Thankful: Day 4

Yoga.

Have I bored you with all the yoga talk, yet?

Don't worry, I'll keep it short.

I. Love. Yoga. To make it even better, today I got a job as an assistant yoga instructor.

Yoga's fabulous.

Yoga. Yoga. Yoga. :) :)

Thankful Day 3

MY GIRLFRIENDS

I am the luckiest little lady in the land when it comes to friends, especially my girlfriends. They are fabulous and perfect and the greatest girls you'll ever, ever meet in your entire lifetimes. 

I'm so thankful that I've been blessed enough to meet each of them and get to know them so personally and share so many great memories with them. I know that if I ever need anything, I can turn to any one of them and they'd come to my rescue and help me out until I'm 100% better.

I'm so thankful for my friends :) :)

By the way, a lot of these pictures are from my phone and come with that annoying little black border... sorry!!

me & whit

me & katie

chelsea, me & sarah

kelsie & myself 

chelsea, whitney, me & sarah

chels, me & cassie

me & sarah

whitney & meee

kourtney & me

chelsea, kourtney, me, whitney, sarah..oh & brennan :)

amanda, me, whitney, sarah, aubrie, chelsea, kim, chelsi, kourtney

me & katie

chelsea, sarah, me, cassie (in disneyland)

chelsea&chelsea

kourt, me, cassie

me & jenna

chelsea, chelsea, cassie

me, whitney, sarah

jenna & chels

Thankful Day 2

CHURCH.

I am so, so very thankful for church and for the opportunity I have each week to take the Sacrament, feel the spirit, see friends, listen to incredible lessons and learn more about the gospel.

Its a short and simple 'thankful' of mine, but I think its one of the most important. :)

10 Days of Thankfull [day 1]

The other day I was reading someones blog and they were doing a blog challenge called '10 Days of Thankful.' I really like the idea of this because I believe everyone could be more thankful or at least pay more attention to the things we should be thankful for. With that being said, I've decided to do my own 10 Days of Thankful.

Day One: MY FAMILY

My family is as good as they come.

I'm so, so, so incredibly thankful for them and often times I wonder why I got so lucky to be a member of the little Walker family tree. 

My daddy is a hard worker and is a spiritual giant and a very great example to me.

My mommy is the most selfless person I've met who puts her kids first in every aspect and wants us happy more than anything.

Savannah-Bug is strong and confident in herself and is the best listener and best laughing partner.

Adi-lu is the most caring girl on earth, keeps things exciting and active and is so optimistic and joyful.

I am also incredibly thankful for my extended family. From day one they've all been the best and I'm fortunate enough to have a good relationship with each member. 

I love you all.

I am thankful for my family :)

Question of the day

Lately, I've been kicking my butt trying to get into better shape. I still have so many different exercise forms I need to try and master, too. I'm a dork and I'm already stressing out about being in good shape and looking hot for my wedding. No, this isn't me telling you theres a wedding in the future...I'm far from that day, no worries. But I'm a girl and I naturally look forward to my wedding. I want toned legs, good arms, a lifted booty, a six-pack, etc, you know?
Just so you know, a future wedding isn't the only reason I want to be in shape. Being in shape is just a good lifestyle and one I enjoy living.

Blah, blah, blah...

The last few days I've been even more sore than usual. I am in my yoga class then I also take a two hour yoga class at school, I have zumba, running, weights, squats, push ups, sit ups, crunches, lunges, and whatever other exercises I put myself through and I'm always sore afterwards.

This left me thinking...

I consider myself a person who is in pretty good shape and I still get sore regularly...and I plan to stay fit for the rest of my life.


So, tell me, am I ever not going to be sore? 

twenty-eleven

2011.

Is it really only May? Goodness, I tell you what, 2011 has been the longest year of my life and I'm not even half way through it! Sheesh. I think it would be safe to say that my life has been a 24/7 chaotic whirlwind since mid-January to this very day and truly, the chaos isn't showing any sings of stopping anytime soon. ::deep, cleansing breathe:: In these five months, my limits have been tried time after time, my faith has been challenged, my standards have been tested and my mental state has been abused on thousands of occasions. 

I'll admit, several times a week I'll throw a full-blown pity party for myself. Its a party of one (me) in my room including lots of kleenex, a blankie and lots of emotion. Sounds fun, huh? (The answer, by the way, is no. H, no.) All year I have been so completely overwhelmed with my future. I'm terrified, excited, anxious, curious and most of all, stressed out about what is to come of it. Really, I don't know why I struggle so much with being content and focused on my "now," but it is a serious problem of mine. I'm always looking ahead or looking back and never giving much attention to where I'm currently at. Ah, yes, its really something I need to work on because as hard as it is to believe, I hear one day I'll actually miss these days. 

Today I had the great opportunity to spend some time with some of my closest friends and as usual, we covered nearly 10,000 topics. One topic that really was interesting to me is when my dear and lovely friends Cassie and Chelsea were talking about how sometimes they'll get really caught up in their struggles and be discouraged with their lives and just not be happy at all. We all have those days, you know? Then, they said they always feel so bad about doing so because they'll hear about someone else who has it so much worse and is going through something so much harder and they feel very sorry for them and want to do something kind for them.

It just left me thinking... Its true, someone always has it worse. 

Then my thoughts began to continue as I thought of all the times I've been taught that when you are discouraged, a great way to cheer yourself up is to serve someone else. Then there was the thought that I tell myself, daily, Heavenly Father will never, never, ever put me through a trial that I can't handle and overcome. Between these thoughts, I think I learned a lot tonight and even had some prayers answered as to how I can become more happy and content with my life and my "now." I am so thankful that God answers prayers in such clever ways, such as prompting your friends to say something that leads you into a deep thought process that ends up teaching you a lot about what you need to do with yourself.

With this in mind, 2011 doesn't scare me as much as it did earlier, today, and throughout the year, so far. I understand that in the days to come I may falter and really struggle with things, again, but I hope that I can always remember what I learned and reminded myself tonight and find some peace, again. I hope that I can remind myself that Heavenly Father has the grand plan and understands everything and that He is putting me through this long trial for a very, very good reason that is going to somehow make my life a million times more beautiful than it would have been if I had not experienced it. Life is hard, but I think thats what makes it worth it. We're all on earth to be tested, after all...and some tests aren't easy! :] 

So, 2011? BRING IT!

"It isn't as bad as you sometimes think it is. It all works out. Don't worry. I say that to myself every morning. It all works out in the end. Put your trust in God, and move forward with faith and confidence in the future. The Lord will not forsake us. He will not forsake us. If we will put our trust in Him, if we will pray to Him, if we will live worthy of His blessings, He will hear our prayers." 
— Gordon B. Hinckley

i love when you stumble upon something you know was meant for you to read...

"It isn't as bad as you sometimes think it is. It all works out. Don't worry. I say that to myself every morning. It all works out in the end. Put your trust in God, and move forward with faith and confidence in the future. The Lord will not forsake us. He will not forsake us. If we will put our trust in Him, if we will pray to Him, if we will live worthy of His blessings, He will hear our prayers." 
— Gordon B. Hinckley

Secret Love. Yum.

I know I've said it before, but I love music. Its a love I can't describe. Just...Love. K? Do you know what music I really, really love? Music that can easily be a religious song. Maybe not Mo-Tab (although, yes, they're great) but songs that could be heard on the radio that are good, "church-y songs," if you will. It seems like these days all the songs on the radio are about things that, lets face it, we don't need to be singing about. So its nice to hear music that makes you think about better things than, you know...that other stuff.


My great friends (i wish) He is We, have a song called, "His Name." This song is exactly what I'm talking about.Its a simple song about prayer. About surrendering ourselves to God and letting Him help us. "Just call His name," the song says. Mmmmm...


Here are the lyrics, if you care to know them. If not, its cool, we can still be friends. Also, down on my playlist I have this song..you know, if you wanted to listen.


Why am I so afraid of the night?
A silhouette it taunts me.
My lack of faith in this beautiful life,
My knowing of it haunts me.
I’m haunted,
And know I should be afraid.

Lay awake at night,
Cry you know it’s not alright,
To feel like your falling into nothing.
You can learn to fly.
Just call, His name.
Just call His name.

Suddenly I wonder why I feel so alone,
I know there’s something out there.
Thought I’d suck it up and do it all on my own,
Wish I’d known he does care.
I’m haunted,
And I know I should be afraid.

Lay awake at night,
Cry you know it’s not alright,
To feel like your falling into nothing.
You can learn to fly.
Just call, His name.
Just call His name.

Where do we go?
Call out His name.
Lift up our hands,
Completely ashamed.
Give it all up,
Dropping our pride.
Rip us apart,
Change us on the inside.
We cry out to You
We fall on our knees.
Change us now.

Lay awake at night,
Cry you know it’s not alright,
To feel like your falling into nothing,
You can learn to fly.
Cry you know it’s not alright.
You can learn to fly

because i thought this was cute-and i like to share cute things.

My Angus is a silly baby puppy.

He likes to cuddle with moms shoes.

Just so you know...

Days like this...

Make me not hate school, so much.

(that is my white jeep, there.)

(front row parking spots can make a huge difference in my attitude)

pants..

For the space of about an hour today, I was truly convinced that I was a four-year old.

It was the first day of school for the new semester and my cute mommy drove me to school (thats right-you're never too old to have your momma take you places) but before we went to school, we stopped and got breakfast. I pulled my food out of the bag and a whole bunch of grease spilled onto my cute skinny jeans, followed shortly after by some frosting. (Way to make a 1st impression at school, huh?)

Perfect.

After school, the mommy picked me up and brought my new, adorable puppy, Angus-who is still an untrained puppy. As I was holding him, the little guy decided to go potty all over my lap. Really though, all over!

Great.

We had lunch later, for dessert we had empanadas from Taco Time. Well, those are messy. The sugary stuff on the outside got all over my pants and while eating I managed to have some of the apple-goo flop out onto my lap.

Dandy.

I was just the complete package, today, basically.

As soon as we got home, my pants were off and my mommy kindly washed them for me.

They're clean now. Well, sort of... Grease is not my best friend.

The Mommy is the Bomby

(fyi: this is my moms name in my phone)


"Making the decision to have a child is momentous. It is to decide, forever, to have your heart go walking around outside your body." (a favorite mommy quote of mine)


HAPPY MOMMY DAY!


I am the luckiest, luckiest little girl in the whole entire world because I am surrounded by the most amazing mothers this world has to offer. I'm so thankful for the good influences they have all been to me and all that they have taught me. To all my beautiful aunts, lovely grandmothers, sweet neighbors and grand friends-happy mothers day!! I hope you have the best day ever because you all deserve it.


Have you ever met my mommy? If you have, you know that what I am about to say is very true: My mommy is the best. I have no clue why I got lucky enough to call her my mommy but I am forever grateful for the blessing that she is to me. My momma is my best friend. She is the person that knows the most about me, knows all my secrets and knows all my dorky thoughts and loves me, still. How lucky am I? 


I've had a very untraditional dating life. There is never a dull moment and I've had some of the craziest, whackiest, stupidest, best, most perfect, beautiful, insane moments happen to me. The thing I am most grateful to my perfect mommy is for her help, support, advice, thoughts, listening ear, and open mind throughout all of my experiences with boys. It doesn't matter if they're some of my worst or best moments, she has been so great through all of these moments and continues to help me, daily, with them.


My mom is the most caring lady I know. She is so selfless. She wants nothing more than for her three girls to be the very happiest they can be. She sacrifices so much for us and goes through a lot of crap just so we can be happy and live the best life we can. Between my mommy and daddy, Heavenly Father has made Savannah, Adi and I the most fortunate girls on earth.


I know it is such a cliche line, but truly, if I can turn out to be half the woman my mommy is, I'll be in good shape. Whenever I think about my future children, I always hope that I can have a relationship with each of them like my mom has with my sisters and me. I can't help but smile knowing that my children are going to have the worlds most amazing and cute little grandma.


I love you so much, mommy! I am so thankful for you and for everything you've ever done for me. I'm sorry I'm a pain in the bum sometimes and am not nearly as grateful for you and your actions as I should be, just know I love you more than I know how to say. Thank you for all of the fun times we've had together. Thank you for all the rides, diet coke runs, singing & dancing, trips to Disneyland/World, talks, laugh-attacks, sleepovers, and love and support. I hope one day I can be just like you. 


I LOVE YOU, THE MOMMY!!

13 things you probably didn't know about me (& if you did...good 4 u)

1: bridges & loneliness are my two greatest fears


2: when i get really anxious/nervous/excited i flex my butt cheeks a lot..and it gets tingly and hurts (charming, eh?)


3: i've written a few songs and put them to guitar music


4: i don't care who you are, if i see you crying, hurting, sad, etc. i'll want to fix you somehow. i've always been a very sympathetic soul


5: i don't believe in "leaving the past behind" every day i think of my past-the good, the bad, the beautiful, the ugly-because i like to remind myself of how far i've come


6: almost always, i look at my phone at 12:34 and i think it means something deeper than i understand


7: for now at least, my wedding is almost completely planned--i think about my wedding a lot


8: tanning beds terrify me


9: when i think about losing someone i love it brings tears to my eyes and my stomach hurts


10: my biggest insecurity about myself? my toes


11: pictures taken in a soft focus always get me


12: socks bring me a happiness that nothing else can do in the same way


13: i underlined all my lucky numbers (yes, 13 is one of them--i've always found luck in that #..& yes i have a few of them but you should know 2 is my luckiest)

Now, may I introduce to you: Angus

I would like to welcome the newest addition to my little family:

ANGUS

This is my new little baby puppy.

 I just got him today. He sort of looks like a guinea pig and has cute blonde goggles on. He's sweet.

 He is a teacup shih tzu and he is teeny. He only weighs 2 1/2 lbs right now and his maximum weight should be about 7lbs.

 He is squeaky and snuggly and has the cutest face I've ever seen (on a puppy).

 Walter wasn't quite sure how he felt about Angus at first. But now he loves him and has taken on the roll of Angus's mommy and he takes that roll seriously. He always has his eyes on the little puppy.

 In typical puppy fashion, Angus sleeps a lot.

He is as cute as pie. I'm in love with my little guy.

my serenity

I enjoy exercise. 

But if there are two forms of exercise I truly, truly love, they are running and yoga. 

You know those people who say that exercise makes them feel happy? I am one of those people. 

Running has been a hobby of mine for quite a few years, now. I admit, in the past, running and I have had a bit of a love-hate relationship. You know, sometimes running is exhausting and hurts and makes me feel old (and i'm only 20). Sometimes it is too cold and running in that weather hurts my ears. Sometimes its really hot outside and the heat seems to drain every ounce of energy out of my body. I have a bad hip and sometimes running really bugs it. BUT despite all that, the feeling after you've finished a good, long run is fabulous. I crave that feeling almost daily. The very best is when you're actually running and you feel so good. Endorphins are yummy.

Running is such therapy for me. Especially when life is throwing me a lot of lemons, I find that running puts my head back on straight and helps me see and think clearer. Running is a blessing.

My newest exercise addiction is YOGA! Holy guacamole, I am madly, head-over-heels, crazy in-love with blessed, beautiful yoga. I will even go as far to say that I love yoga more than running. I. Love. Yoga. I've been doing yoga for several months now, but already I'm feeling/seeing benefits from my practices. I like to be open minded about different, foreign forms of exercise but yoga was always one I was a little iffy about. I had the stereotypical mind and thought yoga was a bunch of sitting like Yoda and humming with my hands in a funny position on my knees. I was sure that yoga wasn't at all a work out. Then I tried yoga and learned BOY was I wrong. Yes, yoga is hard. It puts you into positions you swear you could never get into, but with practice, honor and a good attitude, you'll get that position sooner than you'd ever imagine! (something i've learned from experience). Yoga is most definitely a workout! Not only a physical work out but also a mental and spiritual workout. There is something about beautiful yoga that works your whole entire body and soul in a magnificent way and after your practice, you feel like a million bucks that is forming into a beautiful, toned, sane individual. Why wouldn't you want that?
Yoga, too, calms me down and settles my heart. The yoga class I take is late at night and is in the dark with the heat on full blast. It doesn't sound fun, I know, but it is, don't worry. My instructor, Jen, is the most beautiful, uplifting person, I'm sure she is half the reason I adore yoga so much. I'm thankful for the outlook on yoga that she has given me. Yoga is a blessing.

Now that Spring/Summer is finally here/on its way, this means hiking season is coming and I also love hiking! I'm anxious to begin cycling as another form of exercise, too, and see how I like that. Then, of course, there is also the gym...I'm still learning to love "lifting," but this exercise, like the rest of them, leaves me feeling good, refreshed and accomplished. Exercise is a blessing.

I'm so excited to one day be a person who can help other people appreciate exercise and find the good in it rather than the bad. I'm anxious to help people be open-minded about being in shape and being physically active. I believe that exercise really is a blessing and a gift that I hope everyone, one day, can appreciate and take part in!