uncut sunday

What I have learned from my husband:
-To take time to relax
-To be silly sometimes
-To work hard for what you want, even if you have to do something you don't want to for a while
-That family is most important
-Sacrifice
-Men eat more than women
-To ask for help sometimes
-To say what I'm feeling. Always
-The end of the world is not always nigh at hand
-That it's hard not to love someone unconditionally when you are always working together on your relationship

healthy snacks

Since I'm mainly just going to school right now it is so easy to pack unhealthy snacks for while I'm out and about.
And also to munch on unhealthy things while I sit at home.
I try not to keep too many unhealthy things available so that it's not even an option.
However, I don't want to just go hungry because I JUST WANT A BROWNIE AND NOTHING ELSE!!!
So I keep a list of healthy snacks available so that when I'm feeling the hunger I can satiate it.

1. Hard Boiled Eggs
2. Cut up Fruits and Veggies
3. Rick Cakes (Plain with honey or seasoned flavors)
4. Granola and Yogurt
5. Turkey and cheese roll-ups
6. Celery and Peanut Butter
7. Pretzels
8. Sweet Potato Fries
9. Trail Mix
10. Toast with Peanut Butter or Butter and Cinnamon

But then there is also the stash of candy in the back of the pantry...

valentines craft tutorial

(I definitely forgot to include the nails in this picture, but...you know what nails look like)
This project was literally $5.
Easy peasy!!
Who doesn't need a decoration for Valentine's Day?
Also, if it matches your decor, keep it up all year!
Here's how you do it.
1. Paint your sign whatever color you would like.
2. Cut out a picture of a heart and set it on the board.
3. Hammer in nails all around the picture, hitting each nail very gently approximately 100 times.
4. Wrap the string around the nails for as long as you would like.
5. Add any extra embellishments you would like

If these directions don't satisfy you, go look for different ones on Pinterest.

utah bucket list

I have a list of adventures to go on and places to see while I'm living in Utah.
It's so easy to plan trips outside of your state but then forget the ones that are closest to you.
So I made a list of only Utah adventures so I can learn to appreciate where I live a little bit more!

1. Mystic Hot Springs
2. Snow Canyon
3. Zions
4. CanyonLands
5. Monument Valley
6. Arches
7. Paris River Canyon
8. Silver Lake
9. Ding Canyon
10. Mt. Timp
11. Coyote Gulch
12. The Wave
13. Lake Powell
14. Salt Flatts
15. Leeds
16. Capital Reef
17. Backpack Mount Loafer
18. Escalante
19. Antelope Island
20. Neon Canyon
21. Squaw Peak
22. Kanarraville Falls
23. Meadow Hot Springs
23. Goblin Valley
24. Coral Pink Sand Dunes
25. Kennecott Copper Mine
26. Bryce canyon
27. Bear Lake
28. Park City
29. Drive Alpine Loop in Fall
30. Homestead Crater

I know technically some of these are not in Utah, but they are close enough!
Have you done any one these?
What other things should I add to my list?

uncut sunday

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Be OK.
It took me a long time to realize that it’s OK to be something other than happy.
The feelings that I feel are human and good and should be expressed.
Negative feelings should not be ignored and pushed to the backs of our mind to collect dust and I shouldn’t punish myself for these feelings.
It’s OK to get mad at someone, but it’s also OK to say sorry.
It’s OK to be unapologetically remorseful, occasionally irrational, and overly anxious.
These are the things that make us who we are.
It’s OK to be who we are and it’s OK to be unique and it’s OK to be weird.
It’s OK if you want to stay in your room by yourself on a Friday night; it’s OK if you decide to not do that homework assignment; it’s OK to eat that fifth cookie; and it’s OK if you burn dinner. We put so much pressure on ourselves to be perfect, but it’s OK if we’re not.
So here these four letters sit, written on my mirror, to remind me every day that I will be OK.
Even if nothing is working out or I am making more mistakes than I can count, I am still OK.
I don’t need to be the best, the prettiest, the smartest, or perfect.
I know that I am enough because those four little letters tell me that I am all the time.

1994

I don't remember anything from 1994 either...I was still too little.
But I did find this picture of me at Halloween..
Dressed as...maybe a black cat?
Hard to tell.
Well, welcome to 1994:
>A movie ticket cost $4.08
>First genetically engineered tomatoes available.
>Popular Films: The Shawshank Redemption, The Lion King, The Flintstones, The Mask, Dumb and Dumber, Forrest Gump
>Popular Musicians: Bon Jovi, Janet Jackson, Rolling Stones, Pearl Jam
>O.J. Simpson arrested.
>The TV show Friends launched. Need I go on?
>Original Playstation console launched.
>The cell phones were brick-like
>Power Rangers action figure was the best selling Christmas toy.
>And these terrible commercials:

My 1993 Post

anxiety

For a couple of years I have been dealing with anxiety. Only twice has it ever grown into a full-blown paramedics-necessary attack. But I think that I've gotten better at handling it, even though it is still a constant struggle to find balance. I know that a lot of people have anxiety so I wanted to share some of the things that help me. Here they are:
1. Breathe. I actually used to go to breathing therapy and it was amazing. It really taught me how to control my breathing which would then control my thoughts and feelings a little better. When I start to get really anxious it helps to just take some really deep breaths to calm myself down a little bit. (The key here is deep breathing. Shallow breathing will only make it worse.)
2.Watch Disney channel. Seriously. Or really just anything that can make you zone out and veg. Do not under any circumstance watch something that is going to make your heart rate change rapidly. Action, drama, horror.....should not be the genres of choice here. Anything that can just level out all of my emotions is going to get me to stop being anxious a lot quicker. (So..sadly, no Grey's Anatomy sometimes)
3. A hobby. It has to be one that distracts your mind but doesn't frustrate you. So, it can't be anything too challenging. For example, I can go to the gym but I can't sew even though I absolutely love to sew. However, it can frustrate me sometimes. And doing something that is frustrating is not going to be beneficial when you have anxiety. Do something that you know how to do and is easy for you.
4. Service. This honestly sounds so silly and cliche, but honestly serving others makes you forget yourself. I don't go around serving my neighbors all of the time (or ever), but a great alternative is to serve your spouse or another family member. I love to clean and cook like a good mormon wife so it doesn't really feel like service when I'm doing it, but it does get my mind off of other things.
5. Be positive. This is honestly the hardest thing for me because it is so easy for me to get upset about too many things. I wish that I could just laugh at misfortune faster than I can get upset about it, but it is sooo hard. When I do laugh at the bad things though, anxiety definitely can't take the same hold over me.
6. Write. I have a specific notebook that I write in when I have anxiety. I usually have anxiety about one aspect of life at a time and I can't get over it until I write it down and try to "solve" it. So my notebook is filled with random things that I have gotten anxious over. One time I had anxiety about what I was eating so I have a page where I logged all of my food (and then stopped when the anxiety about it stopped). I have one page where I logged all of my expensive purchases, present and future (and then stopped when my anxiety about it stopped). And I have a page where I wrote my dreams in life because I had anxiety about the future (and then stopped writing every dream when my anxiety about it stopped). It just makes it so much easier to overcome anxiety when you get it out of your mind. Otherwise, it will just tumble around in there growing bigger and bigger.

I'm no expert but these are the things that help me.
I hope they helped you :)

uncut sunday

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Hatred is a scary thing.
We all feel anger and sadness and bitterness and all sorts of negative things.
But the feeling of absolute hatred is scary.
I feel as if this is the one emotion that can just lock on and grip you so tightly.
It starts out as one little thought or feeling and, if not stopped when it starts, can grow into something that you don't even recognize anymore.
It can change you into someone that you don't know.
But there is something that is so much more powerful than hatred.
And that is Peace.
And Peace should always win.
Two people lashing words of hate at each other never solved anything.
But if just one person exhibits peace, it can keep the hatred from getting out of control.
The news is filled with people doing horrible, horrific acts because their hatred took over.
One thought boiled and boiled until it boiled over and changed everything.
It's hard to not let such a strong feeling feast on every part of your heart,
But if you stop it when it starts, Peace will win.
And if Peace doesn't outwardly win, you will still have your Peace for yourself.
And that's enough of a win.

twenty four

It was my honey boo boo's birthday!!!!
He is not quite an old man yet, but he feels like it.
We celebrated with family last night and will keep the celebrations going this weekend.
I hosted this little party and made the grub, tripling every recipe I had.
It was pretty good if I do say so myself, but the stress of hosting is a lot.
I may have to take a year off!
Regardless, I'm so happy that we could celebrate the man that cooks me steak, introduces me to weird things, tickles me far too often, makes me laugh all the time, works so hard everyday so that I can go to school, and always thinks of me.
Also, it looks like the little boy by the cake belongs to us, but....he doesn't.
He just really likes cake.

skin care routine

I hardly ever wash my face.
I remember to do it....maybe once a week?
But since I've been going to the gym, I have noticed that my face has not been the supple, radiant face it once used to be.
I decided it might be time to start taking care of my skin more.
So here is my "hippy" skin care routine.
Because I made it all myself, obviously.
I still don't wash my face every morning, but every night I follow these steps:
0. If I wore makeup that day I use a makeup remover wipe. I usually use half a wipe and save the rest for the next day.

1. I wash my face with 3 ingredients: Water, Glycerin, and bar soap. But it's important to use a natural bar soap like Dr. Bronners. See how to make it  here.

2. I spray my face with the same toner from my gym bag. It has half filtered water, half Apple Cider Vinegar, and 6 drops Meleluca (or Tea Tree Oil). The Meleluca reduces skin inflammation and ACV helps remove dead skin cells. Just shake before each use.

3. Last, I moisturize. I got enough coconut oil to fill my container (I used an old candle container that I cleaned) and beat it so it's nice and fluffy. Then add 10 drops of Frankincense and 10 drops of Lavender. (The amount of drops is relative to the amount of coconut oil. 10 drops each is for 3/4 cups of coconut oil.) The Frankincense helps protect skin cells, prevents wrinkles, and tightens the skin. Lavender helps treat acne and calms you down. You can use any oils that have benefits for your skin, but these are the ones I chose.

And then once a week I exfoliate for a deeper treatment.

fitness bag

I've started going to the gym in the mornings, before work or errands.
And I always feel so disgusting afterwards because I don't have everything that I need.
So I decided to put it all together in a small bag that I can grab before I go.
Now, instead of grabbing my purse full-of-crap before I run to the gym, I can now grab this little pouch that has everything that I need.
It has face towelettes so that I can rid myself of sweat before I go out into the public.
I also have my gym ID, obviously.
My chapstick and hair ties/headband.
My I-pod and headphones.
And last, my toner to keep me feeling fresh.
Depending on where I need to go after the gym, I can grab deodorant or my wallet to go in there as well.
It's really a bag of wonders.

1993

The year was 1993.
Wasn't I just a cutie?
Derek thinks I resemble Kevin from The Office.
Opinions?
I don't remember much of what I was doing back then cause I was not really able to make memories at 6 months.
But here are some exciting things that happened in 1993:
>Cost of a gallon of gas: $1.14 (this is exciting stuff alright?)
>Bill Clinton was president
>Beanie Babies are invented!!!!!! (I didn't collect those. I collected something a LOT more terrifying. Post to come.)
>Films: Jurassic Park, Mrs. Doubtfire, Sleepless in Seattle
>Popular Musicians: Snoop Doggy Dogg, Garth Brooks, Radiohead, Aerosmith, Madonna, Nirvana, Meatloaf
>First humans cloned
>Audrey Hepburn dies
>Derek turns 1. :)
Was this informative? Cute? All of the above?
I hope so.

road trip essentials

When Derek and I headed down to Moab this is a lil sample of what we took.
And now I'm here to inform you of some pretty important road trip essentials.
*Note: The meat and salad aren't absolutely necessary, but they are nice ;)

1. First, you will need music. CD's, I-Pod, Radio.....anything to make sure that your tunes don't get too boring. But I do suggest listening to the radio in small towns. They do happen to have the best music playing!
2. Water. This is incredibly necessary. Just don't drink too too much or you will have to stop on the side of the road a LOT. But I did pack way more than we actually needed because I was a bit worried that we might get stuck in a snowstorm somewhere.
3. Snacks!! Do not forget about food! And do not pack them in the trunk either. Keep them somewhere handy so that the passenger can easily grab for them and feed the driver! Some snack ideas: Pretzels, trail mix, cookies, hard boiled eggs, nuts, grapes, cuties....
4. Tissues. And baby wipes. And facial wipes. Anything to make you more comfortable when you're stuck in the car for so long and start to stink. Or have to sneeze. Or clean up something nasty.
5. Hand Sanitizer. Always hand sanitizer. So you can feel a little cleaner being stuck with a bunch of people in a car.
6. Cards and activities. If you're a passenger it is your duty to keep the driver from getting too bored. Would You Rather cards are great, a book of fun facts, etc. Also, just regular old playing cards for pit stops along the way.
7. First aid kit. For you and the car. You can never be too prepared when you're heading out onto the open road. Especially when you don't know where the nearest mechanic or hospital is going to be. Or you're going to be out of cell range. Gotta be careful!
8. Pillows. Honestly, probably the most important thing ever. Whether you are going to nap in the car, camp, stay at a hotel, stay with a friend, etc. It is so much easier to have a good night's sleep when you at least have your own pillow!
9. Some form of bag or can to put all your trash in. So you don't have to be napping or sitting for hours in garbage, make sure you have somewhere to put it all. Comfort is always important on a road trip.
10. Comfy clothes. Don't be wearing a dress or fancy shoes. Wear your sweats, fuzzy socks, and slippers.

uncut sunday

I have been making some big decisions about school and it really fills me with anxiety.
What if I'm not making the right decision?
How is this all going to work out?
What if it doesn't work out?
Then what will I do?
All day I've been trying to put my anxieties to the side and just focus on trusting in God.
Trusting that these big decisions will be good and that if it doesn't work out, it will still be OK.
All through church I was torn between thinking about all of these things that give me anxiety and focusing on the Lord.
Eventually by the end I was able to be calm and feel at peace with the decisions I am making.
For me, sometimes being at church is like being hugged by someone until you finally accept the hug.
You resist and resist but they squeeze tighter and tighter until you finally relax.
Maybe that's really why I go to church.
I might not get much out of it, but at least I feel more calm at the end.
And that's OK.
After all, the Lord is trying to change us from who we think we are to who He knows we are.

a lover's excursion

Prepare yourselves for a photo dump.
Because Derek and I went on an adventure.
We were going to go to San Francisco but, we have school to pay for.
So we decided to explore our own backyard instead and go to Moab.
(Which was actually a few hours farther than our backyard, but whatever.)
Even though it was below freezing down there we still saw a ton of people hiking the trails.
We saw all the sights and were amazed at the power of nature.
Someday these will be gone and we can now say that we got to behold their glory.
Covered in snow nonetheless.
For the night we decided to stay in a yurt.
Which is basically better than a tent but worse than a motel.
Once we got the fire in the wood burning stove going it was nice and toasty in this little one room masterpiece.
We cooked us up some steaks and ate them by the fire and then spent the rest of the night relaxing.
(Without Netflix)
We went exploring the next morning when it was sunny and found the toilet.
Which is outside facing the best view on the whole lot; the beautiful mountains to the North, West, and East.
(Unfortunately not pictured here due to heavy fog)
We opted to use the gas station bathroom so that the neighbor goat wouldn't walk up on us while we were taking care of business.
All in all, it was a fabulous little adventure that let me see how truly manly my husband is!
I would definitely recommend going to Arches in the Winter when it is a lot less busy than the Summer.
And I would 100 times over recommend staying in a yurt.
Find the perfect one for you at GlampingHub!