P90X

Just a quick post so that everyone who reads this can keep me in check!  I am doing P90X again.  This time with a great group of women who are from all over connected by the one thing we all love to hate: Facebook. I really don't hate Facebook but there are definitely things about it I do not like.  Anyways... the point is let's do it!  We start Friday... anyone who wants to join let me know!!! :)  And yay to all the fellow bloggers who are doing this too!  We are all going to be so cute come summer! :)

Liebster Award!

So... I got nominated for a Liebster Award by this amazing girl who's blog I read, and now consider a friend even though we've never met!... Thanks Kami! :) (www.steveandkami.blogspot.com)  Check it out - this girl is awesome, and has the cutest family!  :)  I doubt my blog has even ten readers, but maybe I'll get 11 after this post! :)

The Rules:

Share 11 facts about myself

Answer 11 questions from the blogger that nominated you

Nominate 11 other bloggers for the award

Create 11 questions for nominees to answer

Link back to the person who nominated you - I don't know how to do that so I apologize!

11 Facts about me... hmm!

1. Anyone who reads my blog knows this, but I struggle with depression.  It's an ongoing battle, but for the most part if I stay on my Celexa I'm good to go... but if you find me crying in a Walmart b/c my boyfriend took me out of his top ten on MySpace... just ask me if I've taken my pill lately... the answer is probably no! (Yes, this was a true story, that I know dates me b/c MySpace... does that even still exist??)

2. I value honesty.  One of my favorite things my friend ever said to me is, "I knew I could talk to you about anything b/c when I first met you you told me, there's no such thing as TMI with me."  SO TRUE.  I will listen to your story.  The good, the bad, the crazy.  I will be honest with you if you are honest with me.  I love getting to know people and I hate when people are fake... what's the point???  We only have one life to live, why live a lie?

3. I love animals - going to the zoo is one of my most favorite things to do!

4. I love wine almost as much as I love animals :)

5. I have this fantasy about getting all my best girlfriends (and their families) to move to one area of the country so we can all hang out all the time.  I call it a fantasy b/c some of my most favorite people live in all different states... but wouldn't it be so fun! :)  Let's all buy an island, okay?

6. I am dreading turning 30 not because of the age but because I really want to be married and start working on family - but so far I don't even have a boyfriend... and October will be here before you know it!

7. I am a Christian, but I don't go to church.  I believe in God and that we are saved through grace and that grace came through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  I REALLY struggle with organized religion.  I don't like all the rules and all the ways they tell you you can and cannot live.  To me, it is all about having a relationship with God.  And, I have that.  Period... I refuse to tell other people how they can and cannot live.

8. I hated high school.  I am so glad life after high school is so much better than those 4 years.  Yes, I have some good memories, but overall I felt like an insecure mess most of the time.  

9. I love my new job.  It is challenging and constantly pushes me to work hard each day, but I love it.  No, it's not perfect and it has its hard times, but I am so thankful for where I am today.

10. I would give up my job in a heartbeat for a chance to be a stay at home mom. :)

11. I wish my family lived closer - all of them.  Parents, cousins, aunts, uncles... I guess it is the only child in me always wanting more family! :)

11 Questions from the blogger that nominated me

1. What is your #1 thing that you splurge on? Face/skin products!  I love having healthy skin and love trying new products on my face. If you tell me it will make my skin pretty - I'm pretty much sold!

2. What makes you the most happy?  Hanging out with my best girlfriends and just laughing for hours!

3. What is something you wish you could learn?  I would love to learn how to dance... I can dance as in "club dancing" but choreographed routines are hard for me and I would love to be able to dance!

4. What is your biggest regret? I really try hard not to regret things, just learn from them instead.  But... since that is not a fair answer...I regret opening a couple credit cards in college b/c I am still paying for them today!

5. What is your biggest struggle? Body image/being confident when I am surrounded by skinny girls.  I really struggle to feel like I am just as good as these girls.  Losing weight is hard for me.  I am learning (slowly but surely) how to be healthier and make the right choices for my body, but I have always wanted to be the naturally thin girl and it is hard for me to be in a room and not feel insecure.  I will still be nice to everyone, but inside I am calling myself fat and ugly!

6. What are you really good at? Talking!  Haha... I can talk to anyone about anything.  I don't know if it's a talent, but it's the truth!

7. If you were a celebrity who would it be?  Toss up between Taylor Swift and Kate Middleton.  Taylor b/c I would love to be able to sing, play guitar and piano and be 5'11" :)  Kate b/c, well, what girl doesn't want to be a princess for a day?

8. If you could have one do-over what would it be and what would you do? I would have started working out a lot more and eating healthier when I was younger - so those habits wouldn't be as hard to break today!

9. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?  Married and with at least one kid :)

10. On a scale of 1-5 how confident are you in yourself? 4, because although I struggle with how I look at times, I know who I am at heart.  I am a good person who genuinely loves others, and I know that being kind to others beats out being just a skinny girl any day. :)

11. Name an experience that was life changing for you?  Probably my trip to Europe with my cousin.  It helped us become a lot closer.  Also, it changed all my friends from college b/c I had to come back and make all new friends.  One of my closest friends to this day, Marissa, well, we wouldn't have met if I wouldn't have taken this trip.  I also know people all over the world now b/c of it too!

The nominees:

The Puffe Family

a+c+l+p

a tidbit of whimsy

Taryn's Tattle

The Evan's Gang
News of the Nielsons
Our Family
The Sawyer Show
Anderson's
Tales from the Wild, Wild West...
The Cormell Family

11 questions for nominees to answer
1. What's your biggest pet peeve?
2. Who do you admire most in your life?
3. What are your goals for the next few years?
4. What do you fear the most?
5. What brings you the most joy in life?
6. What is your favorite memory?
7. What is your least favorite memory?
8. Do you prefer cookie dough or baked cookies?
9. What is your favorite TV show and why?
10. What would you do if you had enough money so you never had to work again?
11. What is your favorite place to vacation?

Wow... that took longer than I thought it would! :)

San Diego Zoo

On our last day in San Diego, we went to one of my favorite places... the zoo!  I love zoos!  I love animals and love seeing them interact with one another.  This was a great zoo and the only thing it was missing was penguins!  Why no penguins San Diego???  They are my favs!  Get some asap and then you will be perfect!

 Flamingos - my favorite bird b/c they are pink of course!

Another view...

 When we first got there we raced to see the new baby panda - it's only out for two hours a day.  After a twenty minute wait... here it is!  All curled up in that tree stump in the back right.  See the white fluff?  Yeah, we could hardly either!  Baby's momma is happily eating away as baby sleeps... but I was a little disappointed.  Oh well, I guess baby's need their sleep too!

 I have loved tigers since I was a little kid - even did a report on Bengal tigers back in the day.  I just think they are so beautiful - which is weird b/c I usually don't like orange, but these cats make it work!

I felt bad for this boar b/c he was so ugly.  My mom's quote was "What was God thinking when he made this??"  Haha... they were so ugly they were almost cute - like those ugliest dog contests with the hairless dogs... 

 My mom loves birds and especially eagles.  I am so impressed by their size - and love the angles the San Diego zoo gives you with all the walkways so you are able to be closer to their level and really see them

 These two were so cute - at first!  I got a bunch of pics like this, and then they started fighting - they are probably siblings... so sweet one minute and fighting the next!

 Can you spot the bear?  We couldn't either!  Until about 5 minutes of looking and I felt so silly bc it was right in front of our faces!  (It's on top of the rock snoozin' if you still can't make it out!)

 King of the jungle and lovin every minute of it

 Gotta love the elephants!

 So thankful this vulture spread his wings for me... made for a great shot!

 Stinkiest camel I have ever seen/smelt.  Poor guy - I could literally smell him for about 10 feet before and after! 

At Tara's wedding my mom was sunning herself and said - I'm like those animals at the zoo that Braden (a friend of our family) and I see all the time.  Well the animal is a meerkat and we were lucky enough to see one for comparison that next day!

Here is my beautiful mom and me... I am so bundled up in all these pics!  I thought Cali would be warmer!!! :)

A Beachside Wedding

My cousin Tara got married this weekend to her prince charming, Dustin.  It was such a fun wedding.  She got married in Carlsbad which is just north of San Diego.  It was a beautiful setting.  I am so glad she found such a great guy like Dustin.  I hope to meet my own prince charming one day, and that I can look as incredible as she did on her special day!  She got Christian Louboutin shoes to wear, but walked barefoot in the sand... then stepped into the shoes.  Still, I understand you can't waste your Louboutins!  :)  The pictures will tell the rest... 

Here is my beautiful Aunt Linda being walked down the aisle by her soon to be son in law! :)

Jeremy (the cutie in the middle) and her two groomsmen

Tara's new BIL and SIL :)  They have the two cutest kids who were also in the wedding!

 The reason Tara and Dustin found each other - at these two's wedding!

 Tara and Erin (her sister)'s best friend, Nicole - her wedding is this summer!

 Tara's gorgeous sister, Erin.

One of the cute kids I mentioned - his sign says "Uncle D, here comes your bride!"

And finally, the bride!!!  So pretty, so happy!

And her dress from the back... with her excited groom awaiting!

Putting on the infamous shoes!

Close up of the shoes! :)

 The beautiful (and freezing) bridesmaids! 

The cute groomsmen and the ring bearers one being held by grandma!

 Tara's mom and dad watching their daughter get married!

The happy couple :)

Tara and Me!  Such a great day!!!!

Life...

So... I updated my background and figured I should update my blog as well.  Life is pretty good. I just started a new job (I know you are probably thinking... didn't she just start one in February??)  Well, I did and this is a more permanent step for me... I think.  I'm in sales now!  What???  I know, crazy right??  I work for Accounting Principals.  We are a specialized staffing firm here in Seattle (well and all over the country, but I obviously work in our Seattle branch).  If you need a job or need a great accounting candidate, please feel free to contact me!  (You can find me on linked in... I'm really not trying to market to my friends.)  I love it so far.  I love the people and the atmosphere... and I get what I wanted everyday... a CHALLENGE.  I need that!

In other news...well shoot there's just not too much to tell you (and by you I mean anyone who is kind enough to peruse my blog... I doubt I get a lot of traffic!)  I got tickets to the Taylor Swift concert in August!!  So excited... she puts on such a great show... I may have floor seats this time... I splurged!  What else???  I am horrified by what happened today in Connecticut.  What is wrong with people?  I cannot imagine losing my child (period), but especially not like that.  Thank God I believe there is a Heaven and that those kids are there tonight, or I would be a lot more distraught about it... that is the ONLY bright side.  The rest is just too horrifying to think about!

My work is doing a Biggest Loser competition in January.  Thank God!  I need some motivation to get my ass back in gear!  This body of mine is just not acceptable in its current state.  However... now that I am done with school, my skin is clear again!  Yay... so I guess you win some you lose some!  But really... a couple months of P90X and I am hoping to be back in business... wish me luck!  Sorry this is such a lame update... I didn't realize how boring I am until I wrote about my lack of a life! I'll start working on getting one of those.. then maybe I'll have some better things to write.  Until then...

Inspired by the Duggars

So, most people probably consider this family "crazy" for having 19 kids (and counting!), but I have watched the show from the beginning and find many things about them inspiring.  Before you consider me crazy, let me explain. :)

First off: faith.  This family lives and breathes their faith.  They are committed to serving the Lord and others. They are genuinely kind to their siblings and all those around them.  They live to be content just where they are in life.  Secondly: Family - obviously they care about family and put them first in their life.  They do not believe in birth control (obviously!), but their reasoning behind it is solid and they are fully capable of financially and emotionally caring for all these children.  Which brings me to point three: finances.  They have no debt.  They are very thrifty and truly believe in being able to support themselves without depending on the government or anyone else.  And most importantly, I have never seen them judge anyone for not living life as they choose to. (Example: their cousin doesn't go to their church and wears jeans, but is still equally accepted and supported in their family.)  This is the most important example they set because a lot of Christians tend to be very judgmental, and hurt more than help others and I have yet to see this family do this.

The point of this post is the episode I was watching the other night.  The older girls were discussing courting and getting married and if they wanted to be married.  Jill said the best thing I have heard in awhile.  (Yes, I watch it enough to know their names - at least the girls :)  She said it is important to be content in your current place in life, or you will never be content in a marriage.  Always seeking the "next thing" will never make you happy.  I am so bad at this.  I couldn't wait to be done with school.  Now, I am and I want a new job.  I want to be married because I don't like being single.  But I know marriage is not perfect and I should enjoy being single and childless and appreciate the random naps I get to take and the fact that I can have cereal for dinner if I want b/c I don't have to cook for anyone else.  So, my goal right now is to learn how to be content right now.  I will continue to look for a new job, but I really want to focus on just being happy with my day to day life as it is.  This means doing things that make me happy each day.  If my apartment is a mess - clean it up!  If I don't feel happy with my body - go work out.  If I'm lonely - call a friend!  Don't just lay here depressed thinking about all the things I wish I had.  And, I really want to work on having a good prayer life.  I think this is one of the most important things because how else do you talk to God?  So, that is how the Duggars inspired me this week.  You may love them, hate them, or think they or nuts... but to me, they are an inspiration and I am so glad they share their life and morals with the world each week. :)

Girlfriends :)

I think one of the most amazing things God has given us in this life is good girl friends.  (If you are a girl... the reverse for guys.)  You know the kind of friends where no topic is off limits, no laugh is too loud or too long, and the kind you can pick up with right where you left off everytime you see them.  I have been blessed with some of the most amazing girlfriends.  Some live in Boise, some live in Seattle...all are equally amazing and loved by yours truly. :) 

This past trip back to Boise, I got to get together with a group of girls I went to high school with.  I was acquaintances with one, friends with another, and best friends with the third (except for a falling out Junior year, but luckily she forgave me for being a bad friend... I claim being young and ignorant and thinking I knew it all, when really I knew nothing... and am so grateful for her forgiveness when I made the decision to pursue "partying" over true friendship... like I said... what did I know???)  Anyways, the point is we weren't always great friends.  But, now I cannot imagine life without these girls!  They are all such amazing women and I have loved watching them become wives and mothers and hope to one day be part of that club too!

We all went to Flatbread in Meridian... and stayed way passed closing (outside... trying not to wake the town of Meridian with our laughter!)  In fact one husband thought his wife was surely going to turn up in a hospital that night!  (The other hubbies knew that if you hang out with this group of girls... we will talk your ear off all night :)  It was so much fun!  Seriously made me want to move back to Boise and just hang out with these girls all the time!  (Although... with life that is not always the reality, so I will take my time when I can get it!)

These are some of my favorites who live in Boise... seriously... if you don't know these girls - get to!  They are some of the best people I know!  Also, I encourage all of you to invest in your relationships with other girls... you won't regret it!  I only had guy friends for awhile in high school b/c girls were "too catty/jealous".  No... I just didn't realize how great they were! :)  Good friends are the best thing I could ever ask for!  (Besides family... but they kind of have to love you :)