Thanksgiving Week

Families are like fudge - mostly sweet with a few nuts.  ~Author Unknown

I was so glad I had the opportunity to see my family this past weekend! Or week I suppose. I was able to drive down and see them in Utah, at my aunts house. We had a whole bunch together, with just a few pieces of the puzzle missing. I got to see my dad, who just recently underwent surgery, my mother, who looks like she's 25 still, and my sisters, who are getting taller and  more beautiful each and every day. I had the opportunity to take Jared with me and he got to know the family better! It was really exciting to have him with us. The family did love that a lot. 


Today is a short blog, but I just wanted to say I'm thankful for a lot of things in my life, namely my family. Without them, I wouldn't be the woman I am today. I'm thankful for my future in-laws, and I hardly consider them that, they are my family as well. I'm thankful for Jared and the family we will create one day. Its hard to believe I will have little ones of my own running around one day at thanksgiving. I'm thankful for the soldiers who are fighting for my freedom, and those who have given their life for me. I'm grateful for this wonderful country in which I live in, and the people who I have had the opportunity to come in contact with. Each and everyone of you has shaped my life in some sort of way. I'm thankful for everything God has put into my life. He's the real reason I am who I am. Thank you everyone for all you have done, and I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving.
:)

If life is a jump rope, then marriage will be a hike!

"It's always further than it looks.
It's always taller than it looks.
And it's always harder than it looks."   
-- The 3 rules of mountaineering.

Now, I'm not an expert on mountain climbing. Nor am I an expert on marriage. By far of that! But Jared and I had the opportunity to grow and to compare our relationship to that of a hike. We had the joys of going to Hanging Lake, which is between Glenwood Springs and Eagle, Colorado for those of you who don't know where that is. He proposed to me at the top, but we were lucky enough to compare while we walked on up. We held each others hand as much as we could, and helped each other up. If one of us was struggling ( Lets not kid around, when I  was struggling), we would slow down, and stay at the same pace. I realized that this hike wasn't a race, it was about enduring. Now, I've never been married, but talking to others who are and have been for a while, the advice can only help than hinder.  I watched how he looked at me, with his smile wrinkles and his irresistible dimple... I knew that I was going to spend forever with this man. To my surprise (wink wink) he asked me once again to be his wife, the mother of his children, and his partner through thick and thin for all time and eternity. 

Yeah. I know. It was pretty awesome. Now as a few month have passed and I am able to think of the hard times we've had, and the "hike" we've started. Of course at first it is easy, blissful if you will. You're happy and don't have a care in the world. Then it starts to get harder the longer you're together. 

PAUSE. I'm sitting at Barnes and Nobel..... I just saw the tallest pair of high heels on an old woman. She can't walk in them. WRONG. WRONG WRONG WRONG!
I'm a people watcher. So watch out. ;)

To continue.... We aren't perfect, we never will be and we shouldn't expect anyone to change for you if you aren't perfect. I love to think of it in the sense if someone was trying to change you, how would you feel? Pretty crappy. So we shouldn't do it to others.... right? :)

Anyhow, I've had a busy day. Woke up at 6:30 for work at 8, and now just waiting for job #2 at 5.... Ahhhh all day work :) But heyyyy I'm makin money son! Hope yall have a great weekend! Until next time, Adios Muchachos! 

Don't take life too seriously, No one get out alive anyhow.

"Never gonna grow up, never gonna slow down, we were shine like lighters in the dark in the middle of a rock show, We were doin it right, we were comin alive, caught up in a Southern summer barefoot blue jean night"
 -Jake Owen, Barefoot Blue Jean night

Its been a while since I've blogged.... SO much has happened in the last little while. Figured I might just share a piece of the pie with y'all :)

So as many of you know, Jared and I have set a date to get married (FINALLY!) and we're so super stoked! We'll be getting married Thursday, April 12, 2012 in Salt Lake at the Temple in Downtown Salt Lake. This past week, I was fortunate enough to go wedding dress shopping with my mom, sisters Taylor and Kara, and Jared! And we found it! Unfortunately, I am sworn to secrecy by Mama Kepi so I cannot disclose photos of any sort until the "Big Day" :)

Other than that, plans are.... plans. Planning a wedding doesn't seem as big of a deal since I have such a long time to plan. On the 12th of this month, we will have officially 6 months till we get married. Its such a long ways away :/ Most of my friends are married, getting married, or having babies! Its crazy how time passes and things happen that you don't expect to happen. I mean... speaking of things passing, how about my sister is starting college in January and my baby sister is in 7th grade and taller than me.... That's how time passes. Fur SURE.

I wish that time would pass quickly, but slowly all at the same time. I love every second of life, because I know that I can't get it back. Its here for exactly what it is, a second. Then it is gone, just like the material things in this life. Soon they will fade, and the time and memories made will be all you have along with the wonderful people that are blessed to be in your life. Sometimes we don't really understand why someone may be in our life for the time that they are, but in the end they are there or where there for a reason. Maybe someone shows up in your life to teach you love, compassion, tolerance, patience, or even humility. Whatever our purpose may be in someones life, I hope to find the positive. I know I have a tendency to look for the negative straight away.

I know that I have had my share of hard feelings towards people, and at the moment, more people than I'd really like to. I just pray that I can be NICE! Hopefully along with that prayer I can find the good fortune to love them and to not feel the anger I do towards them. For those people who really know me (Mom, Jared, Tay and Nicole mostly) know that the most subtle things can set me off, or really hurt my feelings. It could be simple, such as not saying "Hello" or "Good morning" in response when I say the same to you. The glance my way may be taken as a glare.... or not texting me back could be taken as if you're mad at me. I am the fool for being offended because no offense was intended.  Now, you ask, how the heck do I get from day to day if I let these silly little things get in my way and bother me?

Good Question.
Because it absolutely beats me.
Forgive and forgive I would suppose. But even then, another silly little thing comes up that I fall right back into my "Negative Nancy" state of mind. I really need to get over that. Just like I need to get over that weird condition called Hyperacusis..... where noises make me have anxiety attacks. Smacking of the food.... chewing, clanking glasses, chewed ice, slurping, sometimes even breathing. I just recently found out what the condition was called when I went home.... but I think my whole family has this condition. Its contagious! AHHH! Watch out! :D

Enough Negativity. See.... Negative ole Nancy. She needs to be booted to the good ole CURB! Anyhow, good things to tell y'all about, I finally got my ring! August 26, 2011 Jared proposed to me at a place called Hanging Lake. We walked on a fallen tree (log) that takes you to the middle of the lake. He got down and proposed right there! It was so exciting :) If you haven't seen pictures, you'll just have to check 'em out on my facebook.

I recently acquired two jobs up here in Potato-ville. I work as a Sales Lead at Pac Sun and as a Sales Associate at Bath & Body Works. If anyone in the Rexburg area knows any job openings closer to home, please let me know. Driving 30 minutes everyday is NOT ideal for me. I am pretty much willing to do ANYTHING. Well.... almost anything. Get your mind out of the gutter! But seriously. I haven't worked once yet. Nope. Not till NEXT FRIDAY. Seriously? Not ok. So I'm workin' on stuff I guess you could say. I wish I was at a school that was in an actual city. Not on a FARM. Maybe its time to transfer. Heck who knows. Right?

Anyhow, I am ready for change. Honestly, if I could elope tomorrow and not get in trouble, I SO WOULD! Ready to be married. Ready to have my own house. Ready to have my own KITCHEN! And TV/Living room :) That would be very nice. Wellp its almost 2 am. I should get some shut eye.

Thanks for reading my random mess of a blog. Hope you enjoyed.

Oh. And remember, tomorrows Thirsty Thursday! Water with a splash of cranberry for me! Night y'all! :)

Shine Through

“Be yourself. Above all, let who you are, what you are, what you believe, shine through every sentence you write, every piece you finish.” -John Jake

Its been quite a while since I last gave my opinion on life and how mine is going in the process. I've done a lot, seen a lot, and am ready to write a lot. Hope you're ready to come on the journey with me.

I am thankfully done with school (hallelujah!) and am just getting settled back home in Colorado. I just flew home today from Arizona, where I spent the past week with my fiance, Jared, and his family. While there, I learned a lot about myself, and about my new family that I will be a part of in the near future.

As for my in-laws, I will not say what I have learned. Those are my treasures and secrets to keep. Maybe if you ask me, I'll tell you, but don't get your hopes up ;) As for me, my experience in Arizona shaped me up that much more to set goals of who I wanted to be and who I need to be for my families and for Jared especially. I need to be myself. If someone tries to tell you who you are is not what it should be, tell them to step off. Now, if it is for the benefit of your maturity and for the rest of the world, heed, perhaps with caution. But to be yourself, truly, because you never know, people could like you better the way you are. I know that I am very blessed to have families that are high class. My parents have taught me manners, how to act, and maturity that I should be ever grateful for. My parents to be have those same expectations to be met. However, families are so very different in the way that they function and acceptability of behavior.

To each family their own, but I noticed when I was in AZ, I was trying to be someone I wasn't. I was trying to fit in and be what they wanted me to be. It worked, but I wasn't fully satisfied with the results I was receiving. Jared then told me, "Ariel, be yourself." Be myself? WHO IS THAT? Its hard to really know who we are as human beings, and what makes us so different from everyone else. So who are you that makes you different? Well I know that I like to say please and thank you. If I don't, I feel like a stuck up snob that expects to be waited on hand and foot. I like to smile at strangers when they look at me.... then they look at me like I'm crazy but what errrr. :) I like to tell stories of experiences that I've had that relate to someone. Show empathy in what they're talking about. I don't like being told what to do with my time, relationship, or life. I don't like when people make assumptions about something they know NOTHING about. Just say, "I'm not quite sure on that one," OR "I have no clue. You got me there."

SO... I tried being "me." And it worked, the results were more of what I was looking for, and in the end I got to know my family that much more because I was able to open up. For those of you who knew me as a child, you know that I had a shy problem. I was afraid of my own uncles even. I didn't want to be in the spotlight at all. Now, I think in my family of predominantly double X chromosomes, we like to bask in the spotlight, but try to bring each other into the spotlight as well. So, here I am shining through my sentences. I wish I could express everything in a manner that people could understand and feel the passion I feel. But I guess I'm in the spotlight by myself on this one.

Its hard to come into a family you don't know so well. Jared can back me up on that statement completely. But the nice thing about it is, you don't have to live with them for the rest of your life. Ok ok, you do in a sense, but not day in and day out. I can tell you now, I would go crazy if I had to live with either of Jared or my families for the rest of my rickidy old days. I just want me, and my man, and little shavers of kids once they decide to come along. 

If you don't know who you are, and how to be yourself, don't worry. One day you might. I know that I try to act and treat people the way I would like to be treated. Sometimes I snap (Sorry Jared!) and sometimes I show my imperfections, but I know that if I try to be patient, humble, gentle, meek, submissive, loving and caring, I can have the Lord on my side. Just remember, most of the time, people like you for who you are, not who you're pretending to be.

Shining Sunbeams.

A person who has good thoughts cannot ever be ugly.  You can have a wonky nose and a crooked mouth and a double chin and stick-out teeth, but if you have good thoughts they will shine out of your face like sunbeams and you will always look lovely.  ~Roald Dahl

Isn't that a lovely quote?! Things have been looking up here in the dandy ole 'Burg. We only have a few more weeks left of school then I'm homeward bound for a few weeks before I have to come back up to school. This will be my first time being in Idaho during the Fall semester, so I'm pretty excited to make new memories in a different time of the year. 


So this last 4th of July weekend I had the opportunity to go to Island Park, which is a hop, skip and a jump away. An hour long one... but nonetheless a pleasant one. I was able to meet some of my soon-to-be family which was totally awesome. And yes, once again, I threw off the J groove. For those of you that don't know, Jared's family has a tendency to name their children, or marry someone that has a J name. SO for Jared fathers family, there is Jeff, Jan, Jill, Jay, and Justin. Then for Jared's family there is his Mother Jan, Sisters Jalair and Jessa, and brothers Jason and Jordan. For Jays family, his wife Jenny and his sons JARED and Jake. Yes. Another Jared Miles. Can you believe that? TWO Jared's in one family. And they pretty much have the same name. Ridiculous. But I love them both to death! Fortunately, I am an "A" so I will not be getting called some other J name. YESSSS.


Along with all my "J" members, I got the opportunity to learn how to fly fish in the Madison River in Montana. I had no idea that this was a world renowned river until later on that day after my epic nap. I even met a fly fishing legend. Some guy named Kelly Galloup or something.... anyhow. I got to catch 3 fish! Like a boss. I got some high fives and pats on the back.... thank heavens I had Jared Miles #1 (The Original according to him because he's older than my Jared.... We'll call my Jared his nickname, Cast, for our own sanity) because I probably would have only caught one fish. And my first fish was totally on accident. However, i would recommend if you have never been fly fishing, do so. Its so fun :)

Ummm Yes. Thats how big mine was.

Any who.... Time has flown by so fast. I feel like I just started college.... I'm already going to be a junior in two weeks. Well... Year wise. Not credit wise... But that's ok. College takes a long time. I should know.... And its so hard to believe that Jared and I have been together for 6 months. Such short time to some, but it feels like forever for the two of us. Its hard to be apart us two.  :) Maybe that's why we're really getting married..... Love isn't finding someone you can live with. It's finding someone you can't live without.Right? :) Well.... I can't live without him! So bring on the marriage!

Marriage. So... I'm trying to loose weight so I can some day go try on wedding dresses and feel good about myself. If someone has some good recipes without a bunch of carbs or that is pretty healthy or tasty, you should for sure send them my way. Because I'm gonna be a dieting woman for like.... ever :) haha but I'm SO ready to try on some dresses :) Its an exciting thing it is. 

Welp, its about that time chaps. 1:25 is too early and late all in one bundle. Just remember, even if you don't feel your best, or that you're as beautiful as the next person, you can be and are. Just think happy thoughts and positive uplifting thoughts. You're always beautiful to someone. :) 

Toodah-loo!

F is for Fail.

"Do not fear mistakes. You will know failure. Continue to reach out."- Benjamin Franklin

You know, I've always been afraid to fail in life. I've been afraid I would disappoint everyone who I've ever known if I was a failure. I mean, that's what this life is all about right? Getting the approval of others because you've become a mechanical engineer, a doctor, or maybe even an astronaut. WRONG. Life is about failing. Failing miserably. Fail hard. Fail a lot. Don't be afraid to fail, because in the end, no ones watching. Its all about you baby.

As I was getting ready today, I was listening to my iPod and stumbled across a song by Stephanie Smith that made me take courage, and to feel a little bolder. It is called My Giant.

My nightmare begins around the time when I'm first awake

Rolling out of bed, and on to another day

A thought drops into my head

Oh, you'll never be anyone, anyway 

You can't change, so why don't you stay right here

No, no, no

I can't take another day of the constant bullying

There's no escaping the noise, the voice that's following me

When I'm with my friends they just can't see the enemy anywhere

She's right here 

The back of my mind, the heart of my fear.

Chorus:

My problem, My Giant,

Just won't keep quiet

She's first thing every morning,

To the last thing that I hear at night

And she can't be completely indestructible

I only wish I could see how to defeat My Giant.

I've tried everything,

Hiding, fighting and sneaking around

But each time she finds me 

flat on my back and laughs out loud

Theres got to be a way to knock her down

But I've already thrown my last stone

And she's not falling

Chorus

I just want her out here

If I can't make her disappear

Then I'll cover my ears

My problem, My Giant,

Is suddenly quiet

She lost her power when i shut her out

And she can't be completely indestructible,

No,

Now that I see how to defeat my Giant.

I'll stop listening, I'll stop listening,

Yeah, No more listening, No

'Cause I'm not listening to My Giant.

So I've taken to failing a lot in my life as of late, not because I really wanted to, but maybe just because it happened that way. Of course I had the choice to fail, but with my hindsight that we oh so wish we didn't have, I see the major mistakes I made, and wish I could change them. Us as humans normally don't like to share our failures. We seem weak and vulnerable, like we LIKE to fail. Not so my friends, not so. Having the courage to face your failures, and pretty much kick the trash out of them the next go round, that, oh that is sweet victory. So you know what I'd like to tell each of you? Fail. Do it. GO ON. FAIL! Because you'll be a better person than you were before. You'll gain knowledge you didn't see before. Yeah sure, you may say "Dang it. I wish I did that differently." Well do it differently! God gives us second chances all the time. Why not give yourself a second chance every once and a while?

In my Graphic Design class, which I LOVE to death, my teacher has made me grow so much, and made me stop and think about how much my life was my own. He was not teaching me to rebel, or eat, drink, and be merry for tomorrow I would die... no. He was teaching me to take the things I am learning into my own hands, and fail at them. How else would I learn? We don't all come walking out of the womb, talking perfectly. We fall and get back up again. Try, try, try. We say funny things like aminal instead of animal. Oreo instead of Ariel. We're human. And that's the way it should be. 

I had a lot of trouble last semester. Yes I got engaged, but for the last 4 weeks of the semester, I was so depressed I could hardly get out of bed. Fail? Yes. I did just that in all but two of my classes. SURPRISE! Am I weakening myself? No, I'm taking courage. I'm taking all of those classes over, if not this semester, I am the next semester. And you know what? I'm kicking the trash out of them! I have an "A" in my graphic design class, where before i had a C, then failed because I didn't feel like I could design as well as the other students. WIN. Sure, I'm having a hard time with English and a Science class that bore me to tears, but I'm gonna try to make these last 4 weeks count. And you know what? If I fail, GOOD! People have always told us that we had better not fail. Then obviously we'd be a FAILURE. No. Wrong-o people. I'm gonna fail and I'm gonna like it!  A lot! Because I may not get it the first time around, but the second time, I'll be ready, and I'll be prepared. 

I always have been afraid of failure. Depression is a failure. I have it. Anxiety is a failure. I have that too. I have a lot of flaws. I see them as blessings. I'm not who I am without them. I can pretty much talk to anyone. Win. I hate science, but have to take a bajillion classes here at BYU-I. Fail. I have a great fiance. Win. I have a great family. Win. And I have awesome friends. WIN.

You only have one life, so fail and learn as much as you can. But come on.... lets fail together. 


Night y'all


A inspirational video my teacher showed us about failing:

http://youtu.be/wmfKa7yJtKo

Recipe of Life.

"Friends are the most important ingredient in this recipe of life." 

SO... I'm a happy little camper today and just need some bloggin' to let it out! Because if I did as I wanted (which would be to scream out my window about my joy) I would get yelled at. Or spoken too since its "quiet hours." Yes, today is a day to dance and sing. I am not Negative Nancy! For this blogg-ness I would love to talk about the people I love, and why I love them!!! ON Y VA!

First and foremost: Jared-love. I love everything about you. The end. 
Just kidding hot stuff. I love how you treat me like your little princess. I'm very fortunate to have you in my life. I love to make you laugh and love when you smile at me. Especially with you smile wrinkles around your eyes. I'm so glad you're my best friend and I can have you in my life forever! Lets get married yeah? Haha!

Momma Kepi: You're my hero. I don't know where I'd be without you! You're my best friend in the world. You can always make me smile. I love that we can talk to each other and relate. I can tell you all my secrets. I'm gonna visit you as much as I can once I'm married. I can't wait for the rest of our life together. I couldn't ask for a better mother! I love you with my whole heart mommy.

Papa Smurf: Daddy, you are my motivation. I don't know who I'd be without you. I'm so glad that we're working on our relationship. I feel so much closer to you and I feel that I really can come to you with anything and everything. You have done so much for me and I will be eternally grateful. :) I love you!

Taylor Jade: Sister. We've had the best of times, and we've seen some lows... but I know that we'll always be the best of friends no matter what. I know that I annoy you sometimes, and that I haven't always been the best sister, but I am always here for you and I hope that we can come to each other for help, comfort and just to be friends. I love you darling.

Karalee Reann: Littlest (ok youngest) sister, I cannot believe how grown up you are. You are so gorgeous and mature! I'm so glad I can call you my sister. Even though you're taller than me, I will ALWAYS call you littlest sister. Because you are. You're the baby... you're spoiled... so we get to tease you. Its how it goes ;) But I'm so glad we're becoming the best of friends too. 

Nicoley-ohley: I'm so glad that we're back to normal. I know that I've not always been the greatest friend, but I'm gonna try harder. I'm glad that God put you in my life. I don't think I'd be the person I am today without you. All our late nights, trips to Island Park, and other adventures. Every college student needs a Nicole. I'm just glad you're mine ;)

Skizzy Louson: I'm so glad that we were roommates last spring. You can change anyone's mood just by listening. I don't know how I would get through what I do if I didn't have you to listen. You give me such great insight and a different perspective on things that are sometimes so simple. I'm so glad I get to room with you again in the fall :)

Nelley-poo: Haha.... oh man. Its been too long my friend. I miss swimming in the ditch. I miss going to Granny's house. I miss all the funny things we would do as 5th graders. I'm so glad that I met you when I did. If there was anything I missed when I moved, it was you. I am so happy I got to share Alabama with you and that you and I got to spend the time we did. I hope I can see you again soon. :)

My new family: Papa Jeff, Mamma Jan, Jason, Jalair, Jordan, and Jessa; I love you all so much already! I can't wait to get to know each of you better and be able to call you my mother, my father, my sisters and brothers! I am a little biased and have to say I'm so excited I get brothers! AND more sisters. My life rocks :) 

Roommates of semesters Past: Margot, Paige, and Kaisha: We had some great times girls! Our dance parties, our walks to the park, getting snow cones... Man. Best freshman year that i could ask for. Thanks for the laughs, the smiles, the tears and the heartfelt late night convos. Someday we'll all get together again. 

Current Roommate status: Tia, Hannah, and Kalee: You girls are so sweet! I love you all to death. Its weird being the old one here. Kalee, I will miss you, but Hannah and Tia, I get to spend another semester with you! It excites me greatly. I can't wait for the many more memories we will create together!!! 


To all other friends and family: Thank you for who you are. You are a wonderful example to me and have help carve me into the young woman I am today. My recipe for life would be very bland without all the wonderful ingredients you bring to the table. I am grateful that God has put you in my path, and I hope that I can continue to grow and have a greater relationship with you. I hope that I can add some sort of ingredient to your recipe we call life. 


Lets all be an ingredient that someone would like to add to their recipe. 


Love y'all.