Have you ever wanted to show someone how amazing they are? And tell them that they have an army of potential, just waiting for be directed? And then just had to sit back and sort of wait for them to figure it out on their own?

It seems like every time I turn around I've got another friend who is facing some sort of glaring trial. It saddens my heart, and I feel like I can almost feel the weight of it, and I just wish there were something I could do. Life is so hard. 

I just want all these friends of mine to know that you have been the people who have motivated me and inspired me. You've been the ones to carry me when I was weak, and forbidden me to settle. Some of you I barely know, yet you've managed to leave footprints in my life with potent trails. From the time I wake up to the time I turn in for the night, I feel full of gratitude for all of you. I am blessed, I am blessed, I am blessed. 

And so are you. 

Just try to remember that as you go through all these hard things. And keep God close. And remember that He purposefully and intently gave us opposition in all things. 2 Nephi 2:11. Read that. And then listen to this song by Switchfoot. And then PLEASE, sincerely, let me know if there's anything I can do for you.

There is no such thing as a lost cause.

I won't allow it.

Love you all.

TWENTYFIVE

Yesterday was my 25th birthday! If I'm being honest, I never want to tell anyone that I am 25, haha. I suddenly feel so old! But I do have to say that I have incredible people in my life that make the transition easier.

Friday night my parents took me out to dinner to celebrate, we did a little shopping, and then my friend Carlee and I had a sleepover! It was fun and reminded me of the days when we were roommates, which were some of the most fun days of my life. The next morning (my birthday!) we woke up early to go to breakfast with friends at the Original Pancake House. Which, if you haven't been there, you NEED to go. They have the best breakfast in all the land, and I'm not exaggerating at all. Schedule a trip, stick to it even though you have to drive to Sandy, and your life will be forever changed. Pinky promise. After breakfast, Carlee, Cami, Kyle and I headed to Lagoon for the day! We walked around, waited in lines, and rode rides until our legs almost failed us. I had a wonderful birthday, and after all is said and done, I feel incredibly blessed with the family and friends I've got in my life. 

Brigham Steven Jensen | Birth Story

A few days before her baby was born, Abby and I were talking about a conversation we had in high school. I was giving her all the details about my first kiss, and she was absolutely disgusted! It was just a regular ol' kiss, but she could hardly handle listening to me! It was hilarious how grossed out she was, and she vowed to not kiss any boys for a long time. (That vow only lasted a few months, haha.) But here she was, 9 years later, PREGNANT and ready to give birth in just a few days!

I was thrilled and eagerly waited for her text that would tell me it was time to head to the hospital so I could film the birth. September 30th arrives, and she texts me around 8:30 to let me know I should come to the hospital in about an hour. I was so excited that I just started putting together my camera bag right then away! Which was a good thing, because only about 20 minutes later, I get another text from Abby: "Will you come now? :)" And then two minutes after that: "Come quick!" Haha! That boy knew he wanted to get here quickly. I made it just in time, and at 9:24 p.m. Brigham had arrived!!

It was incredibly special to be there with this friend that I've had for so many years. He's a perfect little guy, but I'll just let you see that for yourself.

CALEA + TAYLOR | ONE YEAR

You know how sometimes you meet people through social media, and it makes you appreciate the potential of social media again? That is how I met CaLea. I started following her on Instagram because she is one heck of a photographer, (that's a link to her work, and you should most definitely click it, because you will be ever-so-pleased) and then somehow we started talking, ran a giveaway together, and have been trying to make creative plans ever since.

Annnnyway, a few weeks back, CaLea asked me to work on a little video for her and her husband for their one year anniversary. We gathered some thoughts on their first year of marriage, put them together with some fun moments we caught on film, and this is what I came up with. Not only was it so much fun being up in the mountains with new friends, but it was also special to witness a relationship like theirs.

Happy anniversary, you two!

GNO + TRADITION

For as long as I can remember, my family has been full of incredibly fun traditions. Creating and developing these traditions has been one of my mom's favorite things to do, and she seriously kicks butt at it! I get baaaddd FOMO when my family gets together, and I can't be there for whatever reason, because I know how much fun they're having! I can't even really say that I look forward to any tradition more than the other, because my mom has made them each so creative and fun.

One tradition that I love is our Girls' Night Out while all the boys are at priesthood session. Dinner, Deseret Book, painting, and cupcakes make for the perfect girls night. I got the best mama and the best sisters in law in all the land. 

GIRLS DAY + PLEASE HELP ME BECOME A BETTER VISITING TEACHER

It was so nice to wake up on Friday with nothing to do except have a fun girls day with my girl Kenzi! She stayed at my house with me when she came up for the wedding, and we had a blast. We took our time getting out of bed, headed up City Creek and did a little shopping, had lunch at Kneaders, and grabbed some things for the girls I visit teach--on the last day of the month--oops! Later that night we stuffed ourselves with pizza and chocolate while we watched The Ringer and The Longest Ride, because what girls day doesn't end with good food and a chick flick, amiright? 

p.s. Anyone have any tips on how to be a better visiting teacher? I'm so not into the whole "visit once a month and leave a spiritual thought" thing. I'd way rather make some truly good friends out of it, and just don't know how to make that happen! 

My Best Friends' Wedding

This embarrassing little photo is the first picture Cami and I took together, along with our friend Brielle, of course. :) It was September 2013. We had randomly been put together as roommates at Ventana, and had been living with each other for maybe a few weeks when we all decided to go shopping for some apartment decor. We ended up finding out we all had a love for Duck Dynasty and came home with matching cups and a Duck Dynasty Calendar, haha. We've been best friends ever since.

  THIS is a picture from the first time I met Kyle. He's the dude doing the Chandler Smiles in the green hat and sunglasses. His cousin Kincade and childhood friend Keola both lived at Ventana with me as well, and when we all decided to go float the Provo River, Kyle came along. This was July 2014. That same summer we all went on a couple trips to Zion, and Kyle and I became good friends pretty quickly.

I was lucky to find this great group of friends, and my relationships with each of them were/are unique and special in their own ways. 

Kyle is a different kind of guy. It's hard to describe. If I've ever needed help with anything, he's there to offer his help before I can even ask. He also has this ability to make everyone feel like they're the greatest person he's ever come across. I don't know how he does it! But whenever I've felt the worst about myself, it's been Kyle who builds me back up. Cami is just...she's my girl. She's always the first one I go to for the hardest or happiest things that come along, and even though I'm not the perfect friend, she treats me like I am, and loves me no matter what. She's SUCH a gem. There's really no one like her! So, of course it didn't take Kyle very long to realize that she was the girl her wanted to keep forever! Unfortunately for Kyle, she was dating someone else for a while, and even after they broke up, she just didn't think she had those kind of feelings for Kyle. It was hard to watch, because Kyle is honestly one of the best guys I'll ever know. But in a way, I'm glad it took Cami so long to come around, because Kyle and I got really close during those times. 

Fast forward two years, and Cami finally realized that she never wanted to lose our dear friend Kyle, and things moved quickly from there! FINALLY they are married, and I keep saying that it was the best day of my life! Haha, but it's true. When you get to see your best friends' dreams come true...not even your own happiness beats that. Their wedding day was pure bliss for everyone there. 

I'm still on an emotional high from this weekend! 

I just hope they both realize that it was a two-for-one kinda deal, cause I'm never giving up either of them. ;)