Happy Easter

Family Easter egg hunt -Still the most competitive Easter egg hunt I have ever participated in.

All I wanted for Easter was a chocolate dome! I'm lucky the Easter Bunny is so nice. 

I love the fun we have as a family Easter morning searching for eggs and laughing with one another.  However, I love remembering my Savoir, his life, atonement and Resurrection more.  I am grateful I have parents that take time to talk to us about the importance of Christ and his Resurrection   I appreciate their willingness to share their testimonies and help strengthen mine.  The Resurrection has always been a highlight of the Gospel to me.  It gives me hope, peace and excitement.  I can't wait to be reunited with my sister and other loved ones that have passed on.  He lives and loves us.  That to me is amazing.  

Bushman Reunion 2013

Last week my family made the 16 HOUR DRIVE (yes, I thought I was going to die) to Texas to attend the annual Bushman Reunion.  It is always so good to see all of the family.  We do what one would expect at a family reunion - visit, play games, enjoy late nights and eat, A LOT.  The theme this year was Missionary work. How appropriate! We all were given a "mission call" before arriving and asked to prepare facts, meals,scriptures, skits and memories (if you had already served a mission). It was fun to hear about my Uncles and Papa's missionary experiences, as well as look at souvenirs/pictures from their missions.  All 41 of us attended Sacrament together and got to hear from my Nana and Papa before leaving on their mission to Martins Cove. I am very grateful for their examples and testimonies.  They both carry the spirit with them where ever they go.  The older cousins sang a medley of Sisters in Zion and Army of  Helaman in sacrament.  The spirit during that song consumed me.  It was so powerful to sing what I believe with people I love.  I miss all my family already and will always remember this reunion. 

This has to be one of my favorite videos yet!  I have the CUTEST family.

Silly faces with little Grace

Some of "The Men"

 Carlee after surgery for appendicitis....not the best start to the trip. She was positive the whole way through though.

This girl was giving me loves the whole trip.

 Smartest boy in the family.

 The "BIG" kids.

 Still not really sure what is going on here ;) Laughs for days.

Papa sporting the cap.

 This is how it is supposed to be worn.  Fashion Police approve Tyler!

 Just one of Papa's many treasures. Branson was in heaven.

Who needs cell phones?

 The missionaries - Nicaragua and Martins Cove.

 The WHOLE family.

Something Different

I am a perfectionist. The first step is admitting it right?  I have to be the "perfect" student, dancer, daughter, teacher, missionary, friend......person.  That's what I thought at least.  But this week I learned something. I can't be perfect. At least not my definition of perfect and I am not supposed to be.  Christ is perfect and that is enough.  Trying to be "perfect" is only going to make me unhappy and a master of failure.  I have discovered my definition of perfect has been wrong. In this life to be perfect is to be complete.   Which means the good and the bad, weakness and strength, weird and normal, because that is how God intended us to be while here.  So, I am trying to change my thoughts and my mind.  I think I will always want to do my best and strive for excellence but I am ready to change.  I don't HAVE to be anything. I am free to change, create and recreate myself.  God gave me weaknesses so I would have experiences. He knew I wouldn't be tempted by drugs, alcohol, partying, swearing or stealing but he did know I would expect a lot from myself, I would buy into the Medias lies, I would be tricked by society and I would forget where my worth comes from.  That is the experience he needed me to have and I am having it.  I am learning every day. I am learning to love my good, bad, odd, goofy, shy, crazy, loud, quiet and weird sides.  I am learning who I have become today, is an accumulation of everything I have heard, experienced, seen, done, not done, dreamed and heard my entire life.  I am still trying to figure out what thoughts, that have been shoved in my overcrowded head, are true and which aren't, but I know the Lord will help me do that.  I am learning to love all the "different" parts of me.

 I love that I have long hair and have no idea what to do with it. I love that my face fills up with freckles during the summer. Or that my eyes are just as indecisive as me and change colors every day.  I love the tiny birth mark on my right shoulder.  And the lone freckle on the palm of not only my right hand but my left as well.  I am learning to accept and love my body.  I am accepting that I don't have supermodel legs and a movie star face. And that is okay.  Because I look like me and nobody will ever look just like me.  I am learning it is okay I am terrified of love. I am afraid....to love, that I am impossible to love and that I will be hurt by love. I am accepting that part of me and learning from it. I love that I laugh to loud. Or that I am dramatic and scream when unnecessary.   I love that I hug too often but that I don't care because it is my favorite thing in the entire world. I love the way my fingers fumble over the piano but I could play for hours trying to figure it out. Or that I run around my home on my tip toes talking in a squeaky voice.  And that I am a horrible cook.  I love that cupcakes put a smile on my face.  I love that I blush several times a day. Or that I dance anytime, anywhere - the grocery store, car, bedroom, while doing dishes, while folding laundry, when I am extremely happy and of course in the dance studio.  I love that my heart grows a little bigger every time I get a new student.  I love my faults, differences, odd ends and imperfections.  Because without them I wouldn't be me.  I am still learning how to love ALL the parts of me but I know that will come.  I know I will have hard days when I don't feel like enough, or like I'm not good at anything, or like no one could love all my different sides. But it is then I will ask the Lord to remind me of my worth to him, and that is enough.

That was a lot of words. My apologizes.

Our Shinning Star, Avalon.

February 22, 2001 my baby sister returned home to our Father in Heaven.  I remember the day like it happened only a moment ago.  I was seven years old, bouncing around our home, anxiously awaiting the phone call that would announce the arrival of my baby sister.  I thought finally, another girl in the home to help keep the boys at bay!  Finally a baby sister to dress up, teach dance to, laugh with and love.  The phone call letting us all know we could go visit her and our parents in the hospital couldn't come fast enough.  When the phone call finally came I could barely stand still long enough for my grandma to tell me my mom wanted to speak with me.  Full with so much excitement I thought it might spill out of me, I answered the phone.  My mom sweetly said, "Avalon had a blood clot.  Do you know what that means?"  At the age of seven I instantly knew what had happened.  I knew baby Avalon wouldn't be coming to our home, instead she was with our Father in Heaven.  I know the Spirit spoke the words to me that my mom could not, and shouldn't have had to at that time.  I know in that moment Jesus Christ was carrying my mother and holding my hand.That was one of the hardest days of my life.  However, that day I learned more, felt more love, relied more on my Heavenly Father than ever before.  I gained the important testimony of Eternal Families.  I am so grateful for that incredible blessing.   It has now been 12 years since my family said goodbye to her and I know we all still miss her everyday.  I can't wait to meet my sister in Heaven.  I so look forward to that joyful day when we will chat, hug, giggle and love.  Until then I am grateful to have an angel in Heaven looking over my family.  I will do all I can and be all I can to make her proud and be able to live with her again as an eternal family.



Read at Avalon's funeral by my parents:

"One of the ways we have chosen to remember Avalon is by registering and naming a star after her.  The Star will bare her name and will stand as an eternal memorial to her and as a symbol of our undying love for her as a cherished member of our family.

We have a goal as a family to live together forever with our extended mortal family and with our Heavenly Father.  Just as the wise men on that storied night so many years ago had the new star to guide them to the Christ child, we will have our star in the heavens as a constant reminder and navigation point to guide us to our eternal destination.  As we struggle through the storms of our mortal journey, we will have our star to shine down and brighten us during our darkest nights.  As her brothers and sisters experience the trials and triumphs of this life, they will have their star shining down on them to share their tears and their laughter.  As her parents, we will labor to fill the void left in our lives, but we will have our star to warm and to heal our broken hearts.  We will have our star; forever we will have our star."

Avalon, we love and miss you. Please lead us home.

Love Is In The Air

I have always had a sweet place for Valentines day in my heart.  I look forward to the flowers, treats, kind words, cards, celebrations, rosy cheeks, pink lips, dolled up girls, sweet men and happiness surrounding love.  This year I wanted to do something special for my family to show how much I love them.  So......I cut out HUNDREDS of hearts and heart attacked every room in our home.  It was an explosion of pink and red!  I also woke up early to make heart shaped french toast lathered in NUTELLA (a personal favorite), peanut butter, syrup, cool whip and strawberries.  I filled my day with all things LOVE.  I watched romantic movies, spent lunch with one of my best friends laughing so hard we were brought to tears, throwing valentines parties in EVERY dance class I taught, eating a heart shaped pizza for dinner and going out for a night of treats and laughter with a sweet guy.  It was a happy day.  What can I say, I love.... LOVE.  This is a video of snippets from the day (because I always have a camera on hand and have to make a video of anything semi-interesting).



I thoroughly enjoy the celebration side of Valentines day, but that is not the reason I look forward to it.  My mom has always made it a point to celebrate our love as a family on Valentines day.  Although I like to think we do this every day, it is always nice to have a special day for it.  My family is my everything.  I wish I could express how much I love them in words but it is simply impossible.  I do try to show my love for them everyday though with smiles, conversations and my favorite, hugs.  I like to think LOVE is the glue of this gospel.  It holds everything together and keeps us strong. It is through love we teach, learn, repent, serve and change.  One of my favorite scriptures comes from 1 John Chapter 4.  All of it is excellent but verse 8 says something special to me.  "He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love." Out of everything that could be said following the words "God is", love was used.  I hope we can always remember the importance of pure love.

Blast from the Past.

Every year our family seems to re-find this video. And every year we laugh hysterically as we watch.  When I found it yesterday I couldn't resist uploading it.

This video was filmed (rather we stuck a video camera on the table and ran to turn it on and off) at about 3 a.m. after celebrating Jessie's 13th birthday. Prepare yourself for some epic dance moves and incredible lip-syncing.  Love my cousins! Especially this one. 

Love you sissy! Can't wait to see what the future holds for both of us.  One thing is for sure, sleepovers (and Backstreet Boys) are always a must.

Christmas in New York

This Christmas I got to live a dream.  Our family experienced New York at Christmas time.  It was everything you would imagine it to be and more.  I loved every second.  New York has my heart and I can't wait to live there one day. Enjoy a little video of highlights from our trip.  

Parents surprised us with a Limo pick up from the airport.

Harbor Cruise around the City.

Georgetown Cupcakes, A.K.A Heaven!

How we stayed warm- hot chocolate.

New York pizza at the famous "John's Pizzeria".  Delicious!

Ice skating in Central Park.

We practice as figure skating partners in our spare time.  Nice form.  Right?

Held my hand the entire time so I wouldn't fall.  Sweet brother.

Happy as can be in Central Park.

Highlight of the trip, seeing New York City Ballet perform Balanchine's "The Nutcracker".  Magic!

Maybe not the healthiest but the best breakfast we had in New York.  Doughnut Plant.

 911 Memorial.

Branson made a new friend.

Dinner at our favorite restaurant.  Bobby Flay's Mesa Grill

My cute mom in front of our apartment for the week.  Also known as my dream home.  

 Neighbors to the famous Hells Angels.  Safest neighborhood for a reason.  Too cool.

Sorry for the picture overload!  Just too many good memories to pick from.