Joy forever? Give me some of that, please.

A thing of beauty is a joy for ever:

Its loveliness increases; it will never pass into nothingness;
but still will keep a bower quiet for us,
and a sleep full of sweet dreams, and health, and quiet breathing...

from John Keats' epic poem, Endymion, 1818

This week I have been thinking about the beautiful things in my life and the joy that those things bring me. Everyday I could, although I don't always, find multiple things that are beautiful and realize how lucky and blessed I am. It's much easier to look at the things I would want to change or the things that bug me, but when I look through my optimistic glasses, it makes me so much happier. It brings me that joy that I can have forever and ever, if I just realize the things of beauty. So I want to share two things of beauty that have touched my life, specifically during this week.

So first things first, I finally saw the oh-so-highly-talked-about-cutest-movie-ever, TANGLED.

I am a big Disney fan and I had every intention of seeing this in theaters. Friends and family just praised and praised the show too. So with that kind of support, you'd think I would have seen it sooner. But every time I went to go, something else came up or plans changed. So last Friday, I went to dinner and a baseball game with some friends. There was a party going on somewhere else that night that I wanted to go to, but my friends wanted to go watch this movie. So I figured that missing the party wouldn't be that big of a deal. And boy oh boy am I glad I missed it!

In fact I loved this movie so much, I even shed a tear or two in it. Now that's saying something if you can get me to get emotional. So I went out the next day and searched Logan for the dang thing. Wal-Mart, Sams Club, Smiths Marketplace and Shop-Ko are a few of the places that no longer had the Blu-Ray is stock. So my friends, if you are wondering where in the world to get it (if the other stores are still out), the answer is...K-Mart. I know I know, it smells kind of funny in that store and there are some different peeps that shop there, but seriously, they have what you need sometimes. I have watched that movie multiple times since and have many more movie dates on my couch planned. I love it.

So here are just a few of my favorite parts of this movie. If you haven't seen it, you should probably get on that. You won't regret it. If you have, just enjoy :)

There are not many things that bring me more joy than a darling Disney movie!

So for the second thing that brought joy to my life this week is my sweet sisters from IWA. What is IWA you might ask? Institute Women's Association. It's a great organization for single LDS girls to be involved in. Basically, it is like a second group of sisters that does fun activities as well as increase spirituality. I have had the neat opportunity to serve as a member of the IC, the Inner-Chapter, and boy has it been a fun ride. I was not even a member IWA last year, so you can imagine my confusion/nervous excitement when the call was extended to me to be in a leadership position for the organization. The other girls and advisors on the IC just took me under their wings and led me along...something that I am so grateful for.

The IC officers and advisors (minus Amanda)

After a year of meetings, parties, stressful planning, dances, firesides, and more, we wrapped up the year last night with our Spring Banquet. What a beautiful evening it was. The food, the music, the speakers...everything was so delightful. "My Soul Delighteth" was the year's theme and I can truly say that my soul has delighteth in IWA, the people I have met through it, and the experiences that I have had.

Me, Tori and Amanda

The IC Officers

Me, Lauren and Taneesa. They sang and honestly have the voices of angels.

The IC officers and advisors

Torie Welsh. What an incredible friend :)

My IWA journey is very different than most girls. And if there is one person I hope to someday meet, that would be Natalie Jolley. She was the original PR officer on the IC. She had been battling cancer for the past few years and passed away last August. That is where I came into the picture. Where the other IC members were called in the spring and attended training and began bonding, I was still oblivious to what IWA even was. When I was called in August, it was a very touching experience. Natalie's memory and legacy lives on strongly through the other girls. She must have been one amazing person. I am grateful for her example and the contribution she made to IWA.

Beauty is an understatement when talking about the girls of IWA. There are immense amounts of joy in this organization. That is something that I will always hold on to.

Well, life wouldn't be life if there weren't a few little road bumps. Life is beautiful in so many ways. It's springtime now and that means sunshine, blossoms on the trees, birds chirping in the mornings, flip-flops and capris, right? WRONG. Try rain, cold and what the heck, why not throw a little snow in there as well! That is what Logan is dishing out this week. It is not even a funny joke. It's days like today that I would drop my life and move to San Diego. No question.

At about 3:00 pm on campus

Yes, it is April 7.

So Utah has bipolar weather patterns in the springtime. You'd think that after almost 20 years of living in it, I'd be used to it and maybe even embrace the fact. WRONG AGAIN. I ask myself every winter/early spring why I live here. But then when the snow finally does clear out and those birds finally do wake me up in the morning, I realize why. Logan is one of the most beautiful places in the world. Maybe I'm biased, but nothing beats a summer in L-town. Mmmm yes, another one of those perfect summers is almost here! And that, my friends, brings me so much joy!