Love this crazy life

Lately I have felt crazy, yep, plain old crazy and with nobody to turn to.  Okay that is not true, I have been turning to my Heavenly Father, but need to more and trust.  This is probably because I have been juggling more in my life/leading a double life.  Christmas shopping has not helped either; I detest it!  This morning was the most perfect morning though!!!  I have realized that I need 3 things to keep my sanity.......

 

1-Scripture study.  I read this scripture and it brought me peace. D&C 101:

 36 Wherefore, ^afear not even unto death;

for in this world your joy is not full,

but in me your ^bjoy is full.

 37 Therefore, care not for the body, neither the life of the body;

but care for the ^asoul, and for the life of the soul.

 38 And ^aseek the face of the Lord always,

that in ^bpatience ye may possess your souls,

and ye shall have eternal life. 

 I especially liked verse 37.  I need to worry more about my soul or spirit and not so much about me physically.  The Lord brings such peace to my soul EVERY TIME I seek Him.

 

2-Sleep.  Yep this is uber important.  If I do not get a minimum of 7 hours, preferably 9, then I don't function.  I get easily depressed, want to bite people's heads off, and feel like the world is coming to and end. Why can't I be one of those people who function on less than 6?  I would love that!

 

3- Boot Camp.  Around Halloween I started going to a Boot Camp for a few reasons.  My cousin and I partnered for a physical fitness test (I can thank her for introducing me to the program), I wanted something that actually works (unlike going to Gold's and using the treadmill/elliptical over and over), I wanted to be stronger (especially in my upper body), I wanted to feel good about myself physically, and eventually I hope to see some muscle definition.  I have learned that the emotional benefits far out weigh the physical ones.  Although the physical ones are good and I have dropped 10 pounds and many inches (I weigh and measure once a month).  If your unfamiliar with it, like I was, we do stations or rotations through exercises like planks, push ups, ropes, medicine balls, burpees, kettlebells, sprints, resistance bands, squats (hate the most), and weights.  I love that the exercises change every three weeks too.  The class size is always small and individual too.  Here is their website if you want to explore...http://www.exlfitness.com/ 

 

Before and After

Two days in a row, can you believe it?!  I just had to share these pictures of these handsome boys!!!  I am so blessed to know them.  I am always amazed at the difference a haircut can make in a person. 

 

I think Drew's haircut was the most drastic, loved it!

Serious Evan, but he was the most interested in the before and after pics!

Robby loves to make faces...isn't he a cutie?!

Ryan is cute before and after, but he didn't want an after picture until he shaved. 
So lucky to have this guy in my life!!!
 







Boredom and Annoyances

It has been awhile since I have written, but nothing huge or significant has happened.  In fact I am in desperate need of a surprise or anything out of the ordinary.  I love flying by the seat of my pants and not knowing what to expect, in fact I think I thrive on it!  In the meantime I have been filling my bored moments with things such as Buzzfeed...http://www.buzzfeed.com/summeranne/gifs-that-will-make-you-laugh-every-time  or live feed of animal watching...http://explore.org/#!/live-cams/player/polar-bear-cape-churchill-cam. 

 

Well I think I really want to complain about Christmas....well not the holiday itself, but the commercialism!  I hate it!  I feel like Christmas overtakes November more and more every year and people are obsessed with shopping.  I was talking to my co-workers this week about how much they spend on gifts and was floored!  One of those people makes the same amount of money as I do.  Don't get me wrong I have snitched and listened to Christmas music early and have been wanting to put up my tree (but I will not until the day after Thanksgiving).  It is the gifts and shopping part that is driving me crazy already!  WHATEVER HAPPENED TO CHRISTMAS BEING ABOUT CHRIST?  Gift giving is ok and important, but I feel like it has become the reason for the season.  Oh and look what I just got an email about:

 If anyone reading this blog has ideas about how to make the holiday more

Christ centered I will love you forever!

 

Okay, now I feel like I need to list things I am grateful for (which I have been doing on Facebook, but since this blog is more private I can be more specific).

 

-The biggest blessing right now in my life is Ryan and the boys...Drew, Evan, Robby, and Kael.  We have gone through some hard things lately, but I love them to death.

-Another thing I am loving is my boot camp.  I only get to go 2-3 times a week,

but it is tough and makes me feel good. 

-Anything Pumpkin or gingerbread.  That being said I am trying to eat well

 and these two things make that goal hard.

-My bed!  I have been a lot more tired and emotional lately so a good night's rest is a must.

-Snow.  Every time it snows, even if it is just a little bit it makes me super happy. 

You would think I live in Alaska again. 

-Faithful friends.  For some reason I am frustrated with always being the one who contacts my friends to set up things, SO I love friends who make the effort!

 

To the Rescue

I have been meaning to write for over a week, but life has been busy.  Last week I went to see the movie "Ephraim's Rescue" with a friend of mine.  It was exactly what I needed!  I am not a crier and I cried!  I wanted to name one of my future children Ephraim because his character left such an impression on me.  It is not a perfect movie, but there is not a perfect movie, especially when it comes to Mormon drama.  My friend pointed out the humor was not accurate for the time period, but it was the stories of the Saints within the movie that left an impression.  If you want to know why this movie left such an impression on me you will have to watch the trailer below and/or refer to my other blog....milkbeforemeat.blogspot.com

Introducing...

Anyone who is close to me knows I spend all my time sleeping, at work, or with the boys.  (Okay I also work eat, work-out, and see family and friends occasionally). The boys are Ryan and his kids.  So a little introduction since I am in love with a family of 5 men now.  Obviously I don't want to share too much since this is the Internet, but not too many people know of this sight.  Ryan is an amazing Dad, selfless, hard working, good looking and very attentive.  In the last few weeks we have enjoyed Trafalga, camping, the drive-in, 7 Peaks, reading stories, and my favorite, having family scripture and prayer together.  It is a lot of fun, a lot of work, tiring, but mostly rewarding spending time with them!  Here are some pictures of them all (with the exception of the youngest little guy).

 

Playing a game while camping and goofing off with my sunglasses.

Aren't they so handsome?

 

Labor Day Vacation

This last week was the best!  It started with my parents taking me out for my birthday, two days before my birthday.  Then the day before my birthday I went to Cheesecake factory with Ryan, but beforehand he and the boys sang Happy Birthday to me and we ate my favorite Dunford Donuts.  Ryan was very thoughtful in his gift giving and spending time with me.  He definitely made me feel special.  I love him a lot!!!  On my actual birthday my 2 favorite things were getting to hold my nephew and having so many friends attend the temple with me.  After the temple we went back to my place and had a cake one of my friends made for me and ice cream, veggies, and grapes.  I have such awesome family, friends, and a boyfriend.

 

The next morning my friend and I drove down to St. George for a couple of days.  We enjoyed a play at Tuachan and the Shakespeare Festival and would have enjoyed another had it not been rained out.  We also enjoyed hiking, laying out by the pool, eating out, shopping, and sadly TV.  Neither of us watch TV at home so it was nice to do just that.  It was also fun to just chat, do our nails, and listen to a book on tape.  We hurried back Sunday morning in time for me to barely make my nephews baby blessing, followed by brunch and a long nap! 

 

The best part of my Labor Day weekend was spending time with Ryan and his boys.  They came over Sunday night and we had dinner, played games, went on a walk up the canyon and had scripture study together.  I can't get enough of these guys!  On Labor Day I spent 15 hours with them, mostly doing yard work, cleaning, running to home improvement stores, bbqing, and then finishing with a movie.  I love being apart of the family.  I love my Ryan a lot and I look forward to making more memories with them in the future.

 

Not all my friends were pictured, but 7 out of 9 is pretty good.

Yummy Lemon Blueberry cake

I have been wanting to go to the Red Barn in Santaquin for at least a year.
 I finally got there and was not let down by the licorice ice cream. 
They had so many yummy flavors!

Tuachan Theater in St. George Utah

Awesome stick on nails
( I meant to put these on when I went to Hawaii months ago).

Surprise!  I wasn't ready for this picture, but loved our hike above town.

 

I would live in St. George if it wasn't for 90 plus temps!

The most important place in town.  Sad it was closed when we were there.

 

What a great Summer:D

I has been a fabulous summer and it is quickly coming to a close, but with Fall approaching I am even happier. My favorite season is Autumn, so I am looking forward to the cooler temps, colors, pumpkins, and scents. The biggest reason I am happy is that I have been dating a fabulous guy! I have never fallen so hard and so fast. He has 4 great kids, yes, you read that right, that I love. The confusing part is he has the same name as my brother, Ryun, but at least he spells it different, Ryan. I love spending every minute with him. That's enough details to share with the world for now, haha.

My other updates since I last wrote are moving, my youngest brother having a baby, and our first family reunion.

I am so happy I had the opportunity to move. There are no downsides at this point. I went from a house that is going to have 5 girls living there to a clean apartment with only one roommate. The apartment got all new flooring before we moved in, I got to decorate, and I live above one of my brothers. I thought living above a brother would be a problem, but it doesn't bug me at all. I love that we can turn our air on 80 and it is cold. I love that I have room in the kitchen. I love that my roommate and I have opposite schedules, but still get chances to talk. So here are a few snippets of what I have unpacked or decorated:

Beach Bathroom

Mini Greenhouse...I love having Rosemary, Oregano, Chives, Cilantro, and Basil at home

Thanks Janet for the shelf!

Shells from my travels

Love my God and Country

Nice place to sit in the evenings

If you look closely you will see my mini garden

Love my new couches and my roommates picture

Not sure that I like this line up, but don't want to deal with more nail holes.

 

We also had our first family reunion in Colorado this year.  The whole family wasn't able to come, but it was still very worth it and we are hoping to do it every year.  We stayed in my time share in a resort mountain town with room for all of us.  I was able to workout, taking E with me so she could play in the children's playroom.  My brother and sister in law were able to go on bike rides during this time too while my parents watched baby N.  We also went on a great 5 mile hike while my brother carried E on his back (he is pretty buff, lol).  We went swimming a few times, BBQed, and played Mexican Train a few times.  It was nice to relax and visit.  The downside was little E dislocating her elbow and my brother having to pop it back into place.  The funny thing is she was so happy afterwards.  We went to roast marshmallows and the gas on the fire pit was not working, so the maintenance guy said he was going to try one more thing and he walked away and E said, "Oh man!"  It was hilarious.   I miss both kids a ton, especially how smiley and happy N was.  Who knows when I will get to see them next, but I love all my family.



 

Looking forward to a fun birthday week next week.  I get to celebrate with Ryan, my friends, and hopefully my family.  In addition I am headed to St. George for my yearly trip with my friend to hike and see plays:)