Change is in the Air

As summer school has finally come to an end, I am trying to stay focused and make the most out of the next two weeks.  I am trying to make all of my time count as I know I will be a stranger to this world as the new semester begins.

This weekend I went to Sierra Vista, AZ with my cousin and aunt.  The main reason for the trip was for a funeral on Saturday.  I had only met this young man a couple times, but I really felt the need to go to show my love and support.  He was only 22 when he passed away.  His and his family's story is quite the heart-wrenching one.  They have all been through so much.  What wonderful examples they are to me. The funeral service was very nice.  One could not be there without feeling so much love. I honestly felt a renewing and revitalization of what I need to do with my life and my testimony of the Gospel was strengthened.  What matters most in this life? Family. I am a firm believer in that.  Also, being the best you can be at all times.  I was very touched during the speaker's talks.  I could go on and on.  Just know that there was a great spirit there and that we should all remember to love with all our hearts, be happy, know why you are so happy, and share it with others.  Even if that happiness is just shared through your example and the way you live your life. You can touch other people's lives without even knowing it.

Being in Sierra Vista, I was also able to spend a lot of time with my oldest sister Jill.  She has four beautiful kids and they are so much fun!  I went back and forth between my cousins house to my sisters, but I think I ended up spending most of my nights (and a lot of time during the day) at her house.  And I am so glad I did!!  It was so great to spend more time with her family.  Here is a sneak peek of them.  Click here.  I am speechless when I watch this. So beautiful.

If you think those pictures are good, just get to know their personalities.  They are the greatest.  My niece Lucy, (the five year old with the best bright red hair you've ever seen) was being a little stinker one day.  So I told her, "Luce you're a stinker!" She replied, "Well you're a smeller!" How could a little mind come up with such a thing?! She is so clever.

I went with my sister Jill to pick them up from school on Friday (my surprise visit to them).  Seeing my oldest nephew's face light up when he saw me and scream, "JoJo!!" absolutely made my day! Then we went into Lucy's classroom to get her.  We see her sitting at her table waiting patiently and watching other kids play.  I had a little flashback of when I was in kindergarten! I went and knelt beside her and said, "Hi Lucy!" with a big smile.  She gave me a hug not thinking anything of it at first. Then realized it was me and gave me a big squeeze.  She likes to have little hugging competitions, of who can squeeze the tightest.  We both win. :)

Abigail has a mind of her own as well.  She likes to chase her older siblings around the house.  Sam and Lucy love it.  They could do that for hourssss and hours.  She loves to do the dishes too.  Just being involved with everyone and in the mix of it all is what makes her happy.  One night I was watching them while Jill and Marcus went out on a date.  Abby pulled on my hand and said "Sit! Sit!" She just wanted me to sit with her and watch the movie.  I was gonna go in the kitchen and clean up, but she just wanted me.  :) I love being an aunt!!

Henry is the happiest baby.  Jill and I had just gotten back from shopping at Marshalls, the kids were all asleep (Marcus is a champ!), and Marcus was leaving for work.  Jill needed to get groceries, so I held down the fort in case any of them should wake up.  Not fifteen minutes after she was gone, I hear Henry's sweet cry.  I gave Jill a call because we both knew he was hungry and I sure couldn't help in that area.  For the next 40 minutes I just held and rocked him.  He calmed down after a short while and even though he was probably so frustrated he hadn't been fed yet, he made the sweetest faces to me.  I could feel his calm, happy temperament bursting through his skin.

I love those kids!! They are growing up so fast!  Ah I miss them so much. Sam, Lucy, Abigail, Henry you are forever loved by your Aunt JoJo!!

And lastly, Sam.  Sam is a stud.  He turned 7 last month.  He is so smart and a great big brother. He loves to make the little ones laugh.  When I was telling him goodbye, I went into his room to tell him how much I loved him.  I told him I'll love him forever.  To the moon and back and back and back.  He asked me, "Past the planets and worlds?" I said, "Past all the galaxies and back." He said, "Wow, that's a lot." 


I have this thing with my nieces and nephews where we go back and forth to say how much we love each other.  With my brother's kids too. We say things like, "I love you higher than the trees." "I love you bigger than an elephant."  "I love you taller than the mountains."  And etc.  It all stems from this book:

Buy one here!

Haven't read it? You should. It's a great one! One of our family favorites.



So after this weekend I have really felt and let it sink in that change is in the air.  Unexpectedly, cancer can enter someone's body and change their life forever, kids grow up so fast and change in the blink of an eye.  Life is moving fast.  So fast.  The Summer of 2010 is over.  2010?!  Aren't we suppose to be flying cars by now??  At least that's what I always thought when I was in Kindergarten :)

Bring on the change.  Bring on the struggles.  Bring on the adventures!  Bring on the love.  Bring on the challenge.  Bring on the excitement!  Bring on the studying... Bring it onnnn!!!

Discouragement to Determination

So I was going to do a post earlier today, but never got around to it. I had something written and everything.  After writing it, I decided I didn't want to post it and that it just felt good for me to write it all down.  Like Dori from Finding Nemo, I thought, "Whew. Glad I got that off my chest!" So that was that and I felt a little embarrassed to post. Like I would be writing a poor me, pitty party, sob story.  But just before going to bed tonight, I went to one of my most favorite websites, lds.org and watched the following video [check below] and I knew I had to post tonight. 
Besides, its been over two weeks since my last post so I figured it was time.

I have been feeling quite discouraged today. And this past week.  Have you ever felt like you just want and need a break from life? Just need to get away and forget everything that is surrounding you for a while? Boy, let me tell you. I have sure felt that lately.  I feel like such a rotten person for saying that too.  Because I mean, I love life.  I really do.  And I really have nothing worth complaining about.  I am doing things in my life now that I have always wanted to do.  I volunteer at the hospital every Saturday; by the end of this summer I will finally have all the credits I need to get an Associate's degree from MCC (woohoo!); I am in a Respiratory Care program at Gateway, getting a head start on my future career; I have a great, steady, part-time job; I live at home, just me and my parents (though I can't say that is something I have dreamed about :) I am in a great singles ward with amazing people; I have a calling that humbles me every Sunday; I have a family who loves me, friends who care. I am so blessed. So so so blessed.

All too often, though, I let little things get to me. I get so annoyed and fed up that I find myself getting cheated out on greater happiness that is right there in front of me.  When I get in these discouraged moods I find myself asking, "Why did this have to happen to me? Again?! This is so stupid!" I throw myself a tiny pitty party, trying to cut it short though.  (Who ever feels good in those kind of parties anyway?)  Then I am reminded of the most important things in life.  I take a look at all of my blessings and remind myself of all that I have in store for me and all that I have going for me.  I have so much to accomplish in this life.  If I stay feeling bogged down now, then there is no way I will be able to move forward.  I know where I came from, who I came from, why I am here, and where I am going.

I am determined.

Now, check out this video.  You won't be disappointed I assure you.  It is just what I needed to be reminded of this week.  I hope you get something out of it as well!

Today = Love

I love Sundays.

I love the refreshing feelings of the love and appreciation I get for my Savior as I attend church meetings.  I love being enlightened.  I love good talks and lessons.  

I love coming home to my entire family (who still lives in Mesa) gathered in the family room.  I love joining in their conversation.

I love warming up a well-prepared meal from my mother.  

I love laughing. 

I love playing with my nieces and nephew.

I love love love days like these.

And I can't wait for two more additions to this clan!! ￬￬

Only DIAMONDS now remain

So here I am, my blog has begun! I figure since I am on blogspot.com so much already (checking in on and following some brilliant minds. check out my sidebar for links.), I might as well start writing my own blog. Well, here it goes!

(It is a little lengthy for a first post.. I'm just breaking it in so bear with me!)

Anyone who knows me, knows that I loooove John Mayer. Two summers ago I went to his concert at Cricket Pavilion.  My love for him has only continued to grow since.  I would say it reached obsession at one point, but I've controlled that.  :)  His songs never get old.  There are so many of them that I feel I can relate to so well. Sounds lame I know, but its really quite true.  His song 'Clarity' has been one of my favorites for a while.  Well first, I just love the word clarity. But I can talk more about that later. And I love the lyrics.   A couple weeks ago, well maybe its been months now, I was jammin' out to one of my wonderful JM CD's on the way home from school.  I went right to this song because I knew it would put me in a less stressed mood. Anyway, one of the lines stuck out to me like it never has before.  "The rock candy's melted, only diamonds now remain." Its a phrase I have overlooked many times while I've listened to this song.  But not this time.  After some thought, I came to this conclusion:

Everyone in this world has a diamond inside of them. Everyone. Some try to hide it, covering it with rock candy, and some let it shine.  If you find yourself showin off your rock candy, try and find the time and power to let it melt away.  Rock candy may look great, come in a variety of colors, and be fun for a while, but it doesn't last and its not worth a penny.  Diamonds are beautiful, unique, and pure.  With the proper care, they can shine for lifetimes!  That is just like us, if we take care of bodies, spirits, and souls, we will last forever.  Now you can think of rock candy as being many things: materialistic cover-ups, or just personality cover-ups.  Don't let the world take over your mind and make you think you have to cover up what God has blessed you with.  Be real.  Let the true you shine. Share your talents.  Talents aren't just abilities like singing or playing an instrument, but they can also be thought of as ways of thinking.  Having a positive attitude, maintaining a humble amount of confidence, being a selfless person, and living a healthy lifestyle, all qualify as talents.  Talents take practice and experience, but we can all gain them if we work at it.  It is amazing how much one person can be blessed just by seeing a glimpse of someone's goodness. 

When I was listening to this song and having all these thoughts run through my head, I thought, "Ok, just a few more weeks of school and this rock candy can melt away and only my diamond will remain."  Not that I was covering up anything in my life, just that I had been so stressed with school and studying and tests that I had a hard time focusing on the other important things.  Vital things going on in my life.  Okay, it's beginning to sound that I threw my life away when I was in school.  That's not the case. I'm just trying to make the point that I didn't feel like I was putting my heart into anything anymore.  I could have given a better effort to accomplish everything that needed attention.

Well I'm here to say to you all that there is no need to wait. I am publicly committing myself that I will not procrastinate the goals I have set in my life. I am going to live.  Live life completely and love it.  When school starts up again this fall and as summer school wraps up, I am not going to get overly stressed.  I am going to enjoy every minute of the learning experiences and opportunities that come. Come what may, and love it.  

Let your diamonds shine through now. I know you've all got them!

Enough of these:

I wanna see some of this:

You know its true what they say, diamonds are a girl's best friend. So show a girl some love and let me see your diamonds! :)