A Day for Flying

I always love it when I see Trent calling me during odd hours of the day (when he should be in class) because it always means something exciting is about to happen. Today it meant that class was canceled and it was time to go flying. Our friend Kyle just recently got his pilots license and Trent has been wanting to go up with him forever. Today was the day and what a beautiful day it was. We’ve been experiencing some truly gorgeous November weather. Luckily I got to tag along on this adventure and we headed out to the airport. It was fascinating to see all the little planes on the runway and walk through the tiny airport. Kyle is very knowledgeable and made sure to educate us on what was going on. They walked around the plane a couple times got all ready to go and then I stood clear. I was incredibly close to hopping in that plane with them but apparently the wind was blowing a little too strong and Kyle didn’t want to freak me out which was a very valid concern, I tend to freak easily.

Isn’t that the smallest plane you have ever seen?

They look like kids on Christmas!

Watching them take off was a strange mix of excitement and serious anxiety. Thankfully they landed safely and Trent couldn’t stop talking about how much fun it was and when they can go up again. Maybe the next pictures you see I’ll be up there with them, but as for now, I’m content just watching from the ground. I think perspective in gained from being down and looking up as well as being up and looking around. What an remarkable experience.

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Everyday Moments

I’m sitting at my computer and listening to the soundtrack of the musical Hamilton. I’m a little late jumping on this wagon but I’m loving it. The song “It’s Quite Uptown” has been on repeat for the last 30 minutes and every time it finishes I think of this world we live in and the turmoil that’s been going on the past couple days. In the song, Alexander Hamilton has just lost his son, is seeking the forgiveness of his wife and quite simply trying to figure out life. I ache for Hamilton as I listen but there is a hopeful tone that carries the song. Yes, his situation is unimaginable but they are going to be alright. We are going to be just fine. There is much sorrow and heartache happening in the world around us but there is forgiveness, there is joy and there is always hope.

I saw this sunset when I was filling up for gas a couple weeks ago and to me it was just a reminder to treasure the good in life because there truly is so much of it.

“The happiest people I know are not those who find their golden ticket; they are those who, while in pursuit of worthy goals, discover and treasure the beauty and sweetness of the everyday moments. They are the ones who, thread by daily thread, weave a tapestry of gratitude and wonder throughout their lives. These are they who are truly happy.”

-President Uchtdorf

So go out there and find the good, find the light and realize that happiness is up to you.

Twinship

The first question I get asked when others find out that I’m a twin is, “So what’s it like?” Let me tell you. Having a twin is being born with the greatest friend in the entire world who knows you sometimes better than you know yourself. It’s never having to go anywhere alone (which can actually be a bad thing because now I freak if I ever have to go anywhere by myself, seriously), it having a partner in crime for all schemes that get cooked up (just ask my mama), and its having someone that always understands where you’re coming from (no matter how absurd the situation may be).

The second question I get asked is whether or not we’ve ever tricked anybody on purpose (it happens all the time on accident). April Fools Day was always our day to swap classes and trick our teachers. Our teachers often didn’t get it until we flunked our spelling test or had no idea what was going on in class, but all our classmates were giggling right alongside us. We had a lot of fun together growing up.

We were inseparable before we both left to serve LDS missions, Emma went to South Carolina and I was off to Texas. We had never spent more than 24 hours apart from each other and I was a bit nervous that I was going to miss her too much. Thankfully I felt Emma with me every step of the way. Our reunion after the mission was something I will never forget.

Life after coming home got crazy and about a year later Emma got engaged to Sam. I remember being so happy but also being a tad worried about what the future might hold for us. Lucky for me, its the exact same. We both have our husbands who mean more than the world to us but we still have that twinship that will stick with us forever.

I always wondered what it would be like to marry a twin. Lucky for me, Trent’s known Emma for so long he loves her just about as much as I do. Emma was our supportive third wheel throughout all of high school 🙂 I remember one night, after the mission, sitting at the table with my dad and Emma talking about relationship drama and Emma simply stated, “Well I’m team Trent.” like it was some Twilight saga. Thankfully I listened to her.

I feel so blessed to have the siblings that I do, but I feel extra spoiled to have Emma by my side. God must have been super happy with me the day he stuck us two together.

Funny side note about this picture: Trent and I weren’t dating at the time but for some reason we were beginning to talk quite a bit. I had sent this picture to him and he had responded with something witty. Emma simply rolled her eyes and said, “You two are totally getting back together.” Twin intuition at its finest.

Love you Em!

The Happiest of Days

07.01.16

It was the most beautiful day.

I remember going to sleep the night before feeling an overwhelming sense of peace. The day that I had always thought about and dreamed of was finally here. As I felt Trent’s hand in mine and looked into his eyes during the ceremony, I felt home. He is my home.

The rest of the day was a whirlwind of hugs, laughter and love. Our reception was held in a neighbors backyard and it couldn’t have been more gorgeous. Trent and I have a special connection with the 4th of July and our reception held true to that summertime feeling. My mother is a wedding genius and everything went perfectly.

Four months ago feels like yesterday and yet I feel as though Trent has been with me forever. Four months in and we’ve already learned to grow and stretch so much. Four months in and I can’t imagine loving Trent anymore than I already do and yet I wake up loving him more every day. Four months in and I feel like the luckiest girl in the world.

Four months in and eternity doesn’t seem long enough.

Temple Video

Reception Video

Videos done by Cassie Rogers

Photos by Michelle and Ben Lehnardt

“…and that ye live in thanksgiving daily, for the many mercies and blessings which he doth bestow upon you.” Alma 34:38

Thanksgiving is a holiday skipped by the world. We jump straight from Halloween to Christmas, and although I love both of those Holidays, Thanksgiving is a time that I don’t appreciate missing. In a world moving swiftly around us, how do we find the time to slow down and remember to “live in thanksgiving daily” as Alma directs? It’s a choice. A choice to take the time to be thankful for the many blessings we have. A choice to look around and see just how lucky we are. We must simply decide to open our eyes.

I love this image of Christ from the bible videos. It is so direct, and so peaceful. I look and see the light that Christ emanates and it gives me the hope and motivation to be a little better.

Here’s to a thankful season surrounded by the love of my life and my sweet family as well as a time to look around and see just how Christ has blessed my life.