Backyard Pond

I'm no photographer but I was excited when our water lilies started to bloom and couldn't resist taking a few pictures. A gorgeous backyard is definitely one of the huge benefits of having a professional landscaper as a dad!

Buckle Up

I think its good, every now and again, to be reminded of our mortality. I definitely can't say that I haven't complained about all the physical pain and I can't say that I haven't complained about losing my car. But I have gained a greater appreciation for my family and the acts of service they've shown me. I'm also incredibly blessed to not have been seriously injured. The EMTs said my injuries would have been much more severe and possibly even fatal if I had not been wearing my seatbelt, and I definitely have the bruises to prove it. So I guess I get to stand on my little soap box and tell everyone to buckle up! You always think nothing like this will ever happen to you, and hopefully it never does... but its always better to be safe than sorry.

Who's Your Sugar Daddy?

It's been such a long time since I've posted! Ali you're probably so disappointed. I could make all kinds of excuses about life being busy blah blah blah but I think I'll forgo the formalities and just get on with the post.
If it's not obvious from the picture, my chosen topic for today is the man of my dreams. Probably the only people who read this blog include my family and some of the Gold family. So be patient with me because I'm only telling you things you already know.
Logan is the best thing that has ever happened to me. I never thought I would be so lucky. He is the most amazing person I have ever met. Logan is the kind of guy every girl is looking for. He knows how to make people feel good about themselves. He loves unconditionally and forgives unquestioningly.
He is easy to get along with and does so much for other people. Logan is selfless and understanding. He makes me laugh and knows how to have fun, but also knows when to be serious. He is extremely intelligent and resourceful. And because I KNOW you all are dying to know...he's also an excellent kisser ;)
The purpose of this post is not to embarrass him, although that is a small part of it haha. I guess I just have all these feelings that need to be expressed and this is a good outlet to help me do just that.
I just want my family to know that I'm happy. I want the Gold family to know that I love their son and I am so grateful to have him in my life. Most importantly, Logan I want you to know that you are my everything and I love you with all my heart.

Oh the humiliation!

I knew this day was coming and I decided it would be best to get it over with sooner, rather than later. Per request, I have decided to share with you one of my most embarrassing moments.
First, you need to understand something about me. I tend to be quite comfortable and outgoing with people. I rarely feel awkward and I rarely get embarrassed. So for me to even have an embarrassing moment is really saying something. With that said...enjoy!
It was my senior year in high school and life was great. I had a 4.0GPA, lots of hobbies and amazing friends. It seemed like there was always something fun to do when Friday night rolled around; whether it was a hot date, movie night with the girls, or a bon fire in the canyon.
With my expectations so high, you can only imagine my dismay when, on a Thursday afternoon in Calculus class, my friends and I discovered that we had absolutely no plans, nor potential plans, for the weekend. So we decided to take things into our own hands. Me and my two best friends, Emily and Lisa, decided to ask three boys to a group date. Lisa's mom has a lot of connections and was able to get us tickets to the Timpanogos Storytelling Festival. All that was left to do was find ourselves a date.
Lisa had a boyfriend at the time so it was a piece of cake for her (pardon the cliche!). Emily asked a friend of ours in the ward to go. I knew who I wanted to ask, but I was having a little more difficulty than them. I had only ever asked out one other guy and it was my best friend for a girls choice dance, no big deal. Usually its the guy who asks me, who knew this could be so hard?!
So after dancing around the subject all day, Emily and Lisa finally trapped me, put the phone in my hand, and made me call Adam (oh yeah, his name was Adam by the way). As the phone rang, my heart pounded. I was so nervous! I couldn't believe it, things like this usually came easily to me.
After what seemed liked hours, he finally answered the phone. We had rehearsed what I was going to say but I instantly forgot everything. I'm pretty sure I remembered to mention who was calling..and I may have asked him how he was doing, but after that it went quickly downhill. After the small talk and pleasantries (quite unpleasant in this circumstance) I cut to the chase and told him why I was calling. It went something like this: "Adam, we're planning a group date for this weekend and I was wondering if you would like to go to the Story-felling Testicle with me."
I was absolutely horrified! What made matters even worse was that fact that Emily and Lisa were now rolling on the floor, not even trying to contain their laughter. I don't know if Adam was also trying to hold back the laughter or if he was just completely mortified at the thought of me having just offered to castrate him. Luckily for me, he was a complete gentleman. Without embarrassing me or even making me say another word, he accepted my offer and quickly ended the call.
As the years and humiliation have passed, I now look back and hold a special place in my heart for the Timpanogos Storytelling Festival.

Happy

Story time! My family has a dog. She is a purebred Maltese, weighs about 6 pounds and is absolutely adorable. We affectionately refer to her as "our little floor mop". Her real name, however, is Happy. Happy recently went, quite reluctantly, to the groomer's. We like to keep her hair short, but this time it was cut a little too short. When they trimmed the hair on her face they completely shaved off her whiskers (which is not good, it irritates the dog). Our theory is that one of them became infected because she developed a sore on her face. It wouldn't have been too bad but she kept scratching at it. It became worse and worse, her poor little cheek was all bloody. So we did what any loving owners would do, humiliated her and stripped her of all her dignity. She is now our little cone-headed floor mop. She hates it and your heart just melts when she stares up at you with those big sad eyes. But I will admit, it is quite entertaining. It took her quite a while to realize the limitations that were now set on her. Just a few days ago I walked into the kitchen to find Happy trying her hardest to get through the doggy door that leads to the backyard. The poor little thing was turning her head every way possible to try to fit through that door. As sad as it was, I couldn't help but laugh.

Geminate

I have been so blessed in my life. For as long as I can remember, I have always had a best friend; someone to walk with me to school, someone to sit with me at lunch, someone to stick up for me and someone to be my partner in crime. Her name is Amber. Coincidentally, we were born on the same day...45 seconds apart, to be exact. When people find out that I have a twin sister they always comment on how it must be so hard to share an identity. Do people always call you "the twins"? Do you feel like they write you off as one person and don't bother to differentiate between the two of you? My answer is always the same; I am privileged to be her twin. I know that my Heavenly Father sent us down together because He knew that she would be my strength. She is my best friend and has helped me through so many trials. She is a beautiful person and blesses the lives of all the people with whom she interacts.

Introductory Blog

Where to start? I guess I should give credit where credit is due. I was turned on to the wonderful world of blogging by Ali Gold. She has inspired me to write down my thoughts, my dreams, my fears, my idiosyncrasies and, of course, the many hilarious stories that are my life. You can thank her later :) I’m a simple girl trying to survive in a complicated world. The only thing that keeps me sane (and yes, I use the word “sane” lightly) is laughter. I truly believe it is the shock absorber that eases the blows of life. It’s impossible to laugh and be angry at the same time. So if we can share one moment of laughter together, we will be friends for life! Thanks for reading.