The start of 2017 hasn't been easy. With the new year and new semester at school has come with it an insanely busy schedule, lots of homework, too much snow, new friends, meeting some Rockies players, lots of laughter, good times, but also some trials, and quite a few sleepless nights. I'm amazed at how fast time goes by.

This shouldn't be any surprise to me since time always seemingly goes by so fast. When in the moment, it stands still at times.

I've been in the same routine for a while. I go to college at Utah State. I come home often. I had friends in Logan, friends here at home, and friends from other places as well. I like being social and doing things with my friends. Spending time with friends is one of my fave things. Just something about being around people who accept you & feeling like I belong. I find comfort in that. I think that's why I've struggled so much recently after various things have occurred. Loneliness has become a regular feeling for me as of late.

This has led me to evaluate many things in my life & to see what I really want to do & who/what I want in my life. After much thought, life is too short to keep people or things in my life that aren't helping me or who bring me down. This has been incredibly difficult to let people & things go that aren't helping me progress & help me be a better person. Copious amounts of prayers have been said and many hours pondering about what I should do. I'll continue to pray about it and what path I should take; it's a never ending process.

While I've been going through all of this, my family has never left my side. As well as very few select friends. How eternally grateful I have been & still are grateful for all of those people. Throughout this process, I've had to make some hard decisions & let go of people who have already fulfilled their role in my life.

With that begins a new chapter in my life. I didn't think this would happen, but I'm learning to be okay with less people in my life. Quality over quantity. This new chapter is very different, but I'm adapting to it & learning to enjoy life more fully. Even if I have to enjoy it on my own.

The lesson behind all of this is to not fear change. I might be somewhat terrified of this new chapter, but at the same time I'm embracing it. I may not know what I'm doing exactly. But it's quite alright because my loving Heavenly Father has a perfect plan for it. He's in control & knows I need this in my life.

Keep Trying | Late Night Thoughts

I've had many thoughts circling through my mind as of late. It was a struggle to focus on studying for finals the past couple weeks, to complete the tasks at hand, to sleep, to be social, to read my scriptures and pray and to feel loved. After feeling like I'm lacking in these areas of my life, I am left upset and frustrated. I try so hard to not let any of this show and cover it up with laughter and smiles. Most of the time I do pretty well with masking it, but there are some days I just can't do it.

Today happened to be one of those days I just couldn't do it. I stayed in my pajamas all day and didn't get ready. I didn't get anything done today despite the list of things I need to do while I'm home for the holidays and presents I still need to buy. I watched movies, played games with my brothers, and did lots of thinking.

I longed to be productive and at least get a start on my "to-do list" and do something of importance ha. But the reality of life is that life isn't always great and happy as can be. 

As frustrated as I became today and was somewhat of a downer, by the end of the day I had an epiphany. As a country song goes, "The bad times make the good times better". To know happiness and joy, we also have to experience sadness and frustration. The good days we have quickly become that much better when we realize that we are happy, it isn't a bad day, and there is no frustration or sadness on that particular day.

However, don't just become complacent with life and let things happen left and right. You won't experience joy and happiness by letting life pass you by and not putting in any effort. It is crucial to keep trying and not give up. 

Yes, today may have been kind of an off day and more on the side of a bad day. But that's okay. I didn't give up and am still trying. We will be blessed as we continue to put in effort. Heavenly Father will notice our efforts, be there to help, and will bless us.

Never give up! It only matters that you keep trying.

Bryce & Kourtney | Idaho Couples Photographer

Where do I start? My oldest brother Bryce married Kourtney about three years ago. They will be celebrating their 3rd anniversary in a few weeks, so we got ahead of the game a little by taking some anniversary photos! They had me laughing nearly the whole time as I shot at the most perfect location  in Rexburg. I wish I could shoot there every time! I think I got more shots of them laughing than anything else, which makes for more candid shots!

Colby | Idaho Senior Photographer

Colby's seniors were hilarious. It took us a while to find a time where we could do them, but we finally did it! He's such a goofy and fun brother. He had me laughing the entire time. It was even better when he would be just looking around or doing funny poses because I just kept snapping away & caught all of those on camera. 

Still can't believe he's a senior this year! Seems like Colby is younger than that & hasn't grown up yet. I can remember like it was just yesterday some of the funny and weird things he would do as a little kid. 

Calli & Matt | Utah Engagement Photographer

I met Calli last year in Logan and we quickly became friends. We talked and studied together and hung out when we had time. We did a shoot last winter and laughed the entire time. She later told me that when she got engaged she wanted me to do her engagements. The day came that she got engaged and soon after she asked me to shoot their engagements. I looked forward to this session for a while because I was so excited, especially to shoot in the canyon with fall colors. It could not have been on a more perfect night or in a more perfect location.

We went up the canyon with the beautiful fall colors. It was so perfect and the lighting was amazing too! They were so fun, laughing, and just perfect the entire time. Calli & Matt had us laughing almost the whole time! It was such a great session and I loved just all of the photos, it was so hard to choose just a few favorites!