Day 9 of the Photo challenge was to post someone who has gotten me through the most in my life. While I have awesome family and friends that have gotten me through everything, and I've relied on the Lord a TON in some dark days, I want to take a little time and give myself some credit. I have pulled myself through some challenges that at some point seemed like impossible feats. I'm much stronger than I give myself credit for most of the time. So here you have it. I have gotten myself through the most in my life. Because I've been there every single time I needed me, even if it took a while for me to get there.

Day 8: Post a picture that makes you laugh.

Mission: COMPLETED!!!

It didn't take me long to think of my most treasured item. It's not really an object but is more of an abstract idea. My testimony of the Lord Jesus Christ. It didn't come easy for me, and I spent a lot of years faking that I had one because I wanted to be like everyone else I saw that was "high" on the gospel.

This post is kind of personal, but nothing I wouldn't share with anyone that asked, so I'm just sharing it here... because I feel like it! :)

I was born into the Mormon religion, and my childhood was a little tumultuous, which led me to be a thinker. I analyzed a lot of things, and while I excelled at school, and friends knew me as the girl with answers to a lot of questions (haha Tori!), I was struggling inside to find what I really wanted to know. I was a worrier from the start, and always have had a very independent spirit, despite wanting to fit in so badly. Just ask my parents... sorry Mom and Sam!

I attended seminary every year in high school and graduated from it, but if you look at my seminary grades it will show you how I really felt inside. Was religion for me at all? From about age 12 until about 22, I was searching myself constantly to see if I really wanted to be Mormon, or if I would just be sort of like Mormons, but not actually call myself one. (I liked a lot of the values they teach.) When I was 14, I wrote a letter to a leader of my Young Women's program telling her not to call on me because I was not sure I believed a lot of the principles of our church. I wasn't sure prophets existed, and didn't want to be forced to regurgitate information I didn't believe in. I was too scared to give the letter to her, for fear of my parents being notified and then we'd have to have a huge discussion. So I still have it, to remember the struggle I once felt.

This internal struggle stuck with me for about 10 years. When I was 22, I'd reached the end of my rope with my lifestyle and the people it was bringing to my life, mostly the men, and I dedicated myself to figuring it out once and for all... was organized religion for me? Better yet, was being a Mormon right for me? I spent an entire summer studying, praying, being alone, attending church sporadically, after not going for almost 2 years. I read the Scriptures frequently, and I read some Church published books. At the end of that summer, I moved to a new apartment complex, new ward, and decided to jump in head first and test it out.

It only took 4 months of solid attendance to give me what I needed. Around Christmastime that year I was hooked. I had an experience that confirmed for me that I was doing exactly what I should be doing, at the right time, and in the right way.

I have never looked back.

It's been almost 5 years exactly since I started my "last" attempt to find what I needed. It's funny this post came up today. I'd been thinking about this a lot lately and how different I am now because of this positive change in me.

Everything about me is different. I heal differently, I respect people more, I have more confidence, and I have more success. I also have more capacity to love people. This is one of my favorite parts of it. I also know myself a lot more because of the struggle/relief.

I know that this is the right way for me to live. Without this knowledge I'd still be struggling like I was. I'm so thankful that I was able to do what I had to do, so that God could pour into my heart exactly what I'd been searching for for so long. I've never regretted having to go through what I did. Because now I know for myself what I was looking for, and I am happier than I ever could've been otherwise.

Day 6 of the photo challenge is a photo of someone I'd like to trade places with for a day.

Some of you may or may not know that my dream job would be to be a National Geographic photographer. They experience some of the most amazing scenes this world has to offer. While I know this job is unrealistic for me... it would be absolutely one of the best experiences for 24 hours, maybe even more than that!

It's impossible to choose a single solitary favorite memory. And that is what Day 5 of the photo challenge asked me to do. But I am breaking the rules. And I will share a few because let's face it... I have never been one to pick a sole favorite in anything, not even friends.

This first memory is of the Holi Festival of Colors in 2009. I went with a bunch of my friends, and ended up with a hot pink swatch of hair for 3 months afterward. For those of you who don't know what the festival is, click HERE.

The next memory is more recent. I have a lot of fun ones from growing up, but I couldn't find any pictures online that would best depict the awesome memories I have of them.

This one has to do with a memory I don't have a photo of. It's of one of my favorite dates with a really awesome guy, that happens to be in the really awesome Air Force. It was from last October, and it was just when it was starting to get colder and the leaves were all bright yellow and red. We walked around outside for a while through a neighborhood, and found this awesome pond between some apartments that was surrounded by really tall trees covered with yellow leaves. The leaves had fallen over the water too, and looked really crazy bright on top of the dark water. It was really quiet, and really peaceful. We walked around the whole thing, and cracked crazy jokes and talked a LOT. At one point we even drew pictures on a bunch of leaves. We're so weird.

Day 4's photo challenge was a picture of my night.

Well, tonight is a low key night because it was a HECTIC day! Getting promoted is awesome... but training a new girl, taking the work from the old manager, and having your other awesome team member get nasty sick since she wore herself out is NOT as awesome. But, we'll live and we'll get back to the normal groove of things soon.

To relieve the tensions of the day I'm sitting on my bed, watching an episode of How I Met Your Mother, writing my awesome guy a letter, and playing with his Christmas gift to me. The guy knows me well. I hate over the top gifts, and sometimes even typical gifts. He got me a Nerf dart gun, with a huge pack of extra darts, because c'mon... every one knows when you buy dart guns you have to get extra ammo. Nerf, we need to talk about your supply abilities. When I buy a new Nerf gun, you've got to supply me with more than 3 darts. What ARE you thinking? Well... my awesome guy did the thinking and bought me an extra supply. So... I sit here on my bed sometimes and I shoot the wall with like 30 darts. It's fun. And even though we're not supposed to love toys as adults, you all know you still wish you could get them for Christmas!

What can I say... it's easy to please me!

Day 3 is a photo of the cast from my favorite show.

Seriously though. Watch it. It doesn't matter where you start. You'll just want to go back to the beginning and see the whole thing once you watch a few episodes!

This video perfectly depicts what I was trying to do when I found out he was calling!

For day 2, I needed to put up a picture of me and the person I've been closest to for the longest. I chose my friend Falisha. I've known my mom for longer, but aside from her, I've known Falisha the longest out of all of my friends.

Here we are at Albertson's buying laundry soap. I think this picture is from 2004-2005 when we lived together in North Orem. We haven't changed, we still look exactly the same. Thank heavens we both have grown up though. I love her so much and I look forward to our (almost) weekly lunches. It's so fun to watch her go through big changes in life. She and her husband have 2 beautiful little girls. One of which is a little genius, and can talk circles around other kids her age. She's only almost 3 years old, I think. They're also building a new home, and will be moving into it in a few months.

She is one awesome lady, and I'm so glad we've stayed friends since we were in the lovely awkward stage of life we call 7th grade in the United States. She's so lucky I didn't scan our cheer camp pictures in. Remember those awesome "It's a cheer thing..." shirts Faleesh? Ugliest thing I've ever worn. Love you guuuuuuurrrrl!

Oh and I dedicated a post to her a long time ago... here's the link - Ode to Falisha

Hey everyone! So as most of you know, I don't usually follow these little social media chains/things/lists that everyone does. But seeing as how I'm willing to do all sorts of things to keep my mind occupied so I don't start missing Justin or thinking about how he'll be gone until late October... arghhhhh......

1. I am really opinionated about music. It probably annoys people, but I do believe I have good taste in music, and lots of people don't! (Blehhhhhh Kesha)

2. I thought I knew who I was at 18. Turns out I didn't until I was 26.

3. I pride myself on my quick wit. Can't help it, it's in my genes. We've just got some funny people in my family.

4. One of my brothers locked me in my room in elementary school by hooking a bungee cord to my door and the bathroom door across the hall from my room.

5. I am the midget of my family at 5' 7".

6. I really really really wanted to see the movie, Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole, but no one would go with me. I don't see why not, owls are cool! I'm a nerd at heart I guess!

7. Sometimes when I'm running late and have to hurry to work, I eat pickles for breakfast. I know, I probably love pickles more than the average person. My roommate has also made fun of me for eating like 4 pickles and a glass of Simply Orange (high pulp of course, it's orange juice you can chew) for a snack. Not the best combo, but both are some of my favorite snacks so why not combine them!?

8. When I was 10 years old (ish), I choked on a beef burrito so badly I couldn't make a sound and no air was coming in or out of my lungs. My mom had to give me the Heimlich maneuver. I over-dramatically started crying afterward and said, "I'm never eating meat again!" I think that promise to myself lasted all of the rest of that day. I was quite the drama queen as a kid/teenager/adult. Thanks mom for saving my life! Love you!

9. I took piano lessons from my mom from around age 6 until I was 12. I finally talked her into letting me quit. When she told me I'd regret it forever, I told her, "I hate piano, I'll never regret quitting!" Because I was too stubborn to admit I was wrong all through junior high and early high school, I'd play the piano when no one was home so as to avoid having to admit my regret. If I heard anyone coming, I'd close my books and act like I was reading or something so no one would know! It wasn't until one day when my mom told me she knew I still played that I found out my secret was not a secret at all. So much for thinking I was stealthy.

10. I've had 2 plants for 5 years now. According to a friend of mine that's had a rough life, in rehab they teach people if they can keep a plant alive for a certain period of time they are ready for a relationship. Guess I'm ready for a legit one if I've had them for 5 years. Now if he could just get done with all this training (October is so far away!), we could have some fun dates!Yep, we're weirdos. But I have to say, clay masks are awesome. They make your skin feel amazingly soft, and they also refuse to let you smile. Which is funny. REALLY funny. That's why we're posing so seriously!

Love these girls!

Please enjoy. I'm feeling kind of melancholy tonight and missing someone a lot. This song totally is fitting of my mood. The piano without the lyrics, is so full of feeling. As some of you know, I have my own piano and always try to play others' music. I wish I was capable of turning songs like this, that are already amazing in their original form into simple and beautiful masterpieces. I hope you love it. A piano cover of The Pixies - Where Is My Mind.

And the original below, just because I love it.

Hello lovelies! As most of you know, I really don't usually blog about my relationships, unless we're talking about horrible dating stories. The reason why is because I have this theory that the more I put out there about my relationships, the worse they will go... (remind me to blog about declaring Facebook relationship statuses) primarily because I have a long history of toxic relationships, and a long history of always sharing everything with my friends and seeking way too much advice. So this time around no one even knew I was dating someone until, well... it was officially something. Call me crazy, but that was a hell of an idea. So much less stressful, and so much more easy to figure out what in the world was going on so as to not freak out as much. It totally worked in my favor. But... since I've recently become an Air Force girlfriend... I need to vent. Prepare yourself, this is the whiney version of Lana that my dear friends know, but a lot of you don't.

I seriously love the mirror notes though. Or any note for that matter. It's extremely thoughtful and it makes me happy!

One more thing....

Is it possible that I may have ancestors that are part bear? Because ALL I want to do lately is lay around and sleep or veg... I feel like I'm in hibernation mode. If the dang sun would come out and heat up the place, I'm positive I'd want to go play outside and build a treehouse or run 3 miles or build a 3 mile wide treehouse to run in.

I'm just so sick of this inversion haze and the wintry weather. I'm SO INCREDIBLY ready to put on some sandals and go for a bike ride. My poor huffy beach cruiser is feeling tired of being nudged daily by my car in the garage instead of ridden. Oh hey, side note--- I'm so weird. I'm so afraid of NOT parking far enough into the garage where I live, that I end up almost parking INSIDE the house every day. I have this strange paranoia that if I don't do this, the garage door will try to close on my car and smash it. Yeah... I'm a nut case everyone. Don't worry, I'm well aware of my many insanely random irrational thoughts. (But hey, don't judge, I never had a garage until now... my parents don't have one and college apartments surely don't either!)

I need to find something amazing to do soon, like a concert that rocks my face off, or a really awesome hobby... OR a really awesome nap. That is probably the best idea yet. I need to find a new napping place.

Thank goodness my ancestors didn't inherit the gene from bears that involves the amount of body hair a person has... or I'd be one sexy beast.

Question, which bear is best? Black bear? OR Awesome half human attractive blond bear?

I'm starting to annoy myself with the eternally dad joke style of my sense of humor.

The end.

I've noticed most of my posts are getting tons of readers but no comments... and I'm feeling needy. If you like or dislike any of my posts, or have anything to say... I'd love to hear from you!

Thanks for humoring me since I've become a little needy since the lovely man is at training now for most of this year.

Love you all, and thanks for reading my bloggy blog!

... because I suck at batting... ESPECIALLY when I get pitched a curveball.

Here are some pics of me and SLFever! Ok, ok... his name is really Senor Airman (to be read with a spanish accent).

And last but not least....

Wait for it.....

Wait for it.....

Wait for it......

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SHAZAM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Ugliest photo ever? I think so!