"You are in a season of your life when you are making some of your most important decisions. Because you are being bombarded with so many incorrect messages about who you are, you need some additional guidance. You can learn more about your life and mission on earth and the light that is in you by preparing to receive and then studying your patriarchal blessing." - Julie B. Beck
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Do you ever have those days when you just need a really strong "pick me up"? like that little light in you is flickering and dimming just a bit? & Like your tank is running on empty, but your still chugging along?

Tonight, I just had the urge to read my patriarchal blessing. I had forgotten that I have such a specific one. It was exactly what I needed in every single way. Oh how I am so thankful for it.

So I thought I would pass my idea foward:

if you need a "pick me up" and its been a little...or long while since you've read yours, maybe dig it out? I'm glad I did. :)

This year is the first year that I have been counting down the days until conference. I need it. and I am so excited that it is just a few hours away! Happy Conference weekend!

Vacation, wishlist, and weightloss

Tomorrow Nathan & I will be on our way to a little getaway in Seattle. In a perfect world, we would just fly there and wouldnt have to drive. And while we are pretending it is a perfect world...I would own and take all of the above with me, because in a perfect world I would own the gorgeous bags, chanel necklace, macbook, and I'd look smokin' in that outfit. ......A girl can dream right?

I created that little collage because I was trying to get my mind off of some dinner rolls in the kitchen that were calling my name.

I have now officially lost 25lbs since January. I finally saw the results today when I looked in the mirror.

But truth is, I'm usually really private about my weight issues because I have been hurt too many times from insensitive individuals. Some that I trusted very much before and it wasn't fun at all. (Isn't it crazy that some people must think those who are overweight don't have any feelings? Or are a free ticket to be the topic of gossip?) So I am usually really closed up about that topic. But you know what? I have been working dang hard and I just had to post to share my happiness. I am 25% to my first big goal (I want/need to lose 100lbs). I have 3 others after this one that I will share some day later on. I have a lot more to go but I am proud of over coming some challenges. I bet you Want to see my progress huh?? OK, but please be nice this chubby chic because it is not easy at all to share this part of me.

-25lbs

Before, January 2011

&

After

March

2011

Can you see the small changes? I noticed my mid section is not so much rounded like a backwards C, and is now becoming a little more like a half triangle. And if you can see the area between my boobs and midsection you'll notice "the twins" more than before. Anyways, I'm excited to continue this journey. I'm taking my workout cloths with me to work out at the gym in our hotel. THAT IS A FIRST FOR ME.

I will keep updating my progress. Next stop, 40lbs. I'm excited for even more changes. Especially a new wardrobe in a few months. :)

Thanks for all of your sweet comments in my previous post! :)

CONGRATS to reader # 5 ...I think that's Destry. Expect a little happy mail sent your way very soon. :) Tell your nails to get ready because they are about to look CUTE in this polish!

(P.S. I 'm pretty sure I still have your address from that family card you sent filed away somewhere in our mail organizer)

Blog Neglect.

Oh my gosh, has it really been that long since I've posted on this blog of ours? Last time was August of last year??
To be honest, I fell out of the blog world for a few silly reasons that I am over now. What were those silly reasons? Well, I starting thinking to myself the following:

"Everyone who posts on their blogs have cute little babies that they can do updates on. I dont." I may not be in the 90th percentile, but you know what? Does anyone other than the mom and dad care about a percentile?? Is that like baby GPA honor roll?? And I'm already potty trained too.

" I didnt take any pictures of my crafty/artsy creation and who wants to read an update without pictures?" I'm still stuck in the picture book mindset. What good is a post without pictures?

I lost my camera. (but I have an awesome camera on my iphone 4 so thats a LAME excuse)

"I dont want to post these online,I look too fat in my pictures." Wah Wah Wah. I've already lost 15lbs and going. ;)

"I was just too busy to update." Yea right. I wasn't busy enough to check facebook 4 times in one day.

YOU GET THE POINT. I sulked, I rebelled, and I am now over it. So stay tuned to see more posts about the adventures that Nathan and I have. Because, trust me....there's quite a few exciting things happening to us this year. (NO, thats not a pregnancy announcement.)

As a welcome back present to anyone who reads this, post a comment on your favorite thing about me....just kidding. Follow my blog and tell me in a comment what you did for Valentine's day.

I'll randomly pick someone and send them a present. I work at Sephora now and rumor has it that they have some pretty awesome things..... like this:

Nars new nail polish. Its so pretty! I have to stop by the post office this weekend so comment by friday, the 18th and I will send it in the mail to one lucky reader.... because chances are I only have 1 reader after all of these months away.

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!!

I didn't get to capture everything, but I had such a happy 23rd birthday. I'm 23! Is it just me or do ages 21-24 just kind of fly by?? I sear I thought I was 19 last year. What do you do when your 23 versus 22 or 24? Well, whatever I am supposed to be accomplishing at this age, I hope it gets accomplished!

MY BIRTHDAY WEEK IN PICTURES:

fun with family at the fair. fair food is so "disgustingly" delicious. I got to see my nephew ride a pony for the first time. he had the biggest smile in the group and it just melted my heart.

beautiful daisies from my love.

scrumptious bella lemonata @ olive garden.

Who said you need alcohol to enjoy drinks in the bar while waiting for your table?

a much needed, and much anticipated gift...with my new table &

chairs in the background!

I made taco salad for me and Nathan and it was so yummy

that I had to sneak a picture of it.

a beautiful sunset @ Anthony's overlooking the Columbia River and

some of the most delicious halibut I've had in a while.

NOT PICTURED:

I got few new outfits (I got some jeggings/jean legging and they are so darn cute!)

a williams-sonoma gift card. (don't judge me because I already used it the night I got it....)

dinner @ tony roma's compliments of Chad and Chelsea. SOOO good! BUT not as good as famous dave's haha. I used to love that place until famous dave's came to town. It was so empty at Tony's on a saturday night. :(

I'm sure I'm missing things but overeall, it was a wonderful birthday! I'm happy to be alive another year surrounded by my most of my loved ones!

I just purchased 2 tickets to this little event and I am so excited! I love following Danyelle from dandee designs and am looking forward to what is in store. If you live in the Tri Cities you should check it out! ---> dandeedesigns.blogspot.com

"In the scriptures, caring for the poor is not just a question of charity; it is a question of justice."

As King Benjamin explains in the Book of Mormon, nothing we have is really ours. It is given to us as a sacred trust--a stewardship--to be used for the benefit of our fellow beings.

Mosiah 4:16-19

And also, ye yourselves will succor those that stand in need of succor; ye will administer of your substance unto him that standeth in need; and ye will not suffer that the beggar putteth up his petition to you in vain, and turn him out to perish.

Perhaps thou shalt say: The man has brought himself his misery; therefore I will stay my hand, and will not give unto him of my food, nor impart unto him of my substance that he may not suffer, for his punishments are just--

But I say unto you, O man, whosoever doeth this the same hath great cause to repent; and except he repenteth of that which he hath done he perisheth forever, and hath no interest in the kingdom of God.

For behold, are we not all beggars? Do we not all depend upon the same Being, even God, for all the substance which we have...?