Moving

3 weeks? 3 weeks of college left and I will have a degree! It truly amazes me how time has flown and not in the fast way where you don't know how you got here but in a way that I can't believe how much has happened in 3 1/2 years.

    In 3 1/2 years, I managed to get a degree, become a Kappa (COTY), meet my best friends, rediscover my relationship with my Savior, get married, get a dog, move 4 times, never fail a class, grow my hair out, become vegan, go through the temple and be sealed to Joshua for eternity, live in California, learn how to rock climb, and most importantly become someone I really love. (run on sentence much?)

   I always said if I was the same person that I was when I left high school then what a huge waste college would be. I am not at all but it is fun to look back and laugh and realize that you parents were mostly right and you were a whole lot silly about everything. It helps the future seem less scary because some how I got here and managed it all so I must keep enduring.

Moving to Utah in just a few weeks and I could not be more excited for a new chapter; a new opportunity to grow and learn and experience life!

Liz and me during recruitment, freshman year

My little, Rachel, and I at new member banquet, Sophomore year

At the Blue Bell factory, the first summer Joshua and I started dating

Thanksgiving Weekend in 2009, We got engaged! 

Married the man of my dreams

Summated my first mountain, Longs Peak

The cutest dog I ever did see, Royal Moreland

Climbed in Joshua Tree, CA

Lived in California, internship with Nordstrom


How far have you come? How much have you learned? Are you making your time here on Earth as meaningful and full of experience as possible?

MERRY CHRISTMAS TIME!!
AM

The Little Things

We should all live with an "attitude of gratitude" but this is that typical time of year when we all look around and realize how much we thankful for.

Today...right now...I am thankful for... 

Best friend/climbing partner/eternal companion 

Family

Fall

Camping trips

Deserts 

Thanksgiving food 

Phones 

A home and a bed 

Church

Salad 

College Education

Job 

Orange

All things on sale

Royal dog

Cuddling 

Laughing 

Instagram

Pintrest 

Mommy Blogs 

The Scriptures

Only to name a few. 

Loyally,

AM

P.S: I highly suggest this little inspirational video. Watch and be inspired and allow yourself to get focused on a truly great attitude during this incredible season. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TGnfq5ua2VY

Oh, How Temporary

I woke up with birds chirping and the sun shining. Yet, the other day was one of those days. One of those days I can say without hesitation was hard. It was a very hard day.

I didn't know why or where it was coming from but my very organized worries back in my file folders in my head decided to fall out and become big and scary. For me, I had a really hard time choosing to be happy.

It was the debt. The bills. The rent. The food. The school. The husband. The family. The move. The dog. The job. Oh that job! That dang necessity that does not let me stay home to cook or play with my little family. It makes me work and and break out and all of it for not enough money! All of these thing and all of the little things that come along with having such beautiful blessings.

It wasn't as if I felt like I couldn't do it anymore. It was a logical hard day. I knew that I could handle them all because I have been doing it but it just felt like too much for a short little while. It was completely valid. (It is important to let yourself know you are not crazy and that it is okay to feel overwhelmed sometimes. Remember this was a logical hard not a crazy hard.)

So I did what a women would do. I cried. I cried at the gym in the middle of my workout and on my whole walk back to my car. Then I called my mom. (duh)

The thing about this all though is sometimes we can forget. We can forget what we are here on Earth for. The whole ETERNAL purpose of this life. All of my worries are important (mostly) but the most important thing is experience and gaining a better knowledge. How lucky am I to feel such overwhelming worry about such things in life that I may better understand the atonement of my Savior, Jesus Christ. Also, sometimes we need to sit and look and realize as we sort through a really hard day that it is totally and completely TEMPORARY.

This too will pass. If I wasn't worried about all of these things, I will certainly be worried again and about something new. THAT IS OKAY! Feel it. Give yourself time to understand it and work it out. LEARN from it.

Loyally,
AM

ps: Make sure to have an attitude of gratitude. Thank you Mom and Dad.

Things I have been loving lately...

1. Anything and everything Pumpkin
2. owls, owl, and more owls
3. When work plays Adele and not Selina Gomez
4. All recipes on TheKitchenTwist.com
5. Pinterest
6. Walking...because I have been seeing the funniest things lately
7. Puppy and Hubby time (this is not new, but is being loved lately so I added it)
8. Holiday season
9. Skirts
10. Wearing no make-up



What have you been loving lately?

Loyally,

AM

The Golden Rule

I have been planning and scheming for a few weeks now. Next weekend is my sorority Halloween date party and I wanted to ask the man of my little kingdom on Earth to in a cute way to go with me. (Let’s be real, he has to go so this was just for sweet fun and an excuse to make Sprinkles cupcakes!)

Something I learned from this is that the golden rule is true. We must treat others as we like to be treated. In other words, treat others with treats that you love also. =)

Loyally,
AM

Luckiest Lady

Today has been so great! My husband amazes me and he really went above and beyond. He did the dishes before I woke up this morning. He took the dog out to potty so I could sleep a few more minutes. He fixed the toilet lever that has been broke for weeks. THEN I come home from school and he surprised me with one of my most favorite things in the world...A CUPCAKE!!!! I am feeling like a princess today!!!

Thank you so much hubby!!!

Loyally,

AM

Faces

Before our adventure to California, my dad gave us a camera. A really nice camera. It only has a short lens on it so in order to zoom in or out you have to MOVE in or out. hahaha. However, this camera has been so much fun and last week I took it to Kappa Chili Cookoff and took some face photos which turned out awesome! This might very well be onE of my new favorite things!

I will be posting a how-to: 'the bun' very soon as well as a surprise blog coming at the end of the week!!

Loyally,
AM

Here is to Dads

The king mountain man in this house has a truck. Her name? Francesca. Well, this little lady all of sudden started making loud screeching noises and how will not start. "WHAT?!" My reaction exactly. Well, I knew just who to call. So here is to Dads...

Dads who know exactly what is wrong with your car even when he is across the state...every time.
Dads who figure out emergencies with ease and get things taken care of so we don't have heart attacks.
Dads who know facts about everything.
Dads who fix up cars which is just plain awesome.
Dads who laugh and light up a room.
Dads who work hard every single day of their lives and still seem to get off for family vacations and rock concerts.

Here is to Dads. Here is to my Dad.

What is awesome about your dad?

Loyally,
AM

Roommate Wanted

Hello friends! 

I picked up JM and then sent him off again on a work retreat. I am thinking about getting a roommate because I pretty much live alone now with that guy adventuring around the globe. (okay, maybe this week has just felt REALLY long)

A few weeks ago, the hubbster and I went and visited my brother-in-law and his girlfriend. Family is awesome. 

The Sassybun counts for height, right?

To celebrate Labor Day and surprise JM, I made pistachio ice cream. So good, I had to hide it in the back of the freezer so I wouldn't eat it all myself. The recipe is an original from Janice @ thekitchentwist.com. Recipe will be up when we stop eating all of it and she can actually get a picture. 

 

Loyally,

AM

phone call

Before I head off to bed, I just wanted to update everyone on Joshua's status!!
He called me today from the high camp on Mount Rainier and said he and Mark will summit early in the morning (maybe to see the sunrise).
He amazes me every day. He is so brave and adventurous and I am lucky because he helps me be those things too. When people think of achievement they liken it unto climbing a mountain which he is doing. What an achievement to add to his book of life. I will let you know if I hear anything more and will write his whole story when he returns home!!

The view of Mount Rainier from high camp

Good night dear friends.
AM

To Change

The idea of change has such a bad reputation. In general people don't like change. So I am here to clear the air about me and my big, fat, elephant in the room of change.

I have changed. I am not the same person I was and my hope is that you will all understand this on some level and be happy for me not ignore it or pretend I am still the same because I am not and I NEVER want to be again.

The gospel of Jesus Christ changed my life. I personally choose to make changes and accept a lifestyle very different from the one I was living. I needed to. I was dieing inside. I was unhappy but had no reason to be. I fought myself every day about this unexplainable unhappiness inside but could not find a solution. I had been given everything...I was supposed to be happy. There was this giant hole in my life and his name was Jesus Christ and his gospel saved me from myself.

This was never Joshua's decision. He never made me join his church. This needs to be a clear understanding.

Please do not tell me that I am the same. My hope is that you can look outside yourself and see that this is not about you. This was about me and my life and the hurt I felt for years. I am not the same. I will not give you the same advice. I will not support the same decisions. I will not ever do many of those things that were ruining my life. but....
I will be your friend better than I could have ever been before.
I will love you unconditionally despite your decisions. I have realized through this all--that actions do NOT make a person, my love for you makes our relationship.
I will be more patient, more positive, more accepting, more understanding, and I will always support righteous decisions that you make. (I promise to try at least)
I will work every single day to change and be a better version of myself. I will not accept the phrase "well this is just who I am" No! I was given the blessing of choice from God and I will exercise my freedom to choose every single day who I want to be, how I want to improve, how I can be different and better.

My goal is to admit my mistakes and apologize. To support those loved ones around me and never let them forget how much I love and support them. To grow the Lord's kingdom. Most of all, go to sleep every night happy with the person that I CHOOSE to be and wake up every morning willing to be even better.

If you want to know me, you must know this. You must be willing to know my story, the whole story.
I am happy. I choose to be happy everyday and proud of who I am and who I have the potential to become.

All my love,
AM

Its been a while...

This summer turned from vacation/internship to working 40+ hours a week!! Instead of being tourist, the hubby and I settled in to a normal day to day routine and life seemed normal. (except we lived out of suitcases and all my friends were in Texas!) Here are my top 10 favorite things about this summer/California...

1. The Weather. Duh!
2. The View. Both Mountains and Ocean.
3. The People. Their view of life, the beautiful people we met, the times we shared...my heart is full.
4. Irvine Spectrum Nordstrom. You are my home forever, so small but so big.
5. RockReaction (JM's work and our climbing gym) Took us in like we have been there forever and made friends that will be forever.
6. The Food. OH THE FOOD! Mother's Market and Native Foods in particular...LOVE LOVE LOVE.
7. The Camp. It is like it was built for us. Such a sweet treasure.
8. Ben, Joseph, and the Emily's plus 2 awesome babies. Thank you for your friendship.
9. The Acceptance. Acceptance of change, difference, and love all around.
10. Joshua. I could not have been so brave to do this alone and I had my best friend on this great adventure.

Loyally,

AM

24 is almost 30

Sunday was JM's 24th birthday! I always kid him about being old. We went to one of our favorite new places called Native Foods Cafe at The Camp in Costa Mesa, CA. All Vegan, All Yummy.

I can always count on him to climb when I ask!

It was also my dad's birthday so HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD!!!

On our way home we witnessed a police chase on foot!

Helicopter and all!

We look forward to seeing Nana Jana soon too!! Yay!

L&L, AM

Surfing and climbing in One day

This week has been a busy one. Lots of work and LOTS of play. Nordstrom is having the busiest time of the year right now and it is so fun to be apart of it all. I also get to work a huge fashion show at the end of the month put on my Nordstrom as a style preview into 5 designers...so exciting!

We have spent most of our off time climbing, going to or around the beach, and visiting all the best grocery stores in the area. Grocery stores are one of my happy places.

JM is climbing today with best friend Ben. I am going to work. #sadface. However, I will be dreaming of the beach the whole entire time!!

Miss you all.
L&L, AM

Sparkle Sprinkle

Aw! This day has been such an adventure!! I woke up and decided I would go walking. I didn't know where I was going to walk to but I was going to walk. Just a block from where we are staying I found a path and followed it down into a park! There was lots of people walking their dogs and running. The weather was wonderful and I can't wait to go there with JM!

hahaha! Just some inspirational words

 

Okay, now something AMAZING happened today. I made a green smoothie after my walk and sat to check Facebook. Up on my news feed popped the most exciting news! Sprinklesmobile was in Huntington Beach on Main St and Walnut St and they were giving out FREE cupcakes. I will not tell you how fast I ran to my car at this point due to extreme embarrassment BUT I quickly got to my car and waited impatiently at every red light from here to Main Street. I spotted the chocolate brown van in the distance and then looked frantically for some spot to park. I headed down a street hoping to find a free spot in front of a house because there is really only parking garages that you have to pay for or meters that you have to pay for. I found a meter and pulled in with a quarter in my hand and ready to run against the meter!! Oh the tender mercies!!! There was 15 minutes left on the meter that I could use. My heart was bonding out of my chest due to excitement. There was no line and people were PASSING IT UP when the nice lady asked if they wanted a FREE cupcake. What?!? Now came to the decision...double chocolate or the famous red velvet. I couldn't decide so the wonderful lady gave me both! I love the sweet happiness of the small things that feel like they are just for you.

L&L, AM