How It's Supposed To Be

I saw this on Pinterest the other day and it just really hit home. 

I don't know why, but as humans, we get caught up in comparison.  To strangers, to friends, and even pictures in our own heads of how things are "supposed to be."  And it is so easy to do, without even realizing it! Most of the time when I get down about something, or disappointed, it's because I had this picture in my mind of what things are supposed to be like, and they turn out differently than I thought/wanted.

And then I saw this and is kind of made me realize, just because things are different, doesn't mean they are bad.  The Lord will give us every good blessing we need.  And just because those blessings don't look like what we pictured, doesn't mean they aren't what we need, or aren't good. What we need is to see things how they are, and be grateful.

25 and stayin' alive! (ah, ah, ah, ah)

Welp, it happened.  Today I officially became an old lady.

I turned 25.

I remember as a little girl daydreaming, wondering 

"I wonder what I will look like when I am 25? "

"I wonder what I will be doing when I am 25?"

"I wonder what I will be like when I am 25?"

And after having a very heartbreaking experience last year around this time, I went into 2012 dreading turning 25 at the end of the year.  I was still struggling so much to accept what had happened and to move forward with my life.  I subconsciously put a mental expiration date on myself saying, "if I am not at my dream job...or....if I am not dating somebody else seriously...or...if I haven't moved out to my dream city by the time I turn 25,  I am useless, I am a failure."

And up until the end of the summer, I mentally beat the crap out of myself for not abiding by my timeline, my "usefulness expiration date."  I became more and more disappointed with myself because none of these things had panned out for me yet.

And then, by the Lord's tender mercy something clicked.  I realized how hard I was being on myself.  And that was big.  I never,ever had realized what ridiculous timelines I put myself on, I never realized how I would be SO hard on myself for not accomplishing things I thought I wanted to, when I wanted to.  And because I recognized this, I was able to begin to change it.

I realized that hey, just because some total clueless jerk broke your heart doesn't make you unlovable...it just means you deserve and want better. And he wasn't it.

Just because you haven't been able to afford that apartment you've been dreaming of moving to for so long yet doesn't mean it won't happen, it just means you are where you are supposed to be for now.

Just because you aren't at your dream job yet doesn't mean you won't have it...it just means you have a purpose to serve at the one you are at now.

And, just because things aren't like you pictured them at 25, doesn't mean they aren't good.

Expirations on people do not exist.  Sure, we all physically die and leave this earth some day, but we have NOW. We always have now.  

Treasure it, cherish it, live it, love it, NOW.  Make changes that need to happen.  Let yourself grow.  Work on your dreams.  Don't give up or beat yourself up.  The Lord has a plan for everyone, and He loves us all individually, and perfectly, even though we are not perfect.  He doesn't put us on timelines, when we mess up He doesn't say "Alright, that's it, you only have till your (insert age) to get it right!" He says, "It's ok, try again tomorrow.  Let me show you that what I have planned for you is bigger and better than your plans."

I am alive. Simply saying that puts a smile on my face because this time last year I didn't think I could survive.

But I did. And I am better. Stronger.  Older. Wiser. More blessed.

Here I am. all 25 years of me, failures, trials, experiences, scars, lessons, blessings, and all. I am alive and I am grateful to be 25.

Once Upon A Time/Happily Ever After

After a rough year, and the last few weeks being pretty challenging, I have found myself daydreaming about my life, and what I hope and dream for it.  I find myself thinking

 "I will be happy when/if this happens..." a lot.

  Then I saw this page online and it hit me....I can be happy NOW.  I don't have to wait for some future events in my life...I can make the best out of my NOW situation, and use NOW to work on making these goals and dreams come true.  

I have a Heavenly Father who loves me unconditionally and showers me with Tender Mercies every day.  I have the gospel.  I have a roof over my head, and that is an extra special blessing after being on the east coast and dealing with Sandy.  I have a car to drive and a job to make a living.  I have people who love me.  I have blessings without number. And when I think of these things, I truly feel happy:)

 I totally, TOTALLY recommend reading this talk too.

My First Wedding Shoot

This August, I was blessed to be hired for my very first wedding shoot! I LOVED it!  It was so fun being able to capture this couple's special day!   Besides being super nervous before heading over and getting  SUPER lost on the way to the little church, it went off without a hitch and I had a blast! I love weddings! These are a few of my favorites of the day, from directly after the ceremony  in a special little couple's session for just the two Newlyweds.

Congrats Eric and Nicole!

Apparently, I have a life

I can't believe how long it's been since I've blogged! The last few weeks have been flying fast. This year is flying by sooooooooooo fast.  I cannot believe it is mid October already, MID OCTOBER PEOPLE! 

I love fall.  I love boots. I love scarves.  I love warm fuzzy socks. And I love any excuse I can get to drink Hershey's Hot Cocoa fresh from the stove top.  

I have had some exciting things happen over the last few weeks.

I went to Six Flags again.  My sister's friend scored us some free tickets, heck yes! 

Then me and my sister went to see There For Tomorrow. Um...AMAZING!!!! So flipping good.

And this past week me and three of my best friends went to Atlantic City for two days! More to come on that.

Overall, I have been SO blessed, and blessed to be too busy to blog, and I have some more exciting things coming my way!

Sometimes, it's awkward being awkward

So the past few weeks I have been talking to a pretty cute guy...ok..let's be honest, he's actually pretty smokin'. We've texted quite a lot. 

Well, this said guy and myself were in the middle of a texting conversation when I decided it was time to work around the kitchen and pack my lunch for the next day.  

I gleefully laid my phone down and went to work, packing, washing, cleaning, and yes, singing a Disney Junior/Doc McStuffins song,"I feel better! So much better! Thank you doc for takin' all the ouchies awayyyyy", loudly. 

After a few minutes when I was done with my encore, I heard this faint talking.  Perplexed, I looked down at my phone.  And to my utter horror, it was in the middle of leaving this attractive man a nearly two minute voicemail before it cut me off.

OH MY. Hoping that it was the end of it, and I could move on, pretending it didn't happen, and that he probably didn't hear anything, I started to send him a text to say I was sorry for the mistake-call, when my text tone went off and stopped me. I look, and it is from this fine man. What did it say?

"Ps I am glad you are feeling 'so much better'."


Yup, that was awkward.

Crock Pot Cheesecake, British Accents, and other Amazing Things

I have had a serious addiction to late-night Pinterest binges.  And these are some of the gems of the week.

PEETA! haha. This cracked me up:

And OH my gosh when I get married, this is SO happening:

 

 And holy old glory, Jude Law, I love you and your beautiful,wavy hair and dreamy blue eyes and smooth British accent. 

Crock Pot Cheesecake?! Um, HECK yes! SO trying this like, today!

(recipe)