Lightning

2010 Nebraska Sky

One thing I'll miss about the Mid-west is the lightning storm that I catch on a late night drive. It's so magical! I get the shivers (good book) and it frightens me, but it also excites me and is so wonderful to watch. I got home at 11:30 last night and parked on the side of the street to kick back, roll the windows down to watch the purple light cross the sky and listen to the noise it makes. NATURE IS SO COOL! 

Lots of Laundry today!

Update

String of Hearts

I fixed the coat, and now I'm still struggling with how I want the swimming suit to look. Still working on photos. Started reading "Where the Red Fern Grows" by Wilson Rawls. You'd probably think I've read it by now. Nope. Still behind on my 4th grade reading.

Painted the basement, installed a HUGE (literally) TV with bluray, high definition, 3D, and whatever else you can think of. It's crazy cool. Our basement looks like it's part of a home now! I'm so proud of my parents for stickin to the change I wanted down there. (Sorry for being so bossy) They still love me :)

Something that was on my list to "take a picture of" was that string of hearts! Felt is SO FUN to sew together. It's so quick too! I have like a billion circles tied together for "re-usable streamers". ahh I just love it. Now it is hanging on my lampshade in my room!
Here is a picture of my room from a long time ago when I first moved in:

and here are pictures of a puppy:

They make me happy :)

xoxo

I wish

Kiva

I wrote this when I was in 7th grade:

I wish I was a professional tap dancer
I wish my animals could talk to me as if they were people
I wish I could sleep in forever
I wish I could fly in the sky
I wish my dog wouldn't go potty
I wish everybody would go to my church

I wish we would all have our own laptops

I had some pretty good wishes! What is a wish you had when you were younger?

xooxo

There's nothing like a good haircut

Parker & Anna

Last semester I wrote a paper on how a haircut can change your life. It was awesome, and the teacher complimented me in class. But for real, I got a haircut this morning. It feels goood. 

I am leaving home in 15 days to start a new semester of school! Hopefully this semester I can figure things out and decide what I want to do with my life. yikes. 

Today I am going to fix a swimming suit and a coat. I like the idea of sewing, and actually sewing, but I'm not very good at it. I just sew and don't worry about what it looks like. Which is sometimes bad. 

Today I ran into a family that I used to babysit. They have grown up so big and they are so cute and polite! It's neat to watch the little ones grow up and find their personalities. Parker has been doing the same thing!

Have a great Wednesday!

Photitos

Here's an update on my pet photography life:

Sunny & Jenny

Chance - he was rescued

The beginning of this summer, I thought that maybe this was a silly idea. After the first puppy I took photos of it, I LOVED the idea. I love photography, and I love animals. It only made sense to take pictures of them. I'm so grateful to the people who let me take pictures of their wonderful pets! ahh I love these horses.

p.s. this is all I do now. edit. edit. edit.

toodles. The boyfran is coming to town soon!!!!

INSPIRATION!!

 If you ever need a crafty inspiration, go to your local fabric store, or just browse some fabric patterns online. IT'S A WHOLE WORLD OF IDEAS OUT THERE. Currently I am working on new business card and a new design for my business and a new design for my blog.
I just went on a maternity photoshoot. It was my second one, and it was really fun!! I think we got some good ones :)

Parker turns seven this Monday, but we celebrated by throwing him a party on Saturday! It's always fun throwing a party for little kids. I was in charge of the cake. This was last years: It was a Pirate party.

I made cupcakes too :)

This year he had a phineas and ferb party. When I explain that to my grandparents, they repeat it, ("Phineas and Ferb?") and say hmm, that's interesting. Sometimes I wonder how the older generations feel about our entertainment today.

I'll show you pictures about it lata. maybe. I'm kinda behind on everything, and this is the last week (basically) that I'm here in Manhattan. After that, Kent comes! And I will have no time to focus on what needs to be done. So this is the week to buckle down and get things done. 

Last year around this time I was nervous, but excited to go to college. This year, it's the opposite. I'm excited, but nervous. There's definitely a difference. I think it's different because I know what to expect, and now I need to get in the groove of either doing things better or EVEN BETTER! So, yeah. That's how I feel right now. 

Have a good weekend!!

Dusty

one of the many quotes I've pinned on pinterest

(written at the beginning of July)
Summer has taken over and I have not been very good at blogging! Okay, so my current project is switching rooms with Claire, my younger sister. We started with the closet which was good. I've been holding on to a LOT of random things that need to be given away/thrown away. I found a box with all these neat quotes and church stuff. I feel guilty throwing them away, so I'll just blog about them! It's a win win if you ask me. Type up quotes = more blogging! :) 

The first one was probably an email I got when I was 14 and HAD to keep it. They are just suggestions on how to live a good life.

Health:

Drink plenty of Water - I agree with this

Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a beggar - my grandpa told me the same thing

Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants - carrrrbbbss

Make time to pray - all the time

Live with Energy, Enthusiasm, and Empathy

Read more books than you did the previous year

Play more games

Sit in silence for at least 10 min each day - ponder

Sleep for 7 hrs. - AND THAT'S IT (ha I like my sleep)

Take a 10-30 minutes' walk daily. And while you walk, smile :)

Personality:

Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

Pretty sure I threw the sheet to continue this list in the garbage.. but it's a good list so far. Claire and I have successfully switched rooms! It has made me get rid of so much and really focus on what I need to keep. I'm also leaving for Idaho in 22 days, so I'll need to organize everything and choose what gets to go and what gets to stay. I am so grateful for a wonderful family who will take care and let my junk live at their house :) Have an awesome Thursday!

Summer

Things I've done, learned, accomplished, made...

1. Painted the Basement
2. Got rid of some junk/garage sale
3. Painted Bathroom
4. Moved to new room upstairs so Claire could have my big room with her own bathroom. So that means now I share a bathroom with my little brother. He's six. It comes with it's own thrills and excitement.
5.  I'm working on making this blog prettier, like being creative with the title and adding my own touch to it. 
6. I took some pretty nice photos this summer. Thank you for supporting my photo business!
7. Thinking about the future.. What do I really want to be when I grow up?
8. Made some tiedye shirts!
9. Washed Windows for $ and fun with sister (see picture)
10. Threw/gave away a TON of stuff and paper. I like to simplify everything.
11. Went to "Joseph and the Technicolor Dream Coat" Musical performance with my grandparents!
12. Made some crafts: Turned an old window into a dry erase board, Spray painted Jones soda bottles white to hold flowers in the bathroom, Turned XL size t shirts into M size t shirts using a sewing machine and scissors, Made a DOG book for Kiva about her life, took lots of pictures and organized my crafts.
13. I taught Sunday school lessons at church - gospel doctrine and gospel principles, so grateful for that calling.
14. Wrote LOTS of letters
15. I ran, but I could have done a lot better. Did ab workouts. woo! 
16. Ordered my first pair of TOMS! 
17. Ordered my second pair of TOMS!!
18. Found my 2 favorite colors - Coral pink and teal (see blog colors)
19. Strengthened my personal testimony of my Savior, Jesus Christ.
20. Enjoyed being in Kansas with family :)

One Day at a time

At the beginning of my second semester of my freshman year at BYU-Idaho, we had a CES Fireside where Elder D. Todd Christofferson spoke. I had wonderful ideas come to my mind on how I need to be taking "one day at a time" instead of worrying about everything at once. It's great to look to the future, and keep your eyes open to what is ahead, but taking things one day at a time helps me focus on how to make THAT day great and THAT day worth something. I'm so grateful for the leaders of my church and their beautiful and inspired messages. 

Sometimes I wish

Sometimes I want to be different and discover more to life, and TRAVEL and do good in the world. But then I get overwhelmed with all these ideas and give up that thought, until it comes back again. I just need to start, and start small. Then who knows? Maybe it will turn into something big.

Creativity

"We are thinking, reasoning human beings. We have the ability to identify our needs, to plan, to set goals, and to solve our problems. The characteristics of a creative person can be used to develop solutions for seemingly insurmountable obstacles. We can use originality to overcome opposition. We can develop new ways to help others resolve difficult situations in their lives.

Creative people must have a constant curiosity. They should be constantly observing and listening to new ideas. They should be willing to admit that someone else’s solution might be better. And they should learn the lessons provided by previous experience—both their own and others’."

I like to "Create". The words from this talk and the video are kind of different, but I feel like they kind of tie together. Channel it, but use it.

Things to work on...

ahh I just love these

pos·i·tive

   [poz-i-tiv] adjective

1.

explicitly stated, stipulated, or expressed: a positiveacceptance of the agreement.

2.

admitting of no question: positive proof.

3.

stated; express; emphatic: a positive denial.

4.

confident in opinion or assertion; fully assured: He is positivethat he will win the contest.

This is something I struggle with. When things are not going planned, or a good way, I seemed to get wrapped up in the and forget to stay positive. The way we react to a situation is really a testimony of how we see and treat life. 

17 And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men.18And straightway they forsook their nets, and followed him.

Peter Straightway left his nets. I think sometimes I take too much time when I'm called to dinner, or 

asked to do something. Just be more obedient!

Loving yourself makes such a huge and better difference. 

SERVICE. To everyone. *includes family members

Remember to think about, pray for and let others know how you are thinking of them.

"Being humble means recognizing that we are not on earth to see how important we can become, but to see how much difference we can make in the lives of others"

— Gordon B. Hinckley

Spice

I need to add some spice to this blog. (New name and design)

Any Ideas?

Mormon Messages

I just love the feeling these simple, yet so profound messages bring. 

Please watch and pay attention to the feeling you get. 

This one brought me so motivation. To just do better.

The civility experiment

Look at people a little differently. Have the pure love of Christ in your heart.

In the Spirit of Thanksgiving

Thank the Lord for all things which you are blessed with.

Live in the Spirit of thanksgiving. All the time. One of my favorite scriptures is Alma 34:38

That ye ^acontend no more against the Holy Ghost, but that ye receive it, and take upon you the ^bname of Christ; that ye humble yourselves even to the dust, and ^cworship God, in whatsoever place ye may be in, in spirit and in truth; and that ye live in ^dthanksgiving daily, for the many ^emercies and blessings which he doth bestow upon you.

What are you thankful for?

Expressions of Love

This is so cute! I love Richard G. Scott's words, expression of love, and how he speaks of his wife. ah!

"Marriage is perhaps the most vital of all the decisions and has the most far-reaching effects, for it has to do not only with immediate happiness, but eternal joys as well." -Spencer W. Kimball

Marriage is ordained of God
-You must bring the Spirit into the home
-Don't make fun of one another
-Don't smother one with restrictions
-Don't shut someone else out
-Forgive, say sorry
-Pray for a strong marriage
D&C 49:16-17
D&C121:41-42

Relationships take Time, Communication, and Service
Time:
Make time for each other.
Support brothers and sisters at their games, events, or performances.
Eat as many meals together as you can.
Make FHE a priority.
Dedicate a day per week to doing something as a family.
Cook, clean, pray, play, and laugh together
Be spontaneous. When you find time toether you hadn't planned on, do something fun.

Communication:
Make time to talk. Have family councils and parent-child interviews. (greater love and patience for children, take more care in raising children)
Create common goals
Study scriptures together. This can start great conversations.
Watching TVor movies together can be enjoyable, but it's a poor substitute for interaction.
When there is friction, it may help if someone who isn't involved acts as peacemaker.

Service:
Wen one person has a problem, everyone shares it
Find ways to serve each other, especially anyone you're having problems with.
Find ways the family can serve together
"For how knoweth a man the master whom he has not served, and who is a stranger unto him, and is far from the thoughts and intents of his heart?" (Mosiah 5:13)

Grateful

Here is a challenge:

Make a "Grateful For" list of..

10 people living you are grateful for

10 people dead you are grateful for

10 physical abilities you are grateful for

10 material possessions you are grateful for

10 things about nature  you are grateful for

10 things about today you are grateful for

10 places on earth you are grateful for

10 modern day inventions you are grateful for

10 foods you are grateful for

10 things about the gospel you are grateful for

Before you know it, you have just listed 100 things you are grateful for! 

Artilcles

These are some awesome words:

Good, Better, Best
Dallin H. Oaks, "Good, Better, Best," Ensign, Nov. 2007, 104-8

Mothers Who Know
Julie B. Beck, "Mothers Who Know," Ensign, Nov 2007, 76-78

"And upon the Handmaids in Those Days Will I Pour Out My Spirit"
Julie B. Beck - Relief Society General President

I really like those talks. You should read them.

More Quotes:
"May I suggest that we give more of ourselves... It might be something as simple as smiling more in your home. What would you think of speaking more cheerfully? Trying more often to say please and thank you? What would you think of finding and opportunity for one sincere compliment for each person each day, and then watching them respond? What if you decided to be cheerful tonight at the dinner table and in spite of what others might do or say, hold your course. See how long  you can uplift your whole family." -Gordon B. Hinckley? Not sure on that one...

"Trust God and believe in good things to come" -Elder Jeffery R. Holland.
So simple but we should all be doing this.

"The Lord is very generous with the freedom He gives us. The more we learn to follow the right, the more we are spiritually self-reliant, the more freedom and our independence are affirmed" -Boyd K. Packer

"Experience is what you get when you didnt' get what you wanted." -Randy Pausch "The last lecture", 2008

"One of your particular gifts is feminine intuition. Do not limit yourselves. As you seek to know the will of your Heavenly Father in your life and become more spiritual, you will be far more attractive, even irresistible  You can use your smiling loveliness to bless those you love and all you meet, and spread great joy. Femininity is part of the God given divinity within each of you. It is your incomparable power and influence to do good. You can, through your supernatural gifts bless the lives of children, women and men. Be proud of your womanhood. Enhance it. Use it to serve others." -James E. Faust

"If you judge people, you have no room to love them."
All day long we are helping each other. Either for good, or bad.
There are no ordinary people, we are all divine.

Set your goals on what is most important
-Journal writing
-Let the Lord Guide your life
-Where are your thoughts?
-What excuses do we cling to?
-SERVICE to others
-reach out and love others and be their friend:Golden Rule
-take time to take care of the people you feel you should
Are you being a friend at all times?

Dieter F. Uchtdorf  Waiting on the Road to Damascus:

"It has been my experience that some of the most powerful promptings we receive are not only for our own benefit but also for the benefit of others. If we are thinking only of ourselves, we may miss some of the most powerful spiritual experiences and profound revelations of our lives.

President Spencer W. Kimball taught this concept when he said: “God does notice us, and he watches over us. But it is usually through another person that he meets our needs. Therefore, it is vital that we serve each other.”⁷ Brothers and sisters, we each have a covenant responsibility to be sensitive to the needs of others and serve as the Savior did—to reach out, bless, and uplift those around us.

Often, the answer to our prayer does not come while we’re on our knees but while we’re on our feet serving the Lord and serving those around us. Selfless acts of service and consecration refine our spirits, remove the scales from our spiritual eyes, and open the windows of heaven. By becoming the answer to someone’s prayer, we often find the answer to our own."

I love that quote.

Quotes from my quote box

"Life offers you two precious gifts - one is time, and the other is freedom of choice, the freedom to buy with your time what you will. You are free to exchange your allotment of time for thrills. You may trade it for base desires. You may invest it in greed... Yours is the freedom to choose. But these are no bargains, for in them you find no lasting satisfaction. 

Every day, every hour, every minute of your span of mortal years you must sometime be accounted for. And  it is in this life that you walk by faith and prove yourself able to choose good over evil, right over wrong, enduring happiness over mere amusement. And your eternal reward will be according to your choosing."

-Elder Richard L. Evans

The Pace of Modern life

When stress levels rise, when distress appears, when tragedy strikes, too often we attempt to keep up the same frantic pace or even accelerate thinking somehow that the more rushed our pace, the better off we will be. One of the characteristics of modern life seems to be that we are moving at an ever-increasing rate, regardless of turbulence or obstacles. Let's be honest' it's rather easy to be busy. We all can think up a list of tasks that will overwhelm our schedules. Some might even think that their self-worth depends on the length of their to-do list. They flood the open spaces in their time with lists of meetings and minutia - even during times of stress and fatigue. Because they unnecessarily complicate their lives, they often feel increased frustration, diminished joy, and too little sense of meaning in their lives. 

-President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

October General Conference 2010

The Real History

When the real history of mankind is fully disclosed, will it feature the echoes of gunfire or the shaping sounds of lullabies? The great armistices made by military men or the peacemaking of women in homes and in neighborhoods? Will what happened in cradles and kitchens prove to be more controlling than what happened in congresses? when the surf of the Centuries has made the great pyramids so much sand, the everlasting family will still be standing, because it is a celestial institution, formed outside telestial time. The women of God know this.

-Elder Neal A. Maxwell

The Women of God, Ensign (CR), May 1978, p. 10

Journal Keeping

The art of pen is to rouse the inward vision. -George Meredith

What should we write?

*A true and faithful record of your personal life

*An illustration of your love for family, friends, the Gospel

*Your interests

*Your spiritual Gifts

*Faith received during trials

* Testimony and gospel insights/understanding

*The happenings in the church, God's blessings, your official acts in the Church

*An account of the dealings of God with you daily

*Miracles

*Goals

... My soul delighteth in the scriptures, and my heart pondereth them, and writeth them for the learning and the profit of my children. -2 Nephi 4:15

We often leave the most precious personal direction of the Spirit unheard because we do not record and respond to the first promptings that come to us. -Elder Richard G. Scott

The prompting that goes unresponsed to may not be repeated. Writing down what we have been prompted with is vital. God should not, and may not, choose to repeat the prompting if we assign what was given a low priority as to put it aside. -Elder Neal A. Maxwell

Journal keeping is a discovery. We make the trip alone, but we find things of value along the way to bring back, to treasure, and to share. -Barbra Stiener

1 Nephi 6:3-6 Write worthwhile things