The Claytons

One day my dear sister asked me to take some family pictures for her. 

Meet the Clayton Family.

And we couldn't resist just a little goofing off. 

 thanks Jess.

kisses from baby o. love her.

All in all a way fun quick photo shoot that I think we got a few gems out of!

What I learned today.

More to come.

Let me know if you want one :)

Anyone have better words?

iamsotired.

I love this.

I also love my job.

And even though I am utterly exhausted by the end of the week and crazy's at BYU call to yell at me for the mistakes others made. 

I wouldn't trade it for anything. 

How did I get so dang lucky?

one day

We are the concoction of a million moments & ideas. Some ours and some stolen.
Have you ever been influenced by someone?

Family probably came to mind. But they're bound to have influence on who we become.

Who has influenced you?

Not, oh.-I knew-them-we-used-to-have-wonderful-talks-and-things-like-that-but-we-don't-talk-anymore kind of thing. 

Really influenced.

The way you live your life, your goals, the places you want to go is changed because of this person.

They give SO much to you and there is never any way you could repay them.

Just when you think they can't give anymore they find something new, something beyond what you thought was possible.
I'm lucky to have multiple people like this in my life.
most people stumble across only one or two.
Often I wonder how I can repay them. And the other day I realized. The greatest thing we can do is continue to learn from them and be like them.
How wonderful, to be that factor in someone's life.

think about it.

First try. Messing around with Adobe at work. 

I have the coolest job. 

People that are wonderful: edition 4

Everyone. Meet Dottie.

Not the best picture of us ever. but I think it's hilarious. We're currently sitting in the wash hut. One of the many reasons she's great. OH. Dottie's real name. Dorothy. Isn't that wonderful? She's one of my lovely roommates a dear friend. And simply fabulous in so many ways. Dottie understands what it means to be a friend and truly love someone. Dottie. You are wonderful. And here is a few reasons why. 

1) Her laugh. It's contagious. It's loud. It's unique. Dottie laughs at so much, and it's not an awkward get me through life laugh. It's a I'm genuinely laughing at this because I think it's funny. I love it when she laughs and when we get together. Boy do things get silly!

2) Her style. Dottie dresses in the BEST ways. Bright colors. Buttoned skirts. Buttoned shirts. And she always tops it off with some fabulous shoes. She's classy & fun. She always says I'm her doll and it's true, but I don't mind. One day she will have a J-Crew husband that she dresses, and he'll dress her. 

3) She is a hard worker. I am so impressed by her right now. She is currently taking both anatomy AND econ. She works hard while we're all playing. She's one smart girl. 

4) Dottie loves Christ. She really knows and understands who he is. She takes time to improve on her spirituality and talk about it with me. Her relationship with the Savior is part of the reason she SHINES so brightly. Really, this girl is a supernova. I also love reading scriptures with her.

5) She is so giving. I could go on about this one for awhile. I'll just say that Dottie puts so many others before her self. If we were still in grade school Dottie would receive the best sharer award. She also shows up ready to help any time anywhere. 

5.2) she gives hugs.

6) Her creativity. For example. I talked about going to the salt flats for a photo shoot the next day she has these two mannequins that we're going to spray paint and take pictures with. we have a list going.

7) Sammy's runs with her. enough said. Actually. going anywhere to eat is just hilarious. She also brings me home delicious cupcakes occasionally. They make any bad day a million times better.

8) she's really good at playing coy. I think it's funny.

8.2) because that last one wasn't very good. she LOVES to read. and that is something that more people need to love. 

9) Dottie introduced me to yoga. and I am in love. if you ever need convincing of why to do yoga just listen to her talk about it and you won't ever question.

10) she listens. she is completely there in a conversation. She seeks understanding and is engaged. It's a gift that she uses well. And I appreciate it so much. More than she knows.

So Dottie. You're wonderful. I love you dearly, and I'm so glad we share a bunk bed, laughs, ideas, adventures and great cuisine. Thanks for being one of my very best friends 

Read this. Really.

"God gave us the gift of feelings, and feelings are good. But feelings should simply be indicators -- but never dictators -- of how we react to our situations."

--Lysa Turkeurst

Go read the SHINE project.

The weekly highlights are the best.

I've been enthralled all day. 

Am I crazy?

To buy Adobe Photoshop CS6 and Lightroom 4?

Maybe.

But one of my goals this summer was to get good at photography and typography. And for that you need quality editing programs. 

For now I can use the computers at work. But I think sometime before I no longer have student status I'll invest in these programs that do simply amazing things. 

la.life.

It's been a crazy week.

And despite all the heartbreakingly beautiful moments mixed with the ones of pure simple joys. I will say this;

I have good friends. Often I wonder how I got so lucky to have SO many amazing people who genuinely care in my life.

I am thankful that I have a belief system I am apart of. And that I KNOW and believe for myself that it is true. I'm constantly growing and learning.

Physical things don't matter. They're just going to be ruined anyways. The relationships we build and have with others are what we will remember and take with us. 

Living in the moment, soaking everything in, can be SO hard. But I don't want to let any of this slip away.

Growing up is hard. It's awkward. And really fun. 

This is my fairytale and I'm going to make it memorable.

Yes I'm going here

Happy Birthday to me! 

I'm sure a more extensive Birthday post will come. 

all I have to say. Is seriously. I'm so blessed. (srslysoblessed.soprovo.)

BUT I AM.

and I'm the luckest girl to be alive. I have SO many who love me and make my life wonderful every day. I couldn't live this dream with out each and every person I hold near and dear to my heart. 

and sometimes, well, all the time, the Lord knows just what you need.

I have funny friends. And this movie was a PERFECT way to start my birthday :)