Gardening with Dallin

This week is my spring break. It has been wonderful! My mom had to work today, which meant that I got to spend the day with this kid. Man I love him!

We decided to plant part of my garden. I planted beans, peas, onions and lettuce. Dallin planted sticks, rocks, and bark. Dont worry he even used Miracle Grow. Given my lack of success with a garden last year, I'm a little nervous that Dallin's garden will put mine to shame. ;)

Lesson Learned:

There is happiness is simplicity. Any of you who know Dallin know that the small things make him happy. You make the kid a cheese sandwich and he gives you a hug while saying "thank you, this makes me SOOO happy." As Dallin and I were driving in my car today singing along at the top of our lungs to Sieze the Day from the movie Newsies, I thought to myself "this is what happiness is."

I love this quote by Joseph Smith, "Happiness is the object and design of our existence; and will be the end thereof, if will pursue the path that leads to it; and this path is virtue, uprightness, faithfulness, holiness, and keeping all the commandments of God."

Happiness comes from the simplicity of obedience. We are meant to be happy! I'm so glad Dallin is here to remind me.

27, My Favorite Year So Far

Today I read an article that said that old age begins at 27. Read it here. My first thought was "Man, I misplace my keys at least twice a day, it must be true." My second thought however was "Are you kidding me?" followed by a few eye rolls. I loved (a very sarcastic love) that the picture they used for this article was one of Beyonce with a caption saying the she is "past her mental peak." Maybe I'm being rediculous, but did Beyonce have an amazing mental capablilty before she was 27? That was rude, sorry...but come on, they chose to use Beyonce!?! Anyway, my point is that I love being 27! I am happier, more confident, and am learning more about life than ever before. If this is what "old" age is, then BRING IT ON.

Here are just a few reasons why I have loved being 27.

1. I became an aunt! My little brother Neal and his wife, Becca, had a little girl named Lydia. Being an aunt is wonderful! Sure, I would love to be married and have my own little girl, but until that happens, bring on the nieces and nephews!

2. I'm realizing more and more every day that I dont want to be "normal," I want to be myself. I want to be quirky, a little nerdy, and even obnoxiously optimistic. Hey, if Flo can do it, so can I.

3. My friend Kami and I went back to El Salvador (that's where I served my mission) for the dedication of the temple. We also went to Costa Rica and Nicaragua to visit some of our friends. It was wonderful. It was exactly what I needed spiritually, mentally and emotionally.

4. I bought this little beauty! A 2012 Ford Focus. Candy-apple RED. Buying it was very unlike me. I'm usually very frugal and logical about big purchases....but then I thought WHY NOT? I bought it, and love everything about it. I'll just blame "old age" for effecting my sense of reason.

Recently I have thought a lot about the quote by Joseph B Wirthlin, "Come what may and LOVE IT." Believing/following that has made all the difference for me this year.

Joseph B Wirthlin said that when he was 91 years old...."27 is the peak of a persons mental capacity"....?.... I don't believe a word of it.