99 Red Balloons

August 15, 2012

My mom's birthday.

A day we made this song a reality.

The day started out with my mom taking us on a ride in her new ranger (her birthday gift from my dad) we tied balloons to the sides and made her wear a tacky crown. After tearing up the mountain, spotting deer, and getting covered in a layer of dust, we ended the ride at the park in town.

It was there my mom's friends had gathered 99 red balloons. My mom and I have both always talked about how cool it would be to actually let go of 99 red balloons just like in the song. She also mentioned it to her friends. And since my mom has fantastic friends (I consider them my friends too), they surprised her with her balloon wish. It was the coolest thing to let them all go and watch as the blue sky quickly filled with red balloons. They quickly floated away until they were just tiny red dots scattered among the clouds.

Someday I want to be just like my mom. She is the best. What other mom would wear a Sleeping Beauty crown all day and get giddy about balloons like a little girl? I love that woman.

Pondering

I should be in bed right now. Or at least showering. But I'm not because I'm too busy pondering. Brian and I are speaking in church tomorrow. Is it odd that I actually enjoy speaking in church? Probably. I'm odd. But I just love these opportunities because in the end, I feel like I learn so much about the topic I'm assigned to speak on. And most the time, the topic somehow seems to fit perfectly into my life, like it's something my Heavenly Father knows I need to gain a greater understanding of.

I am speaking on agency. And not to get all religious up on everybody, but here's a lovely quote I found regarding agency:

   “Agency allows us to be tested and tried to see whether or not we will endure to the end and return to our Heavenly Father with honor. Agency is the catalyst that leads us to express our inward spiritual desires in outward Christlike behavior. Agency permits us to make faithful, obedient choices that strengthen us so that we can lift and strengthen others. Agency used righteously allows light to dispel the darkness and enables us to live with joy and happiness in the present, look with faith to the future, even into the eternities, and not dwell on the things of the past. Our use of agency determines who we are and what we will be.”
               -Robert D. Hales


I hope I can always strive to exercise my agency in a way to bring myself closer to Christ and not push myself away, to strengthen and lift others and not tear others down, to spread light and not hide in the darkness. 


Guys, no matter what your beliefs are, I want you to know that our spirits are so powerful and can do so much good. You are beautiful.  

Let's Get Rich and Give Everybody Nice Sweaters

Remember last week when I went to an Ingrid Michaelson concert? Oh boy, that was a good time!

Music is a beautiful thing. I learned that even more last Thursday as Ingrid sang some pretty words and as I glanced at the sea of people around me. There were so many different people in that building from all walks of life. Some of us were silly college girls who worry about grades, and love, and what we're going to do with our lives. Some were silly high school girls who worry about boys, and their friends, and what they're going to do with their hair. Some people were older with real careers, real goals, and maybe bigger worries too. Some danced, and screamed, and recorded all the performances on their iPhones. While others chilled out, and swayed back and forth to the music.

But despite everyone in that room being so different, we were there to listen to the same music, and enjoy the same songs. And we were all happy. It just turned into this room booming with music and oozing with happiness. And we left all our worries out on the street. That, my dears, is what music is all about.

Also, the opening band was freaking splendid. The band who opened the show was Harper Blynn. Shayla and I loved them, and you will too. I strongly suggest you check them out. Go here  to download their newest album, Busy Hands, for FREE. That's right. It's free. Free is rare. Especially for good music. We're not talking day old doughnuts here. We're talking music which is beautiful to the eardrums.

I want to be a rockstar.

Fireworks Flying

This year, our New Years Eve was pretty quiet but also pretty wonderful. We decided to head back to Idaho and spend the night with my family so I could celebrate my birthday with them. My mom ever so kindly made my favorite triple chocolate cake. Both of my sisters bought me birthday presents and my parents and brother picked me out two of the grandest gifts a girl like me could ever desire. You see, I'm slightly obsessed with antiques. So I about jumped out of my socks when the whole family led me into the room where my radio and typewriter were waiting for me. The best part? The radio still works! And the typewriter is 100 years old.

 So stoked

 We were dancing to a song on the radio and then my dad blasted the volume.

The rest of the wait for midnight was spent playing Just Dance, watching episodes of 24 (it's my parents' fault we're addicted now), and playing Uno. 

At midnight my dad blasted off some fireworks and we danced around and cheered in the new year.

And on New Year's Day, we spent time with Brian's family in Eden so we could celebrate our new precious baby niece and spend time with Brian's sister and her husband before they flew back to their home in Texas. 

I'm not huge on the whole new year's resolution thing, but I do have a couple things I want to do in this year of 2012: 

I will hike more

I will lose myself in service to others

I will use my time more wisely

I will cook more

HAPPY 2012! I hope the first week has just been spectacular for you! 

I Made This For You

Happy weekend, friends!