Its the end of the semester (almost) and life gets SO crazy. I found some time to blog about some of the things I have been doing lately. 

March 26: I went to the festival of colors for the first time. It was SO much fun- I love going to things that are from other culturesand allow me to see the world in a new way. The temple was beautiful, it was white and pure. We got to go inside the temple and dance, which was such a happy and uplifting way to worship. The colors were all SO beautiful and it was just a beautiful celebration.  Afterwards Aubrey and I went and had lunch. 

Later we both showered (which took us 20 mins to get all the chalk out of our hair) then we crashed and took naps- I woke up to a text from Cambria asking if we wanted to go to the jazz game. Need I say more?! Not only was it a jazz game but they were playing the mavs (my 2 teams!!) We quickly got ready and left for the game. It was so close and the jazz were ACTUALLY winning....until the last 5 mins. Either way I was a happy camper!

Then we met up with Cambria, Chewy and his friends at Iggy's after the game. It was nice to be out and actually have fun being social. 

March 28: I had lunch with Heather in SLC at Blue Lemon. OMG Everyone has told me how amazing it is and it was seriously everything and more. Heather is such a sweet girl and I am really grateful I am her visiting teacher because I really feel like she has become a good friend. 

April 2: Conference for the FIRST time. First time GOING to conference and probably my first time watching a saturday session :) Dont judge me! I loved it. I admit I was so tired from clinicals the night before and woke up cranky but it was such a nice experience and it ended up being my favorite session of conference. I love how they talked about service, being christians and loving people. That is the real message of Jesus and something I work hard to develop. The conference center is BEAUTIFUL and the temple still amazes me EVERY TIME i see it. 

More updates to come soon! Get excited :) 

xoxo

Life has been the biggest whirl wind/haze. I thought that I was emotionally over the trauma that happened with my mom and had grown stronger. I count my blessings for her and the many miracles that happened the last few months. There is NO doubt in my mind that Heavenly Father knew I would not be able to get through life without my mom and best friend. She is the single most amazing woman I have ever met (yes-we get on each others nerves occasionally, but its very RARE and usually about something silly) and I would be content being 1/2 the mom she has been. This weekend I was in CA with my little family (just mom, dad and lidia) and the Q13 news channel called my dad asking for an interview- odd we thought. Turns out the news did a segment on the rescue/miracle of my mom. I have been anxiously waiting to be able to watch this video that highlighted the miraculous 911 operator, my dads lifesaving CPR and my moms fight to survive- however, I began to cry when I heard the fear and distress of my dad on the phone with the 911 operator. It hit me SO hard that I turned the video off and began thinking about that night again, replaying the entire night in my head.

Early to bed (rare). Michael calling me LATE on a weekday. (rare hes even UP let alone CALLING ME) The fear of the unknown with my mom's medical status. Worry about Lidia. The reality of the severity of brain aneurysms. The LONG process of my mom's recovery (which still continues) Life is truly a blessing and I am so grateful that Heavenly Father knew my needs.

Heres a link to the video, it is very inspiring and uplifting. I hope that the miracles in my life can touch you in even just a fraction of the way they have impacted me.

Q13 new: Sheila Rae The Brave (not really the title) <3

(Click it-its really worth it!)

This song came on during my study session. It reminded me how much I LOVE this song. This song seems very fitting for this time in my life.

Racal Flatts: Im Moving On

I am becoming the best person I can be, and life is a process. I know that I have changed from the person I was and who I am becoming. Life gives everyone challenges and I have taken the hard road and found out what I want, who I want to be, and where I want to go in my life by making the mistakes to show me what I dont want. It wasnt the most graceful way to go through life, but I am more sure of it now and grateful for the trials that made me discover who I am. If you cant accept that then you cant accept me, you cant see the present because youre so focused on the part of me I have left behind. Someone will see me for the beautiful person I have become and love me for changing who I wanted to become.

"Maybe forgiveness will find me somewhere down this road...Im moving on"

I am taking a mental break from my studying to blog real quick. So heres my life update in a <10mins

I deleted facebook- which has felt really nice! i get a lot more done in my day, and my study time is more concentrated

I am honestly refocused on school. I have been spending 8-10 hours a day studying and doing hw. I am caught up on my hw for the FIRST time since everything happened with my mom. All I think about lately is how much I want to be a nurse, and kick butt on my next few tests. I genuinely love nursing and it gives me goosebumps thinking about how much I want it.

I hate dating.

I leave for CA on thursday. I NEED this vacation SO bad, I need time to regroup. Get my mind off my personal problems, school and this bipolar weather here in utah.

Life 840348203948230948 Natalie 1
I am going to ROCK this test Monday.

Kidney stones....

Irony: We discussed the terrible pain of kidney stones in class on tuesday, woke up wednesday to this unbearable pain. Sure enough- kidney stones. 9/10 pain which brought me to tears.

Lortab and college basketball have been my 2 best friends.

1. Pain medicine helps the pain of the kidney stones
2. I actually studied this weekend for my pharmocology test tomorrow (1st time: dont tell my teacher) 
3. BYU beat Gonzaga 
4. I washed all my sheets, duvet cover, quilt and pillowcases (BEST FEELING is sleeping in new sheets)
5. I made a "study mix" that is full of john mayer, jack johnson, sara bareilles, train, michael buble, and norah jones. this mix has yet to get old.

1. I am caught up on my hw and have already started studying for my pharm test on Monday
2. I have parents who love me "no matter what" and are ALWAYS supporting me
3. I went to starbucks and studied- like old times and it felt SO good
4. My Dad and brother Michael are coming to visit next weekend <3
5. My brother Derek gave me the Train CD and "Marry Me" has been on repeat and gives me goosebumps 

Marry Me by Train

This song is what I want. This song gives me hope; hope that there will be someone who I fall in love with. I deserve to have someone who feels that way about me. Love is real. I wont settle for anything less and deserve true, real love. Thank you Train. <3

D Land <3 I have a great BFF

Ok so things havent been great- lets be honest they have been real lousy.

I realized that I have been dwelling on all the bad things that have happened and let it ruin my month. Today I started looking for things to be grateful for. So I am going to add at the beginning 5 things that were good and brought me happiness from the day.

1. I got to pick up my 2 beloved purses from being fixed- white louie just in time for spring 
2. It was 65 and sunny(ish) today and I got to bust out my new YSL sunglasses from my daddy
3. My mom is well enough to go to the Sounders game tonight (jealous yes! but regardless a blessing)
4. I kicked butt on my midterm 90% which I DEFINITELY needed 
5. My teacher is gave me permission to go to Laguna with my family April 7 <3 

I watching the sounders game tonight (vs. LA Galaxy eeek!) and doing hw. I have a lot of hw and need to start studying for my Pharmocology test on Monday. I am refocused in school and ready to learn how to be the best nurse possible. I am so grateful that I found something I LOVE and enjoy. 

I have been so blessed and I need to acknowledge the MANY blessings I have in my life.