The ReasonS I Smile :)

Have you ever just been driving in your car, letting your mind carelessly wonder as you zoom through light after light, and you snap back to reality and realize you have a huge smile on your face? It's not there for any particular reason, it's just there because you're happy about things. This happens to me a lot. Not only when I'm driving, but when I'm laying in bed, bored at work, or even when I'm cleaning. I can't even begin to tell you all the reasons I have to smile! I am blessed in so many different ways! So I thought it would be a good thing to blog about today, these are the reasons I smile :)

First and for most, my F A M {I L Y} I've been blessed with two hard working parents who have always provided for me and my sisters. I would say they even did a little too much at times! Yes I always had the toys or clothes I wanted, birthdays and Christmas were always a lot of fun too. Not only did they bless me with the fun things I wanted, they also blessed me with a home, wisdom, discipline, and love. The house I grew up in will always hold a special place in my heart and bring a smile to my face. We've made so many memories there. I smile when I think of my dad making breakfast on the weekends, family dinners almost every night, watching movies together, playing outside, and just knowing it was a place I could go to and feel safe. I also have two amazing sisters, an awesome brother in law, and a silly ball of slobbering joy that make me smile contently! They are the best and I couldn't ask for more! I also have loving grandparents, GREAT grandparents, cousins, aunts and uncles that have filled my life with joy and happiness. Thank you to all of them!!
I definitely had no say in where I was going to be raised. When I was younger there were times I hated living in a small town. I wanted to see the lights of a big city and have some adventure! But as I've grown up and moved a couple different places, I realized there is no other place I would want to raise a family. So what if we didn't have a movie theater in town and only had two stoplights? The only place to hang out was a rundown bowling ally or if it was Friday night everyone went to the football game. I wouldn't ever trade sneaking into people's haystacks late at night or driving around town (mostly main street actually) because there was nothing better to do. I had an amazing childhood and thinking back always brings a smile to my face.

Second of course is my friends!! I've had some pretty amazing friends over my 19 years. Sadly, friends have come and gone, but it doesn't mean they have left my heart. Growing up I had the best friend ever! We danced together four days a week, had sleep overs and played barbies all night, and never kept secrets from each other. We knew one another inside and out. When the harder times came, we spent a whole summer together. One of the scariest days of my life was when I found out she had been in a bad car accident. Luckily everything, with some time, turned out alright. I couldn't imagine my life with out Natalie in it. Then there is my Ninni!! If anyone ever needs someone to talk to, this is the girl you turn to!! I think she helped me solve every problem I've had, big or small. We've watched a million movies, took a million naps (haha Nikki I know your smiling), and even became loved by each other's families. I wouldn't trade a minute of our crazy years because it all makes me smile! :) I can't leave a story about all my friends who've made me smile or we would be here all day, but a quick shout out and thanks: Shay, Kiiiinz, Lex, E, Jamo, Cheyenne Bananas, Tati, Wes, all the BRH cheerleaders, all my aggiette loves, and everyone else! I love you all!! Thank you for giving me a reason to smile!

Third is probably my newest reason I smile so much, Steven Adam Clark!! Boy do I love this guy! Since the day I met him he has always kept a smile on my face. He is funny, smart, cute, and caring! I'm surprised he doesn't mind putting up with me all the time. I can tell him anything and he always gives me his honest opinion. I love that he cooks us dinner and even does dishes! I can't wait to marry him one day. He is my tall, dark, and handsome... what more could a girl ask for??!

I know this is getting a little long so I'll try to wrap it up. I'm blessed with music that makes me smile. It can completely change my bad mood or be an outlet when I'm upset. Dancing has brought me so many things to smile about. Friends, competition, exercise, and something that gives me confidence in myself. Technology.. what more do I need to say? The fact that I can have this wireless phone to call anybody at any time is amazing, but then they go and step it up with video chat! Skype and Facetime have made my move so much easier! A warm morning breeze, rainy days spent in bed, or the simple joy of a delicious dessert. I am so happy to have all the little things in life that make me smile. I feel like it's all the little memories I'll remember the longest. I love you all and thanks for taking the time to read this. I hope you catch yourself smiling today, so you too, can count your many blessing :)

<3 Your beach bum

Yes, I AM still alive!!

Sooo... It's been a little since I've been on here haha. Sorry Mom! This Halloween background has got to go!! Anyways, quick little recap..

My Mom, Jenny, Courtnie, and Asher all came out to visit at the end of October. It was so fun doing all of our girl stuff! I really enjoyed having them all down here. We went shopping, whale watching, hung out, and even made it to  Disneyland. It was Asher's first time so of course we were all excited! He loved it, even though he had to keep taking naps ha :)

Shopping at the Los Cerritios Mall

Disneyland 2011

Whale watching off of New Port Beach

 Halloween was really fun. It was nice not having any snow! I'm such a lucky girl, Steven was a great sport about dressing up with me!

Fred and Wilma were a hit! 

Then came Asher's first birthday and Thanksgiving, these were really hard times for me to be away from home for. Luckily for both I got to join in via Skype!! Can I just publicly thank the person who came up with Skype and Facetime. They are genius and have made my move so much easier!!! I had a wonderful Thanksgiving with Steven's awesome family. Only two things were different, a lot more people and none of mom's homemade rolls :( haha

So I've kept pretty busy as you can see. A few other major things, I now am a proud owner of a Nissan Altima :) I love it!! It's been awesome being able to drive myself around to my now three jobs. That's right, I found another one! It's at Impact Dance Studio doing desk work. I love being back in a dancing atmosphere. I really miss it. Hopefully I can take a class sometime soon. Also, I have moved again! I now live with Steven's aunt, uncle, and cousin. I love it here! I'm about 5 minutes from Knott's Berry Farm, 10 minutes from Disneyland, and 20 from the beach :) Awesome right?! So if anyone is coming to visit any of those places, let me know so we can meet up!

I got to go home for Christmas, it was amazing!! It was a little odd not having snow in Utah, but it was freezing the whole time! It was a great time to be able to be home because of all the family Christmas parties. I really missed everyone and was so happy to see my friends. It was really hard leaving though.. Maybe even harder than the first time. Since I've been California home it's been harder thinking about family in Utah home. Just been missing everyone after such a great Christmas I guess. 

Once again, I'll try to update more often haha. I hope everyone has a great January!

Love,♥ 

Your Beach Bum

A long day of blogging

Yes I know, i'm a terrible blogger! I finally got back around to my second post. So let's just start with a little recap of the past couple weeks.
Sep. 25- Oct. 1:  Now this was a really tough week for me. I had to pack up my room and say goodbye to everyone. It didn't hit me too much before about Tuesday how hard this really was going to be. All of it happened so quick that I was just focused on getting everything ready, not actually leaving. I decided to make everyone in my family a little card. You know, to write down a few last things I wanted to say, but knew I never could get through with out crying. Also, I'm not a very "crafty" person and my mom and sisters know this. So I knew they would understand I was trying to be thoughtful by making something I knew they all liked. Boy was I glad I made those cards! I couldn't write one sentence without breaking down in tears... I kept them short and sweet, but was very proud of my creativity and hard work. (Nikki helped me with Courtnie and my dads or I would have taken 10 hours trying to make these!)

My last night in Utah I got to go see Taylor Swift (or T.S. as I like to call her) live in concert!! It was so much fun. Jenny, Courtnie, our cousin Chloe, and I all went to Olive Garden (aka The O.G.) (yes I like to abbreviate things) for a delicious dinner. When we got to the Energy Solutions Arena there were a bunch of radio stations outside and fun places to take pictures. I even won a free t-shirt which I love free t's! Inside, Chole and I got matching t-shirts. I love that little girl! :) The show was AMAZING!!!! Taylor puts on the best concert ever, and NO she doesn't suck live! This isn't the first time I've saw her live and it's always amazing. I would recommend anyone to go see her show!

I flew out the next morning and my new journey had officially began. I'm going to be honest, I was scared. I wasn't sure how things would work out or if I could even be on my own like this. But I had a good first day. Steven took me to lunch at a place called Island's where I was hoping to get  a job once I got back out here.   We enjoyed our meal then when we were about to leave he told me I should just ask a manager if they were looking to do any interviews. Turns out they were, and I got the job off one interview!! So now I have two jobs, a host at Island's and a sales associate at New York and Company. I'm so happy the job situation has worked out! I had not been too home sick this week because it still just kind of felt like I was on vacation.


Oct. 2-8 This week was pretty boring, nothing special. I started work at both places and really enjoyed it. The girls at New York and Company were all very nice and helpful with any questions I had. I went to football games and just hung out. After the Friday night football game I rode home with Bri (Steven's cousin) her boy friend Zach, a friend of ours Jenn, and some boy I didn't know. We get in this huge lifted truck, the music is so loud and we're all just jamming. Then he honked his horn... It sounded just like a train!!! It was SOO loud! Apparently people down here think this is very funny because you drive past people and blow the loud horn and it scares them terribly. I would know, it happened to me and my mom while we were here on vacation. I didn't think it was that funny when it happened to us, but when I was on the other end it was hilarious! haha! It's so nice being able to see Steven when ever I want again. It's hard not being able to have my family though. I started to get pretty home sick last week.


Now here we are today. I am just hanging out in my room by myself and decided I would finally update my blog. I went to find cute Halloween backgrounds and accessories to spruce up my page a little. Finding them was easy, figuring out how to make it all work and look good was a different story. I've literally been on my laptop trying to do blog stuff for four hours! That's taking out the time for facebooking too! But I finally figured it all out and even added my own banner, thank you PhotoShop! So I hope you all enjoy the festive look! Yesterday was my first really rough day. I was feeling real sick all day. I'm not sure if it was real sick or just homesick. I've always loved Sunday's at my parents house. I wouldn't get out of my pajamas all day, we'd have an amazing dinner, and the whole family would get together. Before Grandpa Court died, him and Grandma Helen would come over almost every Sunday or take us out to Pizza Hut. But now grandpa is gone and Asher has came in to help make us all feel better. Jenny, Joad, and Asher would come over to eat then we all play a round of Five Crowns (the best card game ever!) I was just really missing everyone yesterday and I think I've finally realized I'm not just in Logan anymore. I can't just run home for dinner or because I feel sick and want my mom to take care of me. I don't feel like I've made a mistake moving here, I just need to get used to all the changes.


I'll try my hardest not to wait this long before I blog again so the posts are so dang long. I just want my family to know I love and miss them a lot! I hope everyone has a great week!! Until next time..


♥ Your Beach Bum

How I got here...

Well I finally gave into the trend and started a blog.. If you're reading this thanks for adding me :) The main reason I started a blog is because I am officially moving to Bellflower, California on Thursday September 29!! Yes, I'm very excited! I figure a blog is a pretty good way for all my Utah friends and family to keep up with my new life and for my new California friends to get to know me a little better. I can't believe I am really moving to California. I've been thinking about how I got to this point in my life finally and I came to the conclusion there was a few major events that got me here.

1. My dad grew up in California so each summer my parents take my sisters and me to visit his family. Through all my trips I have became a beach bum at heart<3 If you know me, you know I love the beach! I have always said I would live by the beach someday. Thinking it would never really happen, I settled for decorating my room ALL BEACH. From my bed spread to a beautiful painting my parents bought me in St. George. Needless to say, I wished I could be at the beach every day. Thank you Mom and Dad for taking me on those trips.

2. Jenny, my older sister, always had a huge influence on me. So when she loved dancing of course I did too. I danced at Dance Factory with Kristie Roche from the time I turned three until I graduated high school. I learned so much and developed a true passion for dancing. Once again I wanted to be just like Jenny, so when I started high school I too tried out for cheer and was on the team for three years. I had the best coach ever, Becky Reese, who made me work harder than I ever could have imagined. After high school I didn't want to end my cheer or dancing career so decided to try out at the only college I had applied to (and had been accepted to I might add.) SURPRISINGLY I made the Aggiettes dance team! I couldn't believe it! Thank you Kristie and Becky for helping me develop hard work, determination, and love for the sport. Thank you Jenny for always being such a great role model and sister to follow.

3. I chose to attend Utah State University in the fall of 2010. I roomed with Shaylee Capener and a new friend Hadlee. I was so excited and a bit nervous for my new adventure. Shaylee and I had so much fun going to practice and school, staying out way to late, and meeting new boys. When basketball season began she had a little crush on one of the players. Of course she didn't talk to him, we went home from class one day and added him on facebook and checked everything out. They ended up dating for awhile and hanging out all the time. I got to know Morgan and really liked him too. They started telling me how I would love one of Morgan's roommates Steven who played football at USU. I was already kind of dating someone so I told them I wasn't interested at the time. They both kept insisting I meet him because they just knew we would get along so well. So after I had broken up with my most recent fling, I asked him to go to a movie with us one night. I was all excited to finally meet this boy they kept talking about, but to my surprise he said no. Pretty sad huh? Poor me, got my hopes all up to hang out with a cute new kid and he turned me down so easily. That wasn't the last time either! One other night I asked him to hang out with us and he still said no. But I can be pretty persistent if I want something, I also kind of think him turning me down made we want to keep trying. So on March 24th Shaylee and I went to Morgan's to study and he was there. After I was done with all the studying I could take I heard a George Strait song coming from his room. So I walked in and we started talking about country music. We ended up talking all night (and no mom that doesn't mean I spent the night. Just wanted to make that clear) then he asked for my number right before I left. I was pretty happy about how well we got along and all I learned about him, but I didn't want to get my hopes. I had a big test the next morning and was really nervous.  When I was on my way to school I got a text from a random number. I was so happy to see he had text me and wished me luck! We talked all day and hung out just about every day after that for the rest of the summer. Thank you Morgan and Shaylee for introducing me to Steven!

4. Right away I knew I liked this Steven guy. He was very sweet, funny, and charming. He knew all the right moves and had me falling for him "heels over head" :) I took him to meet my family and they loved him, even my dad! We knew he would move home to California when he graduated at the end of summer semester and weren't sure what that would bring for “us”. So he's been gone for about two months now and I've been to see him three times. That's just not enough! So I've decided to move to California and start my life there. I mean I've got to start somewhere so why not with someone I love? Yep I said love. I love Steven! It took me a while to say that and I even made him say "Olive Juice" for a month till I was ready to hear it haha! (You know because when you mouth “olive juice” it looks like "I love you") But anyways, I would like to start school in California in spring semester. I have been juggling between beauty school and going back to college to be an elementary school teacher. I think I've decided to go back to college and get a degree. So hopefully things work out! Thank you for always being you, olive juice Steven!

So of course I'm going to miss Tremonton. I'll miss my family (a lot), my friends, and all the perks a small town has to offer. But as you just read, all these things in my life have lead me here to this decision. My family is really sad to have me leave, but the way I see it, if they wouldn't have took me on all these vacations I wouldn't love the beach so much! So thank you to everyone in my life that has made a difference, even if you weren't listed above because there are so SO many more! I love you all and will miss you dearly. But now you have this to read about my new life, facebook of course to see all my pictures, and I'll always have my phone. Give me a call or a text every once in awhile. I'd love to hear from everyone! Well I've got a lot of packing to do and have wasted enough time on this for one day :) Good night everyone! Until next time..

♥ Your Beach Bum

 ps. I'd love to hear what you think of my whole blog thing. I'm always looking for suggestions to make things better :) I have no idea how to do this thing yet haha. Also my background is suppose to be a picture of the beach but it's not showing it all, anyone know how to help me?