Photography

Okay, it's Instagram. And the pictures were taken on my iPod. Not exactly "professional" but it's pretty darn close! Haha :) I'm saving up for good camera, so eventually there will be more clear pictures. But for now, here are some shots of normal, everyday objects that I found artistic beauty in. Isn't that what life is all about, finding beauty in simple things, joy in small pleasures?

The sun, and having pink nails :)

Pointe Shoes

My baby blue beach cruiser.

Window marker on bedroom window

Music and Dancing :)

Bike rides to the creek.

Small towns, a playground for photographers.

Trying out a different angle.

Best last name. EVER.

Yes, that is indeed a five-leafed clover!

My Little Everythings

Before I begin this post, I just want to say how HAPPY I am that I have another fellow blogger right here in my own town, aka, my BFF Alyson Lee Caten! Her blog is super cute and she has an amazing story, so check her out. :)

I am so grateful for summer, and that I have more time to spend with my family. I have seven nieces and nephews that are my favorite little people, not to mention little cousins that make life 10x more enjoyable. Over the past few weeks I've been able to share a glass of chocolate milk with my little princess (it's our tradition), see the other two little princesses in dance recitals (had to miss one-- sorry Emma! Next year for sure!), go to the carnival, and work/play/babysit at the farm with my stud muffin baby cousin. This post is all about my gratitude for their funny little personalities and lively spirits that help me remember what really matters in life. <3

Emma-Pants and I drinking a glass of chocolate soy milk.

My little ballerina, Eva, at her first dance recital.

She looked so stinkin' cute!

So proud to be the aunt of such a cutie patootie :)

Eva at the carnival with her monkey she won :)

Jefe (Dad's grandpa name-- it's spanish for "Chief") and Eva on the carousel.

Instragram: the app that makes you want to take pictures of random things ;)

Phoenix (I like to call her Phe Phe. Mom, on the other hand, isnt a fan! haha) She was making me laugh the whole time! "We're on the 'mer-go-round!"

Cuties :)

My precious little monkey girl :)

Now for the stud muffin, Eli!

Love his baby TOMS. :)

His faces are too cute!

Too sweet :)

Eli with PaPa at the farm!

His hair... love it!

Ugh, can you say,"Cuh-ute!"

 



A Strong Woman is a Powerful Woman

I admire strong women above all others. "Strength" can fit into so many categories, like "strong body", "strong personality", "strong testimony", "strong muscles", "strong faith." Today I volunteered to work at a water station for a local half-marathon (I felt like a lazy bum for not running, but I haven't had time to train since track season ended, and I have a dance recital tonight-- can't dance with noodle muscles!) I saw women (and men) that I know from church, school, sports, family friends, and even complete strangers. One of the freshman English 1 teachers, Mrs. Nelson, has become a good aquaintence of mine the past few months. She's a cute, petite blonde who has had three kids, yet she runs every single day after school.  I would see her running on the side of the road a lot as I was on my way to track practice. Changing before practice, I'd ask her questions and she'd give me some great running advice. As she approached my station, I was amazed her six pack-- jealous much! I also saw my Cross Country and Track-Distance coach, Mrs. Baird, who was one of the first women at the front of the race. My cousin, Emily Graves, has run tons of half- and full marathons. She has two kids and is pregnant with Kiddo #3. Dude, I want to be the pregnant running lady with two kids! ;)  And I have to give most of the credit to the adorable wrinkly old ladies going at those 13 miles!  Haha! I saw lots of inspirational women today that I would love to be like when I'm older. Strong women with flushed cheeks, glistening faces, pounding hearts, sweat-slicked hair and smiles on their faces as they catch their breath are some of the most beautiful women I have ever seen. Whether your strength is in your muscles or in your faith, you are powerful!

It's Summa Time!

Finals? Check.
Last-minute projects? Check.
End-of-year music and dance performances? Almost done!

Summer is FINALLY in full swing,which means:
Lake parties
Getting paid to sit down at the greenhouses at the nursery waiting on customers
Long runs
Wearing my cute new DownEast Basics swimsuit and white floppy hat from Wet Seal
13 mile bike rides
Getting tan
Young Women's Camp
Utahhhhhh!
Youth Conference
EFY (ahhhhh!!!!) :)
Band camp
More DIY and craft time
Sweet 16 party with my BFF
Farm-grown favorites from the nursery: watermelons, strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries (yeah, my job is gonna be wonderful!)
And probably my favorite part: getting to spend more time with my little nieces and nephews! :)

I have been waiting for summer since our crazy winter weather that brought spring fever two months too soon. We had what I call a January Spring, and it's felt like I've been at school for far too long than I was supposed to. But that time has quickly passed, and starting Monday next week, I will be free and doing all of the above ^

Here are some things I want to try out this summer:

Frozen Yogurt Drops

Honey and Cinnamon DropsMakes 36 – 1tsp drops
175g (about 3/4 cup) honey flavoured greek yogurt (I used Krema brand)
1/4 tsp cinnamon
Per Serving (1 drop): 8 calories, 1g fat, 1g carbs, 0g protein, 3mg sodium, 0g finer
Peanut Butter and Chocolate DropsMakes 40 – 1 tsp drops
175g (about 3/4 cup) Oikos vanilla yogurt (not fat-free)
24 g (4 tbsp) PB2 peanut butter powder
1.5 tsp cocoa powder
Per Serving (1 drop): 6 calories, 0g fat, 1g carbs, 1g protein, 7mg sodium, 0g fiber
Honey and Almonds DropsMakes 40 – 1tsp drops
175g (about 3/4 cup) honey flavoured greek yogurt (Krema)
1/4 cup skinless sliced almonds, toasted  and finely ground
Per Serving (1 drop): 11 calories, 1g fat, 1g carbs, 0g protein, 3mg sodium, 0g fiber


                                                                     Mint-Lime Lemonade

- the juice from half a lemon

- the juice from half a lime
- 2 or more table spoons of brown sugar
- mint( I like mine more minty so I use around 6 leaves)
- water and ice.
You mix the lemon&lime juice with the brown sugar, and then you add the mint, water and ice! That simple!

Cookie Bowls with Fillings

I saw this idea on Pinterest and have wanted to try it for some time. Just flip over a muffin pan!

                                                               DIY T-Shirt Dress

DIY dress made out of a man's t-shirt. (I would wear skinny jeans or capris under this). Here are the instructions on how to make it.
                                                                   Braids

I dont use hairdryers, flat irons, or curling irons more than once or twice a week during the summer (unless I'm at EFY or Youth Conference of course!) Braids are a fave, but the usual side-braid I did all last summer got kind of boring after a while. I love these different braid styles.

        

The Real Hair Headband braid

Fishtail braid

Waterfall braid

Can't wait to try out all these fun things! Happy Summer to all of you! :)

Where Good Friends Lead You

Every now and again, I think about my decision to serve a mission. I want to serve a mission, but I've heard that if I meet "the one" and I have the option to either get married or serve a mission, that I should get married. "It's not really your calling to serve a mission. You're calling is to get married in the temple and raise a family. It's okay to go on a mission, but you have to choose, you need to get married." I've also heard," You won't ever regret serving a mission, but you might regret not going on one." So, at fifteen, still six years from making a final decision, I'm in a dilemma. But I expressed my uneasiness about this decision to a very close friend of mine, and what he told me helped me to make my final decision. After explaining both sides of what people have told me, this is what he told me: "Go on a mission. I want my wife to be a return missionary, because that tells me she has a firm testimony and knowledge of the scriptures, and faith. It tells me she's serious about the gospel, that it's the most important thing to her. And also, it gives me more time to finish school while she's on her mission. Kat, you definitely should go on a mission." If I never become anything else in life, I want to be a strong, faithful mother who would do anything and everything for her family. I have no doubt a mission would only help me progress and become that kind of mother. I now have an answer to my question. I want to prepare myself for that special day that I go to the temple, and I can't think of a better final-action than to serve an 18-month mission at 21 years old. I'm so grateful for my friend, and for the example he constantly sets for me. I will always be grateful for him, for helping me decide what to do. It just goes to show where good friends will lead you. :)