sunshine & star struck

I have three items of business to share with you.
First, a new season calls for a new reason to change the face-lift of the blog. so there. I did it. maybe its a winner, maybe its not, but for now...it will do.

Second, i've been officially star struck. The other day I was working at my register at the MTC and an Elder David Archuleta is in sight through my peripherals. I was about to go put something away, until i notice that he looked strangely familiar. Then i realized, oh yeah, I just drooled over him when he was on American Idol--no bid deal right? So i quickly placed the item back down, and promptly announced i could help whoever was next. He came up to my register--let the record show, he was much shorter than anticipated, he's off the list for sure now, but he was giving me a disclaimer that he didn't think he had enough money to buy his laundry bag. I told him that there was still a discount and that we could just check just in case. I mean come one...please stay at my register as long as possible. Ironically enough, he didn't have enough money to buy the laundry bag--shocker. I was promptly going to hand over my life savings or pay the difference or whatever but he said he'd come back on Wednesday and buy it. I was star struck to say the least. As soon as I got off work, i promptly called my mom announcing the news. I think she was more excited then I was. :)

yep, met him.  be jealous. 

Thirdly--and all joking aside--life is wonderful. Despite the finals, assignments, tests, I am just happy. I know that there is God in Heaven that loves us. There is no way that all the tender mercies I have been blessed with lately just happen by chance. nope, no way. It is just miraculous.
The simplest of things like--my professor extended a quiz deadline by 1 day, or how i was running late for work and someone stopped and gave me a ride, or how i make it out the door every morning, or the abundance in food we have. The beauty all around me just testifies that there is a creator. "Under the direction of His Father, He (Jesus Christ) was the creator of the earth. 'All things were made by Him, and without Him, was not anything made that was made.'(John 1:3)" --The Living Christ.
So...in our everyday life, find the sunshine that is there--in the real life--that we live in. As mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers. I came across a quote by Joseph Fielding Smith from 1905 that said...
"Those things which are extradionary, remarkable, or unusal may make history, but they do not make real life. After all, to do well those things which God ordained to be common lot of all mankind, is the truest greateness. To be a successful father or a successful mother is greater than to be a successful general or a successful statesman." 


p.s. i've officially completed 1/10th of my goal! only 900 more to go! (that should be easy, right?)
and if you don't want to read all of them...at least read #38. :)

never forget, you are incredible!

This has been on my mind alot lately. The value of self-worth for women. How easy it is for one to feel slighted in the gospel, or being placed in the "backseat" of marriage. Although, I am not saying this is the case for every marriage, it has just been a common topic at marriage prep.

But, never forget how valuable we are as women. WE ARE INCREDIBLE. Not only as women, but as mothers (and future--mothers too I should add) also.
You can not measure the influence the love or importance of a mother.

"The greatest work we will ever do will be within the walls of our home."
— David O. McKay

You can read the rest of Quentin L. Cook's inspiring address here, and another favorite talk on motherhood here.

ode to my mother

the title of super-woman doesn't even compare to how amazing my mother is.

she can do more than everything.

She is the best grandma....ever.

She's beautifully stunning 24/7.

And at the ripe age of 59, has no trouble "hopping" on a motorcycle.

seriously, who does that?

....and she's still managed to live through the life of being with me everyday for almost 19 years. 

that is saying something.

"No success can compensate for failure in the home."-David O. McKay

the posterity of mom & dad

mom and her six daughters

"There is nothing in this world as personal, as nurturing, or as life changing as the influence of a righteous woman." -Elder M. Russell Ballard

____________________________________________________________________________________
 Words can not give justice to the overwhelming love, respect, honor, and admiration I have for you, mom. I love you!
I want to be a mother like you someday.

still breathing

i'm alive. in case you were wondering. which you probably weren't. 

anyways. let me tell you about my life.

{this was summer of 2009 when i got the job, yes, i miss being tan}

I quit my job. And in reality, i didn't really "quit" (although, just the sight of the dress would make anyone want to quit, am i right?) because i loathe to say that word...i just ended early. I mean, I'm leaving for college in a month...can you blame me!? And i tell you, i have certainly enjoyed not waking up at 7AM on saturday mornings after doing it consistently for the past two years. It was just wonderful. 

{I went to my mormon prom, alone}

Fact: I have never been asked to a school dance before. Ever. In all my life. Oh well, i'll get over it. This Saturday is Prom. And i'm not going. It's settled. Believe, I'm more than fine. But i love my dress. And it was like a 6 in 1 deal since I can wear it to so many things! (thanks ondy for the cardigan!)

Lastly. I am packing up my childhood. Already? It hurts alittle inside to pack away everything that I cherished growing up. In reality, I won't be opening these boxes up until I am married. Thats a scary thought. It just made me remember how I loved growing up. The carefree life with no responsibilities....ah. And when we got our first day of sun on Saturday we spent the entire morning doing yard work. While I was mowing I began looking around my neighborhood remember that the tree in the middle of our yard used to be worth money that bought us chocolate chips from the garage. Or the bush by the car would be the police station. Or the median strip on the road would be our town. It's these memories that I don't want to forget from my childhood. For now, I'm putting them in boxes and waiting to bring share them with my children someday.

Okay, I'm done being cheesy now.

Speaking of mothers. I've been asked to speak on mothers/motherhood on mothers day of course. So if you have any quotes or wonderful talks of the top of your head....i can use all the help i can get!

we all need friends in life

Friends! (aka my sisters!)
You will love me.
Let me introduce you to some new friends I stalk.

Sure, I've never met her, but she is AWESOME. She is completely inspiring for mothers....and I'm not even one, yet. If you are interested check out her blog here--which you should because she is awesome.

And....for more motherly business, my sister-in-law Tiffany, writes amazing columns for Mormon Times. This week was definitely one of her best articles yet. Which is saying alot because they are ALL amazing.

And...I'm just getting started with who I want to share with you bloggosphere. So be excited. And Be Inspired.