Slow down you crazy child, you're so ambitious for a juvenile.

Wednesday, August 29, 2012
I like love being busy. I like feeling accomplished. Don't get me wrong, I really enjoy moments of peace and quiet to myself, but staying busy is good for my sanity :)


Today:

-Wake up at 9:45... barely
-Check instagram, with one eye open
-Put another dot on the missionary countdown (Week 34!!!)
- Eat coaches oats with honey and cinnamon along with a glass of water in Hunt's Raiders cup
-Write my sweetheart a love letter and seal it with a kiss
-Organize the missionary scrapbook and get lost in reminiscing over old letters
-Auds comes home, leaves shortly after. My heart starts feeling heavy for her as I realize its her last night with her honey.
-Realize I have to leave for work in 15 minutes... shoot I'm still in my pajamas and have no makeup on
-Apply some mascara, put on stained jamba shirt, spray it with perfume trying to mask the fact that it hasn't been washed in a while ha oops. Whatever, not like I'm trying to impress adamant smoothie consumers anyways.
-Get in car, stop at mailbox, think about Hunt the rest of the drive to work, get cut off 2 times on the 15, almost run a red light because I'm running late, park seriously 5 miles away from the mall, slam my long hairs in the car door, walk like an Olympic racer to my store, get there with 4 minutes to spare!
-Clean, make smoothies, prep juices, listen to lady complain about a hair she found in her smoothie FIVE days ago... really lady?, try to understand the man with strong Indian accent that wants me to make him 32 ounces of carrot juice (okay maybe I understood him the whole time, I just didn't wanna make it).
-Manager asks if he can talk to me... shoot what the flip did I do wrong, was it the 7 cents I was short the other day? Maybe its because I drank 2 smoothies on the job yesterday. No wait, its gotta be because I got sassy with the customer that spilled her entire drink then demanded a new one. He opens his mouth, here it comes! "Hey Aleigh, I wanna offer you a lead position. You'll get a raise and more hours. I think you're ready for this and it would be an awesome thing to put on future applications, let me know by Friday." I stare at him trying to hide my utter disbelief and shock, "Yeah for sure, thanks George!"
-Seany comes in for his last shift and leaves with yet another story to tell on the job. Sweet Emma and I are talking about my ideal marriage and how I want to be a homemaker, she thinks I'm crazy. I'm used to it. Meanwhile mysterious man talks secretively to Sean asking him if Emma and I are interested in being escorted to his shop on the bottom floor, signing some papers, drinking his delicious mystery drink, then scoring $30. HA, I may be 18 and naive but I am not gonna be the next girl on the milk carton.
-It's 5, I'm off but stay another hour to say goodbye to Seanba Kingston aka Sean...
-Go home, remember the smoothie I had, decide to go for a run, get a cramp, come on Aleigh just keep running(in the voice of Dory), Shower, put a dress on, go to the Moore's.
-Joshua gets set apart as a missionary and blessed. I cry because I remember this moment with Hunter like it was yesterday. I watch Audrey give her last hug and feel the same pit I felt almost 8 months ago.
-Go to froyo with Auds Pauds and talk about marriage and things related to our boys becoming men.
-Go home, finish the chalkboard I made while listening to the band perry on pandora.
-Read my scriptures, blog, and lastly meet with my lovebug in my dreams for the 231st night in a row :)


"I still find each day too short for all the thoughts I want to think, all the walks I want to take, all the books I want to read, and all the friends I want to see."
  --  John Burroughs

All my love,
Aleigh Joy
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These are the Things that I Love the Most

Saturday, August 25, 2012
This. Is. Me.


Giggles from a small child
Feeling accomplished after a long day
Going to bed with a smile on my face
Getting love letters from my sweet missionary
A clean room
The smell of clean clothes
Wearing a new outfit that makes me feel good
Soft music with meaningful lyrics
Slaving over a home cooked meal in the kitchen
Feeling inspired after reading my scriptures
The chill in the air
Red Velvet hot chocolate
Getting texts from old friends saying "I miss you"
Baking delicious creations that look as good as they taste
Smiling at strangers 
Planning my dream wedding via pinterest
Knowing my prayers are being answered
Getting dolled up and feeling "pretty"
A good run, resulting in a clear mind
Knowing there is someone who loves me
Every missionary out there, but especially mine.
Sappy love stories that make my heart skip a beat
Being myself, and knowing that is good enough.

"Happiness is embracing all the good that surrounds"

All my love,
Aleigh Joy

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These Memories are Playing Like a Film Without Sound

Tuesday, August 21, 2012
Remember how I graduated high school in June?
Well, its now August and school is back in session. My little brother is now a junior, that was my absolute favorite year. I was ASB treasurer, varsity cheer captain, our football team made it to Qualcomm, it was Hunter and I's last year of school together, we went to seaworld for prom, I finally found my place in that school, oh it was just wonderful. I can't wait for my brother to experience it all. He is playing on the varsity football team this year, you better believe that means I'm going to a few games.

Anywho, now that I'm not actually in high school I continually find myself thinking back to those carefree days. Funny that I just called them carefree because I always remember being stressed ha. I've been remembering all those moments I knew I would never forget. I really should have listened when every one was telling me that high school goes by far too fast. I was in such a big hurry to get out of that place, but truth be told I loved every second I was there. 

Sorry that I post too many pictures, but I never got to document that time on this blog. So here it goes, high school in a nutshell. A very big nutshell ha. 

My love and I on new years 

So this is Syd, this was a typical Friday night of ours.

Oh we were the best of friends!

Before Syd moved, we had a rave in Auds garage

I'll miss Friday night lights the absolute most.

THIS picture... just take note of all that was going on :)

Sweet Hunter and I matched like no other for homecoming :)

Qualcomm! Just making it on tv, no big deal ;)

La Jolla <3

Barbie and ken day! I had just gotten my braces off!
Ps, doesn't he really look like a real live ken doll? :)

My love and I on Prom day <3

The summer before he left for college

Us cheerleaders know how to do it

Taking senior pictures was SO fun!

First pep rally of senior year as captains, so much bliss :)

The last day of freshman year. The summer we fell in love, far too early.

Reppin the boy on twin date day :) He didn't even know I did this until i tagged him in it :)

The night of the homecoming ceremony. My fajaa got to walk me down the steps of the stadium. So much fun.

Captain Kay and I took A LOT of pictures :)

I tackled a cow... not much more to it.

I visited my sweet boy in Utah!

We graduated.
A summer in Europe.

When cheer was a class, we played more than practiced :)

We were inseparable sophomore year.

My amazing quarterback and I after a game! He's a stud.

Somehow, we all managed to go to prom sophomore year

Well there you have it. I loved high school. And now, I'm ready to move on :)



"Will we think about tomorrow like we think about now?
Can we survive it out there?
Can we make it somehow?
I guess I thought that this would never end
And suddenly it's like we're women and men
Will the past be a shadow that will follow us around?
Will these memories fade when I leave this town
I keep, keep thinking that it's not goodbye
Keep on thinking it's a time to fly"

All my love,
-Aleigh Joy
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And I think to myself, what a wonderful world.

Friday, August 17, 2012

Today was a good day. You know, one of those days that you just can't help but smile at then end of. Today I realized remembered how blessed I really am, how much happiness surrounds me, and how beautiful this world really is. I find myself feeling stressed and overwhelmed a lot. I continue to believe that there just aren't enough hours in the day (hence why I am posting this past midnight). However, I love when I just stop to take a second and think. Today I did just that. And here is why I feel so much bliss. 

I have a job at Jamba Juice which I have mentioned previously. I work with some really amazing people and I have grown pretty close to a lot of my coworkers. Jamba was my first job, so I never really knew any different. I always heard people complain about an annoying coworker or the crazy work they have to do at their job. Well friends, I look forward to going to work. Every. Single. Time. I love my job! I think it's all about the people I have the privilege to work with. They have made making smoothies and dealing with annoying customers for hours on end seem surprisingly appealing. We have dance parties and blare many varieties of music, we sit in the back and talk through the tough situations life has thrown our way, we create new and crazy smoothies, and we take a million pictures. Anyways, today as I was working I remembered how blessed I really am to 1.) have a job but even more important 2.) absolutely love the job itself and the people I work with :)

When I got back from work I went for my daily run. I don't particularly love running, and I don't go all that far, but I go, and that is all that matters to me. I told myself it was going to be a shorter run because I wasn't feeling so good when I left (dang mother nature). When I took off I realized how much cooler the weather was, it felt so awesome not breaking a sweat the second I walked out the door. I powered up the first hill and when I got to the top I noticed a strange man parked on the side of the road in an old beaten up truck. My insides started to turn upside down and crazy thoughts flooded my mind. I'm not one for stereotypes and judging a book by its cover (or a man by his truck in this case), but I couldn't help but be a bit panicked at him staring directly at me as I came down the hill. I said a silent prayer right as I was running and pleaded that I would be safe. When I got to the bottom I all of a sudden had more energy than ever. I sprinted away from that truck and felt so powerful that I was delivered away from my fear with my Heavenly Father's help. I continued on and that miraculous burst of energy stuck with me, so I extended my run even after I thought it would be a "shorter" run when I started. I passed by my old elementary school and happiness filled my soul. I was overwhelmed with memories bursting in every hallway. My first food fight, winning student body president after I rapped my speech, falling on the bars because I was trying to show off, selling bigstick popsicles on Fridays, it all happened there during my childhood. Towards the end of my run I felt the need to start walking, I wasn't even really tired I just wanted to look at my surroundings and embrace a cooler night. I guess that may have been why I was given the energy to go on a longer run. I looked to my right and saw a pine tree, it smelled like Christmas and looked like I was in the mountains. I looked to my left and saw a palm tree and could have sworn I was at the beach. The horses behind me started singing a lovely horse tune. A little old man passed me on his bicycle and smiled as he said hello and I remembered there really are good people left in this world. I looked up and saw the beautiful picture God had painted in the sky as the sun was setting, and I thought to myself what a wonderful world :)

It's all the little things that make life so enjoyable. I'm so glad I get to experience embrace it day by day.

All my love,
-Aleigh Joy

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Right Here Waiting.

Monday, August 13, 2012
 This Sweet Boy Has Been Gone For... 

 7 WHOLE MONTHS!! 
and two days :)


Can you believe it? I know I can't. I remember his farewell so clearly, I remember being glued to his side at his farewell open house so profoundly, and I remember saying goodbye to him and never wanting to let go like it was yesterday, definitely not 7 months ago... We have 17 more months until we get to be reunited again. Oh the anticipation is just killing me!
I LOVE sending and receiving letters. Every time I get one my heart jumps for joy and I scream a little inside :) Mostly for holidays, but also just for fun when I'm missing him, I'll send a package to brighten up his day! The last package I sent was for Easter, it was pretty much a huge Easter basket. Since there has been a long break between holidays, I decided to send him a "just because I love you" package the other day. I was pretty excited about its contents :)
The whole package, which probably wont look like this by the time it arrives in Ohio

The card. I hope he appreciates the colors as much as I do!

Two of his favorite chips with Ecclesiastes 2:24 attached

Priesthood Powerade

A new tie with Proverbs 3:3 on it

 "Chews the right" on a packet of orbit "You are a Lifesaver to the people in Ohio" on a package of lifesavers and  Matthew 25:21 on a pack or riddles skittles

A Sports quotes book by John Bytheway and 2 bookmarks I made to go with it :)


There was also some cheesy lovey dovey notes and cute pictures haha :)

It's so fun to put packages together and hear how happy it made him when he opened it. These past 7 months have honestly flown by, I sure hope the next 17 will as well.

Have a magnificent day!

All my love,
-Aleigh Joy

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Oh the places you'll go.

Sunday, August 12, 2012
"Which of my photographs is my favorite? The one I'm going to take tomorrow" - Imogen Cunningham

I like pictures.
A LOT
It's a way to capture life's uncapturable moments. (I'm fully aware that "uncapturable" is not a word)
I take a bunch of pictures because one of my favorite things to do is relive some of my favorite moments by looking back at photographs. 

Lately, I have been reminiscing back on a bunch of old pictures, as well as newer pictures. It's so fun to see how much I have changed, both physically and mentally. My clothing choice changes, my hairstyles change, and my mindset changes. One thing never will change though, the happiness that picture once brought me will remain the same.
Sometimes I'll look at a picture and I can remember exactly what I was feeling and thinking at the moment, or even what happened right after the picture was taken. It's so fun to remember the places I have been and the events I have experienced. A picture says so much about a person, it truly says a thousand words.

That being said, here are some of the highlights from this summer that has melted away along with this heat:
(Apologizing ahead of time for the overload, but I love memories:)

The girls camp crew!

Oh heyy, ropes course!

Awesome, steep hike

Utah group!

SLC Temple

Best Friends!

Some lake on our hike in Utah

4th of July!

At the stadium of fire, this is a must

Explosions in the sky!

First timer at the temple :)

I got hops, and Syd got skills

Trekkers

What a day with my friend in me

I got sunshine!

For fajaa's birthday, I made pineapple upside down cupcakes

And we ate at a lovely restaurant

Then took a family pic missing Taylor

I sure love my brother

Elder Carter leaves for Chile!


Well, that's all I have for now folks!

Until we meet again.

All my love,
-Aleigh Joy

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