Every now and then, I make decisions that really don't have any reason tied to them.  Well they do have reasons, but they don't always make a ton of sense.  This summer I've made some of those decisions. 
+ I have vowed not to wear flip flops any more.  They're lazy and they make my feet dirty.  
+ I'm going to wear less make up.  I honestly haven't been wearing any for the past little while and I'm loving it. 
+ I'm getting rid of nearly half of the crap that I own. I've been downsizing for the past few days (a major reason I haven't blogged...I've been too busy!)
+I'm going to buy an adult-sized bed.  I've been sleeping on a twin all my life and I'm ready for one that I can sleep diagonal on. 
+ I'm blogging less.  That was a pretty deliberate decision.  I love my blog...But living life is so much more important. I've realized that the happier I am with my life, the less I feel the need to blog.  I do it more out of enjoyment than necessity.
+ I'm lessening my 'screen time'.  Less phone, less computer, less TV.  I've really only been watching when it's something I'm doing with someone else.
Do you do anything for reasons you can't alway pin point? 
What do you do just because?

I Think Gifts May be my Love Language

I love giving gifts, and I love receiving gifts.  It's not because I like material possessions.  At all.  In fact, I have way too many material things.  But what a gift shows is thought.  When you give a person a gift you have to recall mentions of favorites, wants, needs, and your overall knowledge of the things a person likes.  When you give someone a gift they truly love, you are showing them how well you know them or listen to them, or even just that you care enough to try  and find them the perfect gift.  I have probably thought about that too much, but it's true! For my birthday, my family all got me some fantastic gifts.  Everyone asked me for a few things that I wanted and I gave them some ideas, but I think they mostly just went with what they thought I would like.  My sister Megan got me a few different things.  They'll all look great in my room.  As I've moved back home we're all making a lot of changes to our living situation and I'm really excited to put up the things that she got me. 
Jake completely surprised me and got me a new pair of work boots! I'm ridiculously excited about these and I couldn't believe it when I opened up that bag and saw them.  I've been wearing the boots I was issued for the nearly 3 years that I've been in the Army...So I kinda needed a new pair.  

My mom and dad, in addition to buying me a couple of tires (Isn't it funny how the things you ask for changes so much as you get older?)  They got me a bunch of bath salts.  This may seem like a pretty simple gift, but in a dorm room, you miss out on the tub.  It was incredibly thoughtful for them to get and I have already used them!
My sister alexis got me a floral printed dress and a romper from Forever 21.  I already wore the dress and when it warms up, that romper will be a go-to.  She also got me these stinking cute sticky notes that I just want to put all over the place. 

My cousins got me some gift cards (perfect for me as I'm unemployed) as well as a mat stack book for scrapbooking.  And my aunt got me a bag from her recent trip to New York.

Gifts aren't just material things...They're a way that you show someone you care and I love them.  What do you think of gifts?

Staying Strong

This past week was National Women's Health Week!  I want to talk for a second about how important it is for women to take their yearly trip to the doctor and make sure all is well with our bodies.  
Below you will find an awesome infographic that can serve as your guide to women's health.  It reminds you when you should get checked out and what you should be doing to make sure that you're healthy. 
Personally, I go into my lady doctor every year.  However unpleasant it might be, I think it's worth it. We always talk about my birth control and make sure that we both think what I'm using works for me, I always get a pelvic exam :P a breast exam, and whatever else I need.  Because I'm in the Army, I also do a once yearly physical with them.  Because of these preventative measures, if there were something wrong with me, we'd catch it! Chances of surviving a potentially fatal...anything are going to go up with early detection!  

So don't forget to head into the doctor and get your yearly check ups! Find out more about the check-ups you need with the graphic from  Oscar Insurance. 

PS...Sorry if the graphic is a little small.  I'm still trying to figure out my new computer and that occasionally means that I can't figure out how to make things bigger or smaller...I'll get the hang of it eventually I suppose. If you're interested, you can check out more on Oscar's health insurance services if you're in the NY and NJ areas!

On another note, you should be seeing more of me around here.  I'm still getting settled in at home and trying to figure out a bit of a routine and so far that routine has not included blogging. I have a lot of work to do around this house so that I can make all my crap fit inside of it.  So maybe I'll just blog about it. We'll see!

So don't panic if you don't hear much from me.  Life is just a challenge when it's constantly changing, and unfortunately, sometimes something must go.  For me, blogging may have to be put on the shelf for a few weeks.

Please don't cry. 

Oops. I forgot to blog

First of all, I'd like to apologize to all you lovely readers of mine.  Since my last final, this is the first time I have opened my computer.  On Thursday, I packed my last few things into my car and headed off to Salt Lake and since then, this is the first down time I have had.  22 has been pretty hectic so far! 
A few updates:
I got my grades! A, A-, B+, and a C+.  It kinda brought  my GPA down a little, but It was honestly just that dang philosophy class! But I passed and that's what matters! I'll just try to do better next time.  I'll also pray that I never have to take another philosophy class.  Ever. Again.
I turned 22! On Thursday I got into Salt Lake around 4, went out to a quick dinner with my family and hung out with my Jake On Monday we actually went out to my favorite place, The Cheesecake Factory, and celebrated for real.  My family all got me wonderful gifts!  I'll share those tomorrow I think.  It's crazy to me how the things you ask for change so much as you get older. 
Friday, Saturday and Sunday I was in the field.  It was raining basically the whole time, I finally got to drive (and tow a trailer and avoid hitting some deer...) For as crappy as it could have been, it wasn't so bad.  My buddy grilled up our team some morale hot dogs and the rain didn't feel quite so wet. 
And now...Here I am.  Back to the grind.  Except there is no grind! I went from having three jobs to no jobs and I'm finally feeling like I can relax for a few minutes.  I'm so happy to be here with my family and I'm excited to share more of my summer adventures with you and with my family! 

Oh The Places You Will Go

I'm going to keep today's post short! This week I have my all of my finals! I'm pretty excited to be completely done with this semester.  I was starting to feel as if it was never going to end, but here we finally are! I'm three 4 finals, packing my dorm room, a 410 mile drive, and one drill weekend from relaxation. 
In keeping with my Month of Me and the Summer Vacation theme I thought I share my Vacation Bucket list. 
1.  Turkey. 

Ever since I took AP Art History in High School I have been dying to visit this incredible work or art...Also, have you ever seen a photo of the beaches in Turkey?  I'm just dying to visit there some day. 
2.  Hawaii.  I've never been there and I feel like it's something that you should do at least once in your life. Why not? 
3.  Every possible Bluegrass Festival.  Because I love bluegrass. 

4.  France.  I have taken years of french and I just feel like it would be so cool to go there and see the Eiffel Tower and try my best to talk to people en francais. 

5.  Washington DC. I love history.  Like love it.  I would especially like to see the Smithsonian and the Declaration of Independence. 

6.  Nashville.  Because Bluegrass. 

photo cred

7.  New York City. I have been to New York once, but it was only for a day when we had a little accidental trip there when I missed a connecting flight to Italy in High School. 

8.  London. Harry Potter. Big Ben.  Shakespeare.  The Thames. Kings and Queens.  

There are a lot of places in the world that I feel that I must see before my time on Earth is up.  Hopefully I'll be able to make at least a few of these things happen.  I've learned in the past few weeks that nearly anything is possible if you want it bad enough. 

Friday Favorites

Happy Friday, everyone! It's time for some Friday Favorites! I'm going to link up to 5 on Friday and share with you 5 of my very favorite things.  +Seems how I just bought it, my number one favorite thing is my new MacBook Pro.  Basically...I'm so in love with it.  I wish that I'd just bought one in the first place.  I'm thinking about doing a few posts about making your Apple products work for you.  They are a simply amazing modern convenience. 

 

+Tomorrow I will eat my last Qdoba burrito...And I am so sad about it. They are my favorite "fast food" restaurant... And get this...It will be free becuase I have enough points on my card!



 

+I bought some new shoes a couple days ago at the Vans Outlet store...First of all, they were ony $14.  That fact alone could make them my favorite...But they're also the most comfy shoes I've ever put on.  They're called Surf shoes and they have some foamy inserts for the inside of the shoes and basically they rock.

 

Vans Exact shoe

+ Right now is my favorite time of year.  It's just something about the newness of Spring that puts a big, happy smile on my face. It helps that I'm also moving home to be with my wonderful family and I'm finally finished with this semester this month!

 

+My final Friday Favorite is The Railsplitters.  I seriously cannot stop listening to their new album. I recommend it to peple who like music of all types.

   

The Ones Who Made Me

I'm sucking up this every weekday posting thing...Let's blame it on finals/moving in a week Sons of Anarchy.
My "Month of Me" would not be complete without sharing a little bit about the two amazing people who made me. Today is my parents 26th Wedding Anniversary.  I would not be me without my parents.  They have allowed me to screw up. They've picked me up when I fell down.  They have and always will come to my rescue.
My parents have taught me what a marriage looks like.  They love each other.  They make sacrifices for each other.  They have always worked hard to make life good for my sisters and me even when it was really hard.  They show appreciation for each other and continue to be an amazing example for us all.  
They're the best grandparents in the world.  Sure, sometimes my dad lets Kallie Wallie get a little messy...But we didn't need that Cap'n Crunch she dumped all over the kitchen floor then stopped on anyway.  They parent Kallie just like they parented us...Giving up everything to make that little lady happy.  


Happy Anniversary, Mom and Dad! I'm sorry I wasn't there to celebrate it with you, but I'm sure I'll be there for the next 26! I love you both to the moon and back!

Childhood Dreams

I almost forgot to post today! Whoops! I'm trying not the schedule my posts out too far because I feel like they get too robotic.  And I'm much more into writing whatever is on my mind and that time.  I would have for you to be getting outdated thoughts!  I told you a couple days ago that I listened to an incredible book called The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch.  Well one major part of the book is Randy telling us how he achieved his childhood dreams, facilitated the achievement of others, and how we can make our childhood dreams happen as well.  In the spirit of continuing my Month of Me I thought I'd share my biggest childhood dream.  I wanted to be the next Dixie Chick.  In case you are having trouble remembering who they are, please enjoy the video below.
Basically, I have always just wanted be them...I think that my sister Megan can understand that kind of dream.  For a while, the dream sort of just...dropped of the earth.  I was busy doing other things and I stopped actively pursuing my dream of becoming a Dixie Chick.  Through out the past few months, though, my musical fire has been reignited and thus the Dixie Chick Dream has resurfaced as well.

Honestly, I don't think I'll ever be an actual Dixie Chick (lets face it...they're never getting back together) but I can still pursue a musical career.  Even if it's just one on the side.  As I'm heading back to Salt Lake this summer, I'm working on putting together a little three piece band.  We want to play all over town all summer and try to make something real happen for us and our bluegrass stardom...  I might never be a real Dixie Chick, but I think it'll be good for me to try!

Other Things I Haven't Told You

I've been a little bit preoccupied and I haven't done much to tell the blog about my future plans.  A lot of things have changed in the past few weeks.  I even changed my little blurb on the side of my blog to fit the life that I'm currently living. So to continue my Month of Me  I'm sharing my plans for the near future.
I think that part of being in your 20s is not always knowing what is just around the corner.  Well at least it has been for me.  Most of the things that I have chosen to do up to this point have been a little bit random.  I've had very little attachment to any one place and it has been really exciting for me to fly by the seat of my pants.  
However, as a major planner, I like to at least have some framework laid down for how I want things to go.  And for the next few months, this is what my framework looks like:
+I'm moving back to Utah.  This was not really a choice.  This was more like something that the universe obviously wants me to do.  I've done my do-diligence in trying to find a place to live.  I've applied for 51 and half jobs, but I'm at the point where going home feels like it's not just my only option, but it also feels like the right option. 
+I'm going to take a few weeks off of employment.  I'm lucky enough to have the Army and music to support me for a while, I do have the possibility of a job, but if I don't get it, that'll be okay.
+I'm most likely going to continue my education in Salt Lake.  I'm not about to quit school, but I need to make some changes.  I've created a path for myself that is unnecessarily challenging.  I'm done with that.
+I'm going to spend time with my family and my boyfriend.  I miss them more than I every anticipated I might and I'm ready to be able to give my niece kisses every single day and hug my sissies all the time. 
+I'm going to pursue the advancement of my military career.  (duh).  
I have a lot of good things coming in the next few months and I'm excited to get all these finals finished up and be able to relax at home with my family. 

My First and Favorites

Like I said Friday, this month is my birthday month so I'm sharing all kinds of fun things about me, my past, my experiences, my family and all sorts of other things.    I have two best friends.  My sisters.

I am so very blessed to have these two humans as my sisters.

Alexis and I are a few years apart, so we were in middle school and high school together.  We basically did everything together.  Now, we're all grown up.  She's a wife and a mom, she's a full time student, and she works a full time job.  Basically...She's my hero.  I don't know how she does it.  I guess she just learned from the best.  Our mom.

Miss Megan is a little Bluegrass Diva.  Some where between my high school graduation and now she just became this amazing musician with more ambition than I have ever known.  She's basically turning into the musician that I always wanted to be and I am completely jealous of her dedication to the craft. 

This year she's taking on some great musical responsibilities and she's learning and growing into an adult that I completely respect...It's pretty hard to see her as anything but my baby sister though...

I feel like I'm the luckiest middle sister in the world to have grown up between these two.  Sometimes we fight.  We don't always get along perfectly, but they will always be my sisters and forever my best (and first) friends. 

A Month of Me

This month, is the month of my birth.  May is also my favorite month.  I don't think that it's because I was born in May though.  It's just so green, and full of dafodils and sunshine.  It's also the month that my semester ends, and that is glorious.   So each weekday this month I'll be sharing something different about my passions, my family, and other things of that nature. Today, as I'm in Pahrump doing my thing with my band, I figured it would be a good day to talk about one of my very most favorite things in the world: Bluegrass.   I started playing the Mandolin when I was 11.  It wasn't necessarily something I planned on doing nor was it something my parents pushed me or my sisters towards.  It was simply something that I had an interest in, so I picked up a mandolin and asked my dad to teach me song.   Ever since that summer before 6th grade, I've been playing the mandolin. For a while it was all I ever wanted to do.  I wanted to be the fourth Dixie Chick.  I didn't care how improbable it was, it was what I wanted. As I got older though, it got sort of pushed to the wayside.  I was busy doing other things that it became too much of a hassle to practice and learn new things.  Sadly, I wasn't really all that into it.  

Luckily, though, since I've lived here in Vegas, I've rediscovered my love for it and it has become something that I look forward to doing.  I play all the time and I'm really excited to do this thing in Pahrump this weekend!