I will...

 I've been thinking a lot lately, about making the most of:

#1 Where I am at in life.
#2 Time.
#3 Enjoying the trials that the Lord throws my way.

Life has a few distinct phases. Birth, childhood, teenage years, young adult, adulthood and before you know it you are doing 5,000 piece puzzles and watching your favorite old T.V. classics. Life really is short. So, that is exactly why I want to enjoy where I am at in life 100%. I will never be in this same place or situation again. That being said... I have ALOT to do in order to enjoy this phase to it's fullest. Let the fun continue!

Right along with making the most of where I am at in life, I've decided that I'm only going to live this moment once, this hour once, this day once... so I am going to be happy with where I am at and let the journey shape me as I go. I will move forward in time, progressing, growing, and becoming who I want to and who I should be.
 
Finally, right along with the first things I want to make the most of is trials. All throughout my life I have had quite the handful of trials and experiences that have shaped me into who I am. One thing about me, whether you believe it or not, is that I like to keep things to myself. When I am having a hard time, struggling with something, have questions, or something is just flat out not right in my life, I really like to keep to myself and have SUCH a hard time exposing myself to the human elements of advice, judgement, opinions and all those things that come with it. (And, that is not about to change, I can tell you that!) But, I have decided that no matter the trial, no matter the heartache I am go through I will remember that the Lord knows me best. He knows my weaknesses, He knows my strengths, but most of all he knows exactly what I can handle. Because he knows it, I know it. Plain as that.

With all these seemingly simple, yet complex and difficult things that have been on my mind lately, I have come to realize that I must "Learn to love the skies I'm under". And that is exactly what I will continue to do!

Sometimes...

Sometimes we are forced to hard things whether we want to or not.... and that just stinks!

Beef....

It's what's for dinner.... 







This little ad MADE. MY. NIGHT.

Blog Slacker....

I have 100% been a blog slacker.... Boo to me! The fact that I have logged on, began writing, then deleted my post a good number of times, still doesn't redeem me.

The semester is almost over. I can hardly wait. I need a break from school and need a few months of crafting, reading, working, cooking, and just being a wife. This semester has been a real thorn in my side. Not because of school work, but because of my desire or the lack thereof. I have really been struggling to have the desire to work hard, jump through hoops, and work towards teachers "needs". Don't get me wrong, I love love love learning, but all semester long it has felt like all I have been doing is jumping through teachers hoops. It's hard to have that desire to learn when nothing you are learning applies to you, or when you lack the desire to learn about the subject..... Pretty much..... It's really a personal problem, but school is a BOOOOOO!! anyways.

It's been really such a hard few months, not just school related, but other things as well. I won't go into detail, but I know that it's through hard things and trials that we grow the most.  I have to keep reminding myself that God really is just molding me into who He wants me to be. All of these things happen for a reason and I'm going to be a better person because of it all. 

On a more positive note, I have so much to be grateful for. I have an awesome husband, a one of a kind family, and wonderful neighbors/ward members/visiting teachers/home teachers! Really though.  This week after my sweet visiting teachers came I went into my room and began to cry. I was overwhelmed with gratitude for their incredible ability to know exactly what I need to hear. And it's not just this month that that has happened, but every single time they come I feel the spirit and know that my Heavenly Father is 100% aware of me. It's awesome.

This semester has been loaded with so many fun experiences, wild adventures, and visits from family. I'm not going to try and redeem myself for my lack of blogging, but I will share a few favorite pictures from the past few months....I'm so grateful that I've had these days to live and experience.

MDill and I made 300? (I think it was...)  of our specialty pretzels for Chris and Julia's Wedding. It was a lot of work, but so much fun to do!

Chris and Julia were married in the Salt Lake Temple. Their wedding was so much fun. I loved seeing many friends and neighbors that I haven't seen in such a long time and being able to chat with them.

Carter boy had his first birthday! We went down to Blackfoot to celebrate with the Gunderson and Merritt family. It was such a delight to see how much little Carter Bug is loved.

The sisters all came to town for a visit. We enjoyed watching conference together as well as going for a 4 mile run UP the temple hill together. We really enjoyed some sisterly time together. It was nice to just relax, watch conference, and not worry about silly trivial things.

Um.... did I mention we went to the Downeast sidewalk sale while they were in town....So funny!

My dear sweet sister also did a Christmas card photo shoot for us. It was more funny than anything. I think this was right after Heather said something that included the word "boobies"? It was a beautiful fall day with wonderful colors, perfect temperatures, and great company.

2nd half marathon = accomplished!

Such a fun day! Most of us in this picture ran in a women's only race called "The Pink Series" It was on Momma Linda's birthday and it supports breastcancer, so we all got on our running shoes. Even my one of a kind mother-in-law came all the way from California to be with us. Other highlights included having good ol' Meggie girl there with us and Momma Linda strutting her stuff with the pink boa I gave her. Also, a big kudos to Shauna on finishing her first ever half marathon.

Momma Linda with her birthday dessert. It was an epic weekend.

Halloween was a definitie highlight. I made homemade costumes for Michael, Lara, and I. And, our really good friends decided we should be a themed group for the ward Halloween party, so we were. It was a hoot, especially to see Carter bug walking around like a drunken parrot. He was still pretty new at the whole walking thing.

I love when people come to Rexburg to visit us. Well, for Michael's birthday my parents and Heather drove up to Rexburg and spent the weekend with us. It was such a delight. I love listening to my parents, even when they are talking about insignificant things. They took us everywhere, to dinner, to bowling, to West Yellowstone.... etc... and every ounce of it was fun. Especially when an unnamed person had to use the woods as a bathroom... oh wait I think there was more than one ;) Anyway, it was a wonderful taste of home. (Personally I think they should visit more often... hint. hint.)

 One of the sweetest treats was having Sara Smith and her cute cute cute children visit over the week of Thanksgiving. MDill loved playing with Theran and I'm pretty sure Theran grew pretty fond of him too. It was such a wonderful week jam packed full of family time, games, and of course a delicious turkey.

I'm pretty sure Theran would have played hide-and-seek all night if we didn't tell him we were going to eat all the pie. 

Needless to say, within the midst of the hustle and bustle of life, and the hard things life throws at us, I am overwhelmingly blessed and would do well to pay more attention to the wonderful things my Heavenly Father continuously gives to me.

While you were gone....

Dear Amy,
You have been gone for quite some time now, but inspite of your absence everything continues to spin on. So, this has resulted in funny things that happen almost on a daily occurrence that I have happened that I want to tell you about. Yes, yesterday I did call your phone and yesterday for half a second I was hoping you would answer it, but you are in Africa. So in order to remember some of the things I have wanted to call and tell you about I thought I might make a little list so that I can remember.
#1 - (and this is probably how I would have said this over the phone!) AMY! Guess what I just saw? You will never guess. (Then I'd make you guess three or four times.) Nope, I just saw a yorkie in a pink dress being pushed in a pink baby stroller by an old lady with curly gray hair and a pink outfit. Yup! Believe it. It was truly ridiculous. (Then you would ask why I didn't take a picture.) Becuase I was so terribly caught off guard. It's not every day you see a dog in a dress. By the time I thought to they had already walked by. (Jenny!) I know I know, I really wish I could just someone teleport you my mental image. So classic. Amy. Like seriously.

#2 - I'd call you again later that night to talk about the dog in a dress. Similar conversation would occur.

#3 - Amy! We were all just out in the hot tub and a rodent ran into the condo. (What?!?) Yeah Amy, Dad had to chase it out. So so funny. Then, next thing we knew Dad was chasing it out again. Twice Amy.... Twice! So so funny. Like Christmas Vacation funny, but without the rapidness of the squirrel and without the wig being torn off our great aunts head and without our Dad's boss being kidnapped kinda funny.

#4 - Amy! I'm entering the Indy 500. (What?!?) Yup, I've finally mastered driving stick. Yup, my goal from 3 years ago can finally be crossed off the list. Best part was when Shauna told me about you driving stick, apparently you sucked at it and nearly went through the church building in reverse? (Not true! Who told you that Shauna?) Yup, but I'm going to side with her that this one, you have never really been an A+ driver. But guess what, I did donuts in reverse, of course on purpose, and Shauna loved it. I wouldn't be surprised if every time I come to visit she asks me to take her out for reverse donuts.... Anywhooo.... That's what I was calling to tell you... (then we would carry on in a conversation about nothing really for probably a good 20 minutes or so)

I know there has been more than those three things that I have wanted to call and talk to you about, but as of this second that's all my overworked mind can think of so if I think of anymore I'll be sure to leave you a voicemail. Oh and I did call and leave you a voicemail about my date with Mr. David. His music is back on so I now can go to the library until 11:30 again. I thought I was going to have to quit after last time when there was only silence.

Get back safely. Tell Stampy the Elephant hello for me. And enjoy Africa. 
This song is for you!
The video is a little strange, but hey it's the 80's right?!?



  

Booo school....

Right now I just want to get on a little (maybe it will turn into a big one) soap box about how much I am SO done with school. I'm to the point in the semester where I don't want to do ANYTHING, but I'm also at that point in the semester where all the stuff that really counts towards a grade is happening. What a dilemma! I AM SO DONE WITH THIS! Ok, well not really I still have another 2 semesters, and I think the fact that it's only a #2 is the only thing that keeps me from being a college dropout.

It's my own fault, not having a plan from the beginning. If I had a plan and was the little planner/organizer that I am now then I would be officially done with school. But I guess that's part of the fun of it, when I started school I wasn't the person I am today. I've changed, grown and become a better /more organized person. But still... BOO school! 

Whatever happened to having the summer for fun non school related things?!? 

Rescued by Christ

How many times have I let the Savior down? Many, I'm sure of it. My Savior Jesus Christ is just who I need and just who I am relying on. I keep working on myself so I to can become better. I truly have been rescued by Christ. And while often I find it SO difficult to go to him and ask Him for help, I know He is always there waiting.

This man's message is a simple, but beautiful one. I'm grateful to him for sharing.