friends.

sometimes ash & i frighten each other at how alike we are.

we went to dinner over the weekend and showed up wearing the same shirt.

coincidence? yes.

sisters separated at birth? maybe

i love these girls.  we went to the jazz game for a birthday.

we have the best of times.

we dine on thai food together. best.

we wear matching color schemes sometimes.

we pretend we're taller than each other (linds. love you. yowzah)

sometimes we do each others makeup and go out on the town.

and we giggle and take a gazillion photos of ourselves.

i love my friends.

i am so thankful for them today.

what are you thankful for today?

i can do anything (with God)

(pinterest)

this morning as i was driving to work, i was listening to my "country lovin" playlist.
 reader, do you ever get like me...in the sense that you sometimes get into a "lovey dovey" mood?  where it's ok to listen to mushy love songs.
singing at the top of your lungs "it's a love story baby just say..YES"


well, as of late, i've been in one of those moods (the past few days or so...)
where i just enjoy thinking of being in love.
it's taken me 23 years to realize that in order for me to be in love with someone, i need to first, love myself.
and guess what, i have come to realize that i really love the person i am today.
perhaps that sounds a little conceded or arrogant, but it's the only way i can describe it.
i spent the other night home alone.
alone.
before (in my freshman college years) being alone meant you were a loser.
that you had no friends, no plans, and therefore, you were a lime-a-loser (thanks, glee).
but being all alone is so refreshing to me now.
it's time to unwind, to do things for me, to read a good book, to meditate and just think.

i guess, what i'm trying to say, is that for the first time in a long time, i've come to the realization that i need to just have patience with myself, that i need to truly love being alone, that i need to appreciate myself before i can love someone else.
and i am happy to say, that i am on that road.
i had the 'ah-ha' moment.
my life isn't perfect, but it's never going to be.


life doesn't usually pan out or go the way you want it to.
God has a better plan for you.
He knows the best thing for you.
in my scripture study last night, i read this verse:


"But the Lord knoweth all things from the beginning; wherefore, he prepareth a way to accomplish all his works among the children of men; for behold, he hath all power unto the fulfilling of all his words. And thus it is. Amen." (1 Nephi 9:6)

and i realized (again) that that's all i need to know. that God "knoweth all things from the beginning" and that He knows my life is going to pan out the way He intends it to, because He knows better than me.  He knows better than me what is going to be best for me.  He knows what I need to learn. He knows that even though i might complain about not being this or not having that...that in the end, it'll all be the way it needs to be.

i just had to get that thought out tonight to share my feelings.
i am seriously so blessed.
i am so thankful for the life i've been granted.
for the breath that God grants to me daily.
i am nothing without God.

"two men can do anything, as long as one of them is the Lord" (Neil L. Andersen)
i am a firm believer in that.
i can do ANYTHING as long as i keep the Lord in my life.

life is truly a gift and is so wonderful, my dears.
i am so thankful for another day to be alive.
to be able to learn, to grow, and to share the love of the Lord with others.
i have a long ways to go, but i am happy with the path i am on.

and i really feel like i've been given this time to become a better person so that one day in the future, i can be the best wife/mother/friend/daughter/sister i can be.

{sigh}

i have a lot going through my mind at the moment.  i'm getting close to dental assisting graduation (august 9th). HOLLA!
I have been getting to know this great man. 
yes, I said it.  he's a man.


 not at all like the infamous man-boy from Fever Pitch.



it feels good to be working so much. 
i love being busy and life hasn't been better for me.
i am serving in a new calling (which i am LOVING)
i am now a gluten-free junkie.
i have lost 10 lbs.
i am working out lots.
loving my dental office.
trying to woo the mentioned man.
living life to the fullest.
enjoying the summer sunshine.
listening to good music (of course!)
smiling a lot.


life is good.


because i am giddy and you have to deal with it, listen to how cute this is!
named man sent me a sweet text this morning which included some sweet words and this scripture:
Psalm 27: 1, 14

"The Lord is my light and my salvation;

 whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my

 life; of whom shall I be afraid?...

Wait on the Lord: be of good courage,

and he shall strengthen thine

 heart: wait, I say, on the Lord."

Exactly what i needed to hear this morning

dontcha think life is sweet?

shakeology pt. 1

ok people, you asked for it!  I've officially been drinking the SHAKEOLOGY for two whole days now...


last night I drank it for dinner around 5:00 PM (which is TOO early for dinner I think...) so I was feeling super hungry around 9:00ish so I had myself a bowl of greek yogurt with fresh strawberries and some pecans on top.  (that is my new favorite treat by the way)

this morning I made myself a shake for breakfast and I am feeling great. 
I have noticed that I am not having cravings.  weird?  maybe...
i have a TON of energy (hello gym session EVERY SINGLE DAY THIS WEEK...booyah!)

here's all the fixins for the     SHAKEOLOGY

enjoyin my shake (don't mind my makeupless face...eeek!)

SHAKEOLOGY mustache. yup, I'm cool.

and I just FEEL great.  don't I look it ;) bahhhh ha ha ha

oh, and if you're wondering, the shake DOES taste great.

kinda like nesquick (the bunny powder chocolate milk)

yup, its delish. and healthy. all in one

booyah!

happy FRIDAY

its Friday...

its Friday, Friday, gotta get down on Friday.


(thanks Rebecca Black .  Your nasal voice and ever-so-clever lyrics are constantly finding their way into my head on a weekly basis...mainly on Friday)


This weekend I will be doing this:


working The Scrapbook Fair for the company I worked for, Crate Paper
This is me, gettin on my way to the show.

I also have a date with this guy tomorrow:  Cybex Arc Trainer

I'm gonna be completely honest.  It's been MONTHS since I've worked out with this machine...but I went last night and I killed about 39 ish minutes on this bad boy.  I am sore from ab to toe.  This is the best workout you can get.  Trust me.  I LOVE this machine.  We are pretty good pals, and it keeps me in shape (besides ROUND that is)

I'm feelin good.  I have started yet ANOTHER strict workout routine.  And trust me, I am going to be keepin ya'll informed.  I need to have some "support" so I figure if I post some before and after photos and chart my progress that it'll help keep me motivated.  (I hope I don't scare anyone)

I also wanted to share a sneak peak of a senior photo shoot from earlier this week.

meet: Kelsey    (homecoming queen + volleyballer + seriously funny lady)  

What are YOUR weekend plans my dears?!

chicken noodle soup for the {cold}

ya know how they say chicken noodle soup is good for sick people?
well, I've been SICK people.
my momma and I made this scrumptralesent dish.

everyone knows you need 44 oz. of water to do ANYTHING in life

voila!  the final project - chicken noodle soup.
this is my favorite soup ever.
plus, its HOMEMADE to boot

delish!

my fave songs...as of late

I adore Adele.  If you don't own her new album...go to iTunes and buy it!



Jim Morrison.  Does it get any better than that?!  I think NOT



The Saltwater Room.  What does that even mean?
Who cares!  This song is lovely.




yup, I'm not ashamed to admit I LOVE this song



Kinda 'old news' but I still love this song




such a timeless, classic song.  so inspiring.




Adele's cover of the classic song by The Cure...love this song




such a sassy song.  I like to sing this at the top of my lungs drivin down the street



for the country gal in me.  I love this little band.

one day at a time...

today i woke up ready to take on my world.
but guess what?
i decided that I wouldn't stress out about the other days of the week today.
i am going to take Monday on all by itself.
no interference with Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, or Sunday.

Today is Monday.
I am going to conquer my Monday.
I am going to make today the BEST I can.
I am going to focus on today as if its the only day I have left.
I am going to make today the best I can.
I'll never get January 10, 2011 back. ever. ever. ever. ever. EVER.

So, today is going to be the best day ever.
Literally.
I feel so happy today.
I know it may seem odd to you, but I feel so empowered today.
All I am worried about is this day.

I showered.

Picked out a cute outfit.

Did my makeup.

Ate my healthy oatmeal for breakfast.

packed myself a healthy little lunch.

and now I am going to work hard at the office today.

It's going to be a GREAT day.

Happy MONDAY everyone!

What has been the best part of YOUR Monday?!