It's the Weekend

This morning when my alarm went off, I rolled over and pressed snooze, just like every other day. Then I settled myself in for a few more minutes of precious sleep. Another long day was about to begin.

But then I realized something...

It's Friday.

Which means that Jess will most likely get home from work right around 5, rather than 5:30, 6, or 6:30.

It means that we get to go out and have a date night.

It means that tomorrow morning we can sleep in and cuddle.

It means that I have more time to spend with him.

It means that I put aside chores and to do lists and just have fun.

And, this weekend, it means that I also get all day Monday with him.

I was overjoyed. It started my day off right.




So what does the rest of the weekend hold?

Today:
Since it is my last day to myself before school starts on Tuesday....

*Relaxing
*Reading
*Writing
*Crafting
*Looking at cribs
*Getting my camera??
*Movie

Saturday:

*Photoshop class with my mom
*Hanging out with our friends

Sunday:

*Church
*Yummy dinner
*Movie and cuddle time

Monday:

*Going to breakfast
*Getting the nursery cleaned out and ready to start
*Swimming
*BBQ

I love summer!




What are YOUR plans this weekend?

A New Outlook

Last week was a bad one for me. I couldn't seem to just be happy with me. I couldn't seem to see the GOOD things I was doing in life, I could only see my failures. I think a lot of this had to do with pregnancy hormones (sometimes they really just get me down), but it was getting ridiculous. I had absolutely zero motivation to do ANYTHING because I figured I was a failure anyway. I didn't care to put much effort into getting ready because I didn't think I was gonna look even halfway decent anyway.

But this morning, I woke up renewed. I realized that the only way I was going to see my strengths and to realize the good things I am doing was to TRY.




So I woke up at 7:35 AM. I only pressed snooze like once. Wooo! I put on basketball shorts and a tank and walked downstairs. I grabbed my i-pod, stretched, and worked out. I felt rejuvenated. Then I did the dishes, made my husband a yummy and healthy lunch, and settled down to a whole wheat English muffin with jam for breakfast. Then, I went upstairs and got ready. When I looked in the mirror, I told myself I was beautiful, despite what I actually believed (and the three new zits that decided to take residence on my chin...) I read my scriptures, straightened my bedroom, started the laundry, and chose that today would be different.

You want to know what I learned?

The way we feel about ourselves depends more upon OURSELVES than on anyone or anything else.

Am I failing at a lot of things? Yes, of course.

I wish that I could sew.
I wish that my house was more organized than it is.
I wish that I could fit everything into a day that I plan to.
I wish that I was more service oriented.
I wish that I knew more about the gospel than I do.
I wish that I had a food supply.
I wish that I did a better job of taking care of my husband.
I wish I ate healthier.
I wish I could prioritize more efficiently.




But that doesn't mean I'm failing at everything.

I have a creative mind that can make old things fun and new.
I'm good at making lists.
I always get the important things done first in my day.
I find it easy to inwardly empathize with others.
I read my scriptures every day and learn as much as I can.
My husband always has food to eat in our house.
My puppy gets lots of baths, treats, and love.
My son gets nutrition and love.
I know how to make some of my husband's favorite meals.
And, perhaps most importantly, my husband knows that I love him.

So no, I'm not in any way perfect. But I've learned that I don't have to be. I can just be me, striving to become my personal best but knowing that I'll never be able to do EVERYTHING.

And that's the way life is supposed to be.

Be the Best You Can Be Week #8

Last week I was kinda a mess. No motivation = nothing gets done. Sigh.

I did accomplish my goal to read more, but the laundry/cooking and baking more ones went as usual...if not WORSE. (How embarrassing!)



So...this weeks goals:

1. Cook/bake more. This time FOR REAL.

2. Finish the laundry all in one day (washing, drying, folding, putting away)

3. Not getting on facebook. I decided today that it is a time waster. I have another more personal reason for not getting on also. I don't know how long I'm taking a break from it, I just know that I feel good about it.





This Week's Menu:

Monday: BBQ with the neighbors
Tuesday: Crock pot meal (chicken, potatoes, carrots) with apple cobbler for dessert
Wednesday: Green chile burros, spanish rice, corn
Thursday: Lasagna, salad
Friday: Leftovers
Breakfast on Saturday: Egg McMuffins
Lunch on Sunday: The "Ultimate" Ham and Cheese Sandwich

Yes, I know some of these are the same as last week. That's because I never got around to them. So I'm trying again. Epic fail.





Other notes:

My weekend plans changed. Instead of seeing Letters to Juliet on Friday, we saw Robin Hood. Jess's parents invited us to go with them...so we switched plans. :) It was good! And I think we are gonna see Letters to Juliet for our mid-week date this week. (Yes, we now do a mid-week date night. It's a priority. Why? Because we won't be able to once baby comes. I love it.) And...I didn't get my camera. Sad day. Maybe this week. But I did, however, get some cute furniture/projects. It was like thrift store shopping, but we got it for free! I only got a couple things...but I'm way excited about them. I'll post pictures soon hopefully!

Have a great week!

Things to Look Forward to...

A new camera (hopefully this weekend!)

Seeing Letters to Juliet tonight

Going thrift store/pawn shop shopping tomorrow

Temple dedication on Sunday and 3:00 church (yay for sleeping in!)

Swimming/laying out next week

Baby registery/baby shower/baby shopping

A new bra that actually fits (yes, I grew out of my current ones...)

Planning for a fun maternity shoot with Nat

Starting on the nursery

Cookies from the whole grain bread store on Val Vista and Southern

Finishing my book

Learning to make apple cobbler

Spending the weekend with my husband

Life is Beautiful

I have come to this realization. I feel so blessed with life right now. Yes, there are trials. Yes, I have bad days. But life is beautiful. And I am so lucky.

My life is beautiful because I have a wonderful husband who makes me "Little Ryan" waffles with ice cream, complete with two GIANT freckles...and for some reason, a beard.



My life is beautiful because I was raised by wonderful parents.

My life is beautiful because I just got some new, happy songs on my I-tunes.

My life is beautiful because I have amazing friends who even when we don't talk or see each other for a month, two months, three months...we are still just as close as ever.



My life is beautiful because I'm growing life inside of me right now. I can feel him kick, twist, turn, move. He is my greatest miracle in life.

My life is beautiful because I get to go to lunch with my husband today.

My life is beautiful because I have the gospel in my life.

My life is beautiful because Jess and I sit around and do a puzzle for hours on end.



My life is beautiful because I received my copy of the conference Ensign. And now I've added reading AT LEAST one talk a day right after my daily scripture study, with pen and highlighter in hand. I love it. It's amazing.

My life is beautiful because I got a great book at the library. It took me in right from the beginning. And I actually have time to read it.

My life is beautiful because I made a yummy, healthy dinner last night.



My life is beautiful because I choose for it to be that way.



What is beautiful in your life?

Be the Best You Can Be Week #7

I think I missed a week. Oops.

But here goes. Last "weeks" goals:

1. Make time for my writing.

I've been doing this. Yay! It's been so much fun!

2. Don't slack on final projects, essays, tests.

I really didn't do this. And so far...my grades are A+, A, A, A-. My last one should come in today and I think it's going to be an "A". Yay for another 4.00!

3. Read church lessons before class.

Check. I did this. I loved it.





And what are my new goals??

1. Cook/bake more. It's fun and I love it. But I never do it. And cooking more means eating healthier. So a new addition to these Monday posts will be my weekly menu (full with five dinners, one fun breakfast, one lunch, and one dessert). I'll put this at the end.

2. Read. I NEVER have the time to read. Especially when school is in session. So for the next 2 weeks until summer school starts, I'm going to read.

3. Don't procrastinate laundry. I have this problem. I do the laundry. Sometimes I forget I have a load in the wash, and by the time I remember to switch it to the dryer, it's mildewy and I have to re-wash it. What a waste! This doesn't happen TOO often, but it has happened more than once. My BIGGEST problem with the laundry is that I'll finish all the batches...and then they just sit there clean in the baskets. For one day. Then another one. Then another one. And when Jess and I need something we just pick it out. And all our stuff gets wrinkly. I HATE folding laundry. Least favorite chore EVER. But this will stop. Now. Tuesday is laundry day. That means all our clothes will be washed, dried, folded, and put away by Tuesday night. And Wednesday is towels/bedding day. Same goes here.


This Week's Menu:

Monday: Chicken and Biscuits
Tuesday: Green chili burros with spanish rice and corn
Wednesday: Tortellini with salad
Thursday: Chicken crock pot meal and apple crisp for dessert
Friday: Beef stroganoff with rice and green beans
Saturday breakfast: Egg McMuffins
Sunday lunch: "The Ultimate Ham and Cheese Sandwhich"

And now I'm hungry. :)

I Need Your Help

I'm going to put up a list of inquiries...and you all are going to answer.

1) My hands are REALLY dry. Anyone got something good to recommend to help them? It's itchy/painful and regular lotion isn't doing anything right about now. I have some other ideas, but I figured I'd see what others recommend.

2) I'm starting to work on Ryan's nursery. I've been searching for cute crib bedding, and I'm not having a ton of luck. Does anyone know of someone who makes it? Like if I pick out fabric...they'll make the stuff?

3) Who knows of cute blogs/websites that sell cute baby boy stuff? I'm not having much luck finding stuff.

4) Where are some good places to get baby furniture? I found one place I really like (I fell in LOVE with this set--crib and other piece). But Jess and I wanna look around some more before we buy. Any ideas would be appreciated.

5) Since my mother-in-law is leaving to Argentina at the end of June (Did I ever mention that? My father-in-law got called as a mission president. So they are heading out to Argentina for 3 years.) we decided to have my baby shower before she goes. If any of you bloggy friends want an invite...you are more than welcome to come! It'd be a great time to meet you all! Just send me your address.

Late Mother's Day Tribute

I know, I know. I'm a bit behind. I don't know why...but I've been lacking blogging motivation. I'm trying to regain it. Working on it.

So here is my late Mother's Day tribute.

My mother is amazing.
She has taught me so much.
I find myself becoming more and more like her every day,
And I hope to be more like her as I gain more experience.
I'm still waiting for her amazing creativity to come in.
I'm also trying to learn how to selflessly serve others.
She's really good at that.
I don't know what I'd do without her.
I think I call her just about every day with a random question.
Sometimes I call her for no reason at all
(Even though I pretend like I have one)
Just because I miss her.
I love her so much.
Thanks Mom!

Also, for Mother's Day, I want to thank all the other "mother's" in my life.

My new mother-in-law. She is such a wonderful person. I'm so grateful she was such a great mother to Jess, so that I can now have the most amazing husband in the world. I owe her so much.

My grandmother's. They are so loving, thoughtful, and hilarious. I love them.

My "sister". Watching her with her new twins amazes me. She is such a great mother and has so much patience. I'm learning so much from watching her.

My aunts. I have AMAZING aunts. Seriously. I love them. They are so fun to talk to. They are all wonderful mothers. They are hilarious. It's awesome.

My sister-in-laws. I've loved getting to know these two girls. They welcomed me right in to the family. I've always felt comfortable with them.

My cousins. I have learned so much from these girls, both the ones with and without kids. Right here I'm going to give a special shout out to my cousin, Carli. She has 3 ADORABLE kids Cotter (6), Quinci (4), and Cruz (2). Throughout the years I've watched her raise these kids. All I can say is she is a GREAT mother. I have learned a lot from her that I hope to incorporate into my own mothering. She amazes me.

On top of this, I have friends, neighbors, ward members, friend's mothers, mother's friends, and more that have helped me grow and learn about the wonderful, yet challenging, road of motherhood.

I can't wait until little Ryan joins our little family. With the example of the women in my life, I hope that I can be a good mother to him.


On another note, here are pictures of the gifts I gave my mom and my MIL. They are really blurry and crappy. As you know, I'm using my old camera. It takes world's crappiest pictures. No use in even trying to fix them. So here they are, as they were taken. No fixing up. Bear with me for a little while longer.














(The last two pages are reserved for maternity pics and pics of little Ryan...)

All We Need is Love

I've been pondering a lot lately about love.

What would the world be without it?




There are so many different forms of love.

You can love people, places, things, experiences.

You can love someone or be in love with someone.




I love my husband.
I love my growing baby.
I love my puppy.
I love my family.
I love my friends.




I love the gospel.
I love my Father in Heaven.
I love my Savior.
I love the prophet.
I love the scriptures.


I love pineapple.
I love fro yo.
I love Costa Vida.
I love pazookies.
I love fruit snacks.




I love dance.
I love books.
I love markers.
I love shoes.
I love music.


I love scrapbooking.
I love cuddling.
I love writing.
I love shopping.
I love blogging.


I love Newport Beach.
I love my home.
I love Hawaii.
I love Disneyland.
I love the beach.

And I am in love with Jess.




All these relationships are so different. And each form of love means something entirely different to me.

I'm grateful for the role that love plays in my life. Without it, I would feel lost. There is nothing greater than the feeling of loving someone and knowing that person loves you back. There is nothing greater than knowing you are important to someone, whether it's a friend, family member, love interest, or neighbor.

I love love.




And I love all of you! :)

It's the Middle of the Week

1. School

I'm almost done, and I cant' wait. Seriously. One final exam (on Tuesday) and two papers (one due Saturday and one due Monday) left. Then I am FREE!!! For three weeks anyway...but I'm going to enjoy those three weeks! :)

2. Jeans




I wore them yesterday for the first time in a couple weeks. Yes, they are getting tighter. Yes, it's uncomfortable. Yes, some of them I can't fit into at all (unless I wear an expander). But I didn't want to wear a dress or leggings, and I wanted to wear wedges. So I dressed up. And I loved it.

3. Lunch



Jess and I decided to do weekly lunches together. Okay, okay. So we've been talking about this for awhile and it never really happens. But we went last week...and we're planning on tomorrow also. And I'm sticking to it this time! There's nothing better than seeing your other half in the middle of the day. It makes life better. If you don't do this and you can, I suggest it. It takes some stress out of life and adds fun in its place.

4. Baby bump




It's starting to come in. Do you see it? :) I love that when I sit down and my stomach hangs over my pants, I don't feel ashamed. I don't feel like I have to suck it in so nobody notices. Instead, I embrace it. I never thought I would love something that gives me stretch marks, makes my jeans too tight, and increases the numbers on my bathroom scale--but I do! I love my little boy!

5. Crafts

I'm working on a fun project right now. It's so much fun! I can't wait to share it with you all. But you're gonna have to wait until next week. Ha. Ha.

6. Writing Group

I kinda want to start a writing workshop group. Very small (about 3-5 people probably). If you want to join, or know anyone else who might let me know. Send me an email stating:

1. What genre(s) you write.
2. How often you have pieces finished.
3. Any experience you have.
4. Some writing goals

If I do decide to start one, I want to make sure that all the members are at about the same level. I'd feel bad if someone with their MFA wanted to join because I know I don't have the same knowledge. Likewise, it helps if the goals, genres, and work time frames are similar.

I just think this could help me get some feedback for my work. Right now, I keep burdening my husband, parents, and occasionally some friends asking them to workshop things.


Those are my random, middle-of-the-week comments!

Be the Best You Can Be Week #6

How did I do?

Well...

1. Read 3 conference talks

I read three talks, not all necessarily from this past conference. But I was still uplifted. It counts.

2. Make the best use of my time

Scheduling is the best. What's even better is letting go of the schedule you set when things come up. My time was well spent.

3. Do something nice for someone else.

I love service. This was one of the best parts of my week. For real.


So what are my new goals?

1. Make time for my writing.

Guess what? I now have a new part-time job. And that job is writing. 10 hours a week. I have a set schedule and I am sticking to it like it's my real job.

2. Don't slack on final essays, projects, or tests

I only have 1 week and half a day left until it's all over. I can make it.

3. Read church lessons before class

I think I'll get much more out of the lesson if I read it beforehand. So that's exactly what I'm going to do.


Happy Monday everyone!

Personal Revelation and Prioritizing

So this morning I read an article written by Julie B. Beck. Pretty much, she is amazing.

Here is what I learned:

1) I can't do everything in a day that I would like to.

2) All women have the same problem.

3) I need to prioritize my life.

4) My top priorities should be those things the Lord wants and/or needs me to do.

5) In order to figure out what these things are, I must be able to receive personal revelation.

6) To qualify for this I must:
- Keep the commandments
- Repent
- Renew my covenants each Sunday by partaking of the sacrament
- Go to the temple regularly
- Read the scriptures daily
- Daily prayer
- Keep a journal by my bed to write down thoughts, questions, and impressions from prayer and scripture study

I love Sundays. They enrich my life.