Elder Hayden Magness

well well well…. 

It is yet another hard goodbye :( 

Hayden is one of my absolute best friends…. 

I will write more soon. More pics to come. 
xoxo abs

Near or Far

Not much more I can say other than… Yep :) 
xoxo abs

chilling days

Thoughts, thoughts, thoughts, and yes more thoughts 

This last Sunday my family had dinner with my Grandma and Grandpa Tolman. As most dinners with grandparents go, you have to act on your best behavior, pass the food around the table instead of reaching over people like we do at home, you can't say your sarcastic remarks out loud, when your sibling (emma) eats all of the bread you can't get mad at her. Do you understand what I am talking about?

Well after everyone is done stuffing their faces full of Grandma's delicious dinner we begin to talk more and more. This is clearly my favorite part. Because I LOVE talking, but most of all I love hearing my grandparents stories. This last week we heard a story from my grandpa that will stick with me forever. 

I am not a hundred percent sure as to why the topic of plane crashes came up but it did. Little did I know my grandpa has been in a plane crash!!!! HE IS ALIVE! haha 

No his story was so cool. He told us about all of the emotions he had on the plane and told how the other people in the plane were all crying and calling their families and saying there good byes. But my Grandpa knew that he would be just fine so he just stayed calm and sat tight and "enjoyed" the ride. So as the story went on he told us that he had to help everyone get out of the plane as soon as it crashed. He said that he didn't realize the how dangerous this situation until he was looking from the out of the plane.

For me this was a really cool story to hear because it showed me that I can be brave in scary situations and that staying calm is the best way.
I am so grateful for my amazing and supportive grandparents. I am extremely grateful that my Grandpa loves journal writing and that one day I will be able to read about his adventurous life! 
Much love <3
Just so ya know I am not lying…. 
http://aircrashed.com/conditions/coSEA88IA065.shtml
xoxo abs

Late night thoughts

Another late night…. 
I should be working on my homework… 
But it is not happening tonight… 

Life is going. Time is flying, everyday gets faster but the weeks 
feel longer than ever. It makes absolutely no sense at all. 

But basically I am registered for my second semester of college. WHAT?!? I know… I feel so old haha… 

I have had the best of luck the past few weeks… LIE 
I have been in contact with the police three times in the past month… Don't even get me started. 
Wyatt is doing amazing things in Taiwan :) such a inspiration of being able to do hard things. Amazing example and sunshine in my life. 

xoxo abs

Missing the simple moments

H-E-L-L-O 

Just a random post for now. 

About a month or two before Wyatt left on his mission I began filming our daily adventures. I came across this random

little one and couldn't help myself. Enjoy our laughs. 

Life is grand, a lot going on. But I am HAPPY 

xoxo abs

my fav

not much to say other than… go and listen to his talk again. It is amazing and was one of my favorites this fall.
xoxo abs

It's not about how hard you can hit. It is about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward.

Why hello there 

It has been a while…

My life is going 100 mph.

But guess what?

I love it. 

College is crazy. I am honestly never home. I wake up go to school, go to study hall (i am required to be in our study hall 12 hours a week), I go to practice and weight lifting, to yes.. more study hall, to work sometimes, then home for dinner and bed. But slowly I am starting to love it. 

Being a college athlete is like 

buying a spot for you in cemetery… 

It means death. 

ha jk. 

It isn't death, it is just really really close. Running for UVU is the hardest thing I have EVER done in my whole life. I have never been pushed so hard and so far (miles). I have never been so tired that at night I lay down in bed and I fall asleep within five minutes of resting my head on my pillow. 

I can honestly say this… I never knew I could do what I am doing right now… but still compared to others I am as slow as a turtle… Fyi that saying "Slow and steady wins the race" isn't true… I have experienced it first hand. So don't believe it. But on serious matters. I am loving every second of the scorching hot practices where I feel like curling up into a ball and disappearing into the ground, to icing for what seems like an eternity, to weight lifting and feeling like a wimp (but getting pretty strong), to the trainers rubbing you out so hard you feel like you're gone break, to drinking more than you thought your body could handle, waking up sore, and then repeating it all again. You know how people think and say that runners are crazy?? Well I completely agree with them. But I love it. 

When I feel like giving up there is a quote in one of my favorite videos that always haunts my mind. 

"Destiny waits for no man. And when your time comes and thousand different voices are trying to tell you you're not ready for it. Listen instead to that lone voice of decent the one that says you are ready, you are prepared. It's all up to you now." 

It is crazy to me that words can have such an impression on your mind when you are in your greatest pain and you feel like dropping to your knees and crying. But instead you listen to that one voice in your head and you conquer your pain and you become stronger than you were before. 

The video that I am sharing with you is one of my favorites to watch and listen to either in the morning, before my work out, or even working out. It gives me strength to not let the hit of pain stop me from succeeding and becoming the person I want to be. 

I hope you enjoy the video. 

xoxo abs

Who's Student ID Card Is This???

Heeeeeeeyyyy thats me and my name on that UVU student ID card!! I think I am now a full time student there?? WOO YA!!! Everyone I did it :) I know shocking… I am a little shocked myself to be honest. I didn't think I would make it this far. Just teasing :) 

Well guess what guys? I officially made it through my first week of college annnnnd I raced my first race as a Utah Valley Wolverine!!! Kind of REALLy weird to not be wearing my blue and gold stuff and bows (</3). The best part is… I AM ALIVE!! Crazy to think I did some pretty hard things this week and I am here to tell you I am alive, breathing, sore, doing homework 24/7, missing Wyatt, and not eating as much chocolate and candy. But I am as happy as a lark ;) jk I am really happy with where I am and what I am doing. The Lord has blessed me immensely with an amazing family, great team, wonderful bed, a mom who will cook anything for me at anytime of the day oh and she does my smelly laundry oh and always is so willing to rub my feet and calfs out (i know she is THE best), a cute dog that will do the craziest and funniest things, and temples all around me to go and clear my mind and get in tune to the spirit so I can carry on with my crazy life. I am extremely excited for this fun journey/adventure I have begun. OH guess what?!?!?!?! Wyatt's been out 6 months this week!! HOLLA 18 more to go :) I am such a lucky girl <3

The world is a big place full of amazing people…

One of the latest adventures was shared with Emma Sordes. 

Emma is from France and you pronounce her last name like Sword. That was for you Emma ;)

Emma and I met in a interesting way…. I had been wanting to go up to the Draper Temple 

(a.k.a my absolute favorite)

 So my mom and I picked a day that we could go on a fun trail in the morning and then go home and shower and head up to my "Castle" My mom went upstairs to do her thing and I headed down to do baptisms.While walking to the dressing room this beautiful girl was right behind me. My first thoughts were…. "Where did she get that dress?" "Holy moly she is gorgeous!" Then I went on my way. As I was sitting and waiting somebody sat down right next to me. I looked over and it was her. She then leaned over and asked where I was from I said "Orem, you?" she quietly answered saying "France" like it was not a big deal at all. After we had finished everything she asked what my name was because she wanted to add me on Facebook. We then began chatting back and forth and eventually decided we needed to do a little outing together :) We picked a day and went. 

I then met her at the Draper Temple we did baptisms. After I asked her where she wanted to go eat lunch… She of course did not know.  So I said In n Out you must try their AMAZING hamburgers :) 

But she wasn't impressed by the In n Out hamburger :( She said it tastes like Mcdonalds at home… 

I think she is crazy…. So after we ate we spent the whole day shopping. We then headed to one of my good friends wedding reception. Then we could NOT miss Morgan and Addison's food truck. But sadly they closed right before we arrived. But Emma wanted to go and talk with them because their food truck is based off of food from France. So anyways…. 

She got talking with Morgan and Addison and it turns out that morgan served his mission where Emma is from and he knows her older siblings. So seriously the world gets smaller everyday. 

Who knew a piece of paper could mean SO much

This is a delayed post and I am sorry…. I am a busy busy girl ;) anywhooooooooo

I got a surprise letter from the one and only Elder Wyatt Payne!!!! It came at the perfect timing! I couldn't have been happier to have received a letter from my sunshine around the world :) 

On top of the world a.k.a Mount Timpanogos

Hiking Timp has been one of my life long goals/dreams. With living right at the bottom of it and have been running on all of the lower trails my whole life. I had always had the desire to hike this HUGE mountain I look at everyday of my life. I finally got the opportunity to hike up this wondrous mountain with some pretty amazing people. We all met at the Young's home at 4:30 am we said a prayer and we were off. We started our long journey. I was amazed the whole time. We are so blessed to have such an amazing place to live in. I could not believe the fact that I had not been using all of this to my advantage my whole life! It is so beautiful. While hiking up we not only had the entertainment of the beautiful scenery we had Brady and Cade talking about The Lord of the Rings the whole way up and down. They would reenact scenes and explain it all to us. It was very entertaining. Once we got to the very top my breath was taken away (literally haha). It was the most rewarding hike to see "on top of our little world"… We decided to take the most adventurous and dangerous way down. The glacier…. We all had garbage sacks that we wore like diapers and off we went down the glacier. As we all reached the bottom we realized that our bottoms and hands were ice burned. But it was so worth it :) The glacier ended at emerald lake. As tradition follows in their family, everyone must jump into the ice cold lake (except hayden…) So we all took our shoes off and dove into the lake. It takes your breath away!! But so worth the jump :) We then began the long journey to the bottom. That was the longest part for me. We could see the parking lot almost the whole time! Kim and I were so tired of walking so we ran the whole way down. The hike was beautiful and so much fun:) I can not wait to go up again. Anyone want to go?? Seriously I will go!! 

Counting my many blessings. This one is at the top of the list!

Elder Wyatt Christian Payne 

I am extremely grateful for this sunshine in my life. He has changed my life since day one. We have had some fun, hard, happy, sad and everything you can imagine. Elder Payne has changed my life. Maybe one day you will all get to hear the stories of our adventures. Oh by the way Elder Wyatt Payne is serving in Taipei, Taiwan serving a LDS mission :) 

A little change has never killed anyone… Right?

Summer days are filled with laughs, late nights, swimming, getting sunburnt, spending time with friends  and family, and the worst part working. But while that is all great… You still get bored of the same day to day life style. I am a victim of this boredom… But not the typical "Mom I am boreeeeeeed"
It was the I am SO bored of my boring brunette hair!!!! Soooooo I decided to use the handy dandy google to find the change I was searching for. GUESS WHAT?! I most definitely found it!
I would like to admit this decision in my life did indeed take weeks for the actual phone call to happen and set up an appointment. I went to many friends and family members and asked for their honest opinion. I got the thumbs up from almost everyone. Guess who the hesitant one was?? My mother of course :) She loved the idea though. I called and set up the appointment…. Then the wait began. All of my worries kicked in.
THOUGHTS
What if it looks bad?
What if I hate it?
I do NOT want to look like a Barbie. Or ugly...
Will it make me look "fatter"? haha
Will she do what I want?
I can't do it. Should I call and cancel? NO abby… You are doing this!!
The day FINALLY CAME…
Of course while I am driving there I am shaking, almost crying, extremely terrified.
I walked in still shaky. The desk lady asked me to fill out all of this paperwork. OH my it was weird, kind of a big step for me. I have never gone or done anything that big without my Mommy by my side. Buuuuut I was brave ;)
I then went and got settled into my chair. We then began discussing what we would be doing with my hair. THEN IT ALL CHANGED!!!!!!!!
Just so you all stop wondering….
I LOVE IT!!!!!!!
I am extremely happy with how it has turned out. I would say that I am pretty "proud" of myself for being so brave and taking a "BIG" step in my life ;)
I can now check off two things off of my growing up list…
Fill out paperwork without my mom… haha CHECK
Change my hair… CHECK

 I would like to apologize for the repost of my picture of me in The Great Lake Powell…..
Deal with it :)

THE GREAT LAKE POWELL

I had the amazing opportunity to go to Lake Powell this past week. Guess what? It was my very first time to THE one and only Lake Powell. I had all of these ideas built up in my mind and how amazing this lake would be. While driving there I started getting nervous that had built up this amazing place in my mind and that it would not live up to "imagined" Lake Powell. But just to make it clear, my doubt was completely shot down. Lake Powell is the most amazing place I have ever seen and been. Just the simple cruising on the boat and exploring all of the canyons was my favorite part. Every corner you turned there was something even better than the last corner. I was and am so amazed that our Heavenly Father has blessed us with a little bit of heaven on earth. I can not wait to go back…. Anyone wanna take me ;) I promise to be on my best behavior. Just teasing. But I really can not wait for the next opportunity I get to go back to Heaven on Earth :)  

Graduation CHECK and CHECK

I can not believe how fast high school has gone by. 

I have had such a great time being an Orem High Tiger. 

I will always be an Orem High Tiger ;) that was cheesy….

I have been at Orem high competing and being involved for four years! 

Orem high was my life. I cheered, ran both track and cross country, and I 

have been involved with student council. I have loved every moment, opportunity, and all of the many amazing people I have met. I have loved the high school experience and simply can not wait to see where all of my future plans will take me. 

My favorite people :) we are known as the Crazily's hehe
Dad,Mom,Abby,Dallin,and Emma 

We have now graduated preschool, elementary school, junior high, and NOW high school together!!
I can not wait to see where the future will take us.
Skotie,and Abby 

Our track and cross country coaches.  They sure have done a great job of dealing with the
Rat Pack and our craziness. Many great memories.
Camie,Kate,Skotie,Abby,and Andy

Well the Fearsome Five some with some people who decided to join the picture :)
Fearsome Five some- Kate,Hayden,Abby,Clay,and Skotie also Ben and Tiffany 

Kj likes to pretend that he is both mine and Skotie's older brother…
Abby,Kj,and Skotie

After we graduated we met in the middle and yes… we cried haha
Rat Pack- Kate,Abby,and Skotie

Rat Pack
Skotie,Kate,and Abby

This is a bad picture of almost half of us… But that is why I love my track and xc girls so much.
Kristen,Brylie,Skotie,Kate,Abby,Alexis,and Sydney
+Brenna she was gone :(

The graduates all the way through school. Oh by the way my cousin Zach has been called
to serve his mission in the Missouri Independence!!!!
Skotie,Zach,and Abby 

I love all of these goof balls
Abby,Nate,Skotie,Dave,and Kate

So many crazy memories with each of these people.
Kyle,Abby,Skotie,Hayden