The best time is FAMILY time!

So, as this Christmas season approached, my mom realized that this would probably be our last Christmas with all of us kids home, since my brother leaves on his mission soon (42 days!). When she realized this she decided that we needed to do a bunch of stuff as a family. I have to say, that this Christmas has been one of the very best, at least for me. I have spent more time with my whole family than I have in a long time. It has been pretty neat. It didn't really hit me until today, that my brother is really leaving soon, and that all this family time we are enjoying is about to change. I am so very grateful to have such an amazing family to spend my time with. They truly are my bestest friends! They have been there through everything for me, and have strengthened me more than ever lately. I have come to appreciate my family so much more in the last year, and cherish every moment we get to spend together. This Christmas has been amazing because i got to spend every minute of it with my best friends. We have enjoyed many laughs together this Christmas season, and have created memories that will last a life time. I don't care what you think I have the BEST, most fun, CRAZIEST family ever!!!

Tomorrow is my brother Justin's 19th birthday! He is all grown up!! In just over a month, he will off to serve the people of Hawaii, and they don't know just how lucky they are. He is one amazing young man who is going to make an awesome missionary!! He has been such a strength to me, and has helped me through a lot of tough times. Growing up we didn't always get a long too well, we were either the best of friends or worst enemies. Although we still have our moments, I consider him one of my very best friends!!! He really is an example to me and I look up to him so much! He has taught me so much about living life, and enjoying every moment! He has such a free spirit, and can make people laugh. He knows how to enjoy life, and live it to the fullest! He is the best younger brother any sister could ask for!! I love him so much and am so grateful he is my brother and best friend!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BUD!!!

something clicked!

So, since my last blog I have had this amazing experience. Not even so much an experience as a turning point, a new perspective, different point-of-view. It's been pretty cool to see in myself! It hasn't even been a week yet, and I have this whole new outlook on life! It's like something finally clicked i guess. It's taken a long time, but the effort finally paid off! I have know gone over a week without drinking Cherry Pepsi (pathetic I know), I have worked out everyday for a week, and on Saturday I organized all of my living space bathroom included. Needless to say, my parents were shocked! They weren't quite sure what had happened to their daughter, but they weren't about to jinx it. But really, if you know me, you know how surprising all of this is! I am surprising even myself. But aside from just these physical things I have done, I have amazed myself with my new found perspective, and point-of-view! It's amazing to me how one conversation ( a very inspired conversation to say the least) can change everything! Since Wednesday night, I have totally changed the way I think, and feel, and act based on one simple truth. What is this simple truth?? That it all happens in His time frame, and when I am doing what I need to be, I will be blessed. To you it might not seem like a life altering concept, but for me it was! It was something I had heard pretty much my entire life, but it finally clicked for me. I may want something soooo badly, but if it's not the right timing, then it doesn't matter how badly I want it. He knows best what i need and when I need it, so until that time I am just going to keep pushing along, enduring, and living life to the best of my ability! Watch our world, Brianna has found her game! Nothing can bring me down!!!!

Some days I need to take my own advice!

So today I had a very humbling day. I don't want to go into a ton of details, but let's just say I had a breakdown of sorts and was venting to a friend, feeling pretty down on myself and beating myself up. There was a point in our conversation when my friend says to me "Bri, what do you always tell me?" My mind was blank, I couldn't think (plus I didn't really want her to tell me I already knew the answer) so, she says you always tell me that everything will be okay in the end, if its not okay than it's not the end. After she said that, I remembered because this is one of my favorite quotes. I don't bring this up because I want to sound like I have all the answers , but instead to show that sometimes we just way over think things and totally over complicate something when its actually something we already know the answer to. Today was one of those days that started out great but quickly went down hill, and I began to question a lot of things I was doing. And the funny thing about it is that I talked to four different people about a couple of my challenges right now, and none of them told me things I didn't know, or things that I hadn't heard before. They all gave me advice that I actually give to people all the time. Sometimes we just need to listen to our hearts or our heads, whichever is speaking to us. Sometimes its our hearts, and other times its our heads. A lot of the times we already know the answers, but are just to preoccupied with our trials and challenges that we forget. I am thankful that I have an AMAZING friend to remind me of things that I need to hear. Tonight she knew exactly what I needed, when I didn't even know it myself. and for that I am extremely grateful!!

So, when struggling with something, just remember most of the time we make it harder than it needs to be and we often know what we need to do, but have just forgotten. It's okay to take our own advice. Because after all if it can help others it can surely help us!