34:03

See those numbers up above? yeah....that was my time in the 5k on Saturday! Awesome, right?!

34:03.

That is a minute and half FASTER than my last time of 35:35. :o) Also! I only walked ONE BLOCK of the entire 5k. That in of itself is a HUGE ACCOMPLISHMENT for me.

See, the last time I ran 3 miles (about a week ago with Solider Boy) I had to walk a good portion of our run. So to only walk one block, that was an awesome feat for me. I am feeling so good about my accomplishments from this last 5k. Now I need to find one to run in each month for the rest of the summer. I'm looking forward to dropping my time to 30 minutes or less. :o)

WOO HOO!!!!

Tender Mercy Tuesday: 58th Edition

Hello my dears! I hope this Tuesday has brought you something wonderful. My Tuesday has brought me big, giant, romantic snowflakes and hopes and dreams of the future.

I have two thoughts for today. The first having to do with just this past Sunday. I wasn't feel down, per se, but I did have a few struggles on my mind and things I was praying about.  At the end of my wonderful set of meetings a dear sister came up to me and paid me the sweetest compliment I think I've received since becoming the Relief Society President. It was a simple compliment, but one that I will always treasure and rely on during hard times.

The second thought is that we have an extra 24 hours to our lives this year. I've known all year long that this year was a leap year which equals an extra day to the year...however I didn't really think about the fact that we're going to get a WHOLE extra 24 hours! I mean, this is an opportunity that only comes once every FOUR years. It's kind of a big deal! How often do we wish that we had more time? An extra day? Well, this year you're getting it! Granted, it's probably going to feel much like any other day (especially for me who gets to work and meet with her bishop. :o) ) But I can't help but want to do something to make the day feel just a tad special.

So my dears, what will you do with your extra 24 hours?

Tender Mercy Tuesday: 57th Edition

Hello dears. I hope you are doing splendidly and are enjoying "Fat Tuesday."

If you're not Catholic (like myself) then this day holds no extreme significance for you. I have, in the past, given up "things" for Lent. However, this year I am focusing not so much on giving things up, but getting things done. Occupying my life. Attempting to be patient until an unknown future date.

Life has been an interesting roller coaster ride as of late. I don't see it as being one of tons of ups and downs, but more of one with lots of twists and turns, new things around every bend. I have understood for a long time that God is omnipotent, but it still never ceases to amaze me how well he knows me and the ability he has to take me on a journey that is the best possible route for me.

Solider Boy told me a personal story last night that directly related to us and our future relationship that just confirmed to me how right this situation is for us right now. I've known it's right, but any outside evidence is always helpful to combating the feelings of doubt and fear that Satan tries to instill into my mind. I'm constantly reciting and remembering Doctrine and Covenants 6:36, "Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not." This scripture is pulling and pushing me through this unknown amount of time. How I love the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Basically, I want you to know that I KNOW that God is looking out for us no matter our situation or religious affiliation. We are all children of Him and He wants us to be a happy and joyful people. What a great thing to have - an omnipotent being rooting for us every step of the way. :o)

God bless.

p.s. If you happen to be LDS and have a favorite General Conference talk, I'd love for you to share it with me. I'm speaking in my congregation in a few weeks and have complete freedom in choosing my topic from a General Conference talk. However, I have no idea where to start - so please share your favorite talk of all time! Thanks!

Tender Mercy Tuesday - 56th Edition

Sometimes I dread doing my Tender Mercy Tuesday posts - I just don't feel like doing them on occasion, but it is always those times when I really DO need to do said meme posts. I always find myself more thankful for the little things in my life that help keep me happy.

Today's small thing is actually two small things. See...I was having a rough night yesterday. I was letting my emotions get the better of me and was struggling with a few personal matters. I knew that the doubts I were having were pointless - doubts don't come from God, but it didn't matter, I was still doubting and hesitating. Then, I read this quote that Roommate R left on my doorstep over a year ago when I was going through a hard time.

"Things work out; it isn't as bad as you sometimes think it is. It all works out, don't worry. I say that to myself every morning. It will all work out. If you do your best, it will all work out. Put your trust in God, and move forward with faith and confidence in the future. The Lord will not forsake us. If we will put our trust in him, if we will pray to him, if we will live worthy of his blessings, he will hear our prayers." - President Gordon B. Hinckley

I love this quote. It always reminds me that everything will work out. I just need to do those things necessary to stay faithful to the gospel of Jesus Christ. 

My second thing is Soldier Boy. We talked for just a few minutes last night (unlike the normal hour or two that we usually go for) mostly because he wanted to make sure I got the sleep I needed. (he's way too good to me) I was happy just to hear his voice and get to talk to him even if it was only for a few minutes. Then I woke up this morning and noticed that he had texted me several hours later. That text message was filled with the exact words I was needing to hear. He's just so sweet and tender to me and knows exactly what I need and when I need it. I'm so grateful to have him in my life. :o)

Have a great Tuesday all!

Tender Mercy Tuesday - 53rd Edition

This is my FIRST tender mercy post of the new year! Wow! I didn't realize it had been so long!

I have been really blessed so far at the beginning of this year with good friends, an understanding family and a Heavenly Father who loves me and is willing to guide me through my crazy moments. Answers to prayers are always the best thing, even when you don't necessarily want to hear those answers.

Life keeps on getting more and more exciting and I can't wait to see what is in store for me in the coming months. I'm rather excited about it all. :o)

Happy Tuesday everyone!

How I deal....

I can usually handle a break-up pretty well. usually being the key word.

This time around has been interesting since I saw the other side of breaking-up. I have found myself still going through the same grief cycle and what not.

First thing that's always on my agenda? New shoes. Oh and did these new shoes deliver...please observe:

Hot, no? I am so in love with these gold glitter stilettos. They make me tall, add some pizzaz to any outfit and are just plain AWESOME.

Next thing on my agenda is to immerse myself in crafty projects and hang out with all my friends. Done and done. I finished my sister's wedding gift (a wedding album of everything from their wedding. I am so awesome) and gave it to her this weekend. I hung out with Surfer Boy and other peeps from my ward and basically just had a fun time.

The next thing that usually happens after a break-up is that I begin to miss having a boyfriend but don't necessarily miss the boy I was dating specifically. I am currently in that phase. It is always a hard phase to get out of, but I will persevere. :o) Today I'm doing that by reminding myself of the awesomeness through a few quotes. Enjoy and have a marvelous Martin Luther King Jr. Day (I SO wish I had the day off. :( )

a relief with sadness sandwich

So. I'm currently chowing down on a relief with sadness sandwich. I know, it doesn't sound like the most exciting sandwich in the world, but it is one filled with everything that my mind, heart, and soul need right now.

Last night I broke up with Monkey Man. Sad, I know. But it had to happen. See....things just weren't jiving for me anymore. There's a whole lot of reason to why I broke up with him, but a lot of it is SO personal that I just don't feel comfortable sharing it here. I do know that it was the right thing to do - without a doubt. It was sad to see his face fall when I told him the things I needed to tell him, but he took it graciously and didn't put up a fight. I don't know what I was expecting, maybe more tears? I'm a really hard person to break up with and so I just figured it could quite possibly be like that. Luckily, it wasn't and after I left his house I drove down to see Sister B and her hubby. We talked a bit and finished a puzzle that's been on their table since Thanksgiving. :o)

After I got home I saw this quote twice in two different places within 5 minutes of each other:

While it isn't perfect, I do feel like it describes what I did. The courage that it took to do what I did didn't roar. And here I am tyring again....not in the same way - but I am not going to wallow. I am not going to throw myself a pity party because I KNOW that what I did was right. I KNOW that there are other things out there for me and I KNOW that I'm going to be okay. I just have to keep on trying. And try I will. My dear friend blogged about courage and having to choose between things that are "good" and things that are "best." Not always an easy choice as I have found out. Her words of wisdom rang true to me last night and this I know..... I will try again tomorrow. Until another time my friends, God bless.

2012's Word of the Year

k guys. I've thought about this a TON. I've struggled to come up with a word. But I finally picked one.

I really loved my word for 2011: Flourish. It was so good to me and really helped me get over some hard things. It also helped me rediscover myself and the strength that I have inside of me.

For 2012, I had a different goal with my word of the year. I didn't want to be stagnant this year. I wanted to learn, grow, and achieve many things that will get me to where I want to be in the long run. Here's the thing though - I've noticed that lately I am SO focused on the END goal that I forget all of the small, short-term goals that will get me to my ending point. I haven't been living in the moment as much as I've wanted - but instead focusing on some point in the distant future. Some point that I don't even know where/when it would happen. That has got to stop. (in my humble opinion) So this year, my word is all about focusing on the NOW and living in the MOMENT while still doing things to get me to where I ultimately want to arrive.

So the Word of the Year for 2012 is....

(drum roll please......)

Occupy

the Merriam-Webster dictionary defines Occupy as the following:

1: to engage the attention or energies of 

2a: to take up (a place or extent in space) b: to take or fill (an extent in time)

   

3a: to take or hold possession or control of  b: to fill or perform the functions of

4: to reside in as an owner or tenant 

I plan on doing all of that. I am going to OCCUPY my life. I am going to take control of my life, reside in as THE owner, engage my own attention in said life and fill my life with everything good. This year will be the year of DOING things and not just dreaming or wondering. I am going to enjoy every little moment and try not to freak out when something awful happens that could throw a wrench into my long-term plans. Occupying my life will help me focus on the short-term goals that I have for myself and force me to live day-to-day. so....here goes!!