Peace out 2012; it's been real.

Hey y'all! Well it's New Year's Eve and it's hard to believe that 2012 has come and gone. I brought in 2012 with my wonderful family and I am blessed to herald in 2013 with them as well. As cliche as it sounds, I really do think that this time of year serves as a time of reflection of the past and resolutions for the future. So, I'd like to share with you my top 10 highlights of the year 2012. 

1. Sadie Hawkins Dance, in my khaki pants, there's nothing better. Oh oh oh. 

Alec and I

Part of our group

2. Choir Trip
In April, my choir went to Austin and San Antonio. I got to spend time with some of my absolute best friends and enjoy being together as a choir before we graduated. We had the opportunity to sing in the Capitol in Austin, go to Sea World, and a ranch! It was a ton of fun. 

 Angie, Ashley, Jennifer, Lauren and I partying in Sea World 

Lauren, Jennifer, Angie and I in Austin 

3. Senior Prom!
May 19 was our Senior Prom. One of my very best friends, Tyler, asked me. He did it in the most creative way! He sent me on a week-long scavenger hunt where I had to search for pages of a fairy tale he wrote me about us going to prom using clues containing lyrics from our absolute favorite artist, Owl City. He was the best date and we had a total blast!! The dance was fantastic, and even though we were exhausted during Project Prom until 6 AM, we had such a great time! 

 Me and Ty (and his lovely hot pink shirt. He's a good sport!) :) 

Our lovely group! <3

4. Graduation
On June 2, I graduated from Seven Lakes High School! That was an exciting day and I felt quite accomplished! 

My wonderful family <3 

5. Katie and Scott's wedding 

My beautiful, fabulous older sister and best friend Katie got married on June 12 in the Salt Lake City temple. She married Scott, the best brother-in-law we could have asked for. The wedding was wonderful, Katie was gorgeous, and it was such a great day. 

The beautiful, happy couple 

Sisters <3 

Family <3 

6. Summer Term at BYU, baby!

On June 18, only 16 days after I graduated, I started the summer term at the school of my dreams--Brigham Young University in Provo. I was so grateful that I applied to the summer term because it was the absolute best experience I have ever had. It was a lot of work, very demanding, and a huge learning experience. But it was perfect in its own way and I wouldn't change one single thing. I had the best roommate, the best friends, some of my favorite classes, and the best times. Here were just a few of my favorites:

Emily, Sarah and I at the Stadium of Fire--we got to see Scotty McCreery and the Beach Boys.

 Bowling with the gang! 

 No big deal, I just met Veronica Roth, the author of the best books in the world. It's fine though. 

The best friends a girl could ask for! <3 

 We love Chipman! 

 My fabulous roomie and favorite twin, Sarah. 

7. Family reunion
We had a family reunion in July and were able to get the whole gang together at a dude ranch. It was great to see everyone all at once and we had such a great time. 

 Playing our favorite game, crazy croquet, with Grandpa 

 Rafting down the Provo River 

 Horseback riding 

 ATVing

Hiking up to Angel's Landing 

8. Fall Semester at BYU
August 27 marked the beginning of the fall semester at BYU. This semester was incredible! Like the summer, if not more so, it was a huge learning experience. I learned so much about myself and truly grew intellectually, spiritually, and socially. There were lessons to be learned, friends to be made, and good times to be had. There were difficult classes and tests, and challenges I had to overcome. But I saw the hand of our loving Heavenly Father so much over the course of the semester. I know that He guided me and continues to do so. What a wonderful few months I had, and I absolutely cannot wait to go back for the winter. :) To share just a few highlights: 

BYU football!! 

 General Relief Society Meeting with my sister

 Matching striped sweaters with Sarah and Kinsey 

 Halloween with my fabulous Stover girls

 Besties on Halloween 

 SNOW <3 

Salt Lake City with Chandler, Sarah, and Preston 

 Christmas time

First Presidency Christmas Devotional

9. Parachute and Boys Like Girls Concert <3 <3 <3
Well, my obsession with Parachute and Boys Like Girls skyrocketed when Angie, Tyler, Lauren, Jacquelyn and I went to see them in concert. What amazing performances they gave! They had incredible energy and are so so SO talented. We even did some red-light dancing, our favorite. :) Seriously, one of the best nights of my entire life. We got to meet some of the band members of Parachute and even got their autographs (and let me tell you, those boys are SO CUTE.)

 Before the show 

Waiting in line to meet Parachute... worth every minute <3 

Ang, Ty and I with Will Anderson, the lead singer of Parachute. <3 

10. And last, but not least, spending the holiday break with my wonderful family. Even though Katie and Scott spent the holidays with Scott's family, it's been nice to be with the rest of my family. The best gift was being with them for the holidays. I love them and am so blessed to have them in my life. <3 

 Siblings! 

Baby sister <3 

Well, there you have it! 2012 was a fabulous year, but I am very excited for 2013. Here's to the new year, new friends, new memories, new experiences, and new beginnings. <3

Have a blessed New Year. Hakuna matata,

Mallory 

Three kings found the Lord, and so can we

One of my favorite things about Christmas is the music. Seriously. Christmas music is the absolute best. If it were socially acceptable, I would listen to Christmas music year round because it makes everyone so happy and I love it! 

One of my favorite Christmas CDs is one that my mom played for us as we grew up. It's called "The Forgotten Carols" by Michael McLean. They aren't your traditional Christmas carols, but I love them. One of my favorite songs is "I Cannot Find My Way/Three Kings". I've always loved it and it has a message that is poignant and has always stuck with me. I decided to do a cover of it and wanted to share:

Lyrics:

Somewhere beneath the glitter that comes this time of winter,

In many souls there is a cry.

They may not clearly say it but in their hearts they pray it,

And you can see it in their eyes.

I cannot find my way, I cannot find my way, I cannot find my way at all.

There are so many voices, so many different choices,

I cannot find my way at all.

There were three kings who followed the star of Bethlehem.

They came from afar to praise and honor him.

The light which beckons them to seek the Lord of men,

It calls to you it calls to me.

We cannot find our way, we cannot find our way, we cannot find our way at all.

There are so many voices, so many different choices

We cannot find our way at all.

We’re not alone we have a star that shines today.

The love that He gave teaches how and shows the way.

The light is clear to see if we have faith and believe,

Three kings found the Lord and so can we (we cannot find our way, we cannot find our way).

Three kings found the Lord and so can we (there are so many voices, so many different choices).

Three kings found the Lord and so can we (and if you've lost your way, that light burns bright today).

Three kings found the Lord and so can we.

Three kings found the Lord and so must we. 

I think this song is a beautiful reminder of the light and love that Jesus Christ offers us--not just during this Christmas season, but year round, 24/7. It is His light that guides us today. He has not forgotten us. Sometimes we may feel lost, alone, and confused. But knowing that Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, will always be there for us is a huge comfort. He loves us and that's why He came to this earth to live and die for us that we may return to Him and our loving Heavenly Father. If so long ago, the three wisemen were able to find Christ, we too, today can do so. If you want to know more about Jesus Christ and His gospel on this earth, check out the "What I Believe" tab above! :)

I hope that you have a very Merry Christmas. 

God bless, and hakuna matata,

Mallory <3 

Artsy

I've been wanting to make some new decorations for my dorm room, and this break I finally had some time to do so. I decided on some canvas collages. They were super simple and easy to do, and turned out pretty cute in my opinion! 

Here's what you need: 

Canvases (I used 8x10s, but you could definitely go bigger or smaller)

Magazine/paper clippings (I found that the magazine pages were a little too thin for the mod podge, I'd recommend something thicker) 

Mod podge 

Paint brushes 

Decide what clippings you'd like to use and then cut them out. Using the paint brushes, apply a light layer of mod podge directly on the canvases. Place your clippings on top of it and allow time for it to dry completely for best results. Once that layer is dry, cover the entire things with mod podge, remember it dries clear, but too much can make it look opaque. Allow it to dry completely and voilà! There you have it! 

Not too hard, and I think it's kind of fun! 

                        

Well I hope that you are all enjoying the break and the holidays with your families and loved ones. More to come soon!! 

Hakuna matata,

Mallory 

Catch up

Hey y'all!! 

I know it's been far too long since I've posted. I just have been so busy since Thanksgiving. Finals literally consumed my life for the past few weeks! BUT, I am finished for the semester and should have all A's and A-'s. So I'm pretty happy about that. I also have enough credits now to make me a sophomore. So I'd say overall, it was a good semester. 

Well. Let me attempt to fill you in on the past few weeks. Unfortunately, most of the time was spent studying, so there's not too much to say.

Sarah and I decorated our room for Christmas the day we got home from Thanksgiving break. Complete with Christmas lights, snowflakes, a beautifully wrapped and adorned door, two Christmas trees my fabulous mother sent us, and a manger with baby Jesus, I'd say we did a good job. 

My snowflakes :) 

Our Christmas trees! <3 

I also went to Salt Lake City 3 times in one week. We saw the lights, the gorgeous temple, did some shopping and also got to go to the First Presidency Christmas Devotional (if you'd like to learn more about it and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, check out the "What I Believe" tab above). It was sooo much fun!! 

 SLC round 1 :) 

 SLC round 1 :) 

SLC round 1 :) 

Roomie love on SLC round 2 :) 

 And round 3!! 

Love her <3 

I also went to a dance with one of my friends, Preston. It was a total blast! 

  The group at the dance! 

Right now I'm sitting in the airport waiting to fly home. I seriously cannot wait until I am home. The song "I'll be home for Christmas" has taken on a whole new meaning for me. I am stoked! As I was buying breakfast in the airport, the girl working asked me how I was. I replied "GREAT!" and she said "you look like you're great!". I guess my excitement is pretty evident. 

Looking back over the semester, I am so grateful for the opportunity I have to attend the best university in the world, BYU, studying something I love, am so interested in, and so excited for. I am blessed to have the best, sweetest roommate and such wonderful friends. This semester was definitely difficult--between all my classes and that stress and finding a place where I belong, there were some rough times. However, the good outweighs the not so good. I learned so much, not just in my classes but also in real life. Life's a learning experience. Life is a journey. And it's meant to be enjoyed, not endured. I know that my Heavenly Father has a glorious plan for me and that He guides and leads me in every aspect of my life. 

If you still have finals to take, don't stress. Those will be over soon enough. If you are travelling this holiday season, be safe. May the spirit of Christmas touch your hearts and bring you happiness, peace, and joy with your loved ones. :) 

Hakuna matata! 

Mallory