Rock Climbing with Dad!

So, if you didn't already know from my last Father's Day post, I have the coolest Dad!  He took me rock climbing this weekend in West Virginia and it was a blast!  Probably one of the most terrifying things I've done, but definitely something I want to do again!

This was at the very beginning of our climb.  I was always testing my equipment to remind myself that I was securely attached to that via ferrata.  

This was my "holy crap Dad I'm going to kill you for taking me on this trip look."  We were going smooth until we turned around a corner and there was NOTHING!  I didn't realize just how high we were until that moment.  My palms still get sweaty thinking about it... 

This was the bridge! It was definitely scary, but not unbearable.  You can't tell but the pieces of wood are actually about a foot apart and only a couple inches wide. 

Our tour guide Tony was awesome!! 

After hours of climbing, the view was totally worth it. West Virginia is beautiful! 

Before making the trip home we found a swimming hole.  It was so refreshing and so pretty!

I'm so glad I got to go on another adventure before I leave for the Philippines!! It was such a neat day to be able to really conquer my fears and do things I wasn't sure I could do.  The whole time I kept thinking about my mission.  Even though it's going to be terrifying and I'll be doing things I never knew I could do, it will be such a sweet and rewarding experience.  Just as I was really relying on my equipment, I'll have Jesus Christ to back me up the every step of the way (:

Life is good when I'm rock climbing with Dad!

Happy Fathers Day, Daddy-O!

Here is a great and easy idea for any father's day/mother's day gift!! Pull out a recipe card and make a recipe for the perfect Dad!  Mine was specific to my rockin Dad- hard working, silly, intelligent, athletic, pazazz, and LOVE!  

I then found tons of fun little gifts that fit the recipe at world market! Each ingredient had a matching gift. The silly straw was his favorite (: 

Man do I love my Dad!! When I was younger I used to think that I was exactly like my mom, but as I have gotten older I have realized that I am actually a ton like my dad, and I am so glad!!  He is such a great example to me.  He loves literally everyone around him.  Like the other day we were out playing tennis, and he stopped playing with me and Nathan to help out the people next to us and give them some tips.  Even though he had never met them, he acted like he'd known them for years!  He has worked so hard his whole life to provide so much for me.  I cannot tell you how thankful I am for the extra work he has always put in so that I could have the opportunities that I do.  I really do feel like I am the luckiest girl around! I love you Dad (:

Life is good on Father's Day!

Beautiful North Carolina!

We had a fantastic finish to our trip in North Carolina!  Haley and Sharon Lockwood came to stay with us and we had so much fun!!

 So tennis really is in our blood! Grandpa Lockwood played tennis and so do all of his grandchildren! Go Team Lockwood!!

We went to a fort just south of where we stayed called Fort Macom. 

Ahh, North Carolina is SO BEAUTIFUL!  We went for a little hike through a trail.  I loved it. 

And of course, we did lots of swimming!

I have decided that I want to live either in California or one of the Carolina's when I grow up.  North Carolina was so beautiful and we had so much fun as a family.  It's weird to think that I might not have too many more vacations with my family.  I for sure won't have any for the next 18 months!  I'm so blessed to have such great brothers and parents.  We're always having so much fun together and I don't know what I'd do without them!!

Life is good in North Carolina!

The Lockwoods hit the beach!

The Lockwoods have officially hit Atlantic Beach, North Carolina! We are having tons of fun filled with swimming, junk food, sand, sunburns, and lots of laughing. 

We went deep sea fishing! I must admit, I didn't actually catch this fish.  Lol, I just asked the people if I could have a picture with it.  But I did catch like 10 mid sized fish! And Dad caught a shark! Woo!

My tan lines after the day of fishing in modest clothes were oh so lovely. 

Me and T.J. rockin the goggles night swimming!!

I really wanted to get family pictures as the sun was setting.  It was SO WINDY! And my brothers are not exactly a fan of pictures… But I think we ended up with some really good ones! Me Nathan and TJ are all approximately the same height.  Sometimes I seriously think we look like triplets.  

I just feel so blessed to have such an amazing family!  They really do double as my best friends.  We are always laughing and no matter what you're wanting to do that day, someone is always down for an adventure.

Life is good at the beach!

Zion's Camp!

Little by little, I am starting to see that there is a reason that I had these 3 months in Ohio before my mission! This past week, I had the amazing opportunity to hear from Elder Holland with the rest of the missionaries in the area.  I got to shake his hand and listen to him speak for over an hour!  It was truly such a blessing, and so much of it was exactly what I needed to hear as I am preparing for the Philippines.  

Then, at the end of that week I got to go to Zion's Camp!! It was a weekend in Kirtland with Sister Dalton and other Young Single Adults from all over the Eastern United States.  Sister Dalton was awesome, and gave us such great council.  I hadn't appreciated living near Kirtland until this weekend!  There were groups from Virginia, Wisconsin, Ohio, D.C., and Illinois!   I actually met a returned missionary from the Philippines, Sam!  She was such a tender mercy and gave me a heads up on so much that I'm going to see over there.  My favorite advice she gave was, "Just become a Filipino!" She made me so excited!! I also had such a blast with Emily.  She is such a sweet heart and I feel like we grew so much closer over the weekend!

Life is good in Kirtland!!

Happy Birthday T.J.!

My baby brother is 13!! Isn't that absolutely nuts?? He's almost taller than I am too. I seriously just want to shrink him up back into the little boy he used to be.  Even though he's my younger brother, I look up to him so much.  He has always been such an example to me of hard work, kindness, thoughtfulness and diligence. 

I remember when he was probably 5 years old I went outside and saw him sprinting down the street and into our yard where he fell, completely out of breath, into our lawn.  When I asked him what he was doing he quickly replied, "exercising!".  He then continued to get back up and sprint down our street a little ways before turning around and coming back to his place on the lawn.  He also reads his scriptures every single night and is always trying to choose the right.  But the best part about him is that even though he's the most righteous 13 year old you'll come across, he's always cracking jokes.  He quotes lines from movies in tense situations, and is always making me smile and laugh.  

I wove my wittle chee chay!  I'm so proud of him and all the he has already become.  Happy Birthday, bro!

Life is good for T.J.!

St. Louis Trip!

Last week I was able to visit my awesome family in St. Louis! Julianne and Keith and their 5 kids live there.  I stayed the week after I went through the temple.  Aunt J and I had lots of fun shopping and going to the temple! She took me to Nauvoo, too.  And seriously, I think that that might be the temple that I want to get married in. It is BEAUTIFUL!  I LOVED it!  Brooke also was baptized which was way exciting (:  Ever since Keith and Julianne adopted her, I have felt so much love for that little girl.  She is honestly one of my best friends and favorite people on this planet!  She is always giggling and giving me hugs and kisses.  I don't want her to grow up at all while I'm on my mission! 

Life is good in St. Louis!

Happy Mother's Day!

I know it's a few days past Mother's day, but I just had to share this DIY picture that is an awesome gift for Moms Dads and Grandparents!  All it takes is the cutting of a white poster board, a tripod (or latter in my case (;), and a camera! I just took the pictures to wal-mart, made one of their posters, put it in a frame, and ta da!

I know that everyone says that they have the greatest mom in the world, but Laura Lockwood is actually the real one. She is my role model, my rock, my shoulder to cry on, my fashion advisor, my spiritual guide, and my very best friend.  Since going off to college and spending time away from my amazing mother, I've realized how much I want to emulate her.  She is so tender and kind to those around her.  She is hard working and motivated.  She's the greatest Mom ever and I hope I can be as great as her when I grow up!! 

Life is good on Mother's Day.

I love to see the temple.

I had the wonderful opportunity to go through the temple for the first time this Saturday!! I went to St. Louis where my Aunt J lives. My grandparents were also able to come from Texas.  It was such a neat experience.  I felt such peace and a presence of the spirit.  I know what it means to really escape from the world inside!  I am so thankful to be a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints.  It brings me blessings and happiness every single day!

Life is good at the temple!