simple goals

Although there is still 2 months before I need to start making my new years resolutions, I'm suddenly in the mood for something new to focus on right now.  Maybe its because I have too much time on my hands.  Maybe its the cold, wet rainy weather that's giving me cabin fever.  Instead of waiting until January 1, I thought I'd start now.  Actually, I'd like to make it a habit of making new, simpler goals that I can actually finish before I move onto other goals.  Two months to hurry up and grow a little in 2012.

Emotional
While we're teaching here in Lithuania with ILP, I only work half the day, starting at 3 pm. Mornings are all mine.  Well time to sleep in, my natural love of staying in bed cuddled up, added with the fact that all my roommates sleep in, plus the cold weather outside is the perfect storm for the habit lately of staying in bed until noon.  Staying in bed feels amazing, but its doing a number on my mental state.  I'm tired.  I'm unmotivated.  I'm sluggish.  So my goal for the next 6 weeks of my time here is to get out of bed at least 3 times a week and go for a walk in the morning.  Explore a little bit.  Does the fact that I have to make a goal to get out of bed make me sound incredibly lazy?  Eh. My next goal will be to stop caring what people think.  

Spiritual
Mom gave me this 25 days of Christmas reading list a few years ago and I'm embarrassed to say that it's been sitting in my inbox, unused, all this time. I'd love to read it this year though. And since I know myself soooo well....daily goals only last about a week.  So I'm going to start my 25 days now and that seems pretty doable to get that done before Christmas eve.

25 Days of Christmas Scriptures

1.   JST Luke 3:4-11; John 1:1-14; 20:31    “That Ye Might Believe in Christ”

2.   Luke 1:5-25    Gabriel and Zacharias

3.   Luke 1:57-80   John the Baptist

4.   Luke 1:26-56    “My soul Doth Magnify the Lord”

5.   Matt 1:18-25    Jesus’ Birth

6.   Luke 2:1-17    “Unto you is born a Saviour”

7.   3 Nephi 1:4-21    Signs of Christ’s birth appear in the Americas

8.   Matt 2:1-15    Wise men

9.   1 Ne 11:1-23    “Behold the Lamb of God”

10.  Luke 2:18-38     Simeon and Anna

11.  Luke 2:39-52    “About my Father’s business”

12.  Matt 3:1-17     John and Jesus

13.  Alma 7:10-16; Hebrews 2:18; 4:15  He will loose the bands of death

14.  John 8:12-36     I am the light of the world

15.  Mark 10:17-30     What shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?

16.  John 17:1-26     The Great Intercessory Prayer

17.  Matt 28:1-20    “He is not here for he has risen”

18.  John 3:16; Romans 8:38-39   Love of God

19.  Matt 9:27-31; Mark 7:31-37; 8:2-26  Healing the Blind

20.  JSH:1-18; Matt 3:17; Moses 4:2  “This is my Beloved Son”

21.  2 Nephi 31:5-20  “Press forward with a steadfastness in Christ”

22.  Helaman 5:6-12    “Remember, Remember…”

23.  3 Ne 17:5-12, 20-25     “Behold your little ones”

24.  Moroni 4 & 5    Sacrament Prayers

25.  Moroni 7:27-48    “Come Unto Christ”

Physical
I've been on Pinterest quite a bit lately (again with the plenty of free time).  Knowing that my typical new years resolution is to eat healthier, I'm thinking I'll get a jump start on that one.  I'd like to compile two weeks worth of yummy, healthy meals that I've pinned.  I want to come up with a cookbook of my fav meals eventually, but I'd say two weeks of meal plans is a good start. Especially after being on an eastern european diet of potatoes, potatoes and more potatoes...my body is craving some healthy detox. 

And.......that's what I'll be doing until New Years.  

Life Lately

Well I can cross at least one thing off of my goal list for 2012.  I ran 13.1 miles!  Ok that's a bit of a lie.  I ran 11 miles and cried/crawled/limped the last 2.1 miles.  But I crossed the finish line so, count it! Dad and Kris were awesome and came to run with me.  Dad stayed with me the whole way which turned out to be a life saver because I lost all mental clarity at the 12.5 mile marker.  Dad kept saying okay lets try to just run the rest of the way and I kept saying okay jokes over, seriously just go get the car. I'll be sitting right here on the curb.  Don't worry I'm not going anywhere. 

After photo.  Somehow I made it to the finish line without the car helping me out a bit. 

A day on the lake in Utah.  

Coming home to visit the family in Washington for a week.  The welcome committee was prepared.

This was the trail that I planned to run on while I was home.  Planned to are the key words there if you catch my drift. 

My beautiful sister.  

And loving life on the hammock with my fav girls.  The sun wasn't totally cooperating, sorry Isla. 

Buns are my fav way of looking like I'm trying. No shower required.  

Summer life in the northwest is good.  And TGIF.

Life Lately

Loving Black Bean Burgers lately.

Second time seeing Imagine Dragons in a couple months. Obsessed much? I don't care, they're awesome. 

First time seeing a soccer game.  Turns out they're a lot more fun than I thought!  P.S...We beat Toronto :) 

Lay in the grass and look up.  Its good for the soul. 

Yes, I took one of those in the mirror photos of myself.  Stop judging and just look at my cool fishtail braid.  

Its my favorite season here in Utah! 

Going to swim lessons!  Prior to this picture he put on his speedo and goggles and serenaded me with "I'm sexy and I know it". 

Hiking with Dad. The hike was awesome, the tour at the top was not. 

Happy Memorial Day! 

Life lately

Spring is here!

I've been trying this new thing of working out in the morning. Good thing I took a picture cause it only happened once.

An ad I'm creating at work for International Language Programs.

Etsy orders.  It's so fun to ship all over the world! 

This is what happens when Christmas spills over into Easter.

Happy Birthday to me! 

I have the best friends at work. They decorated my desk for my birthday like crazy as you can see.  Part of it was a Twilight banner that says "One Eternal Party" (that is definitely staying up).  I also got a pin that says Dream Girl which I wore proudly....for awhile. I normally don't see outside people that come into the office but no one was out front when one girl came in so I went out to help her. While we were talking she awkwardly glanced down at my Dream Girl pin (oh yeah I forgot I was wearing it!) and I awkwardly flung my hair to try to cover it.  I'm sure she just thought "wow, where can I get a cool pin like that?"  Right?

Happy Easter,

Life lately

Festival of Colors in Spanish Fork, UT

Celebrating Spring with the Hindus @ a Krishna Temple

I'm gonna get the award for babysitter of the year. Thank you Cabellas for being awesome.

My breakfast-on-the-go lately. Blended banana, spoonful of organic peanut butter, tbs of flax seed, bunch of spinach, ice cubes and water.  I'm lovin it!

No matter what diet I'm on I can't resist pizza

Me and Taylor @ Festival of Colors

My week in photos

At work.

Recipe for Pumpkin Muffins here, except I didn't add any sugar and I added about 1/2 cup of ground flax seed.  It was still yummy and much better for you!  If you like the sweetness I think you should add maybe 1/2 cup of sugar though.

Going to Walmart in my $3 Walmart sweats.  Yep, I'm one of THOSE people.

Soccer practice.

Hiding. I found him. 

My desk at work.  I think my favorite part is my Justin Bieber valentine taped to my computer that says "You were born to be somebody" with a little wink and smile. 

Home.

Something yummy for breakfast.

my week in photos

via here

I made a pillow case! Its got a zipper and everything. I know.  here

These are my best sellers by far.  I tried to improve the photos and this is what I came up with. I kinda like it.

Where I live.  I'm a lucky girl huh?

Office marathon.  Thank you Netflix.

My daily yoga goal has turned into daily morning yoga.  Loving starting off my day with that.

Raspberry tea. 

Perry, one of the boys that I babysit. He's clearly nuts.