Blessed

 

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So we meet again. Hi blog. Hi friends. Hi

This month was hard.

This YEAR is hard.

2014 has not been the kindest.

But i'm OK. I have no room to complain, but sometimes I do. And that's OK.

I want...I need everyone to know of my gratitude to them these past months. For their support, love, and words of advice, the littlest text would swoop me up into tears and I would just become so overcome with so much thankfulness. I am so blessed. 

There's a reason for anything and everything. I don't put that lightly either. Each day, I think (deeply) about little things that impact big things or big things that impact little things in my life, and I am continuously in awe about how EVERYTHING HAPPENS FOR A REASON.

Holy canoli guys I tell you what. That thought can send me off in such deep thought for hours upon hours, I may not get it in the beginning, but in the end, it all pieces itself together and you get that "ah-ha" moment. Those suck sometimes (who likes to admit stupidity?)

My "ah-ha" moment finally came.

And wanna know what?

I'm happy. I am so so happy.

I waited a while (two years to be exact) for my ah-ha moment. I put myself through a lot and I put others through a lot for my ah-ha moment.

 The world broke my heart ten ways to Sunday.

But Sunday is my favorite day again.

While unknowingly searching for the "ah-ha" I discovered so much more.

I found my love for videography and the passion I have for it.

I found out that my family is the greatest family in the whole world (this includes non-blood family members on Vaughn Ave.) I was carried when I was done, when I was about to give up. In my darkest place, they were the light through it all. I couldn't have gotten through those moments without them.

I found my "friend-family" as I like to call it. It really is a 2nd family unit that I am so grateful for. I have met some of the most genuine and real people through this and I am so thankful I get to keep them forever. Who doesn't want two families?!

I found Ryan Edward Fischer. The cliché "I wasn't looking, but he just appeared" story. But it's true. The last thing on my mind, but low and behold, the date to the batting cages really won my heart. I have never met a more sincere, tender-hearted, smart, patient, selfless, hardworking, amazing person, as Ryan. I thank my lucky stars that he came into the picture.

I found a deeper and stronger relationship with the savior. I strive daily to be who he wants me to be, and who he knows I can be. I hold our relationship above all others and I am eternally grateful for the time I had to give my all to him, in my quiet cries of need, he was there. And I will forever remember that.

I found myself.

And I think I've been missing for a long time.

So hey Tori

It's nice to finally see you again.

 

Formal Slurpee Dates

My favorite human.

Can We Just?

Be Still.

It's a hard concept for me that it's possibly possible to actually relax once in awhile. Maybe take a seat, watch a few episodes of RHOBH? Do I know how to sit? Probably not. Have a real hard time catching onto that one. My whole life night has been my best friend. It's when I would read (and read and read), or draw, or look up sad stories on vimeo and cry myself to sleep. Either way, the goth side of me comes out when the sun goes down. Me and nighttime have a pretty good thing going. It's when I get most things accomplished and it's when my brain really starts grinding some gears (hence the art projects at 3 am). I start getting into really deep questions that I ask myself (and the google toolbar) and could stay up for hours learning about things I never would've known before. I don't know why i'm not tired now. I woke up at 7:30 today and haven't stopped going since then. But when my pointer finger finds its way over to the spiritual side of all things internet. I. Get. Lost. Or...found, should I say? I could spend hours just looking and learning and watching all things gospel related. It really does just calm me down, mellow me out, center me...so really it's like yoga for my soul. Yeah. That. So while going through the Gilbert temple the other week, I snapped some pictures. Researched about the temple, how long it took, who was involved, how much it cost. All that jazz. SO appreciative and grateful for temples and for the blessings that come along with attending. The church is a powerful and amazing thing that is the rod for me in these trying times. How grateful I am to know of a place where i'm able to be sealed to my future family and to already be sealed to my present family. Such a grateful girl over here right now at 2:05 in the morning. 

No Wrong Ideas

It's not Thursday, so I can't cleverly title this post, "Thorwback Thursday" original huh? But here's a throwback anyway. 14 minutes of the stuff that makes people great. 

Feel Good Inc.

Puberty, Love Ya Man.

There's times when I really question how I had friends in my pre-teen years (note: the xhilaration target halter top that you KNOW I worshiped. Smash's speedo does the job nicely as well.) Through it all, Ash has been one of my number one girls that has loved me through all my phases. NOW SHE'S GETTING MARRIED?! Wiggidy Wack. Can't even believe it's right around the corner. Friday was her bridal shower and we all got to see her get spoiled rotten, which is never a bad thing in my opinion. So to commemorate our 10+ years of friendship, here's some eye candy for you all. Please be my friend still.

 Smash, thanks for being a lesbian sister wife for the past 10 years with me! I love you!

I Got You, I Got Everything

My heart aches for Summer and blasting Jack 

Three's a Crowd, Four's a Party

There's something about having the coolest people as your closest friends. These three do a pretty good job at that and they are seriously the best. It's been a non-stop party since school has been out and i'm way glad these kids know how to party (you guys keep me young). We've hit the Zona musts' (i.e. Skateland, Brunswick, and the YSA stake dance (not really, but really) on New Years). 

Merry Christmas!

To ring Christmas is, the Bells / Mollineaux's planned a surprise for us around 4 today. We got to go to our fave sushi spot (Sushi Ave.) and afterwards went out to Saguaro lake and lit lanterns! Coolest thing ever! A big thanks to our second family for taking such good care of us! We adore you! 

Merry Christmas to you all! I hope your day is holly and jolly and everything else under the mistletoe!

Bellies

World, the Bell sisters, Bell sisters, the world.

I love these two like my own sisters and the amount of sass they deliver has me on the floor most days. 

Love you fierce cats! 

Sister Frand

All I have to say is that my sisters are troopers. Whenever I need to practice on someone they're always so willing to help me out and give me a hand (plus, how fab are they?) Big thanks go out to sister number 3 for assisting me on Thursday! You the best Pooh Bear!

Schaub Wedding!

So I had the extreme pleasure of shooting Emma & Carson's wedding video this past week! I've been friends with both of them since freshman year and I was so lucky to have been able to do their video! They have enough love to fill all of Disneyland and then do it again! So in love with them. The day went great, the reception was fabulous, and the dancing was the cherry on top! 

Happy marriage you two lovers! I love you!

Birthday Week

So somehow it's already November? Alright. 

With November comes a lot of good tidings and celebratory events (most of which involve good food) so i'm all on board for November's quick arrival. One celebratory event including, my birthday. I normally protest birthday attention but this year i'm coming at it from a different angle, trying to do things that will make me the happiest 21 year-old on the planet! So one birthday wish of mine was to go to the temple and do baptisms. Elle and Chloe were so kind and accompanied me and we had such a good time! Thanks again girls! Cheers to 21!

Happy 12th Birthday Bella!

The youngest Sorenson girl enters into the pre-teen finale. We love Bella blue and her sassy lines and fiesty comebacks, this girl definitely knows how to hold her own in an argument under this roof. She's also a dead ringer for Bridgit Mendler and we all are constantly talking about how dopplegangery they are. 

Happy Birthday baby sister! I love you!

Fall Festives

I am all about fall and all it has to offer, and when the parties start rolling around, i'm there usually embarrassing myself in some manner (not so much this year without LC though). So Saturday night kicked off the festivites. Stetson and I went to the annual Hangar party and got our freak on with half of Zona. I'm not sure of half of the things that went on, but hey, those are usually the best nights right?

Lacey & Shane

I always get super giddy when I get to shoot some of my good friends, and considering how hot Lace & Shane are, I was beyond giddy when they asked me to take their 1 year anni pictures. How it's already been one year is beyond me. Lacey and I have been friends since our Sophmore year and it's so fun to see her married to Shane now. They are the greatest and are so easy on the eyes. Thanks for letting me shoot you, you guys! Happy one year! I love you both!