Disneyland Magic

We started out our day by heading to space mountain first. While in line the crew member told us that they were experiencing technical difficulties and it would be a while before it could be started up again. Over half of everyone in line left, we decided to stay for 20 minutes to see if it would be fixed by then. I downloaded heads up on my phone, played it for about 10 minutes and that's when everything started to kick back on. 

It was so cute to hold my sisters hand during the ride and to hear her scream and giggle during it. Disneyland is sure a magical place. 

The rides we went on today: Space mountain, star tours, buzz light year astro blasters, storybook canal boats, califoia screaming, tower of terror and pirates of the Caribbean. 

My moms company is giving out FREE dress ups so we're pretty much making little girls dreams come true. It's so flipping cute. We met these two princesses, Raven and Emma. 

And I mean how can you not just fall in them with them! Those cute little smiles though! They gave pretty good hugs too! 

Disneyland is a magical place. 

Sure it's crazy and chaotic and everyone's trying to have the best time and make memories. 

But what we can't forget amongst all that craziness is that magic is real. It may not come from Mickey's hat or tinker bell's fairy dust, or out of a magic wand. 

Disneyland magic comes from seeing a little girls expression when she meets her favorite princess or to having a crew member be genuinely kind to you and answer any question you have, it may be as simple as a smile from someone cute or as big as giving away free dress ups. 

Disneyland magic is above all my favorite type of magic. 

Goodnight from Disneyland friends 💛 

Beach day ☀️

The first official day of this California trip began today and to kick it all off we went to Huntington Beach.

We all had our beach fix. My cute sisters tried jumping over the waves and ended up wiping out almost 70% of the time. 

They found me a cute tiny sand dollar. 

And to top off the whole beach day off a cute sea lion pup made an appearance. (Sea lions are my second favorite animal. Sea Otters are my first.) 

My baby sister Alexa was so cold she was purple! So we went to Ruby's diner that's on the pier. 

The walls outside were a perfect turquoise, so I had to take the perfect picture. 

I finally understand the whole beach waves trend now. I loved my hair with the salt water in it. 

Quick Sunday thought. 

I know that this church is true. No matter where we're at, where we're going, what we're doing. If we say a prayer or seven, we will receive an answer. I'm beyond thankful for the spirit and light that I've been given, for the chance to live in this time to be able to share the goodness of this gospel, even if I'm in Disneyland and the cast members roll their eyes at me. I know that it's true, and frankly that's all that matters. 

People can deny all they want, but it's our job to testify. 

Tomorrow starts our 3 days at Disneyland and I could not be more happier. 

Be ready for candid photos, lots of food pictures, amazing pictures that I think qualify me as an amateur photographer, and for magical posts. 

California/Disneyland Bound

 

I peaced out Utah, the gray skies, the wind, and my problems today. 

My family, Wilson and I are heading toward our hotel right now, and man it's exhausting. 

I've loved planes and airports ever since I was a little girl. (Still am little, but that's besides the point.) I love everything about it. Feeling the floors and windows shake from planes taking off, to getting Jamba Juice and heading on the plane and waiting for take off. 

Alexa, Lillian and I took a selfie and it's pretty much the cutest thing ever. 

We're pretty stoked to be going to Disneyland together. I don't think anyone even understands. We've been counting down to this day for 42 days! And if you ask me this trip was definitely needed. 

Flying over all the lights and seeing everything is so fun. Everything about it is a blast. We even tried to play I-spy. 

Anyways. I'm tired. This post was eh. Please deal with me. 

Beach tomorrow, Disneyland on Monday. 

Expect some pretty high quality posts then. 

My Story.

I've always been a very anxious kid. For me it was just a normal way of life. However, during my sophomore year while on the cheer squad that anxiety level increased to the point where I would have multiple anxiety attacks in a week more than I'd ever had. It wasn't healthy, so when the season ended, I turned to Student Council for my junior year. 

I love all the experiences and everything I've learned from student council, but with the pressure of being the example for the school. I felt like I couldn't show any emotion other than happiness. Due to that, I kept lots of my feelings and thoughts on the inside. 

The anxiety soon turned to depression. During this time, everything was hard. Waking up and getting out of bed was hard. Going to class and staying on top of things became incredibly difficult. Not letting myself look depressed became even harder. It got to the point where I would forget to eat. And the thoughts of hurting myself increased, those thoughts stuck with me every single day. 

I wasn't happy. I wasn't myself. I was drained of everything. I felt hopeless. 

I didn't know what to do. 

That's when my family stepped in and I let them know what was going on. I couldn't keep all this in anymore. I couldn't keep going like this.

The solution we came up with was only the beginning; medication, counseling, healthy eating, etc. That was how I let the world fix me, but I knew I needed something greater than that. 

I needed Christ. I needed the atonement and his grace. I needed his pure love in my life. 

I didn't think that way off the bat, I slowly, very slowly got there. But when I did, when I completely put my heart, life, and joy in his care, I noticed the change within me. 

The anxiety is gone. (other than the ACT it came back for that.) I no longer have thoughts of hurting myself. I'm not longer depressed, hopeless or full of despair.

I'm happy. I'm filled with joy. I love who I am red hair and everything. I have so much to be thankful for. I'm finally me. 

If you're going through what I went through, I promise you if you turn to Christ you will be healed. Just how he healed the blind, or raised the dead. He lives for you. He's waiting for you to come unto him. 

Like Al Fox said "Imagine Christ in front of you, and then he smiles." You will be filled with joy. I promise you it gets better and the blessings you get from turning to Christ are immeasurable. 

"Everything happens for a reason."

I'm one to believe in fate and of things happening for a reason. Granted I think these things because there is a purpose for everything under heaven. However, lately I've been pondering about the things in my life that have happened for a reason. 

Me getting a job after months and months of searching, countless interviews and so many days not getting a call back. The reason I've gotten from all that searching was because I am meant to be at my job now. I'm meant to have began some amazing friendships with all these boys. They are definitely my brothers, through and through. 

Not being able to run for student council next year; I'm getting my associates degree out of high school, which means I'm going to have 6 college classes every semester, lots of all nighters, break downs, papers and projects but not everyone can say that they've graduated with their high school diploma and their associates degree at the same time. I also believe that something will be given unto me that wouldn't have happened if I ran for student council next year. An opportunity that I couldn't give up or had given the chance to be apart of. 

Having my heart broken; I needed to learn how to love and be content with myself. Granted I'm still on that journey but I'm getting there. Every day I become happier and more content. Also because of that so many great people have come into my life. 

Not having a date to prom; after being rejected 4-5 times you kind of get the message that you're not supposed to go with a date. If I had gone with a date who knows if my best friend would've asked me to dance with him? Probably not. That was the highlight of my junior prom experience.

I've gained some friends, lost some friends. Said goodbye to the people that were holding me back and welcomed those who cheered me on. 

Everything happens for a reason, and I may not know what that reason is now but I know I will understand later on.  

17 things I've learned in 17 years.

1. A prayer can fix anything. 

2. Happiness is a choice, so always, always, always choose happiness. 

3. A good run or a good cry can and will make you feel better. 

4. 3 deep breaths. That's all you need. 

5. It's okay to be sad, but try not to forget what makes you happy. 

6. It's hard to be alone, but find the bliss in it. 

7. Country music and windows rolled down are always a great option. 

8. You can't change people, you can only love them. 

9. There is at least 1 person who loves you. 

10. Heels can transform you from a little girl to a woman in .63 seconds. 

11. Don't get to caught up in the past or the future, focus on the now. 

12. You are allowed to be sad, angry, and disappointed but you are always allowed to be happy and full of joy too. 

13. Never underestimate or take for granted the education you receive. 

14. Only you can become from good to great. 

15. There is always a reason. even if it's not evident now. 

16. Cherish the memories, the heart to hearts, the late night drives and talks, and especially the laughs. 

17. The Lord loves you, you are alive and put here for a reason. Don't give up.