You took this heart and set it free

 I went up to Park City on a whim Sunday evening to spend some time with Ryan and his family and it turned out to be an amazing Memorial Day weekend. I couldn't have been happier.

I was reminded that life is all about living in the moment, taking chances, and being spontaneous.

First of all, I have never been to Park City before so when we arrived, I was blown away at how GORGEOUS everything was. I fell in love with that place immediately.

Well, I was greeted by the lovely Anderson family with big smiles and welcome arms. One by one I met all of his siblings and their spouses and their kids. 

Within the 24 hours that I was there we hot tubbed with the kids, played games with the adults, sat by the fire and listened to music, rode the alpine slides, and saw a moose. I'd say it was a fantastic 24 hours full of adventure, excitement, fun, and joy.

(Ryan's eyes are closed because it was soooo bright)

 The alpine slide was great. As we were pulling our sled along the path towards the slide, a moose came running out of the woods and down the hill. It was so neat to see it but it was a little scary too because it was pretty close! 

Well don't worry, we made it to the slide safely without the moose attacking us. 

Anyways, Ry and I raced down the alpine slide and I was winning him the entire time by quite a ways until right at the very end he came up from behind me and passed me!!! I couldn't even believe it. I don't even know how it happened, but it did. But it's okay because it made me laugh. It was funny AND fun!

This ^ is what we did on the ride home for entertainment. My cheeks are still a wee bit puffy, as you can see me pointing to them in the picture.

It was such a fun time though and we were both so happy. We visited the cemetery together once we got back to Richfeild. It was a special experience. It was neat to visit his nephew's grave as well as my aunt Keri's as well as my grandparent's.

We ended the great weekend together under the beautiful night sky out at his house with blankets, pillows, a trampoline, no city lights, shooting stars, and a moon that glowed.

It was a weekend I will never forget.

Love,

Kate

My love for music runs deep through my veins

I swear I've already posted this pic before, but I have to do it again. This is the background on my laptop  and has been for quite some time now. I have always loved this saying and it has always brought me so much light and hope in my life. I absolutely love it. 

Six simple words:

THE

BEST

IS

YET

TO

COME

I just can't get enough of it, especially after what I learned tonight. . .

I went to my Jones' family reunion tonight and was reminded of the love that my family has for each other.. and it all came to be because two people fell in love. Together, my great-grandmother Lynn Jones and great-grandfather Neal Jones were somethin else. They had a love that I imagine you'd find in the movies. An ideal love. A love that everyone wants and longs for.

They were beautiful people inside and out, and I am so happy to be able to call them my great-grandparents.

Anyways, tonight we stopped by the South Sevier cemetery to visit their grave. As we were leaving, we noticed that on the other side of the headstone it read, "The best is yet to come."

I got tears in my eyes right then and there! I was so surprised to see that because that saying has been so special to me for such a long time. Then to see it on my great-grandparents headstone was just simply incredible.

I always knew that my grandpa Jones played the guitar and I have a few memories of listening to him sing and play, but my mom explained to me that he always sang a song that said "the best is yet to come," and that we actually had a recording of it on a dvd that we have of his life. 

So when we got home we quickly found the dvd and watched the slideshow of pictures and listened to his cute voice sing and yodel as he played the guitar in the background.

The last song that he played was titled "The best is yet to come" and I did the research and found that it is by Del Reeves.

Anyways, the entire song is cute but I'll just share the last verse. It goes like this:

"The calendar reads the first day of June

The paper says man has walked on the Moon

Now we're sitting here just waitin alone

And we realize our lives are almost gone

So when we thanked our Lord for all he had done

He just said, children the best is yet to come."

I was overwhelmed with the spirit. I know that as we continue to live our lives, we will always be able to continually say that "the best is yet to come" because in the long run eternity is ours if we so desire and work for it, and let's be honest, it will be divine.

Love,

Kate

ps. music runs in my blood.

Day 7

It has been ONE week since the dreaded day of my wisdom teeth being extracted. Wooot! I didn't think I would survive but sure enough I'm still here!

I feel as if it has been a slow recovery process. Slowly but surely, however, I get better and better every day.

My cheeks have been puffy but they are slowly dwindling and I am not in very much pain anymore. It is good. 

I'm still physically exhausted and I am so sick of feeling sick. I wish it would all just pass already, but I know that without this experience I definitely would not be as grateful for my healthy body. 

However...

I miss normal food like crazy.

I'm so sick of soft foods and frozen foods.

Applesauce

Popsicles

Gogurt

Soup

Yogurt

Jello

Pudding

Oatmeal

etc.

Bleh, I can't wait to be able to eat normal food again! And I am sad because tonight is the Jones' Reunion and it is always celebrated with a lot of really really good food. Will I be able to eat any of it? Not sure, but I guess we'll see.

I've been debating whether or not I should upload these pictures. . .

My cheeks swelled up and I didn't want anyone to see me but of course I took pictures to document the experience. I guess I will share. 

Day 1:

I don't even remember taking this picture. I was obviously very happy ;)

 Day 4: 

I was so swollen. The dimple on my left cheek was completely gone. Notice my hair-- thanks to my sweet mother. ha ha... She thought I looked like I was six years old again. 

Day 7: 

Today! My dimple is back.

I'm still a little swollen and the right side of my face is a little droopy. My nerves are extremely sensitive too but hopefully my smile will be back to normal soon. 

This has been a crazy experience but I am thankful for it. I have been able to realize so many blessings in my life:

wonderful people

loving friends and family

a comfy bed

the beauty of the sun

instant breakfast (saved my life all last week)

my journal

the scriptures

prayer

Pinterest

phone calls

music

my mom

sleep

and last but not least... ibuprofen :)

Well, I hope you enjoy the pictures and I hope ya'll have a good day and remember this-- don't ever take anything for granted because there is beauty in absolutely EVERYTHING.

Love,

Kate

I think that possibly maybe. . .

Oh dear, what is happening to me. . . I'm feeling sappy. 

Love,

Kate

He lives and while He lives I'll sing

We all know that I love blogging and because I have nothing else to really do, I figured that  I would blog as much as I felt the desire to during the next little while. So bear with me :)

Last night I had my third dream come true. Is that crazy or whaaaat!? I'd say it's pretty neat though too. :) But like this pic---> sometimes when we have a dream, our course may get altered a bit so that we can find bigger and better dreams!  And once we achieve those dreams, we need to look for new ones! We should always, always have a dream. Always.

Anyways. . .

I woke up early this morning in a lot of pain. But to my surprise, my mother came to my room shortly to get me to drink another instant breakfast so that I could take a lortab. I began reading my scriptures and fell asleep sitting up. Failure. hahaaha it was quite funny.

After I woke up a little later, I had the strongest desire to turn on some uplifting/spiritual music. Just to my surprise, as I turned my laptop on and got the music going, I checked my email and received this youthgem from LDS.org:

In Tune with the Music of Faith

Posted: 20 May 2012 08:00 AM PDT

"Our doctrine is clear; we are to be positive and of good cheer. We emphasize our faith, not our fears. We rejoice in the Lord’s assurance that He will stand by us and give us guidance and direction. The Holy Ghost testifies to our hearts that we have a loving Father in Heaven, whose merciful plan for our redemption will be fulfilled in every aspect because of the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ."

—Elder Quentin L. Cook, "In Tune with the Music of Faith", General Conference, Apr. 2012
Topics: Faith

Emphasize our faith, not our fears.

The Lord will stand by us and will give us direction.

I love it! It is my hope and prayer that we can all be "in tune" with the music of faith because I know that when we are faithful and replace our fears with faith, anything is possible. . . Doubt not. Fear not. Even our biggest dreams can be achieved. 

Love,
Kate

Well there goes my wisdom

I survived! And I couldn't be happier.

As seen below:

I was able to have a father's blessing this morning before I went in to get my wisdom teeth out and wow. . . I can't tell you how thankful I am for the priesthood in my life and for the blessing of having an amazing father who is worthy to hold such a power-- a power strong enough through the faith of Christ-- to heal, strengthen, and comfort me. 

My sweet mother and sister Kinsley accompanied me on my adventure of getting my teeth removed. I eventually found myself with an IV in my hand and was also hooked to a heart monitor and an oxygen machine. My heart beat sounded magnified through the machine as I was laying there in the chair trying to calm my nerves. My heart beat would occasionally skip a beat and I was a little frightened but I laughed really hard because I thought it was so weird. I was told that irregular heart beats are normal.

Eventually the doctor was in the room holding my hand as he introduced himself. He was such a kind fellow and he made me feel very comfortable. He asked me about what I was studying in school and what my plans were. By this time the anesthesia hadn't kicked in quite yet, however, I was already cracking jokes and laughing at myself. I remember telling him my plan of going on a mission and then (what seemed like the next minute) I vaguely remember laughing as I walked out of the building with gauze in my mouth. 

It all happened that fast! I came to find out that the doctor told me he thought I would be a great missionary from what he knew of me already. My mom told me that I laughed and said "Oh, I'm starting to feel funny. I'm getting tired." The doctor then said that I would be out in 10 seconds and sure enough I was gone.

I don't remember much from then. I remember feeling very happy and giddy. I remember laughing a lot and not understanding why. 

Just my luck, my mom and sister had the pleasure of recording me and taking pictures of me as I continued to come out of the anesthesia. They were lliterally in tears from laughing so hard because of the goofy things I was doing and saying.

Supposedly I kept poking at my lips and chin wondering what was on them and why they were so fat. They said I kept looking at myself in the mirror on the ride home and being so confused. They said I never stopped laughing and at one point mentioned that I felt like I was on a roller coaster ride as my mom turned a corner. They said I fell asleep out of the clear blue like two seconds before we pulled up to my house. Then as they helped me inside, I remember feeling like my legs didn't work. They were flimsy and felt like jello.

Eventually I made it inside and I sat on the recliner. I remember feeling cold and was so happy to finally get a blanket and a warmed up bean bag. I even asked for some hot chocolate.

Now remember, this entire time I have gauze in my mouth, my tongue and face feel HUGE and are all extremely numb. . . so numb that I can't even talk. I just mumbled and mumbled and never quit talking!

I know all of this because of my mom and sister's stories AND because we have proof. Video after video Kinsley and my mom continued to laugh their heads off. 

For some reason I ended up asking for my crown from Miss Richfield and I mentioned that I felt like I was in the fourth of July parade again. 

What was I thinking?!?!?

I have no idea. I can't remember any of it!

We also have videos of me dancing and attempting to sing. At one point I had to sneeze, and the entire time I just simply could not figure out what was on my face and was making it feel so fat.

Caution: Below are some clips from just some of the many many crazy embarrassing things I did and said today.

 I eventually fell asleep and when I came to again, I was onery and upset. . . talk about two complete extremes! 

I was moved into my brother's room where I eventually fell asleep again. My mom tried to make me drink an instant breakfast thing and that was the first time I cried. I bawled. I couldn't figure out how to swallow and it was so frustrating because my tongue and lips and mouth were not working. I hated it.

But then all of a sudden it was the evening! I wasn't onery anymore. I had many visitors (mostly family, with the exception of Ryan) come by to visit me and see my chubby cheeks and hear the funny stories/see the funny videos. I felt so loved.

Well I have been lucky and I haven't gotten sick from the lortab. I have kept ice on and off my face throughout the day just as the doctor ordered and he even called me this afternoon to see how I was doing! He was such a kind man.

So now, 15 hours later, and four wisdom teeth less, I am home and praying to recover quickly.

Thus far, things have been going good. I even got to keep my wisdom teeth! These are the top two:

The bottom two were very close to my nerves so they had to remove them piece by piece. It's okay though, I'm happy to at least have these two! They're big little buggers huh!?

So let me tell you this. Prayer works, people are kind, and life is good, even though my chubby little cheeks are funny looking.

But it's fine.

I have lost most of the numbness and am gradually feeling more and more pain but it's okay. I must sleep it off now.

But on a lighter note! I have some delicious treats to look forward to! Popsicles, gogurts, a slushy from the dairy, and homemade fruit smoothies that were made with love.

I am so blessed.

Love,

Kate

& today was a day unlike any other

I'm putting off sleep because I don't want the morning to come . . . :\ I'm dreading it. However, I am looking forward to sleeping, reading, and watching movies all day everyday for the next couple days.

Wish me luck.

Love,

Kate

5.18.12 today was a day to remember.

Who needs sleep?

You know what, I am going to eat whatever I want tomorrow all day long  because guess what.. I'm losing all my wisdom on Saturday morning at 10:30am. 

Love,

Kate

Tonight's the kind of night everything could change

Pretty sure my life might be a dream. 

Love,

Kate

I'm into something good

Life is what happens when we make other plans, right? 

RIGHT.

But it's okay, because that is what makes it so much more beautiful! 

So... here is an update about my life:

This past week has been great. I don't even know where to start. 

Okay fine here we'll go by the days.

Last Sunday night: 

fireside + strawberry milkshakes with Ryan and Tiana

-Discovered that I am lactose intolerant... Yep, it sucks. Ice cream heart break.

Monday: 

Went on a bike ride with my sister Kambry all over Richfield and talked forever. We just kept riding and talking, it was wonderful.

Tuesday: 

Went on a bike ride with my best friend Tiana and did the same thing. Also got asked on date.

Wednesday: 

Went on a long hike in the warm sun among the beautiful red hills of Richfield with Tiana. Packed a lunch, hiked to the north end of town, waded through the creek, and eventually made it back home 2 hours later. Then got picked up at 7 to go on a date with Ryan. 

We doubled with Tiana and Travis. We made milkshakes (and smoothies for me), played a few rounds of Frank (totally beat Tiana and Travis) and eventually went to the movie The Avengers. It was a lot of fun!

-I had not been that nervous for a date in so long. I was shaking and had butterflies like crazy!

Thursday:

 Got to work one last time with Tiana up at the softball fields scoring the Co-Ed games till 11pm.

Friday:

 I went to lunch at El Mexicano with some of my friends from high school. It was sort of a goodbye-Tiana lunch with Hailey, Dustee, and Kirsten. 

Later that evening we threw together quick Fishlake plans and spent the evening up to Fishlake! Ryan came over earlier to help assemble the tinfoil dinners. We packed up the food, water, and roasting sticks and then headed up to the cabin. 

Jaren, Travis, and Tiana joined us and we spent the chilly evening climbing up some rocks and sitting at what felt was the top of the world as we watched the sun set.

 

We shot Jaren's gun a few times, took pictures at the famous bum rock, and then made it back to the cabin just in time to cook dinner and play a few rounds of Texas Holdem. AKA poker. It was fun! 

Dinner was delicious and the boys got a great fire started for us outside. Later we roasted a few smores and starbursts, admired the bright stars, and laughed and joked all night long. We ended the night by playing ImaginIff and then we packed up and left the cabin around 1:30a.m.

It was a successful evening.

Saturday:

 I spent the morning at my Grandma Carol's doing the traditional Mother's Day yard work with the family. It was fun planting flowers and visiting with everyone. I got tackled by little munchkins but loved every second of it.

We were accompanied by a delicious lunch which held me over till the next day as I fasted for my good friend Jaren. We learned that he was just barely diagnosed with thyroid cancer, amongst his liver disease, so our prayers went out to him and his family. 

Later that evening I went to the Miss Sevier Pageant and laughed my head off almost the entire three hours as I sat and listened to Ryan's commentary. It was a fun time! Then I went with him to Ben's house where we met up with Travis, Mason, Ben, and Jaren and played some more Texas Holdem. Don't worry, it's not real gambling. We just play with the chips. (That is probably why I am not very good-- because we're really not betting anything so I take stupid risks and lose everything. Ha it's fine.) Tiana and Corrie soon joined us and then before I knew it another great night was over.

Sunday:

 Mother's Day! I got ready and went over to the McAllister's home where I was able to see and talk to Elder Tanner McAllister for a little bit. He looks good! He is beaming with happiness and his love for this gospel definitely showed. He bore his testimony to me and told me to do what makes me happy. It was good to see him. I also met his companion, Elder Weitzel from Germany who seems like a great guy as well. 

I attended my home ward with my family, teared up during sacrament meeting, and eventually wrote a note to give to my sweet mother. 

After church my family quickly sat down and we had my mom open her presents. She's been on a reading kick lately and my dad got her the book that Stephanie Nielsen wrote, titled "Heaven is Here." She was so excited! 

We went to grandma Micki's for a big family BBQ and enjoyed each other's company. After a good burger and a popsicle, we left and went to my Grandma Carol's to wish her a Happy Mother's day as well. She wasn't expecting us so she didn't have her wig on (because she had cancer and lost her hair, however her hair is finally growing back and it is so cute!) So she was a little embarrassed about her cute curly white hair, but it was fine. She is so beautiful and such a great example of strength!

So overall it was a beautiful day full of love, happiness, and family.

I ended the night by making a cd to start off the summer (full of great songs), chatting with my best friend on Facebook as it has become a nightly ritual, and now by writing this blog and on my other blog that I write with my friends Alyssa and Tiana... As seen here.

Oh, and to make my day even better, I received a text saying that I was beautiful. There is nothing better than being told you are beautiful.

Let's just say I don't believe the butterflies will be leaving me anytime soon.

It's a good life and the future is bright and just continues to get brighter and brighter

But on a sad note, my very best friend is moving in the morning to Provo where she will be working in the summer and then attending school at UVU during the fall. This is the first time we have ever been apart in TWO YEARS and it is heart breaking. I love her so much; she is my other half. But I know that it is what is meant to be and that it is all for the better. The Lord definitely has some great things in store for the both of us. 

I love you T and I will always be here for you! You're my best friend and you always always will be. Good luck with all that is ahead. You will be in my prayers and I will see you soon!

Love,

Kate

If only life would lean our way

Who's got a date?

 I've got a date!

Yay!

Love,

Kate

Just a thought...

It may be too soon to tell, but I have a feeling that my cute little town of Richfield may have some great things in store for me this summer. I guess only time will tell. . . :)

Love,

Kate

I had a dream that I could fly from the highest swing

These are some of my best friends. Aren't they beautiful?

Well now that the school year is over we're all going our separate ways.

[check out our rad photo shoot here]

We're all leaving Cedar City.

But it's time for a new start. 

So bring on the summer and all the adventures that are in store!

Thanks for the lovely year ladies, I love you all so very much and am excited for each of our futures! 

Love,

Kate

ps. I got a job down here in Cedar at Bulloch Drug & at Little Brick House but I've decided to decline them. I'm moving home to Richfield for the summer to teach "Art in the Park" for Richfield City Parks and Recreation. I am so excited! Oh and to make matters even better, I got called to be an on-call counselor for EFY Provo all summer long! I'm crossing my fingers that I can get called to work at least once or twice.
Anyways,  I know that moving home is what I'm suppose to do and I could not be happier.

The future is so BRIGHT!