Boquets of Newly Sharpened Pencils

Okay, so these aren't exactly bouquets of newly sharpened pencils but I always think about that movie (brownie points if you can name the movie...seriously, leave me a comment and I'll make brownies for you somehow...) when I think about Fall and going back to school. This year, I got a little bit spoiled. Because of the hubby. I'm completely elated with all the new finds and there are more to add to this blog, only I haven't taken pics of them...yet. Also, I must say that I haven't actually bought clothing for awhile. The last time I went shopping for jeans/pants, before this trip of course, was probably a year and a half ago.

So I got all of this from Target. Almost everything was on sale and I found some KILLER deals, folks, KILLER!

The Loot!

Pants for work and a plaid shirt. I've been on the hunt for a plaid shirt for a couple years now. The pants were on sale for $ 7.48.

Purple (looks blue in this pic...), White and Coral (looks orange in this pic...) shirts. $5 each.

My striped skirt that I am LOVING! So comfy. Sale: $4.48!!

Three blouses. Two may or may not be the same shirt in different patterns. The other blouse is a mustardy color with POLKA DOTS! I love me some polka dots!

Um, no Fall wardrobe is ever complete without a couple of cardigans. I love these and again, POLKA DOTS with the teal one and SPARKLIES with the purple one. Love.

Pick 'em Up, Lay 'em Down, One In Front Of The Other

Just a little funny poster to start the day. :)

Running. 

Or rather, in my case, intervals of walking a jogging as prescribed by my lovely C25K Trainer. 

Friends, I went on my second run today and can I tell you something?

I ROCKED IT!

I woke up this morning and totally didn't want to go on my run. I was, and still am, sore from all the Jillian Michaels work outs ("all" being 2-I'm hurting people) and I just didn't want to go. In my prayer this morning I asked Heavenly Father to help me finish the entire 30 minutes of training. I guess 30 minutes isn't that big of a deal for some people but Tuesday's workout was...dismal at best and I needed to do better today. 

Now, before I go on, I'd like to explain why I've decided to work out like I have. I have what is called PCOS and the best way to avoid having it effect me and my potential of having children is by losing weight. So, I decided that it's time to get serious about it (Ha, I sound like one of those medicine commercials...) and  I decided to start working out, getting the right amount of sleep and eating better. 

Heavenly Father's plan revolves around the Family and I want to be able to have a family of my own someday and I want to be healthy enough to do so. Awhile ago I told Heavenly Father that if he helped me get healthy, I'd do everything I could. Heavenly Father doesn't disappoint, my friends. 

He blessed me with cloud cover, 3 sets of sprinklers and with the endurance I needed to complete the entire workout. Not only that but I feel MORE energized now that I'm done than I did when I finished my run on Tuesday. Guys, why didn't I pray before?!?! If our prayers are righteous and we intend to fulfill our side of a promise, Heavenly Father will be there for us! He totally helped me finish my run today. 

So, do you remember last time when I planned poorly and ended running by the Provo Bakery? Yeah, well, I planned to not run by it today but I did run downwind of it. I just had to keep telling myself, "It's not a Miller's doughnut so they're gross anyway. They're probably hard and gross. Keep running!!" It worked. :)

Okay, so this is a LONG post but I was thinking today, as I was running, why my playlist has the songs it has on it. I won't go through all of them but I'll go through most!!

Title: Run and Tell That!

 1.Edge of Glory-Lady Gaga. Why? Because she says "I'm on the edge with you." I like this song because it's 5 minutes long and it makes me feel like I'm not alone in my fight for fitness. 

2. Firework-Katy Perry (I have the Glee version...) I like this song because it's quite inspirational especially when running. At least it is for me. "'Cause, baby you're a firework, c'mon show 'em what your worth! Make  'em go ah, as you shoot across the sky...Even brighter than the moon, it's always been inside of you and now it's time to let it through." It is time! I'm gonna be a firework and shoot across the pavement as fast as my legs will carry me!! Plus, who doesn't need a reminder that they're beautiful and NOT a plastic bag drifting through the wind? Any takers? I didn't think so.

3. Stronger-Kelly Clarkson.  This one should be obvious to anyone  who has heard this song. "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger,  stand a little taller...What doesn't kill you makes you fighter, footsteps even lighter doesn't mean I'm over cause your gone. What doesn't kill you makes you stronger..." I'm like, 100% positive she is being to/about and ex of some kind but I like to think of it as singing to all the calories and fat I'm burning!! (P.S.-I think Kelly and I would be really good friends. Just sayin'.)

4. Jai Ho-The Pussycat Dolls. Okay, okay, so let's think about this for a second. No swear words, no completely explicit lyrics (like "Buttons") and a great beat for my pace of running. PLUS, when I hear this song it makes me feel sexy (because let's face it, The Pussycat Dolls are kind of a symbol for sex appeal). So when I'm running and this song comes on I feel like girl #1 in the first pic up top instead of girl #2. 

5. Viva La Fiesta-S Club 7. Because every now and again when I hear this song I think, "Heck yes I have Spanish blood running through my veins! " But I really don't. It is a catchy tune, good pace to run to  but  I do kind of start dancing  while running when this comes on. No big deal guys, just ignore the crazy jogger/dancer.It"s all good!

These are just a few on my list which is continuously growing. I also have a couple more Kelly Clarkson, Glee and Selena Gomez on the list. It's great list and I love it. I just need to get some more running music. ASAP!

First Day of School

Into a darkness unknown, an abyss dark and dreary

I can't another step, I'm too frightened, too weary.

I trust that He is there, I hope and I pray

But the fear inside me is forcing me to stay.

But somewhere within me, a voice begins to inspire

"Have faith and hope, that's all that's required.

Just let go, believe, and jump on in 

To a life unknown but a life He has given

With His will in mind, just take a deep breath

And learn towards your future, sentencing fear to death.

There is more within you than reflected in a mirror

So look through His eyes and you will see clearer.

Keep moving forward, I know you can win

You'll see that you have all you need within. "

All day I have wanted to cry and the only reason I didn't was because I was going from class to work to class to work and trying to focus and stomach all that I have to do this semester with school. Not only that but I also need to make sure I fulfill my calling, be a good homemaker and very importantly, continue to learn to be a better wife. 

I'm sitting here thinking, "How many people do I know that are a wife, a MOTHER, a student, have a calling that is extremely time consuming and they have a job?" The answer is A LOT. I'm grateful for their example and hope that if they read this they don't think me ungrateful for how little I have to carry compared to them. 

You see, I like school and I like learning. What I don't like is feeling completely confused after one lecture/class period. I have a class that is an hour and a half long and there are MASSIVE projects in this class and I can't even tell you what the first one is and I've read the project description 8 times! EIGHT. Still, no idea. None. I even e-mailed the Professor and, bless his heart, it just confused me more.

I've been pondering this emotion lately and it seems odd to me that I feel overwhelmed now, yet I have 3 years of University behind me already. Could it be that the opposition is trying to sway me from something that will finally be fulfilling for me? I just changed my major, with the Lord's guidance, and I know that I can do good things if I complete the degree so, it could be opposition, right? And if it is, that's kind of comforting because then it means I'm doing what I should be doing and the opposition doesn't like it. 

I know we all have to do things we don't like to do (like research classes...gag) but I will do everything I can, things I want to do and things I don't want to do, in order to obtain my Bachelor of Science in Family Studies. Why? Because the Lord sees something in me, knows that I can do something good in this field and loved me enough to guide me to this point. I guess it's just harder for me right now to step onto that dark path ahead of me and trust that the Lord will turn on the Light and help me see what I have within me to offer to the world. 

The San Diego Sunset

Sometimes it seems

To live for a dream 

Is silly and unrealistic

But as time goes by

You realize why

You dream as big as you do

Because you love life

And now as husband and wife

You can live out your dreams together

These pictures were taken at Sunset Cliffs in San Diego. Neil and I had so much fun on our Honeymoon and it made us so excited to be able to live out our dreams together. 

Happily Forever After

(I Love to See the Temple parts 3 & 4 of 4)

Wow. All I can say is wow. There is no greater place on this earth than the Temple. No wonder we are asked to make our homes in its image both physically and spiritually. 

I loved going through the temple for my endowment it was all new and different but it also felt like spiritual muscle memory. The temple is an absolutely sacred and peaceful place. 

Being sealed to Neil for time and all eternity was simply everything I've ever wanted. 

I am sealed to my best friend. 

My best friend gets to help teach me and lead me. 

I get to help teach and lead my best friend. 

We are equal in marriage and have the potential to be equal in the Eternities if we follow God's commandments.

We get to be a family FOREVER and not just until "death do us part".

We are blessed with the knowledge that our children will also be sealed to us when they are born. 

I have woken up every day for the last two weeks and a day next to the most wonderful man that I know. He is patient. 

He is kind. 

He is dedicated. 

He is strong. 

He is talented. 

He is smart. 

He is funny. 

He is good looking!

He is my best friend and from now until forever we will be together. I love Neil so much and am so happy that I am married to him. 

Below are some pictures that were taken outside the temple. Thank you to everyone who helped and offered their time, energy and love to make this entire day possible. 

Smoochy smoochy!

His face in this picture makes me laugh every time. 

Lauri, Neil, Me, Jay 

My Dad...

Look at those lovely bride's maids! Karlan, Jackie and Merrilyn

I love him. Forever and Always. 

The True Definition of Family

THE FAMILY

A PROCLAMATION TO THE WORLD

The First Presidency and Council of the Twelve Apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

WE, THE FIRST PRESIDENCY and the Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, solemnly proclaim that marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and that the family is central to the Creator’s plan for the eternal destiny of His children.

ALL HUMAN BEINGS—male and female—are created in the image of God. Each is a beloved spirit son or daughter of heavenly parents, and, as such, each has a divine nature and destiny. Gender is an essential characteristic of individual premortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose.

IN THE PREMORTAL REALM, spirit sons and daughters knew and worshipped God as their Eternal Father and accepted His plan by which His children could obtain a physical body and gain earthly experience to progress toward perfection and ultimately realize their divine destiny as heirs of eternal life. The divine plan of happiness enables family relationships to be perpetuated beyond the grave. Sacred ordinances and covenants available in holy temples make it possible for individuals to return to the presence of God and for families to be united eternally.

THE FIRST COMMANDMENT that God gave to Adam and Eve pertained to their potential for parenthood as husband and wife. We declare that God’s commandment for His children to multiply and replenish the earth remains in force. We further declare that God has commanded that the sacred powers of procreation are to be employed only between man and woman, lawfully wedded as husband and wife.

WE DECLARE the means by which mortal life is created to be divinely appointed. We affirm the sanctity of life and of its importance in God’s eternal plan.

HUSBAND AND WIFE have a solemn responsibility to love and care for each other and for their children. “Children are an heritage of the Lord” (Psalm 127:3). Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, and to teach them to love and serve one another, observe the commandments of God, and be law-abiding citizens wherever they live. Husbands and wives—mothers and fathers—will be held accountable before God for the discharge of these obligations.

THE FAMILY is ordained of God. Marriage between man and woman is essential to His eternal plan. Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony, and to be reared by a father and a mother who honor marital vows with complete fidelity. Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities. By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families. Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children. In these sacred responsibilities, fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners. Disability, death, or other circumstances may necessitate individual adaptation. Extended families should lend support when needed.

WE WARN that individuals who violate covenants of chastity, who abuse spouse or offspring, or who fail to fulfill family responsibilities will one day stand accountable before God. Further, we warn that the disintegration of the family will bring upon individuals, communities, and nations the calamities foretold by ancient and modern prophets.

WE CALL UPON responsible citizens and officers of government everywhere to promote those measures designed to maintain and strengthen the family as the fundamental unit of society.

*   *   *

I have a testimony that these words, these doctrines, these commandments and the consequences are true and everlasting. We have a Father in Heaven who loves us even when we cannot comprehend that love. The Family is central to His plan and we are here to help fulfill it. I know these things to be true and I testify of them in the holy name of Jesus Christ.