Beautiful.

"Admit something:

Everyone you see, you say to them "Love me."

Of course you do not do this out loud, otherwise someone would call the cops.

Still though, think about this,

This great pull in us to connect.

Why not become the one who lives with a full moon in each eye that is always saying,

With that sweet moon language,

What every other eye in this world is dying to hear?"

-Hafiz-  With that moon language.

My piece of paradise.

Does anyone else feel like Newman makes you want to live here forever?  I always go to U.S. history and he tells us stories about all the stupid things they did when they were younger and where they were.  He tells us about playing in the canal and holding hands with his future wife in Miss Guymon's room. He tells us stories about throwing snowballs at cars and adventures at Hearts.  Well somewhere along the way of listening to those stories, I fell in love, and as I drove down the streets of this cute little town today I thought,
"I could live here forever."

I could live here forever and go get my groceries at Maceys every week.  The same Maceys that we walked to every weekend of the ninth grade.  The same Maceys that we stalked Golden at.  The same Maceys that we went to load up on candy for Bree's first girls camp at.  The same Maceys we had a photo shoot at.  The same Maceys where I ate a king kong cone at.  The same Maceys that me and Lauren go to every now and then for a burrito.  Not because they are good, but because it's Maceys.. a sanctuary. 

I could live here forever, across the street from the high school.  The same high school where we put donuts in an unsuspecting girls locker.  The same high school that still has a piece of my face in it's walls from a basketball practice gone wrong.  The same high school where we stole a picture of Jameson.  The same high school that we fell in love with Mr. Dewey at.  The same high school that had brave young men go fight in WWI and WWII at.  The same high school that gave me confidence and love for people.  The same highschool where I grew up. 

I could live here forever and drive past margo's house.  The same house that we called Landon at and then giggled all night because he liked me.  The same house we crawled through the garage window and broke into. 

I could live here and drive past cammie's house.  The same house we tried to watch Lord of the Rings at. The same house that we at countless ammounts of Duos and fried rice at.  The same house that we blog stalked at. 

I could live here forever and drive past kendall's house.  The same house that we played barbies at and until late into the night.  The same house where we had a sleep over the night before our first day of tenth grade. The same house where we made cookie covered bananas. 

I could live here forever and drive past Haley's house.  The same house where I've eaten more than my weight in fruit snacks and popcorn.  Oh, and those one granola bar things, I loved those.  The same house where we played beatles rock band for hours.  The same house that we watched a billion scary movies at, literaly.  The same house that we had sleep overs in every other weekend.  The same house that has a sweet sweet mom, who always brings a smile to my face. 

I could live here forever and drive past bree's house.  The same house that has produced more than its fair share of talks and prank calls.  The same house that has fantastic cherries.  The same house that has the best trampoline for late night heart to hearts.  The same house where abby and lukes love was born.. (ha,bree text me when you read that.)  The same house that we crashed into jesse's car at.  The same house thas may or may not be Colton's.  The same house where mildred died.  The same house that we watched my super sweet sixteen at, forever.  The same house with that same table we sat at for hours making "the sound" at with danny and mckay. 

I'm not sure what will come of my house.  Maybe one day we'll move, but i could live here forever and see this little home that holds my childhood and maybe give some other little angles a child hood here too. 

"I love this place."
 I love the memories and the love that comes from growing up here. 
I love the people who have changed me here and the people who have helped me grow.
For some this may not be enough, but for me right now, it's been perfect.  Every bit. 
And you know,
I might just stay in white as they come Utah county, Utah, forever.

It's Magic.

You know what i love?  The days you wake up smiling or laughing or something.  Those days always seem to go well.  It's like your Subconscious already knows how your day will go.  Those are the days you can sleep in a tad and still miraculously look great anyway.  Those are the days you run out to your car and don't need to scrape it.  Those are the days you get the last front row parking stall. Those are the days everyone seems to want to talk to you.  Those are the days everything goes your way.  Those days are a rare gift.  Those days are magic.

Other days you roll out of bed onto your knes and mumble your prayers, stumble into the shower, and can only find one shoe.  These are the days nothing really is out of the ordinary.  These are the days where you hit a couple red lights and have to go to work after school.  These are the days everything doesn't just fall into your lap.  These are the plain Jane days. These are the days you're left to find your own magic. 

Today was one of these days for me.  I was left to wait for something marvelous to fall from the sky or to make my own miracle.  That's a really cool gift we're given, control.  Everyday is in you control.  As soon as we realize that, we can change things and make them into whatever we want them to be. 

So tomorrow wake up and smile.
Think, I'll make this day great.
Things will change.
.... Make your own magic.

-Linds

People

I just read this, and I got to thinking, I really love people.  We're all so different, and yet we're all so the same.  We all hope, we all wish, we all try, we all hurt, we all love, we all cry.  We all wish to be something great.  But I think sometimes we forget that we already are, simply because of what we are. 

I look up to a lot of people like this.  People who are great, and I think most of the time they don't even realize it. 

Don't be too hard on yourself.  You're great. 

-Linds.

I think one of my favorite blessings is memory.  I think it's the coolest thing that we can look back and remember things from the past and feel those feelings all over again.  You can look back to when you rode your bike for the first time on your own.  You can feel your feet leaving the ground.  You can feel accomplished.  I think it's so cool that you can look back and feel happy all over again.

These are the moments that make me happy.

The sun was out and there was a slight breeze.  The sidewalks covered in chalk, and basketballs thrown across the lawn.  The grass needed to be cut and you could almost taste summer in the air.  Everyone was out as families taking a walk around the block.  I sat alone on the porch.  Pen and notebook in hand, Basketball shorts, and bare feet.  I could hear the birds chirping and little kids laughing.  I could feel the warmth of the sidewalk under my feet.  And as the sun began to set, for one slight perfect moment, everything felt beautiful.

I've heard stories about it since i was a little girl.  My whole family has been married there and something inside me knew that's where I'd be married too.  It was always just another stop in my plan.  Until, i saw it.  As we drove up the hill i saw the huge granite brick that my great great grandpa helped lay.  I saw the stained glass windows and the gorgeous flowers leading up to the doors.  The only thing i couldn't see was the tip top.  And it was that moment that i realized my whole family had been married, for time and all eternity, in a castle.  And something inside me told me one day i'd be married in a castle too.  And for one, slight breathless moment, everything felt hopeful. 

We drove to Macey's and bought drinks for a quarter.  We sat in my basement until one thirty telling stories.  We talked and talked and talked. And that was the moment i realized he was my best friend, and for one slight unexpected moment, everything felt sincerly simple.

Worst day ever.  Every little thing was going wrong.  And to make the worst day ever, worse, we were painting our basement.  I felt terrible.  I felt like my best friend was lost forever.  I felt like I was dwelling and pouting over something that would never change. Then one moment later, i was standing on a chair hanging up a picture.  Then sudden peace.  It was the definition of "lovely".  I just felt so strongly Christ's love for me.  And for one slight magnificent moment, everything felt like it was already taken care of. 

I'm running down the court.  Ali calls, "Shark attack."  I get the ball, pass the ball, I am the shark :).  I L-cut to the base line.  Pass to me.  Shoot.  Whistle.  Foul.  The ball is bouncing on the rim.  It's almost in.  AAHHHH... YES! Then, I proceed to make my free throw.  Yeah.  That was my first three point play, ever.  And for one slight jimmer moment, everything felt possible. 

  “God gave us memory

so that we might have roses in December.”

                 -Peter Pan

It's something to think about.  God probably gave us memory so we can learn lessons and remember, but maybe he also gave us memories so that we could remember that even in the darkest of times, something good is bound to happen.  And for one slight, perfect moment, we can feel true happiness. 

Remember?

-Linds

i'm in a dark abyss right now.

You know He Is We?

Well, if not. Listen to this

And this.

Then feel free to sob.  Or go for a drive in the rain and sing every word.  That's what Bree and I do..on weird nights. 

Then, once you've dried your tears the first time, you can begin to ball again.  Because we are missing this concert tonight.   Awe.

A Dose of Inspiration, and Maybe a Smile Too

You should probably listen to this.

.. and then you should probably read this. :)

Now go write someone special a letter.  Say thankyou.  Say I Love You. 

Love, Linds.

P.s. Just quotes to make you smile :)

 "FACT, more people die everyday from eating cupcakes while driving than in there grandmother's bedroom." - Lolo

"This is my "depressed stance."  When you're depressed, it makes a lot of difference how you stand.  The worst thing you can do is straighten up and hold your head high because then you'll start to feel better.  If you're going to get any joy out of being depressed, you've got to stand like this."  ~Charlie Brown

and... See ya Don, Dan, whatever.

Three Cheers

Three Cheers..

Three cheers for a new day and a new month!  Which just so happened to be a very good start to the rest of my life.

Three cheers for driving to school an hour late and missing English!  Days just always seem to be better when you arrive at your own schedule.

Three cheers for being on the same page and finally clearing up a few things about fights that have long passed!

Three cheers for our obsession with other’s business!  We might just write a book about their life. 

Three cheers for chemistry tests, 51%, and a 20% freebee raise! I just can’t focus sitting with you.. in fact three cheers for you!

Three cheers for cupcakes, the O.C., and stealing my dad’s pencils!

Three cheers for Bree! whom could use some chicken noodle soup if you’d happen to be in the neighborhood..

Three cheers for sandals and socks!  Of which I’ve never been a fan but may just work for you.

Three cheers for this sign I shipped today! “… and thankyou for this house full of people I love.”  It made me smile, I want one like that.

Three cheers for grandparent’s random generosity and deep pockets!

Three cheers for wishing and fortune cookies! they are sorely underappreciated blessings.  What would you do without the hope of a wish?

Three cheers for letters of every kind!  Thank you’s and love, especially.

Three cheers for jimmer!

Three cheers fro Pandora and KPGR!

Three cheers for the power of writing and words!  Everyday I make a million notes to myself on my ipod, on sticky notes, or random pieces of paper. I do it whenever there is something that needs to be said, but there is no one to tell.  Thank the heavens that paper will always listen but never tell, on purpose. 

Three cheers for my best friends! who have never given up on me, and who help me to know things will be alright.

Three cheers new shoes, new friends, and new beginnings!

Three cheers for being happy, young, and beautiful!

Three cheers for the freedom to do whatever you choose with the rest of your adult life!

Three cheers for classy, beautifully-charming people and true, lovely, everlasting happy days!