universal studios

Hello readers of my blog! I mentioned to someone that I like to post pictures and write on my blog just for fun and therapy to which they responded, "and how many people are subscribed to your blog?" I was silent even though I knew exactly that very very tiny number. I just told that person, "it doesn't really matter." So thanks for those that read and feel the need to subscribe. It means a lot when someone's day is brightened and inspired even if it is just from my life lessons and small adventures.

That's what life is all about: not being afraid to learn and grow. Just because nobody sees my artwork doesn't mean I'm going to stop painting. Just because nobody listens to me sing doesn't mean I'm going to stop singing. And of course just because nobody reads my blog doesn't mean I'm going to stop writing. So you just do you and don't let anyone stop you from doing what you love. 

Besides all that, I would also advise everyone to ALWAYS say yes to new adventures. My mom said she was taking my brother and his friend for a weekend trip to Cali and she needed someone else to come since my sister cancelled last minute.Nobody wanted to go and frankly leaving at 10 o'clock at night and getting to a hotel at 3 in the morning only to get up in a few hours sounded so exhausting especially since I had just had a 7 MILE RUN THAT MORNING (I'm actually really proud about that *clap clap clap*) and already felt exhausted. Plus I just wanted a relaxing weekend with my husband since we are always working, buuuuut that didn't happen. I said yes(reluctantly) and Tyler got work off the next morning to come along for the ride. I cried. I loved him so much in that moment because I know what sacrifice it was to call off work last minute and bring his laptop to work on homework and tests for five hours in he car. We ended up having a blast in Universal Studios and we laughed at how much we didn't want to go! A spontaneous trip to just have fun together was exactly what we needed. I just wish it was longer! 

We surprisingly were able to get enough sleep to function in the morning. Tyler had never been, so I was excited for Tyler to have fun. He deserves it a ton, since he recently was placed in the wrong ASU transfer program, got in a car accident, and had his very expensive computer crashed and stop working. Even when we went to breakfast before going to the park he sat in a chair covered in syrup completely ruining his shorts. I felt so bad! He can't catch a break... So I told him to splurge and buy some new shorts from City Walk (and a cute shirt for me ;)). Our favorite ride was The Mummy and Jurassic Park even though I only ride it once and watched Tyler and my brother get soaked the other three times. Too be honest it was super crowded and some of the lines were 30 min to and hour wait. Ugh. But on our way up the escalators/stairs one very kind park employee started passing out front of the line passes for 6 people. So we had an awesome rest of the day cutting everyone and screaming our heads off on the best rides there. Pretty cool right? 

I'm a Harry Potter geek and was so happy when I saw the undersconstruction Hogwarts and Hogsmeade. I can't wait to taste butter beer and ride a hypogriff you don't even know. Also the Funland part of the park from Despicable Me was the cutest ever and I wish the picture of me squeezing an expensive yet incredibly fluffy unicorn didn't look so scary and awkward. The ride was cool too. Sorry if your tired of hearing about Universal Studios but it was just the best and will be visiting again next year to get my wizard on! 

Anyone want to help me plan my next vacation? 

I AM SO EXCITED FOR THIS!!!

I collect these. 

How could we not go to our fav restaurant on city walk?! 

memorial day weekend

Ok, so I have no excuse for taking so dang long to write but I don't really care because SUMMER. Sorry, I'm still soaking it all in and absolutely loving that's it's barely June. Anyway, Memorial weekend was amazing and I've been dying to share. I hope you love all this random goodness and pretty pictures. 

FRIDAY: 

We went to the Chase Ballpark to watch a D-backs game with the whole Farr fam. Pretty soon Tyler and I will be the only one's left her in AZ with my mother and father-in-law so we took the weekend to do fun stuff! We ate too many sugary foods, I danced in the stands, and I laughed at Tyler cheering his heart out. They pulled a win after the tenth inning and we ended the night with fireworks. It was almost like my birthday! 

SATURDAY: 

Saturday was a big deal because I ran 6 miles in a little over an hour. I haven't done that since my cross country days and it felt so good to be one step closer to a marathon! I'm think of blogging more about that later since I'm learning as I go and it can be tough to keep on track. I'll be posting soon! 

In the afternoon all us Farr's took a mini road trip to Superior to the Arboretum State Park. Oh my goodness. It was the most gorgeous place in the valley I think I've ever been! All the flowers were in bloom, I saw so many hummingbirds, and the views were beautiful. I couldn't believe I'd never been there before and tried to inconspicuously take as many pictures as I could. 

We ended the day with feasting at The Mining camp, a restaurant up against the Superstion Mountains and also favorite place of mine. I couldn't get enough prickly pear jam and I those ribs were too good. It was a happy day. 

SUNDAY: 

This was probably the craziest day ever. Tyler and I packed some church clothes and snacks and drove to California at 5am in the morning to see the baptism of my non-member family. We got there right before sacrament meeting and listened to the sweetest talks and watched as ward members greeting us and the rest of my family knowing how special that day was. As I sat in sacrament meeting reflecting on that day I wrote in my journal:

"I've grown up with my dad's family being Mormon and my mom's family of other faiths. I've learned to just accept that that's just how things are and to love all my family. My perspective changed today as I watched my great aunt and uncle, family I've visited and been visited by since I can remember, were baptized today as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I witnessed how they embraced the gospel, felt our Heavenly Father's love for them, and sought to have the spirit with them always. They've been such an example to me of what it means to be truly converted. My testimony of missionary work and family has grown so much today. I can't even tell you how full my heart is!"

The amazing thing is that they are are both in their 60s and had only been taking the missionary discussions for one month. My family was pretty shocked when we got the call that they were going to investigate the church but their commitment to be baptised was such a great thing to be a part of. My mom gave me a call the night before we drove up and she said, "Olivia... they've even been going to the LA temple for a month." She couldn't believe how ready they were to become members and how much they were embracing every bit. My aunt told us how she used to swear she would never NEVER be Mormon and that religion was just not apart of their lives. But their hearts changed as they recognized something was definitely missing and sought to make things better for their kids. My aunt came to my mom, who converted when I was 4, and began to ask her questions about her conversion. That ignited the spark and she knew she needed the gospel in her and her husband's life. It was the coolest thing to watch and see how happy they were. I love my sweet Tia and Tio's conversion story! It was a short getaway that filled out hearts (and our tummies!). 

This pizza was AMAZING.

Mom gave the best/cutest talk ever. 

MONDAY: 
We said goodbye to our California family (until our trip to Big Bear in few weeks!), ate home cooked breakfast and drove back home. I REALLY hated that we had to leave but we had the last of the Farr festivities waiting for us at home. I loved all the patriotic posts and stories about those who have fought and died for our country. It really bothers me when people say negative things about the government or the military because it is such a blessing to live here. There are of course problems, issues, and controversies that need to be addressed and fixed but I just wished the American society could have a little more empathy and appreciation for all the people who sacrificed their lives to make the country what it is. Protection is a blessing and I'm so grateful for my home. We passed a long line of motorcyclists that stretched for miles on the freeway that all had signs, jackets, and flags that represented the war they had fought in. People lined up on the overpasses with flags as they waved. It was an awesome tribute to Memorial Day and a good reminder to reflect on. 
There was a BBQ/swimming party waiting for us at home and I could not even think about eating any more food! But I did because that would be rude you know? I kind sorta swam and got covered in mosquito bites. 

It was a fun weekend and I'm still recovering from all the mosquitoes.... BYE.