Day 20 - Somewhere you'd love to travel

Europe

I think its obvious why I want to visit Europe, I mean, its simply beautiful & so full of history. To look at things that were built thousands of years ago, just boggles my mind. Here are just a few of the places I would love to visit.

Stonehenge


The Colosseum


The Pantheon


The Eiffel Tower


And still more! Ooooo to go and travel, to hear other languages spoken, to see the original copies of art I've always admired, just to experience life in other parts of the world, to feel miles away from where I am now... would be such an adventure.

Day 19 - When you were little

Now I don't know what you're thinking, but I think I was just about the darn cutest little blonde hula girl there ever was. I mean, look at my coconut bra!

Day 18 - Your biggest insecurity

Everybody has insecurities, but I try not to think about them, or linger on them, because that doesn't help any of us see that we are children of God. To be insecure is to lack of confidence or assurance, or to have self-doubt. So why would I want to give you an example of one of my biggest insecurities? I guess to show that I'm just like everybody else, that I can feel inadequate, and that I do not always remember that I am daughter of the divine. But, also to remind you that accepting/realizing your insecurities gets you one step closer to overcoming them. So here it goes:

My Weight


I am a fairly confident woman, with a healthy outlook on my body. But weight has been bothersome. I do believe I am working towards a more healthy lifestyle which makes me feel better about myself every day.

Don't linger on your insecurities, remember how wonderful you are! And if you don't remember, ask those who love you, and I know they'll remind you what an amazingly beautiful person you are!

Day 17 - Something that has made an impact on your life recently

ART

I don't know why, but I have realized my innate desire to draw & doodle my brains out! Jon has been so supportive of me, buying me colored pencils, paint brushes, art pads, and oil paints. He's just the sweetest spouse. I have been putting off drawing because I can't leave my art out. Sometimes you need to be able to do a little work, and let it sit, coming back to it later with fresh eyes. We unfortunately live in a small one bedroom basement with a very very small table which serves as counter space + our dinning table + our desk for computers & work + anything else we need a table top for. So this limited space does not allow me to leave my work out for days at a time until I'm ready to leap back in again.

This has been a challenge.

I think I've figured it out though. I've been trying to do just a little bit of art every day. Whether it be writing in my journal to doodle the events, or using my colored pencils on a paper drawing, or pulling out the water colors for a quick picture. So I guess the thing that has made the greatest impact is the realization that I can contribute to & grow my talents in small ways, not just in huge projects.

So here is one I colored the other night. Just a mermaid, it wont take too long to finish her.

Day 16 - Someone who inspires you

My Aunt Jackie

She's really just been an amazing inspiration lately. She's just has the most positive outlook on life. She's determined to make the best of any situation & always encourages me to not give up on things I love. She's sweet to everyone she knows/meets & always makes you feel loved & special. She has this way of telling stories that makes it so that you can't help but laugh! I love the hilarious things she tells me about my mom. Everything about her just shows how enthusiastic she is about life & how much optimism she has no matter the challenge.


This Aunt Jackie, me, and my mom in our Easter bonnets.

Day 15 - Something you want to do before you die

Service Mission for Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints with Jon. We may not really be this old, but I would like to think we'd still look that adorable :)

Day 14: Someone you couldn't imagine your life without

Jonathan, my husband


Honestly I couldn't be without him. He's all the things I need, logical when I'm all emotions. Sweet when I'm all whine. Muscle when I'm all whimp. He's my handsome man & I can't imagine life without him. I can't believe we'll have been married 3 years this August.

Three things that have changed from having Jon in my life:
1. Sleeping - I hated having someone close to me when we were first married, but Jon forced me to let him hug me while we slept. Although that took a while, I can't imagine a night without him now.
2. Eating Out - Jon has taught me how to appreciate food & being served. I can't go out to great food without wishing Jon was there to enjoy it with me
3. Driving - since we've been married I've really come to appreciate sitting in the passenger seat & not having to stress about the thick traffic.

Jon's taught me so much. About growing up and being responsible, about working together as a team. He's brought me closer to my Savior, and has been such an example of endless love for family. He will be there at a moments notice for anyone who needs it. He is the patriarch of our little family, and he loves me eternally. I never understood how much love can grow for one person until I had him.

Day 13: Favorite band or artist

Sarah McLachlan


I love her voice. Its so full of emotion, yet so beautiful! I have always wanted to be able to sing a lullaby like she can. I love her rendition of Rainbow Connection

Day 12: Something you love

The story of Peter Pan


There is something so blissful at the thought of flying away to Neverland & leaving all grown up cares behind. For much of my young life I was determined I would not grow up, determined that Neverland must exist. Glad to say I never was swept away, because there is so much I would have missed out on. Being a grown up is not as horrible as it seems, because of love & family. I believe the story endures because J.M. Barrie made that a big part of the story, the deciding factor to make the Darling children come home. And in the end, isn't that what we really want? Love?

Day 11: Something you hate

The word EPIC!


It has been overused basically since the day it was made popular. Does anyone really even know who/what made this word such a hit? I'm not sure, but I can tell you that it drives me crazy when people use it. This Christmas my husband, in an attempt to break my thirteen year old brother from using it, said it every other word when he spoke with Brandon. I finally had a break down & told them one of them would die if they kept it up. Brandon was just blown away that I could ever hate such an amazing word, but Jon knew it was coming. Just a little while later Michael & Brandon made their own video tribute to the much hated word.

Day 10: The person you've done the most crazy things with

Samantha


She was the best friend who encouraged me to do what I was too nervous to admit I wanted to try. First one to buy me a thong, first person to go streaking with me, first person to get me into a bikini. I owe so much of my confidence & carefree attitude to Sam. She's been there for the crazy fun, and the serious.



I am so blessed to have these two:

Dear Parents

Jasmine was in a relationship with a dirty homeless boy named Aladdin. Snow White lived alone with 7 men. Pinnochio was a liar. Robin Hood was a thief. Tarzan walked around without clothes on. A stranger kissed sleeping beauty and she married him. Cinderella lied and snuck out at night to attend a party. You can't blame us. We were taught to rebel since a young age.

Day 09: The person who has gotten you through the most

Anna


Sweetest friend I could have asked for. Always forgives me if I go a little crazy, and always one stand by you. Prettiest person I know inside & out. Inspires me to be kinder & think the best of others. Always made me feel talented, pretty, confident, and like I was deserving of her, even though I'm not. Love you dearly sweet Anya.

Day 08: A picture that makes you laugh

When we went to Vegas last year with Dad & Rachel, Mike & Brit, and Jon & I. Brit & I wanted to go into the "hot tub" which was really an enormous bathtub in our suite. So we filled it with bubbles & wore our bathingsuits being cute. We asked Rachel to take a photo of us. Taking a que from us, our cute husbands went on to take this photo...


This photo always gets me. "What happens in vegas?"

Day 07: Your most treasured item

My journal is probably my MOST treasured item. I have had many of them over the years, this one isn't even a year old yet. I love writing down my feelings. This past Christmas I read through my old journals, and boy was I funny at 13. Boy crazy, creative, and clever to boot. I almost feel like they should be published because of the universal truth in them. Its strange to look back & realize that same girl at 13 influenced who I became when we seem so different. So, I don't have many of my older journals to show you, but I thought I could put in some illustrations from this journal, and my last journal.


This image is from just the other day when the pilot light on our water heater went out & we were forced to take cold showers. I was complaining, and procrastinating the shower.


This is one from about a month ago, when I had Martin Luther King, JR day off & I decided to spruce up our apartment.


This is from my old journal. This is from 2007, the day I received the news that I had gotten into BYU. I was over @ Anna's house & my mom came rushing out of the bathroom to hear the news.

This is from my college days before Jon. I was thinking that it was stupid that you have to have a bunch of lame guys before you find your prince. (I met Jon a month later)


And finally, I was really tired of the "woman" jokes that people tell, people meaning men. The joke that brought on this picture, was "why are women's feet smaller than mens? Because they have to stand closer to the stove." It drove me crazy because it came from a stupid high school pal.

Day 06: A person you'd love to trade places with for a day

This one is really hard for me, its not that I don't sometimes want to, but I don't think about it often enough to know the ONE person I would want to trade places with... I'll do my best. If I had to pick someone, I think it might be,

Keira Knightly.


She has been in so many awesome movies & I would just love to be in her placing, filming Price & Prejudice, Pirates of the Caribbean, The Duchess, even Bend it Like Beckham. I would love to wear her costumes & have a makeup artist do all the work to get me ready, and then get to act with other top notch actors & actresses, being directed by the greatest! What a fun day to be on a film set!

Day 05: Your favorite memory

How could I pick any other day than August 28th, 2008? The day Jon & I were sealed. Life has been amazing since he came into my life & I couldn't ask for anything better. The only other day I was tempted to put on here instead, was the day Jon asked me to marry him, at Disneyland. O I couldn't ask for a more perfect proposal. So I think its ok to put this in as 2nd place.


Its hard to tell, but I'm showing off my new ring

Day 04: A picture of your evening

A picture of your evening

Our sweet 4 month old boxer Capone was spayed today. She's fine, but definitely drugged out. Or is it drugged up? I don't really know, and as Jon so sweetly pointed out, I did once say that you purchased drugs from a "drug master" or "drugger"... Jon didn't take that comment very seriously.


The drive home from the clinic


This evening nestled on the couch

Day 03: A picture of the cast from your favorite show

Modern Family baby!

Day 02: The person you have been close with for the longest

Shelby

I almost put a picture of my mom, buts thats kind of a given, I mean, she did give birth to me (Thank you mama) but next in line would have to be my o so darling sister! I love her.

30 Day Picture Challenge

So on Facebook I am doing the 30 Day Picture Challenge, so I thought I might as well post that here too. Sorry for 3 all at once.

Day 01
15 Facts about yourself:


1. My birthday is one month after Valentine's Day
2. I secretly LOVE Star Wars
3. I openly LOVE Disney
4. My two best friends are Samantha Steigleder & Anna Allen
5. I have 4 awesome siblings
6. I have been dying my hair since I was about 12 or 13 years old
7. Spring is my favorite season
8. Christmas is, by far, my favorite holiday
9. My favorite color is purple
10. My favorite number is 17
11. "The Alchemist" is my favorite book
12. I married the love of my life
13. I am an artist
14. I really really really want to travel the world someday
15. I am an avid journal keeper

Disneyland Day!

So... as many of you may, or may not, know... I have a huge love for Disneyland! This love has been fueled by years of living 15 minutes away from the park, loving parents who encourage & share my passion, siblings who love fun facts, and a husband whose family also adores it. My brother Michael, and his lovely wife Brit have begun a new tradition of having a Disneyland Day once a year. It is on a designated weekend (always the 2nd weekend of March, so always near my birthday) that the entire family, grandparents, aunts & uncles, second cousins, or just good friends, are all invited to come participate in this monumental day! I am SO excited to go with them this year & several years to come.

In preparation for this fun event, I am preparing a medley of music which is to be basically the theme music of the park & its lands. Almost as if you were walking through the streets, what you would be hearing. Its been somewhat of a daunting task, and its not entirely right yet, but I am SO excited for the end result! The current CD includes:

1. Welcome - the welcome speech Walt first gave on opening day in 1955
2. Main Street, USA - the sounds of the train station, shops, crowds, and even the horse-drawn transportation that echoes down the street
3. Fantasyland - a medley of Disney's greatest fairy tale music tracks
4. Frontierland - gun shots ringing through the air, Davey Crockett's theme song, and all that sounds that remind us "this here is the wildest ride in the wilderness!"
5.Adventureland - jungle noises that could be heard on jungle cruise or Indiana Jones... and a few sound clips from the iconic thrill ride "this could get a bit... errr... bumpy"
6. Tomorrowland - transport yourself into the future with sounds from Star Tours, Space Mountain, and Astro Blasters!
7. New Orleans - the jazzy south mixes with two iconic rides, Pirates of the Carribbean & the Haunted Mansion
8. Fantasmic - relive the magical evening show

This is not set in stone, and may still change, but these images are what I was thinking might be nice to include with each CD.

Fashion Prints

I love etsy.com & I found these awesome prints. They make me want to have a makeup room all to myself with images like these sprawled across the walls. If you want to see what else this artist has, check out her site on Etsy
http://www.etsy.com/shop/jkldesign?ref=seller_info




If watercolors are more your style, check out this artist:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/silverridgestudio?ref=seller_info



I love how subtle & soft these pieces are. This is the type of inspiration I want when getting ready in the morning, images that emphasize the artistic beauty of each of us! Plus, the color palettes make me want to put on bright eye shadow!

Illustrator?

So have you ever wanted something so badly but felt like the tools weren't there? Or maybe even the talent? Believe me, I am SO there right now. I really LOVE art. To draw, doodle, paint, or just create. I love it all. So here is one of my first efforts to make something digitally. I drew the image by hand, pencil & paper, but then scanned it in and this is my first attempt to photoshop. Someday I hope to illustrate my own stories, but who knows what will happen.


This is supposed to be two children tossed overboard, who believe they are doomed. (Don't worry, in the story they are rescued & all is well)

Sister Love

So my sister is moving to Ohio today to be with her mom for 6months or longer! I'm so excited for her. I got to spend 3 months with my Dad during the summer I was engaged, and I'm so grateful for that time because I hadn't spent more than a week or two with him since the time I was 3. I was so glad to get to spend time on a day to day basis & I know she is going to find the same kinds of wonderful things about her mother. It just stinks to think I wont be able to see her for so long. This is the most recent photo I have of the two of us, we're at a shooting range with the hubs. I'm also including one taken over 3 years ago, when I was almost 19 & she was a wee 15.



How I love her

Tiki Room

So I found these most darling photos on etsy.com yesterday & I must say, I'm in love! I keep telling others about how I'm going to put them in my babies room, when I eventually get to cookin some buns. But oh, don't they just seem like the exact kinds of friends you want children to have? They're reminiscent to me of my beloved "Enchanted Tiki Room" at Disneyland, which may be why I am so entirely smitten.

Happy Valentine's Day!

So I have the cutest husband in the world. Who bought me 3 bouquets of roses! He knows I love them, and he is just the cutest! He also got me some really great chocolates. I am so lucky! Valentines Day isn't just about the roses & chocolates though, its realizing just how grateful you are for the ones you love. So this ones for you handsome, I love you!

Loved

My sweet husband just sent me this message over IM:


I know you deep inside, I know your every thought and dream
And I want to give you wings to fly.
I have found myself in your arms and I know you love me.
You are really wanted
You are a woman
You have somebody to tell you it is going to last forever
I have really really ever loved you
I will let you hold me
until I know how you need to be touched
I am going to breathe you and taste you until I can feel you in my blood
I can see our unborn children in your eyes
and because of this I know that I love a woman
You are really wanted
you are a woman
I know you need somebody to tell you that we are going to be together.
I really really have ver loved a woman
I will give you some faith and hold you tight
with a little tenderness and I will treat you right and
You will be there for me taking good care of me
I find myself lying helpless in your arms
and thats how I know that I really love a women
since I love you, I am going to tell you that you are really wanted
I am also going to tell you that you are the one
I know that you need somebody to tell you that it is going to last forever
so I am going to tell you that I have really really ever loved you

I love this, and felt like it really applied to how women want to be loved by their husbands. I just thought it was too sweet to keep to myself.

New Years Resolution!

So... I knew long before December 31st what my 2011 resolutions would be:

1. Get healthy - exercise regularly & eat whole foods
2. Be more daring with my hair - I've had the same haircut for pretty much my whole life

So, number one takes time, repetition, and lifestyle changes. Basically it is a work in progress. But number two I took into my own hands! This is how my hair looked, but that was soon to change!


On Saturday the 1st, I went into the mall & chopped off 6-7 inches off the back of my hair!!!!!!! I got an A-line cut (quite a bit shorter than I was intending), I left feeling like... meh.

As I walked to the car I felt like maybe I had just made a mistake.

As I began to drive home, I felt at the missing hair around my neck and felt my eyes getting warm. I started to pep talk myself, in the car. "Look at you! So brave, trying new things! And you chopped off all that unhealthy hair! And remember, hair will grow back... even if it takes 4 years..."

I finally parked I put on my bravest face to show my husband, I opened the door and said hello I just began sobbing. My poor husband held me as I repeated how I looked just like a boy and how unflattering this looked and how the hair stylist had betrayed me by cutting off much more than I approved and how I was so stupid to cut off my hair, etc. When I eventually calmed down, thanks to a loving husband who knows what to say, I took a moment to pull out my curler to style my hair. Then I took a good long look in the mirror.

This is what I saw:


And to be honest, it was cute. You know what, it was sassy! And the more I felt it the more I realized my hair felt soft & healthy. Dare I say ... Thick? And it was nice to feel my hair tickling the back of my neck, and to not have to pull my hair out of my jacket.

So, in conclusion... it wasn't so bad as I thought. So my challenge for you is to actually do those New Years resolutions, even the scary ones that you're not sure of. Because you might realize that all these years you thought you were a long hair kind of gal, you might actually like a short do.