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I think I've had a stroke of brilliance...
Matt teaching Guido.

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Moving on.

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{{So last night I found a new favorite spot ( alright, it was shown to me by a really good friend, but it's still my favorite now). }}

I've been up Smithfield Canyon probably.. uh.. one thousand times but I've never seen this place before. It's past the 2nd gate and then about a five minute hike to the most enchanting meadow. It's gorgeous ( pictures will be up soon, cause let's face it.. I plan on spending lots of time up there), there's a nice little overhang where you can see the sunset in between the "v" that the mountains make, and get this... a wooden rope swing chair big enough to seat two people. In memory of Jacob Hawkes ( I don't know who that is, but I like his chair)

It's like out of a fairytale-seriously. It's amazing, I couldn't even believe it. I was seriously baffled by how quaint and cozy this place was. There was a fire pit a couple feet back and a nice little grove of trees elegantly shaded with leaves- we found a hide out in there. I could play up there all day long, and I DEFINITELY plan on camping up there, lots of bonfires- oh my gosh! I love it! I would build a sweet awesome tree house HOUSE up there and just live up there forever-if I COULD.
Fish out of the stream, and just live a simple life.
Sighs.

It was beautiful. And soothing.

So we headed on up there, and sat on the awesome swing, watched the mediocre sunset (we've both seen better) and talked. It was good to just clear the air, get back on the same track, understand a little more what's going on in both of our heads, and laugh until our sides ached. It was so good to just SEE him. It's been a long time, and the more time I spend with him, the more I realize just how much I missed him while he was gone.

It was great! We talked for about 3 1/2 hours, ate a delicious meal and then made our way back down the trail ( in the dark which was hideous because I have suckfest ankles AND was wearing flip flops because I didn't know we would be HIKING) and had some snacks along the way. We really should have left earlier, I was eaten alive by the mossies. (mosquitos). Seriously. These things were vicious. It's was my own fault for not wearing a jacket or insect repellent I GUESS, but these monsters bit THROUGH my clothes. I got bit a couple times THROUGH my pants, and get this.. I have a huge one on my stomach? What the crap!

I must taste good.
So we headed down and then stopped at the park where my car was. While standing there just chit chatting a cop came and told us that it was illegal to park there after dark? I knew that you couldn't go play in the park and stuff, but I figured that parking across the street was fine- apparently not. So we joked around with the she cop while she called it in the check out records. She told us that she gets people on this street all the time and that it's her favorite place to play cop. So funny. She was really nice though, and after she cleared everything up with uh.. dispatch? We were allowed to go along on our way. We both headed home, it had been a long day-for both of us.

Good night.
GOOOOD night.

So today I work until about 10pm and then I'll head over to the bonfire he's having for Cameron before he heads out on his mission. Possibly boating tomorrow with him and his family, and hopefully dessert with Karrie later tomorrow night. Sunday he gives his homecoming talk which should be fun, and then a BBQ after to chit chat.
Man, I'm glad he's home.

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Oh blast the dreaded munchies.

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I have a day off from work today! I went running and did some weights already! It was really nice, because yesterday I didn't find the time to do an ACTUAL work out. It was nice to be in the gym again, even though the sunshine peaking into all corners of the facility was tempting. I just can't focus outside the way that I can inside. And let's face it, I'm a treadmill runner, not an outside runner.

As much as I love the fresh air and sunshine, I can't control the speed, the incline, I can't clock the miles and a treadmill does all those things and more for me. I like being in control of my work out because otherwise it just feels like.. physical activity with no real health benefits. I don't know why *shrugs*

So I have a couple of things that I still need to get finished.
Finish up preparing my visiting teaching message.
Clean my room-vac, dust, organize, etc.
UM lunch, because I just realized I'm starving.
I'd really like to straighten my hair- but I might just leave it curly.
Clean up the kitchen and computer area for my mom.
Figure out this New Zealand trip with my parents.
I need to figure out a way to make some more money, or get more hours at the pool.
Figure out my tithing before I-ya know-forget.
And I'm sure there are a few other things.

I'd like to get together and put a game of tennis, or cardio tennis together cause that would be cool. Or frisbee, or just go and kick around a soccer ball or something.
And I really need to write a letter to Maria- what a sweetheart!

LMF (love my life)

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So a friend of mine posted a word quote thing (how's that for articulate right?) that said this:
"We must be willing to let go of the life we have planned, so as to have the life that is waiting for us."

I've been thinking about it a lot and have realized that.. it's something I should really try and do. I always plan for the future and tend to miss out on things that are going on right now. Not that there's A LOT of things I guess, but I could definitely be planning AND living my life to it's fullest right NOW. And I also think it's time to let go of any preconceived notions I had about this summer, because it's close to the end of June and nothing that I've planned has happened.. because.. I spend all my time planning the next thing and never do.. THE things.

If this doesn't make any sense- THAT makes sense.

Work today was really nice. The weather was perfect and I worked with some really great people, got 100% on my spot check, and then swam for a little bit with Sarah. It was nice, to be there on a nice day, AND on a day when I did work instead of didn't. And Blake was there. So that was cool. I don't really know what to do about the whole living for the moment thing. But I WILL think of something. So help me I will.

:D

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I'm fighting losing battles all over the place.
It's either too much, or not enough. So close or so far.
And either way I'm the one crying in the corner when all is said and done. And everyone and everything else is better off or figured out.

I do believe in miracles.
I NEED a miracle.
I believe that a miracle can happen for me.
But there's gotta be some kind of action on my part, and I know that. I'm GLAD I know that, but because there's always something that I DON'T know-it's what action I'm supposed to follow through with. And that kinda seems like the most important part. How do you work with not knowing what the most important element is?

If it's not one thing, it's another.
And then I start to feel undeserving.
Sighs.

It's Father's Day.
We bought him a brand spankin' new, shiny, stainless steel grill ( and we used it for dinner tonight), and the fixing to brew ginger beer. Victoria and Talisa, along with "the boys" weeded the gardens in the back and made it look beautiful. And while all of those things are tokens of thank you TOO him, it will never be enough to show him just how much we love and care about him. My dad is my role model. I want to be just like him. He's the best man and person I know and I don't think that's entirely just because he's my Father. He has the most kind, understanding, and honest character of ANYONE I've ever met or had the pleasure of getting to know. He's so smart, and ridiculously funny. I see him constantly helping our neighbors and I know he's working miracles in the the ward he's in charge of. He loves my mom so much and he shows it by all the amazing things he does for her. He's open and honest with us kids and is always helping guide us towards things that will help us in our futures. He holds the priesthood with honor and dignity and is worthy of every kind of happiness this world has to offer. I'm so blessed and lucky to have been placed in the family that I was. And I know a lot of the reason why I know that is because he understands me better than most people I know. I can talk to my dad in a way that I can't to my mom. He's a listener, and he loves me. I haven't always been grateful or taken the time to acknowledge just how difficult it might be to BE a parent. But he and my mom have done a great job and I'll never be able to show or say thank you enough. Not for a million billion trillion years and longer.
And now I need to tell him that.

Happy Father's Day everyone!