One Wish

LAST WEDNESDAY EVENING----My dad, twin sister and I attended the BYU Women's Basketball game against their ranked opponent Baylor. It was such a fun night with smiles, yummy treats and did I forget to mention we got a picture with Cosmo?? I loved cheering on the lady cougars and dancing in my seat non-stop without a care in this world. I may have not looked fairly awkward with enjoying myself as much as I did in the moment, but when there is a familiar song playing---I could not help but want to get my dance moves on. I have probably mentioned this before, but I did see a couple who played basketball at BYU walk into the Marriott Center and obviously wanted more than anything to say Hi to them through out the entire game. It was definitely an unforgettable moment to see them cheer on our team in the stands across the way from where my family was seated a few rows up from the court. I am not certain if this fan encounter will actually happen for me in the distant future, but it would be a lifelong dream come true!! If you must know after the basketball game ended---I was slightly hopeful to have gotten a chance to say Hi to them on our way out of the Marriott Center but that did not happen. I did feel slightly bummed about it not taking place, once I saw this athlete go onto the court to celebrate with her teammates, which I will say was not anything short of incredible to see!!! #WishIHadEnergyLikeThat.

There were  also several women's teams who came out onto the basketball court to watch a video in honor of women in sports day and getting to see that take place was incredible. I may not watch a lot of the women sports on a regular basis, but it was so cool to see their excitement from afar, which I will admit was nothing short of an understatement. I also loved watching them throw miniature basketballs out in the crowd which unfortunately I never ended up getting one, but oh well--What can you do?! It was electric to being in the Marriott Center that night and could not help but want to share the joy with everyone else. If I ever do get to another BYU Women's Basketball game that I will finally be able to meet this athlete and be able to thank them for their example in my life.  

(To Be Continued)

Highlights

LCPD Reception (Mini Synopsis) 

This annual event turned out much better for me than I had originally expected-- but it was great to spend time with friends and interact with legislators about disability related issues. I really liked getting to focus more on what I needed to be there for and seeing my friends step out of their comfort zone to speak with their lawmakers was incredible. I am grateful to not have spent all day at the state capitol and only being up there for two hours was such a blessing. I will legitimately admit the light refreshments up there were slightly better than they have been in previous years which if you ask me was not an understatement. I am grateful to have had an opportunity to explore the Capitol building for a good hour with my two friends & even getting a chance to walk through the senate chamber was a treat. 

BYU Women's Basketball Game (Tomorrow Night)

I could not be more excited to cheer on our lady cougars tomorrow night as they will compete against Baylor in the Marriott Center. I don't necessarily make it to a lot of the basketball games, but I sure do hope to reconnect with my new friend Kylie and get to know her a little bit more. She is truly amazing with all that she has been able to do and has inspired me to want to do better. I also hope we can have a chance to hang out with the coolest cat ever and get a photo taken if we are lucky to do that. I am not too familiar with the women in sports day at all, but I would not be too surprised if I end up seeing one of the many former BYU women's basketball players there in the audience. I may not ever get to tell them "Hi" or anything like that--but it would be a dream come true to see them in person. It would be even more memorable to just wave to them from across the way, would definitely put a great big smile on my face!!! #FingersCrossed

Worldwide Prom (Friday Night)

I have blogged about this special event one too many times over the years, but I am excited to spend a lot of quality time with my best friends. We are going to dance the night away and hopefully not end up being too crazy on the way up to our event as well as on the way home. I am definitely looking forward to celebrating thousands of individuals with disabilities all over the world, to know how special we are in this world & that we are as much a part of society as anybody else. It will certainly be an evening for all of us to remember in years to come and cannot wait to see how epic this prom night is going to be. 

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New Friend

LAST WEEKEND---Once my family and I walked into the Marriott Center to watch the BYU Women's Basketball game against Cincinnati---I finally got to meet a special young women whose influence in my life has inspired me to look for the good in everything. It was one of the sweetest moments ever to let this young lady know how incredible she is not only just as a person, but as one of my newest friends! I am so excited to hopefully get another chance to meet this girl again and get to know each other even more. We ended up chatting with each other a little bit and I can already tell what an incredible example this young lady is. 

Our interaction was slightly brief as I headed into the gym to watch the basketball game, but it was one of those moments I will cherish forever. I am happy to report that our lady cougars won against Cincinnati in what was a very well fought battle and an experience I'll remember for years to come. I loved getting to sit on a chair that was set on this platform where you could see everything on the court and it was such a cool experience!!! 

Over the weekend, I was able to reconnect with this sweet young lady and couldn't have been more than excited to introduce myself to her. It was so much fun to tell this new friend of mine a little bit about me and the deep genuine love I have for the disability community. I have seen this girl once or twice before when my family attended the BYU Women's basketball games, but never made the effort to say Hi until this last weekend. I literally walked around the corner and immediately gasped with excitement as I saw Kylie hanging out behind the scenes at the event. I didn't even pay close to attention to who was standing around the lower level of the Marriott Center, only to just make a new friend with someone that I am so confident will make our society a better place. (Stay Tuned)

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Night To Shine 2024 (One Month Away)

I have been involved with this worldwide movement for six years now and cannot wait to have yet another unforgettable evening that reminds me of who I am in the eyes of my Savior, Jesus Christ. I am so grateful for his hand in my life, especially in the last year when things felt like they would not get any easier--but I was able to lean on him more than ever before and never looked back with regrets. There is not a whole lot of places where you can go and dress up anymore, but if you ask me this worldwide prom takes it to a new level. 

BYU Women's Basketball Game (Saturday)

It's been quite a long time from when I last ever attended one of these games and I can hardly wait for tomorrow!!! I am excited to cheer on our lady cougars to a victory which I know they could use one of those right about now. I know they are going to play their best on that Marriott Center court and make it an experience that no one in the crowd will ever forget. I am also thrilled to see my favorite mascot ever and hopefully get a picture taken with him if I get lucky!!! He is truly one of the best cats ever and I look forward to seeing what he will do next to put smiles on the faces of everyone there!! 

Best Friend's Birthday Together (Next Saturday)

This upcoming event will take place next weekend & I could not be more excited to spend quality time with my best friends. We are going to meet up at our best friend's home to paint our nails, watch a fun movie, talk and hang out with each other. I am not sure what else lies in store for us during the rest of our time together, but I am excited to celebrate our friend's 32nd birthday!!! I am certain this will be an evening to remember and only more of them to come in the distant future, which is a whole other story for some other time!!! :)

Free Write

TETONS Training (Mini Synopsis) 

There was a lot of careful consideration that went into this and can only hope it will be an experience that motivates me to better understand the importance of healthy relationships. It has definitely been something nobody likes having to relearn over and over again, but it is certainly going to make an impact on my life without making me feel too uncomfortable. I am grateful for a chance to stretch out of my comfort zone & learn some of the tough stuff that is so crucially important to the disability population. I am not going into lots of details about this here and look forward to spending quality time with my colleagues, who are only going to make it an experience that I hope to never soon forget. 

Christmas Party 2023

None of the details have been worked out yet-- but I am confident we will have the best time hanging out with our friends. My mom and I have discussed about possibly meeting up with our friends for lunch and then coming back to our house to play games or watch a holiday movie!!! We are definitely going to share lots of laughs with each other and get ready for the Christmas season to arrive, which I know will be here- before we know it :) 

NINJA Alumni Game Night (Virtual Activity)

I legitimately thought these had come to an end after not having held one for some time, which if you ask me is not an understatement. I have genuinely missed being with my friends so much & especially after what I have experienced in the last year, I am more than ready or at least hope to be for a splendid evening of fun!!! I know it will be an experience to remember and crossing my fingers that anxiety will not get in the way of things for me.

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 May 2023 

I became an auntie for the third time and could not have been more excited!! I genuinely loved seeing the thrills from my niece and nephew who were ecstatic about having a new sibling in their home. I am truly grateful to spoil another little rascal that has brought so much joy into our lives--even before they arrived in this world!! 

April 2023

I was especially thrilled about our upcoming vacation to Texas and getting a chance to visit family who we have not seen in what has felt like forever!!! We explored the well famous Sea World park where we got to see shows of the water animals there and literally got thousands of steps in throughout the day. We took an incredible visit to downtown San Antonio and went on the super fun boat ride that takes you to locations-- on the river-walk trail. One of my favorite parts on this specific trip was visiting my cousins' home which is also a farm and loved every single minute of it so much!!! I really loved playing with my cousin's kids and enjoying their endless amounts of energy was nothing short of an understatement. We played a lot of fun games together outside and laughed till our hearts were tired--which I must say never quit at any given moment. 

November 2023

This month has certainly opened up new doors for me as I look forward to continue serving as the chair of a brand new committee that one of my governor appointed entities put together. I definitely have so much to learn along the way as I navigate my new leadership role in a position that will only make me grow so much more as a person in the disability community. I also had an opportunity to be asked out on two fun dates with a colleague of mine to attend their Institute class and participate in the "Lighting Of Riverwoods" festival last weekend--which I will admit was a lot more fun having never gone to an event like that before!!! 

This weekend I get an unforgettable opportunity to participate in the Orem temple open house that so many members of our stake will participate in. I am excited for another chance to be in such a quiet--- peaceful and holy place while ushering people who walk through in the right direction. I cannot wait to see the many smiles on people's faces as they enter into the house of the lord and getting that spiritually uplifting reminder of who we are in the eyes of our Savior, Jesus Christ. 

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Date Night

 LAST FRIDAY---One of my colleagues picked me up along with their good friend to attend the lighting festival at the Riverwoods. I was excited to have a kickstart into the holiday season and spending quality time with friends who made it an experience I will cherish forever. We arrived at the Riverwoods LONG before the lights were going to come on and luckily we were able to participate in the miniature countdown from ten till we got to the end!! Did I forget to mention the Truman brothers performed?? I am not at all familiar with their music whatsoever, but it was delightful to listen to them sing about the holiday season and reminding all of us what it really centers around. My colleague ended up getting asked to get some footage for them while they were performing--which I am positively certain was top notch!!! We had a lot of fun dancing to the music, laughing till our hearts were tired, had a very warm and scrumptious meal at Waffle Love to end our fun night together. I definitely have wanted to hang out with this colleague of mine for awhile, but the timing was never right for me or I would have some commitment unexpectedly come up out of the blue. Overall, it was the best night ever and one that hopefully can take place again in the distant future if we're lucky!!! :) Did I forget to mention that we also got our picture taken with the Truman brothers after they performed for everybody?? 

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