Too Fast!! Stop!

Someone please tell me how it's possible

that my youngest brother, Dylan,

turned 16 today!!!!

Man, I'm old.

Also, he might kill me for this,

but good glory he's just too cute...

I mean, wasn't he just supposed to stay like that forever??

Just sayin.

Happy Birthday my handsome brother!

Stop growing up now! Thanks!!

Love,

Mimi

Change of Plans

You see that little girl sitting on her dad's lap there?

If things would have been up to her, I would have grown up to be a ballerina.

(I mean, come on, look at that technique!)

(She definitely wouldn't have let me quit that dance team when I was 17)

She probably would have loved it if I'd have stayed an art major in college, and become a children's book illustrator (on the side of ballerina-ing of course).

She'd be bummed to hear that my ETSY-cake-topper endeavor was put on hold for the "grown up" responsibilities that got in the way.

I guarantee she'd throw a fit to hear that I didn't marry that boy that looked a lot like this dude.

And she'd be baffled to hear that I have yet to start a Love-Taza-esque family...

... or one just like this.
#wantedtobeaprincess

But that's the excitement and the beauty of life. You can't predict where it is going to take you.  I had an epiphany a few weeks ago that, specifically, all the things in my life that haven't  worked out, have been a blessing.  And because I didn't do, or haven't done those things yet, I am where I am.  And life is real good.  Better than I planned it actually.  And because of that I know that God loves me.

Grateful for: being a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  And for the truth it brings into my life

Daydreaming.

I've always been prone to daydreaming.

I doodled my daydreams in school

and covered my notes with drawings.

I made up stories to entertain myself

on the monotonous and Texas-hot bus rides home.

And I distinctly remember lying wide awake in my bed at night

imagining what it would be like when I got married...

in a castle...

to a prince...

in a HUGE fluffy white dress...

I also built teeny tiny worlds in the dirt in my backyard

for fairies that I hoped lived there during the night.

Later, I matured a bit,

and imagined things like my future home;

a yellow kitchen,

an over all pottery-barn-esque vibe,

all in a little white cottage

with a blue door.

In college my thoughts would wander

amidst lectures on adolescent development and such,

to traveling the world.

I'd plan in my head 

what I'd wear

and eat

and see

and do, 

everywhere from Greece

to Brazil

to Japan

to Alaska.

But always,

alongside all of that,

I've daydreamed about raising kids.

It used to be that I'd get lost in the thought of

building the most rad tree house with them

and playing imaginary games in the backyard,

but now,

seriously,

this is what my daydreams consist of:

NYC

I saw this today on my favorite blog

and thought,

"That's it!

That's the happy place I go to in my head

when work and life gets crazy;

marchin' around NYC with little babies!"

Hahaha!

I'm so weird, I know.

That would be so crazy and hard.

Little kids are hard to tote about

and NYC is crazy to get around.

Wanting to combine them is nuts.

But that's my daydream.

That's my wish.

Future husband please take note.

Thankful for:

Massage chairs at the dentist,

and getting my little brothers and sister

as hooked on "Once Upon a Time"

as I am.

Also, stellar, uplifting, love-filled

conversations.

Thousands of Pictures

I've been working on a project over the last few days that has required me to look through most of the pictures I have saved on my computer.  Conclusion from my jaunt down memory lane: it's surprising and hilarious how much we change.  Physically, emotionally, socially, intellectually, spiritually.  It's funny too how we forget how much we've changed.  I WAS thinking that I was an ever-immature child-inside-an-adult's-body who enjoys watching the Disney channel with the kids I nanny, and almost daily discusses princess trivia.   I have realized though that only a few short years ago, I used to love some clothes I currently find hideous, I used to spend hours listening to music and talking about things that I now find comical, and I had HUGE crushes on boys for reasons that have since slipped my mind.

A few years ago, I was one of those girls too who genuinely  thought... well honestly I think it was more like expected  (because it just logically made sense--since that's what EVERYONE did...) that college was a time to get married, and I simply would not finish it without being married.  Well, here I am; I graduated over a year an a half ago, I'll be 24 in a few months, and juuust in case you were wondering, I am not married. (hahaha) Let's think about this though; I DO have a degree!  And I've had multiple -literally life changing- work experiences and internships. I've also met and worked and served with countless numbers of incredible women and men, and also specifically, UNBELIEVABLE children who floor me with their talents and understanding of and vigor for life.  I have been to London, Australia, Hawaii, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, and Paris.  I have eaten real Belgian waffles and seen the Eiffel tower sparkle at night.  I have been through the temple and made sacred covenants with my Father in Heaven.

So here's the "Aha!" moment; none of these things had a "marriage prerequisite" attached to them.  AND, some of these things would not have been a possibility had I been married!  Food for thought.

When I started college, I didn't have a clue about my own potential. I had no idea what potential I had to BECOME a student, or a teacher or leader or advisor.  I didn't know I could travel to multiple destinations by myself  to meet up with friends at international destinations.  I didn't know I would find in myself capabilities through my years as a student, which would require of me a level of dedication and work I did not know I could take on.  I did not know I could overcome the challenges I've had to face socially, scholastically and mentally.  I didn't know I would ever have the courage to play my ukulele at a talent show or sing a duet at my graduation, or a stake women's conference!  Never EVER thought that.  I NEVER thought I'd even CONSIDER Grad School, but here we are; researching graduate programs is a daily occurrence for me these days.  Masters degree?? Me?? 

Yes.  I definitely COULD do that.  And that's the bottom line.  This post is NOT meant to be an expression of my dreary and sad thoughts about my lack of a husband or children.  It is my written reminder to myself that I am CAPABLE OF MUCH MORE that I originally perceived.  I can BE or DO ANYTHING  I want to.

I'm ranting a little bit.  But this is something that has been on my mind constantly for months and months now.  I know you and I have in us a well of possibilities and talents of which we haven't even scratched the surface yet.  DON'T FORGET THAT!!! Life is longer than tomorrow and next week and full of days and people and possibilities and detours--but listen; those detours are what get you on the path to ALL you can be.  Not just a part of it.  What are some things you want to accomplish??

Things I want to accomplish:
-be a published children's book illustrator
-go to Grad School [specific field of study still undecided :)]
-be a CAREER lady.  (who would've thunk?)
-get married in the temple
-have as many children as humanly possible


Grateful for:
Mustard yellow and pea green macaroons. (citrus and pistachio flavored though!!)

Quote of the day:
"Because scriptures are generated from inspired communication through the Holy Ghost, they are pure truth.  We need not be concerned about the validity of concepts contained n the standard works since the Holy Ghost has been the instrument which has motivated and inspired those individuals who have recorded the scriptures. 

Scriptures are like packets of light that illuminate our minds and give place to guidance and inspiration from on high.  They can become the key to open the channel to communion with our Father in Heaven and His Beloved Son, Jesus Christ." 

--Richard G. Scott