Kelli

Here's a blog about me:
I eat too many almonds. I eat so many carrots in a day it's kinda crazy. I like the way water tastes. I stress about things way way way before its necessary to stress about them. Sometimes it's not even necessary to stress about them. I just stress until its done. I think the best dates involve country dancing and ice cream. I love wearing headbands. I don't mind going to the bathroom outside. Yes. I know that is funny. Sometimes I miss my braces. I wish I could stop biting my nails for good. I would love a cruise around, sing with the music loud partner....one where we wouldn't even have to talk and it would be awesome. And on the flip side someone who will solve the problems of life with me til all hours of the night, talking about anything and everything. I love cooking for people. I wish I liked tomatoes. BLT's just look so dang good. One time I got lost in Spain and I got in a lot a LOT of trouble. I am mediocre at most things, which is okay. One day, I'll find my flair. Yes I just googled that and I am pretty sure it's the first time I've ever used that word. I want to be more spontaneous, but it is hard to be responsible and spontaneous. I really really want to go snorkeling! I like owls. When I wear things to bed that I don't usually then I have weird dreams. When I first started driving I was terrified of stop signs (is that everyone?). I can see better out of my left eye. I pool left handed but I am right handed. I have real small ears, I love them. My fingers are really crooked. I don't like cats. Sometimes I don't like that my memory is so good. I subconsciously pay attention to EVERYTHING. One time I got $50 for babysitting a frog for like 3 days. I am pretty picky about my hot chocolate. I can't say no to people. I really don't know how. Like yesterday my boss bought a cake and I really didn't want any and I was thinking of all the ways that I was going to say no (because she is so nice I knew she was going to ask if I wanted some). Then she hands over a slice of cake on a plate and I just smile and take it and say thank you. WHAT THE HECK KELLI. She didn't even ask though! And she already sliced it. She wasn't even eating any she just covered it back up and there I was with a piece of cake. Flip. I want to be in one of those donut eating contests that you have to eat it off a string without your hands. Sometimes I just need to sit and do nothing. I want to just get in a car and drive across the country stopping at tiny little towns. My left ankle is permanently swollen. #scartissue. I don't know why I just did that.

Goodbye. :)

One Year!!

It's been 51 weeks since Tyler went into the MTC! 361 days since I've seen his handsome face. Time goes by so fast.

 This is the last time I saw Tyler. We had already been crying all morning, you can kind of see that in the picture. haha It will be a year since this picture on Sunday!

And I watched Superman fly away
Come back, I'll be with you someday
I'll be right here on the ground
When you come back down

"Superman"- Taylor Swift

 

 



 These are the first flowers Tyler ever got me!
January 2012

 And These are the ones he just got me for my birthday! October 2013

 

 

 

Things change but so much stays the same, too. We're holding on. :)

 

I guess there isn't really a point to this blog. Besides that Tyler is amazing! And he's half way done with his mission!

I am so proud of him!

And I thought this day would never come! haha

 

Love,

Kelli

 

 

 

Labor Day Weekend!

So I had the best labor day ever! My parents and Cheryl came up and spent the weekend with me. Cheryl has been friends with my mom for 30 (ish) years so she has seen me and watched me grow up my whole life! It really was nice getting to know her more and spending time with them all. Approaching Labor Day weekend was kind of hard for me for some reason so I'm sooo thankful they drove up! Last year Tyler drove down to Alamosa to spend the weekend with me and I think that's why I was kinda sad. When Tyler was here last year we made butterfinger pie, texas sheet cake, we went bowling, danced in the kitchen, went to church, and did all kinds of fun things. And this weekend was just as amazing! First off, we went to the car show. The Early Iron Festival is a car show that is here in Alamosa every Labor Day, I think. I have never actually gone to it before this year but I am so excited we went! We had fun and the old police car that Cheryl is in front of sprayed water on you! haha it got me good at first. I was confused.

After the car show we went to my dad's favorite mexican restaurant in town. My dad and I got horchata! So good. Look at his face! He is so silly. I love him:)

We hiked up to Zapata Falls! It is only a 1/2 mile hike to the falls and the only time that I had been before was in February so they were frozen! We got there around 6 and it was kinda cloudy... it was PERFECT. It was nice and cool and we saw a full rainbow! Colorado is beautiful! Sometimes it amazes me that its real.

 Alright so if you have ever drove anywhere with my dad he is obsessed with deer. I mean I think they're cool, too, but every time he comes to visit he reminds me that I shouldn't take it for granted that I see deer every day and it's not unusual to find a huge buck in your front yard! This deer was literally 5 feet away from us in the car. So, naturally, we stopped and stared at it for 5 minutes.

Hooper hot springs! My dad didn't swim with us but he still had a good time talking to Mike on the phone and then eating some good food. My mom, Cheryl, and I jumped off the diving boards, laughed, and I couldn't help but imagine that this is what it would have been like if things were different and I happened to be born in a situation and time where I would have grown up with them. My mom and I would have been the best of friends. :) She is so AWESOME.

And Right before they left, we took an honorary picture with "Old Mose" ( I think that's his name) because I never have before. I am so grateful for the time that I was able to spend with my parents and Cheryl this weekend. They are great examples and I am glad they are in my life. I love my parents more than anything. I don't know who I would be today without them.
Life is so GOOD if you let it be.

 Have a great day! 

Love, 

Kelli :)

Realizations

I feel like I come to a lot of realizations when I am at home. It's nice, but sometimes it's sorta scary. I don't know if I can give you any examples of that right now but if something comes to mind I will definitely blog it. My most recent realization is that there are some super weird blogs out there. I don't know if you have noticed but on the top of blogs there is a "next blog" link and occassionally I have clicked it. Well tonight I clicked it a couple times and I came to one that belongs to a guy that collects zippers. It was random. I also realized today that there is something about Shannae that makes me act so weird. Seriously, when it is just me and her I feel like this weird spirit takes over and I can't even stop it. She probably thinks I am so weird haha I don't act that way with ANYONE else. It's not just like a I'm hyper, acting crazy weird, its just like plain out weird-thank goodness she laughs at me. I realized how nice it is to have friendships that you don't have to work hard at. That don't totally drain you.  I don't mean this in a bad way, every relationship requires work, but those friendships that just work. You know? Like you don't have to worry about what you say or you dont have to struggle to think of what to text back because you don't have to worry about what they'll think or how they'll view you. It's just... so refreshing to have friends like that.

And for Tyler's update, he is now serving in the California Irvine Mission. He is a district leader and a great one at that! I can tell how much he loves helping the other missionaries, most of who have been out a lot less time than he has. He has already grown and learned so much. And he works hard everyday to continue that growth. I'm grateful for his obedience and his example to me. I am so proud of that boy! <3

MOST RECENT MILESTONE:

 

DOUBLE DIGITS :)

Ten months down

I love you Tyler!

 

Love,

Kelli

I AM A MISSI

Hello everyone,
You are probably wondering what the title of this blog means. I will tell you. :) So a long time ago before Tyler left on his mission I would look things up about missionary girlfriends all the time. It wouldn't ever help me feel better and most of the time it made my stomach hurt but I did see some cool things on blogs and websites that other MG's did. One of the things that a lot of girls do to countdown months is by using the phrase "I AM A MISSIONARY GIRLFRIEND", which is exactly 24 letters long and missions are 24 months long. A perfect countdown. :) Well I was just thinking the other day... on July 10th....how Tyler has been out 9 months now and so that makes me a missi. I love being a missi, it has been a really good, hard experience! I can't believe how much I am learning about myself, Tyler, and our relationship. I was talking to Cami and I told her how I don't like referring to myself as "waiting" for Tyler or "waiting for a missionary" because doesn't that just sound like I'm wasting time? Well, I'm not. I'm not waiting on anything. I don't feel like I'm missing out on anything. I'm growing every single day. I still feel close to Tyler. When you hear that someone is waiting for a missionary what do you think? Honestly. If you are like the majority of people, you will think that that is not going to work out. You'll think I'm naive or that some other boy will come along. You can think that, but you're wrong. Tyler and I are the best team. I don't want anyone else. He has the kindest heart and even though our communication isn't the best, we both try. We try to do small little things for each other that will make each other happy. You don't have to support me or think that this will work, but let me tell you, it will and... it's funner on this side----> celebrating every milestone, every new companion, every new area, every funny story, and every new person they meet. This brings me such happiness and I wouldn't want him anywhere else. Not even with me. This time is hard but I wouldn't trade it for anything. I love that boy and I will love him for the rest of eternity.

On a different, less aggressive note, Taylor has been serving for 4 months and 3 days! I think about how strong Taylor is, how amazing he is, and it just makes my heart swell. I love him so much. I am so thankful that he is my brother. We've gone through some of the hardest times together. He has showed me true strength so many times in our lives so far. When I was 18 and going through the hardest breakup of my life, crying myself to sleep every night and too depressed to leave my room when I didn't have to, I remember one of the most touching things was when one night I was crying on my bed and Taylor came in and sat beside me and put his arm around me and said "It's okay Kelli, I'm the only man you need in your life." It was just so sweet and I am so thankful for that sentence. It brought so much peace that he showed a caring, protective side over me, his older sister. I remember another night last summer when Taylor was at the movie theater and passed out while walking. He broke his jaw on both sides. My parents were out of town so I sat in the ER with him all night. He didn't take anything. NO PAINKILLERS. NOTHING. His face was swollen and uneven. He couldn't open his mouth. We waited for 7 hours in the lobby until they took him back. He didn't say ONE thing about being in pain. I just can't wrap my mind around someone being able to do that. I am such a baby. He is one of the best examples I could ever ask for. And now look at him, he is on an island with people he didn't even know 4 months ago. He is strong, and brave, and courageous. And everything I wish I could be.

I am thankful for these two missionaries, who are healthy, willing, worthy, and able to serve.<3

Love,
Kelli

Two weeks to New Mexico!

Two more weeks left in Minnesota! It's really bittersweet already and its till two weeks away. There are so many things that I am going to miss. Eight more days of waking up at 5:43a.m. Eight more days of teaching swim lessons. Five more days of tutoring sweet London. It will be hard to leave but I am missing New Mexico as much as I have since I first left for college. I think this has been the longest I've been away since my freshman year. I am such a homebody, but I don't care. I miss my family and my friends. My ward and my church. I miss the desert and the mountains. I miss New Mexican food and running on ditch banks. I miss my mom and our crazy unscheduled days. I miss boba and cruising in the perfect NM summer nights. I'm not ready to give that stuff up yet. I'll probably always want to go to the park or play in water & and I will probably always love trampolines and bouncy balls. I wont grow up. P.S. teeter totters= so much fun.

THINGS I WANT TO DO WHILE AT HOME:

1. HIKE THE SANDIAS

2. HANG OUT WITH JAY, MOLLY, ADAM, AND LEANN. (and a ton of other friends who are there!)

3. STARGAZE

4. TAKE SHANNAE OUT FOR HER BIRTHDAY :) (no swallowing bobbypins allowed!)

5. GO TO THE MANZANO BRANCH

6. PLAY PHASE TEN

7. DRINK RASBAND DAIRY CHOCOLATE MILK 

8. FHE WITH MY FAMILY

9. SWIM AT THE POOL

10. JAZZERCISE 

Birthdays and Babies

On Friday Cami and James went to the temple with our friends Chris and Cheyenne. I volunteered to babysit so they could have a special night off! Thomas is in the Jumper and William (Chris and Cheyenne's boy) is standing up beside it. Thomas is 4 months and Williams is almost 1. I only had to watch both of them for about 4 and half hours but let me tell you, it' some tough stuff. I have always appreciated mom's but after you really do what they do you don't truly understand what they do. How do some people have like 5 kids under 7? I have a feeling that someday I will find out. There was 10 minute window when they both were asleep and it was pretty amazing. 

My boss' son turned one this weekend! They had a baseball themed birthday party for him and it was so much fun! I can't wait to throw themed birthday parties. 

Awesome food!

 Cami eating some delicious Nachos :)

BASEBALL BIRTHDAY FUN!

Blue Cupcakes. Baseball. I wouldn't mind having a birthday party like this. :)

Little Tom Tom. He is growing up

too fast for us! Last night was his first night of sleep training and it was hard. He cried for an hour and 15 min straight. Hopefully it gets better tonight. We hate when he is sad but I think the result with be worth it. I've heard at least.

Is it going to be weird for me to go back to a non-mom lifestyle? haha I go everywhere with Cami and Thomas. Hang out with all of Cami's friends who have babies and husbands. Most of what we talk about is about babies and mom things, which I am fine with. I am learning a lot and getting a head start I guess! Three more weeks in Minnesota, I better make the best of all the green plants and beautiful lakes! In fact, I think I'll go take advantage of some of the awesome running trails right now!

Have a great day! 

Love, 

Kelli

The Dangers of the Internet

I read an article once titled "Stop the Pinsanity" or something that like, I tried to find it but I didn't really have any luck. It talked about how Pinterest makes people, more specifically mother's, feel inadequate because on pinterest it seems like everyone is doing far better things than they are. Now it isn't enough to have a childs birthday party with a pinata and cake and ice cream. Times have changed and now parties have to meet the pinteres level of expectations. You have to have buzz lightyear cupcakes and handmade decorations and new and exciting games to occupy the kids with. What ever happened to letting the kids play outside? Things are different now and I wish that we all could just go back to when we didn't care so much about how things looked. People were happy because of the people around them and the memories they were making, not all the likes they got on their instagram picture or how many views they got on their blog. Okay now I sound like I'm against these things and I'm really not, but the effects of them scare me.

Social Networking sites also make you believe that every one is going to the gym or every one is eating a piece of cantalope for dinner. It's so dangerous to compare yourself to these people! Not everyone is doing those things even though so many of these sites make it seem that way. Maybe I am the only one who feels like this. I consider myself a pretty fit and healthy person and these even make me feel inadequate. If I don't run five miles a day or if I eat dessert I feel so guilty! That's horrible isn't it? What kind of life is that? I guess the point of this blog is that we just need to be happy with what we have. If we are always basing our happiness on whether or not our bodies are ideal or our party is at pinterest level we will never be happy. Ever. And although there is some good in always striving to be better, there is no good in feeling like you are never good enough. Watch out for the internet! And know that you are always worth it, just the way you are! Life is meant to be enjoyed and we were meant to be happy.

So just be happy.

Love, Kelli

Summer So Far

It's weird to think that 4 years ago I was ending my junior year of high school and approaching my senior year. My life is so different now! And I am grateful for that. My summer so far consists of:

1. Swimming at the YMCA
2. Sleeping in the basement
3. Making lots of dinners
4. Thomas
5. Babysitting
6. Waiting for the sound of the mailman putting mail in the shoot every Tuesday around 2 pm.
7. Going on runs while it's sprinkling
8. Walking with Thomas and Cami
9. Playing candy crush
10. A salad with almost every meal
11. Chips and quacamole almost everyday
12. Spending time with the Young Women (P.S. I got a new calling as YW advisor! Awesomeee)
13. Missing home.
14. General conference talks
15. The YMCA hot tub :)

 

It's been fun and I am excited to make some more memories! Last night cami and I made a summer bucket list so I am excited to start that. And Tyler's update:

days out! <3

 

Love,

Kelli

 

General Conference Sunday, six months down and nutter butters

I hope everyone had a good Tuesday! Mine was not too great but I can't really complain. It snowed pretty much all day and I feel super bad for hating it. I know that the valley needs it but I just can't help it. I want warm, summer days where I don't have to wear jackets and sweats. Going to Albuquerque this past weekend really teased me! This past weekend was general conference and it was absolutely perfect for how I've been feeling. Everything going on in the world has been making me just not feel good. Sometimes nothing seems right and things are just hard but I know that in the end everything will work out the way it should, and more importantly the way that Heavenly Father planned it. I know that with all my heart. I was only able to watch Sunday's sessions because I had a track meet, so I can't wait to read the ones I missed! I loved President Uchtdorf's talk about light and darkness. I think a lot of people needed to hear that, it is what the world needed. Christ is the light that this dark world needs. Hannah, Lindsay and I watched it at Lindsay's apartment. We made waffles, bacon, eggs, and fruit! We had apple juice, too. I love them both and I am so happy we all got to watch it together. :) After that Lindsay and I went to watch her roommates Lacrosse game for alittle bit. We came back and watched the second session and then we made panini's in her panini maker! I love making those. It was a good Sunday and I needed it.

So last night instead of studying I laid on the couch by the fire watching Gilmore Girls and then made some homemade Nutter Butters. They were so good even tho I messed up the filling a little bit. I put too much milk in it so it wasn't that thick and I had extra so I just poured it over the top of them, which I don't think was really a problem... lol They were really good and here is the think that I got the recipe from if you wanna try!

http://cookiesandcups.com/homemade-nutter-butters-2/

Oh I also added chocolate chips to the filling. :)

 

 

 

And the last piece of news for this blog is that tomorrow marks 6 months that Tyler has been serving!!! Here are some pics of the package I sent him. I also sent a bag of the Nutter Butters, which I hope are still good when they get there...

The theme of the package was "Eighteen MonthS'MORE"

It included:

-Marshmallows

-Hersheys Chocolate

-Graham Crackers

-Nutter Butters

-Fruit Snacks

-A pack of blueberry muffin mix

 

And I think that's it!

 D&C 6:11-

"And if thou wilt inquire, thou shalt know mysteries which are great and marvelous; therefore thou shalt exercise thy gift, that thou mayest find out mysteries, that thou mayest bring many to the knowledge of the truth, yea, convince them of the error of their ways."

 Thanks Camille for helping me find the perfect scripture.

 

Love,

Kelli <3

SPRING :)

I am such a horrible blogger. Really. I start to write them and then I feel like its too boring so I should wait for another day when I am more creative. I never really get more creative tho, I've concluded. So I'll start with this, Taylor left on his mission March 12th to New Zealand! Here is a picture of him with the other missionaries who arrived in Wellington the same time as him. He looks so happy and I am so excited for him to have this experience! He is awesome.

 

Outdoor is here! I absolutely hate pictures of me running. I hate them. But I put one up for good measures. I ran the 100 hurdles and the 400 hurdles. I completely died in the 400's because I've done zero training for them. I hope that gets better. lol They were both way to slow so I have a lot to do. Lindsay and I rode with the coaches, which has a lot of benefits. We got to eat at Olive Garden (amazing) and on the way back we got to stop for froyo. So it was pretty awesome in that aspect.

 

5 MORE WEEKS OF SCHOOL AND PRACTICE!

I can do it. 

I also haven't mentioned the birth of my beautiful nephew Thomas Heber!

Born February 27th I can not believe he is already over a month old! I can't wait to meet him.:)

 And for my sweet Tyler's update, he has been serving for almost 6 months now! Can't believe how fast time flies. These pictures are a little old, he is with a new companion now and in a new area but he is learning a lot in every aspect. I love seeing his testimony grow. It's the coolest thing. He is the coolest.

 Happy APRIL! :) Spring is here! 

Love, 

Kelli