Alyson, Chelsea, Flat Emilee, and I go to Music and the Spoken Word and Temple Square

I had never been to Music and the Spoken Word until

two Sundays ago.

I loved it.

Alyson, Chelsea, Flat Emilee, and I went instead of going to church.

It was nice.

We also spent some time wandering around

Temple Square.

I HEART THAT PLACE!!

Me and my girls!

What we heard that beautiful morning was simply amazing.

~The music unbelievably beautiful~

~The words were these~

Life, in this world, can be hard on anyone. We hear and see things that are discouraging, even disheartening, and at times we may feel dismayed about the state of the world and the condition of our own lives. Yes, life can be hard.

But within us, deep down in our heart of hearts, resides a sense of robust hope and sweet expectation that can lift us out of life’s fog to see clearly who we are and our capacities. We lift the fog every time we count our blessings, every time we are kind toward others, every time we seriously ponder life’s purposes. We lift life’s fog as we pause to listen to our heart.

Each one of us is here for a reason, a purpose that may sometimes get lost in life’s heartaches and disappointments. Who are you really? Why are you here at this time and this place? What can you do to make a difference in someone’s life? How can you truly look into your heart?

"What you think of you is what finally matters,” wrote one observer. "When you look in the bathroom mirror in the morning, the court is open for business. And you are the jury and the judge on the case.”

Thinking of yourself as someone capable and worthy of good things sets positive change into motion. Quietly, your heart begins to change. You then begin to see and think and feel that your life can be good—despite life’s heartaches. Listen to that small voice in your heart that whispers to you the power to change, the potential for happiness, and the peace of mind that comes from knowing that what you think of you matters.

 

 

Dear Temple Square,

I love the feeling I have when I walk around you.

I love to see the temple and all of the other beautiful buildings.

I really love your missionaries, they make me smile...and cry.

I feel peaceful when you are near.

Love,

CoRi dAwN 

So we finally made it to the state line.

We made it to Utah.

WOOHOO

We took some pictures of an amazing sunset.

 We took the LONG cut to Utah and it really was beautiful and it really was LONG. But it's OK, we had fun.

We stayed the first couple of nights with

Mallory and her cute puppy Zoe.

Mallory is tons of fun and her apartment is so cute.

Then we picked up Chelsea from the airport. On the way to the airport we ate at Noodles in Sugar House and there was the

COOLEST pop machine EVER.

Really! Look at how cool that is!

And Alyson had a job interview at the COUGAREAT.

SHE GOT THE JOB!!

(I took care of Flat Emilee during the interview)

And then the moving into dorms started and the shopping started.

Between Alyson and Chelsea almost $200.00 was spent at the

DOLLAR STORE!

I didn't even know that was possible.

The proud owner of a dorm room key.

And here is Alyson's home away from home.

The first night there. None of Alyson's room mates were there so we

(Chelsea, Alyson, and I) had a slumber party.

Does thumbs up mean,

"I'm doing good"

or

"Really! I'm good. Stop taking pictures of me!"

Cause umm both of them did that... A LOT.

The shopping.

My poor, poor van.

Full to the brim with shopping bags and Chelsea's stuff.

Truthfully, it was lots of fun and pretty funny.

I thought I'd have to drive down I-15 with bags on my lap.

 We did it. It's all in, even Chelsea.

Dear Alyson, Chelsea, and Mallory,
I had a blast. Thanks for the fun.
I'm so happy that both of you are moved in and feeling good.
I miss you.
Love,
CoRi dAwN



Where do I start?

After being gone for 10 days I want to tell ya'll all about my trip and post pictures and tell you the funny and sad stories...

 but where do I start?

I guess I will start with the beginning.

The beginning which is actually an ending.

The ending of my family being living together. I don't know if all of kids will ever live together again. And that is heartbreaking for me. But my testimony of Eternal Families is comforting to me, you see I believe that my kids will ALWAYS be mine. Always.

And so our goodbyes

(You know I think I won't call them "goodbyes", I think I will call them "so-longs" like my great-granddaddy did. He told me "goodbyes" meant you wouldn't see that person again and "so-long" meant we'll see each other again real soon) 

And so our "So-Longs" began early in the morning.

I got up and took pictures of Alyson telling Bryant and Dawson

"So-Long"

And then we packed.

We packed bags and tubs

And the car.

And then more "So-Longs"

Really SAD "So-Longs"

YES THAT IS A FLAT EMILEE YOU SEE!!

SHE WENT ON SOME REALLY FUN ADVENTURES ON OUR TRIP TO BYU!

(More about her later.)

And then we drove! And drove. And drove.

We took the LONG way.

I don't know why.

We took pictures as we drove.

From inside the car.

 And then we made it UTAH!

To be continued.....

Dear Precious Family,

Thank you for allowing me to photograph your tender moments.

I need to be able to remember.

I heart you.

Love,

CoRi dAwN

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DINIE!!

Happy Birthday to the most wonderful

"other mother"

I have!!

Dinie is my "step mom" but I hate that word because

I feel like it says mean or evil.

And my Dinie is very much not mean or evil!

She is kind and gentle.

And loving.

And it's her birthday today.

Dear Dinie,
I hope your day was wonderful. I hope your YW surprised you with a special treat. I hope Dad gave you a foot rub and made you a bowl of your favorite cereal. I miss you a ton and wish I could have been with you today! Happy Birthday.
I love you.
Love,
CoRi dAwN