Fall Break

Happy Birthday, Camille!!!

I am so grateful for your friendship in my life and the example you continue to be for so many people is second to none. You have truly been a light in this world through the ways you put a smile on the faces--- of everyone who gets an opportunity to be in your presence. Thank you so much for being a wonderful & kind friend that always puts the needs of others before their own, which if you ask me is nothing short of an understatement. Hope you are having the most unforgettable, amazingly terrific thirty first birthday ever this weekend and getting to celebrate with those you love so much!!! 

My best friend Camille is truly one of the most energetic people I have ever met in my life and cannot be more grateful for the unconditional love you share so freely with everybody. I have loved getting to know what an incredible young woman you are in the ways you bring positive vibes into every room and more importantly just being a disciple of our Savior, Jesus Christ. 

Other News:

I am genuinely hoping with all of my heart that BYU wins their football game tomorrow night and makes it an experience that cougar fans will never forget. I know that cougar nation will pack LES to the rafters and cheer on our favorite collegiate team to another victorious performance, which I hope is a good game for everyone who will be participating. I am doing my best to not think about it too much and get myself stressed out with this, but I am confident that BYU will play with toughness, fundamentals of what the game is and should be while putting in their legitimate effort, alongside with grit while battling it out safely on the football field. #CougarFan4Life. 

Fall Break 2025

Our SNAP activity last night was decorating pumpkins and laughing with our friends which if you must know is one of my favorite things to do. I didn't know how to decorate it at first and had creative ideas-- for what I wanted my pumpkin to look like. I ended up drawing swirls and stars among other things that I had come to my head while sitting around with my friends at our table. We definitely made it a time to remember and cannot wait to see what the rest of this month has in store for us, especially with another chance to dress up for one of our upcoming SNAP activities. 

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Free Write

Deep Blue Story (Mini Version)

I am not sure if you have ever watched some of the BYU deep blue stories but they are inspiring and have reminded me that even when we face difficulties in life, the lord is always with us. I actually met this cute, energetic young woman named Kylie who is truly an angel of a woman in so many ways. I am inspired by her positive attitude and love that she shares with everyone who has had an opportunity to meet her, which believe me was a dream come true!!! I loved getting to listen to her beautiful story about achieving her life goals and defying the odds in the face of challenges, which I think is an example that I need in my life so much right now. I also loved that she was able to see the lord's hand in everything she set her mind to and never giving up hope on what she wanted to accomplish even if it was going to take a little more time on her part-- she was determined to make it happen. 

I remember meeting her for the first time in early January of last year while walking in with my family to a BYU women's basketball game. She had such a beautiful smile on her face and of course being a hugger like I am-- I didn't hesitate to give her a nice big hug while we talked for a brief time. I am really hoping we get another opportunity to talk with each other again and share some laughs together, if we ever have the chance. #FingersCrossed.

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Weekend Vibes

LONG STORY SHORT----One of my colleagues asked if they could nominate me for the leadership position that was coming up on the governor appointed entity that I volunteer my time on. I was very grateful to have been nominated as well as giving a five minute pitch of why I'd like to be one of the people chosen as the next vice chair for the council. I had to pitch myself to everyone in a short time period and let them know my reasons with becoming the next council member to serve in a different capacity that I have never done before. It will definitely be a learning experience for me and yet I am confident things will fall into place after I have a chance to process what my specific duties are.

However, I did get a chance to read through the blurb of what the responsibilities are for being the vice chair on the council and it was pretty self explanatory. I definitely have so much more to learn along the way and find it comforting to know that I am not going to be alone in this new chapter that's been placed in my life at this time. I didn't necessarily want to get my hopes up about what the results would be and I wanted to make an effort to congratulate the person who I had kind of figured gotten the position once my other meeting was finished--but that was not the case. 

I didn't know what the results of this poll were going to be and felt at peace with having been nominated to something I had wanted to do at some point---but you pretty much get the idea here?? I am honored to volunteer in a different capacity with the council that has been such a blessing to be a part of this and can only hope for whatever lies ahead in my future. 

Girls Night 2025 Highlights:

This was supposed to occur last weekend & when that didn't happen whatsoever... We ended up being the together on hold until last night. We had so much fun getting to eat snacks and tell silly stories that nobody who would probably understand--but yet we enjoyed having a fun filled party together. We laughed till our hearts were tired while watching miniature clips from the big time rush concert that we attended in August which if you ask me was a dream come true. We loved getting to sing along with the guys who made their performance one that no one will soon forget and not to mention the fact we never stopped having the time of our lives until we had to leave. 

We also spent a lot of our time looking at the beautiful pictures our friends took on their vacation to Italy which if you ask me was incredible!!! We loved getting to see the old historic architecture and most of the yummy food they were able to eat--which looked pretty scrumptious in every little sense you could possibly think of. I am grateful we had an opportunity to spend quality time with our friends and look forward to more unforgettable adventures together!!! :) 

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AS OF LAST WEEK----I have been attending institute with another group of individuals with adaptive needs and it has certainly blessed my life in tremendous ways. I have really enjoyed getting to learn how amazing the gospel of Jesus Christ is in our everyday lives and coming to know him better than we ever could possibly imagine. I am grateful for the opportunity to be surrounded by wonderful people who are striving to do all they can to become like our Savior, which if you ask me is something I know I need to work on more often. 

I have felt my testimony of this gospel become strengthened so much over the last week and a half along with keeping my focus on what is most important to me. I know that blessings from my Heavenly Father have continuously made me realize that when I make him a top priority in my life, there is not anything I cannot overcome or see past. I know he has been there with me every step of this mortal journey that does at times put my faith to the test and reminds us of who we are, no matter what circumstances we may find ourselves up against.

Mini Synopsis: (BYU Sports Podcast)

I have watched snippets of podcasts on the internet and never felt like it was something I would want to listen in on or want much to do with. EARLIER LAST MONTH---I sat down to listen to an amazingly talented young woman share her journey with playing collegiate basketball and getting to where she is now. I was very impressed with how articulate, honest, personable, tender hearted she was telling her inspiring story about a sport that she dedicated so much of her time to. I obviously know next to pretty much nothing about basketball and yet I am incredibly proud of what this young woman did to always have a smile on her face while chasing her dreams. #IYKYK

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New Updates

I obviously have no idea if I ended up wining any of the games we did in a minute, but I am grateful for the many laughs and unforgettable moments that I was able to share with my friends. We enjoyed getting to watch one another play a DIY version of air hockey, getting as many ping pong balls inside of plastic cups as we could, of course we had a very energetic conversation about plans for future SNAP activities which if you ask me was the best part of the evening!!! I happily mentioned that we need to have some kind of an activity with any one of the BYU sports teams and it would not necessarily need to be one of the b-ball teams due to the fact they would be in the middle of their seasons--but who knows??? I would love it so much and getting to learn something new would be icing on the cake!!! 

Big Time Rush Concert (Next Friday)

I am excited for this anticipated event to finally get here and have my summer break end off with a very unforgettable evening filled with excitement. I know it will be a very late night for all of us and we will hopefully be singing along to every song that is performed. All of us have our brand new concert shirts that we are going to be wearing and of course just simply having the time of our lives with each other...but you get the idea?? #ICYMI

UVU Adaptive Needs Institute

After what has been a very eventful summer, I am definitely looking forward to another uplifting semester in my adaptive needs institute class at UVU. I cannot wait to learn more about the hymns of the church & how they can be a source of guidance, direction, comfort, praise, gratitude along with everything else that you can possibly come up with. I am grateful for the opportunity to feel the spirit every week and have the chance to be inspired by our classmates who make every class period one that I will not soon forget. I feel blessed to have the gospel of Jesus Christ in my life and know that throughout this semester, my testimony will be strengthened in more ways than one!!! 

One More Year

It's hard for me to believe that after this year comes to an end, I will be on my final term volunteering on what has been one of my favorite experiences on the best governor appointed entities ever. I have learned and grown so much as someone who wants nothing more than to feel accepted into society as well as leaving an imprint on the hearts of people they associate with. I may not have done nearly as much as most people and yet I have been provided with opportunities that I didn't ever think someone like me deserved--which if you must know was an absolute blessing in more ways than one!!! 

I remember the first time ever listening in on a UDDC quarterly meeting and not having any idea about what I had signed up for. Let me give you a little bit of background on this and hopefully make a little bit more sense about where is this leading up to:

SIX YEARS AGO:

After participating in one of the best disability leadership conferences ever, I had this thought come to my mind that I would one day be involved with the DD council. I obviously didn't know at the time it would end up becoming a reality and continuing to spread my message of hope about the disability community that I love so much. 

My final term continues into the new year and can hardly believe it will be concluded before my eyes... I am definitely grateful for the memories, experiences, adventures that being on this council has provided me with. I may not have said too much in regards to a lot of disability related issues, but I know that my life has never been the same. 

I have made new friendships with so many incredible self advocates, colleagues and others who are striving each day to make our disability community more inclusive than it could ever be. I am truly humbled to know there is one last BIG BANG that I can leave before hitting the trail of whatever is coming up next for me!!! 

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Summer Recap

 This entire summer has been one of the most unforgettable and at times given me opportunities to grow in more ways than I ever could have imagined. I have definitely made some of the most amazing memories-- that are always going to keep close to my heart and others that I only hope will occur again in the distant future. 

June 2025 Highlights:

- SNAP Activities

- Family Time

- Disneyland & California Adventure Vacation

- Late Nights

- Journal Writing

- Best News Ever!!!

- Ability First Summer Program (Volunteering)

July 2025 Highlights:

- Unforgettable Moments

- Entertainment Parade with my IL Center (July 4th)

- Journal Writing

- Reading my new fantasy book (Legacy of Roses)

- Attended my good friend Will's birthday party!!!

-  Ability First Summer Program (Talent Show)

- Birthday Party (Dinner, Presents, Cake, and Annie! at the SCERA Shell Outdoor Theatre.)

- Color Me Mine! (Painting Mugs)

August 2025 Highlights: (So Far)

- Heading back to SNAP later this week

- Zoo Trip with Ability First Utah

- Late Nights

- Big Time Rush Concert

- Swimming at local Rec Center with Ability First

- UDDC Stuff 

As you can see from these highlights, I have definitely enjoyed my summer break and getting to spend quality time with my friends along with many others made it one I will not soon forget. I am excited to get back into SNAP later this week and have something to look forward to, which if you ask me is not anything short of an understatement. I also really liked getting to volunteer in my independent living center's summer program and help everyone of the participants have a good experience, which if you must know taught me a lot more about myself than I ever imagined. I may not have been perfect with what I was asked to do at times, but all I could do was my best effort and make sure it was something nobody would soon forget.