new BROWN hair.

well, i didn't the unthinkable yesterday. I finally got up the courage to do what I've always wanted to do, but never dared. I (well, Julia) dyed my hair brown. I was completely nervous the whole time, and pretty much everyone told me not to, Julia didn't really want to do it even, for fear it would be her fault if i hated it. But, much to my surprise, I LOVE it! I think it's a really fun change! I'll eventually go back to blonde, but for now I really like it!

P.S. please don't judge me from this picture. it was taken right after we finished, my nose looks extremely large, and it was taken on my phone, in a public bathroom (how ghetto and MySpace-ish is that??

Jack's baby blessing

This past Sunday, my brother Clark blessed his adorable son Jack. He and Annie decided to bless him at my parents house with close family invited. It was so much fun and so special to be there and feel the amazing Spirit that the power of the priesthood can bring, and to be able to be a part of his special day. We're so glad that he has been born to such amazing parents and especially that we are able to be a part of his life. He is such a special spirit!

gratitude

This week has been an emotional whirlwind for me. And when it all comes down to it, I just realize how blessed I really am. I'm so lucky to have a supportive and loving husband. I'm so lucky to have friends to talk to that are so understanding. I'm so lucky to have family members near me that are full of words of wisdom and experiences to share in comfort. I'm so grateful to have the spirit of the Gospel, and the comfort it brings. I'm so so grateful for hard things in life, that I know happen for a reason, and teach us to be stronger and better people. I feel like after this weekend, my testimony and my heart have grown immensely and that I will be a better person for it.

Hard things in life happen for a reason, and we need to embrace them with a smile on our face, and ask, "what good things can I take from this experience?"

I'm so grateful for my Heavenly Father, and the love he has for me. I know that he and my Savior know exactly what I am going through, and I can feel their presence near me more than ever!

I am just grateful for this.

a new fave

Pete Yorn & Scarlett Johansson - New Music - More Music Videos

Best Friends :)

Every year around this time, my high school friends and I like to try and get together to catch up on everything. This year we went to yummy Sonora Grill in Ogden, and we all loved it!

I feel like all my friends are so amazing! It's so much fun to catch up and see what they have been up to. Marlee recently moved back to Ogden from Logan and is working at the hospital. Emily and her husband Tyler both started up another year of school at Weber State and recently bought a cute new house. And Allie graduated this past semester with her bachelor's and will be starting grad school at U of U on Monday!

Unfortunately, this year Kylie and Chelsea were unable to make it. Kylie started up school again at BYU that day, and Chelsea is out serving a mission in LA. Hopefully next year they'll be able to make it!

They are all so cute and fun and LOVE the times when I get to see them!

My Birthday!

Well, I've now reached the ripe old age of 22....I'm getting up there! My birthday was on Dec 27, so the party didn't ever stop here at our house! The day after Christmas, my parents came up and took Ryan and I out for a delicious dinner at Hamilton's. Thanks mom and dad! Afterwards we came back to our place and I opened presents from my parents and family,

my mom got me this brown American Eagle sweater, and Ryan had gotten me the exact same one for Christmas that I wore that night! Haha! I guess they both know my style pretty well cause I ended up keeping both and love them!

After we opened presents and had some cake, we went upstairs to 'open' my gifts from Ryan, when I opened the door to the spare bedroom, I saw this beauty waiting for me!

I was so excited to see this gorgeous new treadmill all set up and ready to go! He also bought me a new pretty pair of running shoes. I love it so much! (I guess I don't have any excuse to not follow up with my New Years resolution now)

The next day on my actual birthday we headed up to the Doyles. Kim had made me my favorite meal that I always have had on my birthday. It's BBQ Spare ribs, mashed potatos and green beans. Yum! It turned out perfect, just how my mom and grandma make it! Then we opened up gifts there, they had gotten me a cute new workout outfit to go with my new treadmill. And then had a yummy birthday cake! The boys were so excited to help me blow out the candles...it took us all a couple tries to get them all blown out, but between the 4 of us, we got the job done. :)

I had a wonderful birthday this year thanks to all my family and friends!