Speed Bumps and Blessings

My goodness, it has been far too long! I have to say that a lot has happened since I last posted, but the best story took place last week. Let me preface it with the fact that I went home two weeks ago, so I guess this is a two-part tale. I'll start with the trip home. For me, that is where my family is, and that would be Montana--the Big Sky state.
        This was a trip unlike any other for many reasons: I wasn't planning on going home any time soon and then decided the night before to take a random trip, only my parents knew I was coming, and the last piece.......I had never actually driven it by myself before, and it was a good distance--not dreadful, but still a trip. The few weeks leading up to going home, I had some big decisions to make and had yet to make any of them final. After thinking about the trip that whole day, I decided that a long car ride combined with Montana air and family, was exactly what I needed. So, I got up the next morning, went and vacuumed out my car, (The owner, an older man in black rain boots, was power-spraying the car washes out, got a big smile on his face, and said good morning. I did the same--I love bumping into beautiful people :) )ran to the grocery store to grab a few snacks so I'd only have to stop for gas, threw a weekend's worth of clothes and necessities in a bag, grabbed my camera, ukulele, and cowboy boots, and with my windows down and music up, I hit the road! I could bore you with all the details of the trip, but I will sum it up with the highlights: I got a lot of thinking time in, I was definitely watched over on the way home, and I somehow managed to hit the biggest tumble weed I have ever seen in my life!! :) Really though, it was actually really funny. :)

Well, I made it by the evening, and surprised my siblings by randomly showing up at Safeway. My sister had yet to see me, so my brother had her go check out the aisle that I was hiding in. Her face was priceless when I ran up to her and wrapped my arms around her. It took her a second to process that it was me, but I've never seen her more excited!

The rest of the trip consisted of time well spent with family, and thinking.

 I did get to catch a sunset from my favorite spot, one of the nights I was home.

Family was amazing and wonderful, but even if I had driven that whole way to just go and sit on the fence (pictured above) and just stop to breathe and think, it would have been more than worth it. Peace is the greatest feeling in the world.
My last night at home the Soph-inator and I went puddle-jumping. I really should say swimming.

Really though, it was an amazing trip! I left with more insight and trust in the future--Heavenly Father has incredible things for all of us in this life, and as we progress on our divine paths. No father would provide those decisions, opportunities, experiences, and challenges, unless He truly loved us--all of which make us grow in ways we never could have imagined. 

So, I wrapped up my trip, threw my belongings in the car, and headed back to my temporary-reality of school. After rain, snow, rain, and more rain, I made it back in one piece and jumped back into the college life. 

Fast-Forward a week, I'm pulling up to my apartment after work, and I hit the curb (I've parked my car there a billion times, and for some reason I totally hit the curb.) My windows were down and I could hear all of the air rushing out of the tire. One of those moments......when you're not looking forward to the following moment.....  Two guys saw me do it, and walked over as I was getting out. The one actually worked at a tire shop, and offered to put my spare on for me--Blessing #1. The following day I went to the tire shop to get a new one because it had punctured a hole on the wall. I get there and all of the gentlemen there were exactly that--gentlemen: Blessing #2. I sat and waited as they put two new tires on because another was just worn out and needed to be replaced. After a few minutes one of the workers came in rolling one of my tires over to me and showed me how worn out part of it was.....and informed me that I shouldn't even drive on it. To make the story short, I now have 4 brand-new tires. But here is where Major-Blessing #3 comes in: I drove home and back with the old tires, and didn't have a single problem, and then I hit a curb, instead of blowing out a tire somewhere on the freeway. Somehow He makes up the difference when we are doing what we are supposed to, and following his counsel.

Well, I need to go to bed, but I am grateful for the opportunities and lessons we are shown and experience along the way.

Lots of Love, 

Tayler 

Crazy Girl

I don't know if it's a good thing that I laugh when I see this photo, but I can't help but chuckle when I see this--I needed something good to send home, and this is what I ended up with :) (I would call this--crazy girl)

Well, it has most certainly been a crazy week for this crazy girl. But you know what? It's a Friday night, and I can't complain.

The inspiration for this post comes from a two-hour conversation I had with this really incredible guy on campus. I apologize that it is simply a solid summary, but I was so very impressed that I didn't want to leave anything out. (Laugh  of the day--I now have a half sun-burned/maybe tanning face, because the sun was only beating down on the left side of me that whole time..... ) We had the most amazing, deep conversation I've ever had with someone I knew that little.(But now, know a lot more) Somehow we jumped around from what our families were like, their struggles/our struggles, the terrifying side of dating, and everything we want/the realities of being married people some day. We talked about how people think they get to ride into the sunset on their wedding day, and proudly proclaim that they will live happily ever after, but in reality, they are just beginning one of the most challenging, and testing, yet rewarding chapters of their life. But we then talked about how meeting and choosing your spouse is the most important thing you will ever do, because there will come a time when parents are gone, siblings aren't near, friends will be distant or slowly fade out, and even your kids will take off and make their own decisions, and all you will have is your eternal best friend if you have created that relationship. 

And still it continued.......We went on to talk about how we want to have creative family home evenings, and family scripture study, and a place where everyone is learning. At one point, he turned to me and asked, "if you could have any one thing in your house some day, and we'll assume you have the Book of Mormon, etc. :) what would it be?" My answer was a porch swing--for taking a minute to sit and take in the moment. I turned the answer around, and he got so animated as he talked about this amazing library he has definitely put a lot of thought into. It felt good to dream for a moment. 

We took turns trying to describe ourselves--if you ask him, I honestly never even got a good answer out. That is so much harder than you'd think. We continued to talk about how there are those few people we get the chance to meet in life, where you feel like you can be 100%, you, and somehow they just understand. Even more so, we talked about how your spouse truly is your anchor. I listened as he continued to the fact that even though he was going to school, and obtaining a degree to gain a steady, and good-paying job, at the end of the day it boils down to being able to support a family--not entertain, and spoil, but support. I then turned the conversation towards the idea of an MRS. degree, and how sadly, some women don't feel the need to finish their education. (there are definitely situations where this would possibly make sense, but very few)  I explained that as pessimistic as it may be, I am such a firm believer in gaining an education because as hard and torturous it would be to lose your spouse, or even divorce, life would have to continue, and there would need to be a way to provide for your family. Then next thing he said, blew me out of the water. he first completely agreed with me, then added that he felt a woman's education is possibly even more important that a man's because she is the one with the children all the time, and shaping them into what they will become. He added that both parents play a huge role, but at the end of the day, she will have an incredible impact. I loved what he continued with, "My wife will be smarted that me, but she won't even know it. Degrees and certificates don't mean a level of intelligence (I'm paraphrasing here) but she will have her own opinions and thoughts."

I have never thought of education in that light, and sat there a little bit shocked--he had just nailed it. 

And as incredible as all of this was, the part of the conversation that really left an impression on me started with us laughing about how we both used to be so confused about being told to "marry up" because logically, then someone would have to "marry down."  Really though, does that even make sense?! But then is was quiet for a minute, and he said that he will wonder again and again how he ended up with his wife, because she will be more than he felt he could ever deserve. My response was that she will wake up every morning, and go to bed every night, wondering how she could be so blessed, and so grateful that you he found her. 

After two hours of talking, it is hard to recall where within the conversation this came up, but we were talking about how when life would be hard, but you just look at your spouse, tell them you love them, and say that you know what--tomorrow is a new day. he then asked, "You keep up with country, right?" Mind you, I was actually wearing my boots at the moment :) "You know the song, 'Crazy Girl?'"  I had to smile, because i was very familiar with the song, and in all honesty, that is exactly what you want--that person that loves you no matter what, no matter how crazy you are, nor how crazy life gets. 

So, when I sat down tonight to write, I put on Pandora, and "Crazy Girl" came on. I had to smile and figured my topic couldn't be any clearer. 

For your enjoyment, here is the song: 

But before I leave tonight, I have to say that I can't wait to someday find my Crazy Guy, for this Crazy Girl. That's why you hold onto who you are, and learn to laugh, and learn to trust in Heavenly Father's timing, and Heavenly Father's plan. 

Well, goodnight, and lots of love, 

Tayler