Disciplined

I did not get around to transferring my photo's off this blog and onto my new one....meaning...I still don't have enough room to post new pictures.  That kinda sucks some fun out of blogging.  I love pictures so much!  They just bring life....to life! hahaha So, I'm sorry you have to read another picture-less post from me!  Hopefully I can get around to it tomorrow! :)  (I am trying to post more regularly...seeing as I wont be able to post for 18 months, starting in 33 days!!!)

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

On the first Sunday of every month I always take it as a great opportunity for me to give up something, or to try to gain a new habit, and really focus my efforts on something that will bring me closer to Christ.  This month I am working on DISCIPLINE.

I am soon going to be living a VERY structured life.  Wake up at 6:30...always, exercise for 30 minutes, hours of studying, teaching, preaching, serving, and in bed by 10:30... consistently, for a year and a half.  I always picture myself 19 months from now and try to think of the woman I am going to be.  It excites me sooooo much!  I am excited to gain these habits!  I am excited for my growth!  I am excited to be that much closer to reaching my potential!

After making a quite lengthy list of the woman I desire to be by the end of my mission...I got to thinking: "Rachel, why wait?  Be her now."  I looked back over my list and realized that I did not need to serve a mission to be this person!  I felt inspired to make a few adjustments in my daily schedule.  I felt inspired to be DISCIPLINED.

The first habit I need and truly want, is to be an early riser.  I want to be the girl that gets up every day at 6:30, opens her eyes with a burst of energy, pops out of bed, makes the bed immediately, (I have been doing pretty good at that one!)  pops on her cute 80's workout video (that I LOVE), and then completes most of the days to-do's before 10! :)  (In Preach My Gospel it states that the most important hours of the day are 6:30 am -10:00 am....and what you do in that time will greatly effect your success as a missionary...but I also think it applies to everyone! Something to think about!) 

Well in order for me to keep up this habit, I have to master another....go to bed by 10:30 each night....or in my case, 10:00.  Let me tell ya, it has been AMAZING!!!!  I know everyone's lives are different, so it might not work out for you to get to bed this early...but it is the best thing I have ever done!  This week has been productive and successful!!  Although when 6:30am roles around, I still feel all sorts of sleepy.  I am hoping that it is just something that my body needs to get used to and that one day I wont feel tired anymore! :)

This life is all about self-mastery (control or restraint of oneself or one's actions, feelings...).  No one can change us, live life for us, or make us become a certain way.  We choose our lives.  We choose how to live them.  I hope that as I focus on becoming more disciplined, I will be able to overcome many weaknesses in my life.  What an exciting thought! :)

Here's to a month of DISCIPLINE!

Success :)

Failure only brings us that much closer to success....and I can prove it.

You see, after spending way too many minutes creating (and cute-ifying) my new photo-blog....blogger laughed in my face and recited his familiar, taunting chant:  

"We're sorry, but you have exceeded your photo upload quota. For more information do not click on the following link, for it will not help you at all. Thank you, and have a picture-less day."  

To which I replied:

"How can this be? This is my FIRST post on my NEW blog.
.......oooooh......"

Something hit me,

"It's not my BLOG that has run out of space...it's my ACCOUNT! I need to create another blog using a different email address!!"

SUCCESS!!!  I created a new email...and my new blog was born!!

I will begin the process of moving my photography from this blog to the new one tomorrow....right now it's Biggest Loser time...

:)

Maybe?

So I just made a photography blog in hopes to transfer over my photoshoots from this blog over to the new one...which will clear up TONS of room for me to post more pictures of my crazy life!!! 

I really hope this works!! 

Cross your fingers!!

Young Victoria

I just saw the most amazing movie.  YOUNG VICTORIA.  Ah-mazing!  If you have not seen it...stop whatever you're doing...and watch it.  (Ok, maybe just find a time when you want to watch an inspirational/true/incredibly-tender love story.)  I never knew the story of Queen Victoria...the woman they named the "Victorian Era" after.  If an entire era is named after this woman, that must make her a pretty big deal.  She was smart, stubborn, friendly, and caring.  She is a new heroine of mine.  (And I will most likely name my future daughter after her...haha I have always loved that name!)  The movie is based on a true story...and the most beautiful love story I know.  True, real, non-hollywood, selfless, love.  (It might make you crave to be married....or want to express more love to your one-and-only....I definitely fall in the first category.....I guess I can curb the craving for another year and a half!  Chile, here I come!!)

Just thought I would share that before going to bed!  :)

Night!

PROBLEMO...

Well I went to write a lovely post about my fabulous weekend....when blogger reminded me that I have run out of picture space...is that even possible?!  Have any of you faced this problem?? Did you pay the extra money for more space?  I am leaving in 5 weeks...so I think I should wait till I get back....but that is 5 weeks of visual un-documentation of my life!  What to do...what to do?! It's 5 dollars a year.....is that an on-going-for-the-rest-of-my-life type of deal?  I need some input!  I've got some great pictures just waiting to be uploaded.  I have decided posting pictures on my blog is a lot more satisfying that posting them on facebook.  I feel like facebook is for more public events....but my blog is for me.  It is so I don't forget my life.  It's more personal, and I love it.  

...I guess that is worth the 5 dollars...right?

the reality of today.

I am sitting with my 6th graders today, when my stomach loudly reminds me that I didn't feed her this morning.  I told her to hang in there till lunch....

Lunch time finally came!  I quickly got back to my desk, opened my storage cabinet...intending to find my lovely home-packed lunch.  But the reality of my mistake made my tummy growl.  I LEFT IT AT HOME!!!

What's a girl to do?

A. Eat the skittles you bought for your students in the after-school program.

B. Eat the microwave popcorn that's in the cupboard. 

C. Eat the last Krispy Kreme doughnut in the box on the faculty table.

D. All of the above.

To my dismay....I selected D.

hahaha Oh my goodness.  Has anyone has a sugar headache before??  Skittles, popcorn (movie theater butter style), and a warm glazed doughnut for my lunch....Yes, I am training to be the next contestant on the Biggest Loser.  Feel free to tune in next season! ;)

I think my stomach was more angry with me after I ate, than she would have been if I would have let her starve for a few more hours.  Lesson learned!!

P.S. Don't worry....I saved some skittles for my after-school students. :) haha

Major Inspiritation

I received a comment a few weeks ago asking about what my favorite inspirational books are.  I am sorry for the delay, but I am finally here to answer your inquiry!

I love ANYTHING and EVERYTHING by OG MANDINO!!!!! 

They are the most motivational/inspirational books I have ever read. His books are so short (80-120ish pages) and to the point and way easy/fun to read!!! No lie!!! I would start with "The Greatest Salesman in the World."  No this is not a "how to" book on how to become a great salesman! haha Don't let the title scare you away.  Its about truly becoming the BEST you can be.  It has changed my life, my dad's life, my sisters...and anyone who has ever read it!

Then continue to read his other masterpieces!

*The Greatest Secret in the World

*The Greatest Miracle in the World

*The Greatest Success in the World

...he has written a TON more...

READ THEM!!!! 

I have also loved  "The Influencer." This one has completely changed my life and how I deal with things: my life, my peers, my family, co-workers...

It is amazing!  You realize that you can influence anyone...and it teaches you how.  (Not like in a creepy, hypnotic way haha!  But like getting people to want to do the right thing. I can't explain it...it's incredible! AND IT WORKS!! I have applied its principles and it proved itself!!! )

Another book I read this past year that was truly life-changing was "The 5 Love Languages." If only I could have read this one years and years ago!  You learn so much about yourself and how everyone feels loved differently.  You learn how to express your love to others, using their love language, so that they KNOW you love them!  This one book can save marriages!  I can prevent soooooooo many communication problems!! It will be such a blessing in your life, and in your families lives as well!!

I also loved reading "The Secret."  This book has changed my way of thinking and how I view life!  You become a natural optimist after reading this book! You learn how to be grateful for every little moment in your life.  You learn how to focus on the positive, and by doing so, you attract more positive things to come into your life.  For my fellow religious readers: it is all about how to increase your faith.  How to trust in faith. How to use your faith everyday.  It is a beautiful, inspiring and uplifting book!

A few years back I read a book on Benjamin Franklin, (I can't remember the exact title) and it also changed my life.  He was such a creative man.  He had the attitude that "anything is possible."  And it truly is.  Reading about his life has given me more of a desire to become like him.  Inventive, creative, open-minded, smart, and hard-working.  If you were to pick up any book about Benjamin Franklin, I know you will be moved and inspired by this wonderful man's life.

I am currently reading 3 different, but very similar books.

*Our Search for Happiness- by M. Russell Ballard

*Jesus the Christ- James E. Talmage

&

*The Book of Mormon- by Ancient Prophets :)

Each of these books are incredible.  I just started reading "Our Search for Happiness" last night, and I am already loving it!  Elder Ballard writes so clearly.  It isn't wordy, but specific.  It is entertaining and wonderful!  It is written for anyone, not only for members of the LDS faith.  It's about our history.  It's written so the world can know who the members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints really are.

Great read!

I have been reading "Jesus the Christ" off and on for a few months now.  It is an INCREDIBLE book!!! James E. Talmage has such a way with words that you begin to think more poetically in your everyday life!  This 900-something paged book is fully and completely about our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  There is nothing like it.  If you want to know who Jesus Christ really is/was/and ever will be, then this book is a must read!

I have been reading "The Book of Mormon" all of my life, but it wasn't until this past year that I have found a deep love for the book, and it's teachings.  It is the book I read on a daily basis.  It brings me closer to my Savior, and Heavenly Father.  It is where I turn for knowledge.  It is where I receive answers to my prayers.  It is where I discover my heroes.  It is where I learn how to follow Christ.  It is where I learn of the Commandments of God.  It is the Keystone of my religion.  It holds the truthfulness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  It is a testament that Christ is the Son of God, and our Savior and Redeemer.  It testifys to the world that He lives!  That He came to this earth to atone for OUR sins.  It is a witness that He is coming again.

These are all incredible books that have helped shaped my life. 

I highly suggest them to anyone and everyone, no matter who you are, or what you believe...they are an inspiration to all.

Night and Day

This is my favorite part of the year!  I LOVE change....more than anyone will ever know!!  I love new possibilities, new opportunities and new beginnings.   I love this time of year because I feel joined by millions of people who want to better their lives.  This is the time of year when people aren't afraid to recognize their weaknesses and resolve to overcome them.  It's the time when people dare to dream, set goals, and seek to reach their full potential.  I believe that everyone wants to be the best they can, but sometimes it's scary to change.  Thank goodness for new years for giving us that courage!

2010 was very bittersweet for me.  It was by far the hardest year of my life.  It was also the most rewarding.  I have never grown so much in all my life.  As I look back on the last 12 months, I literally can see my growth!  I am a completely different person than I was 365 days ago!  It's like night and day!!  I experienced my highest-highs, and my lowest-lows. This is my life...and I would not trade that for the world.

Some highlights from 2010:

Went on a (much needed) road-trip to St. George with my best friend in February

Had way too much fun with my roomies!!

Dug up graves with my family

(hahaha only kidding...we cleaned off my grandparents graves on Memorial Day! :)

Conquered my biggest regret by getting braces

Got my wisdom teeth out with my sister Kristie

Prego-photoshoot with Rachel

 

Who then made me an Auntie shortly after! :)

Saw Carried Underwood in concert

Tied up loose ends...

Gave a Book of Mormon to a non-member!

Kicked butt in school

Got balloons from random boys on our Girls Night Out

Acknowledged myself as an artist

Biggie-Mouse, Mini Mouse, and Itty-Bitty Mouse for Halloween with the sisters!

Went hot-tubbing in bubble bath

Received my mission call to Osorno, Chile!

Received my Endowment in the Timpanogos Temple, 

Was blessed with two incredible jobs,

and

Went to Disneyland

 (more Disneyland pics to come)

It doesn't seem like much....but it was one heck of a year! 

....in every sense of the phrase! ;) hahaha

Here is to 2011!  I am empowered with the reality of my agency and am so excited to use it to its fullest. 

"I am the designer of my destiny."

Bring it on!

LIFE AS I KNOW IT

1. I am a dreamer and an avid goal setter!  I want to see and do everything I can!  I know that I can have, do or be anything that I want to, so why not live the life that will help me achieve my dreams?! :) Life is amazing!!! MY life is amazing!!

2. I ate Top Ramen everyday my freshman year....but only the Beef flavor... haha My mom even asked my roommates to make sure I didn't buy it when we went grocery shopping...too bad mama....I LOVE IT!!!

3. I love to LAUGH: laugh till I cry, laugh till I get a stomachache, laugh till I am gasping for breath, laugh with the ones I love, laughing at an inside joke, laughing because someone has a funny laugh that makes me laugh...it really is the best feeling in the world to me!!

4. My favorite scent to wear is PURE SEDUCTION by Victoria Secret.

5. I was born in Reston, Virginia...just 15 minutes outside of Washington DC.

6. My idea of a perfect day would be waking up and watching the sunrise with the man of my dreams, eating a huge french toast breakfast, then going for a walk in the sunshine, hand in hand with that same man, go shoping for an hour or two, go boating with all my family and friends, do some tubing and waterskiing, have a BBQ, play in the sprinklers, watch the sunset, and go star gazing. Man I miss summer time!!!

7. I had a lazy eye when I was a kid....and I had to wear a patch on my good eye to try to strengthen my weak, lazy eye.......but I hated wearing the patch and would always pull it off, so my mom would wrap magazines around my arms so I couldn't bend them to pull my patch off..... OH!!! And if that is not bad enough, on top of that I wore pink rimmed bi-focals because I have the eye sight of a bat.... Yeah...quite the childhood huh? %)

8. If you go to YouniversityTV.com and click on Campus Tours, and go to Utah Valley University you will see ME representing dear old UVU! :) lol don't make fun when I say "Snee-- skiing" ....you'll see! lol

9. I love to sing...and I love to sing LOUD! haha It is my dream to sing the National Anthem at a professional sporting event!

10. I love art!  Photography is my favorite medium!!  I love capturing people as they really are!  I also love drawing, watercolor, sewing, mod podge-ing, designing, and creating.  Life is a masterpiece, create it!

11. The only fight I have ever gotten into was in the 3rd grade at Bonneville Elementary. It was at the end of the day and we were all getting our back-packs to go home and a was being rude to everyone...and it was getting on my nerves, so I turned around and whacked her in the face with my back-pack and ran off!!! (If you ever read this Lisa...sorry about that! haha!)

12. I love popsicles more than I love to breathe....

13. Celine Dion is my favorite singer! That was the first CD I ever got when I was a kid! I want meet her someday!!! At least go to one of her concerts! ....do you ever feel like you know a celebrity??  Well...I feel like Celine Dion is my cousin or something!! hahaha I feel like I just know her!!! hahaha (I have many celebrity "friends" like this!! haha)

14. I am a strong believer in The Secret. Do you know about The Secret??? If not...come talk to me...it will change your life! It has changed mine!

15. I love going horseback riding! I don't have horses but I have been riding countless times! ...One time when I was riding in the Sand Dunes down in St. George, all of our horses were galloping and then the horse in front on mine stopped, and mine had to stop really fast so it wouldn't hit it....and my horse kicked his back legs up, and I did a front flip in slow motion...off of my horse..and into the sand!! Not many can say that! hahaha Not many want to....I don't blame them!! But it really was sooo funny!!

16. I sang a solo in front of 10,000 people at the Marriott Center

17.I was at Target the other day, and was texting and walking, when all of the sudden my feet slipped out from under me....I let out a huge scream...my phone went flying in the air...I caught my balance, caught my phone, and kept walking! hahahhaha I was in front of all of the check out lines...hahaha I put on a very entertaining show for everyone! hahaha ;)

18. I am 5'8 and a half!I was always the second tallest girl in my grade {thank you Debbie Scoffield}.  I never liked being tall...until recently.  I am finally proud of my height!  Love the skin you're in!!!

19. I have really big cheeks....I dont know if anyone really knows that about me....I try to keep that to myself...haha ;)  When I smile, my cheeks cover my eyes and I can't see....it's a Kitto thing! (thanks a lot Dad!)

20. One of my lifetime goals is to be a contestant on a GAMESHOW!!!  Preferably Family Feud...I think my family would Dominate that game!! I dont know why...but I absolutely LOVE gameshows!! haha

21. I love to blow bubbles with my gum!!!! I do it subconsciously now and I dont think people like that all the time....but I just love to pop my gum!

22. I not only talk in my sleep, walk in my sleep...but I was told that I also SING in my sleep!!!

23. I have OCD about always having lotion/perfume, gum and lipgloss! I will turn my car around if I have left the house without them.  It's better to be late and have my necessities, than going through the entire day longing for them!!

24. In my film class the teacher sang "Who are these children coming down?!" and looked at us and said, "Name that movie!" I proudly shouted out "Saturdays Warrior!!" ....and I was the only one to shout it out...hahaha I grew up in a musical family, ok?!

25. My most embarrassing moment was...at the Special Olympics...hahaha I was a junior in high school and went with my school's special needs students to play Volleyball at the Olympics.  Well, little did I know, these students were SO GOOD at Volleyball!!!  I felt like the underprivileged one out on the court! haha  So I had to up my game!! ...and boy did I ever!!! hahaha I was so into the games!  My team won game after game!  We were on a roll!!  Well we were almost to the Championship game, and I was playing front and center.  The opposing team bumped...set...and was ready to spike, when all of the sudden I leaped up with all the adrenoline I could muster, and stuffed the ball back on their side.......knocking over a down syndrome boy!!! :(  It finally hit me: "RACHEL, YOU ARE AT THE SPECIAL OLYMPICS!!! I felt so bad!!!!! Here was his big chance to spike the ball, and I ruined it for him.  Can you tell how horrible I was feeling at that moment?!!?  This event still haunts me!! hahaha I remember my team cheering me on and being so proud of me, but I just felt like crying!!! I felt so bad!!!  ........But.....my team ended up taking home the Gold!!!! :) hahhahahaha

This is only a glimpse into my life.  I wouldn't trade it for the world ;)

Choosing to Change

Sorry for my long absence, it seems I have been MIA!

But guess what....I'm baaaaaack!!!! :) :) haha :)

So a lot has been on my mind for the past few months,

but one thing in particular:

HUMILITY

I have come to the realization that I have a huge struggle

with this principle...and I always thought

I was pretty good with it!  Haha!! 

How prideful is that?!?

Well as I have been really focusing on this issue,

I have stumbled across a very valuable lesson.

When asking God to help me become more humble,

He will not change me into a humble person, but will

give me opportunities to choose humility.

The one thing God gave us that he cannot take away

from us is our agency.  He will never make us be a

certain way.  He cannot! 

This week I have been focusing on forgetting myself and 

focusing on helping others. I asked my Father in Heaven 

to help me become more selfless.  

So what happened?  

Did He snap His fingers and erase all of my selfish-tendencies?  

Did I suddenly become the most giving person on earth??

Nope!!!  In fact...nothing changed.

He didn't change my heart, but He did allow me

the opportunity to prove myself, and to show

that I really do want to become a more selfless person!

That opportunity came to me only a few hours after my

prayer.  My phone rang with an urgent opportunity to forget 

myself and to go help someone in need!

I wasn't all-of-the-sudden unaware of how busy I was, 

or what I was in the middle of. But I was blessed with  

the spirit and with love for the person who needed help!  

I was able to see them through God's eyes,

and knew that that He needed someone to go help one of His

children.  I was happy to be the one to do that!

I am grateful for all the learning opportunities God gives me

so that I can become the person He wants me to be.

I know it's hard to be humble: to give up our will, and forget 

about what WE think is best for us.  But I know that His plan 

is far greater than we could ever imagine! 

This life is about change.  

It's about changing from the natural man and becoming like God.  

That wont happen unless we choose to change.  

Here is to baby steps and to continually striving to be our best selves!

Convenient

My sister Kristie

demonstrating just how convenient little nephews can be:



hahaha Happy Holidays!!!

:)

101 degrees

Last night I was feeling a bit under the weather...

My temperature was rising and I was shivering under 4 blankets & a hoodie!

I finally decided that I would go upstairs and take some medicine.

My mom suggested that I take Niquil.

I looked and looked and looked {...for a good 30 seconds...} and could not find it.

...this brought me to tears...

hahaha...I was literally crying!!

When I realized I was crying, and what I was crying about,

I gave up my search and headed straight to bed...

"I am too tired to be sick...."

Luckily, my mom came down a few minutes later...with Niquil. 

She made sure she gave me the one that had alcohol in it...apparently I looked like I needed it...hahaha

Last night I slept like a baby....I woke up multiple times, crying...hahaha I was definitely not in my normal state of mind yesterday!! 

Today I am still feeling under the weather...and all I want to do is watch ELF...and eat Beef flavored Top Ramen.  

Here's to a speedy recovery...

Wish me luck!!

Leaps and Bounds

As of late, I have been in full swing in trying to tone up.

From Halloween till New Years is the easiest time for me to get in shape.

Why?

Because with so many treats available, I find it easier to stay clear from them.

...As apposed to the other 9 months of the year

when I welcome treats with a big chubby grin on my face...

:D

Well this year, besides trying to eat healthier,

I have also been making leaps and bounds of progess

on making exercise a part of my daily routine!

{ I have always stayed some-what active,
but I haven't really experienced the results my heart secretly longs for }

...Since being in my Nutrition 2010 class,

my teacher (basketball coach/weight-lifter/healthy man)

has ingrained into my head that...

 *The key to a lean, healthy body is...

weight lifting!

Seems kind of backwards, doesn't it?

I thought so!

I have an athletic build, and am always self-conscience that if I weight lift

I will get HUGE and not be cute and feminie.

This is not true.

I am amazed at how quickly I have seen results--

{ in my loose clothes and on the scale }

I am getting a cute and more feminie figure everyday!

Weight lifting is vital to losing fat!

MUSCLE BURNS CALORIES!

did you hear me?

The more muscle you have, the more calories your body will burn on its own...

aka = faster metabolism!

My daily routine will usually include one or both of my favorite work out videos:

The early 90's hit:

Synergetics

*12 minutes, 2x a day

* No sweating

*Fun to watch
(spandex leotards in bright colors)

*AMAZING RESULTS!

{ My family swears by this video!! It transformed my sisters'
pre-teen chub into teenage bombshell! ;)

I feel my body getting tighter and tighter after everytime I work out! }

{ man, doesn't this picture just make you want to work out?? :) }

.....

My second, and all time favorite is Chelen Johnsons':

Turbo Jam

*5 AMAZING work outs

-Learn & Burn

-20 min. Work Out

-Turbo Sculpt

-Cardio Party

-Ab Jam

{...sounds pretty fun, huh? ;)  My FAVORITE is

TURBO SCULPT

and AB JAM

:)

I am still trying to find love for Cardio Party.

...cardio is definitely not my kind of party...

yet. }

*Simple to do

*Time flies by

*...I may or may not want to cry sometimes...

*Sweatiest work out ever!!!

*QUICK RESULTS

{ Especially when you incorporate her eating guide! AhMazing!! :) }

{ Can't you just see how much FUN this work out is? ;) }

I highly suggest BOTH of these work out plans!

Synergetics: $3 used on Amazon.com

...pretty sure you can afford this little beauty...

(or it could possibly be in your mom's VHS collection at home)

Turbo Jam: $15.59 used on Amazon.com

That's a steal compared to what I paid for it!

This was my first ever informercial purchase :)

{ Very pleased with that decision, btw! }

Just thought I would share my happy thoughts with you all!

Start exercising and you can be happy, too!

"Exercise gives you endorphins,

endorphins make you happy!

Happy people just don't shoot their husbands.

...They just don't!"

Too true, Elle.

:)

Happy Holidays to you! 

Feel free to join me in staying away from too many treats,

and lets start shaping up!

:)

Dumb Habits

I have some dumb habits...
one in particular is dominating my life at the moment.

I have the habit of keeping myself completely busy...all the time.
I LOOK for things to do, not out of boredom (I am usually pretty excited about the not-so-important task) but out of feeling that things need to get done. 

I don't know if this is anxiety...I don't know what I would be anxious about!

This bad habit is especially annoying at night time...
I don't let myself go to bed until I do a whole bunch of nothing!!
Like for real!  I find myself up SUPER late: cleaning/organizing...writing letters...goal setting...exercising...editing pictures...staring at my ever-changing teeth...freebreezing my room...reading...facebooking...blogging...reading other blogs...pretty much anything but sleeping.

THIS ISN'T HEALTHY!!!

IT IS RIDICULOUS!!!

Tonight I am doing my watercolor assignment.......but as I wait for the layers to dry, I feel the need to upload all of my CD's onto my iTunes...why??  Haha I have no clue!!!!  (And while I am waiting for that to upload, here I am blogging!)

{ sneak peak of the work in progress: washes + layers of masking = sooo fun }

I need some kind of chill pill!!  I don't like taking naps...I feel like they are a waste of time...because, OF COURSE, I should  be using that time to do some sort of job or project or ANYTHING!

I think it would be great to be OCD about doing homework...too bad that one hasn't caught on yet...

Well.  I am going to go finish my painting...and then go STRAIGHT TO BED! 

No more lolly-gagging...
{ Why in the world do we say "lolly-gagging"??? haha }

Wish me luck!!
And if you have any suggestions for me...I would love to hear them!!!



Too true...

"A Little Bit Stronger"

By: Sara Evans

I heard this song a little while back...and I can't get it off my mind.  

This song has helped me realize that 

I am not the only one who has felt this way...

Sometimes we feel like our suffering is so unique and no one understands.

And then reality slaps us in the face and we realize how "normal" we really are.

It's kind of a good feeling!

The lyrics to this song mean so much to me.

It's like she read my journal before she wrote it! haha

So...this is how my heart is kind of feeling at the moment

{...and for the past few months...}

Woke up late today,
And I still feel the sting of the pain,
But I brushed my teeth anyway.
I got dressed through the mess,
And put a smile on my face.
I got a little bit stronger.

Riding in the car to work,
And I'm trying to ignore the hurt.
So I turned on the radio,
Stupid song made me think of you.
I listened to it for a minute,
But then I changed it.
I'm getting a little bit stronger,
Just a little bit stronger.

And I'm done hoping we can work it out,
I'm done with how it feels
Spinning my wheels,
Letting you drag my heart around.
And I'm done thinking you could ever change,
I know my heart will never be the same.
But I'm telling myself I'll be okay,
Even on my weakest days,
I get a little bit stronger.

It doesn't happen overnight,
But you turn around and a months gone by,
And you realize you haven't cried.
I'm not giving you an hour, or a second, or another minute longer.
I'm busy getting stronger.

And I'm done hoping we can work it out,
I'm done with how it feels
Spinning my wheels,
Letting you drag my heart around.
And I'm done thinking you could ever change,
I know my heart will never be the same.
But I'm telling myself I'll be okay,
Even on my weakest days,
I get a little bit stronger.
I get a little bit stronger.

Getting along without you baby,
Better off without you baby,
How does it feel without me baby?
I'm getting stronger without you baby.

And I'm done hoping we can work it out,
I'm done with how it feels
Spinning my wheels,
Letting you drag my heart around.
And I'm done thinking you could ever change,
I know my heart will never be the same.
But I'm telling myself I'll be okay,
Even on my weakest days,
I get a little bit stronger.

I get a little bit stronger.
Just a little bit stronger.
Little bit, little bit, little bit stronger.
Get a little bit stronger.

 Sometimes I think I waste too much time 

thinking about the past and wishing, hoping, thinking, and praying

that I would've done things differently.

But I know...

Everything happens for a reason! 

The way things happened like they did...

was for a reason.

...I'm getting along...

...I'm better off...

  I know I am gonna be okay,

even on my weakest days.

{...I wish I didn't have those darn weak days...} 

But I know, through all of this,

I am getting

{ just a little bit }

...stronger...

distraction

lately I have been needing a distraction
from myself.

my thoughts are of the past
my body is in the present
and my dreams are of the future.

i found a way for them { my thoughts, body and dreams } to collide.

painting.

is is like an escape to the present
gently forcing me into this beautiful reality called
life.

i love it.

at first, i immediately felt embarrassment...
why?
it looked like a little boy had conjured up that mess called "art"...

but now...
now it excites me!

i love blending colors
contrasting color levels
putting in unnoticeable details...

and calling it mine.

this is my distraction from my daydreams...

art is my reality.

Happy September!

I am in love with SEPTEMBER!!!
:)

The air begins to cool off,

You can start pulling out your sweaters & boots,

"Back to School" excitement,

The homework load is still light and new,

Kimberly's Birthday: 17th,

Justin's Birthday : 26th,

LABOR DAY: 6th

{ that little twinge of excitement for the thought of Halloween }

FOOTBALL season begins,

Autumn is my favorite time of year!

{ ...just wanted to share that... }

Happy September Everyone!

New Beginnings

I love life right now

:)

 New school year, new opportunities, a new start to life.  It is the time of letting go of what has held us back in the past, and the time to start anew. 

I love setting goals!  I probably set too many...but then I ALWAYS have something to work towards.  I get a great sence of accomplishment when I can check off a completed goal from one of my many { MANY } lists!  I have lists from years past of things I have yet to accomplish...but let me tell you, I will accomplish them. :)  I never want to stop learning, or experiencing new things.  That's what this life is all about!  I want to see & do as much as I possibly can!! 

Goals for this semester:
  * Complete my General Education courses
  * Get my mission call!!
  * Run the mile in under 7 minutes { I am shooting for 6.59 haha its been a while, ok? }
  * Go to the temple once a week
  * Go to Florida
  * Finish the Book of Mormon
  * Read 5 books written by Og Mandino { if you haven't read his stuff yet, START NOW! He is INCREDIBLE!!! Greatest Salesman in the World, The Greatest Miracle in the World, The Greatest Secret in the World, A Better Way To Live, The Christ Commission, The Gift of Acabar...ahhh sooo good! }

I am currently taking 3 Institute classes and I  L O V E them!!  They will definitely help me as I prepare to serve a mission this winter.  Missionary Prep, The Teachings of Jospeh Smith, and The Gospel & Productive Life.  Going to these classes while going to school is the highlite of my day!  I love being able to feel the spirit and take it with me throughout the rest of my day.  I can already tell that this year will be a lot different than last.

Something else that is very different for me is this whole dating thing.  I am a pre-mish and so I dont want to get romantically involved with anyone before I go.  Some guys are great with this and are very supportive....while others just aren't...that is so weird to me!  Haha So I am just trying to take it easy and focus on school and working this semester...if it is meant to be...it will be.   I dunno, it is just a weird spot to be in!  haha What guy wants to go out with a girl and hear, "Oh and by the way I am going on a mission!"  He is either going to:

1. Stop pursuing you...for obviously you are a lost cause.
2. Take it as a challenge and try to win your heart and get involved anyways.
3. Be encouraging and respectful to your decision, and be ok with just being friends.

{ These are from my own experiences at least... }

 I know that for some darn reason I need to serve a mission....I have no clue why...but I am SO EXCITED to go!!  I can start my papers 120 days before my birthday...and that means that in THREE WEEKS the process will begin!!  I want to be sooo prepared to go, so that I can be the best missionary I can possibly be.

:)

This semester is going to bring life-changing possibilities to me and my future.  I am excited to get going and to achieve these few goals, and really become the person I want to be. 

Bring it!

The life of a nanny

I just got back from nannying in Richfield, UT. 

It was a week full of fun, fun, FUN!!!

...we roasted hot dogs and marshmallows over a fire...

...we had a campout on the top deck and watched the fireworks for Pioneer Day...

...we went star gazing...but the moon was full and bright...aka...couldn't see any stars haha...

...we made amazing Applesauce Cookies...

 ...and after a long week of playing, I got to relax in the HUGE jetted tub :)...

We also:

 *went swimming

*bowling

*saw Toy Story 3

*played games

*colored

*went to grandma's house

Funny Story:

So one morning I wake up to little Steven at my bedside.  He poked me and said:

"Hey Rachel, guess what?!  I just went potty...and I farted in the toilet...and it sounded like a tuba!"

hahahahahahaha

WOW

If only I could laugh that hard every morning!!

I had a great time with the kids!  I am going back in three weeks and will be there for over a week.

More pictures and stories to come!

 :)