Congratulations!

To my sister, the new Mrs. Oklahoma!

I'm so excited for her! Heather obviously looked gorgeous, and I wish I could have been there.

Goals:

Starting now, I am going to:

• Get in a routine of reading scriptures and praying daily.
• Learn to sew.
• Save up for that camera....
• Make sure I get dressed every day, and look presentable.
• Take more risks in the kitchen.
• Enjoy nature, and make sure I'm out and about in it daily.
• Develop a more healthy lifestyle.
• Learn something new everyday about my husband.
• Stop dreaming, and start doing.

Whew. So much to do. :)

Be of Good Cheer

"Let us never despair, for the work in which we are engaged is the work of the Lord. It has been said, "The Lord shapes the back to bear the burden placed upon it." The strength which we earnestly seek in order to meet the challenges of a complex and changing world can be ours when, with fortitude and resolute courage, we stand and declare with Joshua, "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."

These are words spoken by our beloved prophet, Thomas S. Monson, during the priesthood session. Though I obviously wasn't able to attend that session, I read the words and I get chills. I love how he expresses that the Lord will shape our backs in order to bear burdens. How remarkable, and how true.


I have a problem with change. Lately, there have been many changes happening, and while they aren't bad, they are different... and of course, different can be seen as negative. My life has a common thread throughout it. I get into a groove, I get into my comfort zone, I am happy... and then it's turned completely upside down. I'm sure this isn't coincidental. ;)


When I am feeling particularly low, or if I feel my life is filled with too many trials... too many things gone wrong... I read "Come What May, and Love It" by Joseph B. Wirthlin. It is one of my favorites, and I read it regularly in order to remind myself to be happier. An excerpt from that talk comes to mind when I am feeling like I can't go on.

"I know why there must be opposition in all things. Adversity, if handled correctly, can be a blessing in our lives. We can learn to love it."

Learn to love it. Learn to love adversity. Learn to love trials and hardships. Seems impossible, but it isn't. Difficult, yes. But not impossible.


I know I've used this picture before in a previous post, but I love it. It shows the true essence of these incredible men. Conference was fantastic this session, as it always is, and I needed it very much.


Enjoy the Easter weekend. :)

Reunited

And it feels so good!

Well, this weekend was the move. Everything went very smoothly (which is easy for me to say because I didn't do any of the heavy lifting) and we love our new apartment. It feels much more "homey" (as homey as you can get with an apartment.....) and it's change.

As you can see, my dear sweet piano and I were reunited. We didn't have it in our last apartment, it was stored away in his parents living room.. untouched, unplayed...... and now we are back together again. This piano is particularly important to me because it has been around since before I was born, and everytime I look at it- I have this image of my mom playing on it. Sigh... It's a beauty. Seriously, we'll be having a lot of jam sessions very soon.

I don't have too many pictures as of yet, because we still have a few pictures to nail up and re-arranging to do... but we love it. And we finally get to use our bedset! Once I get some better pictures, I'll put them on herrre.
 

Within the next couple days you'll see our new casa. I dream of the day when we can have our own house... I'm realistic, and I know that in time that dream will become a reality, but it's nice to think about...... is it sad that I have ideas for every one of my rooms in a house that I don't have???

I saw this on Pottery Barn and I fell in love. I have decided that I need it. It's not a want, it's a need. Fantastic.

This. This is the color that will be my bedroom. Isn't the dark blue romantic? Yes... I love it. I've been looking around for a white comforter... it just looks so clean... and relaxing.

My Big Day

I can happily say that I have a very enjoyable birthday. My husband was absolutely fantastic (no surprise there) and it was a relaxing, mentally satisfying day.

It started out with....

A bright and early temple session. A friend of mine, Catie, thought it would be a nice change to get up and make a 5:00 A.M. session before work. I thought about it and decided to give it a shot. (Notice: I get a paid day off for my birthday. This took much sacrifice.) I admit, it wasn't very exhilarating when the alarm went off at 4:15.... but once I was up and on my way, I really loved it. It was peaceful, and we were done before the sun was up.

After that....

Brynnly took me to lunch and a movie. We ate at a UFood Grill, and it was delish!

Truly, one of the best places I've been to in a while.


Oh yeah, and we also bought some cookies from Over The Top, and I don't regret it one bit.

Makes your heart skip a beat, doesn't it? Mmm...

Then....

By this point, Alex was home from work and he had secret plans. I wasn't even allowed home until he said! So I went thrifting... and I had a pretty dang good time doing it.
Alex still wasn't done when I was finished with the thrift store. Therefore, I went to Victoria's Secret to buy lotion/body splash/bubble bath...... all very important, right? Thankfully, he gave me the green light to head home, and as I opened the door, I found he had candles, flowers, a homeade dinner, a sweet card, and a a c.d. waiting for me. Really, this guy knows me better than anyone!


All in all, a great day spent with the man I love. :)

Life is good.