happy list.

today i'm thankful for..

secret letters.
..they help me get all the feelings and words out that i need to without him even knowing.
texts from my sister.
..that come just when i think i can't go any farther.
a ride to class.
..because that weather is way too cold when the sun goes down.
day long conversations with laur.
..she always knows the right things to say.
late nights with the roommates.
..because they're exactly the people i need.
institute.
..and learning about joy in the journey and enduring to the end.
..for classes that remind me just how good institute is.
for the scriptures.
..for testimony strengthening experiences.
for texts from janice.
..even when they make me cry.
for knowing that these two weeks will go faster than i think.
..because right now i want to curl up in my bed and stop writing papers and taking tests.
for my calling.
..because even though it makes me do hard things. it makes me happy. and makes me love it here.
for taylor swifts new cd.
..because we're all still obsessed with it. and listening to it on repeat along with our christmas music.
and for my parents.
..and their willingness to pay for my housing. because life is a stress already and that takes such a burden away. and i'll forever be thankful for them.

happy wednesday. we're so close to christmas break. and one month.
go us.

love, j.

happy day.

here's to happy lists that make hard days just that much easier.

..roommates that accept me through it all.

..shopping in ephraim, utah. despite the fact that we spent money we don't have.

..one week down.

..seven hundred and twenty three more days to go.

..a phone call with his brother-in-law.

..basketball games all around.

..celtics jerseys on campus.

..not bombing my pharm. tech. test.

..missionary calls to paris, france.

..and having her call me to tell me.

..and being more than excited for her.

..knowing that i'm not forgotten just because he's gone.

..and being so happy to know that i get to go home tomorrow. even if it's just to get my wisdom teeth out.

have a happy, happy day. because this wednesday is a good one.

love, j.

happy list.

so when life and satan have got you down.

and you’re focusing more on how you still don’t know what you want to major in.

or where you want to transfer next.

and you’re just having one of those days

where the homesick is conquering everything else.

and you're wondering is it even possible for you to live more than an hour and a half away from home.

make a happy list.

and remember things like how more than anything you trust God.

because He knows that you’re a planner and that this patience thing is killing you.

and that even if it’s one of the hardest things you’ve ever had to do you know that when the time is right and in His own way, the way that’s just right for you, He’ll make sure you’re on the right path.

and remember even the little things like that your sister and mom still play those silly phone games with you.

and that your mom made peanut butter balls with white chocolate chips just for you.

that he gives you a ride to class everyday because he genuinely cares about you not walking home in the dark.

and that when you’re locked out of your apartment and those boys invite you to go to walmart with them that it’s some of the best times that you’ll have all year. because it’s the little things that really matter.

and that maybe that’s one of the biggest things that you’re supposed to learn here, in this little smelly town that you’ve learned to love so so much, that it’s those little things from home that you miss and it’s those little things from here that will make these two years always have a place in your heart.

because roommates are great. and they'll listen and remind you to be your best self.

even when it's reminding you to stop being a debbie downer. and they'll laugh and make doing homework or just walking home from class a better time.

and living on your own, and seeing your money go less and less is teaching you lessons that you'll never learn anywhere else.

so when life gets you down.

take it one thing at a time.

and remember.

that God has a plan for you.

that He'll never forget you.

and that He's doing what's best for you.

and i think that just might make you feel a little bit better.

love, j.

14 things

that i'm happy about :)

1. Knowing that I have two more days at the cave and then I can be done for forever if I want.

2. Flowers that my dad gave my mom.

3. Perfectly folded shirts with Ang's flip-n-fold.

4. Frozen cookies.

5. Songs that I hear now that I just know will apply to my life in the future :)

6. Knowing that I can start completely over at college.

7. My mom's blog.

8. Having time to read LOTS of books!

9. Knowing that my entire last week of summer will be spent at the beach with two of my favorite people

10. When I fix something material all by myself.

11. Harry Potter.

12. Genuinely kind people.

13. Best friends.

14. Dessert.

14.1 This picture

Love, J.

exact change.

I love when people at work give me the exact change.

It's not like it makes my job any easier. The cash register does that.

I just like it.

It makes me happy. :)

Love, J.

fun fact.

I love when people write extra things on stop signs.

Love, J.

P.S. One time Michael and I saw one that said "Can't STOP Jimmer." It was probably the best one that I've ever seen. Unfortunately, I didn't get a picture of it.

some pictures,

just make my heart happy.

Love, J.

day 14.

Some things that make you feel warm and fuzzy.

When I get a hug from someone at just the right time.

When I feel the spirit.

When I study and do awesome on a test.

When I laugh.


When I think back on memories that I wouldn't take away for anything.


When someone says something or something happens at exactly the moment that I needed it to.


When I read my patriarchal blessing.


When I understand more things about the gospel.


When I see old couples holding hands.


When people see me and say hi or acknowledge me and they act like I'm the greatest thing that's happened to them that day. [examples: Kamiko Adcock & Shelbie Shill.]

When I look at my phone and have a new text from the person that I wanted it to be from.

When I realize all of the blessings in my life.



Do something that makes you happy today. :)
Love, J.

contagious laughs

I love laughing. absolutely love it. I always laugh and people probably get annoyed by it because usually I laugh at the most inconvenient times but it's fine. What I really love though is other people's laugh that are so fantastic that they make everyone else around them laugh. Not to be a creeper and single out Spenc V-chip Vernon but he has one of those laughs. a contagious laugh. I love it. I don't even remember what he was laughing about because I was just laughing because he was laughing but yesterday I laughed for maybe five minutes straight for the sole reason that he was laughing at something, I believe, Parker had said. It made me so happy. I wish my laugh was like that. Something so great that it makes everyone else happy when they hear it. 

So, this blog post is to all you who have contagious laughs. Thank you for brightening my day and making me happy by sharing your laugh with everyone around you, especially me. :)