I Can't Believe I Did It

1) A few weeks ago we had Stake conference ( two inspirational meetings,one on Saturday & the other on Sunday) and it was awesome. Elder Wood came and gave us great counsel. One thing he mention is that when he was called to be a General Authority (a servant/leader of the church) he was told by one of the twelve Apostles to place his current scriptures on his book shelf and purchase a new set of scriptures. The Apostle mention that he was called to a new calling and will receive new insight and revelation and that his old scriptures were marked up to much that it would be a distraction of receiving new inspiration. He suggested that we should do the same. I thought it would be hard to place my scriptures on the shelf and purchase new ones considering they were my mission scriptures and had a ton of notes, references, & highlights. But it wasn't hard at all. It was like a light bulb just turned on in my head. That's why it's been so difficult to get new insight from my scriptures. I would read and notice a highlight and think about why I highlighted it instead of reading the words. In most cases I would forget why I highlighted or underlined it because it has been highlighted over and over again. Basically it was a distraction. So Mark and I purchased a new set of scriptures, just the economical ones. Considering in a few years I want to do the same thing and don't want to pay 40 dollars or more for the fancy leather ones considering we'll be switching them often. Can I just say it has made the biggest difference in my scripture study. Things I haven't noticed before are popping out to me left and right. I feel that God is now able to speak to me through the scriptures because I'm not so distracted. Just throwing it out there for those that feel they can benefit from this advice:)

My Little Happy Model

2) A few days ago we purchased a sewing machine. In hopes that I can learn how to sew and save money for our family eventually. I have this friend named Nancey who is amazing when it comes to sewing and has been an inspiration to me. I love how she can look at something and say "I can make that myself" and she does. I love that! I want to do that to! She has been teaching me how to sew, which I'm so grateful for. I'm so excited! There are so many things I want to make. My goal is to make at least 8 nursing dresses and a few nursing shirts. I think nursing clothing is much better then a nursing cover but that's just my opinion. Unfortunately nursing clothing is hecka expensive which motivates me to make my own. I don't want to forget to mention that President Uchtdorf talk in the General Relief Society meeting (Inspirational meeting specifically for women) was AWESOME! Who doesn't want to create something after that talk. Creativity is a gift from God and we all have it within in us because we are children of God. So we inherit Godly gifts. We just express it in different ways. So with out further a Du, I made my first baby skirt. It's actually the first thing I made with a sewing machine. That pouch I made in Home ec. in 8th grade doesn't count considering someone practically sewed it for me because I didn't know what I was doing and I didn't want to fail the class. The following pictures is of my princess, show casing it off.

Not bad for the first thing I made. I'll get better I promise.

UPDATE On Mahealani:

1. She's started to pick up a little Spanish & Sign Language

2. She loves to give hugs & kisses. Seriously just melts my heart when she stops what she's doing just to give me a hug & a kiss

3. She is starting to run

4. She has developed this fake cry in order to get our attention

5. She has 12 teeth

6. She loves playing with children

7. She tries really hard to talk and when she feels that we don't understand what she's saying she uses her hands. (This is super cute by the way)

-Much much more but I can't think of any right now

P.s. We finally donated our car to charity and bought a minivan. Crazy! Never thought I would drive a van, but you know what I actually like it.

P.s.s. Pregnancy is going well. I have 2 months left and our other princess will arrive. Super excited!

Inauguration Day

What a sweet and beautiful moment it was to see President Obama take oath a few days ago. I was in tears as I witnessed such a miraculous and historical moment. I love the way I felt as I viewed it and I'm so glad to see the change this has been to people all over the world. I love that people are feeling ownership, responsibility and the need to exercise their citizenship. I love the HOPE that is sweeping over our Nation because we have a leader we can believe in. As he gave his Inaugural Speech I felt the Spirit really strong. I was so grateful that I could actually see God in this whole event and I'm very glad that they included Him in that great day. Really it's because of God's great mercy and loving kindness that we can live on this promise land. I hope the positive momentum continues and we can strive to be a little bit better each day.

P.s. I just finished this book called Women & Money by Suze Orman. Excellent! A must read for anyone who is knowledgeable or ignorant when it comes to money. Strategies & advice what to do and how to manage your money were astounding. Thought it would be boring but the total opposite. With this knowledge I feel more empowered and by doing the things she has mention means more control of my life. There are simple things we could do now to avoid stress and conflict in the future if we but make the effort to do so. My next read is called Women of Destiny it's an inspirational book that reflects on the Relief Society Declaration. Loving it so far!

Happy New Year

Its that time of the year again. Reflection and change. I'm so ready! I'm tired of being where I'm at and have a strong desire to improve. I don't like setting a goal for a whole year, I never keep up with it. Instead I want to make monthly goals so I can have a quicker reflection period and a much more stronger feeling of urgency! At the same time keeping it simple.

Goals for January are:

1. Find JOY in the Journey

2. Use my planner

3. My tongue is the law of kindness