Road Trip!!

For Memorial Day, my sister Cassi and I headed out on a bit of a road trip up to Moscow, Idaho to see my other sister, Traci and her family. We had a great time on and off the road. Though the weekend went by too fast and I was exhausted from school and other activities, we had a blast! It was so good just to spend time with them all! Here's some fun pictures of our trip!

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Back in Touch

Alright, time for a little more back-blogging to show the start of my summer. When I first got home there was a lot going on. Not only did I get to spend time with my family who still lived in Rexburg (Mom, Dad, Cassi and Jeff) but my sister Traci and her family, as well as Scott and his family came for week-long visits. It was so great to spend so much time re-connecting with them all and getting to know my nieces all over again, as well as meeting Ella for the first time.
Here's a quick re-cap:
The Rexburg Temple was completed and dedicated while I was gone and something I looked forward to so much! I know you can't see it really great in this picture, but you get to see the beautiful Idaho sunsets as well so I love it!

It was always an adventure when any one of my nieces was around... Lainy stole everyone's heart with her sweet voice and beautiful blue eyes, and also took a preference to the dog door,


Ella turned a year old, was stripped down, and only ate the chocolate cookies off her cake all nice and neat, but did start walking!! She's also famous for her beautiful eyes and "Ella Shuffle!"


Kayt is the oldest of the three and loves it! She's fabulous at playing dolls, on the tramp and being a "Princess of God." She is a princess that's leads the trio perfectly!


Aside from adventures with the nieces, which Grandpa just soaked up...
we also had an all-star to watch in softball games and later, after her big 16th Birthday bash, get all glamored up and go to her first dance/date! Our little Cass is quite the grown, talented and beautiful young woman!

I found Jeffy-boy to also have come completely into his own, sharing his love and talents with all around him, also with a plan to really share his love as a missionary. The week after I got home from my mission he received his mission call. Traci was leaving that day, my mom was in Utah picking up Scott, Kris and the girls and Jeff told us if it came that day he was going to take it into the woods to open it on his own first. We didn't believe him but wondered how he was going to accommodate everyone. Sure enough though, the white envelope arrived and he took off to the woods. Within a half hour or so he'd returned and we gathered and got mom on the phone as he read it to us. In this video I stopped it before all the hugs and most of the shouts and smiles, but we were all really excited for him, and so was he! Here's what happened....


Jeff and my friend Taylor also got me to venture out on my first long boarding experience. We had a great time and it was a lot of fun to see Jeff and Tay so comfortable on the boards doing all sorts of things (one of the many situations Jeff is in his element). I did try it and made it down a big hill without falling....while sitting on the board. But then I stood up and practiced on a little hill. For a while I seemed to be getting it better than I'd expected, and as soon as that thought crossed my mind I got nervous at a turn and bailed off the board. The result you can see on my hand....this happened to be the day before I spoke in church- my parents were thrilled to have me speak, especially since I talk with my hands as well, in front of hundreds of people with a big, red scrape on my hand.
Now that I think of it, maybe this event was my downfall, the tip of the iceberg to the many amazing falls, burns and other mishaps that the summer has been full of....

2 Year Anniversary!!

Many people have the privilege of writing about special wedding anniversaries and such, and someday I really hope to be able to do that as well. But, today marks the 2 year anniversary of one small day that led to many more significant moments, memories, lessons, love and laughter that changed my life and helped me to fully realize who I am, where I stand and with whom. This day led to a much fuller realization of the gifts and talents I've been blessed with and how to use them to bless the lives of others. It led to a continuously deepening and abiding love and relationship with my Father in Heaven. This day provided the opportunity to more completely know my brother and Savior, Jesus Christ, and to stand by Him unashamed, trying to be ever grateful and always growing in understanding and application of the atonement. It led to a greater, first-hand knowledge of the plan of happiness that our Father has for us and how everyone in our lives is there for a reason. 2 years ago today gave me the opportunity to more fully appreciate the wonderful eternal family that I have, and strengthened my desire to always have one, and treat them now and for eternity with great love. Going forth on this day placed people in my life and opportunities at my fingertips that taught me to love, and love deeply and eternally, to laugh and not be afraid of your gooberness, and to fully enjoy life through the gospel of Jesus Christ, because "Men are, that they might have joy" (2 Nephi 2:25).





Two years ago today I began my full-time missionary service for Savior of the World through His church on the earth today, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints....the best 19 months of my life so far, which influence is felt every day. I'm grateful that I have the knowledge that the fullness of the gospel is on the earth! I'm so grateful that I know who I am as a daughter of God, and have a personal relationship with Him and my Savior. I'm grateful for the atonement, because I can only do all things through Christ. I know the scriptures are true and there is a living prophet on the earth today! Because of these things I know that families can be together forever. I know also, that the line between family and friends is blurred, and I'm so grateful for all of both in my life, their love, support and examples. I'm grateful for my Savior and the call to serve.

Classic Mishap

I figured since part of the title is about mishaps then maybe I should include some... You know how when you're young and trying to figure out how to do your hair, work the curling iron or straightener, and it's a bit awkward getting used to and only burning yourself some of the time? (I hope there are others who know what I'm talking about and I wasn't the sole awkward one when I started doing my hair). Well, here I am, 23 years old and have been doing my hair for quite some time (it isn't awkward feeling anymore), but yet I feel the need to get as much sleep as possible, so I'm always in a rush to get ready for school. School started last Thursday, it's Monday, and I already have not one but TWO burns on my forehead from the curling iron! I feel like a little girl again, having burns on my head and all like I can't control what I do....amazing, I know...

The end and start of great things...

My back blogging starts with my return from the AMAZING opportunity of serving a mission in St. Louis. Sometime I'll write a lot more about my experiences as a missionary, but for now, we'll go from when my world completely changed in coming home, and through my adjustments. My family was so great to welcome me home with open arms, and a great deal of patience and things to do. I left the MSLM (Missouri St. Louis Mission) on April 9th, 2009.

The first picture is my last night in the mission home and the group that left with me. I went to St. Louis with an escort of 15 Elders and left with 2, kind of a change.

This is my mission president and his wife, President and Sister Turley, with me at the airport as we said our goodbyes. They're the greatest people you'll ever meet! So humble and kind and completely full of love.

On the way back to the land of mountains, potatoes and the "beautiful people" I had a four hour layover in Salt Lake City. Goober a.k.a. Sassy a.k.a. Smith 1 a.k.a. Sister Taylor Smith, one of my best friends, trainer and comp for 6 months, as well as two of my amazing aunts and uncle (Julia, Rebecca and Paul) met me there. Their big hugs and much of what we talked about during my layover really helped with my perspective and adjustment in returning home, not to mention helped the four hours go faster. I'm so grateful for them and their amazing support!

After the layover it was finally time for the quick flight to Idaho Falls, quick because it was only 30 minutes but that was the longest 30 minutes of my life! And there they were! My mom and dad, Jeff and Cassi, Trace and Brad with Alaina! (Scott and Kris with the girls were able to come the next week). Many other aunts, uncles and cousins who've grown like crazy! Both sets of Grandparents, even my Grandpa Smith whose been battling cancer, were there too! When I left on my mission I wondered if I'd see my Grandpa Smith again in this life, but am so grateful he's still around!! I'm so blessed to have such wonderful family!! At the moment I can't find the pictures from the airport, but will post them when I do and you can make your own judgment about the reunion.

After the hard goodbyes of leaving amazing family and loved ones I'd found in St. Louis, it was a happy reunion with my amazing family and loved ones in Idaho! It's such a bitter sweet experience, but more sweet because of the eternal nature of our Heavenly Father's plan. A member of a ward I served in said to me on my last Sunday in the mission field, "I think we're able to love so deeply because we know that relationships last forever." It is hard to say goodbye for now, but family is forever!

Here we go...

Okay, it's official, I have started a blog. I've been trying to resist this for a while now, but there are too many things going on in my life- crazy, embarrassing, and incredible stories and people- to not record it and have pictures right alongside. And yes, there will definitely be a taste of craziness and embarrassing mixed in with the incredible, because that just seems to be what happens in my life, due to me or others around me. "Mishaps" is in the title for a reason, but there sure are lots of memorable moments. As Martina McBride would sings..."I have been blessed!" The past two years alone, with my mission, a semester of school and an incredible summer show just that. I know it'll be back-logging (or...blogging??) but this is more for journal purposes than anything so I hope anyone who reads this is okay with that too!