Fashion-forward Scriptures

Today, I started and finished a project! Back in October, I made a tote for my church things. I now have a coordinating scripture case! Take a look!

I used the same fabric as my tote but chose to use the other side instead. I'm pretty happy with how my scripture case turned out. It took me about two hours from start to finish, not including the bobbin situation I had. The best thing about sewing is learning new techniques. I had never made a buttonhole before, so I was quite apprehensive about that part. I found the Instruction Manual for my sewing machine online and read how to make buttonholes. After doing three test runs, I decided to make the buttonhole on my case.

I am quite impressed with my little machine's abilities. I hope to explore this summer more of what this baby can do.

So, what do you think?
Pretty good for not using a pattern on either one, huh?

A Sure Foundation

We learn in Corinthians that "old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new". This is true with shoes. After years of loving my 'every day' shoes, they finally have gone the way of the earth, or at least into the garbage can.

It is best to replace something when you throw it away, and that is precisely what I did. I am now the fashionable owner of these new 'every day' shoes:

So far, I've been happy with them, and I think they will serve me quite well as I work towards my first 5k this summer. My true purpose in going to the shoe store was to find a new pair of high heels to go with my new black dress.

After visiting six stores, I found my fabulous new heels. I love them! They are different from all my other heels and have quite a personality about them. Yes, my shoe addiction has officially started thanks to these shoes. I can say that I am not the only girl who feel in love with them.

My niece, Little Miss, loved my shoes. She didn't want to give them back! Here is a picture of my nephew, Imaginator, wearing them while Little Miss was complaining- hence being up on her toes.

She had great balance walking in my heels; of course, it helps that her foot sits only in the toe of the shoe. I was still impressed.

I can tell you what our Aunt-Niece outings will be when her feet stop growing! She's my little fashionista!!

Good-bye Friday, Hello Sunday

With this new month comes a new work schedule. I am super excited about the change. My supervisor called me into her office last week to talk about my schedule. I mentioned that I am free Friday afternoons, and she offered that she would love to have me work the Friday evening shift instead of Sunday! One of the downsides is I won't be able to participate in any activity held on a Friday, but an up-side is I can attend the next CES Fireside.

Oh, this is such a great blessing for me. I can't tell you how much I have missed a peaceful, relaxed Sunday in the last three months, one where I can take time to ponder what I learned in church. This change is definitely something I have needed for many, many reasons. I love it when a window opens somewhere and how the Lord knows our needs and our wants!

Hurray for Sundays!

Birthday Celebrations Part 2

When I got home after school on my birthday, I discovered my bedroom had been birthday-ified by my roommate, Utes.

That night, my visiting teacher treated me to a movie! It was such an amazing movie. We went to see Invictus, and I haven't enjoyed a movie so much in a long time. It's a really uplifting movie about the South African Rugby team and their win in the 1995 World Cup. The story is very powerful and moving, showing that people can move past differences and come together. I highly recommend it to everyone!

What movie would be complete without treats to enjoy during the movie? None. I felt so loved by my visiting teacher because she payed for the movie and for our treats. She even bought me my favorite movie snack: chocolate covered pretzels!

Friday, my sister-in-law and I celebrated our birthday by going out to eat. We chose eat at one of the only Outback Steakhouses in Utah. I'd never eaten there, and the food was FABULOUS!! Outback Steakhouse is my new favorite restaurant as of that meal. Here is a picture of our amazing salads and the Bloomin' Onion.

 That was honestly one of the best salads and steak dinners I have ever had. They can expect my business again!

My last birthday activity was a movie marathon with another of my friends. We watched The 10th Kingdom, or at least most of it. That movie is one of the best epic fairy tales. I enjoyed having WinCo muffins, hot chocolate, and pizza during the five hours that we watched of the movie. We haven't finished it yet, but I already know the ending. I'm not chomping at the bit to find out what happened.

All in all, my birthday this year was quite a birthday! I don't think I could have asked for more. Thank you to all who were involved in celebrating my birthday!

Love you all!

Birthday Celebrations Part 1

Wednesday was my birthday. The celebrations started Tuesday when I picked up my flute from the shop. Such a good birthday present. Tuesday night, I was invited to Hagmoth's house after school, and I was pleasantly surprised when I stepped inside the door to find a plate of cupcakes and a beautiful card waiting for me on the table. The birthday serenade from Hagmoth and her husband is something I encourage everyone to experience in their lifetime. Thanks!

Wednesday morning arrived, along with me accidentally sleeping in a little later than I intended. I got a shock of the morning when Hungry gave me a birthday hug with her cold, wet hair. If that doesn't wake a person up, I don't know what will! It was fun to eat breakfast with Hungry and get ready for the day. I even got to start my birthday service early by dropping her off at school on my way north.

Speaking of birthday service, I began a birthday tradition last year that I hope to continue for the rest of my life. On my birthday, I do some kind of service. It is my gift to myself and to my Heavenly Father. Last year, I went on exchanges with the Sister Missionaries. For this year, I discovered a service I have wanted to do for a while was available at my school on my birthday! I was so excited about it!! I decided to give blood for the first time as my birthday service.


I will admit that I was a little nervous to give blood for my first time, but the experience was wonderful. I answered some questions, had my finger pricked, sat down in a chair, watched my arm be covered in iodine and then felt the small stick of the needle. Other than the sting from the iodine, giving blood wasn't bad at all! I will definitely make it a regular occurrence in my life. I even go to drink one of my favorite kinds of juices after I was done. Here is a picture of me with my bandage of honor!


This concludes Part 1 of the celebrations. Please stay tuned for our next episode.

Landlord to the Rescue

Our landlord arrived in all his shining glory to fix the bathtub Monday! The drain was clogged with a ton of hair. I could have made a small critter with all that hair. (I saved you the gory sight!) My landlord was going to pour Drano down the drain after removing the hair, but I insisted on using the homemade remedy found in the amazing cleaning guide I received for Christmas! All it takes is baking soda and vinegar. My landlord was quite impressed and commented that vinegar smells better than Drano. Personally, I love the smell of vinegar, so I'll use that over another cleaner any day. Plus, it is inexpensive and usually on hand when you need it!

Instead of taking a shower while our feet take a bath, we now have a drain that drains! Ah, it's the little things in life!

Christmas Spirit

I had the opportunity to spend Christmas with my brother and his family this year. It was a wonderful holiday full of love and the Spirit. On Christmas Eve, it is their tradition to look at Christmas lights on houses. I loved it! We drove around town looking at the light displays while singing along to the Little People Christmas Songs nearly at the top of our lungs! After we finished, we read the Christmas Story out of Luke 2.

I would attribute how much of the Spirit I felt this Christmas to reading the Book of Mormon. My stake president issued a challenge to finish the Book of Mormon before the end of the year, so I decided to try my best to do so. The only thing is I started last week! I have felt my testimony in the Savior grow exponentially in the last few days as I have feasted on the scriptures. The increase of the Spirit in my life is without a doubt the best Christmas gift I could ever receive. In light of that thought, I wanted to share a video with you even though it is after Christmas. Enjoy!

May the spirit of Christmas be with you all year long.