Aca'scuse me!

Hello bloggers! Long time no blog, I know. Life just gets crazy sometimes! But here is an update into my life!

I got bangs.

I am obsessed with the movie Pitch Perfect.

I am listening to the soundtrack right now.

I just got a job working with people with disabilities in the community and I couldn't be more excited!

Devin is still in the picture.

My roommate Chanel is my best friend and sister.

My other bestie and running partner is going on a mission to Riverside, California.

Fat Amy is my alter ego (if you don't know what I am talking about, you have to go watch Pitch Perfect).

Carlie (my actual sister) is at BYU with me now!

Life is good.

You know what's so great about life? It can really suck sometimes. I mean, horse manure kind of stink. But then one day, the air clears and life is good again. Last semester was pretty hard. Sorry internet, you don't get to hear about that. Let's put it this way: things happened that were sad, difficult, trying, but they are over. So no looking back! But now when I look around at my life, I just think "wow, this is awesome". That's what life is all about. Enjoying the good moments and surviving the bad.

Here's a funny story for you bloggers. Chanel and I went to the BYU basketball game this weekend. Her friend from high school was playing for USD, our opponents that night, so we got family seats. Well BYU doesn't have too much respect for their opposing family's, so we ended up in the bleachers...for less than 5 minutes. We went and found Carlie in the student section. Much better. But since Chanel's friend was a starter and really good, she was of course cheering for him. Which brought about a lot of glares from the two kids in front of us. Yes, kids. In the student section. Hey, if you are 40 years old in the student section with two young kids, than we can cheer for USD. You are just as embarrassing. The glares really aren't necessary. I mean, we were getting DEATH glares from these kids! It was really funny. BYU won, but USD played a good game. P.S. BYU fans are pompous and ridiculous. When you are up by 20 points with only a few minutes left on the clock, shut up. Be respectful. Stop the racist comments. And stop pretending like you are an all-star player. You are a fan. So shut up and show some respect. See my blog about last year's baseball game to get the full effect of my BYU fan rant.

This week Devin told me something in his email that stuck out to me. He told me to to "Stay safe. Stay healthy. Stay you." Stay me. No matter what happens in life, it's important to not lose ourselves. Remember that, and you will be much happier.

Alright bloggers, it is time for me to say farewell for this post. But don't worry. I will be  back. Have a wonderful week, full of laughter and joy! And always remember....

All good things come to those who...stay true to themselves.

You're a Wizard, Harry!

So much love!

Hello bloggers! Long time no write. But I've been busy! I had a date with Harry Potter. It was magical. We rode the castle ride until it broke (literally) and drank so much butterbeer, I thought I was going to explode. Oh, and Carlie was there too. It was her birthday/graduation surprise. It couldn't have been a better week. Seriously. It was magical. Carlie's reaction was perfect. She was so happy and literally cried of happiness. Which is always a good sign. I was so grateful to be able to enjoy the experience with her. But now I am really craving butterbeer! Haha. But really...

Hmm so what else is going on in my brain. Lots of things. I am coming to a point in my life where I am really trying to accept who I am as a person. And I am trying to figure out what I want to do with my life. I have so many dreams and priorities to organize and pursue, and I want to make sure that I do what will make me happy in the long run. Since high school, I've thought about being a lawyer, but it never really interested me because it would take away from working with special needs kids. Then a few months ago, it hit me. I can do both! I want to be a special needs advocate. It's just opening another door within the special needs community. And I would still use my therapeutic recreation major to be a therapist. There are so many options and so many ways I want to help in the community. And if I don't get into BYU Law, then I will just call it a day and go be a therapist. My goal in life is to help as many kids as possible. Plus, it brings me so much joy. There is nothing better than the peace I feel when I am around a child with a disability. They are the sweetest souls and I love each and every single one of them. 

I love my siblings!

I am also trying to be confident in who I am. There are some who want to tear me down. They judge me. They hate me. And they are horrible to me. And honestly...I don't care anymore. This is who I am: I love working with children with disabilities. I love them. They are the best souls I have ever met. There is nothing better than seeing a smile break out on a child's face when they see me, knowing that I am their friend. Nothing brings me more joy. I try to be kind to everyone. I have made my mistakes. But I really do try to be kind. I have reached a point in my life where only a few things really matter, and I like to think that they are the important things. My family is important to me. I love them and try to make them proud. My parents have always nudged me towards being a lawyer and have helped me gain the confidence to accomplish any goal I set. And I love them for pushing me to be the best I can be while still giving me the space to be my own person. Devin is important to me. He is such a positive influence. He doesn't bring me down. He is always so supportive of me and he never judges me. Simply put, he is nice to me. A concept I feel is lost on others. Be nice. Makes life so much easier. School is also important to me. I study hard so that I can have any door open to me. My friends are important to me, and in the last few months, I have really seen who my true friends are. I love them and thank them for always being so encouraging and showing me what true friendship and kindness is. I love them. 

Four. Four simple things. They are the only important things in my life. I will be who I want to be. I will be successful. I am who I am. If you have a problem with it, get out of my life. Walk away like I am walking away from you. We have reached adulthood, people. Time to start acting like it. In my future, I see happiness. Success. Marriage. Love. What do you see?

So bloggers, always remember...

All good things come...to those who ACCEPT themselves. 

The Perfect Day

Hello bloggers! I HAVE to tell ya'll about yesterday. It was the perfect day. I was so unbelievably unhappy. I couldn't stop smiling! Why, you may ask? Well because I found a new playground. It is called Murray, Utah. Let me tell you about my day.

First of all, I threw a bridal shower for my roommate Samantha. It was lovely. We had chicken caesar salad on croissants, strawberries, and chocolate coconut bars. It was delicious. The table looked amazing. The guests were entertaining. The presents were fantabulous. And it was generally a good morning. Oh, and we passed our cleaning checks! Which is always a blessing. Chanel and I seriously said a prayer before they came. Hey, when in doubt, ask God for some help. Flawless plan. Oh, and I ran before the shower. I was very productive yesterday morning!

The table

So after the shower, Amber and I skipped out the door to go to Nordstrom. My mother surprised me this week with a pair of ballet flat Toms. They are adorable. I love them. But they were too big, so I had to go exchange them. Sadly, the Nordstrom by school is no longer in business. Stupid Provo. But this just meant that we got to go on an adventure! So first we headed to Nordstrom. As we were pulling into the mall, I gasped with joy. Lo and behold, there was a Crate and Barrel. I thought I would die of happiness. When I register for my wedding in some far off day, I will be registering at Crate and Barrel. My mother has brain washed me. It is true.

Happy Easter!

So after a few hours of shopping, exchanging my shoes, and finding Amber an adorable Easter outfit, we had to head out to make our movie on time. Please note that the only location I looked up was Nordstrom. By pure chance, the movie theater was only a mile away. We went to see the Hunger Games. Yes, it was my second time seeing it. But it was only $6.75! It was a score! I love the Hunger Games. Team Peeta all the way. Just saying. Amber and I shared a coca-cola icee and an a water. It was a perfect date (haha)!

Amber and I

 And then here is the best part. After the movie, I looked up Chipotle, which was also on our list of places to go for the day. And it was only one mile away from the movie theater. It was amazing. So I got a burrito. And chomped that sucker down. It was great. AND I even got a diet coke! 

Happiness can be defined in a few things for me: diet coke, Chipotle, and best friends. But especially Chipotle. Seriously. If someone were to ask me to contain happiness, it would be in a chicken burrito from Chipotle. Don't hate. It's amazing. 

The whole famdamily!

I wish I could describe the happiness I experienced yesterday. It was a perfect day. I could not stop smiling and having minor freak outs. It was an amazing day. Perfect. True happiness does exist. Boys have nothing to do with it! I had a perfect date day with Amber, thank you very much! Best friends bring so much happiness.

So bloggers, always remember...

All good things come to those who eat CHIPOTLE.

"Settled Soul Mate"

Hello Bloggers! Wow. All I have to say. Look at this article that came out in BYU's Daily Universe. Go ahead. Read it. I am sure it will make you laugh. I promise. 

http://universe.byu.edu/index.php/2012/03/27/the-waiting-game/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=the-waiting-game

See? He is FOCUSED!! Distraction my butt!

Ok, did you read it? It's hilarious. Though some spots rustle my feathers a little bit, others perfectly describe this situation. Here is the true deal about waiting: it sucks. But I am a stubborn pain in the butt. And, my mother raised me better than to wait for a missionary. Imagine my shame when I had to tell her that Devin was going on a mission. She handled it quite well actually. She did not disown me or lecture me like I had expected. Instead, when she came to visit in November, she was surprisingly supportive. We laughed ourselves silly over a Thanksgiving package for him. We drove around the temple for 33 minutes while my brother and sister waited to give him a letter. It was fun and entertaining. And yeah, I am waiting, but I find it a relief. Living on the south side of campus can be like living in a jungle full of marriage hungry boys. It's nice to have an excuse to escape the jungle. My mother also told me not to get married until I was older and ready. Having a missionary is a guarantee to not get married before I graduate. It's a win win situation! I get to put the stress of a relationship on hold and just study and kick butt in school. I am quite a fan of this arrangement. Minus the whole, missing him terribly part. But you win some, you lose some right? Besides, I can never be too miserable. Not when I have stuff to do in my life!

Now there are different kinds of waiting. I am one of the valiant. Determined not to date anyone else while he is gone. However, if I were to be asked out, I would probably go. Because my biggest beef is how dumb boys are about dating! They don't know how!! So if one finally gets up the guts to ask me out, I don't want to ruin a good thing. This situation has not happened yet, so I am not sure how I will react. I'll keep you posted bloggers! My favorite part about this article was when one boy, while waiting for his girlfriend to finish her mission, decided to date another girl on and off. After spending considerable time with her and her family, and admitting that sometimes he thought she was "the one", he eventually told her that she was just his "settling soul mate". Ouch. Settling soul mate? What kind of a douche tells a girl she is just a settling soul mate? If I were that sister missionary, I would be so cheesed that my boyfriend was off dating other girls seriously enough to meet her family and talk about getting married. Seriously. I would dump his sorry butt and focus on my mission. But I have high expectations of relationships and the words "commitment" and "waiting". 

The other thing that is ridiculously annoying is how judgmental people are! Trust me, me more than anyone is embarrassed to admit that I have a missionary. I have become one of "those" girls and it kills me a bit inside. But he is worth it. Wouldn't be waiting if he weren't. But I hate when people just assume that girlfriend equals distraction. Excuse me. Have you ever written a letter to a missionary? Has your best friend gone off on a mission? Well mine did. Is it so ridiculous to think that MAYBE, just maybe, I write him as my best friend? Because that's what he is. I already struggle with expressing my feelings, people! Devin will never cease to stop teasing me about how I never hugged him last year. I am just not a touchy/emotional person! So what on earth makes you think that my letters are like that? I try really hard to include one paragraph telling him I love him etc., etc., but it's usually at the end (because I tend to forget haha). My letters consist of me complaining about school, Utah, and updating him on my mundane life. I have threatened him. If I ever at any point think I am a distraction, I will stop writing him and we can talk in 2 years (actually, 16 months, but who is counting?). He actually makes it a point to tell me that he is working hard and trying to make me proud. Which is how it should be!! I won't judge your relationship, if you don't judge mine. Fair?

So bloggers, the point of this blog is that sometimes Mormon boys say weird things, and the whole waiting culture is such an interesting phenomenon. Just saying. Rolltide.

So always remember bloggers...

All good things come to those who FILTER THEIR THOUGHTS.

Let There Be Light

Hello bloggers!! Tonight I was rereading my old blog that I had started over the summer. I started this new one because I wanted to get away with the darkness that I had been (literally) running from this summer. But I think it is unfair to say that my summer was completely dark and depressing. It is true that I was lost. I didn't know up from down and I felt like my whole world had shattered around me. But there were so many good things that happened last summer.


For instance, I saw Harry Potter with my best friend Katie and my sister Carlie. We all dressed up and went to the midnight showing. Carlie dressed up as Luna and Katie dressed up as Waldo. It was quite the night. Carlie kept going around talking to different people in Luna quotes and Katie kept getting a plethora of screams that they "found waldo". I can only imagine how many My Life is Average posts we made it into. And I am pretty sure Carlie appeared in the Atlanta newspaper the next day. It was so fun. We laughed. We cried. We quoted. And I watched my childhood end with the roll of the credits. Quite fitting for my summer though. I felt like my summer defined the end of my childhood. Every dream I had, gone. But unlike Harry Potter, I couldn't rewind and watch again. A fact that I am alright with. But anyways. Harry Potter was awesome to go to. 







Camie came to visit me. We went to the aquarium, a braves game, bought Toms, and ate our way through Atlanta. My all time favorite line? "Do you know that your tennis courts are monogrammed?". Haha. Don't mess with the south and it's monogramming! It is a very real art! That was a fun week. But I wasn't myself. And even when I came back out for school, I wasn't healed yet. And somewhere along the way, Camie and I lost our way. She's getting married in April. I wish her all the best and thank her for being a great friend when I needed her. Best wishes and joy in your marriage.

And of course, Devin was a factor this summer. He called me the night my world came crashing down. And after that, I needed him. He was the one who listened to me cry at 3 in the morning. He was my rock. It helped that he wasn't actually in Georgia. I had to spread my misery amongst my friends. But the night I bought my plane ticket to see him (a decision that changed my life), I will never forget. My parents had gone to Savannah for a baseball tournament. I had had food poisoning, and on top of everything else, I just couldn't handle it. So I was miserable. And lonely. So Devin called me and persuaded me to go to Spokane to visit him. So I called my parents and asked them if this was ok. Yes, I am aware that I am in college, but I still felt like I needed their permission, especially after everything they put up with from me last summer. So as I was talking to my mom, I find this great deal online to fly up for labor day weekend. And my dad surprised me and bought my ticket. I will never forget what my mom asked me. She asked, "Will this make you happy?". And I said yes. And it did. And now 6 1/2 months later, I am waiting for him. Waiting for the boy who so patiently waited for me. Waited for me to finally see him. So even though my summer was miserable and my life did not turn out the way I thought it would, I am so grateful. 

Right to left: Spencer, Maddy, and Parker

I feel like it would be unfair to not mention the two kiddos who have changed my life the most. I started working with Maddy and Parker when I first moved to Georgia in 2002. At first, I just sat with Maddy at a little table in front of the TV and played with her while her mom did things around the house. Eventually, as I got older, I started to babysit them when their parents went out. Apparently I was the only one who could make them (aka Maddy) go to bed. It was quite simple really. I would just tell Maddy that her mom would only come home if she went to sleep. And if that didn't work, I would grab my book and sit in the hallway, making sure she would stay in her bed. My favorite night was finding Maddy asleep in the doorway of her room, too afraid to cross it, but wanting the comfort of being closer to her parents. Parker was always the bed time angel. I would read him a story and he would be asleep before his head hit the pillow. I miss reading stories to them, but as with everything in life, they grew up and no longer need me to read them bed time stories. 


Soon, I was tutoring Maddy every Monday. We would sit in my basement and struggle through her homework together, and then she would stay for dinner. And then when I got my license and a car, I started nannying for them over the summer. But I don't like to call it nannying. Sure, there were some days that were hard. Trying to get Maddy to do her PT homework after surgery was no cakewalk. But I did discover the malicious joy of making her handwrite her apologies. That became my newest form of punishment. Usually by the time she had finished writing the apology, we were both laughing because it was so unbelievably painful for her pride. She may be cranky, but we sure know how to laugh together. Maddy knows everything about me. She remembers everything I have ever told her, and I tell her everything. I trust her. She is the best listener. And she loves being a part of my life. And I love letting her in. I may have had to punish her, control her food portions, and made her swim, but I really just think of her as my best friend. I love and miss her while I am at school.


But let's not forget her brother. Parker has the kindest heart of anyone I have ever met. He is always looking out for others. One day at the pool, a group of girls wouldn't let Maddy play. So Parker took a pool noodle, filled it with water, and blew it at the girls. When the looked at me to punish him, I just shrugged and told them they got what they deserved. Parker and I fist pumped later. He is always looking out for those around him. Parker goes to different day camps to keep him busy, and though it is easier to just have one kiddo to watch, I miss Parker when is gone. I would usually leave Maddy at home when I went to go get Parker so that I could catch up with him, and give him an opportunity to talk to me one on one about anything that was bothering him. I love driving around with Parker. I always turn on Taylor Swift and he sings along loudly, windows down, and a smile on his face. I love those jamming sessions with him. And sometimes we would sneak to QT and get icees. Sometimes we would bring one home for Maddy, but other times, I let it be between just us (not that Maddy hasn't had her fair share of secret treats). 


These kiddos have taught me the meaning of friendship and loyalty. I miss them. They have taught me compassion and love, even for those who don't deserve it. And last summer, even though the rest of my world fell apart, these kiddos were my rock. I watched Dance Moms with Maddy. I listened to music with Parker. They were my motivation to get up in the morning. Thanks kiddos for letting be your friend and for always trying your best to be good. We all have our bad days. Just keep going and don't be discouraged. And when you do get discouraged, look at how far you have come. And don't give up. Remember, I am always a phone call away. And I will be home soon! 


So always remember...


All good things come to those who don't get DISCOURAGED. 

Oh Don't Look So Prim, I Come In Peace

Hello Bloggers! Hmm, what has my week consisted of? I will tell you what I should have done: studied for my anatomy lab final coming up on Tuesday. What have I done instead? Well, let me tell you!

What I did instead of studying:

1. Had the stomach flu

2. Watched the entire season 1 of Downton Abbey (don't worry too much, there were only 7 episodes)

3. Went to a bridal shower

4. Watched Castle

5. Slept. A lot.

6. Went for a walk up the canyon with Samantha

7. Saw the Hunger Games at 8 p.m on Thursday. That's right. I saw the premier to the premier. Because I am awesome.

But don't worry. I have done some studying. I just haven't been as diligent as I should've been. But it has been an alright week. My favorite line from Downton Abbey is when the grandmother says, "Oh don't look so prim, I come in peace". How true is this bloggers? When people annoy us, we all put on an air. But how refreshing would it be if people just called us out on our bull crap? Just saying. Speaking of bull crap...

MY MOM AND SISTER WENT TO THE BEACH WITHOUT ME!

That's right.

Officially disowned. 

Just saying. 

On a happier note, Samantha did my hair! Thanks Chanel for letting me use your curling iron! I am totally going to get one of these when I get home. It is amazing. But anyways. I think it looks super cute. 

Amber, me, and Mandy at Mandy's bridal shower!

Also, the Hunger Games was amazing. I want to go see it again. Alone if I have to. But seeing it with my roommates was so fun! We just call ourselves "the family". I don't know what I would do without my roommates. Seriously. From flirting with random theater workers to fetch us water without waiting in line, to making too many delicious treats to be allowed, to finishing each others sentences, we are quite the group of girls. Gotta love us.  

Well bloggers, another uneventful day in the life of Miss Bella!

But always remember...

All good things come to those who ENJOY life.

And Today I Remembered Why I Never Wanted to Be a Cougar...

Hello bloggers! First of all, let me tell ya'll that I do love going to Brigham Young University. I do. However...I do not claim being a BYU fan. I can't do it. And today, I remembered why I never wanted to be a BYU Cougar in the first place. Let me tell ya'll my tragic story.

So I arrive at the game. Alone. No one wanted to go with me. This is the life of a southerner in Utah. No one appreciates baseball quite like I do. This is a fact that I can accept. So by going alone, this means that I have to sit alone. Also acceptable. So I walk up and find a completely empty row, save one guy. Well, it is BYU, so I assumed he had friends or family coming to join him. So I put my hand on a seat two seats away from him and ask if it is saved. He looks at me and with the most arrogant tone he can muster says, "yes, this seat is saved for my WIFE". And then he pointedly looked at me. Ok, hold on. I just asked for a seat, not for a date. I could care LESS if he was married. I just wanted somewhere to sit. But Mr. Hot Shot thought he was just the sexiest beast alive, and therefore assumed that I was trying to flirt with him. Ridiculous. Attention boys at BYU: just because some of us don't have rings on our fingers, doesn't mean we aren't taken. And even if we aren't taken, doesn't meant that we are even looking! So get off your high horse, pull the stick out of your butt, look in a mirror, or swallow your own face, because the egos and rude behavior is completely unnecessary and uncalled for. I was annoyed before I even took my seat. After I sat down, he just exuded annoyance because I actually sat down. But I wasn't going to give him the satisfaction of finding another seat and letting him think he was being hit on. Oh no. He was going to have to deal with my cold shoulder for the game. The best part was that for a few innings, I was convinced that he had lied and that there was no wife coming. But she eventually showed up. And then this guy proceeded to update her on what she had missed. I love when people who know nothing about baseball try to talk about baseball. They just sound ridiculous. And it wasn't just him who wasn't afraid to blab their ignorance to the world. The rest of the student section wasn't much wiser. 

Here are a few things that annoy me at BYU games:

1. People don't understand baseball.

2. People doing chants like when the boys were 8 playing baseball. "Three up, three down, no one gets around, I said three up, three down, no one gets around...". Yeah. They know how to play the game. They don't need us to chant it for them.

3. People bate and call out rude comments to the opponent's pitcher and catcher. Some things are just not necessary to say. Have respect for the game and the opposing team. Seriously. I don't see you out there on the field, so can it!

4. A foul ball is a foul ball. Just because the ball connects with the bat doesn't mean it is going anywhere. Nothing phenomenal happened. The level of skill being played is mediocre. So stop freaking out about every little thing.

Nothing special happened in this game. It was really mediocre. BYU was playing Seattle. Seattle is just like BYU in that they can't play until June because of bad weather (ok, June may be an exaggeration, but most teams in the south get much longer playing time). Most of the outs were pop ups to the outfields. If a runner did get on base, he was stranded. There was one hit to the BYU pitcher where he fielded it to the first baseman and got an out. You would've thought it was a triple play though, based on the reaction of the stands. My personal favorite was when the center fielder, short stop, and second baseman, all ran in for a pop up, and even though the ball was going towards the center fielder's glove, no one bothered to call it, so they all were just staring at it. Right before the ball could hit the ground, the short stop slid in and caught it. It was a nice catch. But I am not going to go crazy about a lack of communication. I'm sorry. But that was a routine play that I have seen my brother and his teammates execute for years. And he is 14. College-level players should be able to communicate with each other. Now, Seattle was just as guilty. BYU got to first on a bunt only because the catcher and pitcher couldn't communicate with each other. But the comments made by the BYU student section to the Seattle catcher was uncalled for. I understand that it is a competitive sporting event, but there is a certain etiquette to be followed. In the end, BYU lost 2-1, stranding a runner on third. Not a very impressive game. Nothing exciting happened. I wasn't on the edge of my seat with nervous excitement for BYU. Instead, I was on the edge of my seat with annoyance. I ended up watching the last 2 innings in the aisle, away from the crowd. BYU fans have nothing to be so riled up about. BYU will never make it to Omaha. And not just that, but these fans get all worked up about a game they don't even understand. BYU fans are more obnoxious than Texas fans. And coming from me, that is saying something.

So needless to say, I am home now watching the second game on BYUtv. It is much better from the comfort of my own home, with roommates who know about baseball and without boys who think they are the hottest thing since global warming. I love baseball. I love BYU. I do not love BYU fans. I hope none of ya'll judge me for their bad behavior and ignorance. 

So always remember....

All good things come to those who UNDERSTAND baseball.