Getting to Know Morgan...

Last Thursday, Morgan and I traveled out of town to go to his sister, Farrah's wedding in Wyoming. The weather was amazing. The scenery was beautiful and I had a blast getting to know Morgan and his family better. So, here are some juicy tid-bits about Morgan...and some really pretty random pics from the trip.


His hometown is Delta, Utah. Now, I've been hearing about Delta for months, but didn't know quite what to expect...so, here's my verdict. It's a really cute little town in the middle of NOWHERE akin to Overton (if it wasn't so close to Vegas).

Morgan played both Football and Wrestled for his high school. Above is the field...

Here are some really cool giant windmills we found on the way out of Delta. Morgan is very interested in alternative power sources and pretty much anything that will get him off "the grid".

Morgan is a bit theatrical.

Morgan is an animal person and above all is very patient with me and my love of animals-I made him stop SEVERAL times to pet horses on the way back...

This was a really cool bridge we found outside of Jackson Hole.

Morgan is an AVID scouter and mountain man. He often talks about building a cabin and living completely independent of society in the woods-and I think he'd do it if he could find a woman that would agree...

The Tetons-aren't they breathtaking?

Morgan LOVES his family and would do anything for them, including killing someone as he said in his wedding toast...
(this is his beautiful sister Farrah, btw)

Morgan is really good at accents. We talked in a Southern accent almost the whole day on Saturday because we decided to "go a little country"...

Morgan has one of the most beautiful smiles I've ever seen with twinkly eyes...it's hard to capture though, more often than not, he's purposefully scowling in pictures.

Morgan is a great friend and listener. He always asks me how my day was when he sees me.

Anyway, it was a really fun trip. Thanks to Morgan and his parents for inviting me and making it possible for me to come!

Introducing...Thoughts Come Tumbling Out

I wanted to introduce a new blog that I started called 'Thoughts Come Tumbling Out". (find it under my links section) The purpose of this blog is primarily for me to promote my artwork and document my creative process. The blog is just getting started, so you'll have to keep checking in to see new developments. I have some forthcoming projects that I am really excited about. So, I hope you'll click over and take a look from time to time. Please feel free to leave comments, critiques, suggestions and feel free to share the link w/ anyone you think may be interested. Thanks for your support!

The Anchor

When I get ready in the morning, I often listen to the last general conference on my computer. And yesterday, I chose to listen to a talk by Elder Holland. When I first heard it, it was immediately one of my favorites from this session of conference. And as I listened to it yesterday, I was again reminded of how much our Heavenly Father and Savior love us. They are with us at all times that we want/ask them to be. I was feeling a little lonely and down before I listened to the message. But after, I could not help but feel my Heavenly Father's love for me and peace in knowing that they are always there. They love me despite the fact that I am hopelessly flawed. They love me when/despite the fact that I'm pretty, ugly, skinny or chubby, sometimes mean or unthoughtful, bad at doing laundry, silly, lazy, kind, etc...They just love me. All of me. And even though I often feel alone in my life, I know that I never really am. They are close by-watching and protecting. I am so grateful for that knowledge. It has quite literally saved my life by penetrating through the darkness of despair.

"Brothers and sisters, one of the great consolations of this Easter season is that because Jesus walked such a long, lonely path utterly alone, we do not have to do so. His solitary journey brought great company for our little version of that path—the merciful care of our Father in Heaven, the unfailing companionship of this Beloved Son, the consummate gift of the Holy Ghost, angels in heaven, family members on both sides of the veil, prophets and apostles, teachers, leaders, friends. All of these and more have been given as companions for our mortal journey because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ and the Restoration of His gospel. Trumpeted from the summit of Calvary is the truth that we will never be left alone nor unaided, even if sometimes we may feel that we are. Truly the Redeemer of us all said, “I will not leave you comfortless. [My Father and] I will come to you [and abide with you].”" Jeffrey R. Holland 2009

Happy in Newport...

Morgan invited me to go to Newport Beach with his family and him this weekend. They had extra tickets to a Dodgers game on Saturday and a free place to stay with them in Newport Beach-so how could I refuse? I got to hang out with his brother Brian and his wife and his sister Hannah, her husband and their three cute boys.

We visited my favorite restaurant in Laguna Beach-had to eat on the roof, of course!

We visited some local art galleries, and Morgan found a friend.

Found an old fashioned telephone booth and had to snap a few pics...

For some reason, this archway fascinated Morgan, and he insisted we take some more pics

We rode bikes on the boardwalk (I am imitating Morgan's mean face that he often gives the camera)

Visited Coronado Island

Take 1

Take 2

Final Take

I had a blast in Cali this weekend, so thanks to Morgan and his family!

The Subway...

My friend Morgan took me on the coolest, most difficult, scary, amazing hike I have ever been on this weekend. It's called the Subway, in Zion National Park. It is roughly a 10 mile hike through a river at the bottom of a narrow canyon. The hike required us to repel short distances, jump into/swim through freezing pools of water and carefully navigate very "slippy" situations. I felt very Bear Grylls after doing this hike-if you don't know who/what Bear Grylls is, please follow this link and be prepared to be amazed...http://dsc.discovery.com/fansites/manvswild/manvswild.html.

I'm sweating like crazy here

This is the spot that inspired the name-the Subway

Me, near the end and quite exhausted...

Ode to Sunday Drives...

I have ALWAYS loved to drive. I love driving by myself, with the windows rolled down, wind blowing through my hair, music cranked up, screaming at the top of my lungs, crying, laughing, thinking, pondering and zoning out. I've just always found that it's really good 'me' time. So, in order to create some more 'me' time, I've started a new tradition of going on a Sunday drive. It usually takes place on Sunday evening starting around 9pm and ending anywhere from 9:30 to 11pm. I drive anywhere I want, completely aimlessly. And I've found that I really crave the freedom/release that I feel when I go on these drives. If I dont' get to go on my drive, I don't feel as balanced throughout the week. And to remind me of those 'me' times the rest of the week, I created a playlist on my iTunes (which is my most frequestly played list I might add) that is called 'easy driving'.

These pics were taken on my road trip to Bear Lake. It was very much like my Sunday drives...lots of good meditation time. Do you guys like to go on drives too?

Adventure Girl-Update!

So, there I was...looking on Craigslist for a kayak like I've been doing for the last two months-when I saw it. A one person sit-on-top kayak w/ a paddle at a decent price. A few hours later, I was the proud owner of my very own water vehicle.

Then Gracie and I went horseback riding at Red Rock for her 13th B-day. It was so much fun! I think I too often get into ruts of talking about doing things and then not following through. I suddenly had the realization this weekend that I am actually reaching some of my goals. I am really excited to take the kayak out this weekend for my maiden voyage and can't wait to take other friends and family out w/ me too.

Isn't Gracie beautiful?! I think she is turning into quite a spunky, fun gorgeous young woman. Love you, Grace!