A little about me :)

I started thinking today about some of my little quirks...then when I realized I had so many I decided it might make a fun post so here it goes :)

I believe that everything happens for a reason

I've never driven through a drive-through...fast food or otherwise

I'm addicted to Caramellos

I carry all of my grocery bags in at once...even if my arm feels like it's going to fall off...because I hate going back to the car to get more

I'm also addicted to gum and paranoid about having bad breath

I have crazy scars on my feet and have never thought about trying to remove them...they remind me that I'm stronger than I think I am

I collect seasonal salt and pepper shakers

My taste in music would surprise you ;)

I love any movie with Cary Grant and/or Jimmy Stewart

I have to flip through all of my radio presets before I decide on which song I want to listen to...what if a favorite comes on and I listen to it but then I flip through and catch the end of a more favorite song? No bueno

When I was little I wanted to grow up and be Belle

My favorite restaurant is Olive Garden; I've probably been there about 30 times and I've only every ordered the cheese ravioli (with alfredo sauce) it's to die for!

I have a passion for reading

Mopping grosses me out...I would rather get down on my hands and knees and scrub the floor than push a dirty mop covered in dirty soapy grossness all over

I can fall asleep anywhere...literally

I would rather get a cavity filled on laughin gas only because I'm so scared of having a needle in my gums

I pretend that I'm crafty when really I'm just super jealous of the people who are

I love red roses

I never wanted to live in Idaho after I graduated, and I especially didn't want to marry a farmer; now look where I am, married into a farming family with an almost 100% guarantee of living just outside good ol' Idaho Falls and I'm so happy I was wrong :)

I refuse to wear orange

These are some of my favorite tv shows: Psych, The Office, Friends, 21 Jump Street, and MASH

When I eat things like m&ms or grapes, I have to have to eat them in an even number, two on both sides. I also have to keep the volume on the tv on any numbers that are divisible by another number...weird I know

I feel the inside of sweatshirts before I even try them on to make sure they're extra soft

I never thought I would get married...let alone marry the man of my dreams :)

I sing really loud in my car

I don't really enjoy watching America's Funniest Home videos because they make my body hurt

Sometimes when I kill a spider I worry that maybe they had babies they were taking care of and then I feel bad

I could eat popcorn 24/7

I hate doing the dishes but love doing the laundry

I love love love Musicals...I don't care how cheesy or unrealistic they may be, they make me happy

I cry when I hear about someone losing a child whether I know them or not

I love having my hair brushed

I'm scared of turning into a frumpy wife so I don't wear pajamas unless it's dark outside or I'm cleaning

I love bubble baths, candles and a good book after a long week :)

Take some time to explore yourself a little bit...you might learn something you never knew :)

A little thought for the day

Have you ever...

wondered how things have gotten so out of control, and then convinced yourself to just sit back and enjoy the chaotic ride?

felt like what you wanted was so far out of reach, but then just when you thought it was time to give up, it worked out?

wondered what you were doing wrong to deserve the trials you were going through until you realized that the lessons you could learn were irreplaceable?

had such a bad day that you wanted to just go to bed and wake up when it was over, but then one simple little thing made it all better?

looked back at your past mistakes and thought "what was I thinking?" and then realized it doesn't matter because where you're at now is so much better than you ever thought it could be?

Life is so full of disappointments and letdowns; bad hair days, bills coming when there wasn't any money to pay them, failed tests, flat tires, and days at work that make you want to quit. But despite all the bad things that might happen in a day, there is always a tender mercy, however tiny it might be, that is placed in your path to lighten your burden just a little bit. Look for those tender mercies in your day, and when you find one, try to pass that same happiness along to someone else. Beautiful things can grow in the most impossible places. Love the life you're given...you're always more blessed than you may realize :)

So blessed...

I haven't been on here for a while and I have no problem saying it's because I've had a bit of a bad attitude lately. Stressed about work, money concerns, sleep-deprived, the list goes on and on. I will also say that I absolutely realize that I really have no reason to complain and that's why I decided to write today. I don't have little ones keeping me up at all hours of the night, my job isn't loaded with dead-lines and life-altering appointments, and we aren't living with our parents or living off of government help, so really life isn't that bad. But even knowing that, I still allow myself to complain. Why? Because I haven't made the effort to find the good in everything that surrounds me. I'm going to again use the "problems" I listed.

First of all...my job. It brings such great joy to my life! Some days I leave frustrated but most days I go home with such a joy in my heart that I can't begin to describe it to anyone but the people who've worked in similar situations. I am surrounded every day by children who were so special to their Father in Heaven, who had such pure, beautiful spirits, that they didn't need to come to this earth to prove themselves to anyone. Instead they were given the challenge of living with a body and/or mind that they struggle to control. And every once in a while, I am able to catch a glimpse of what our Heavenly Father sees in these little angels. That in and of itself is a huge blessing to me and something I won't want to give up any time soon.

Moving on to my second stress...money. We are not broke by any means but there are things I miss, shopping being at the top of the list. I hate the feeling of living paycheck to paycheck and I hate hate hate owing money to anybody. But I will say that these last few months have been huge testimony builders to me of faith and tithing. We haven't found a wad of money in an envelope in our mailbox, our bills haven't magically disappeared. Money is still tight and the bills are still coming, but somehow, every month, we make it through when logically, there is no possible way we should have been able to.

My third emotional trigger is something very personal between Morgan and myself but I will say that it has tried my faith in more ways than one. Anyone who knows me knows I am impatient and Morgan knows that he tried that patience multiple times when we were dating and he wanted to take things slow. Now I'm realizing that this thing that I want more than anything is turning out to be another patience-builder. Some days I worry I'm being punished for past mistakes, other days I worry that it's because I'm not worthy of what I'm asking for. And then sometimes I feel that maybe this is going to be one of my life struggles, something that was meant for me, to help me learn and grow. If that's the case, I will not hesitate to accept it as part of my life, but I will not lie and say that I won't be devastated. Now, more than ever, I need to rely on the Lord and His plan for me and my husband, and trust with all my heart that everything will work out the way it's supposed to. One day at a time...

New Haircut!

Ok so I haven't had real bangs since junior high because I thought they made me look like a mom haha then I saw a friends picture on facebook who got some bangs and I decided I had to have some! What do you think?

Things I love...

So with this month being all lovey, it got me thinking about simple things in my everyday life that I love and am so grateful for.

This is kind of a "duh" list but they obviously should still be mentioned...

my sweet husband!

the blessings of the gospel

having a roof over my head

my entertaining and rewarding job

my Ellie puppy

clothes in my closet and food in the cupboards

living in a free country

This list is things that aren't as important but still make me happy :)

free movie rentals at Walker's

when my hair curls the way I want it to

finding a shirt I love and THEN realizing it's on sale

thinking I have laundry waiting for me at home and then realizing I finished it yesterday

popcorn

when Morgan says, "let's not go anywhere tonight...I just want to be with you" :)

when my hair curls exactly the way I want it to

curling up in a blanket and reading a book

drinking hot chocolate

that satisfied feeling after cleaning the house

going for a walk just to clear my head

making a list (I know it sounds ridiculous but it makes me feel so grown-up and responsible!)

taking a hot bubble bath

looking at old pictures

going to bed early (I'll be the first to admit that I'm getting old)

spending time with family

finding money in my coat pocket that I didn't know was there

Psych!

getting fixed up just because I feel like it

seeing a bigger number on my paycheck than I thought

anything chocolate

cleaning out my wallet so I can close it again

saving money

being done with school!

seeing kids I work with succeed

laughing til I cry

crying just because

getting a phone call and seeing my husband's name

warm sheets right out of the dryer

smelling candles

having my hair brushed...

What are some simple things you love???

Valentines Day :)

Well Morgan surprised me with my Valentines present early :) he built me three beautiful mirrors with wooden frames! I knew he was building something but had no clue what so it was a wonderful surprise. Here's a couple pictures...

I know...cheesy pictures :)

I'm so excited to hang them up! Now I just need to figure out where to put them. Morgan wants to stagger all three of them over our dresser in our bedroom but I kind of want them spread throughout the house. Ideas?

As far as my present to Morgan...a romantic evening starting with candlelight dinner :)

the centerpiece... a friend from deseret book gave me the candlesticks for my bridal shower and this was the first time I used them and it was so fun! I've always wanted to do a candle light dinner and it made it so romantic!

salad...nothing fancy but always yummy :)

I want to thank everyone who gave their input about which recipe to use. The chicken with cider and bacon sauce was the winner and it was a success! Here's the chicken before the sauce and broccoli...it turned out pretty good considering I'd never made it before, plus I'm terrible at multi-tasking while cooking!

ready for the first course :)

dessert! vanilla ice cream with raspberries and chocolate :)

he's the reason I'm so happy :) thank you sweetheart for marrying me!

Day...something

Ok so I failed a second time at posting every day but hey I'm trying! Today I love Morgan for two reasons, 1) because he's downstairs in our smelly basement finishing my Valentine's Day present so he can give it to me tonight because he doesn't want to wait til tomorrow :) We blew it last year too, we were both so excited we couldn't wait until Valentine's Day. This year his will have to wait...sorry! But it's adorable when he gets so excited to surprise me, even though I wish he wouldn't spend the money. I'm way cheap when it comes to holidays like this but he loves it! Don't get me wrong I love that he spoils me :) the second reason I love him is because this morning we spent an hour in bed just talking and enjoying relaxing together. I usually am up early and leaving by 7:30 so we don't get much cuddle time. But today was perfect :) I'm sure I'll be posting again soon!