home is where the heart is.

I'd say my surprise visit was a success...

 I have come to the conclusion that I have THE best family ever. You really don't realize what you have until it's gone, but now, I have to admit that my parents did a pretty good job and that little sisters aren't always so annoying. It is sad that it took living on my own to recognize this. I mean I always knew I had the most hard working dad and the most thoughtful and genuine mom, but now I understand the method to their madness. I knew that Emily was the fastest girl on the planet and had the spunkiest personality that qualified her to be my best friend. I knew Sarah was a little smartie, but man has she matured into the most beautiful and strong twelve year old to ever walk the halls of the Peck home. I missed these things but coming home makes you appreciate them so much more. Two months is a long time. I wish time would just freeze while I am gone, but that is just unrealistic. Time keeps a ticking and everything changes. There is a different feeling about Arizona now. Peoria will forever be my home, but home is where the heart is and mine currently resides in Logan. The people that I love most in this world and some incredible memories rest just outside of Phoenix but I know that it is just not where I belong anymore. As much as my heart hurts and aches to be there to protect my little sisters, I know Logan is where I am meant to be.

 But that doesn't mean I won't drop in for a visit or two, to talk with The Queen herself or tackle my boys. I will always need a little Royce and Ryker fix. And you can never stop me from going to visit one of my absolute favorite people on this Earth. My Nonny. She is just a ray of sunshine. Everything about her makes you happy. She never forgets a thing and is always so excited to see you. She is a true example of Christ-like living and one of the greatest people I know. I love her more than words could describe. She holds my heart and I will forever be grateful for her example in my life. Of course I will always make time to visit with my grandparents. My awesome Grammy fixed my blankie that was made by her mom, my other beautifully perfect Nonny. I am so thankful for her in my life. If you know me at all, you know how much I love that blankie, so that meant the world to me. And going to my Grandma and Papa's house is a must. I love them so much. They are the best, I honestly cannot name a time when they weren't in my life cheering me on. I have learned so much from them and continue to learn from their example everyday. Arizona is like a mason jar filled to the brim with people I love and moments of my life I wouldn't change for anything.

Well, this has been a pretty scattered blog post, but I just want to wrap it up but saying I have the best life. How I got so blessed, I don't know, but I am so thankful for how my life has played out. I just have so many reasons to smile and that is all thanks to the wonderful people who made this weekend so special. I could not be more happy to know that I get to live with these people forever. We are bond together for eternity and that is the best thing I have ever heard. 

 Peoria will always hold so many memories that I will never forget, but for now I will have to say goodbye to the beautiful sunsets and focus on staying warm during the winters of Logan. 

let life FALL into place.

Last week I decided to try something new. Life was getting stressful and I just couldn't keep up with all my emotions. So, naturally I put my headphones in, turned on my sad songs Pandora station and had a good cry. During my pity party I decided I was going to just let things happen instead of trying to make them happen. Let me just tell you, this week has been pretty great. It is funny to see how much stress you are actually causing yourself by trying to plan or make things go your way. Life is crazy and sometimes you have to let go. If Carrie Underwood were here she would probably say "Let Jesus take the wheel" which is some solid advice. This week was hectic but as the weekend came and went, I watched so many of the things I had been trying to force, fall into place. The Lord works in funny ways but He knows what is best for you. I have learned this week that if you put your trust in Him and build your house upon His rock, you cannot fall. Through much pray and following of prompts this weekend turned out to be great. Not to say that it went smoothly at all, but it was more like the storm before the calm, you could say (I know it's the calm before the storm but I switched it up, get it?). Anyways speaking of not falling and things falling into place, it happens to actually be fall. I have never really had experience with leaves changing but I hear that "Everything begins again when the leaves get crisp in the fall" that is how I feel this week was for me. It's fall now and I have decided that along with the leaves, I am going to start over. Being on my own and being around people who have just met me, has been one of my most favorite things in the world. I can be whoever I want. I have completely taken advantage of this and have been working to find out exactly who I want to be. I am definitely still learning and taking each day into account but slowly and surely I am finding myself. This week especially has helped me make some decisions about who I want to be. While I was walking about the Little Bear Bottoms corn maze this Saturday I realized that life is like a maze. There are going to be those people who use the map to find the most effective and fast way out, people who get lost, enjoying every second of it, and people who didn't prepare and are afraid of outhouses, so they rush through and don't even stop to smell the corn husks. Personally I want to get lost in life. It's already short enough, why not do everything you can to make it longer? Life happens. Happiness is a choice. So like The Beatles once said "Let it Be."

weekend get away.

To say this weekend was one of the best weekends of my life, would be an understatement. First, there is nothing more special than sister time. It has been awhile since Dayna and I have really been able to spend some quality time together, but this weekend was just the fix I needed. Second, I got to spend my weekend attending all four sessions of LDS conference at the conference center, and to say that made my life would not even come close to describing the spirit I felt there. My heart was truly happy. To be in the same room as the Prophet, Thomas S. Monson, and his apostles is a feeling that cannot be put into words. Those men are called of God. Their words were inspiring. Third, I also got to spend time with some pretty nifty young men. They made me laugh all weekend and I am thankful for their amazing example. Fourth, we went to a freaking haunted house and took a beautiful (but slightly steep) hike, if it even qualifies as a hike, up a hill to watch the sunset over the Bountiful temple. Now, you can understand why my heart aches to relive this weekend over and over again. To be surrounded by good, uplifting people who just know how to make me smile was just what I needed. My cheeks hurt from the constant smile that has not left my face since 3:30 pm on Friday afternoon. I know in all my post I mention how thankful I am for my life but it is sincere. Through living prophets and apostles on the Earth today I know I have a Heavenly Father who has a plan for me and has placed me here with people who I need or need me in this life. I know he has a plan for me and I am going to do everything in my power to live accordingly in order to obtain my full potential. I know if I build my foundation upon Christ I cannot fall. I am so thankful for the people in my life and for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. My heart is full (pretend that was not the cheesiest thing you have ever read, because it is true). I am excited to see where my life goes and to continue to fill it with people who can help make me a better person and disciple of Christ. Easily, October 4th, 5th, and 6th were ones for the books. Even though I had to squish in the middle seat, only won once in bananagram, and smelled awful from whatever the heck they spray on you in the nightmare on 13th, this weekend was perfect. Excuse me while I try to find the rewind button to my life.