Resolutions!

2012 Resolutions:

#1: Be engaged by the end of the year

#2: Read the Book of Mormon by the end of the year

#3: Weigh less than 300 pounds by the end of the year

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

#1: Not reached, but I am BEYOND satisfied with the progress. Note: the goal was made pre-Ava.

#2: Check.

#3: Check.

2013 Resolutions:

#1: Weigh less than 250 pounds by the end of the year

#2: Read the Book of Mormon by the end of the year

#3: Read the Book of Mormon in Samoan by the end of the year

#4: Graduate from Angelina by the end of the year

#5: Talk Ava into having a baby... (pre-graduation from Lamar in December 2015) Wish me luck there!

Single Digits

Soooo, since its been at awhile since the countdown clock update, here is the low-down:

Countdown Clock #2:
9 Days!

You know what that means?! In a week in a half I will be engaged!

Countdown Clock #3:
69 Days!

In TWO MONTHS -ish I will be married to the gorgeous, sweet man!

Let me tell you how all this lovey dovey crap started... Okay, its not crap... Like, at all! I'm really digging all this stuff. Its weird being in this story and not just hearing about it.

One Halloween when he was here with his family, his family did a few Samoan dances at the Fall Festival our church holds annually out at Odomville. Up until then I had never officially met him and Mom and I talked about such... So, my dear Mother took me across the plot and said, "Hey, Brother Leifi have you met my daughter yet?" "Noooo..." (In his cute lil way he says it.) "Well, this is my daughter, Emelie." "Nice to meet you," I say. "Nice to meet you," he says. We shake hands and I walk away.

Mom and I go back to the tailgate of my truck and I say to Mom, "Mom, there is something about him..." "Emelie," she says, "he's married. You need to pick out the qualities you like about him and find someone who's single that has those qualities."

Okay... that's what I did.

A year or so later he's alone.

Hhhhmmmmm.... He's out of my league. He's gorgeous. He's foreign. He's (a bit) older. No way he'd go for me.

A year or so later he's still alone.

I drive Mom to church and have a feeling to park on the west side of the parking lot, a place where we used to park when we were kids. I was teaching Primary and Mom was teaching Relief Society - it did not make sense to park where the spirit was asking me to park. I remember getting on the breaks several times to park and thinking "This makes to sense to park here."

But I did park there. I walk through the door on that side of the church and in the corner of the foyer is sitting Ava. (This was October 2011). I said to him, "Well, hello stranger!" And that was it...

Easter 2012 is when all this started... for me. It started that October Sunday for him. He's told me he was praying about going home that Sunday and had just about made up his mind to go. Then I walked in... And I spoke to him... And he knew why he was still in Woodville, Texas.

He was still here for me.

I am so thankful for my Father in Heaven and the promptings He's given me and that I followed those promptings. Look where its brought me. Look where its brought us.

NEVER set aside those promptings. They're given to us for our protection and our happiness! Following that one prompting has changed my entire life!

Loosing Weight

Okay, so I've always been a big girl. Maybe when I was like five...I was a healthy, normal 5 year old, but not too long after that I became "Odom-esque."

The weight loss thing has always been either nonexistent or a real struggle.

I am proud to say that I made some reasonable long-term and short-terms goals in loosing weight this year and I have met all of my short-term goals and its looking like I'll be reaching those long-term goals! GO ME!!

I have told NO ONE my weight except two people: Mom and Megan. So, here goes...

I started off on Easter day weighing 340 pounds. My goal was to be under 300 by the New Year and as of about two weeks ago I weighed in at 297!

I think what didn't work in the past was that I made too big of a goal that was really too hard to reach unless I put 215% into it.

I wanted to, at first, loose 100 pounds a year until I reached any where between 125-150 pounds. That'd be about a year and a half. My new goal is to loose no less than 50 pounds a year and if I loose more then groovy! I figured that if I can loose 45 pounds in nine months I can surely loose 50+ pounds in twelve!

I feel better! I look better... better than I did nine months ago, anyway!

I'm so excited to have these new, reachable goals and actually reaching them and feeling really motivated to keep going.

Thank goodness for motivation, right? Thank goodness for March weddings and a Samoan cowboy named Ava Leifi.

One con in loosing weight - the gangsta baggy clothes and the need for a new [SMALLER] wardrobe.

One Happy Girl

Firstly, I just want to apologize for the one topic I've been stuck on for, well... ever! But, here goes.

Countdown Clock #1:
No longer exists as of the 18th! Eek!

Countdown Clock #2:
17 Days

That's like 2 1/2 weeks! Holy gracious ghost!

Countdown Clock #3:
77 Days

One Track Mind

Countdown #1:
14 Hours

Countdown #2:
23 Days

Countdown #3:
83 Days

Countdown Clocks Minus One, Almost!

Countdown Clock #1:
One Day

Countdown Clock #2:
24 Days

Countdown Clock #3:
84 Days

Tickled Pink

So, I was talking on the phone with Ava yesterday, Friday, and he told me he was about to get busy cleaning the yard over at his aunt's house. I offered to come up there and help - all my work was done for Grandpa until he was ready for bed.

The wind was blowing in his phone and I couldn't understand/hear was he was saying. I think I asked him about three times what he had said and finally he half shouts, "STAAAY WIIIIIITH GRAAAANDPAAAA!"

Six months ago that would have hurt my feelings... Not this time.

He half laughed through saying it and I couldn't help but to laugh as well. The only thing I could respond with was, "I just love you."

And I do!

Countdown Clocks, Again!

One of the clocks has reached the single digits! I tell Ava of this one simply because its the lowest numbered one and he tells me, "Honey, I don't want to hear about that one. That one doesn't matter."

It matters to me, chump!

So, here it goes...

Countdown Clock #1:
9 Days

Countdown Clock #2:
32 Days

O! M! G! Like...a month! Eeeekkk!!

Countdown Clock #3:
92 Days

Three months-ish!! Holy smokes... (about) three months until I get married! Holy Geez!! Really?! Yes, really... Wow!

#Content.Happy.

Counting Down . . . Still

Countdown Clock #1:
18 Days

Countdown Clock #2:
41 Days

Countdown Clock #3:
101 Days
(This one is subject to Change)

The Ava Ceremony

The Ava Ceremony

Hopefully the link above posted correctly. If not try this...

http://42976.activeboard.com/t34406856/traditional-ava-ceremony-of-samoa/

This is the ceremony Ava was named for. Pretty interesting.

Visions of Sugar Plums

After discovering that the tacking part of the quilt had to be done outside and finding that out so late, I had to unpin about half of the massive quilt (which couldn't even fit fully on the frames) and bring it inside the house. With a busy week at school coming up I put off working on the quilt until the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, hoping that I would have it ALL done by the very next morning (if not sooner) because Ava was to spend all day in Odomville.

I got started at nine Wednesday morning!

Here is the quilt back up on the frames.

The first tack!

Most of it done!

I got it all done Wednesday except sewing the hem.

Ava walked in Grandpa's house Thursday morning when I was about half way done with the sewing.

Rounding the last curve!

ITS ALL DONE! Because of the size of the king size flat sheet that I used as the bottom of the quilt, I had to take off one row and one column. So its only 9 x 9. Still HUGE, though!

I LOVE IT!

I cannot wait until Christmas when he open it!

Counting Down

Countdown Clock Number One:
27 Days

Countdown Clock Number Two:
50 Days

Countdown Clock Number Three:
110 Days

Slowly, but surely!

Pins & Needles - A Lot of Them!

After half a day of trying to figure out how - where, rather - I was going to get this quilt done was ridiculous!

Bedroom 1? Bedroom 2? Living room? Dining room? Church? Outside, even? But rain, etc. then Grandpa came up with an idea that didn't even cross my mind...

The carport!! But I need to get a tarp because I had to unpin about half of it to just get it into the breezeway! Jeez!!!

Let me say this, though...

THIS QUILT IS SO AMAZING!!! I LOVE IT!!!

D-U-N spells Done!

Welp, I've done it! I am 100% done with the top part of Ava's quilt! Check it out!

Can I just say that this thing is HUGE! Holy smokes yall! My Grandpa has a king size bed and this thing hangs over that ginormous bed by two squares on BOTH sides and by three at the bottom! Just the top part of this quilt is wicked heavy.

It is massive! I love it!

I cannot wait to snuggle with him under this bad boy!

Half Way Mark!

I am officially half way done with the topic of Ava's quilt!

He called last night and asked what I was doing and I almost slipped... I did tell him that I was working on his Christmas present, though. :) Its looking so good!! I LOVE it!!

I'm In The Nut Business, You See

Can I just vent?!

I totally NEED time to go faster! Please... Skip over to March!

"MAKE TIME GO FASTER!

Gettin' It Done

Progres (as of a week ago) on Ava's quilt!

By the way, Sssshhhhhhh!! Its his Christmas present!

This is the first three rows all sewn together. What do you think?!

I LOVE it! Its so masculine and so Ava!

As of today (11/13) I have three more completed rows to sew to the existing three and twenty (or thirty) patches to sew into two (or three) more rows, then sew those onto the main quilt. After that, I only have ten (or twenty) patches to get done and sew one (or two) more rows and get those rows sewn onto the main quilt.

YAY to progress!

The Grates

Catching up on the Days of Thanks...

To start - I LOVE Dr. Seuss and on "Horton Hears A Who" one of my most favorites lines is right at the end... Let me back up... at one part (this part (the picture above)) is when the Mayor of Whoville is talking to his son, JoJo, telling him that he, basically, has a great responsibility to become one of The Greats. What I really think he's saying, and not to JoJo, is that HE, the Mayor, has a responsibility to become one of the Greats and HE is the one who is having trouble finding HIS Great.

I say this because at the end JoJo tells his father, "Dad! You're one of the Greats!"

Anyway... kinda a bit off track.

Anyway, (again)...

To catch up on my Greats:

Day 2:
Today I'm thankful for this beautiful earth. The wind, the rain, the sunshine, the critters and even the people! Gorgeous creations by our loving Father in Heaven! Amazing artist He is!

Day 3:
Today I'm thankful for the Gospel! The knowledge that families can be together forever and that (soon) I will be sealed to my eternal companion for time and all eternity. We have such a loving Heavenly Father!

Day 4:
Today I'm thankful for my calling in Primary. Those kiddos we have, every single one, are such choice little spirits. I love each one so very much. And I'm thankful that my soon-to-be niece, Lesina, came to church with Ava and me! She is a wonderful, beautiful little princess. I love her so, so much!

Day 5:
Today I'm thankful for each one of my siblings. Heber, Angel, Sarah, Kevin, Megan, and Jarom. Each one I've learned from and have NEVER taken them for granted (in my adult years anyway). I love yall so very much!

Day 6:
Today I'm thankful for answered prayers and unanswered prayers! More blessings came to Ava and me yesterday...

Day 7:
Today I'm thankful for an understanding best friend who has supported me in every decision I've had to make for myself and for all the decisions he's helped me make so far. Ou te alofa ia te oe Fatu Suamalie!

Day 8:
Today I'm thankful for my critters! They've filled a void that needed to be filled...

Day 9:
Today I'm thankful for having the knowledge that families have the opportunity to be together forever and not just til death! So excited that I will have the amazing chance to go to the Temple to make sacred covenants with my loving Heavenly Father soon! And to be sealed for time and all eternity to a wonderful, righteous man!

Day 10:
Today I'm thankful for two countdown clocks that have been slow yet steady in counting down the time. SOON..."real" things will start to happen!

Day 11:
Today I'm thankful for the gift of revelation in all its forms... For the inspiration received by the Prophet of the world, Pres. Thomas S. Monson. For the inspiration I receive in trying to keep my life on the same path the Lord has picked out for me! I'm thankful to know that feelings of hate, contention and misery come from satan and feelings of peace, love and true joy come from our Savior!

Day 12:
Today I'm thankful for my BFF, my Fatu, my life, my love, Ava. The sacrifices he makes to make me happy! I can't imagine things getting any better, but the cool part - they will...they are!

and, Day 13:
Today I'm thankful for my friends at school! Jerry, Sarah, Shylee, Brooke, Chris, Frida, Brittney, Portia, Tamar, Macie, Cameron, and Kimberly!

Mark (with pencil, though) Your Calendars!

Keep the week of March 11th through 15th open on your calendars in 2013! Maybe that Thursday or Friday before, the 7th or 8th. Just saying... :D

He doesn't...

...tell me I'm beautiful, but he doesn't have to. The way he puts his arm around my waist in public let's me know.

Manuia le Aso Fa'afetai (Happy Thanksgiving)

'Tis the First of November. O el primero de noviembre. The month of thanksgiving. El mes de gracias.

Today, I am thankful for ALL my blessings, but especially for Ava. This man has been nothing but a blessing in my life. We've gone/going through a lot of sticky mess already, but he's still my best friend.

He works hard. He loves his kids. He treats me like a princess. He's a righteous man who love the Lord. I couldn't ask for a better man!

We were hoping to be married by now, but for some reason our loving Heavenly Father is asking us to wait a bit longer. If waiting for the next day makes it better; our day will be pretty flippin awesome. If absence makes the heart grow fonder; our hearts will grow pretty fond of each other. If we are having to work so hard for our land of milk and honey; our land of milk and honey will be too sweet.

Ou te alofa ia te oe, fatu suamalie! I do...

"The Baby Maker"

Getting this quilt going has been so much fun! All I can envision is my future husband and I under this quilt - NO! Not that! - talking about our day, cuddling, and just spending quality time together as friends!

This is the first square I got done. It took me fer-eva to decide which order, if any organized order, to do the colors. I like the brown in the middle.

And this is the first ten square sewn together. Total this quilt will be those ten squares by ten squares.

I got a second set up ten squares sewn together last night. Only eighty more to go! I started to sew those two strands of ten squares together and had a feeling to pin it. I've been sewing for so long that about 97% of the time I don't need to pin.

All I can say is that I should have listened to that voice... By the time I got about 3/4 of the way through sewing those strips were a bit... off. Thank goodness for seem rippers, right?!

But, I have to say, this is one of my most favorite quilts I've made/am making! It might be the "who its for" thing though.

This New Culture

...is welcoming, gracious, humble, and soon to be mine.

Ou te alofa ia te oe, fatu suamalie!

3 X 100 = 300

After, um, two or three weeks of cutting - I'm done! ...with the cutting!

100 pieces of three colors. 300 pieces cut! Holy smokes, I thought I'd never get it done! But I did!

Now I have to start sewing them together. Thank goodness for modern technology, right?! I think I'm going to have the brown in the middle. What do you think? Once I start getting them together I'll post more pictures.

To progress!

Tools vs Instruments

Satan uses tools. While he's using you sometimes it'll seem like you're doing something good. You're being brought in the dirt, out of the dirt, you're hoeing, you're discing, you're harrowing - really putting forth a lot of effort. You could be preparing for a garden, you could be preparing for the foundation of a home, but you could also be playing in the dirt. Breaking a sweat and really churning up some dirt. But you could be just playing in the septic system.

And what happens to those tools when you're done with them? When Satan is done with them? You? He puts you in the shed, or just casts you out. Leaves you out in the weather, covered in dirt (or poo). He let's you rust. He let's you just...lie there. Until he needs you again. Oh, he'll clean you off a bit, but right back into the dirt you go! (Or poo).

But, Christ. He uses instruments. A skilled player. He turnes a piece of wood (or other material) with a few different sized wires on you and pulls hair across those strings and that wood is turned into a beautiful piece of art. A beautiful sound.

And when he's done with you? He's not done! He polished you, tightens your strings, replaces them if He has to. He puts you away in a satin-filled, hard-shelled case and puts you in a safe place until He needs to play you again - for the benefit of others or sometimes, just for the benefit of Himself. To spend one on one time with you, listening to your sweet sound.

What are you? Are you a tool? Or are you an instrument?

The Cinderella Complex

If Cinderella's slipper fit so good at the end of the story, then why did it fall off so easily as she was running?

This is a question I've always asked myself.

Something else I've heard all my life is NOT to have a Cinderella-Complex about love. That nothing about love is "fairy tale", perfect or happy all the time.

To those who said that - did they watch the movie? - listen to the stories of the princesses?

Their lives were FAR from perfect or happy... until the end. And even then, the movie doesn't go on to show us their lives together. I'm pretty confident in saying that it wasn't perfect either.

So what is to be learned here?

That's the next question I ask myself.

Firstly, where am I in my Cinderella story?

For a time (a long time) I was Snow White at the well singing to myself "someday my prince will come."

And now I feel like Pocahontas where I'm singing "why do all my dreams extend just around the riverbend." So very close, but not close enough for me to grab onto.

Christmas Eve night, they saw, is the hardest part of the day before Christmas. Trying to settle excited kids into bed, finishing up cleaning and cooking, wrapping those last few presents. For me, it was always that morning and during the day. Christmas Eve night was always the easiest because I knew all I had to do was fall asleep and Christmas morning would be there when I awoke. But Christmas Eve day... Wow! You had all day to think about the very next morning. The presents! The music! The food! The family! The DAY!

The purpose of Cinderella losing her slipper? The purpose of Snow White living with seven dwarfs, the purpose of Pocahontas fighting the current of the river?

Love. Marriage. A husband. A family. Things very worth waiting for. Things very worth fighting for. Things very worth being very prepared for. Things very worth waiting for the right moment - when BOTH are ready. Cinderella's prince was ready, she wasn't. Snow White's prince was ready, she wasn't. Pocahontas was ready, but her prince wasn't.

When did they get their happy ending? When both were completely ready.

On my countdown until my prince and I are both ready: 48

Yes, I have a Cinderella Complex! I know who I am and I know what I and Ava, both, deserve and are entitled to. I am a daughter of my Heavenly Father, a King, and that makes my a Princess. Ava is a son of God, a Prince. I am willing and able to fight my hardest for the things He has in store for me, for us. And if that means simply waiting and fighting Satan's temptations, then that's what I'll do. I'll fight to the very end until we get the Cinderella ending that the Lord has in store for us!

I Think I'm Good...

Let's just say that "I'm Good. I 'think' he loves me." Only difference between this article and Ava is that it didn't take him long to "drop the L-word." First date, within five minutes he made his intentions/goals very clear! I just needed time to catch up... :)

Shine by Yahoo!

It's no secret that guys can take for-ev-er to drop the L-word. But just because he hasn't said "I love you" yet doesn't mean he isn't head over heels for you. We got real men to spill on the signs a guy is crazy about you.

By Cosmopolitan

1. You Catch Him Staring at You
Men always ogle the objects they desire - it's the reason you're always busting us cleavage-peeping. So consider: With all that eye candy out there, if it's you he's staring at, his affection runs deep. There's the secret stare (you'll have to catch him in the act). "Watching my girlfriend at a party allows me a private moment when I can pinch myself and wonder how I deserve this amazing person in my life - a perspective I can't get when she's right there in front of me," says Patrick, 30.

2. He Gazes in Your Eyes
Another I-love-you look is the steady gaze. Guys are guarded when it comes to showing emotion. If they lock eyes for a full-tilt, unabashed stare, they're lowering their shield to let you in. "I'd never hold that sort of eye contact with anyone else, but an intense gaze with my girlfriend reflects how comforted and captivated I am by her," says Chip, 29.

3. He Buys Food You Like
Discovering that his kitchen is loaded with biscotti, lemon-lime seltzer, and other feminine edibles (that would only pass his lips at gunpoint) shows you're lingering on his mind in the most unexpected, unromantic places - like the produce aisle on a solo shopping trip. "One day I checked out my shopping cart and saw all the bags of baby carrots and bottles of diet soda meant for my girlfriend," says Patrick. "It struck me that it had become second nature for me to consider what would make her happy, and that's when I knew I was in love."

Related: 7 Signs You're Ready to Get Married

4. He Keeps Your Stuff Out at His Place
He's gone public with your place in his pad. You see, men like to maintain at least the image of being detached for as long as possible. So leaving unmistakable evidence in our home that there's a woman present in our life is a bright red flag that you're The One.

5. He Talks About the Future
Telling you he plans to relocate out West one day may seem like a neon warning. However, it might also be his wily way of letting you know that he wants you in his future. "Every time I tell my girlfriend where I see 'me' down the road, I'm really trying to gauge whether she sees herself there with me," says Jon, 26. How do you know when a guy's just bragging about his game plan and when he's quietly declaring his love? It's all in the way he talks. If he tells you he wants to move to Tahiti, be a beach bum, and ogle the local girls, no dice. If he mentions that he sees himself eventually settling in San Francisco, then immediately asks if you could ever envision living there, he's emitting serious long-term relationship rays.

6. He Wears the Sweater You Gave Him
Trusting you behind the wheel of his wardrobe is something no man does readily. Not that guys are really all that picky about their appearance, it's just that we pride ourselves on being, well, ourselves. "Blame it on the inflated male ego, but to permit any tampering with our identity, even if it's for the better, is considered a sign of weakness," explains Seth, 29. Consequentially, every time a guy does don some item he obviously didn't pick out for himself, he's showing that he's letting you take control and do a little remodeling.

Related: The Most Iconic Mini Skirt Moments of ALL TIME

7. He Stands Right Next to You in Public
Where he stands when you're out together says a lot about where you stand in his life. Consider this key truth: Guys are hard-wired to check out women. That's why when a man's still uncertain about his feelings, he'll either trail several feet behind you or get out in front and lead the path - two safety positions that keep his wandering eyes hidden. Sidling up shoulder-to-shoulder is his way of showing his commitment by keeping his eyes right where you can see them. Plus, sticking close puts him in range of being touched in public by you, and that limits his ability to go after a sexy chick he may spy. "Being side-by-side puts my girlfriend within lips' reach, making it easy for her to whisper in my ear or lean in for a surprise quick kiss," says Ryan, 27. "It's my way of telling other women that I'm taken."

8. He's Okay With You Answering His Phone
Men never know what potentially image-damaging force might be lurking on their phone - from ex-girlfriends looking for a last hurrah to an overly inquisitive mom. If we let you answer that jingling time bomb, it means there's absolutely nothing about us we want to keep concealed from you. "Men aren't big on sharing. So when a guy lets you grab the phone - possibly making you privy to personal information you could use to blackmail him for the rest of his life - it means he's planning on staying with you for a very long time," says Rich, 29.

A Letter From Elder Odom

-----Original Message-----
From: Jarom Odom
Sent: 10/16/2012 5:07:35 PM
To: nrsbj1999@hotmail.com
Subject: What's UP!

Dear Mom and Dad,

I will go ahead and say that the first day was extremely harrd! Going to sleep that night was tough and that's when it really hit me hard. Right before I left, Elizabeth gave me a letter she wrote to me the day before I entered the MTC. That letter made all of my fears go away and I felt peace. When you get a chance, or every chance you get, thank her. Thank her for me and for everything because she is truly an angel and her letters keep me focused and happy not distracted and homesick. The language is coming by very good. I know more Tagalog in the past week than I know spanish for two years. I can say prayers in Tagalog by heart and say my testimony. I can understand Tagalog and im getting the locig behind the pattern of sentence structure. I'm doing veryy good. I have two companions and we stay in a room called the Celestial Room because its biig and nice and its the only one like it with wood walls. One is Elder Slater from Utah and the other is Elder Clarke from New Zealand. His acsent is so cool. He says American Lolis instead of candy. I love my district and we have more fun than anyone else. Every other district and even the Branch Presidency comes to our classroom to have fun and hear STORY TIME! We have story time all the time. I just figured out how to get on here so forward this email to everyone. Tell Elizabeth to keep sending those letters and that my Branch President, President Anderson, married his girlfriend that completely waited for him. Everyone is so jealous of my relatonship with Lizzie. I know of only two other people here that has the same thing going on. I need an electric razor, money on my card, and a manicure kit. Other than that im good. Tell everyone that I love them, Mom, Dad, Emelie, Ava, Heber, Angel, James, Aubrey, Jace, Kevin, Sarah, Claire, Lindon, and Megan. I play a lot of basketball and I bench the most of anyone. I did 250lbs 15 time!! now I'll say a prayer in tagalog.

Ama po namin sa langit. nagpapasalamat po kami para sa mng pomilya namin. paki-basbasan po ninyo kami na marandaman ang espiritu santo. sa pangalan ni jesucristo amen.
Dear heavenly father. please bless our familys. please bless us to feel the spirit. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

SEND ME LETTERS!!!!!!! YOU HAVE NO IDEA HOW MUCH I NEED AND WAAAANT THEM!!!!! SALAMAT!!!-THANK YOU!!!

Continued Answered Prayers

The picture above is how I feel/felt sometimes these past 6 1/2 months. But now...I know how to swim, fight off sharks, and fight with my life for my life.

Things are moving along quickly now. As quickly as they can now. I guess it feels quick compared to the lack of movement of the past six months.

The hardest part of this section has been finding "her" and getting a real address. Ava and I have offered prayers together and seperately about this. On Monday morning, the very day we were to have the address to the lawyer, we found a working address. If "she" had not received "notice" yesterday, then it is to be today that "she" does.

From the day things were filed, though, is when the 60 day count down started. That 60th day is December 11th - just FYI.

So very excited. So very ready.

The Walking Dead

Okay, DishNetwork, what are you thinking? I know you wanted more money from AMC, but did you know that The Walking Dead is one of the most popular TV series on television right now? And did you think that you would loose a butt-load of customers because of it? And not only will they leave your company, they'll go to your #1 competitor?

No biggie on my part, the most difficult thing for me would be calling ya'll to give you an immediate cut-off notice and patiently listening to your whole "I'm sorry, but..." story and super sad explanation of reasons I already know about.

Then, magically, not too long after you loose a lot of your followers you'll get AMC back and offer this cool/exciting/great deal to new customers, but not counting the ones you just lost (because they've been loyal for any number of years and paid your ever rising prices while the "new" customers got all the new and cheap deals). So, again, you're loyal customers who really don't want to change services because of the hassel, are screwed over again.

Think I'll get Netflix...

Le Quilt

Here is the short-hand design for the quilt I'm making for dear Ava.

If its in any hard difficult to understand...yeah, 'cause it is. The thoughts that go into designing a pattern for a quilt, for my anyway, are totally abstract and often make no sense until I start actually cutting out the pattern inself.

There are three colors, as explained earlier: brown, navy blue and black. Because of the bottom piece of fabric (a king size flat sheet) I've had to make the squares 10" x 10" and the stripes of color in each square 3-ish" x 10". And the entire quilt will be 100" x 100".

I got all the black and brown stripes cut out - 100 OF EACH! For me, cutting out the material itself is crazy boring! I try to imagine starting the sewing part of the quilt, or tacking it, or FINISHING it, or using it to try to keep me motivated... Let's just say, cutting out the material takes me FER-EVA!

Time wise, this one is coming along nicely, though.

Proud of myself.

Teen Mom

It's over, ...but they keep dragging it on! What's with the cruel and unusual punishment MTV? Why?!

I'm going to miss this show. Is it this group of Teen Mom's or the whole group: Teen Mom and Teen Mom 2? Does this include 16 & Pregnant?

An Answered Prayer

FYI - this is extremely personal info. I know you're thinking, "Then why put it on the internet?" Well, hardly anyone reads my blogs and I love to "journal" and those who do read this are my closest friends and probably know some or all of what's going on anyway. What you read here, again, is private. Please, do not talk amoungst yourelves. This stays between me and you. Not, you and you, ok?

So when that blessing I got from Dad and Pres. Livingston said that things would be "...taken care of soon." It really meant, like, soon!

(Thought this was funny)

That blessing was given on Sept 30th, the appointment with the new lawyer was yesterday, the 10th. We were in and out in, like, fifteen minutes! She is AMAZING! Where has she been for the past 6 1/2 months?!

I don't know how she feels about publicity, so I won't share her name via the internet, but I am more than willing to share her name privately. If you're curious, just ask me and I'll let you know (private message on FB, text, call, email, whatev').

What we knew before meeting her: she is aggressive, she is good, she is fast

What we know after meeting her: she will not be "drug along", she does not tolerate "difficult people", and she loves what she does and is efficient

After our meeting with her I told Ava that I had not been able to eat all day and I was past hungry. He suggested we go to La Enchilada (gotta tell ya', he gives me what I like). At one point in the meal he got himself tickled and I had to inquire. He was laughing at what I had said/done at the close of the meeting. Story is as follows... She had him sign the job/pay agreement thing and then I asked when things could be started; if we had to pay all the fee now or could payments be made, etc. She said if she could get enough to her now cover the filing fee, then (because it was so late in the day) she would file first thing in the morning and then we could get her paid off within 60-75-ish days. Then I said, "Let me write you a check then!"

Ava said he was laughing at my eagerness. Well, aren't you eager, too, my Love?! Yep...

So, starting today, the 11th, we'll have to wait about 75-ish days and we'll be done and we'll be announcing a Temple date!

I asked, worse case scenario, that if his current wife contested anything, what would the time frame be. She told us that based on what we told her that IF she contested anything she'd have to hire a lawyer and would have to come to Texas with him/her to the hearing in Tyler County. And, again, based on what we told her, she probably wouldn't do that...

Let me say this to those who "talk" - I love my Heavenly Father and this man so very much and it has been more than difficult to behave in such a way that would permit us to go to the Temple to be sealed at the soonest time available; behaving in all shapes and forms. I have waited much too long (about 10 years) to ruin my/our chances of a Temple marriage now! With that being said, we have behaved ourselves and when this thing is done, we will go the the Temple...and you just may not receive an invitation to attend. You'll be more than invited to attend the reception, though.

Return with Honor

Wednesday was an awesome day!! For one (the second will be posted on a seperate blog) my parent's, along with Elizabeth and Ashley, dropped of Jarom at the MTC in Provo! He'll spend about three weeks there in Provo, then he'll fly to the Philippino MTC for nine weeks.

Then...into the mission field.

Jarom, Ava and I are so very proud of your decision to serve the Lord for these two years! We know you'll do wonderfully and you'll work your hardest. We love you so much. Please let us know if you need or want anything and we'll do our best to help you. Ava mentioned visiting Samoa in the summer of 2014 - maybe we'll "swing" by and pop in on you. That'd be a cool adventure!

I get a text from Dad early Wednesday morning saying that Jarom had his phone on him and to call him soon so we could talk to him one more time before he was dropped off. That whole day (on top of being nervous/excited about our appt) I was so emotional. When I finally felt I had gotten myself under control long enough to speak to him, I made the call... He answered, "Hey..." I lost it! I boo-hoo ed like a baby. He laughed and giggled at me, without making fun of me, and we spoke for less than two minutes about how excited he was. I'm going to miss him so much, but I know the Lord will take care of him and be with him...and us...for this time.

I told him to try not to intimidate those little Philippino people too much. And to write me back...

Return with Honor little brother.

Return with Honor Elder Odom.

[Sew] - A Needle Pulling Thread

Since I love making quilts and I love my sweetheart, I figured I could join my two loves! I'm going to make my Fatu a quilt for Christmas. I have just under three months to design/make the pattern/put together/finish this king size, literally, quilt. I got this!

I asked him his three top favorite colors... I already knew that blue (which is mine, too. Uncanny how "connected" we are, right?) was his numero uno fave. He also likes black and dirt brown. I thought I'd make a quilt with 12" x 12" patches and those patches will be 4" x 12" stripes of navy blue, dirt (aka cowboy) brown, and black. One corner going vertical and the next going horizontal. (Pictures of design, hopefully, will be posted along with progression).

I'm so excited. Not only that I'm making another quilt and that its for him, but this will be the quilt that we will eventually share as husband and wife - very Little House on the Prairie, I think!

So, I go into Wal-Mart (with HIM, no less) and look at material. WHAT?! Like $5 a yard for PLAIN, SINGLE COLORED MATERIAL?! Really?!

I great idea from my Aunt's mother: buy flat sheets for the material instead... Compared to in price? WWAAAAAAAAYY cheaper! Like, WWAAAAAYYYYY cheaper! And 98% of the time the material is of a better quality!

Keep you posted...

182nd General Conference, Sun. PM

* Robert D. Hales, Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
-Are we Christians? What is a Christian?
-Being a missionary
-Follow Christ
-Become more Christian christians!
-Kind, compassionate to all
-Christian patience - serving others

* Richard G. Scott, Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
-Baptisms for the dead
-Geneology work
-Doind the ordinance
-Any time spent in the Temple is time well spent
-A sure way to eliminate Satan from day to day life - Do your own family work
-Geneolgy is a spiritual work
-Work is being done on both sides
-Begin now!
-The Lord will help

* Russell T. Osguthorpe, Sunday School General Pres.
-What to teach, how to teach
-Conversion (a lifelong quest) requires us to:
-Know
-Do
-Become
-Learn, Teach, Testify of blessings
-Understand
-Learn, Love, Teach

* Marcus B. Nash, of the Seventy
(Another that hit close to home)
- 1. Faith - cables along a steep mountain trail; strong guidlines
-Principle of action - steep trail
-An assurance moves us to act
-Acting brings power of the Lord
-Endure...in faith...to the end
-Reason=Faith, wings on the same plane
-Learn by study AND faith
- 2. Fear distracts from the Savior
-Look to Me in every thought
- 3. Sin takes away the Spirit
-Be diligent in keeping from sin
-"The futures is as bright as your faith"

* Daniel L. Johnson, of the Seventy
-Why help others when you need help as well?
-Because we are disciples of Christ
-"Even as I am"
-How we endure trials, not the trials themselves, will prove our discipleship
-Becoming like Him, being one with Him is our #1 goal
-Submit to His will

* Don R. Clarke, of the Seventy
-What do we think of during Sacrament meeting? Christ? (Memorize Sacramental Prayers)
-The Atonement
-Baptism
-Repent of sins
-Receive inspiration for problems
-Help us feel/be filled with the Holy Ghost
-Sacrament should be the center of our Sacrament meeting

*David A. Bednar, Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
-Asking, seeking, knocking - requirements for gaining a testimony
-Conversion requires ALL heart, ALL might, ALL mind, ALL strength
-Believing in Prophets
-Exercise faith in Christ
-Repent
-Experiencing change of heart
-Becoming firm and steadfast
-Testimony is conversion
- *STORY OF AMMON*
-Poweful combo: Knowledge of the truth & Coverting to the Lord (Gospel)
-Spiritual knowledge gained by the Holy Ghost is a testimony
-Gospel is true - stay true to the Gospel
- *STORY OF THE TEN VIRGINS*
-Lamp, Testimony
-Oil, Conversion
-Oil cannot be borrowed
-Study scriptures
-Pray
-Do
-Experience

* Thomas S. Monson, Prophet
-Things taught and reemphasized
-Read talks again in Ensign and Liahona
-Don't be critial and judgemental, be tolerant
-Pray about needs of others, help others
-Go with good cheer
-As we do what is right
-He is on our side
-He lived for us
-He died for us

182nd General Conference, Sun. AM

* Henry B. Eyring, 1st Counselor of the First Pres.
(One that hit REALLY close to home)
-God is NEVER hidden! We are hidden from Him.
-Our desires vs His will
-Unwilling to listen or submit
-"Get 'my own' revelation" (Marriage, kids, (husband and wife, revelation needed from both))
-We cannot consist on our own timetable
-The Lord has His own timetable
-"His time should be enough for us"
-Submitting fully to Heaven's will
-The Lord is calculated to bless
-The Lord keeps His promises
-Fill time by helping others
-Desire to do good

*Boyd K. Packer, Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
-Those who are lost - look for the Light (Christ) and the Atonement
-Christ, our Mediator
-3rd Article of Faith
-Men cannot cleanse themselves - Christ must forgive us
-"I, the Lord, remember them no more..."

* Linda K. Burton, General Relief Society Pres.
-We are the Lord's hands
-Observe, then Serve (aka Charity)
-"Am I doing this for the Savior or for me?"
-Too busy for service?

*Walter F. Gonzalez, of the Seventy
-Learn truths with the Heart
-Pray to remember the Lord
-Iniquity stops revelation
-Turn to Him NOW!
-If we repent we will not suffer needlessly
-"He will not fail you!"
-"He knows how to succor His children"
-(*Promise*)

* Jeffrey R. Holland, Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
(Another favorite)
-Repeatedly told Apostles that He would not leave them alone
-"It is the Lord!" Why suprised?
-Do you love Me? Feed My sheep!
-"If I want fish, I can get fish..."
-On the judgement bar, the Lord may ask us, "Did you love Me?"
-Love the Lord, thy God
-Be loyal
-If you love Me, keep My commandments
-We have good to do!
-Demonstrate our love of the Lord
-Stay true, love God
-Lend a hand
-Loyalty and Love required at every stage of life!

* Thomas S. Monson, Prophet
-Take inventory of the small blessings you've received
-"Men are that they may have joy..."
-We can communicate through prayer
-They will be heard and answered by our loving Father in Heaven
-He will bless us with ONLY the BEST!
-Act upon inspirations - He will trust us more...with more!
-Never ignore the promptings!
-He is aware of our needs - No concern is too small or insignificant
-He is in the details of our lives
-Plan A ---> Plan B ---> ...Plan Z Luck? No...

182nd General Conference, Sat. PM

* L. Tom Perry, Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
-Sanctity of marriage
-Central importance of the Family
-The Gospel is a culture
-Marriage is the only joy and happiness that can be found in this mortal life
-"For time and all eternity"
-Parents, teaching is #1 responsibility to children
-Stronger family, (done consistantly):
1. Pray earnestly
2. FHE, scripture study, meals together
3. Use church leaders to help, communicate with them about children's needs
4. Organize with wholesome rules, give responsibilities to children in the home
-"Teach at the cradle side"
-*Proclamation to the Family* - Responsibilities/Duties of mothers and fathers
-Equal partners
-"Do Your Very Best"

* M. Russell Ballard, Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
-Cooperative engergy, Beehive (1 bee contributes only 1/12 tsp of honey in its lifetime)
-...But, burdens of other bees lifted through that "other" bee
-JUST go to church? Converted?
-Take next step of conversion - Act consistantly
-One thing that will help - Morning Prayer: Ask for an opportunity to serve
-Stay focused
-Through others, God takes care of us

* Larry Echo Hawk, of the Seventy
-Book of Mormon for remnants of Lamanites (among others), the American Indians
-Boof of Mormon most correct book on earth
-Encouraged to read Book of Mormon - read and reread

* Robert C. Gay, of the Seventy
-What would you sell your soul for?
-Magnify your Priesthood, blessings will come
-Self-justification of pety sins, Satan triumphs
-Will we shrink or submit to the will of the Father?
-He looks out for all
-We must serve each other
-Rise above sin
-Go to the rescue!

* Scott D. Whiting, of the Seventy
-Why held to such [high] standards?
-The Temple, Holiness to the Lord, House of the Lord
-No doubt of Whose house it is
-The Lord knows our efforts to do good
-"I will not come into unclean Temples"
-We cannot hide sins
-Keep the commandments
-Live your best
-Make necessary improvements

* Neil L. Anderson, Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
-During a trial of faith, do not drift from the church. Safest place during a storm is not in the storm, but in the cellar.
-Sanctuary of the Church
-Go and sin no more
-Trails will be trying
-Build on a solid foundation
-With Faith comes Trials comes Increased Faith

* Dallin H. Oaks, Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
-Commanded to love and care for each other
-Abortion=Evil
-Marriage is more than a contract
-*Proclamation to the Family*
-Be examples to your children
-Be united (parents) in goals
-"Marriage Matters"

182nd General Conference, Sat. AM

These are the notes I took from this October's General Conference Session(s). This is probably not the whole "jist" of these talks, but these are the thoughts that struck me. They may not make much sense to you. Some thoughts are short, some not so short. They may seem out-of-order -ish. Please, just take them for what they are.

Announcements:
* Missionary Age for young men went from 19 to 18.
Missionary Age for young women went from 21 to 19.

* Two New Temples:
Tuscon, Arizona
Arequipa, Peru

* Quentin L. Cook, Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
-Immersion in scriptures heals hurt feelings, hateful feelings, etc.
-"When you are sick, THEN you will listen to the doctor"
-Never forsake the Master
-Disrespect in the home is not acceptable!
-Moral issues are to be addressed [taught] in the Home
-Through repentence, you can qualify...
-The Atonement!

* Ann M. Dibb, 2nd Counselor in the General Young Women Pres.
-"Im a Mormon! Are you?" T-shirt story
-Confidence in our religion - Who we are!
-"I'm a Mormon! I know it! I live it! I love it!"
-Paul, "I Am Not Ashamed!"
-Strength, Discipline, Commitment?
-Feast on the scriptures
-Doers of the Word - Faith, Obedience
-Everyone is imperfect - Do you Best
-Humility and submission to the Father's will, most difficult principle to apply

* Craig C. Christensen, of the Seventy
-Holy Ghost knows us as the Savior and God do - our thoughts and our heart's intent
-He is to bear witness, teach truth, comfort
-God, Jesus, and Holy Ghost are ONE in purpose
-Act without delay!
-Power of vs Gift of

* Shayne M. Bowen, of the Seventy
(Especially powerful talk!)
-"Too pure, too lovely to live on this earth" -death of babies and young children
-Get rid of those DESTRUCTIVE feelings NOW! (I could have..., I should have...)
-Self-pity is destructive, anger is destructive
-Pray for heart to change
-Great blessings <--- Prove faith -The veil is thin -Continue with good cheer... -Christ can turn sour to sweet -Love deeply. Love eternally. :) -Sorrow ---> Joy
-He will not leave us comfortless
-Rely on the Atonement!

* Russell M. Nelson, Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
-worthiness AND preparation
- ...add more! (To other values)
-Missionaries - a Heaven-sent resource; learn from them!
-Ask the Missionaries - they can help you!

* Dieter F. Uchtdorf, 2nd Counselor of the First Pres.
(Always a favorite!)
-We are mortal! A suprise? :D
-Any regrets?
-We wear our bussiness as a badge of honor?
-Live each day with purpose
-Know the value of those you meet, give them the gift of your time, love
-Give BEST self to those who are important
-"We are capable of more!"
-Illuminate our Paths: Family prayer, Family scripture study, Family activities - DO IT for great blessings!
-Pursuit of holiness and happiness vs Pursuit of regret
-"Let ourselves be happier!"
-"Its not a race, its a journey"
-"Enjoy the Moment"
(Mom's quote to me back in April: "Enjoy the Journey")
-Do not focus on the finish line - we'll fail to find joy in the journey
-Happiness is available NOW!
-Rejoice and be glad
-Embrace and cherish
-See and appreciate
-Give thanks in all things
-Resolve to be happy, regardless...

A Thought (aka More Tears)

So, I just had a "vision" or something close to it...

I had a thought pop into my head of my future husband (one guess as to who that would be) blessing a new baby in Sacrament meeting.

Wow! On top of having an emotional week - this has been added to the reasons why I need to carry tissues with me at all time.

And why I NEED this marriage to this awesome man to hurry on up.

Answered Prayers

Yesterday was a rough day for me...

But let me back track some to Sunday and the week or so before...

(Read last post for "details." The meeting with Pres. Livingston went well. Like Ava said/says, 'You worry too much.' Yeah... I know... I over think and over analyze and over, well, everything. Things are good. He left us with a blessing at the close of the meeting and still after I wasn't 100%.

I had to drop Ava back off at work and when I got back I asked him and my Dad for a blessing. I LOVE blessings. Nothing better than getting one, I think. Dad gave it and afterward apologized several times for what the Spirit told him to say.

Everything that was said is EXACTLY what was on my mind and what was bothering me.

Just to share something very special and sacred with ya'll, it told me to #1. not worry about other people talking. That Satan uses people as tools just as the Lord uses people as instruments, and #2. that things will be taken care of SOON!

Now...to Monday.

I called the lawyer we wanted to use from Jasper (first contact made about five weeks ago and nothing since except when I call to "bug" the secretary several times a week). She got kind of rude and short and I could hear this lawyer in the background telling her what to say.

No bueno.

So, I started the do-it-yourself paperwork. The instructions and process seem beyond easy, but I still had many questions and concerns and kept getting this "stupor of thought."

All morning was spent in frustrated tears and pleading prayers to Heavenly Father for help, guidance, understanding, and comfort.

I posted a end-the-end-of-my-rope comment to facebook and a sweet cousin texted me with the name of a lawyer she knew and used in Woodville. Whatever, I'll try anything at this point!

Made the appointment from Grandpa's house and before I could make the five minute walk to my parent's home SHE HERSELF called me and wanted to ask a few questions.

I TRIED REALLY HARD to discourage her! I did! I told her everything that discouraged the other lawyers we spoke to. To everything she said, "Oh! This will be easy!" "Oh! This will go quick!" "Oh! This is great!" "Oh! This will go smoothly!"

Where have you been for six months!

When Ava called me for the first time Easter Sunday and before we ate together that following Thursday I got the impression October-ish maybe early November. I had, and still have, no idea what this means, but things started to happen...October 1st.

Appointment set for the 10th at 2pm to start this process. In 60 days I should be announcing a date.

"More tears are shed over answered prayers than unanswered ones."

Yes ma'am. There are more tears for answered prayers!

An Evening (and the next morning) in Tears!

My Grandpa told me a story of an event that happened at his house Tuesday night that really hurt my feelings. (Without getting into details - it involved familia...) Turns out this certain member of the familia doesn't mind helping other memebers of the familia with Grandpa on their days. They have an issue with helping me on my days with Grandpa. They didn't come out and say it, but based on their words/actions in the past towards me and based on their words/actions Tuesday night - helping Grandpa isn't the problem - its helping me. So that had me feeling glorious.

Then it hit me - holy smokes, my baby brother will leave in 8 days (7 days today!) for his two year mission. I've been great until now. I KNOW I can and will survive without him, but... he's been such an awesome support to me these past several weeks. It'll be extremely difficult to send him off this next Thursday morning.

I failed my biology test! I studied! The teacher tells me, though, "So far, you've made the highest grade." AND?! I still failed... But it was A LOT of material and a LONG test. And of the four bonus essay questions, I answered two, and got full credit on those. 63 on the test. Seven points away from passing it. Thank goodness the lowest test grade is always dropped, right?

Then, because of that "issue" I mentioned on FaceBook, Ava and I have had to "behave" even more than we were already behaving. (And we were/are behaving still.) So, in my prayers, I've asked Heavenly Father to help us "behave" as we should. He had asked that I take off yesterday afternoon and evening to spend some time together and so I did.

Just to let you know, I am having to deal with a form of temptation that I have never, ever had to deal with before! Life, EVER! Thank goodness when I fall short, Ava is the strong one. And thank goodness when he falls short, I can be the strong one. I went into yesterday with full intentions to "behave" and...fell short. Or tried to... Again, thank goodness when I fall short, Ava is the strong one.

The evening was spectacular! It really was! We spent the first part of the evening running around town, doing his business and then we (meaning "he," really) washed/cleaned Mom's car, then we went back to his house. We talked and talked and talked. That's all we did! Just talked! But...to be honest, I felt like I needed more, and I left feeling unsatisfied... I thought to myself the whole way home "This is what you prayed for dummy! To stay away from temptation and because you didn't get all what you wanted, you're upset?"

I cannot wait for this "issue" to be resolved! Why is it taking so long? Why is it so difficult? Have I not been made to wait enough? Haven't I made the right choices in my life to be worthy of this blessing? Is this another test? Is this my trial in life - to wait? Am I/Are we going to have trouble having kids? -Because that's righteous desire we share! When can/will the things I REALLY want start to unfold easily?

Like Bro. Fruge' said in his fireside last Sunday, "You want a land of milk and honey? Be prepared to work for it!" Wow... I am so very thankful for what I've been blessed with. I am! I'm trying to "enjoy the journey" Mom, I really am! I'm trying to focus on the friendship side of our relationship right now, but I feel like I already KNOW him. I feel like we're already best friends. I feel like we've been friends longer than the time we've been been friends on this earth.

Please pray for me. Thinking about asking for a blessing... Again.

Family and Such

What a crazy emotional weekend! Full of good emotions and not so good emotions... Mostly good, though. But what's life without some "bad", right?

Sunday was Jarom's farwell Sacrament Meeting at church. He asked Sarah, Mom, and me to speak. Oh my goodness, I didn't cry "that much", BUUUT, I never was more choked up for such a long period of time. Like, really!

An extremely spiritual hour!

Then, that Sunday evening we had a fireside at the chapel and oh-ma-heck, could the day get any better? Bro. Fruge' did AWESOME! And, luckily, Ava was able to make it.

We had a wonderful, short time together and was able to spend about five minutes together afterward.

(*Just a side note: I am SO thankful for the RIGHTEOUS choices he's "having" to me for US - to keep us SAFE! Anyway...)

All day Monday was...HORRIBLE. I couldn't concentrate. I couldn't focus. I couldn't work. I couldn't study. I couldn't do ANYTHING... I knew he was going to be super busy and didn't want to call him just to whine about how much he was on my mind and how much I missed him, but at around 6pm, I couldn't help myself - and, thankfully, he had just got home and started to relax some.

I was honest... I told him I missed him horribly and was an emotional wreck because of it. Then this sweet man tells me he had the same trouble ALL DAY! :') He couldn't sleep, so he went to work early (earlier than usual anyway) and couldn't hardly do one single simple task.

I love it when he tells me he thinks of me, but I love it even more when we feel the same thing at the same time(s).

Not that want him to "suffer", but its pretty flippin' awesome to hear that someone thinks of me and loves me. <3

Feeling... content.

MyFitnessPal

This program has become my new "pal."

I've been honest with myself as far as working out goes, but the food part has [always] been an issue for me. (The first step in recovery is to admit, right?!)

This program (myfitnesspal.com) can be run from your phone through an app or from the computer.

It's FREE!

It's EASY!

And...its working!

I can eat anything I want, but its making me accountable at the end of the day...or sooner. If I want a big bowl of cheese dip and chips for lunch - that's cool, but to make sure I don't go over my calories by the end of the day, I may have to have a salad for dinner.

You start by opening your profile - the usual stuff; profile name and password, name, age, gender. Then the "hard" part - your current weight, your goal weight, and then how many pounds you'd like to loose a week.

Most foods are already in their database, just look them up, adjust the servings, if needed, and click "add." If not, then you can scan the barcode on whatever it is you have and *BOOM* there it is! Beautiful!

Flight of Ideas - Emelie Style

I've felt a bit over whelmed the past three weeks are so...helping Ava with his legal stuff, trying to help his cousin with her driver's license issue, school, Grandpa, home stuff, church calling stuff, loosing weight, and family... just to name a few. But this morning I had a crazy moment where only about five of these things were able to make a complete and thorough thought.

1. It is ALMOST easier/better to exercise in the morning as it is to read/study the Scriptures and pray... Almost!

2. I REALLY L!O!V!E! my Samoan cowboy. Not that this isn't a known fact already. I was in town yesterday to get feed for my feathered and furry kiddos and my Fatu wanted to ride with me to do his running around. We went to the Tyco feed store to get something for Grandpa and he LOVED the store! I found a "I Love My Cowboy" picture frame and told him that I had some ideas. As we were walking out he said, "I like this store! We will be back!" Sweet!

3. I REALLY L!O!V!E! my Samoan!
a. He's a cutie
b. He's sweet
c. He's righteous
(Just to wrap it up, but these aren't all the reasons)
d. He "forgets" all the time to kiss me when we meet. He's a bit shy about PDAs, BUT we're in the parking lot a Wal-Mart and he's waiting for me as I lock up the vehicle and he says, "Oh! I forgot to give you something." Leans over and plants a big one! Yeah... Good times! Good times!

4. I had a dream Saturday night (and told him about it yesterday) that Jarom was coming home off of his mission and we were at the airport to pick him up. Our entire family was there. Ava and I were there with his kids and I had a child in my arms, who I assumed to be Lindon. We see Jarom coming and I say to this boy, "Look! There's Uncle Jay! See him?" I look at this boy and instantly recognize him as my son - our son. Emotional... Ava liked it!

5. Getting comments about how much weight I've lost is cool and having to buy smaller clothes is kind of cooler, but actually starting to LOOK different is even cooler! Like fer reelz! :D Happy today!

eye *heart* ewe

Have I mentioned lately that I am so in love with this guy?!

My poor mother hears this atleast 5,457,071,973 times a day...

But I do...

A Bit of Perspective

There was a CES Fireside this past Sunday that I am BEYOND grateful I attended! Lately, my [spiritual] goal has been to really try to listen to the Spirit and follow the Spirit. To be courageous. To be fearless. To not be ashamed. To not second guess.

This CES (and most/all) fireside was for 18-30 year old, married or not married. I was praying the Thursday night and Friday morning before this fireside about how I could help Ava. I wanted to lift him up, to encourage him, to let him know he can count on me, etc.

As I was walking with my Mom Friday evening and we discussing the plan for Sunday evening (rides, speakers, location, etc.) when Ava popped into my head. Nothing new, he tends to do that...often. But then the Spirit told me "Invite him." Okay, I will. Promise.

"Invite him now," the Spirit told me. I had just (like ten minutes previous) gotten off the phone with him and promised to call him after our walk, after I had helped Grandpa into bed, and after I had studied for school and done my nightly scripture study and prayer.

"Invite him now," I was told. So, I listened...and followed. No fear (never is when talking to my Fatu), no second guessing.

He immediately said he would want to go. Okay. Great. Why? "None of your business," is pretty much the response I got from the Spirit. Really, though, it wasn't like that. To be more honest and truthful it was more like, "Trust me."

The talk Pres. Holland gave was so good! Not that "I" felt Ava needed to hear that part. I did more than he. But when Pres. Holland gave those listening an Apostalic blessing... I felt like that was tailor made just specifically for Ava. Every word, every sentence, every paragraph.

So thankful for the Spirit's promptings...and for the ETERNAL perspective I've gained from heeding the promptings given to me. It is a sweet feeling to be used as an instrument by a loving Heavenly Father.

Contagious

Its hit me again... I guess I'm not taking enough Vitamin B (B for babysitting)! Hahahah... I am too funny!

And the cool part of this round of the Baby Fever is that its going to (eventually) happen. Like, real life happen. Not just a day dream! Sweet!

HURRY AVA! <3

The Forbidden Fruit

A topic that has been on my mind today as been temptation. For the past five months I've been dealing with a brand new form of temptation, one that I've NEVER had to confront before - EVER! And it gets a bit more complicated than just..."that."

I Have to Admit...

...That my Spanish class is so much flippin fun! Mr. Ditoro is an amazing Spanish teacher! Just sayin...