Good or Bad Father?

If you like cinnamon sugar deliciousness then you owe it to yourself to go get a bag of these.  

Remember, I share this with you because I love you.

Found here.

I love.

Comforted

I think no matter your religion or who/what you believe in, there is nothing better than going to that figure in times of sorrow, grief and pain.  Whenever I am troubled I tend to forget that I have a Heavenly Father who is begging to hear from me.  I tend to lean on myself and fix my problems myself.

Most people believe in something and I doubt any of us would if we knew they would withhold comfort during a hard time.  Faith gets us through, faith restores hope, faith mends a broken heart.

Half Hour to Happy

A few months ago I read an article titled "Half Hour to Happy" and I jotted down the suggestions and would now like to pass them on to you!

-Raise your activity level

-Go for a walk

-Reach out to someone (call, email or text)

-Rid yourself of a nagging task

-Act happy - fake it until you make it

-Learn something new

-Save someone's life (donate blood, sign up to donate an organ)

-Do a good deed

-Create a serene environment

These aren't a guarantee but I think the point is that we are the only ones who can make ourselves happy.  No where on this list do you see "expect your man to bring you flowers".  We can do it!

"If we do not change our direction, we are likely to end up where we are headed."

- Chinese Proverb

Saw this.

Loved it.

Go now.

Dairy Free Zone

As of this week, I am no longer drinking milk or eating (most) dairy products.  I cannot give up ice cream.  Impossible.  Cheese is no sweat because I'm not a huge fan anyway.

I did some research and it was a very easy decision for me.  The more I have looked into it, the more certain I am of my decision.  Any time I tell someone about my decision they spout off facts about calcium and osteoporosis.  Guess what?  Your facts that TV and health teachers taught you are incorrect.

More than a dozen different medical schools studied the effects of milk on osteoporosis and they found that milk was not a contributor in staving off bone disease.  Calcium is EASILY found in fruits and vegetables and it's pure calcium - not filtered and pasteurized.

I'm done spouting my facts - check out more at milksucks.com 

Cute, Cute Tira

You need to check out my friend's blog - she is a mother of 4 year old twin boys, a crafter of cool things and one of my favorite people alive.  You must see what she did for her boy's recent fourth birthday party....

Check it out here 

As high school seniors we talked endlessly about having a wedding coordinating business after our children are grown and out of the house.  Fingers crossed we still get to!  She will (obviously) handle the creative side and I'll be the task master and handle invoicing, taxes, etc.

Love you, Tira!

*Possibly Offensive Post*

I totally, completely, ridiculously hate maternity photo shoots.  I understand the exhilaration that comes along with all sorts of firsts in our lives, which is probably why so many couples do these kinds of shoots.  But what about your future children?  Are you going to do a photo shoot for each subsequent pregnant belly?  Probably not.  I'm all for family photos, but the majority of your friends and family do not want to see your man kissing your bare, 8 month pregnant, belly.  I've even seen nude ones done.  That's traumatizing.

Please don't misunderstand, I'm not talking about the pictures you take from the side to chart your progress, those are darling.  AND, again, this is only my opinion on my blog.  It's cool to disagree, in fact - it's healthy :)

Are You Excited?!?

I love Spring!  Of course, I like the warm weather and the lovely colors that come along with but one of my favorite things is all the new chances and opportunities that seem to come up this time of year.

I am SO excited for the great things happening to everyone!  Graduation is coming up for many of you, new careers and certifications are being earned and for one super friend (Shanna!), a new HOUSE!  Good things are happening all around and I hope they're happening for you!

Happy Spring! 

(weather, this is not a good time to tease me)

"A bend in the road is not the end of the road... unless you fail to make the turn."

- Author Unknown

Sundance Jewelry

I found this awesome website for jewelry, clothes, accessories, etc and I am officially obsessed!  Check it out....

I just ordered this

Am seriously considering this

and MANY other pieces...I really like their style.  What do you think?

Sleeping Over

Since I was a little girl I had an odd desire/fascination about getting locked in a store over night.  When I was growing up we lived across the street from a mini mart and I would always strategize my plan of attack on the candy, chips and sodas for when I happened to get locked in.

My plan was simple - start with salty stuff because then I could move on to sweets without filling up too much.  Sodas and chocolate milk would be permanently in my left hand as I made my way through the store.  Shockingly (or not), it never happened.

I wasn't a fat kid, I just have ALWAYS had a thing for junk food.  Always.  My mom said she craved Mountain Dew and Tootsie Rolls while pregnant with me, so maybe that's where I get it from.  Thanks mom!

Now, if I could get locked in any store it would be....

...the Mother Land.

I went there today with the intentions of only buying mouth wash, conditioner and Easter candy (fat girl alert!) but of course, I spent about $120.  I have considered being locked into Costco but the cold, warehouse feel would not make for a pleasant night.  Target is the best all-around candidate for over night stays.  They have food, shelter, movies, CANDY, clothes!, and any toiletry needs that may arise.

Go Target!  I hope to spend a night with you sometime :)

Waiting Game

Argh.  That is how I feel.  You remember when you were a kid and you couldn't wait for your birthday, Christmas, summer vacation, etc?  We spent a lot of our youth wishing life away and since becoming an adult (an having too many birthdays) I have tried to not look too far down the road and just focus on today.

But.

I am waiting on some important news that should *hopefully* be here within the next 2 weeks.  Until then, I am stuck in a rut.  Argh.  So I think it's fine for me to wish away these next 2 weeks and then swear it off for the rest of my adult life.  That's ok, right?

Oh and by the way, my super amazing sister, Meghan, is definitely going to China and will be there for 28 months with the Peace Corp.  I'm thinking Christmas in China could be interesting....

and here's a pretty picture of the winter solstice sunset to make up for my annoying post.  Love you!

"If you aren't fired up with enthusiasm, you will be fired with enthusiasm."

- Vince Lombardi

Doggie Date

A while ago my sister, Maria, told me that you can walk dogs for free at the Utah Humane Society.  I know, some of you are probably thinking, "what does she mean for free?  I would only walk dogs if someone was paying me!".  Oh, not I.  Bring on the doggies!

I went to the Humane Society on Friday as part of a date and it was sooooo fun!  We played with the cats for a while and then went and picked out a dog or two to walk.  If you are an animal lover, I highly recommend doing this.  

In the end, we fell in love with a dog named Sammy and an amazing cat named Pork Chop (seriously, I thought only my family came up with names like that).  Sigh.  Someday I will have a house and a dog and maybe 2 cats.  Until then, I've got the Humane Society to keep me sane.

When Will the Madness End???

When will Hollywood studios leave well enough alone and STOP making sequels to movies that DON'T call for one?!?  Case and point:

The original was good - I even own it (on VHS).  Fun fact for you - the East Compton Clovers high school is the high school I went to for my 9th and 10th grade years.  AND two girls I was in student government with are cheerleading extras in the movie.

Regardless, there was never any need for the following:

Bring It On: All Or Nothing

Bring It On: Again

Bring It On: In It To Win It

In a fit of laziness I may have watched the first 30 minutes of Bring It On: In It To Win It.  Yikes.  

Example #2

My quick research on the internet leads me to believe that there have been a total of 13 sequels, making a total of 14.  The original is fantastic and may or may not still bring a tear to my eye BUT I feel as though it's poor memory is tarnished with every new release of some lame sequel.  Sigh.

I understand that a good sequel is hard to do, but often Hollywood is only interested in making money and not preserving the integrity of the series.  It is upsetting - to say the least.  

The Batman movies are an interesting case study.  I LOVE the first two (starring Michael Keaton, directed by Tim Burton) and then the next two (Val Kilmer and George Clooney) should have never been made.  I blame Joel Schumacher, the director.  They make a mockery of the institution!  Batman is different than Bring It On and Land Before Time because sequels are a good idea, while the others have no business making sequels.  Luckily, the last two had Christopher Nolan on board for writing and directing and I've been hearing rumors of at least one more in the future.

Colbie

Last Friday on my way home from Vegas, I stopped in St George to see Colbie Caillat in concert.  I went with my awesome friend, Ben , who drove down from Orem.  It was fantastic!  I don't go to many concerts because I don't really enjoy live/over priced music, but I would absolutely see her again.  She is incredible live and I love her fun personality.  I think she and I should be friends.

I'm "Sick"

A few weeks ago I went to a movie with the lovely and talented Jerilyn.  One of the previews included some familiar music.  It was the theme to the soap opera "The Young and the Restless"...both of us had a story.  Jerilyn used to watch with her mom (I'm jealous); whereas my story was much more devious.

I used to fake being sick ALL the time in junior high and high school so that I could -

a) skip Seminary

b) sleep in

c) watch "The Price is Right"

d) watch Y&R

I LOVED that soap!  They had the most beautiful actors, fantastic story lines, ROMANCE, and it was on late enough that if I slept through Price is Right I could still get up in time for Y&R.

I would set my alarm for a random time, like 2:37am, go to my mom's room and tell her I threw up or something and then she wouldn't wake me up in the morning for Seminary and school.  It was a perfect formula.  Luckily I still got really good grades or my mom probably wouldn't have let me get away with it.  I'm positive she knew I was faking but I was a good (nerdy) kid so she let me do it.  Again, my mom rocks!