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Next Tuesday (January 30th, 2017)

I am going to be giving a presentation with this colleague of mine on the Advocates As Leaders Speakers Network on Supported Decision Making and how it can be a more successful alternative from wanting to apply for guardianship. We are going to be presenting to a group of teachers from Provo School District and I am not particularly certain whether or not, I will have teachers there in person watching me do this...but I can only hope for the best!!!



It will be extra nice getting to do a presentation in my own backyard as opposed to doing one up in Salt Lake City somewhere and just not knowing what to expect from what was going to happen. I am definitely thrilled to have such a great opportunity with educating teachers on how important this really is and whether or not, they completely agree on this is going to be a very interesting experience. I am hoping that me and my colleague can present to the best of our ability with giving our voice about something that we can hopefully see one day change a person's life forever. 

Stay tuned for an update on this post and hopefully it will go over successful for us... More about that later!!! Tomorrow I will be heading up to Salt Lake City, Utah to get a tour of the Capitol and getting to talk with legislators about issues that effect our lives everyday as well having an opportunity to be with my friends. It's seriously hard to believe that this has come around for me and having not gone to the training this year, because I chose to miss out on it for helping my favorite third grade teacher with things that I felt were of more significant importance!!!


I mean... Seriously, if I had to pick out between this third grade teacher with pink blondish hair and a local/state legislator, I would have picked the legit school teacher. It has been such an amazing experience getting to volunteer again in their classroom and getting so much better acquainted with them too!!! 

California Trip

This coming week my mom, twin sister and I are flying into Long Beach, CA to spend quality time with my older sister as we celebrate my niece coming in this world in about two months!!! It's a lot for me to take in with a change like this happening in my life, but I am definitely anxious to see my older sister become a mom for the first time. It's certainly not something that I should feel surprised about or stuff like that, but I am pretty sure that once I have my niece in my arms...everything will change for the better and can only hope for the best later down the road.


As you can imagine, I have had so many people tell me countless times that I'm gonna be a great aunt, you will be awesome and honestly I just might as well believe them/take their word for it because I don't have a choice. I know that everything will be okay after this all happens and I can focus on loving my niece unconditionally without anything to be concerned about. With all of that being said, she'll be having a baby shower  at the dance studio she teaches at and so I am not quite sure what to expect from all of this considering the excitement that I know will is going to be there!!!



I am thrilled to get the chance with finally wearing my brand new auntie shirt that my older sister gave me for Christmas this year & it is seriously my absolute most favorite thing ever if you can believe it!!! Getting to be in the California sunshine and enjoying time with my older sister will definitely be so much fun seeing her again after what has seemed like forever since the holiday break...but I am looking forward to this opportunity again. 

My older sister and her husband will be performing in their studio showcase which is held on Sunday night... so it will be pretty fun to watch them dance on stage again!!! Since they retired from professional competition this past year, it was really such a bittersweet time watching them leave behind something that they have loved being a part of. 

Weekly Updates

1) What is an important lesson you recently learned?

"Never cry for someone who hurts you, just smile and say thanks for giving me a chance to find someone better than you."

This quote may come across as being a little too harsh about something that I probably wouldn't normally share in a blog post, but it has effected my life in more ways than one. I know that if you have met me before, I'm usually not someone who doesn't try to hide their feelings about really anything that happens in their life. I know for me personally it has taught me a very important lesson about how your truest friends will always be there for you whenever you need somebody to talk to, or just simply someone to let you know that everything will be okay. I've struggled with this for too long and literally almost trying to beat myself up over a situation that I clearly know nothing about & most likely never will understand. After having seen this quote and realizing the much bigger picture here, life for me continues to get me more thrilled in what is to come. Thanks so much to everyone whose been a part of life from the beginning and helping me understand who I really am in this world cause I would never try to be someone I'm not. 

2) What things make you happy?

- My friends and their influences in my life mean everything to me, more than they probably even know. They have literally stuck with me through the thick and thin, especially when I didn't have a choice about what to do in a particular situation. I am incredibly blessed with their influences in my life more than I could ever put into words in this blog post right now. They have touched my heart with their goodness and willing to give me advice whenever I need it at any given moment. I know they have taken the time to listen to me and help me better understand life's challenges in a much more meaningful way.

- The Gospel Of Jesus Christ and living it everyday with a smile on my face, without knowing that despite the struggles that come into my life... I can always have someone to count on and something to bring me JOY during times of hardship whenever I need it at any given moment. I love that this gospel continuously blessed me and everyone who strives to be a little better, kinder towards every one around them.

3) What has been my greatest success in life so far?

One of my greatest successes in life so far has been getting the wonderful opportunity to volunteer at the neighborhood elementary school. These past eight years alone have helped me mature and grow into a better person than I ever could have imagined myself to be. I have absolutely loved seeing my awesome third grade students with the biggest smiles on their faces and giving me the biggest hugs you could ever ask for!!! I am grateful for the immense joy they all bring into my life everyday and learning from them is such a treat beyond what any words could ever describe right now. I have just loved and really enjoyed working alongside two of the best third grade teachers ever this year. I am grateful for their patience with me and helping me to be the best volunteer I can be in their classes week after week. They have truly made this school year one that I will cherish forever & I cannot wait for what adventures await us in the future, because as much as I quite liked helping out with many of those first grade students--(I definitely think third grade has become my new favorite so far!!!) My students are so independent and know exactly what is expected of them... it is such an incredible sight to watch them grow up right before my eyes if you can believe that!! They are so amazingly fun to be around more than you could ever possibly know in this world.. but having all that said, I know that each of them will hold a special spot in my heart for many years to come. It's been such an unforgettable year so far and cannot wait to see what the next year holds in store for me!!! 

Movie Snyopsis

Watched this beautiful inspiring film over the holiday break and seriously couldn't get through it without being teary eyed. It was truly such a powerful message of what it means to show kindness and become more like our Savior, Jesus Christ in everything that we do. I couldn't even imagine at what this extraordinary young woman named Kennedy Hansen who was such a funny, loving little girl whose dreams are just about what any teenage girl wants to do: (Go to dances, Date boys, and become a cheerleader at her high school.) But due to her terminal illness called Juvenile Batten Disease, she was able to achieve some of those things during her sixteen short years of life... just what an amazing journey it turned out to become for so many other people. She was smiling from ear to ear with being able to enjoy what most of us would sometimes take for granted because if we were not physically capable of going into high school with a struggle like this one, I would not want anything more than to just return back to my Heavenly home. Kennedy preserved through her difficulties having the cutest, brightest smile on her face which to me was so remarkable to witness in the movie from a very unique perspective. 

Despite what this young woman was going through at this time in her life, I was impressed by her spirit of courage and hope to make it through till the end without a single complaint. I never once throughout the entire film heard this young woman say... "Why is this happening to me or why am the one who has to deal with a situation like this??" She literally reminded me of what it truly means to be more like our Father in Heaven and recognizing his hand in our lives with every milestone that we have come our way.

I absolutely loved Kennedy's unshaken and powerful testimony of what she knew to be true regardless of her situation that she was faced with. I was impressed by her unconditional love for everyone who came into her life and made it something extraordinary. It definitely gave me a much more positive outlook on how we are supposed to look at our trials as well as our challenges that we all face. Like I said, I literally couldn't get through this entire film without tears in my eyes because when I first saw the preview for the movie.. I didn't really think it was all that much different from every other movie I'd seen in my life, but once I got to watch it for myself everything changed. After watching this inspiring movie, you will most likely come out a better person and want to be a little kinder to those around us. 

#LoveLikeKennedy

Night To Shine - Preview

Night To Shine Worldwide Prom 2018 (February 9th, 2018)

This unforgettable prom night experience is something that I had never heard about before, until this past year. I seriously had the most amazing time ever with my friends and getting to feel of the love of the person who continues to bless my life on a regular basis. I am excited for the privilege that I'll have to be at this again and make some incredible memories with the most wonderful people ever. It is definitely not what I had anticipated because sometimes you just don't know what this experience would be like unless you get there having realized it was completely different. I have my beautifully gorgeous dress and accessories all ready to go for this event and cannot wait to see what I'm hoping with not being able to miss out on!!! It is sponsored by the Tim Tebow Foundation & they go all out for what is to be an experience that you will never quit talking with yourself about for years to come down the road. They have everything from flowers, dresses, decorations, limo rides, and crowns for everyone who is participating in such an extraordinary movement to be reminded of who they are & how God looks at them everyday. Even though I have grown up in the LDS Faith my entire life, I've always known in the back of my mind that I'm loved by our Father in Heaven & there is absolutely not a doubt of what it means to me having someone there to count on for everything. I love him so much and the guidance he continually gives me on a regular basis which by the way, is sometimes almost unnoticed because I know people would take that for granted. I know he is always there for me whenever life gets more difficult than it should be. This night to shine doesn't necessarily come across being a Mormon type of activity but the purpose of it is to have people with special needs--- having the opportunity to feel important in this world & that they all matter regardless of the many challenges they face every single day. 

- Red Carpet Entrance with friendly paparazzi cheering you on when you walk inside of the event

- Dinner with my closest and amazing friends who will always be there for me, whenever I need one of them at any given moment.

- Limo Rides with the sweetest and most incredible friends ever!!! Can't wait to see what this great experience will be like this year and looking forward to having lots of photos taken as well. 

Favorite Christmas Present

My older sister Allie gave me this absolute legit auntie shirt for Christmas this year and the moment I saw it... I literally just felt my heart burst with JOY!!! The more I kept looking at it, I definitely knew in my heart that becoming an auntie was gonna be more special and rewarding experience once my niece gets here. It is definitely a lot to take in especially since I don't handle changes as well as you would probably think.. but once I opened up this present from my older sister-- I knew that I needed to make an effort in being extra happy for her!!! I mean, the least I can do is just have a smile on my face and learn to accept the fact that this is only going to continue from here on out. I cannot wait to see what my niece will look like and what her little personality later on down the road is going to be, but until she gets here-- I am definitely going to be in for a treat!!! I am incredibly excited to see my older sister become a mom and enjoy having her little kids running around their place within these next few years. 

As I have reflected on the many things that becoming an aunt will be like... I'm obviously gonna do nothing more than just have unconditional love for my niece and letting her know that she has some body to look up to for the rest of her life. I seriously have to believe that once she is in my arms and she's looking up at me... my heart will completely melt into something I never would have least seen or expected in this very moment. I cannot wait to see her grow up into an incredible young lady and seeing her love everyone around her will be so heart warming to watch. I cannot wait to see what her life is going to be like and having said that, I know that my life will never be the same again. She will definitely bring a happiness to me that I probably could not describe into words. 



Skye,

I am not really sure what to think about becoming an auntie once you get here... but you are definitely gonna bring joy and happiness into my life once I get to see your smiling face. I am definitely nervous about starting a new chapter in my life that I have never had any experience in but I am willing to give it a chance. You are not only going to be well loved by so many people in this world, but I cannot wait to see what your personality will be like and watching you grow up is certainly an experience I'm excited to see first hand. I can only hope for a very exciting and thrilling opportunity so when I first see you.. I will be show you as much unconditional LOVE as I can once you arrive.

2017 - Year in Review

Some of the many lessons that I had to learn this past year in 2017 were definitely challenging and not the happiest times in my life, but having said that-- I know it needed to happen for a specific reason even if I didn't want anything to do with what had taken place. Here are some of the things that I learned... 

"Fake Friends: Once they stop talking to you, they start talking about you."

I have certainly learned the next biggest lesson of my life with having to understand and recognize what a true friendship really is like instead of what it's not. I have experienced this many times throughout the yrs and trying to re learn it over and over again hasn't necessarily been the greatest part of my life either. I've had to take into consideration that no matter how many people you become friends with, some of them are never going to realize exactly what they know will never be a part of their lives anymore. If you are reading through this, I can only hope that you'll get the serious help you need to get yourself together... before you end up hurting somebody else's feelings like you hurt mine. 

#WhatDoesntKillYouMakesYouStronger. #IfTheyOnlyKnew.

I have thoroughly loved getting the amazing opportunity to volunteer at the best neighborhood elementary school ever these past seven years. What an absolute incredible life changing experience it has turned out to become for someone like myself who at first never thought they would be very good at this kinda thing but knowing that I can do it has been surreal. I have also truly learned to find myself loving third grade students unconditionally which to me has been such a treat, in more ways than one. They are definitely such a JOY to work with and I cannot wait to get to know them even better after this holiday break comes to an end.

I have been able to learn that the power of prayer is real and works wonders...(especially since that I had to see one of my own go through this past year and understanding that our Heavenly Father will always be there for us whenever we need him at any given moment. I was certainly able to feel the strength of those prayers that were given on our behalf and there were moments when I was feeling incredibly like almost unwilling to bear a burden that I was not sure I could bear without his help.) I know that because of him and what he has gone through for us, we can't ever give up on him and knowing his hand in our lives will forever be a blessing!!! 

I've also had many new opportunities come my way this year and with having joined the Advocates As Leaders Speakers Network which is a somewhat kind of an average size of a committee of individuals like myself that go out in their communities and give presentations on various topics like Internet Safety, Self Advocacy, Supported Decision Making, etc. I have really enjoyed getting the chance to share what I know about how to be successful in life in spite of the many challenges and obstacles that come in your way. I have really continued to learn so much about not only myself, but what people with special needs face everyday and letting them be aware of the many resources that are available for them to look into with accomplishing their individual life endeavors.

Events coming in 2018:

 Continuing to advocate for individuals like myself and sharing my message of hope with them about being self determined to make their own decisions, as well as follow their dreams in whatever they set their minds to.

Night To Shine Prom sponsored by the Tim Tebow Foundation (Ogden, Utah)

Youth Mentor/Counselor/Staff at the 2018 NINJA Youth Leadership Conference in Logan, Utah on the Utah State University campus. (June)

Girls Trip to Southern, California!!!!

Family Togethers

Getting to see my niece for the first time... (Hopefully, this will be a very legit and positive experience for me.) I'm seriously just not sure what to expect from this whole thing exactly... but it will be good once she gets here!!!) #CrossingMyFingersForThis.

Can't wait to see how the rest of this school year will turn out and excited for the adventures that await me down the road.

As you can see, this past year in 2017 has been filled of ups and downs but I wouldn't want it any other way. I have definitely been able to see myself grow and learn new things from everyone around me. I am grateful for my Savior and his hand in my life throughout this entire year...He continues to watch out for me regardless of anything else that comes in my path.