A wave of gratitude

Since summer vacation started, I have had a lot of time to get projects done. It's been awesome! My main project so far has been working on organizing my childhood, high school, BYU, mission, and young adult years. It's been a lot of work. I have enjoyed reminiscing and reviewing past journal entries, letters, yearbooks, and other artifacts that were so near and dear to me at that time.                                                   The overwhelming feeling I have received while doing this has been so much gratitude! I am so grateful for the life I have led and the experiences I've had. I would never want it any differently. I know I have said this so many times, but I'm saying it again: I am glad that marriage and family was not in the cards for me in my early 20s as I had hoped. The trials, friendships, professional experiences and opportunities I have had has shaped me into the person I am today and I would never want to give those things up. 

So yes. God knows best. He knows I needed some extra time under my belt to be single and to grow in different ways. And I am so, so grateful. Thank you, Lord, for seeing the bigger picture.

Arch ya something?!? #friendtrip2015

This was a trip of firsts:

• First road trip with a boyfriend
• First trip to Moab (which includes Arches and Canyonlands)
• First trip with a selfie stick. Yep, I'm one of those people that bought one from Amazon. I like to be trendy. :)

Nonetheless, it was a fun 3 day adventure. Here are just some highlights. And btw, many of the pictures look the same because they include red rock and Brad and I in our selfie stick pose. Whatevs...

Beautiful Canyonlands!

Mesa Arch. A very famous picture. 

We like to do silliness at Canyonlands. :)

First day at Arches. My hair was still down at that point. Pretty soon it would go up!

Another great selfie stick pic.

One of the arches. A lot of Asian tourists behind us.

We believe in shade!

A double arch kiss!

And let's get a legit one. I just became that girl that posts a picture of a boy kissing me. Sue me. 

We made it to Delicate Arch. Not pictured: Very sweaty backsides. 

The hike here was brutal (for us non-hikers) but so worth it!

Where's Susie? I had the arch all to myself!

A majestic sunset in Moab over the Green River. No filter!

That's where we stayed. In separate bedrooms. ;)

Landscape Arch

Another fun little one over there :)

We had a great time together! It was hot but otherwise the weather was beautiful. I loved being with the BF for 3 days, too. I loved our #friendtrip2015--and yes, we are much more than friends. 

Peace. 

ps. The selfie stick rocks in case anyone is contemplating getting one!