To hear the angels sing.

On Saturday night my family went to the 

Mormon Tabernacle Choir Christmas Concert.

It was incredible. The best ever, I think.

The performers were amazing, and I was so grateful to be apart of it.

I was so moved by the Spirit in that conference center. Tears just came and came. 

My heart has been aching these past few days. 

While I am celebrating Christmas, many families are planning funerals.

It takes the wind out of me to think about,

but I know that my Heavenly Father is looking over those families.

Those beautiful children were welcomed by Him with open arms.

I love my Savior.

The Plan of Salvation is a real and wonderful thing. 

That knowledge will carry us through these troubled days. 

(kacey.ism 262)

Festive despite finals.

Even though this semester has run me ragged

I've still managed to have a lot of fun this month.

In between studying and projects and papers we managed to squeeze in

a Baby's Day, a Decembirthday Party, a Provo family dinner,

and multiple showings of Home Alone. 

I'm so grateful for my people for keeping me laughing and smiling

through a very busy and stressful semester.

(kacey.ism 261)

Happy Birthday Baby Girl.

Happy Birthday to my #1 girl.

She's been with me through the thick and the thin,

the ups and the downs,

and she has made my life so much better.

I don't know what I would do without her. 

Happy Birthday Annerz--

my funny, witty, sweet, kind, amazing best friend.

I love you.

xoxo

(kacey.ism 260)

under the mistletoe.

Mistletoe that is with me wherever I go?

Genius.

I love the holidays.

And the dollar section at Target. 

(kacey.ism 259)

Gingerbread dopplegangers.

To ring in the month of December,

last night we decorated our gingerbread dopplegangers.

I had too much fun making my gingerbread Kacey look just like me.

How did I do?

Nothing says Christmas quite like a gingerbread man.

(kacey.ism 258)

It's not about the chase.

(kacey.ism 257)

A Sun Valley Thanksgiving

If there ever comes a day when no one can find me,

when I've seemingly disappeared from the earth,

just drive up to Sun Valley.

I promise you I'll be there.

It is a place where stress and worry do not exist.

The most important thing to do every day is take the dogs on a walk.

I just love it. 

Thanksgiving was perfect.

I spent it with family from near and far.

I am very blessed and have so much to be grateful for.

I'm glad I could spend the holiday with people I love in a place that I love. 

(kacey.ism 256)

Happy Birthday Cath!

Happy Birthday to my favorite, Cath!

Even though you live far away in NYC

you'll always be my partner in crime. 

I miss you and love you and hope today is the best!

xoxo

(kacey.ism 255)

A Grateful Heart.

My weekend was the best.

I got to do what I love, with the people I love, for the people I love. 

Ok, that was a confusing sentence.

What I love is to dance. I have danced all semester with some amazing people. 

I was so proud of them this weekend. They all performed beautifully!

And after each show I found people who mean the world to me waiting for me.

I am so grateful to have amazing friends and family who support me and cheer me on.

They truly are the best of the best. 

I am a very lucky girl. 

Today my heart is full of love for all these people.

Love you. 

(kacey.ism 254)

Snowfall.

The first snowfall of the season came this weekend.

While I much prefer the warm weather

I must admit, it was a little bit enchanting. 

Here's to the long winter ahead!

(kacey.ism 253)

God Bless America.

God Bless America, 
Land that I love. 
Stand beside her, and guide her 
Thru the night with a light from above. 
From the mountains, to the prairies, 
To the oceans, white with foam 
God bless America, My home sweet home.

Even though things didn't pan out last night the way I wanted them to

I still love America.

I believe in America, and I will always stand by her.

(kacey.ism 253)

Election Day.

Today is Election Day.

We are so privileged to live in a country where we have 

freedoms and rights and are able to go out and VOTE!

God Bless America! 

And God Bless Mitt Romney today! 

(kacey.ism 252)

Happy Halloween! Here's a pumpkin...

I chose to go political with my pumpkin carving this year.

As an amateur carver, I was very proud of my work.

Happy Halloween!

(kaceyism.251)

Three little pigs had a good time.

These little piggies went to a party.

And these little piggies had fun and danced.

And when the night was over, these little piggies went 

wee wee wee all the way home. 

(kacey.ism 250)

thank you for October.

(kacey.ism 249)

a passion of mine.

"Let yourself be silently drawn 

by the strange pull of what you really love.

It will not lead you astray."

--Rumi

(kacey.ism 248)

Let's carve pumpkins.

On Sunday eve we had some friends over and carved some pumpkins,

 ate delicious soup (thanks mom!), and watched Hocus Pocus.

It was the perfect Halloween activity.

I'm so proud of our pumpkin. Every year we get a little better at carving...

(kacey.ism 247)

Frightmares.

On Saturday night we ventured out to Frightmares.

Nothing screams Halloween like roller coasters and haunted houses.

It was a blast and those haunted houses were winners. 

When the chainsaw came out it was every man for themselves.

We have the bruises to prove it. 

(kacey.ism 246)

a thought.

Lately I have been pondering how to be better.

Be better at life. Be better at school. Be better at dance.

Be better at branching out, being a friend, being an example.

And I think the trick is it all starts with me. 

I'm not going to get any better until I believe I can be better.

And once I believe in myself I can take those steps towards the better.

I never want to be stagnant in life. 

If you aren't moving forward you're either standing still or moving backwards. 

Not an option. 

(kacey.ism 245)

Park City.

Park City never lets us down. 

It was another great night with another great group.

We wandered Main Street, had some hot cocoa, and made some new friends.

I loved everything about our night.

(kacey.ism 244)

the beauty of fall.

I realize fall comes every year--

the leaves always change colors, the mountains look beautiful, and 70 degrees becomes the perfect temperature ever. 

However, pulling out my fall wardrobe every year will never get old.

It just won't. I love it too much. 

(It also doesn't hurt that my birthday comes around right when this transition is happening...

 hence the polka dot blazer and watch)

(kacey.ism 243)

So blessed.

 We are so blessed.

All weekend long we got to listen to counsel from our Heavenly Father. 

I am always so inspired, touched, and amazed. 

My testimony is vital to who I am. 

I never want to take it for granted or neglect it. 

I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is true.

I know it with all that I am. 

(kacey.ism 242)

A letter to 23 year old me.

Dear Kacey,

This year...

Smile a lot. Laugh often. Be spontaneous.

Try to worry less (I know it's hard for you), and live in the present. 

Be confident. There is no other You in this world. So be the best at it.

Do the things you love to do, and learn to love new things and do them. 

Treat everyone like it's their birthday. It's the best feeling in the world.

Love your family. Love your friends. Tell them you love them often. 

Keep exploring, growing, and putting yourself out on the ledge. It always pays off.

And once you're on the ledge, leap! You'll be able to keep flying and end up somewhere totally new and amazing.

Most importantly, remember your Heavenly Father loves you and has a wonderful plan in store for you. 

Talk to Him. Trust Him. Always. 

Enjoy every day. You'll only be 23 once.

xoxo

(kacey.ism 241)

Birthday weekend.

One year older and wiser too...

I had the best birthday weekend. 

I spent it with all the people I love and did all the things I love.

From shopping, to karaoke, to birthday cake, to more shopping, and more birthday cake--

it was just the best. 

I have the most wonderful family and friends.

They take such good care of me.

I am a very lucky girl. 

Here's is to year 23 being the best yet!

(kacey.ism 240)

DC revisited.

On Sunday I reunited with some of my favorite people.

In May I left for DC knowing no one.

In August I came home with some amazing new friends. I repeat, Amazing.

I love them all. They were part of one of my very best and favorite summers.

(kacey.ism 239)

Birthday Week.

A Happy Birthday week to you!

And a Happy Birthday week to me!

(picture credit goes to Annerz for the snap chat)

(kacey.ism 238)

typical Saturday morning

Good Morning McDonald's,

Two diet cokes please.

love,

Kacer and Annerz

(kacey.ism 237)

cabin fever.

Happy Cabin Fever to you!

Last night we all tucked ourselves in Lo's cabin.

Discovery: You put a group of people like us (who have known each other for many years) 

together in one room it is going to get hyper, crazy, and hilarious-- 

But hyper, crazy, and hilarious in the best possible way.

I love those people, and I love cabins. 

It was a great night.

(kacey.ism 236)