I'm not generally a fan of covers to songs, but for this band, I will make an exception for

BOYCE AVENUE

Just the Way You Are and Teenage Dream

These are only the YouTube versions and are only a fraction of the songs they perform, (they are just some of my favorites) Check the rest of their stuff out on iTunes, enjoy!

Merry Christmas!!!

If in the after life there is not music, we will have to import it.

~Doménico Cieri Estrada

Today, I am happy, for many different reasons.

- First and foremost, my Father in Heaven has given me a very blessed life. He has always been there.

-After a long and stressful week full of finals I am finished and did well.

-I have had the pleasure of spending time with my wonderful friends.

-Christmas is almost here and I get to spend it in sunny Arizona with my family.

-I am healthy and alive.

-I have a place to call home, several in fact.

-I have a job and although I may be called in at 4am to shovel snow, I get to do it with the greatest people alive

-and the list goes on!!!

As you can see, I have many reasons to be happy; therefore, I am happy.

"If you want to be happy, be."

-Leo Tolstoy

And today was a day just like any other...

I woke up this morning and as usual, went to class and work. Since today was the last day of classes, I thought I could beat the lines and sell back the books I knew I wouldn't need to study for finals. After work, I headed over to Bucks for Books to see what I could get. Something about me is I usually always lock my truck door behind me. Also, I always worry that I am gonna lock my keys in my truck. I knew it would happen eventually, but I didn't think it would be today! Anyways... as I arrived at my destination, I took out my keys, put them on the seat, and gathered all my books. Now, I don't even remember locking the door because it is such a habit; however, as I came back out to my dismay the door was locked and my keys were inside the cab on the seat where I left them. My initial thought was that this could NOT be happening, but then my keys began laughing at me! (Well, not really laughing, but I felt like they were!) Gratefully, I called up my best friend Olivia and she came and picked me up, I went and got my spare keys, and was able to get the door unlocked!

Something should be said about these spare keys. They have NEVER worked before. In my time of desperation, I decided that I would try anyways. I told myself that maybe God will love me a little more today and help me get in. As we pulled up to my truck, I said to Liv, let's have faith and keep a prayer in our hearts that these keys will work. I put the key in and as smooth as butter I turned the lock, and Viola! I was in!! I realized after that the Lord just didn't love me a little extra today, but loves me a lot everyday!!! I am not sure why, but as soon as I got in, I looked to the sky and shouted thanks! It seems silly that I would look to the sky I know, but I wanted Him to know I was thankful and could never had done it without Him. It's a comforting feeling to know that the Lord is always there even when I make silly mistakes.

"God helps me- that's what I think and then I am calm"

-Carl Bloch

51.5 hours later...

ahhh. I feel quite accomplished. What a wonderful day to be alive!

Forget about all the reasons why something may not work. You only need to find one good reason why it will.
-Dr. Robert Anthony

I have a dear friend. He goes by the name of Joseph. He and I have an interesting relationship some would say. Our phone conversations go something like this...

Julia: Oh hey. Listen, you need to go see what I just posted on your Facebook.
Joseph: Okay... seconds later... Loud laughter. Listen, now go see what I put on yours!
Julia: Loud laughter. You gotta see the comment I put on your picture.
Joseph: Loud Laughter, now go look at what I said in response.

This goes on for a while but I think you get the idea.

Although you may be wondering why not just wait until one sees it. I say, "why wait when I could call him up and tell him to look at it?!" Besides, who knows when the next time one of us logs in is gonna be!

In conclusion, I am glad to have him as a friend.

Some pursue happiness, others create it -anonymous

I love, love, love Christmas lights. I could spend all night looking at them, really I could.
When I was younger and still lived at home, my family would drive through the neighborhoods and look at all the different houses while sipping hot chocolate and listening to Christmas music. This is one of my favorite Christmas traditions! I can't wait to go home and do it again!


Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful.
~Norman Vincent Peale