I'm Dreaming of a Christmas with absolutely no Snow whatsoever.

Don't you love Christmas break?
The snow.
The ice.
The freezing temperatures.
There's just one thing missing. Oh yeah.
Sunshine.
Warmth.
HAPPINESS.

This is me on the day after Christmas. Hard to believe, ain't it?
 "It's like lookin' in a mirror, AIN'T IT, ___!!"
That was for you, Bro Bro.

Anyways. While you were all here, freezing your bums off, scraping ice off your cars and getting whiter and whiter...
I was at the beach
Getting tanner and tanner...

While you were all building little depressed gnomes in the snow (what..?) I was drawing pictures of my best friend, Wesley, in the sand.

While you were all laying around on saggy couches drinking chocolate milk (which is what I usually do), I was dancing on the beach.
Or more like posing on the beach... Wess did crazy jumps and whatever.

 While you were all sitting on a fat man's knee, telling him what you wish you got for Christmas cause he's STILL at the mall the day after Christmas (seriously... what is UP with that?),
I was just chilling with Tinkerbell.

And being in Di'neyland.

And riding Splash Mountain literally nine times (and other assortments of rides that make my face do ugly things)

Oh, and here's my little shout out to Caden Elwood who miraculously ran into us at Di'neyland! It was a party. We tricked the Space Mountain worker into letting him ride Fast Pass with us. Okay, and just saying... if you haven't learned how to rig the Fast Pass system yet, give me a call. Me 'n Wesley got it all under control. 

Another highlight of the trip that I skipped, was our ten million mile bike ride. It was brutal. We rode from our friends' house down to Huntington Beach, than continued all the way down to Newport Beach. It was so much fun! We felt all cool and fit and we looked like "natives"... and then we realized we had to ride back. I think I was crying.
But my corndog was yummy :)

Oh, and this is my best friend. He was just a darling little princess in Di'neyland. 

I will say this: Don't go to Di'neyland over Christmas break when it is 75 degrees outside. Everyone in the world goes to Di'neyland that same exact day. And it's REALLY unfortunate when the line for Peter Pan never gets shorter than 60 minutes.
Don't worry... we waited :)
Ahhhh....
Well here's to white Christmas's for all of you and a bright sunshiny one for me.

If you want to be happy, be.

-May May

Life Lately

Hi, folks. Here's an overview of my last two weeks:

I organized (with help) the Children of Eden Cast Party! It was a splendid time with lots of food, friends and memories. We gave out awards, and thanks to my loss of memory I found myself scrounging through the dollar store fifteen minutes before the party trying to find a blasted BEST HANDSTAND award item.  I ended up getting a "Look!" candy bar. Cause I mean, when you see someone doing a handstand you OBVIOUSLY point at them and say "Look!"

It works. Shh.

Ari and I won the Most Likely Couple award. Surprise, surprise.

Melissa also made us those adorable cookies :) doesn't it look just like us?? 

My family had our annual Nativity Family Home Evening. It was... just so... special. 

(as you can see, our nativity was SO peaceful that the best picture I got was completely NOT blurry in any way shape or form.... note sarcasm)

I really DO love the Nativity that we do every year. I'm generally put in charge of costumes and lining up the children for the big show. There's always the arguments over who gets to be what, who gets the staff, who gets to hold the treasure chest.... I generally handle the chaos by curling up in a ball under my bed and waiting for the kids to fight it out- pit bull style. 

Isa always plays Mary, though. As you can see she is the only girl in the midst. And I think this was Isaac's second debut as baby Jesus. He deserved an Oscar- he crawled ALL over his new treasures, just like one-day-old infant. How precious :)

December 13th was a special day. Taylor Swift's birthday. EEEE!! (that's me squealing). She turned 22. But she's really 15 inside. You may refer to my "Teeny Boppers" post to better understand my ridiculous adoration for Taylor Swift. We celebrated by making her a cake :) We thought of packaging it all up and sending it to her, but figured that could get nasty. So instead we did a little birthday exercise called EVERY TIME YOU EAT A PIECE OF CAKE, YOU SAY 3 THINGS YOU LOVE ABOUT TAYLOR SWIFT. Ya, that's what it was called. We even made the two little Benson boys do it. I think they liked her hair and... her skin? My three favorites were:

1. Even though she has a way awkward body, she still pulls it off

2. Her music doesn't have a genre- her songs are just SONGS, whatever type of genre she flipping wants them to be!

3. Her songs make me feel like someone else understands what I'm going through.

(ya know... all my many boy problems that are SO! HARD! ha.) 

Umm.. we found a Yoga Cats calendar.

I went bowling :) We've been doing it in PE, and I've actually decided I like bowling. My 1 strike has made me very, very proud. I've also decided that one of these days I'm going to ask Fat Cats if I can buy a pair of bowling shoes. Seriously, I think they are SO CUTE. I would wear them everyday. Call me crazy. 

I joined HOSA (Health Occupations.... something... club) It's been very rewarding since the one meeting I've gone to. We had a HOSA Christmas party at Pizza Pie Cafe, and exchanged gifts. Here is Jayme, Anna and I SO excited to open our presents. Oddly enough, Jayme had my gift and she made me our new TAYLOR SWIFT themed notebook :) Enough about Taylor Swift? Fine.

Lastly, I went to the Christmas Dance with my favoritist little brother/best friend Hunter Bouchard! We had a blast. (And he looked super studly in his sweater) We went bowling, ate pizza, watched a movie... oh and we forgot to go to the dance! oops. The dance was Hunter's gift to me this year, and it was a very good gift, if I do say so myself. He even bought me some socks at the bowling alley :)
(Notice: Since I've been bowling in PE, I was able to perform super well on our date. He was impressed with my gutter balls) We took our pictures next to the trees at BYU. I'm pretty sure the zoobies were annoyed with my high-pitched voice and my awful piano skills. Oh well.
THANKS BO-BO!

It's been a busy two weeks, but very rewarding! I just want to say that I am very grateful for my wonderful friends and family. Seriously, guys. I love you all very much.
Next up: CHRISTMAS!
Followed by: DISNEYLAND!

If you want to be happy, be.

-May May 

What I know.

Without fail, every time I start to doubt Heavenly Father's love for me,

He shows me. 

Like, right then. 

Here's an example:

(this has happened MULTIPLE times)

I'm driving Barbara-Ann, thinking about all the wrong-ness I've done, all of those sarcastic remarks I made to my brother, all those classes I skipped... and I start to get down on myself.

(That's what happens when my Taylor Swift CD is SCRATCHED and I can't listen to it!)

I begin thinking, usually, something along the lines of:

"Why would God even care about me? He is probably so angry with me. I seriously doubt he even cares if I make it to rehearsal on time. He probably doesn't even care that my Taylor Swift CD is scratched and I totally want to listen to Sparks Fly right now!"

And RIGHT then. RIGHT as soon as I begin to let those horrible thoughts flow through my head...

I hear Taylor's voice serenading me on the radio!

Time stops and I have a whole extra five minutes to get to rehearsal!

And literally, the next song on the radio is American Honey, which I love to sing.

And the next song is by Nora Jones.

And then I randomly see a billboard that says

"Kermit the frog eats flies and dates a pig... (something inspiring)"

And I realize how good life is. 

It's almost as if God could hear my thoughts, and wanted to just send me a little message saying

I love you.

I know it's false to think that God would take the time to put Taylor Swift on the radio, and maybe he doesn't. But what he does is give me hope. And happiness. For just a few minutes. 

And I remember that He is God, and I am me. And that's all there is to it. 

My favorite talk from last conference was the talk that Elder Uchtdorf gave, entitled

You Matter to Him

It's very very good. Look it up.

One of the main points that Elder Uchtdorf made, something that struck me extra hard, was the fact that God created the universe. 

And he created it for us. 

For me.

Why would God create a universe to just sit there and look at it, himself?

He didn't.

He did it to make us happy.

Because he loves us :)

That was the jist (gist? gyst? jyst?) of his talk, but it really had such a powerful impact on me, and I have just finished reading it again. So I thought I would share it with you- God's children, who he loves. 

"God sees you not only as a mortal being on a small planet who lives for a brief season- he sees you as His child. He sees you as the being you are capable and designed to become. He wants you to know that you matter to Him."

Sometimes I think about my trials. 

I think everyone thinks about their trials once in a while.

And I think, 

"Why THAT? Out of all the trials you could have given me, why THAT?!"

And I sit there, being grumpy and ungrateful. 

The other day I shared a scripture with Acting Up at our Saturday morning rehearsal:

"My people must be tried in all things, that they may be prepared to receive the glory that I have for them, even the glory of Zion; and he that will not bear chastisement is not worthy of my kingdom. Let him that is ignorant learn wisdom by humbling himself and calling upon the Lord his God, that his eyes may be opened that he may see, and his ears opened that he may hear." 

(I underlined my favorite parts)

This scripture has changed my whole perspective on life, and trials, and faith. 

D&C 136: 30-31

Has saved my faith.

I realized, as I read this OVER and OVER, that Heavenly Father gives us trials so that we can return to Him. He doesn't give us trials so we will turn away and find happiness in other things. He wants to hear from us. He loves us. Praying to him makes him happy. 

I'm not using this post as an opportunity to preach. But I am using it as an opportunity to share my testimony because I realized I haven't ONCE shared my testimony on this blog of mine.

And seeing as my testimony is the best thing I own...

I want you guys to know I have one. 

There was one day this summer, when it started to get a little chilly. I was having a somewhat bad day and had resorted to curling my hair (I do that when I'm stressed). I had nothing to do, and noticed that it was raining outside. 

SO.

I slipped on some sweats, grabbed my i-pod, and went outside to sit on my porch and wait for my mom to get home from work. And sitting there on my porch, the rain pouring, I realized that God lives. It was a really small moment to make such a huge realization, but I'll always remember it. 

I had just been thinking about how it had been a long time since I'd seen a rainbow. I started hoping to see a rainbow. I stared at the "Y" mountain, hoping and hoping (to a ridiculous extent) to see one. 

I got so desperate that I even started shuffling through my i-pod to hear a song about rainbows.

("somewhere over the rainbow"? Do i own that?) 

And a song came on, by Sara Bareilles.

The lyrics go like this: 

All the colors
Of the rainbow
Hidden 'neath my skin

Hearts have colors
Don't we all know?
Red runs through our veins

Feel the fire burning up
Inspire me with blood
Of blue and green

I have hope
Inside is not a heart
But a kaleidoscope

(if you want to hear this beautiful song, visit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u0wh3cBDLuw&feature=related)

I know this song doesn't really have to do with a testimony AT FIRST,

but as I listened to it I started thinking about rainbows. And colors.

And HEARTS.

And who created rainbows and colors and human hearts?

Heavenly Father did.

And I kid you not. Just as this song came on, I started to see the glimmer of a rainbow above the "Y" mountain. THAT, my friends, is why my testimony of God and his existence was solidified that day.

And I really testify to you right now:

No matter what your religion is, or your beliefs, I still respect you and love you.

And I want you to know that there IS a Heavenly Father. And he DOES love you, and me and everyone.

"It may be true that man is nothing in comparison to the greatness of the universe. At times we may even feel insignificant, invisible, alone or forgotten. But always remember- you matter to Him!" 

If you want to learn more about what I believe, visit:

www.mormon.org

or

www.lds.org

Lastly, I'd like to announce that a week ago I got my Young Woman Medallion :)

It's pretty.

If you want to be happy, be.

-May May 

Why can't we be friends.

People...

I love my friends. Seriously. I have very good, WONDERFUL friends. 

I will be 100% honest. Last year, and the year before, and the year before...

I really did not fully enjoy myself particularly well in the Provo High Drama program. 

It was not anybody's fault. It just was what it was. There were certain people who were friends with certain people and that was that. 

And now...

I seriously LOVE the PHS Drama program :)

I love everyone in it. I love our parties, our fundraisers and our spirit. The program is seriously THRIVING like it has never thrived before (well, as far as I know).

We are all friends. And I'm not just saying that!

Maybe it's because I've been trying extra hard this year to get to know everyone individually, but man, I shoulda been doing that for the last three years! 

I'm also super duper grateful for my superb drama council this year. 

YOU. GUYS. ARE. STELLAR.

Seriously though.

Everyone on council puts forth their whole effort towards everything we do. And all of them are a bajillion times amazing. (is that grammatically correct?) I just wanna thank...

Josie

JC

Marykate

Melissa

Brittany

Maddie

and

Andrew 

You guys really are the bomb. 

(And they put up with my grumpy attitude very frequently.)

I wish I had a picture of all of us, but I don't. Melissa does. And once I get them from her, you will all be able to see their beautiful faces. 

And can I just say something?

I no longer believe the phrase

"We just don't get along."

There is no such thing as just "not getting along". You can get along with anyone. 

(Yes I actually consider this an important piece of knowledge on my blog)

ANY relationship/friendship can work if you decide to forget about yourself and your needs and just 

BE NICE and BE FRIENDS and BE HAPPY. 

I know it's tempting to lash out on anyone with a different opinion (believe me... I do it all the time), but for the sake of friendships and drama programs everywhere, I say we all just try to be open-minded people with a little sensitivity. I am writing this for my own personal reminder, as well. 

That really repetitive song by War, Why Can't We Be Friends? 

It's so repetitive.

But it's so right!

Why the flip CAN'T we be friends? There is NO reason why you can't just be friends with someone. Unless they killed your mother, or something, I really don't see why their attitude or opinion is YOUR problem. Just.... be their friend.

Heavenly Father did not send us down to this earth at THIS time in THIS place with THESE people for you to not be their friend. 

That's all.  

Choose friendship. It's really fun. 

And to those of you who I have offended, lashed out at, or simply wasn't your friend...

I'm sorry.

I promise I WANT to be your friend. 

All of you. 

"Be friendly to everyone. Those who deserve it the least need it the most."
-Bo Bennet

If you want to be happy, be.

-May May

Sitting babies.

One of the little joys in life, I've discovered, is taking time to just... play with kids. 

This stress-relieving mechanism works a million times better than any of those high-priced shenanigans:

Drugs

Alcohol

... Pilates

And playing with kids also gives you an excuse to just be a psycho. 

(That's my favorite part!)

So let's pretend someone asked me:

"Hey so, wanna take on this ten hour service project that you SERIOUSLY don't have time to take on, but you'll probably say yes anyways??"

and I said:

"Actually I can't cause.. I'm gonna be playing with my five year old nephew..."

They would say

"Well you're a cotton-headed-ninnymuggins!"

(I'm in the Christmas spirit)

And of course I don't wanna be called a @#$$%&-&*&$#$-##&$*#&$-*#&$-#&!!!!

So instead of telling them how much fun I'm going to have playing with my five year old nephew, I FROWN and say:

"Oh dang.. I would love to do a ten hour service project that I SERIOUSLY don't have time for, but... I have to babysit."

(And I add a little yawn in there so they think I'm totally NOT going to have any fun babysitting)

Then I DON'T end up doing a ten hour service project that I don't have time for, and I DO end up playing with my five year old nephew :) 

(...not that I don't love service...)

Or in some cases, I play with these cute little ladies:

Grace, Darcy and Lilly

(Lick no evil, say no evil, smell no evil?)

Don't you love Grace's photography skills? 

AND

Currently I am sitting in my hallway outside the bathroom door while my nephews take a bath. I have to make sure they don't drown, ya know. Safety first. 

Here's a little of what we do for fun at my house:

I know we're attractive.

Hm.

I can't wait to be a mommy. 

...

Actually that's a huge lie. I can totally handle waiting for that. 

BUT

It will totally be a lot of fun that I am TOTALLY excited to have.

I have said TOTALLY a TOTAL of 8 million times in this post. 

How did TOTALLY even become a popular thing to say? Like... what dimwit started that??

And speaking of dimwits,

Who was the first dimwit to say "LOL", cause seriously the world owes that dimwit 8 million dollars. 

I have also said the word DIMWIT 8 million times.

And I've said 8 million 8 million times. 

Yay for repetitive posting due to my lack of creativity. 

There is now a flood in my bathroom. I think my nephews have been splashing for the last 15 minutes. 

If you want to be happy, be.

-May May 

So long, farewell.

My greatest accomplishment as Drama Club President this year has been a magnificent paper tree. 

And I quote, that it was "The greatest display of Provo High Drama." 

(Mr. Bauer really said that!)

Forget the murder mystery dinner and the fundraisers and the amazing publicity and the haunted house... 

THIS

is true talent, my friends:

We made that :) 

Okay, it looks a little topsy turvy there...

but please acknowledge the sheer detail and beauty of the thing.

*sigh*

I will miss you dearly, my friend. 

On the other hand.. it was a blast knocking it down!

WOO HOO! 

I think Maddie could be a pro sumo wrestler someday.
Hmm... I wonder what we will build next!

If you want to be happy, be.

-May May

A train of thought.

For starters, I'd like to say that I have the best big sister in the world.

My sister Kami...

...Is beautiful (and I know she's reading this..)

But really. She has the beauty of the family...

AND she is also succeeding, currently, at my chosen profession. I'm very jealous of her, but I'm also grateful that she has done everything I'm ABOUT to do in the next four years because she can give me a little piggy back ride through it all. 

(That was a run-on sentence)

That is reason #1 why I am grateful for her nursing abilities. 

Reason #2 is that she is able to discern her children's illnesses. AKA she is a super bomb mommy. 

Now here's a little tidbit of bad news. My two adorable nephews (previously mentioned in a post) are sick.

With PNEUMONIA. 

(that is a disgusting word)

Dante is doing okay and will probably be receptive to the medication. However, DJ is not doing too swell. In fact, he may be hospitalized tomorrow if his lungs don't clear up. I'm sad about this, but I know they will be fine thanks to my big sista's super skills. 

I mean.. Look at those faces! 

Don't you want them well? I want them well. So if you would like to do so, please add their adorable little names and faces to your prayers. Thanks :)

Anyways. 

Today was a very... tiring day. I was up literally until very late on the telephone with my sister and my mother. We were having a three-way phone call (my mom was in the other room). I love them.

We talked about my childhood, Kami's childhood and Isabela's childhood. They were all actually very similar. We all shared similar characteristics.

Crazy Hair.

Dramatic monologues over nothing.

Singing and dancing all the dang time.

And asking lots of questions.

Glad to see my charming characteristics are being passed along for the world to see... :) 

I'm also very excited because I'm passing my specialist dollies along to my niece for Christmas this year. I don't know if any of you had American Girl Dolls growing up, but I suggest going back in time and getting one if at all possible. They're very cute. We decided that my dolls will be passed from generation to generation.

(That's a lot better than a future called SAVERS)

Oh... and speaking of Christmas...

GUESS WHERE I'M GOING THE DAY AFTER CHRISTMAS!!!!

.........

DI'NEYLAND!

(can you tell I'm excited??) 

And guess who I'm going to Di'neyland with!

YOU GUESSED IT! 

.....

Just kidding. I'm going with my bestestestestestestestestestestestest friend, the one, the only....

Wesley!

(Don't worry, he's just as good as Ryan Reynolds. In a different sort of way.)

That's the day Wesley almost grew up :)

I will post more about Wesley and his eyebrows later. But for now, just be envious of my wonderful after-christmas holiday. It's really just what I need to get over my annual after-christmas depression. Cause what's the only thing better than Christmas?

Di'neyland! 

Well I guess since I'm on the topic of random announcements...

I'll announce that I got runner-up for Drama sterling scholar at my school! I was runner-up to my other bestestestest friend, Maddie. (She's the ginger one)

So if you see her, tell her congrats. 

("Do it or I kill you")

mmk.

Peace, love and pneumonia vaccines to you all. 

If you want to be happy, be.

-May May