"Live to thrive, not just survive." - The Magnolia Story
by Chip and Joanna Gaines

I feel like I haven’t been thriving lately, but just barely surviving. Going through life just surviving takes it out of you! Between all my classes that I have and group projects for several of those classes, I have had no time for much else. I’m in class from about 9 – 3 almost every day, have group project meetings at night until midnight some nights, go back home Thursday night and work all weekend, from September to November, and come back to college Sunday sometime. Then repeat it all over again. That routine gets real old, real fast.

I’ve felt so drained this first half of the semester with everything. It can take it out of you real quick. I’ve also felt very frustrated because of a few bad grades, not understanding how to do assignments, awful professors, not being able to find a job, or not having enough time for everything. The other day I took a step back and realized I wasn’t happy and was barely staying above water. Something had to change. But I couldn’t just stop completing assignments and working on group projects. What I could do was take a little bit of time for me each day to take a break from homework. Even if that was just laying down and thinking or napping for 20 minutes or planning meals for the week and cooking or baking. So far even just doing it for a few days has already made a difference. A couple weeks ago, I watched the NL Wild Card game with Jeremy before and after a group project meeting. Even if I had to ignore a few assignments, I was going to watch the baseball game no matter what #priorities.  We had pizza and got rally drinks (our choice was lemonade). I also went to bed before 11 pm, which hasn’t happened in a long time! It felt so good to take a break from schoolwork. I definitely needed it.

Another thing that I’ve been doing to start thriving is spending less time on social media, Netflix, and online in general. In order for me to thrive, I have to actually be living and not hiding behind my phone screen or laptop. I never realized how much time I spent online doing things that hold no value and didn't help me progress or get things done. In today's world, we can become so consumed with technology. I'm accustomed to using devices more often than not due to using my phone for work & contacting people and using a computer/my laptop for work this last summer everyday at each of my jobs. But that was necessary.

I know it is impossible for me to completely swear off technology and the Internet. I use my laptop to take notes in class, do assignments, listen to music, do some work for my dad, and email. I use my phone to listen to music, talk on the phone, check the weather, capture memories, Snapchat, and so much more. I don't need to do as much of that though. I can reduce the amount of time I spend on devices and increase the time I spend with people in person and making memories. I know I need to work more on thriving. I want to thrive for the rest of my life. When I look back on my life I want to see many days where I thrived, and not so many where I just survived. So here's to more days where I thrive, and not just survive.

Challenge: Work on living to thrive, not just survive. You can work on it slowly, one piece at a time, but keep at it. It will greatly influence your life and make you happier.

Reasoning Behind Why You Meet People

Have you ever thought about the reasoning behind why you meet certain people?

After having a conversation with my roommate yesterday, I've thought a lot about the reasoning behind things. Specifically the reasons for why we meet new people, become friends & become close to others. We were talking about when we meet someone new and felt that there was a specific reason we were supposed to know that person.

I had told her of an experience from last school year when I had received a priesthood blessing from my brother Jeremy. To preface the story, I was very sick one day, and went up to campus early to study for a test I had that afternoon. I was getting sicker & sicker by the minute. For some reason I texted Jeremy, told him how sick I was & that I didn't know what to do. He quickly suggested I come to the institute building to get a blessing!! I went over & got a blessing from Jeremy & his institute teacher. 

My oh my did I remember this blessing more than any other before!! Jeremy gave me an incredible blessing & I was so thankful for it. However, the one thing I recall so clearly is something he said completely unrelated to my health and healing. He said, "Bless you that you will have loving people come into your life." (Since we are pretty close & at the same university, we talk a lot. Jeremy knows just about everything. He knows that I've always struggled with friends & feeling loved. I often feel lonely.) Anyway, we hadn't talked recently about that. I know he was inspired to say that in the blessing. 

With a new school year comes meeting new people. I truly believe that some of the people I met last year were "loving people" and came into my life at just the right time to help me when I needed it most. Am I still close to those people? No, not all of them. I learned some crucial life lessons from those people and the experiences I had with those people. I went on to explain to my roommate that at the time, those people were loving people who were helping me and were there for me. Their purpose in my life evolved and changed as time went on. Regardless if I am no longer close to those people, I am still grateful for lessons learned from it and the reasonings why I met those people.

For some people, they fulfilled their purpose in my life in a short amount of time. God has a plan and will only keep the people in our lives that we need and that are there to help us, and vice versa. So when we have that feeling that we are supposed to meet someone and  know that person, it may be for a reason that is short-lived, or there may be a greater purpose behind it. Whatever it may be, follow those promptings. I have some of my best friends now because I followed those feelings I had that I was meant to get to know that person.

Always remember that everything happens for a reason. God will not put something or someone in your life that isn't supposed to be, at least for a certain amount of time. Take that in and relish in the fact that God has hand-picked some people to be in your life. How special is that?? When I think of that, I am filled with an incredible amount of comfort in knowing that.

Our God is so so good. Never forget that He is always mindful of you and has special purposes for why some people come into your life.

You Are Valued & You Aren't Your Mistakes

YOU matter. You are valued & cared for. You are not defined by your mistakes.

One thing I want to share & just shout from the rooftops to all the world is that message. Just because something happened or changed or you don't have the same people in your life that you used to, doesn't mean you are any less valued or mattered. There are still so so many people who care about you & love you. Regardless of what happens. I know this for a fact after having gone through trials & overcoming obstacles in my way. Don't ever let anyone tell you different.

You are not defined by the bad grade you got on an assignment. You are not defined by what might seem like dumb decisions you make, the amount of money you have, your job status or the job you have. You are not defined by a breakup. Bottom line is, you are not defined by materialistic things. What you are defined by is how you treat others, the love and care you show to those around you, compassion you emulate, and so much more than any material or worldly things.

I know how hard it can be to feel like you are defined by those things. I've been there many many times. I'm my worst critic and am the hardest on myself because I know what I can do and what I'm capable of achieving & where I've been before. I'm so hard on myself. And you know what? It doesn't do any good being so hard on myself. It makes things worse. Let it go.

Try to go easy on yourself and remember that you are valued regardless of your status, money, number of friends you have, or anything like that. I've felt unvalued because of a job I had where I didn't do much and felt like it was a waste of time for me. I've felt unvalued because I lost friends. When I feel this way, I know I need to somehow get out of this funk. I rely on others for help. I turn to my Heavenly Father in prayer & plead for help and just lay it all out on the table and say I can't do this on my own & need help. I know my family will always be there & that they have my back. I also have some pretty amazing friends who always lend a listening ear and jump at the opportunity to help me, you know who you are! I'm forever grateful and in debt to them!

I think you would be surprised if you knew just how many people truly care about you,  love you, and want the best for you. It might not seem like people are always there for you and care, but they do. It seems like someone sends me a note or does something to brighten my day whenever I am feeling down and really needed it the most.

I'm the biggest advocate for helping others and just being there for people whenever they need it. Please, if you are ever feeling down and need some help or just need to vent & need someone to listen, reach out to me!! I'm more than happy to help because I've been on that side of it numerous times.

Ally | Idaho Senior Photographer

Ally is the sweetest girl you will ever meet! She has such a sweet and genuine personality that is so fun. She loves photography, books, laughing, and has a love for life that is obvious. I admire her for the outlook she has on life. We had a blast at her session and laughed the whole time. Towards the end she really wanted some laughing photos so I pulled out the ol trusty like 3 bad jokes that I know to get some laughs haha! 

At the beginning we were talking about college and I gave her some advice on what I would do differently in my first years of school. The more we talked about college, we discovered that she is going to be studying marketing, just like me! & our minors are very similar too! I thought that was so cool! Congrats on graduation in a few weeks, Ally! Keep dreaming and always chase your dreams. I can tell she's going to go far.

Push Through the Lonely Times | Real, Vulnerable Thoughts

 When I feel lonely, I just figured something was wrong with me & that's why I didn't have any friends and felt that way. I feel as if I've lost the friends I used to have. I know that it is bound to happen with everyone going in different directions and doing different things in their lives. I didn't think it would be like this for me though. I thought I would be happier and actually have friends. Truthfully, I've always struggled with making and keeping friends. It always seems to happen that I'm never the first choice of what may be my so-called "friends". The reason I say that is because I'm learning more and more & realizing that more often than not, they aren't true friends. It's incredibly frustrating and difficult when I feel so alone & am struggling but have no one to talk to & get things off my chest to. It has resulted in many lonely days, sleepless nights, a million thoughts going through my head, and countless tears shed.

As a result of all this, I have wanted to give up & just forget it all at times. However, I know I can't give up for many reasons. It's just in the moment when I have 2,738 thoughts going through my head that I psyche myself into thinking giving up is the best option. That's so wrong though. In the grand scheme of things, this is all small when you look at the whole big picture. 

From now on, instead of longing to just give up, find a way to get rid of all my problems, and think that something is wrong with me because none of that is true or the way to react to it all. It will take determination to change my way of thinking and perseverance to push through it all. This process won't be easy, but it will be so worth it in the end. As I re-wire my thinking, I'm also evaluating my life and what my priorities are. I spend lots of time thinking and focusing on schoolwork. I should spend more time bettering myself and getting closer to Christ. This was brought to my attention in a new light thanks to a friend.

A few days ago, this dear friend texted me to check up on me and after some talking & her asking what was going on, me telling her some of my frustrations and all, she replied with some advice. There was one specific thing she said that struck a cord in me. She said, "usually lonely times are the just opportunities to get closer to Christ." I had never thought of it that way before. I always despised these "ruts" of me feeling so lonely. Never would I have thought it would be a blessing in disguise and that it would present the perfect opportunity to become closer to Christ. Although I still may not embrace the lonely times, I will look at it in a new light and take that time to better my relationship with my Savior. 

I know that everything will get better eventually. Just takes time. It may be these very experiences that are preparing me for something greater in my life or preparing me to be able to help someone in need down the road who went through the same experiences.

Here's to not giving up, becoming better, and getting closer to Christ.

Beginning of a New Chapter | Late Night Thoughts

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!