Lovin' It

I am absolutely loving my bike this year. I've never really been a bike rider in my life until the last couple of years. We've gone on a good, long ride at least twice a week so far this summer and I love it! It's nice to remember that there are other options for transportation besides a car.

One of my favorite gifts for my birthday was my comfy bike shorts, a new kooshy seat (had to get a new one because the bike accident wrecked my old one), and a rack with baskets so I can ride to the store. The baskets even fold in so when I'm not using them they don't stick out. It only takes about 20 minutes for me to ride to Macey's on the Provo River Trail. It's awesome when I only need a few things. I love not feeling like I have to drive. I hate driving, I hate buying gas, and I love that I can save the environment from a little bit of exhaust while getting a bit of exercise at the same time.

I don't really see anything bad about it at all, really.

I'm already looking for excuses to escape our upcoming winter to head south so I don't have to miss too much riding this winter.

Here's to the invention of the bicycle, here's to a healthy body that can ride a bicycle, here's to getting outside, soaking in some sun, getting some exercise, and loving every minute of it.

Cheers to Another Year

29

Today was the day.
I'm breathing really deep right now.
It was a really great birthday.
I love summer days.
I'm on my way out of one decade.
One that holds so many memories.
I'm on my way into another.
Many more memories to come.
Here's to the future...

The Happiest Girl

&

The Fray,

last night.
It was an amazing show.
Now I'm the happiest girl.
Have I mentioned how much I love live music?
Sooooo much.

The Dance

Did anyone else catch this dance last night? So You Think You Can Dance brings out some of the most amazing things I've ever seen. Some not so much, but this one falls under amazing for sure. It's crazy how some choreography (brought to you buy fabulous dancers) can make you feel such emotion.

Being able to perform a dance like that makes me wish I was up there. Seriously.

3 Years Long

My uncle was called as a mission president three years ago to Nebraska. Their family is finally home. This is the view from their house. I've missed this view. It's good to have them home.

A Night in July

18 days left until my birthday. One thing I love about my birthday is that it happens to be in July. I cannot even begin to convey how much I love July. July is hot, sunny, and the nights are gorgeous.

Tonight is no exception. I walked outside tonight to take a look at the moon, I was not disappointed. It is so full and bright that it lights the entire sky, not to mention that the temperature is perfect as well.

July is perfect, the weather is perfect, and on the 25th my birthday will be perfect. It can be nothing but, especially because this will be the last year I enjoy my twenties. I must make it the best it can possibly be.

Hello moon, hello summer, hello happy me.

Reflections on the 4th

Last night as I was watching some amazing fireworks, the song "God Bless the USA" began to echo throughout the stadium. There is something about that song that gets me feeling a bit emotional every time. I remember singing it way back in elementary school and the words stick with me today:

And I’m proud to be an American,
where at least I know I’m free.
And I won't forget the men who died,
who gave that right to me.

I truly am so thankful to live in this country and to have the privilege to have the freedoms that I have. There is so much unrest in the world. I thank my lucky starts that I don't have to worry about bombs going off in the middle of my street, or whether or not someone with explosives strapped to their body walks into the restaurant I'm eating in. I'm thankful that I can go to sleep at night and not worry about whether or not my family will be able to survive another day.

There have been so many who have sacrificed their lives, families, and all that they have, to provide us with this freedom and I thank you sincerely.

Happy birthday America.