Happiness is:

As I've continued to struggle with seasonal depression, I've decided I need to try harder to find the positive. My goal (not a New Years resolution) is to find at least one thing every day. I'll be posting in a variety of places: Facebook, Instagram, and/or Twitter. Maybe even here. I want to try for 100 days. I'm at day 2 right now. 

Wish me luck!

Testimony Growth

I have a new found appreciation for journaling/blogging. I just spent two hours of my night re-living random moments of the last few years. It has brought tears, stifled laughs, and a stronger testimony. 

Just re-reading some of my testimony building experiences I have blogged about has again strengthened my testimony of those things. 

As I prepare for girls camp, I'm constantly trying to find ways to help strengthen the girls testimonies. I'm looking for testimony building experiences. And trying to remember my camp years. I have faith that as I continue to ponder, research and pray about this, I will be guided to the things the Lord wants these daughters to know. 

Here's to another week of trying harder to do what I know I need to do. 

Thank you!

To the person who came in to our apartment today and decided to comment on how messy it is. 

Thank you for stating the obvious.

Thank you for showing the rude and judgemental side of you.

Thank you for comparing our little apartment that is used by a full time social worker and a full time student/part time employee to your parents house that you still live in. 

Thank you getting me so furious I cleaned our entire apartment in 1 hour. 

But also, 

Thank you for helping me realize how lucky we are to have hobbies. 

Thank you for showing me that we are able to buy the supplies we need to continue our hobbies.

Thank you for bringing to my attention the talents I have, and the positive things I'm doing with it. 

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to think about why I didn't clean my house last night. 

Thank you for reminding me that there are things more important that cleaning our apartment - like a midterm. 

Thank you for showing me that I made the right decision to take care of my self last night instead of cleaning the apartment. 

Thank you for helping me feel proud of the little I DID get accomplished last night - you obviously didn't notice that there were no dishes in the sink from dinner last night. That is a feat I am very proud of. 

Thank you for reminding me that no one is perfect, and it is fine that my house is 'lived in'.

Thank you for helping me see how blessed I am, and that I don't need you opinions in my life. I have so much happiness, and that is what really matters. 

So thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for helping me see the positives in my life. 

The masterpiece

It is complete! Seriously one of the proudest moments of my life. 

The story of this poor quilt...

So, one of my old roommates just got married and I decided to make them a throw size quilt with their wedding colors as my gift to them. I bought all the fabric the Friday before conference, and by the end of the weekend the quilt top was complete. That was huge for me! 

I took the fabric and rinsed, ironed, cut,  

pinned, sewed, ironed, laid it out in the design,

cut, sewed, 

cried because I thought I ruined it (I'm so grateful my mom took time to look at my pics and find a solution),

unstitched, resewed, unstitched, resewed, unstitched, resewed, ironed, and then cut to even the sides. And then WALAH! (Or however you spell that) the quilt top was done and it looks AWESOME!!!!

So after letting it sit around untouched for almost 2 weeks, I finally got around to layering and basting it tonight.... With the help of Wayne. 

My projected plan to finish the quilt before their reception Saturday....

Tomorrow/Thursday: my first real attempt at quilting instead of tying. 

Friday: sewing the binding on one side. 

Saturday: my attempt at hand stitching a binding, feeling like a failure, followed by a crappy attempt at stitching in the ditch to get it done. 

Here's to hoping this quilt gets put together better than expected!!! :)