A few of my favorite things: thankful

I've driven from Mesa to Phoenix, Arizona at least three times within the past three days. Why? My mom was visiting in Phoenix and my dad lives in Mesa which makes the holidays consumed with driving back and forth across town. The stress that comes with trying not to be late to every Thanksgiving dinner is at times unbearable. However, I am thankful for that drive. When I take that drive it means I have two wonderful home to go to, two families who are loving, and the ability to take the family car. For that, I am thankful. I am thankful for living in Colorado, having great friends in Kansas, and family in Arizona. I am thankful for this incredible life and joyful season I am in. Mostly of I am thankful for God's love and faithfulness. I have a few things to be thankful for.

A few of the things I am most thankful for: 1. Learning and growing in ministry 2. best friends 3. Youthfront 4. my parents (the photo is an oldie but goodie) 5. my roommates 

A few of my favorite things

I've been truly sale shopping lucky lately. On Wednesday night, I went into Anthropology where I found  a Leifsdottir skirt on sale from $188 to $10. The sales clerk even giggled a little when I checked out. On Saturday, I discovered a top that was originally $80 but when I bought it I only paid $10. Sale items is just one of my favorite things. 

1. The new quote banner I made for my desk. 2. Colorado postcards I'm sending to Kansas friends. 3. A           50 cent banner I've recently bought. I really love banners 4. The Leifsdottir skirt I got on sale. 5. A small reminder I keep at my desk. 

A few of my favorite things

Fresh squeezed lemonade

Cute homemade aprons

Experiencing what I like to call magic pants. These pants were all on sale and different sizes. But they all fix me perfectly!

Finding time to repaint most of my nails.

Getting awesome phone calls from close friends. Caleb for sure made my day yesterday. I am so proud of the man of God he has become.

Skype dates with my two best friends. They remind me of one of my favorite quotes..

"Life doesn't always turn out like your fantasy that's why you need real friendships to get you through it all"

At the moment, I'm on the road and making my way to Colorado. It's insane to think I'll be there in a couple hours. Looking at the overstuffed SUV, it seems impossible to unload. However, I've already had some new CCU friends offer to help me. No worries, I'm a college girl now.

A few of my favorite things: Spring Break Edition

1. Longboarding Accidents I love longboarding. It's my sport right next to shopping and it's my form of exercise. However, what I love more than longboarding is longboarding accidents. The first time I went riding down a hill I got a huge bump in the middle of my forehead when I fell. This didn't stop me. Years later I still take my board out everyday. I am lucky cause one of my best friends is willing to go to new places to longboard with me. We were riding up a hill in a quiet neighborhood in a red mountain district when I tripped and face planted on the street over nothing. I love my battle scars but the story of how I fall over nothing is even better. I should most likely take it easy on the hills till after my mom's wedding.
2. Teen Vogue and Sex& The City In the midst of my super busy week I set aside a day just to be overly lazy. I dedicated this PJ day to my two loves; fashion&Carrie Bradshaw. I swear Sex and the City is the only movie and show I can watch over and over again while marking up the latest issue of my favorite magazine.
3. Glitter Cupcakes Thankfully, I have super awesome leaders at my church who introduce me to glitter cupcakes. These red velvet cupcakes are full of sparkle and fun. I may love them more then regular cupcakes cause everyone deserves a little shine in their lives.
4. Taco Tuesday  Come to think of it, I have a ton of great leaders at church who feed me. My mom was talking the other night saying that she is gratefully for Jackie, Lori, and Jeannie always making sure I am never starving. However, Tuesdays are my favorite. Jeannie has the annual taco Tuesday and since I am usually the only that comes I never turn down seconds.
5. Grasshopper Pie One of the many reasons why I miss working at Village Inn is the seasonal Mint Brownie Blast pie. It's smooth, sweet, and perfect. Perfect in the fact that I had a piece on St. Patricks Day. Yes, my desserts correspond with holidays. Don't hate.
6. Lori's House Dang, I love my church moms. I'm starting to realize how much I hang out (or crash) at their houses. This is why when I woke up Thursday morning and Lori texted me to come over I was so stoked. I love hanging out with this family because they never cease to be more than church leaders in my life. Like usual, Amanda made her homemade apple pie while Lori, Mel, and I talked the night aways. The Hutchins are one of my favorite family.
7. Girls Out Night The church hosted a Girl Night Out event where I basically eat my weight in popcorn. Otherwise, I had the greatest time with some of the cutest girls in the high school ministry.


I officially declare Spring Break 2011 the best one I've ever had. With Monday slowly approaching I realize how much little time I have left in High School. As God is moving and working the most in these moments my emotions are running wild. With this, I keep calm with the lyrics of one my favorite songs. "Oh this is going to be the good life...sometimes there's airplanes I can't jump out but please tell me whats there to complain about." Honestly, my head has not stopped spinning in the last week and as much as I want to call out for help I know in my heart this change is good. As much as I don't want the things that are happening to happen moving forward is a natural direction for a Christian. With the next couple months being the craziest I put three important quotes on the front of my planner.
"To get something you never had you have to do something you never did."
"When God takes something from your grasp He's not punishing you but merely opening your hands to receive something better."
"The Will of God will never take you where the Grace of God will not protect you."

A few of my favorite things

1. Going off Campus As seniors we receive the special privilege of going off campus for lunch. During my fall semester, I hardly ever took advantage of this. Now I try to make it off campus everyday. This and going to spouts for the sandwich special has become one of my new favorites.

2. Popsicles I totally forgot how much I love Popsicles till one of the editors brought a box to yearbook one day. The coolness of a yummy Popsicle is truly unbeatable. It was the best part of my day when the staffers compared the change of color on their tongues.

3. When other people fall I have been known to fall, trip, and stumble from time to time so it's refreshing when my follow clumsy friends take the big fall to the ground. It's nice not to be the only one who trips over nothing while simply walking.

4. Church camp "This one time at church camp.." now that that's out of the way. I love church camp, I compare it to family vacations. This year was my last one and it was one of the best. It was most likely the most calm weekend I've ever had at camp and it was also the perfect get away from the craziness in my life at the moment. It was also strange to think that just four short years ago I was afraid to get into the van to go to my very, first camp. As camp came to a close, it made me more and more sad to know it was my last camp ever. Hopefully, I will be running one of those camps sometime soon.

5. Mini me Meet one of my best friend's little sister, Kendall. I swear this cool kid is trying to be the next Melanie. When I went over to Kaylie's house for our usual Gossip Girl night her sister only did something if I did, had soda if I had soda, and desperately wanted to sit next to me during diner. She actually only put on her PJ's when she saw I had mine on as well. Yes, it's always nice to be admired and copied.

6. Best friend time My best friend Dahlya has a history of being kinda busy. Whether it's travel, school, or auditions Dahlya has a full load. For this reason, when she has a free moment for best friend time I take it. She makes my days better and brighter so spending time with her is a must. Honestly, these past couple weeks she has been the best possible friend ever and every time I spend even a ounce of time with her I become more thankful for her presence in my daily life.

7. Dance parties Every year at church camp we throw a dance party. Last year, it was 80s themed and this year was neon. It got a little crazy and the best part was at the end when all the seniors got into a huge huddle to spend the last song together. My youth group is cool.

Looking back I'm not sure where the past two weeks have gone. I was thinking about it earlier today and I had a lot of fun but my business has consumed me to the point where I don't remember falling asleep. But, I wouldn't trade my life for anything. I was reading my journal the other night and I came across a paragraph I wrote on December 19, 2010, "I feel so lucky sometimes. Even when I'm really stressed I am still loved by God, I still love others, and I am still loved by others. Even when I have a lot of problems going on I am still forgiven. I have faith." This still rings true in my life today. As my best friend once said to me, "Life is too short to be sad about anything."

A few of my favorite things: Valentines day edition

1. Giant Cards Last week my best friend Kaylie and I found a giant valentines card at the gas station. To her it was Christmas and it was a great way to kick off valentines day mode.
2. Not so secret admirers On the special day of love I went to my first class a little early to talk with my physics teacher. I left all of my stuff at my desk and went up to the front of the room to make up a quiz. When I came back a boy from another class came in just leave me a candy sucker. It truly made my day and it made physics a little bit more bearable.
3. Candy It was hard to even walk through the high school hallway without friends handing me candy left and right. I didn't mind one bit, can we make this an official part of my day?
4. Marriage Proposal I was asked for my hand in marriage and by totally accident. Kaylie hand made her valentine cards and randomly gave me the "Marry Me" one. It's always lovely to know someone wants to marry you.
5. Tradition My best friend Dahlya and I have a traditional gift for valentines day. Dark chocolate covered fortune cookies. yum. It is a must eat and inside each cookie there is a quote about friendship. Two years ago she gave me a box and this year I gave her one. I'm positive we will be mailing our cookies to each other next year.
6. Yearbook Parties I knew that I would be having tons of treats on v-day, especially in yearbook. For this reason, I skipped breakfast, lunch and all real type of food to save room for my massacre of sugar. This was a great plan till I left school early sick.
7. Cheesy Valentines I recall in elementary school making a home made mail box and patiently sitting at my desk as I watched classmates place valentines in my box. I miss this. So when my friend AJ gave me a cheesy valentine it was the icing to the perfect valentines day cupcake.


Even though Valentines day has come and gone I must say this year was the best yet.

A few of my favorite things

1.Ihop I think Ihop tastes better in the late hours of the night. I would never pass up an opportunity to go have a plate of fries at midnight. I partly feel like I'm cheating on Village Inn but sometimes those chocolate chip pancakes are too hard to ignore.
2. Strange Obsessions I feel a little less crazy when I meet others who have strange obsessions. I mean the whole infatuation with frozen yogurt comes to a smaller extent when I see people talk about their "can't live withouts." A very good friend of mine in yearbook is in love with orange soda and not just any brand but Crush. So when we went to Walmart and we saw that a four pack was on sale for an dollar he flipped. It was the same reaction I would have when discovering a new frozen yogurt place and I don't feel alone anymore.
3. Aprons I believe aprons are one of the best parts of baking, besides eating yummy treats of course. I once found a apron in an antique store that had a soft color of pink, little Eiffel Tower pattern, and two big, black bows. This apron screamed Melanie and when my mom bought it for me for my sixteenth birthday, my collection began. However, my best friend Jenelle has a beautiful hand made one that I've had my eye since Jr high. Every time we bake at her house that apron is first and foremost.
4. Fun people There's a girl in my youth ministry with the same name as me. At first, I hated the thought of another Melanie walking around on my turf. So when this younger version of me walked into my life I couldn't bear the thought of a second Mel. However, Melanie is such a positive force of energy, my life would be dark without her. She is such a fun, open women of God and I'm so thankful for her and her willingness to try new things. Such as, my Zumba class, that she was so open to try with me. She makes experiences and situations better.
5. Quality time this past Sunday after church a couple of the females leaders and I sat outside one of their homes and talked. Talked about past camps, funny stories, and life lessons. It's refreshing to spend time with the women whose words, lives, and actions impact my relationship with Jesus and myself on a weekly bases.
6. Surprises I love, love surprises so much. Well I don't like them so much when I know when they're coming but a good surprise is the best. I always subconsciously feel as if a surprise is around the corner that's how much I love them. Once again my good friend Kavita surprised me with a tiny box with a cupcake inside. It's awesome to have such great friends who have good taste in cupcakes.




It's been such a fabulous week full of fun, laughter, and growth. Lately, I've been working extra hard on improving myself and working on my 2011 goals. I've learned a lot about myself and I really love where my life is heading. I know for a fact that things are about to get crazy but if I've gained anything from this past week is the knowledge that no matter I go in life God is moving in all directions.

A few of my favorite things

"if you can't heal yourself first, then you can't heal others."





1. Naked Juice I'm not sure why, but I could drink Naked Juice all day long. It might have do with the fact it's really healthy and yummy at the same time. However, it's expensive and for an unemployed girl, it's not in the budget. So during this week when my mom texted me saying that she bought me some, I squealed for joy a little. I was sick for the first part of a week, which is weird since I never get sick, therefore a cup of Blue Machine would be just what the doctor ordered. However, when I opened up the fridge and saw that my mom had bought a gallon of Naked Juice I instantly felt much better.
2. Watching Gossip Girl and Pretty Little Liars with Kaylie Every Monday I look forward to going over to my friend's house to watch two of our favorite shows. If life were a Gossip Girl episode, I would be Serena and she would be Blair. We are a perfect match and our Monday tradition helps me get through the week.
3. Red Velvet cupcakes First of all, yum; red velvet cupcakes are cupcakes at their finest. I am very to lucky to have Kavita, a good friend of mine, who knows that when I'm upset a cupcake can make up for the tears. It's also a lovely surprise when a little tiny box that contains a cupcake can help you realize how cool your friends are. As Kavita puts it, "Wherever I am, I will always bring you a cupcake. Just saying it again because it's fact and I will, because I love you and who doesn't like a cupcake once in a while!?"
4. Yearbook I will always be thankful for my ybk class and the people in it. In a way, this past week it has been a great therapy session rather than a class. Even though we found out that the school blocked Tumblr from us, I've never laughed, talked, and learned more in a class before. I couldn't picture my school days without these kids and their humor and love in my life.
5. Ice cream for lunch I'm shocked that I didn't have frozen yogurt, but sometimes I cheat and go back to my first love. I'm even more shocked that when I suggested to my best friends that I thought we should get ice cream for lunch that they actually went along with my idea. I'm not shocked even the tinniest bit that when I was getting ice cream my best friends got sandwiches instead and I was left to eat the yummy treat. At least they humor me.

I fully believe that the theme this past week was healing and friendship. I've been watching Sex and the City season six and what is even more fabulous than the clothes on the show is the friendship. Carrie Bradshaw, the main character, has three best friends, Miranda, Charlotte, and Samantha that through all her problems and situations are her soul mates. By the end of each episode, I realize more and more how great my group of close friends are. I'm grateful that I have people in my life who are my safety net when problems occur. Thank you Dahlya, Jenelle, Daria, Kaylie, Chelsea, and Kavita for being my Miranda, Charlotte, and Samantha. There's quote at the end of the last episode said by Carrie that states, "Later that day I got to thinking about relationships. There are those that open you up to something new and exotic, those that are old and familiar, those that bring up lots of questions, those that bring you somewhere unexpected, those that bring you far from where you started, and those that bring you back. But the most exciting, challenging and significant relationship of all is the one you have with yourself. And if you can find someone to love the you you love, well, that’s just fabulous." As I grow and learn more about life and the woman I'm becoming, I know for a fact that my support system loves me no matter what. Even through they can say they will be there for me, more importantly my best friends show through their actions that they will be there for me.

To end, there is one more Carrie quote that I will always carry with me, "They say nothing lasts forever. Dreams change, trends come and go…but friendships never go out of style."

A few of my favorite things

"the most important things in the world aren't things."






1. Pomegranate frozen yogurt it's the best and my new favorite flavor.
2. Dariashe has become of my closest friends. She makes my day brighter, I can tell her anything, and she freaks out when a fire truck comes down the street. Strange but funny.
3. Racquetball Thursday this has become one of my new favorite events to look forward to. I love the game, it's a great work out, and when all my friends get together to play we can't stop laughing and having fun.
4. Watching my friends play racquetball now I'm not saying I'm the queen of the racquetball courts however my friends will not being going to the Olympics anytime soon. I love them but their sports skills, or lack of, keeps me laughing all day long.
5. Small Groups this is my church's mid week program and I so love it. We meet as a youth group for hang out time, worship, and an lesson then break off into small groups with students your same grade, gender, and school. However, this semester is different for the seniors. Instead of small group time we meet as a large group of seniors. It is beyond awesome and I pray the rest of the semester goes well. But that's not the best part. As a student leader I show up to church a couple hours early and help set up for that nights event. This is my favorite time of the week. I love greeting all the leaders, helping any way I can, and being at church. Words couldn't even begin to describe how great the people I go to church with are. When I think of the relationships I have there I automatically think of the word of community because that what it truly is. I know, without a doubt, that every single leader at small groups will be there for me no matter what and it was so good to be surrounded by that again. I compare it to the feeling you get when you come home after a long trip and your comfortable bed is there waiting for you. That's why being at church is my favorite.
6. Helping my friends ask their dates to dances Yes, my new nickname is Melanie, the dance queen because I've been helping a lot of my friends ask or answer for school dances. I love it! I get be creative and help others. The best of both worlds in my opinion.



Life is great and I am seriously so happy. I am very too blessed to be stressed about anything and no matter I am still loved by God and I've got some really great relationships in my life. For instance, I got an random note today from a friend who lives in Gilbert that said, "You're beautiful and great and I love and appreciate you." That was my favorite part of my whole day.

Favorites are bombastic.