On Memory Keeping: 750words.com

I keep starting these blog posts about memory keeping and how important I think it is but I haven't figured out quite what I want to say on that yet. So I just decided I am going to start writing about some of the different ways I record memories for myself and my family. No fancy introduction needed!

Today I am going to write about an awesome site called 750words.com {which I have actually blogged about before--you can read that post here if you're interested}. I just got back into using this site over the past couple of months and it is a great way to keep a daily journal.

Here are some of the cool features of 750words.com:

-You get badges for little accomplishments {like writing so many days in a row, writing at certain times of the day, and stuff like that--see picture below} and you get points for writing each day. As silly as these little things may seem they really can be great motivators!
-You can join a monthly challenge where you set a goal to write every day for the month. I just joined one for October {wish me luck!}. You set a reward and a punishment for yourself {if you want} and if you complete the challenge your name goes on the Wall of Amazingness and if you miss a day your name goes on the Wall of Shame until you do complete the challenge. If you know you are going to be away for a day or something you are able to schedule that into your challenge as well. Just make sure to do it before the day actually happens!
-It really only takes 10-15 minutes to write 750 words which just isn't that much of your day. And even if you don't write all 750 words it is still great to write a little something every day.
-You can export all of your journal entries so that you can print them and put them into an actual, tangible journal.
-It analyzes your writing for you which is really fun. See examples below:

{It also shows you which words you used the most in your writing but if I showed you that you would basically be reading my journal entry! Haha. Anyway, that's another fun feature it has!}

This is a great journaling site that will help you unload your thoughts after a long day and it is great to be able to look back at your entries when you are trying to scrapbook older photos and want to remember what happened on a certain day. You just have to make sure to write regularly!!

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I will be continuing this mini series "On Memory Keeping" by talking about some of the other ways I record things for myself and my family so look forward to posts on some of these other fun ways to record your memories:

-ProjectLife
-ProjectLife App
-Smashbook
-Gratitude Journal
-Plain Old Notebook
-OhLife.com
-Groovebook
-Chatbooks
-Home Videos
-Project 365 App
-Instagram/Facebook {social media}
-Vlogs
-Printed Photo Books {Shutterfly, Blurb, Snapfish, etc.}

Thoughts About a Friend.

Some Thoughts from my Oh, Life Journal Entry on Thursday: 


I found out a couple of days ago that a good friend of mine committed suicide. He was dealing with depression and anxiety. I can't even imagine what he was going through. 


I met him my sophomore year in an anthropology class together. I NEVER make friends at school. I'm too quiet. Mark wasn't like that. He was an outgoing, funny, smart and tall redhead. I remember saying something about being Mormon or about my religion and he replied with a snarky comment. And then he apologized for being snarky. I didn't even know what that word meant but I got the gist of it. {I may have had to actually look it up later} Every time I hear the word snarky I think of him. I just thought of it the other day. It's a part of my vocabulary now. Thank you Mark. 


Mark was my one friend who I was brave enough to share the gospel with. He was my one friend who was open enough to listen. He even took a few of the discussions. I loved going to the discussions with him. He had such insightful questions to ask. I remember the first time he told me that he finally understood what Mormons meant when they said they felt "warm fuzzies" He made me look at my beliefs in a different way. He helped my testimony to grow. He read some of the Book of Mormon. He prayed. He said the best prayers. They weren't anything like how I pray. He talked to God like they were best friends. I loved that. I must admit that I laughed a little when I heard him pray for the first time because it was so different. But why don't we talk to God like he's our best friend? He is. He knows us better than anyone else. He sent His Son to die for our sins so that we could be with Him again. I hope that Mark always talked to God like that. I know that God was there with him during his hard times. I hope that he can hear the message of the gospel again. 


Mark and I talked about all kind of things. Religion, relationships, politics, and lots other stuff. We would go get Einstein's Bagels or hot chocolate and chat for hours. We weren't friends for long but he was definitely someone who impacted my life for good. Thank you Mark Wooldridge for the wonderful life that you lived. Thanks for your example and for making me smile! You and your family will be in my prayers.


It is really hard losing a friend but I am so grateful for the Plan of Happiness. God seriously planned everything out so well. It amazes me. This is the first time I have lost someone close to me and it is not easy but it does make me very grateful to have a testimony of God's plan for me and for everyone on this earth. Mark, you are still strengthening my testimony. Thank you. 

Mark and I at a YSA dance. November 2009:

Quick Update. Stressful Week. Still Happy.

I spent the weekend at my home again. I got to go to my sister-in-law's baby shower. She had it after she had cute baby Edmond {from this post} so that the attention wouldn't be entirely on her. Smart idea, eh? I think I might have to do that as well whenever I have a baby. The weekend was wonderful although Race wasn't with me so I was missing him big time. He was at home getting lots of rest and studying and relaxing. I must admit staying home is much more relaxing than driving and hanging out with babies and helping with baby showers all weekend. I was exhausted! But it was definitely lots of fun hanging out with my adorable nephews.

I signed up for Oh, Life last week. It's this thing that emails you and you reply with a short little journal entry of the day. I LOVE it. I haven't been very good at keeping a journal but this has really helped me to write at least a little something about every day. And you can go look at all your old entries. I always check my email before I go to bed so it works perfectly for me! You should all check it out and sign up!

Anyway, that was pretty much my weekend. I'm back home now with three midterms this week. Definitely not excited for that. In fact, this morning I woke up feeling pretty sick to my stomach because of it. The only thing that calmed me down were cuddles with Race and a prayer.

Before I go I'll leave you with some pictures. And before you go you should head on over to this post and ask me some questions!! :] Then head on over to this blog and look at some fun crafty ideas, cute outfits, etc! Have a wonderful day!!

Me and the only two of my siblings who are still shorter than me! {They are the two youngest. And they are both so close to passing me up in height!}

Jude Boy. :]

Sweet baby Edmond sleeping. Look at those perfect lips! 

More of baby Edmond. 

{Sadly I didn't get pictures of the twins. :[ They are so stinkin' cute though and rolling around like crazy!}

These are my adorable shoes that I got from my sister-in-law a while back. They were missing buttons though so I added some. They're not my favorite buttons but they were the only two I could find with matches! Haha. And I LOVE the color of the shoes so I had to wear them!

Well, that's all for now! Don't forget to ask me some questions! Here or on the other post. :] I can't wait to answer your questions! So far I only have a couple and I'd love to answer some more! Have a wonderful week everyone!!