"Sisters I testify that the Lord has a plan for each of our lives. Nothing that happens is a shock or a surprise to Him. He is all-knowing and all-loving."

-Sister Reeves

These words were some of my favorite spoken at the General Relief Society broadcast this last Saturday night. Just think about this for a moment-----

"nothing that happens is shock or a surprise to Him."

How beautiful,

How happy,

How perfect,

to know that someone much wiser than I has a plan for my life, and for what I can become.

And I can't wait to learn more about that plan this weekend.

A House Divided

Yep it's true. I cheer for the blue. However those boys in red, and especially their awesome coach still have a special place in my heart.

They have my families whole heart though. Making our family a little bit divided.

This year though we proved that a house divided can still stand, and that makes me one happy girl.

Even if my boys in blue lost.

Glad I got to be with this lady

Dad doing the game ball give away with Elder Bednar

The Red, White and Blue....

Between Jamal's injury and BYU's devastating loss Nate and I had a lot to be sad about that night...

But actually we were still pretty happy, after all it's football season! 

Ho Hey

Now, I'm not trying to sound like a hipster, but I loved the Lumineers long before they were cool. I discovered them through a blog-and watched a few youtube clips of them. I purchased their album immediately, and it became the soundtrack to my 2011 Summer.

And a couple weeks back a dream came true and I got to see them live! There was something magical about being out on the shore of the Great Salt Lake, the fall breeze coming in, listening to some amazing musicians bear their souls through song.

Sadly-there was some crazy wind the night of the concert, and the Lumineers only made it through five songs before they got kicked off due to weather, and safety concerns. I was heartbroken to have it cut so short but for the time they did play they sounded absolutely wonderful. So even though it wasn't for very long-I'm sure glad I got to hear them perform.

It was seriously the most stunning view for a concert

 Nathanial Rateliff

 Dr. Dog

 So glad I got to go with my dear friend Allison

 The Lumineers

"I don't gamble but if I did I would bet on us. 

Like the dead Sea 

You told me I was like the Dead Sea 

You'll never sink when you are with me 

Oh like the Dead Sea

Whoa I'm like the dead sea

The finest words you ever said to me

Honey can't you see, 

I was born to be, be your Dead Sea."

Fall Favorites

Some of the very best parts of fall are back in full swing....

Football games....

Pumpkin bagels....

and

Rainy evenings full of fall reading...

I've been enjoying mine by wearing sweaters (my office is freezing!), escaping to Park City, and creating a fall bucket list. I hope yours has been as happy as mine so far!

PS. Look who I ran into at the game!

All I Want is a Bouquet of Newly Sharpened Pencils..

"Don't you just love New York in the fall? It makes me want to buy school supplies. I would send you a bouquet of newly sharpened pencils if I knew your name and address."

Ever since I first heard this line I've had some crazy day dream fantasy about receiving a bouquet of newly sharpened pencils as grand gesture to usher in the season that I hold most dear and near to my heart. Call me Kathleen Kelly.

I just live for the fall. I come alive in the fall. I am most me in the fall.

And although it is technically still Summer in so many ways-the biggest that it is only August-it is fall in my heart.

I've watched You've Got Mail. I'm in an e-bay bidding war for a new Vera Bradley planner. I'm seeking out stationary and pencils. I'm eyeing my cardigans with eager anticipation. I'm craving pumpkin bagels. And today I started working my first ever grown up job-thus ending my summer, and summer as I've known it thus far in life.

So for me-it's Fall. And I must say that if one season had to come early this year-I'm sure glad it's this one.

Now if you'll excuse me, I have a little Fall Bucket List to create. Enjoy the rest of your summer!

A Perfect Day

Monday was just one of those days. You know the type-the ones that make all the other days, the hard ones that is, more than worth it. Monday was one of those days that put things back into perspective-where so many happy things happened that I was absolutely overwhelmed with joy.

I went to the Parade of Homes and enjoyed a delicious lunch with my sister. It was wonderful to get to spend time with her.

I got an e-mail from my missionary, and that sister of mine always knows just what to say to make me smile.

I got to have a "girls night" with some of my very favorite girls, and introduce a couple of them to cakebites.

I got to see one of my favorite couples.

I chatted with my amazing parents.

I spent time with my favorite guy, who, as always made me laugh in the best way.

My very oldest and dearest friend got her mission call.

And...

I got offered my first, grown-up, real-life, big deal job.

As I drove back from Provo late that night, listening to my friend thousands of miles away read her mission call I was overwhelmed with gratitude for this life that I'm lucky enough to claim. I am surrounded by lovely, kind, generous people, I have a happy home, a great education, and now a new job.

Life is pretty wonderful these days. I am one blessed girl.

The Best Things Take 9 months...

Once upon a time, my roommates and I went to Break the Fast. With a new semester beginning we had the opportunity to meet all sorts of new people, but lets face it we really just wanted to meet the guys. We met this one guy who seemed pretty friendly, especially with Natalie. Honestly I only remember two things about that Break the Fast:

1) This nice guy named Edward was trying to eat grapes with a fork
2) As we walked away Natalie said "I think I have a crush on Edward."

Coming from Natalie that was a very big deal. I knew from that moment that she must really like him.

After a disastrously wonderful first date they kind of didn't talk for awhile. For about eight months actually. During those months, from time to time, I'd bring up Edward and ask her if she still had a crush on him. She insisted that although she did, it would never happen and that he probably didn't like her. I hated that answer though, being the crazy optimist that I am, and I insisted that you just "never know what will happen." Although that probably definitely annoyed her I just refused to give up on the hope that Natalie would eventually date the only guy I'd ever heard her say she had a "crush" on.

Eight months later, after we befriended his roommates, Natalie and Edward started spending more time together. Within a month they were dating. Once they started dating Natalie and I decided that the best things must just take nine months.

I guess we were right, because their relationship really is one of the best things.

During the last year I've had a front row seat to watching two of my dearest friends fall in love with each other, and to be honest it was kind of a privilege. I've never seen Natalie more happy than when she is with Edward. As Natalie and I sat together last week-having our last Nsquared sleepover before she got married-I told her that I could not be happier for her. Seeing how happy she is with Ed, how good he is to her, how kind and brave they are together fills me with so much joy. Individually I love both Natalie and Edward, and cherish the relationship I have with them-but that doesn't even compare to how much I love Natalie & Edward together. They bring out the best in each other.

Because of this it felt so right on Saturday, seeing them come out of the temple, finally married. They glowed with happiness as they kept looking at each other, and that happiness was contagious to all of us there.

Dear Mr. & Mrs. Houstman,

Thanks for giving each other each another chance after the Skeleton Key/rock hard caramel apple incident. What can I say? I've just been the biggest fan of you two from the beginning. I could not be happier for you, even if it means I lost a roommate. I kind of feel like it was worth it because I got a great new friend/spider killer in the process. You two are too good to me, and I love you guys more than I can adequately express. Now, since I know you hate the attention I will end this public display of affection toward you two.

Love always,
Nicole

P.S. Thanks for my Provo bedroom. I can't think of any other people I'd rather have as occasional "roommates".



Photos from my iphone, Michael, and RyHop.