On a wonderful day like today,

I defy any cloud to appear in the sky,

Dare any raindrop to plop in my eye

On a wonderful day like today.

On a wonderful morning like this

When the sun is as big as a yellow balloon;

Even the sparrows are singing in tune

On a wonderful morning like this.

May I take this occasion to say

That the whole human race should go down on its knees,

Show that we're grateful for mornings like these

For the world's in a wonderful way

On a wonderful day like today.

-- Anthony Newley - 1965

I am posting this at exactly 12:01 AM because as of one minute ago, Monday officially began. If you were to ask me about the last seven days, I'd probably say I'd rather not talk about it. My lip wax last Tuesday? Rather not talk about that either. And whether any of my major/minor end-of-January-crises are warranted or not, I'll take defying raindrops (or snowdrops) and 12:01 AM. 

new years.

Instead of posting a list of personal resolutions, I thought I'd post instead the one excerpt from the one talk that I read and read, over and over, so often that I nearly have it memorized. It fits just about any time of year, circumstance, or occasion - new years, too.

If it was right when you prayed about it and trusted it and lived for it, it is right now. Don't give up when the pressure mounts. You can find an apartment. You can win over your mother-in-law. You can sell your harmonica and therein fund one more meal. It's been done before. Don't give in. Certainly don't give in to that being who is bent on the destruction of your happiness. He wants everyone to be miserable like unto himself. Face your doubts. Master your fears. "Cast not away therefore your confidence." 
Stay the course and see the beauty of life unfold for you.
-Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, "Cast Not Away Therefore Your Confidence"

christmas and forgiveness.

Christmas is my favorite time of year, and almost more than any other year before, Christmas this year has been most needed.

2012 has been an unimaginably wonderful year, but growing has inevitably been a part of it. I have often thought on the lessons I learned in a book (which I've mentioned before) called The Peacegiver. If I could, I would send it to every person I know, or stand on street corners handing it out. I loved it, I loved its teachings, its messages, and its relevance no matter what you believe or ascribe to. At the time I was reading it, though, I had no idea how many more situations would come in the following months where I would need to remember those feelings I had felt before.

To be quite honest, there have been times I have found myself conflicted with those teachings and feelings that I had once felt with so much confidence; there have been times since when I have desperately struggled to fully accept and emulate those lessons, especially when it comes to forgiving those who seem not the least bit concerned with any injury or pain they've caused others. I'd be lying if I said it were easy.

This Christmas season, though, I've made it my primary goal to focus not only on the birth of our Savior, but on His life. What His life has meant for me, what the purpose of His life was (and is), and what that means not only during Christmas, but every other day of the year: good or bad, better or worse... Especially the worse.

"We are not perfect. The people around us are not perfect. People do things that annoy, disappoint, and anger. In this mortal life it will always be that way. Nevertheless, we must let go of our grievances. Part of the purpose of mortality is to learn how to let go of such things. That is the Lord’s way. Remember, heaven is filled with those who have this in common: They are forgiven. And they forgive."

                               --President Dieter F. Uchtdorf



I saw this video a few years ago, and I was entirely amazed (and especially moved) by this story and his dependence and faith in Christ, and his willingness to forgive. An amazing story, and an incredible example.

treasures.

We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures.  --Thornton Wilder

So grateful for my many, many blessings this year. Groceries, warm blankets, and phone calls from friends and family. So, so, so grateful this year especially for my best friend, for making five months of marriage (today!) the "best of" my life. So many treasures to be thankful for, all the year through.

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Photo via Kinfolk Magazine

Atticus Finch.

"They're certainly entitled to think that, and they're entitled to full respect for their opinions... 

but before I can live with other folks I've got to live with myself. 

The one thing that doesn't abide by majority rule is a person's conscience."

-Harper Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird

Once the leaves started changing colors, and the sun became a little bit more orange than yellow, Saturdays weren't our favorites anymore, but Sunday nights were. Fall is a favorite in so many ways, but so many of my reasons is simply because of home. Growing up, we had our ritual Sunday night walks, Sunday night movies, and best of all: Sunday night snacks like cinnamon and sugar toast, and marshmallows, and hot chocolate.

It somehow became a tradition along the lines that the first movie we'd always watch together as a family during the season was To Kill A Mockingbird. It was always my dad's favorite, and naturally, became one of mine too. My eyes always sting when I see Atticus sitting outside of Tom Robinson's jail, with his lamp, in his chair, reading his book. It just said so much. I always felt so much. I still do.

This movie, (and most especially), Atticus Finch has and always will be an out-of-the-ball-park-sort-of favorite; and with my dad in town for the weekend, Max gets to join in on the Christensen tradition and I just couldn't be any more excited for my Sunday nights again. Happy (conference) weekend!

an american.

Ralph Waldo Emerson has said, "America is another name for opportunity. Our whole history appears like a last effort of divine providence on behalf of the human race."

I've always liked that, and I've always, always believed that.

The Fourth was simply a lot of fireworks, burgers, swimsuits, and a lot of jokes from old friends about how I used to think President George Bush (Jr.) was cute; but it was really big in a lot of ways too. I felt pride and gratitude. I stood with others as the Star Spangled Banner was sung by the choir. I echoed the words, God Bless America. And I loved the flag, my flag.

I am glad to be an American.

Happy Mothers Day.

I couldn't help but think of all that my mom has done for me (the last few months especially) as I watched this video. Knowing that I'll be leaving home in just a few weeks, and won't really ever live with my mom (and dad) again, makes this Mothers Day all that much more special. There's a reason why the First Presidency of the Church has said,

"Motherhood is near to divinity. It is the highest, holiest service to be assumed by mankind. It places her who honors its holy calling and service next to the angels."

Happy Mothers Day to all Mothers,

but to mine especially, who I love so much.

summer.

“And so with the sunshine and the great bursts of leaves growing on the trees, just as things grow in fast movies, I had that familiar conviction that life was beginning over again with the summer.”

{f. scott fitzgerald, the great gatsby}

“Come with me,' Mom says.
To the library.
Books and summertime
go together.” {Lisa Schroeder}

“Summer afternoon—summer afternoon; to me those have always been the two most beautiful words in the English language.”

{Henry James}

--
all images via

springtime sunshine.

When spring came, even the false spring, there were no problems except where to be happiest. 

-Ernest Hemingway

That quote is perfect. If I wasn't swamped with school, I could probably relate a little bit more.

Tonight I glanced over some of my saved pictures once I realized that our annual Springtime picnic has been on a continual raincheck the last few weeks. You know it's the end of a semester when your slammed with final assignments and projects and papers for class, which seems especially tiring this semester considering one of my professors treats statistics like it should be a part time job.

But today felt like spring. And that is good enough. Better yet - according to the weatherman, spring is here to stay. Since the summer solstice is exactly three months away from today (summer can't seem to come fast enough this year!) I decided to celebrate in small ways like wearing a skirt without tights and having a lunchable picnic inside of a car (but hey! at least we were parked next to the park!)

For now, I'll take what I can get.

unless you love someone.

I love ee cummings,
I love having my parents in town,
I love a cupcake run for breakfast,
(which is totally okay on V-day)
and I love being a not-so-secret admirer.

Happy Valentines Day!

via

a sunday recipe.

The recipe for a perfect Sunday:
- 1 bag of chips + salsa
- 2 baby turkeys (only $2.50 at walmart! scorrrrrre.)
- 24 pack of diet coke in the fridge
- 1 90s chick flick movie. (and being able to guess all 90 minutes: annoying girl rock band? check. some bad boy transformation? check. silver eye shadow? check. (my detest for this 90s fashion fail knows no bounds.) and finally...the entire plot revolving around the senior prom? check.)
- 1 love plant still in bloom

And last but not least: this talk is absolutely amazing. Holy smokes amazing. Have I emailed it already to friends and family? Yes. Have I read over it three times since yesterday? Yes. Nothing better than all of the above, and reading over the quote below:

"Anne Morrow Lindbergh wrote of the need to “shed my Martha-like anxiety about many things, … shedding pride, … shedding hypocrisy in human relationships. What a rest that will be! The most exhausting thing in life, I have discovered,” she said, “is being insincere. That is why so much of social life is exhausting."

Elder Maxwell is always worth reading; he is so eloquent and so, so smart -- but something about this talk really impressed me and encouraged me to be better.

And that's about it. Because on Sunday, as Kylie says, we deserve to treat ourselves like royalty. And I guess with a whole week of school ahead, and Monday in the morning, I'm more than okay with that.

the bookstore is my friend.

A boy doesn't have to fight a war to be a hero, he can say he doesn't like pie when he sees there isn't enough to go around.
Edgar Watson Howe


My favorite part of our trip to the bookstore last night was looking over the book The Art of Manliness. It was worth purchasing alone for the list, "100 Books Every Boy Should Read" in the very back, but after I read the quote above, I was won over -- and all it read after that was: buy me.

Other books purchased:
Skeletons at a Feast - by: Chris Bohjalian
Mrs. Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children - by: Ransom Riggs

I bought both of these after reading only a few pages (so I'm keeping my fingers crossed!) but I always feel the need to purchase books that I'll actually read after spending money on textbooks that I'll probably only use once this semester.

And now with the falling snow, (you're three weeks too late and not necessary anymore in my humble opinion) I plan on keeping company with my new books and my desire to do anything but get out of bed until I absolutely must.
Happy weekend!

image via

christmas memories.

Blessed is the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love.
--Hamilton Wright Mabie

I love this time of year. I love the Christmas movies and traditions and the shopping and the wrapping and the snow, (and unfortunately since snow isn't in the forecast next week, I went ahead and ordered this a few days ago) -- But one of my most favorite things about the holidays are the memories.

When my sister and I were little, my parents told us that two elves named Thumpkin and Dumpkin would come stay in our home a few weeks before Christmas. The purpose of their stay was so that they could observe and report to Santa whether or not we had been good or bad that year, and what exactly we would deserve on Christmas morning.

Now, when I say I loved it when Thumpkin and Dumpkin came to stay at our house, I l-o-v-e-d it. It was almost even better than Christmas itself. A kid with two magical elves can't easily be beat. We had a big dinner in honor of their arrival, and I remember always setting two extra places at the kitchen table for our new friends. We'd set up little beds near our own at night so our elves could sleep by us, and you can bet your bottom dollar we never forgot to say our prayers with them around. We meant business. And honestly? It was one of the most magical parts of the season. The only downside to any of it was that I lost friends in the first grade because of this. You can imagine what my classmates thought of me when I told them I had two invisible elves in my pocket. (true story. ask my mom.)

But beside the Christmas elves and the memories, I'd have to say that the one other thing I absolutely love about Christmas is the music -- probably because most songs remind me of a memory, anyway. And I know there are plenty of people who dread Christmas music when it starts at the beginning of November, but not me. No siree bob. I love it all, but most especially, I love Jon Schmidt. I don't remember a Christmas without his CD. Whether we were listening to it in the car picking up last minute gifts, or on Christmas morning as we read our letters from Santa (and Thumpkin and Dumpkin!) -- this song always seemed to be playing in the background.

So I share with you all my most favorite song of the season, because as I spend my first Christmas far away from my parents, this song will always remind me of Christmas at home.

it's a great feeling.

Life got brighter, and somehow, the world suddenly got brighter, too. You know how this is? You’re walking along, and then the sun comes out from behind a cloud, and the birds start to sing, and the air is suddenly warm, and it’s like the whole world is happy because you’re happy. It’s a great feeling.
- Gary D. Schmidt

Laughed out loud several times this morning as I read The Wednesday Wars at work (thanks to Mandy for the recommendation!) I feel like Holling Hoodhood summed up life the last little while, even with the freezing cold temperatures (like 8 degrees?) and the falling on ice part of my Monday morning.

Weekend in photos above.
Don't know if anything is better than catching snow on your tongue, making chocolate covered Oreos, and watching the Christmas Devotional at the conference center with some of your best friends, (one of them who happens to be really cute, too).

book of mormon stories.

Mormon Messages are always beautifully done, but I loved this one especially. I've read The Book of Mormon many times and have had special experiences while reading from its pages, but I still remember being about eight years old and for the first time, feeling something different inside of me as I read a few verses to myself one night.

Since then, I have found so many answers to so many of my questions while reading from this book, and have felt peace even when life has been the most difficult. The best part of all is that when reading from The Book of Mormon I feel closer to my Heavenly Father, and something inside always assures me that I am His daughter and I am loved.

"I promise you that if you will prayerfully read the Book of Mormon, regardless of how many times you previously have read it, there will come into your hearts an added measure of the Spirit of the Lord. There will come a strengthened resolution to walk in obedience to his commandments, and there will come a stronger testimony of the living reality of the Son of God."
-President Gordon B. Hinckley

I don't think there is anything that makes me any happier.

last minute thought.

A lot of people have a lot to say about feminism. I think I like what G.K. Chesterson has to say about it too:

"It [feminism] is mixed up with a muddled idea that women are free when they serve their employers but slaves when they help their husbands."
-G.K. Chesterson

Chesterson is right on up there with C.S. Lewis and Elder Holland in my book.

your happiness will have no ends.

A few years ago, I remember reading a talk by President Boyd K. Packer, President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, and for me, it was one of those things you read once and remember for the rest of your life:

"My young friends, there is much happiness and joy to be found in this life. I can testify of that. I picture you with a companion whom you love and who loves you. I picture you at the marriage altar, entering into covenants that are sacred. I picture you in a home where love has its fulfillment, and I picture you with little children about you and see your love growing with them. I cannot frame this picture. I would not if I could, for it has no bounds. Your happiness will have no ends."

I've spent so much time "planning my own wedding" since I was six (just kidding, maybe like 12) and usually it included things like what flowers I wanted at the reception, or what "our wedding song" would be -- but I think so much of the little details go unnoticed anyway because you're so overwhelmingly happy and grateful for the feeling of love. And for family, too.

a monday.

This is one of those days that the pages of history teach us are best spent lying in bed.
-A Philadelphia Story

It was one of those days. At least I can say it's Tuesday in two hours.

check.

But friendship is precious, not only in the shade, but in the sunshine of life, and thanks to a benevolent arrangement, the greater part of life is sunshine. -Thomas Jefferson

Really couldn't have said it any better myself.

happy 4th

I've mentioned John Adams letters to his wife Abigail before, but I especially loved this letter, too. Dated July 3, 1776, future president John Adams predicted the fourth of July to be something like this:

"...I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated, by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary Festival. It ought to be commemorated, as the Day of Deliverance by solemn Acts of Devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more. You will think me transported with Enthusiasm but I am not. I am well aware of the Toil and Blood and Treasure, that it will cost Us to maintain this Declaration, and support and defend these States. Yet through all the Gloom I can see the Rays of ravishing Light and Glory. I can see that the End is more than worth all the Means. And that Posterity will tryumph in that Days Transaction."

I've been especially patriotic in some ways since the eighth grade, (and yes - I thought former President Bush was super cute) but reading that part of his letter earlier this morning made me feel so especially grateful that John Adams was exactly right.

Happy 4th of July!