Thank Goodness.

"How are you?" is such a sneaky question. Sometimes it is asked out of sincere concern for someone and their wellbeing, and other times it is merely a response to someone else asking about them. I am deeply grateful for my relationship with my Savior and Redeemer, as well as my Heavenly Father. They are always there for me, and are always listening and very sincerely concerned about my wellbeing. Thank goodness for the gospel.

Beauty

Beauty is a complex word to grasp. Sometimes it is confused with words such as thin, sexy, and hot. Sometimes one feels that their beauty depends on how their makeup looks, how cute their shirt is, their relationship status, or the size of their jeans. That does not determine beauty.

Here are a few examples of ladies in my life that are absolutely gorgeous, regardless of whether they are single or married, the calories they eat, or the clothes they wear. They are a timeless beauty. And I'll tell you why:

Mandie is beautiful because she is so caring. She always puts in large amounts of time and energy into those she loves, or those in need. She is beautiful.

Elizabeth Tombs is beautiful because she is a super mom. She goes to school and is a professor, but still manages to make her family her top priority, teaching them what they need to know. She is beautiful.

Kristen is beautiful for a bajillion reasons, but to save some time, I'll just name a few. She waited for that special someone to marry, and then married him in the temple for time and eternity. She cooks dinners for me, even if I rarely return the favor, and is always willing to spend time with me, whether she had time or not. She is beautiful.

My mom is absolutely beautiful because she is so grateful. There is always something to be grateful for, even in the hardest trials. She always gets up every day and heads her trials with a smile on her face and gratitude in her heart. She is beautiful.

Jannette is beautiful because she is always to the rescue! If you need a ride, dinner, kind words, a hug, she is there to give it! She is beautiful.

Kristin is beautiful because of her positive attitude. She never has a bad day, because she choses to have a good day every day. This is one happy girl! She is beautiful.

Ashleigh is beautiful because she has such a tender heart. She is always aware of the one who is being picked on or left out, and makes an effort to reach out. She is beautiful.

Maddy (left) is beautiful because she is so fun! Whether we are just texting, dying hair, or shopping I am always having a blast with her! She is beautiful.

Nicole (right) is beautiful because she is so forgiving. Even when people wrong her or hurt her, she welcomes them back with open arms. She is beautiful.

Granny is beautiful because she has worked hard her entire life. She has successfully raised 2 wonderful kids, as well as maintained a wonderful marriage, cooked unbelievably delicious dishes for friends and family, and is a very giving lady. She is beautiful.

All of these wonderful ladies have wonderful physical features, whether it be their eyes, their figure, or their hair. And though those are very pretty, they are not the reason why I find these women beautiful. These are the kind of ladies I want to become like. I do not aspire to be a Victoria's Secret model, or the most head turning woman in the town. I want to be beautiful because of who I am. Not because of what I look like. Beauty comes from within, and is something everyone can attain, if they can understand where beauty comes from. It can not be bought, borrowed, or found. It must be developed. Be your own kind of beautiful.

What A Stud!

Alright ladies, I have found a man worth your time! He is way cute, exceptionally smart, strong, sweet, and funny. The good news is, he's available. The bad news is he is only 15, so it would be a few years until you could claim him as your own.

This is my younger brother, Elliot. Not only does he have a dazzling smile and muscles galore, but he is one of the sweetest guys I know! I have been working on getting ready for a garage sale on Saturday, and it is no easy chore! Today I had to move a dog run, which is no easy chore. Not only is it ridiculously heavy, but ours had sunk into the ground (due to the weight and the rain) and had weeds weaving throughout it rooting it firmly to the ground. Elliot was around, and offered to help. He thought about it for a minute, and then figured out to maneuver it. He successfully unrooted it from the ground, and brought it out by our garage. I was "helping", but seeing as I couldn't even pick up my half, he did 95% of the work.

Other wonderful deeds this guy has done is walk the dogs with me at night so I am not alone, carry many other large items of mine (without being asked), and even when he is dragged shopping by me and my mom, he doesn't get anything, but willingly carries our bags.

Now ladies, that is the kind of man you want! One who can do work around the house, one who is willing to do things with you that you enjoy, even if it doesn't benefit him in any way. A guy who is concerned about your protection always, and one who loves and respects his family and shows it through his loving day to day actions. What a stud! Oh, and did I mention his sense of humor can get everyone in the room breathless from laughing so hard? This guy has so many great stories, jokes, and is easily the most quotable guy I have ever met! I love you broskie, thanks for all your help!

Aaaand for those of you interested in the garage sale, it is Saturday August 25th, from 8am-1pm. :) 

This One's For My Girl!

Almost 2 years ago, I embarked on a new adventure in my life, called college. I traveled states away to claim a coveted spot a BYU in Utah, only knowing one other person in the state whom I could call. But, shortly upon arrival, I met this beautiful girl whom I have had the privilege of living with for almost my entire college career, and today is her special day! Special for many reasons! One, IT'S HER BIRTHDAY!!!! That's exciting all in itself. Second, she is turning 20! She has finally exited her teenage years! Lastly, it is her golden birthday! She is turning 20 on the 20th! And who might this special girl be, you may ask? Well, here are 20 things I love about her, in honor of her big 20!

Meet Jannette

1. She is one of the smartest girls I know, and got into BYU's nursing program on her first try!!!

 2. She is an outside girl! Always down for camping or hiking or anything of that nature! (hahah get it, "nature")

3. She is a good sport about my pranking habits, as well as joins in when she is not the target!

4. Nobody can ever look as good as she does in a plastic bag.

5. She always writes notes of encouragement, and has left them on my food, doors, drawers, etc... (yes, she is a sweetheart!)

6. She makes time for people, even in the middle of finals or other college craziness!

7. She can make me laugh till I can't breathe anymore

8. She never gets angry ;)

9. She is one of the best huggers in the world!

10. She stays up with me all hours of the night, talking, laughing, etc...

11. She is a go-getter! She has been dominating half marathons since I met her, and I'm sure I will be going to support her on a full marathon in no time!

12. Surprise videos are not uncommon in our friendship

13. She looks good. Always. Even when she is sick. I seriously have NO clue how she does it!!! (Don't believe me? Okay, refer to #11's picture. Yeah. That is after running 13.1 miles. Feel free to be amazed.)

14. Nobody can beat her facial expressions. End of discussion.

15. She was always willing to drive me places, because I didn't have a car! 

16. She parties hard! (Remember Nettie, you're turning 20, not 21 ;) )

17. There isn't one thing I don't enjoy doing with her. 

18. She loves holidays like I do, and gets festive with me before the rest of the world!

19. She is the best dancer/singer a girl could ask to live with!

20. (This one is a given) She is GORGEOUS.

And here is one to grow on!

21. She ALWAYS has my back... Okay so you can't tell that from the photo, but seriously, this girl is an angel. She has been with me through the thick and the thin! She has helped me to grow, and has been patient with me when I have not been so willing to grow! I don't think Heavenly Father could have blessed me with a better friend to help me get through (and thoroughly enjoy) college with, and I don't think she will ever be anything less than my best friend and sister. She's brought me ice cream when I'm feeling down, taken me out for my birthday (that always falls in the middle of finals, which is even more stressful for a nursing student!), made me dinner, taken me to the places I've needed to go, come along on little adventures that maybe weren't the most appealing, and given me some of the best advice/support that I don't think anyone else could have supplied! I love you Jannette, and I hope your birthday at home is a blast, and though I won't see you this fall, I can't wait to be reunited with you in January! Enjoy no longer being a teenager! You're the best!

Chain Reactions

Chain Reaction- A series of events in which each event is the result of the one preceding and the cause of the one following.

Yesterday, I most definitely experienced a very intense chain reaction. I am leaving for France in less than a month, and there are certain items that I need for the trip, one of which is a raincoat! I have never needed a raincoat, living in West Texas, and so I had to look around to find one. 3 shirts, 2 jackets, 2 skirts, 1 dress and 1 pair of pants later, I found a raincoat! (As well as a pair of shoes.) Yes folks, I am a shopaholic. But in my defense, I do shop sales!

Anyway! I was satisfied with my purchases, and came home to put them away, and I just could not make enough room in my drawers to get the clothes in! So, I started emptying out all my drawers, throwing away anything that I no longer needed/wanted. I was very impressed with myself, and satisfied with the new space in my drawers, that I just had to continue!

One thing led to another, and for the next 9+ hours, I was ripping apart my room, bagging up what was no longer wanted, and neatly putting away what had made the cut. At 4am, I sat in my closet, putting away the last pair of shoes, and was thoroughly impressed with how beautiful and clean I had made my room/closet/bathroom.

In this ambitious endeavor, I discovered 52 tennis balls, 8 pairs of fake teeth, 17 lip glosses, 34 cents, and a very entertaining journal! I am proud to say, this is the cleanest my room has ever been since we moved here in 2006. Here are some pictures to proof it!

Closet

Bedroom

Feel free to be impressed. :) So what have I learned from this experience? Good things come from shopping. (And we will be having a garage sale next week, if you care to see what I have decided to get rid of, as well as other random things no longer needed in the Hanna household!)

Oh Those Summer Nights

I have been home for almost 3 weeks now, and let me tell you, the Hanna home is the place to be! The latest festivities have included:

1. A picnic at a park where we were entertained by a cop windexing his entire car.

2. Racing in laundry baskets down the stairs.

3. Some pretty hysterical dance parties to some very catchy songs late at night.

4. Training the pugs to play dead.

5. Half of us going to Japan, while the other half stayed and manned the house.

6. Rootbeer floats and smoothies while playing board/card games.

7. Mysteriously missing toothbrushes.

8. Awesome jam sessions with piano, guitars, and loud singing.

9. Quotes by Elliot that have left me doubled over in laughter,

10.Getting chased by cops through backyards and down alleyways because of a misunderstanding!

Oh, and did I mention half of these are false? :)

One Year

Today is August 3rd. To some, it is just another day in the year, another Friday, another day of summer. But today has a bit more meaning to me. It is the year mark, from August 3, 2011.

 It was the day I went from this:

To this:

Yes, my best friend was set apart as a missionary of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and was to leave for Leeds, England the following day. It was quite an adjustment, and sometimes I still feel as if I haven't fully adjusted. But, looking back, I have had quite an eventful past year! Here are some of the highlights:

          

Family Vacations

Kristen got married!

A semester with these 2 wonderful girls

Meeting Kristin!

Quality time with the sis!  

My 20th birthday with close friends

A visit from Miss Maddy!

Fulfilling my dream as in EFY counselor

Meeting Nicole!

 Various shenanigans 

 Another year with Jannette

Oh yeah... and A LOT of this:

Yes, it has been quite the year! Hopefully this next year will bring many more exciting stories, wonderful people, and fun pictures! Elder Tombs, I miss you, that I'm sure you know. But, my life here is going beautifully, and I am ready for one more year! Europe in the fall, returning to BYU in January, a summer of EFY counseling, and then I will see you in August! :)