#thankfultuesday - Enough

This has been a lesson I've been learning for years. I think I might have finally got it though (knock on wood). The past few weeks have been rough. Yes, I'm still happy. But I've been a bit discouraged about where my life is currently. But I decided to start looking at how I am being blessed instead of how I'm not being blessed. It really has helped me be more positive and even happier. 

I'm grateful for.....

1. My new niece, Penelope Melinda, who is the smallest, cutest little baby you've ever seen. 

2. For the fact that it is now socially acceptable to wear stripes and polka-dots at the same time!

3. For the Spring weather. I've been loving the sunny days and then still getting to fall asleep to the sound of rain.

4. For a good friend who can tell when I am down and will give me a rocking pep talk.

5. That I got to cook a gourmet dinner on Sunday. #thenexttopchef

6. That General Conference is this weekend!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Seriously so dang excited. "It's the most wonderful time of the year" (please sing along). #LDSconf (Follow me on Twitter- I get a little tweet happy this time of the year)

7. One of my students and best friends returns from her mission on Friday. I haven't seen her in 18 months. Things are about to get real folks.

8. How long my hair is getting. Even though I'd like to cut it off at least once a week, I like how long it is getting. Makes no sense, I know.

9. For my bro-in-law who put up with all of my obnoxious comments during church on Sunday.

10. For the miracle that is me running four days straight last week. I'm sure the angels were singing in heaven.

What are you grateful for this week?

Spring Cleaning

Doing some spring cleaning over here at Sisters, What!. These are just a few of the items that are up for sale on our new Instagram account @Sisterswhatcloset. There are a bunch posted now but more will come over time. 

Hope to see you over there soon! 

Happy Friday!

Have Courage, and Be Kind

"Have Courage, and Be Kind". 

Definitely not the message I was expecting to get when I went and saw the new Cinderella.

As Disney released the trailer for the new Cinderella I was so excited. I couldn't tell you why, except that it just seemed different and it looked well made. I remember seeing the clip where the mother said, "Where there is kindness, there is goodness, and where there is goodness, there is magic." and thinking what a great quote. And that was it. 

My desire to see the movie purely stemmed from the fact that it just looked really well made, seemed to have some really good actors and actresses, and the director was Kenneth Branagh, one of my favorites.

I went and saw it on opening day and I was blown away. The message of the movie wasn't female power, you can only be saved by a man, or magic is the only solution. It was simply what her mother taught her, "Have courage, and be kind". It cannot get any better than that.

I left the theater not thinking that I wished a gorgeous prince would come sweep me off my feet, but thinking to myself, "How can I be more kind in my life?" And it wasn't like Cinderella was this fake, happy go-lucky girl. She was real, genuine and again, simply kind. Branagh said during the pre-production of this movie, "Let’s make a story about kindness as a super power." I love that!

Over and over again her Stepmother and Stepsisters were very rude to her, they treated her as though she was a slave in her own home. And you could see the hurt that she felt, but she still kept pushing forward with that courage and kindness that her mother taught her. 

My favorite part of the whole movie was at the very end. There were two things that occurred: First the narrator says something to the idea of would just being herself be enough. And then as they are leaving the house Cinderella turns to her Stepmother and says, "I forgive you". 

This movie taught girls everywhere that they don't need fancy ball gowns, diamond rings, or fame to impress men. That they simply need to be themselves. It taught them that courage and kindness is much more important than status, money and being powerful and right. Finally it taught them forgiveness. She didn't have to say anything to her Stepmother. She could have simply just walked away, but she forgave her. 

Wow, what power! She could have easily held onto that anger and let it grow inside of her. But she let the power of forgiveness let her be free to live a full life, to live a life that she deserves. A life where she will change others. 

So many movies and books these day portray a female lead who is physically strong, a fighter, and witty. But this movie shows the exact opposite. And while those traits aren't bad things after seeing this movie I've come to realize the kind of woman I want to be, and what I want to teach my daughters to be. A woman of kindness, has courage, is loving and forgiving, and who looks for the best in people and situations. D. Todd Christofferson is found here quoting a former Young Women leader in my church when he says:

“The world has enough women who are tough; we need women who are tender. There are enough women who are coarse; we need women who are kind. There are enough women who are rude; we need women who are refined. We have enough women of fame and fortune; we need more women of faith. We have enough greed; we need more goodness. We have enough vanity; we need more virtue. We have enough popularity; we need more purity.” In blurring feminine and masculine differences, we lose the distinct, complementary gifts of women and men that together produce a greater whole.

So I say to you, may you find a way to have more courage and kindness in your life. I didn't expect to walk out of that theater wanting to be a better, kinder, a more courageous person. But I did, and for that Disney and Kenneth Branagh I am grateful. 

My sister made this beautiful print for me! Found here for download.

Instead of worrying about what will be my next job, what I'm going to wear, what will be my next fun adventure I'm going to be better at thinking "How can I be more kind to those around me? How can I help those in need? Who needs my love that I may not normally reach out to? How can I have more courage in my life?". 

Thank you for showing me and millions of girls, boys, men and women all over the world that kindness can be a superpower!

How do you show kindness and courage in your daily life?

#thankfultuesday - You're alive.

VIA

I saw this and just couldn't think anything other than #amen. But seriously, does anyone but me think being alive is a miracle?? Yes, there are some days where life is so dang hard, but then again....think of those amazing days that we have. 

Think of the beauties you've seen in the world, the experiences you've had, the things you've been able to do, all because you're alive! 

So there you go, I'm helping you out for those days where it feels like absolutely everything is going wrong, I can promise at least one thing is going right. If you don't believe me check your pulse. 

I'm grateful....

1. For my wonderful Ambassadors at work who help make each of our events successful.

2. For my best friend who took time off work to come adventure with me in Washington this last weekend.

3. Again for my best friend who not only made me laugh so hard all weekend but also gave me some great pep talks.

4. For my wonderful students and their strong desire to be better and to draw closer to the Savior.

5. For overalls. Guys I bought some last week. They rock. End of story.

6. For parents who care.

7. For jamming sessions in the car to old school rap songs. You know you have them too. Don't hide it, own it!

8. For my knowledge of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Seriously, I don't even like to imagine life without it.

9. For the semi-warm springtime weather. I know I always say this, but guy's it rocks!

10. For water. I know that is a weird thing, but man it is so good!

What are you grateful for this week?

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Kyle Vs. Washington

This weekend one of my best friends came to visit. Kyle is from Portland and we met back in college. Since the day we met we've been fighting about Washington vs. Oregon. And after four and a half years I finally got the chance to prove him the truth. We did Ruby Beach on Friday and Seattle on Saturday. 

What is life without a slow motion modeling video?

While in Seattle we discovered that I have a solid future in modeling. 

This is what most of the pictures looked like.... Like I said "solid". Anybody else stoked that overalls are coming back!?

Molly Moon's. Good but not as good as Salt and Straw in Portland. Yes, Portland has one thing that is better than Seattle. 

I will never, ever, ever delete this video. And I need to post it on here so that I can prove to the world that I won! But let's be honest, it wasn't that hard :). Thank you Kyle for such a fantastic weekend!

Dear Hollywood

I love chick-flicks just as much as the average girl. Especially rom-com's! Some are hilarious, some are just heart warming. As humans we love, love. Especially girls. We love to watch sappy love stories. I've always known they are pretty unrealistic. But really though, that is why we love them!

One of my favorites!!

The other night after a chick-flick binge over the past few weeks I decided I had enough! No, I don't mean enough watching them because let's be honest here, that isn't going to happen. Ha! I've had enough of nights laying in bed wondering, even though I know its unrealistic, "can a person really fall in love that fast?" and then remind myself I'm being ridiculous. Was that too honest?! Oops.

I'd like to start a petition to Hollywood to make a rom-com that is realistic!!!

Guy meets girl, over a month or two the guy tries to get the girls attention. The girl secretly is interested in the guy but can't read him. You know the story. We've all lived the story at least once in one of our relationships. How about best friends for years, timing just never was on their side, until one day.....Or just the regular they met went on dates over a month or so and slowly it just clicked.

Okay this post isn't me writing my own chick flick but seriously Hollywood, could you please just make one realistic chick flick. Is that too much to ask?! If you'd like to use my life, because it would be a great rom-com, you're more then welcome to.

I'm going to get serious for a second here. And no, I'm not saying chick flicks are the cause for so many of us being single, or divorce rates. But I'm sure they don't help. We watch these and we find ourselves thinking, just like I did, "I want a story like that". We start to convince ourselves he doesn't really like/love us unless he does big romantic gestures like in the movies. Unless he walks into my office and tells me how much he loves me in front of all my co-workers (The Proposal anyone?? So funny!).

I've been blessed with great parents, leaders and siblings in my life who have showed me what a real relationship, a great relationship, looks like. I've also been in great relationships. No, they didn't work out but that doesn't mean they weren't good. That doesn't mean I didn't learn how real relationships look.

Yes, I have weak moments where I think those ridiculous things after watching a chick-flick. But I'm always able to bring myself back to reality because I've been taught correct principles. I've been taught it's about love, service, kindness, laughing, caring, selflessness etc.

True love takes time, it doesn't just happen. You have to work at it. Yes, initially you can really like a person just from spending time with them, but that won't last unless you work at it and help that love to grow.

And now I think it is time for someone to make a movie that teaches those exact things. Please and thank you!


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#thankfultuesday - An Attitude of Gratitude

VIA 

I don't even think I need to expound on this quote, it says it all. AMEN! I can't tell you how much more blessed I've been since I've started this whole gratitude kick. Oh wait, I haven't been more blessed, I've just started actually recognizing the blessings I was receiving all along. 

I'm grateful....

1. For my friend who went running with me last week. Usually I like to run alone but this time I really needed the motivation.

2. For being invited to a certain Baby Shower last week. I may have been at least five years younger than everyone there, and the only single one, but it meant a lot to me to be included.

3. For all the driving time I had this weekend to listen to General Conference talks and sing along to lots of songs!

4. That I was able to attend the wedding of one of my good friends from college. So glad to see him finally find a girl who makes him so happy.

5. For all the kind things my boss and my president said to me during my year review last week. It is great knowing you're doing something right.

6. For the time I got to spend with my sister, bro-in-law and nephews this weekend in Portland.

7. That one of my best friends who I haven't seen in almost two years is coming to visit me this weekend! Be prepared for picture overload!

8. That my dentist office now lets you watch movies while you're getting fillings. Seriously, way too fancy. But I'm not complaining.

9. That we are way ahead on our checklists for all of my events this year!

10. For the peace I've been able to feel this week concerning my current place in life.

What are you grateful for this week?

Calling All Dreamers

Dear Dreamer,

Sometimes life goes unplanned and you're going to feel like you're completely out of control. You'll have done everything you could to make your dreams come to life and it won't work.

You'll do the best you can only to see it fail. After trying over and over you'll think to yourself "What is even the point? Why do I even try?"

You'll see everyone succeeding and you'll wonder "What am I doing that is so wrong?" You'll want to be happy for them but part of you is just envious. You'll consider yourself a failure and feel so stuck.

But it's going to be okay. Sometimes it is in the mess of life that we will find the most peace.

Just because you didn't get it this time doesn't mean you should give up your dream.

Keep trying. Keep believing. It will all work out in time. Just because you've failed does not make you a failure.

Pick yourself up, and even if its baby step by baby step, find a way to move forward.

Look to Him for help. He will guide you, He will give you peace. He may tell you its not time yet, but it will come. Have faith in His timing. He wants you to be happy and He will help your dreams become a reality, in His time.

Don't you ever quit!

And when all else fails just laugh!

Love always,

Your Fellow Dreamer

#thankfultuesday - Say Thank You!

I'm BACK!!! (Did anyone imagine Independence Day or am I just getting old?? haha). Sorry I missed last week guys. I know you were probably an emotional wreck with out your Tuesday gratitude pump up. HAHA! Thank you for always reading my posts, thank you for your positive words, and most importantly thank you for being you! 

I'm grateful....

1. For a friend who will road trip with me in the middle of the week to go watch the BYU Cougars play in Portland, despite the fact that we both have to work early the next morning.

2. For parents who invite me to come to dinner with them on Friday night.

3. For a mother who begs me to buy things that match with her.

4. For THE greatest set of students in my missionary preparation class. They are rock stars!

5. For a father who can give me a priesthood blessing at the drop of a hat. 

6. For a friend who believes in me more than almost anyone, minus my parents.

7. For my job. Today is my one year anniversary!

8. For the man who told me on Sunday my talk was one of the best he had ever heard.

9. For the friend who is as spontaneous as me and convinces me to go to the Women's World Cup with her. (We made the decision in about 12 hours).

10. And finally for all of you. I know I don't have a ton of readers, and that is fine. But I'm grateful for all of your positive words and for not totally abandoning me and my craziness.

What are you grateful for this week?

Lately

I've had a lot going on lately. As you may have noticed I haven't even posted on here in a while. I've been full on adventure mode lately and saying yes to every fun opportunity coming my way. I have decided just because I'm 25 doesn't mean I have to stop being adventurous like I was in my college days. 

In the past two weeks I have:

- Made Balsamic Glazed Steak Rolls for the first time. YUMMMY!

- Eaten more crab then a person should eat. If you're ever in Seattle and you like crab, go to The Crab Pot. SO GOOD!

- Celebrated my good friends 21st birthday!

- I went to Seattle twice in 24 hours. 

- While there I took as many crazy pictures as I could. 

- Had a "Who can do the coolest jump across each line in the cement" competition on the coolest bridge in Seattle with a friend I had just met a few hours before. 

- Climbed across a rocky shoreline in the dark in order to get a better view of the city.

- Drove to Portland and back in one night (four hours roundtrip) to go see BYU basketball team play U of Portland. They won! (And they beat Gonzaga, # 3 in the country, last night!!!!) Go Cougars!!!!

- While there watched Tyler Haws break Jimmer Fredette's record as all time scorer for BYU. 

- Bought tickets to go to the Women's FIFA World Cup in Canada in June. 

- Had some of the best class periods with my students!

My life is good guys. It may not be going the way I want it to but it is going the way it needs to. 

If you're ever feeling bored go do something spontaneous. Something that might leave you exhausted in the morning, may seem irresponsible, or you feel like a kid when you do it. It feels very freeing! Sometimes being a kid and just letting lose is exactly what we need.

Enjoy!

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