Everything Can Change

Tonight I saw the movie If I Stay. For those of you who don't know what the movie is, it is about a girl who has a lot going for her and in a split second she almost looses everything including her own life. I have been trying to work on praying daily. I fell out of the habit a few years ago and I am trying to regain it. I have seen prayers make miracles happen and it is all because those people have faith. This quote works so well with this movie. At one point the girls grandfather is siting at her bed and tells her, "... more than anything he wanted her to pull through and just live. But he understood if she was ready to just give up..." It is so easy in a tragedy situation for a person to loose hope and have doubts start pouring in.  I have been that person in a hospital waiting room trying to have hope for the best but letting my doubts take over. In my case the doubting won. Try to have hope.

I hope you all enjoy reading my blog. Please leave comments with suggestions and thoughts.
"Learn from yesterday, live for today, and hope for tomorrow." - Albert Einstein

Keith Urban

Last night I got the pleasure of seeing Keith Urban and Brett Eldredge play. The concert was absolutely amazing. Brett Eldredge did an amazing job I hope to see him again in the future. I absolutely love his deep voice. He was the reason I found this concert in the first place. Then there is Keith Urban.... I was blown away with him. He was all about his fans. It is not everyday you see a performer as famous as him spend so much time with fans as he did. He sang a duet with a fan swell. She did a fantastic job. I am also very impressed with his skill to play the guitar and sing so well. All of my favorites of his were played and it made the night so much fun. Overall great show and can't wait to see both of these guys live again.

I hope you all enjoy reading my blog. Please leave comments with suggestions and thoughts.
"Learn from yesterday, live for today, and hope for tomorrow." - Albert Einstein

Five Minute Friday: Reach

I had a crazy busy day yesterday so I apologize for the delay on this post.

This weeks word is reach. I always grew up being a shy person. One of the hardest things for me to do is reach out to others. I also grew up having more of a independent mind set which makes it hard to ask for help.  Everyone has to reach out to someone at some point in their life. I would love to improve my people skills and be out going. Any ideas on how to help me improve those skills?

I hope you all enjoy reading my blog. Please leave comments with suggestions and thoughts.

"Learn from yesterday, live for today, and hope for tomorrow." - Albert Einstein

Grandparents

This week I am thankful for grandparents. Last week I got to see my grandparents. I have not spent as much time as I wish I could have with them in the last ten years. However I am glad that I get to visit more now that my mother lives down there. I have so many memories from all my trips where I got to spend time with my grandparents. It wasn't till I had a child that I realized how important they are. My daughter got to see her grandparents from both sides of the family this last week as well. The smile she gets on her face when she sees or talks to them is the greatest. She loves every second. I am excited to watch as she builds her own relationships with her grandparents.

What is your greatest memory of your grandparents?

I hope you all enjoy reading my blog. Please leave comments with suggestions and thoughts.
"Learn from yesterday, live for today, and hope for tomorrow." - Albert Einstein

Fray

This weeks photo challenge is fray. The first thing I thought of when I read the word was the band. I don't listen to a lot of their music but I used to. One of my favorite songs is How To Save A Life which probably almost everyone knows.

What does the word Fray make you think of? What is your favorite song by The Fray?

I hope you all enjoy reading my blog. Please leave comments with suggestions and thoughts.
"Learn from yesterday, live for today, and hope for tomorrow." - Albert Einstein

Funny Ha-ha

This weeks prompt is: Funny ha-ha. Do you consider yourself funny? What role does humor play in your life? Who’s the funniest person you know?

I don't think I am funny at all. Everyone is funny in their own way but sometimes you really have to know a person to understand their humor. Humor is part of my life through television shows. We try to be funny in our home but most of the time it ends up being so cheesy you can't help but to laugh. Im not sure who the funniest person I know is. All of the people I know are funny in their own way. What I do know is, with out humor in our life the world would be something completely different. Humor lightens up peoples moods and as far as I am concerned makes the world a better place.

I hope you all enjoy reading my blog. Please leave comments with suggestions and thoughts.
"Learn from yesterday, live for today, and hope for tomorrow." - Albert Einstein

B is for Bedtime

Bed is a frustrating subject in my house. My daughter hates bedtime. She always comes up with some excuse to prolong it. Most of the time it is, "I want to finish my dinner now." Apparently she gets that attitude from me because lately sleep has not been a big part of my schedule. I have tried multiple thing to help me sleep but still seem to be up until early hours of the morning. I am sure that all the things above are part of my throughout process at night. 

What helps you sleep?

I hope you all enjoy reading my blog. Please leave comments with suggestions and thoughts.

"Learn from yesterday, live for today, and hope for tomorrow."  - Albert Einstein

Earth

Todays post is going to be very simple. I have been in Arkansas this week. I went to my friends wedding reception tonight and while driving there and being at their house it made me think about how beautiful the world is. I am used to living in the city so I don't get to see all the nature very often.  God made the world in 6 days. We need to take time to take in the beauty around us. That is one of the things I miss most from when I lived in Missouri.

I challenge everyone to take time once a week, for me it will be on Sundays, to spend five minutes outside. Maybe it is at a park with your kids, or your backyard or porch, or looking at the stars. Just take time to admire the world around you.

I hope you all enjoy reading my blog. Please leave comments with suggestions and thoughts.
"Learn from yesterday, live for today, and hope for tomorrow." - Albert Einstein

Skyscraper

On my road trip this week I got the chance to listen to music I have not heard in a long time. One song stuck out to me, Skyscraper by Demi Lovato. I never realized how uplifting this song really is. It is all about how you can have anything done to you or taken from you. In the end every little thing that happens to you makes you stronger. Hopefully you learn and move on and forward with your life. I have had my share of events in my life that have tried to tear me down. Many times almost succeeding. However I am still here and plan to be for a long time coming. Don't let anything get the best of you. Always know your future is what you make it and you can only go up from the bottom.

I hope you all enjoy reading my blog. Please leave comments with suggestions and thoughts.
"Learn from yesterday, live for today, and hope for tomorrow." - Albert Einstein

Five Minute Friday: Change

Making changes can be very difficult and scary. I am not one for change at all. I like keeping things the same. When I do decide on changes in my life they are often planned out weeks in advance and in a lot of detail. I was talking to my cousin earlier today about not liking to eat foods I have not had before. It is funny how something as small as that is affected by change. For those have read my blog for a while, you know how much I have struggled with dieting and workouts. Well this week I am changing to a new plan that seems more reasonable. I am hoping for a positive outcome.

What are ways to look at change more positively? Do you have a hard time with change too?

Join the five minute friday community every week for a new word and write from your heart.

I hope you all enjoy reading my blog. Please leave comments with suggestions and thoughts.
"Learn from yesterday, live for today, and hope for tomorrow." - Albert Einstein

Road Trip

I am thankful this week for having the ability to travel. I was able to drive to Arkansas yesterday to visit my mom. It was a twelve hour drive. The drive was much easier then I thought it would be. My daughter and I sang and danced almost the whole way. Growing up some of my favorite memories are from family road trips. I am excited for many more to come.

Weekly Photo Wednesday

This daily prompt isn't changing to much. It still involves photos, but now the photos will actually mean something. On The Daily Post blog they post a weekly photo challenge. I will take their type of photo and see what I can find or take a picture to match.

This weeks photo challenge is: Silhouette 

This is the closest picture I have taken that resembles a silhouette. I took this picture on the way to work last year. The picture does not even give what I saw justice. All the colors in the clouds as the sun rose was just amazing. I remember taking a good ten pictures trying to capture the beauty in the sky. This was the best one I got.

Show me one of your best silhouettes in the comments below.

I hope you all enjoy reading my blog. Please leave comments with suggestions and thoughts.

"Learn from yesterday, live for today, and hope for tomorrow." - Albert Einstein

On the Edge

The prompt this week is: On the edge. We all have things as need to do to keep an even keel, blogging, exercising, reading, cooking. What’s yours?

There are so many activities that I fill my time with that most people refer to as silly or a waste of time. Video games, blogging, reading, and cooking are all things that I do to make life even more enjoyable. The one thing that lets me keep an even keen is music. Music has been a big part in my life for as long as I can remember. I always turn to music because it can always be related to, it can help any mood, and it is something that will always be around. I honestly believe that without music my life would be a mess at this point in time.

How do you keep and even keel and why does that activity help?

I hope you all enjoy reading my blog. Please leave comments with suggestions and thoughts.

"Learn from yesterday, live for today, and hope for tomorrow." - Albert Einstein

A-Z Challenge

I am making a few changes to my blog and this is the first. Since I started this blog in March I have not made many changes. From what I can tell people are starting to get bored with some of my themes. So lets change it up.

Mondays are now going to be A-Z Challenge Mondays. I recently saw a blog where this person has been doing this challenge for three years. I think they are on their fifth round of the alphabet. Every week I will move on to the next letter. I will pick a word that starts with that letter and write about it. Hopefully this will give you all more insight about myself. I have learned that the more personal I get with my posts the better reaction I get from all of you. My goal with this new prompt is to be able to open up more.

To kick it off....

A for ALS

This was a perfect day to start this challenge. The last few days I have been trying to come up with a word that I could write about and was not having much luck. Then yesterday I was nominated to do the ice bucket challenge. Well I accepted the challenge and made my video this morning. The ice bucket challenge was started to raise awareness for ALS. ALS stands for Amyotrophic Lateral Scleroses. For those of you who don't know what it is watch my video. All of you can join this challenge. Make a video of you pouring ice water over your head and make a small donation or skip the video and make a larger donation. Every penny counts.

For mor information on ALS check out http://www.alsa.org.

If you accept this challenge post your videos in the comments below.

I hope you all enjoy reading my blog. Please leave comments with suggestions and thoughts.
"Learn from yesterday, live for today, and hope for tomorrow." - Albert Einstein

Friends Through Faith

Lately I have been very unmotivated and feeling a lack of placement. A lot of people I know are involved in charities or are always busy. I feel like I don't ever have plans. I want to feel more productive. I recently posted some questions on my Facebook about how to get more involved in the community and how to make friends in a new place. Most of my friends live in another city or state, which makes me less busy these days. My aunt commented on the post saying church. She made a good point. I should attend more of the activities in my church. I am sure I would enjoy it, I have in the past. I am slowly meeting more people every week. Church is many peoples safe place. It is a place people often turn to when they need to find themselves. So I am going to give it a try.

If you have more ideas please share them in the comments. How do you get more involved in your community? How do you make friends in a new and unfamiliar place?

I hope you all enjoy reading my blog. Please leave comments with suggestions and comments.
"Learn from yesterday, live for today, and hope for tomorrow." - Albert Einstein

Chasing The Sun

When I was growing up Hilary Duff was popular. I went through a period where I loved her music and then I slowly grew out of it as she started coming out of the lime light. Her last big CD release was back in 2007. She released two single in the last month seven years later. Her single that was released last week I have not listened to much yet, however, the single released in July I think is pretty good. Chasing The Sun is about how there isn't enough time in the day. Don't waste any moment. You need to make the most of the time you have. As she says in her song, "love your live and live the life you love." If you have not heard it yet go check it out.

I hope you all enjoy reading my blog. Please leave comments with suggestions and thoughts.
"Learn from yesterday, live for today, and hope for tomorrow." - Albert Einstein

Five Minute Friday: Tell

This was the perfect word for this week. Earlier this week one of my favorite actors/comedians passed away due to depression and he took his own life because of it. Robin Williams will be missed I know that for sure. He was in so many of my favorite movies. Not to mention the disney movies he did voices for. He was also loved by so many people. So many people suffer from depression in this world. I can say that I have been on that path before. No where close to that level of it but a minor case. It took time and some really close friends to pull me out of it. Tell people you love them. Tell people how much you mean to them. Above all tell people how important they are. Sometimes people just forget. You would be surprised how much of a difference you can make on someone just by taking the time to smile and say hello.

Join the Five Minute Friday community every week as we write from the heart for just five minutes.

 

I hope you all enjoy reading my blog. Please leave comments with suggestions and thoughts.
"Learn from yesterday, live for today, and hope for tomorrow." - Albert Einstein

Ice Cream

I came across a pretty awesome website today. I think I will use it on days like these when I need help with a writing topic. The website is www.daysoftheyear.com. Today is Creamsicle Day! Now I know that sounds silly but each day has a weird or funny "holiday" associated with it. To celebrate today you are supposed to go get an icy snack. My daughter and I did just that by going to Sonic and getting a shake. Mmmmm was it yummy. It was a good idea considering the heat lately as well. Therefor, I am thankful for ice cream today!

Go out and get an icy treat tonight. Trust me you won't regret it.

I hope you all enjoy reading my blog. Please leave comments with suggestions and thoughts.
"Learn from yesterday, live for today, and hope for tomorrow." - Albert Einstein

Money

This statement could not be more true.

I hope you all enjoy reading my blog. Please leave comments with suggestions and thoughts.

"Learn from yesterday, live for today, and hope for tomorrow." - Albert Einstein

Teachers Pet

This weeks prompt is: Teacher’s pet. Tell us about a teacher who had a real impact on your life, either for the better or the worse. How is your life different today because of him or her?

The teacher that came to mind imidetly when I saw this prompt is Ms. McAfoos. She was my fifth grade teacher. Going into fifth grade I was scared to be in her class. She had a reputation for been very strict. As the year went on I came to love my teacher. She was not anything like the rumors had said. After the year was over I returned during school breaks and my days off to help her in her classroom. She is the reason I learned to read at grade level and the correct way to write. I had a tough high school career. I went into high school thinking I could handle a program that was to advanced for me. I turned to Ms. McAfoos for advise on many decisions. She helped me get organized to keep me from loosing assignments and getting my work done on time. In recent years I have lost contact with her but hopefully one day I will get to catch up with her.

I hope you all enjoy reading my blog. Please leave comments with suggestions and thoughts.
"Learn from yesterday, live for today, and hope for tomorrow." - Albert Einstein

End of Summer

Summer has come to an end in my household and it made me start thinking about the traditions I want to start during the back to school season. My daughter will be starting school next year. I can not believe I already have to think about that. I found this list of things to do in August at the end of summer on a website called momlifetoday.com. The school year seems to be starting earlier and earlier so you may want to start these in July but some of them are really good ideas. Help your kids get motivated to start the school year strong.

Go to the park and have an end of Summer picnic.

Bake something yummy. Make cupcakes  and let the kids decorate them with bags of frosting and decorator’s icing tips.

Stay up late one more night and go on a flashlight walk as soon as it gets dark.

Have one more a pajama day. Watch movies and talk about them.

Take each child out for a special meal or activity before school starts. Listen to their heart as they talk. Ask more questions.

Plan a special evening with your spouse. Talk about how you can help each other and make times to connect when the kids go back to school.

Have one more water fight outside.

Play a board game or put a puzzle together. Decide now what night of the week will be “Family Night” when school starts.

Make photo books on Shutterfly or other photo book service with all your Summer pictures.

Have an end of  Summer get together or BBQ with friends

Clean out your closest and playroom shelves, and donate toys to those in need.

Go out for ice cream.

Help your child determine a list of goals for the upcoming school year and how they will meet them.

Find a beach or sandy spot and dig your toes in one more time.

Determine which upcoming Bible study or women’s group you’ll participate in this Fall.

Visit the local pool, water park, or amusement park one more time.

Gather your coupons and go school supply shopping.

Blow bubbles.

Play in the sprinkler.

Pack your backpacks and get ready for the first day of school! Plan a special breakfast before sending them off (or starting the school day at home if you home school).

Keep a craft box handy and  spend an afternoon making crafts

Record or video tape the kids doing activities

Have an indoor camp out!

Make photo books on Shutterfly or other photo book service

August is National Friendship Month. Go make a friend! Make a playdate for your kids with the new family down the block.

Go pick fruit in an orchard. Bring the kids along and make a morning out of it. Just bring water bottles if you plan to stay when it gets hot.

Find ways to get your AC bill under control. “Attic foil,” heavier window shades,” oscillating fans, replacing lightbulbs, even planting some trees (get some landscaping in!), or grilling food outside instead of using the stove/oven can help.

See if there’s any family-friendly drama around your area. Something like “Shakespeare in the Park.”

Stay out in the yard under the stars. Teach your children the constellations. Point out the Big Dipper.

See if there is a good museum exhibit in the area. New exhibits tend to come when school starts again.

Make your own ice cream.

I hope you all enjoy reading my blog. Please leave comments with suggestions and thoughts.

"Learn from yesterday, live for today, and hope for tomorrow." - Albert Einstein

Children in Church

It can be very difficult to take children to church and keep them focused. Last week in church I took my daughter to nursery. There are still some separation issues I am working on with her. Which makes it really hard to leave her in nursery sometimes. She would scream and scream it was so hard leaving her like that with the sisters that watch them. I go to class and things seem to calm down because no one has needed to come get me. Even though my daughter is three years old she loves learning and absorbs information very quickly. When I asked her what she did in nursery she started singing the "Popcorn Popping" song. We have the missionaries over to our house very frequently and my daughter gets so excited when she knows they are coming. She will sit at the window and watch for them and start jumping up and down the moment they turn the corner. During prayers she will fold her arms and stay quiet the whole time.

How can I make my daughter happier to go to nursery?

I hope you all enjoy reading my blog. Please leave comments with suggestions and thoughts.
"Learn from yesterday, live for today, and hope for tomorrow." - Albert Einstein

Meanwhile Back At Mama's

There are many reasons why I picked this song this week. The song Meanwhile Back At Mama's is by Tim McGraw and is on his album that is scheduled to be released on September 16th. I am a huge country fan and Tim McGraw is definitely a classic in my opinion. When he released his last album I was a little bit disappointed because the sound was so different from his previous music. The songs on this new album make me think of the older Tim McGraw songs. I can not wait to see what else is on the new album. This song in particular is very relatable. Growing up I always told myself I wanted to live anywhere but Colorado. I don't know if it was to be further from my family or to see other places. Now that I am older I somehow found myself back in Colorado. I may be an hour and a half away from my home town but I love it here. I can not imagine being anywhere else. I love the crazy weather and the mountains. It is just all beautiful. This song is all about this stuff. You never thought you would miss the place you grow up in. No matter how crazy things get as you get older. One day all those things will no longer be there and you will want to be as close to all those things you grew up around. I saw this first hand when my mom moved from my home town this year. Never forget where you come from.

If you have not heard this song yet go check it out.

I hope you all enjoy reading my blog. Please leave comments with suggestions and thoughts.
"Learn from yesterday, live for today, and hope for tomorrow." - Albert Einstein

Five Minute Friday: Fill

Start

We often find ourselves trying to fill the shoes of people in our life. We try to live up to expectations our parents give us. Often I find myself wandering why I never have enough time in the day. Especially when some days it seems like we do not do much. As I sit and look at my daily life I realize I spend way to much time doing things that do not improve my life. I play more video games then I should. I finally took that and turned it into something productive. People fill their life with school, work, family. When you have munchkins running around I feel as if time goes faster. Sometimes we get so caught up with the things we have to do that we forget to add in fun more often. Slowly I am learning that it can only take a little adjusting to fit everything we want to do into our schedule. There are endless possibilities that I want to add in some day.

Stop

What kinds of activities do you fill your life with? 

Join us for five minute fridays. All you have to do is take five minutes to openly write your thoughts using the word above. If you don't have a blog then you can post your writing in the comments below.

I hope you all enjoy reading my blogs. Please leave comments with suggestions and thoughts.

"Learn from yesterday, live for today, and hope for tomorrow." - Albert Einstein

Youtube

Before I tell you why I am so thankful for youtube I want to tell you a little bit of back story on my choice for this post. For a little over a month I have been wanting to get back into performing. Not only in a community setting but on youtube as well. Now along with music I also enjoy playing video games, specifically Minecraft. Therefor, about a month ago I set a date to get my youtube channel back up and running. On my channel I started a Minecraft lets play series, a challenge series, and a weekly cover. I have used research to look at video editing and ways to improve my videos so people will be interested. It amazes me how much information you can get these days just by looking up videos on it. Please check out my channel if you are interested in any of the content that will be showing up. My goal is to post a video four times a week.

Check out my channel at: www.youtube.come/hopy16

Do you make youtube videos? Leave a link in the comments if you do so I can check out your channel.

I hope you all enjoy reading my blog. Please leave comments with suggestions and thoughts.

"Learn from yesterday, live for today, and hope for tomorrow." - Albert Einstein

Ice House

I hope you all enjoy reading my blog. Please leave comments with suggestions and thoughts. 

"Learn from yesterday, live for today, and hope for tomorrow." - Albert Einstein

Ballerina, Fireman, astronaut, Moviestar

This weeks prompt is: Ballerina, fireman, astronaut, moviestar. When you were 10, what did you want to be when you grew up? What are you now? Are the two connected?

When I was ten years old I was convinced that I would either be a violinist or a geologist. I know that both of those are far from each other on the job spectrum. Now that I am older, I have a better idea of what I want to be. I am working towards getting my degree in forensics. The one thing I have not decided is if I want to work in the lab or in the field.  I still play my instruments and sing and miss performing in a group setting. However, I know that I don't want to make a living in the music industry. I am not doing what I want yet. Someday I will make it there though.

Did you end up doing what you wanted to do when you were ten years old?

I hope you all enjoy reading my blog. Please leave comments with suggestions and thoughts.
"Learn from yesterday, live for today, and hope for tomorrow." - Albert Einstein

On the Move

The last few weeks we have talked about things that demotivate people and what we can do to avoid those things. After being sick for a couple weeks I have finally started feeling better. I have started trying to think of ways to move more during the day. The first thing I am trying is parking closer to the back of the parking lot so I have to walk more. I wear a nike fuel band daily. It helps remind me to get up and walk. I try to make a habit of getting up and moving for five minutes every hour.

What are some ideas you have that can help people move more during the day?

I hope you all enjoy reading my blog. Please leave comments with suggestions and thoughts.
"Learn from yesterday, live for today, and hope for tomorrow." - Albert Einstein

Baptism

I apologize for this not going up yesterday. Im not sure why it didnt post but I forgot to check, so here it is.

Last week my boyfriends daughter got baptized in my church. I have not been to a baptism since my brothers were baptized. I was fortunate to go through the whole process with her. The missionaries came over weekly if not more to teach her. I wish everyone could witness the knowledge and passion this girls has when it comes to church. I am very thankful that she has chosen this path to take. She has brought me back to church and gotten me more involved then I have been since I moved out of my moms house. So many people came to her baptism. It was such a heart warming experience. Let me tell you about the baptism process in my church. When you grow up as a member of my church you can be baptized at the age of eight. The missionaries teach you lessons that make you aware of what we believe in. You have to be at church regularly for a month. After all that is done, the person confirming you does an interview. It covers everything you learned over the last month or however long you were being taught. You then get to set a date and invite people to come watch your baptism. We baptize by immersion. They say a prayer and dunk you under the water for a second. I can tell you that my testimony has grown a lot in the last couple months and I am so thankful for that.

I hope you all enjoy reading my blog. Please leave comments with suggestions and thoughts.
"Learn from yesterday, live for today, and hope for tomorrow." - Albert Einstein

Bye Bye Bye

This last week I have been reliving my childhood. A new CD was released early this week called The Essential *Nsync by *Nsync. The second CD I ever owned was by *Nsync, so I was a bit excited to see this come out. There are a few classics but the one that probably sticks out the most to people is Bye Bye Bye.

When I was younger my three favorite bands were, *Nsync, Backstreet Boys, and Beach Boys. Did you ever listen to these? If so tell me in the comments which one you like more and what your favorite song is by them.

I hope you all enjoy reading my blog. Please leave comment with suggestions and thoughts.

"Learn from yesterday, live for today, and hope for tomorrow." - Albert Einstein

Five Minute Friday: Begin

Last week we talked about the word finish and how scary it can be when the end is around the corner. Beginnings can be tough though. It is pretty nerve-racking. Just like when you start a new book, you get used to something and then when you start something new you have to get used to the new routine. Beginning something an open so many doors depending on the situation. Always continue onto the new chapter in your life. Sometimes that first step is the hardest to take but most always worth it.

I hope you all enjoy reading my blog. Please leave comments with suggestions and thoughts.

"Learn from yesterday, live for today, and hope for tomorrow." - Albert Einstein