Is Ignorance Bliss?

My blood is seriously boiling right now. I just don't understand people these days and how they live with their consciences. My favorite blogger is Kendi and thought I would Google her to see what additional info I could find on her. Well lo and behold I find this website that dedicates a post to bashing her. I couldn't believe what I was reading! And there were tons of comments that continue the bashing and hating. Well I'm curious as to what this website was all about and turns out it is solely for the purpose of making fun of people, "Get Off My Internets is a blog providing commentary – and offering opportunities to discuss – the stupid things people do online." Really? So people sit around all day researching peoples blogs and websites to find things to make fun about them. Wow. Seriously pathetic. I understand freedom of speech is a wonderful thing, but for it to be used to only degrade someone is just wrong. I was so outraged I wrote the website's authors and email:

"Wow. You guys seriously spend your days making fun of people? You don't have ANYTHING better to do than make fun of people?!? Whats sad is that there are people out there as ignorant as you that read your blog. Its seriously pathetic. What ever happened to being decent? This world is going to crap because of people like you. Filling people with animosity and hatred towards one another is whats causing all these epidemics of bullying and suicides. Can you honestly say you sleep at night knowing your apart of that? Or are you THAT oblivious to what you are doing? Like I said...ignorant. "

They'll probably just laugh it off and send some snide reply back. I just wanted them to know that there's at least one person out there that does not approve of what they are doing.

A Foreign Reaction

I have found myself in a new situation I've never been in before. We just received what should be exciting news from Jame's best friend, but instead of my normal elated reaction, a foreign one came to me. Madness. Anger. Sadness. And then guilt. I should be happy for them. Why can't I just be happy for them? They're good people. They deserve all the blessings they can get. But I do also, right? So why can't I get them as well?

This is all new to me, and am learning along the way how to process it all. I know Heavenly Father loves me and has great many things in store, I'm just having a hard time with the patience aspect of it all. In the mean time, I'm gonna go make some brownies and play with Doccers. He's good for my soul.

Outfit Inspirations and More...

So, I take a million pictures and then don't do anything with them. Shame on me. Well I finally kicked my butt in gear and put a couple together for this neglected blog of mine. Its a random layout of things that I felt would be cool to share.

This is an organizing idea I originally had at our old apartment in Idaho Falls, which ended up being needed at our new place in Rexburg. With no drawers, I made a make-shift shelf using a tall shower shelf. It works awesome!

We finally got some tomatoes this summer! Mind you we only got about 5 of them and they were tiny, nonetheless we had some. They tasted amazing, I am for sure going to be growing more next year. In a real plot of land, no more buckets.

This is a head wrap I made using a scarf. I found the instructions on how to do it via my beloved Pinterest, you can find it here.

This was supposed to be "The Best Chocolate Cake" and I have to report that it was not. It was pretty good, but I would certainly wouldn't classify it as "The Best". Especially the icing, yuck! It was also classified as the "Best Buttercream Frosting Ever", and it completely fell short. Instead of butter it called for shortening, and the inexperienced baker that I am didn't think about it. Until I tasted it, eww! It tasted like sweet chalk. I understand it's supposed to be less fattening, but your eating cake! Its supposed to be fattening! Never again. Next time I'm making it with good old butter. Im so sorry Julia Child for letting you down. I will never turn my back on butter again.

So now onto outfits. On the sidebar of my blog you should notice a button that says "I'm a thriftoholic." These outfits are proof of that. This first one is a thrifted outfit in its entirety. Shirt, skirt and shoes. Total cost, $10! I loved the final 50's vibe I ended up getting from it.

So this outfit just might be a new favorite. The first picture is from a website I just started using called Polyvore. It's so much fun! Im using it to help me with putting outfits together with items that I already have. I've been able to get a quite of few items on there that are pretty dang close to what I have already have, so I can imagine the actual outfit, like this one! The only thrifted item in the outfit is my purse, which is actually a COACH! And I bought it for only $5! Granted its older and a little out of date, but I LOVE it. Its so convenient for running around town and its real true leather. Plus its a Coach! (P.S. I love how Doc is looking at me as if to say, "uh, what are you doing? take me outside already!")

Now here's an awesome thrifted shirt I got for $1. Super comfy and I love the printed detail. I have to say another big reason Im posting this pic is cause I was really happy with my hair that day. Its getting long and Im having few and far between good hair days, so I have to document it while it is long and looking good! Its getting chopped off soon. I just cant handle long hair. I was born to have short locks.

And last but not least, my cute little Doccers snuggled up in my dresses and shoes.

He knows good fashion when he see's it.

Miracles

Well I made it back from California safely, thanks so much for the well wishes! I am truly blessed with wonderful people in my life:)

Well this post is really about some thoughts I am having right now and felt impressed to document and share. An old high school friend and his wife just recently adopted a beautiful baby boy. I am so happy for them in this time in their life. In some of the comments they received on Facebook, people mention the word "miracle". I got to thinking about that, being that this baby came from someone who could not keep him, who knew they could not raise him and had to give him to someone else who could. The dictionary describes a miracle as:

* such an effect or event manifesting or considered as a work of God.

* a wonder; marvel.

I was having conflicting feelings about this event being described as a "miracle". In my religion, we believe in chastity, saving relations between a man and woman until marriage. That children should be brought into a family, with a husband and wife. So how could an unwed woman have a child and then give it up for adoption be considered a miracle? Well, after pondering a lot on this, I really, truly feel that everything happens for a reason. My friend and his wife would not be able to raise children in this life if it not were for this woman's sacrifice. Yes, it is unfortunate circumstances, but in the end it is a miracle. How else were they to raise a child if it not were for this woman? This was no accident. This was part of Heavenly Father's plan. So many times great things come out of unfortunate circumstances, this being the greatest of them all. James and I very much want to adopt, we have talked about it a lot. I don't know if I'll be able to bear my own children, but I have a peace of mind that if not, there are children out there waiting for good homes and loving parents. And even if not in this life, we will in the next. Because this life isn't just it, there are still so many great things to come. 

Nerve Wracking

Im sitting here all sorts of nervous...why? In a couple hours I'm getting on a plane headed for CALFORNIA! Why? Because I got a job with Google and they're flying me out to their headquarters for training! Training for what? Driving a car that they're giving me to drive back from California with around Idaho Falls and the surrounding area mapping out the are for Google Maps! All this is true information, I'm not making it up. It took me a while to believe it myself. The story: one of James friends works at Verizon and told him there was a job opening that I should apply for. I went in to the store, interviewed, and walked out not planning on taking the position due to the a) the hours b) having to stand on my feet all day (the position was for a store greeter.) The pay was great, but I liked my current temp job (the hours were great, 5:30-2, I LOVED having the afternoons.) Well a week later the temp agency that had offered the job for Verizon called me to let me know there was a recent job position that had the hours I was looking for. I was the first person they called for this job! So naturally when she's telling me everything about the job, that they're gonna be flying me out to California, all expenses paid, then gonna be driving a car around town all day for my job, of course I said yes! And I didn't even have to interview or anything, since Verizon had offered me the previous position I was an automatic shoe in since Verizon has the same strict hiring standards as Google. Oh, and the pay is outstanding. Pretty much I am the luckiest girl, I am SO grateful for my blessings.

Really the most nerve wracking thing of it all is having to drive this car from California back to Idaho, having never been to California before and never driven that long by myself before. They set me up in a hotel in Winnemucca, Nevada which is half way in between so I don't have to drive straight through which is nice. But still, Im nervous. And flying. I HATE flying, with a passion. Any and all prayers will be very much appreciated, thank you:)

So, this is where I will be spending my free time when I'm not in training...which is tomorrow 9-5, so I have all evening tonight and tomorrow night to myself!

Aaah, can't wait.

Pinterific!

I finally got on to Pinterest, FINALLY! You have to get invited in order to get on, so if you've been dying to get on let me know, or are just curious, I just might be nice enough to send you one:) All I need is an email address to send it to.

I've been having so much fun with it, and getting so many AWESOME ideas. I love how creative people are, and being able to use they're ideas is even better! 

(this is the first idea I got from Pinterest, it was so easy!

  I was a little sloppy my first time, but next time i'll be much more careful, 

and think I might try images in the paper as well.)

(I totally forgot to add this one when I initially posted this. 

I want to do it over again, the lighting isn't quite right for my liking.)

Wanna see what its all about? Check out my account HERE. I promise you'll love it. But WARNING: it does tend to be a time sucker, I've spent so much time on there! I have to give myself time limits now, otherwise I could seriously spend all day looking at other peoples pins. Its just that much fun!

This was an AMAZING movie, an incredible inspiring story. I give it two thumbs way up, 5 stars, and all the credit it deserves. I highly recommend watching it, a great family movie.

Maternity

Nope, not referring to me. My time will come, do not worry (here's hoping at least.) For now, I live vicariously through my pregnant friends. Here are some maternity pictures I did for my dear friend Nicole. She had a sweet baby boy who I hold as much as I can.

Consignment = Love

Its funny. When I was a kid I HATED secondhand clothes. Absolutely hated them. But now, I LOVE them! Being that James is in school right now we have a tight budget, so I don't get to shop as much as I use to when we were making good money in Missouri. But I found a loop hole: CONSIGNMENT! There are two awesome stores in town that I frequent often, Lily's & Lily's Two. There's a long drawn out story of how Lily's Two came to be so I won't get into that, but pretty much they always have the best finds, and good quality ones too! I always manage to find items from J Crew, Abercrombie & Fitch, The Limited, New York & Co., Calvin Klein, & many more. The best part of it all, I get all these name brand items for under $10! The best find yet is a gorgeous dress from J Crew for only $2! Granted these items have been previously worn by someone else, but I always make sure its in good condition so I know the person before took good care of it. Plus, after a good run through the washer machine (or in some cases the dry cleaners, I figure I saved a ton of money buying it, its worth spending a couple extra bucks getting it proffesionaly cleaned if needs be) its good as new! Ah, the combination of being thrifty and fulfilling the need want for new pretty things is just glorious!

Here are a couple finds worth sharing

 

Clockwise from top left: 

wrap cardigan from Maurices $3, dress from J Crew $2, skirt Old Navy $1, blouse from Charlotte Russe $2, 

sweater cardigan from Calvin Klein $6

 

Left: wedges from Nordstrom (brand BP.) $1!, Right: wedges from JC Penney (brand Decree) $2

Clockwise from top left: 

dress unknown brand $1, halter blouse unknown brand $2, skirt by Stephanie Andrews $4, 

skirt from Macy's (brand Ellen Tracy) $4, blouse from DownEast $2

large bag by Duex Lux $10

(you might be thinking "$10 is a lot for a used bag." But if you look here a similar bag is $150!

It had a never been used shoulder strap and has no imperfections whatsoever.

I use it all the time now for church, so I'm thinking I got a pretty good deal.)

I have some more finds that are definitely post worthy that are sure to find their way on here. I can't help but share my love cheap goods!

Addendum:  JoJo made a good point I forgot to mention...I bring in my old clothes and use the store credit for future purchases! So I'll always have at least a $3-$5 credit every time I shop, so I'm always getting at least 1-2 things for free! Thanks for reminding me Amy!

Update

First, thank you all SO much for all your kind words and love. They have indeed been felt and needed. This has been a very emotionally draining visit to say the least. Everyday we're hearing new stories, new updates. The death toll keeps rising. When we first got here, it was around 116, today it rose to 139. Theres still about 100 people missing. We are so blessed to not have any family or friends injured or displaced by the tornado. Everyone you meet out here though was in one way or another affected by it. Just going to get food or going to the store, the conversation always comes up "so where were you when the tornado hit?" A lady at Taco Bell had family missing who were right in its path. When people ask us we tell them were here from Idaho helping out, and theyre shocked. And then you hear about all the people from all over that came out to help. The amount of volunteers here is overwhelming. For several days we drove around asking who needed help and they tell us someone already came by and helped them. I signed up at a local organization to volunteer and there were more volunteers than people to help. I then went over to the local college Missouri Southern State University and signed up and was sent over with a crew to clean up fallen trees. When we first got there a man approached us and asked us to keep our eyes out for his young nephew. It was the story everyone had heard about. A 16 year old sucked out of his car returning from graduation and was no where to be found. And we were asked to look for him while cleaning up the trees. Just unreal. Today he was found in a river. James Dad works at Freeman Hospital and has told us so many stories of people that came flooded into the hospital that are just heart wrenching, one in particular. A woman was holding onto her 16 month old son so tight that she broke both her arms, but he was still ripped out her arms. They just found him recently as well. So many stories, so much heart ache. We were able to clean up a lady's yard who wasnt home but her neighbor said she would appreciate it. There was a tree uprooted that we cut up and brought to the curb. Turned out that the tree also broke a water pipe in the ground and was flooding the yard. We were there when the water company was driving by checking on houses and was able to get them to turn the water off. If we werent there who knows how much water would have dumped out and how high her water bill would have been. We also helped out James friends sister who had some down trees as well. Since theres so many volunteers we've been finding other ways to help, like getting James friends house ready to rent out to someone displaced, and James dad who has been putting in a ton of overtime at the hospital around here on the farm. Weve definitely been busy, and are very tired. I have a lot of cuts and bruises to show for the hard work, and wear them with pride. That being said, Im exhausted and am going to call it a night. For now Ill share the one picture that tugs on my heart the most. Theres a lot more to come, but this will do for now.

Total Devastation

Im still in shock over the tornado yesterday in Joplin, MO. I cant believe my eyes. Right where we use to live, places we use to go everyday. Places I use to WORK, where my in-laws work. Where family and friends still LIVE. James best friend Jared's neighborhood is gone, amazingly, his house is okay. Just a bent Dish Satellite and no power or water. But you walk out his front door and just a couple houses down, totally gone. He went out to help people, and saved a couple people pulling them from the rubbel. Unfortunately, there were some lives that he couldn't save. Even as tragic as a pregnant lady, in his words "she was just...dead." Im not quite sure how to process all this still. Seeing the images that I know where they are, but are just unrecognizable, not the same. Its still all so surreal. Its always hard to hear of devastation around the country and world. It always brings me to tears. And then you see it hit your home, and it becomes personal and that much more devastating. I love nature and always thank God for it, and then you see this happen and for a second you question that love. How could He make something this horrible happen? That ruins peoples lives? That takes peoples lives? I dont have an answer for it, but I have faith that there is an answer. Its just so very hard in the mean time. I keep praying for them in hopes that they find some faith as well.

I Forget...

I'm realizing I forget a lot about what this blog was intended for. I get caught up in wanting to post something great, something either interesting or fun or artsy. As I sit here filled with all sorts of emotions, I remembered my blog is my journal, my outlet. I should be able to share how I feel, and maybe not in a completely candid nature since this is a blog, but still be able to write (or should I say 'type') it out...

I feel overwhelmed...
anxious
hurt
mad
sad
stressed...

HOPEFUL

Hopeful that everything will turn out alright. That the things that hurt me won't anymore, and that I can become stronger because of them. That I'll be a better wife and mother because of them. I have fallen short on a lot of the roles I play in my life, but I know those are the two that I really can strive on becoming great at. I've been experiencing a lot of trials lately, a lot of set backs, but it seems that instead of James and I growing apart, were actually growing stronger. Which is surprising to me, because we've been through a lot in the almost 5 years we've been married, and I thought for sure these trials would really test us and bring us to our knees. Well, they have brought us to our knees, but in the greatest way possible. I am so grateful for the Gospel, for a Heavenly Father that I can pray to and know that He hears both James and my prayers. That through my Savior I can become whole and my weaknesses can become strengths. I know there will greater trials awaiting us, but I have faith that we can always become stronger together because of them.