it's all about your heart

I dedicate this song to my husband, Ammon who has the biggest heart!



My dearest Ammon,
When I think of your heart I think of the lives you're changing for good-especially mine.
I think of you embracing me when I'm trying to hide my tears.
You wouldn't let me go no mater how silly I felt.
I think of Stephen in the ward who has the body of an adult, but the mind of a child.
You taught him a cool handshake and put the biggest smile I've seen on his face.
I think of Nephi, your brother.
You tease each other and I know you care so much about him.
I think of your past; your scars.
You never gave up and because of it, you can reach people no one else can.
I think of why I fell in love with you.
It's all about your heart, and yours is the biggest I know.

low-fat chicken spinach lasagna

I have been looking for this recipe for quite some time! It is very easy to make, very healthy, and yummy! :)

Here's what you'll need: 

1 package whole wheat lasagna noodles

2  jars (26 ounces each) marinara sauce

14 ounces small curd cottage cheese (low-fat works best)

2 cups cooked chicken, diced or shredded

2 cups mozzarella cheese (or similar favorite)

1 cup fresh or frozen chopped spinach

3/4 cup brown mushrooms, sliced or chopped (uncooked)

1/4 cup Parmesan cheese (top layer only)

2 Tbsp. sugar

Here's what you'll do:

Add 1 Tbsp. of sugar to each jar of marinara sauce. Place a few spoonfuls of sauce in bottom of baking dish to coat bottom. Begin layering noodles (uncooked. That's right, UNCOOKED!) sauce, cottage cheese, spinach, mushrooms, chicken, and shredded mozzarella cheese. Be careful to distribute ingredients evenly, including corners. Frozen spinach need not be thawed if it can be separated. Otherwise, thaw in microwave. 

At final layer, top only with sauce (leave no pasta exposed) and garnish with shredded Parmesan. Cover loosely with foil. Bake 30 minutes at 425 degrees F. then reduce oven temperature to 375 degrees F. Bake 20 to 30 minutes more or until lasagna is thoroughly heated and bubbly. Make sure the noodles are cooked all the way. 

Remove from pan from oven and let stand at least 10 to 15 minutes prior to slicing to help keep lasagna layer intact when serving. 

Yield: Serves 8 to 10 servings

ENJOY!

Recipe Source: Your Chicken is Cooked by Lauren Rae Brimmer (Fallbrook Press)

these are a few of my favorite things

Have you ever used something you love, looked at it, and thought "what would I do without you?" Well, I've noticed that I do this a lot. And then I'll think to myself, "other people should use it too!" So here are my favorite things that I think everyone should use: (if you're anything like me, anyway.)

 Favorite anti-frizz product:                                                             

A life-saver 

Favorite Mascara:

Finally! A waterproof mascara that works!

Favorite breakfast dish:

German Pancakes-I have this recipe memorized

 Favorite scrubby brush:

I literally can't do the dishes without this thing!

Favorite cooking appliance:

Chicken comes out tasting delicious every time!

Favorite mechanical pencil:

A must-have for math

Favorite water bottle

I love the plastic loop underneath the lid. I carry it in my hand wherever I go.

Favorite room scent:

I spent quite a few minutes sniffing candles in the Yankee Candle store and found the perfect one!
It's not too strong and not too subtle

Well. There you have it. I have a lot of favorite things I use that make life a little bit easier. But these are just a few of my favorite things. :)

may the force be with you

I've mentioned before that being a waitress is great most days and that I love my job. And then I vented about the things that are frustrating about being a waitress. Well this post is to emphasize those things about my job that put a smile on my face.

A couple weeks ago, I served 3 girls visiting from Mainland China who all left this note on the table:

After carefully opening the check holder, I was happily surprised with this:

Don't worry, they left more than just the coins. :) Thank you Kaede, Tiffany, and Kimberly for the international coins and for putting a smile on my face!

A couple days ago I served 3 college students who left me this:

This one is probably the best note I've received so far

That night I was inspired and for the first time ever, I attempted the Princess Leia hairdo to see how I looked. Here are the results:

Pretty good, eh? My favorite was when I walked into the kitchen, where Ammon was doing homework and asked him how I looked. The first thing he said was, "how did you do that!?" (that means he was impressed). 

With Ammon's help taking the picture and my amazing skills with Paint, I have somewhat-successfully recreated the picture used in Wikipedia:

Wikipedia's version

My version :)

Well. There you have it. I hope you enjoyed this as much as I did making it. And may the force be with you.

ring in the new!

Alfred Tennyson wrote a poem titled, Ring Out, Wild Bells which is often recited on New Year's Eve to celebrate the coming of a new year. 

And did you know that this very poem is also in the Hymn book for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints? It's located in the Christmas section and is hymn number 215.

I was a little excited when I found out today!

I know, I know, it isn't Christmas time, but this poem/hymn is applicable to anyone anytime of the year. I really like the beginning of the second verse. It says, "Ring out the old, ring in the new."

Here are a few new things I'm excited about:

1. My new blog header!

 Doesn't it look so good? Candace, an ex-co-worker from Brick Oven is amazing at graphic design and has been working with me to make it just how I wanted! If you're interested, look at her online portfolio here. Or if you just want see her super fun blog and show her some lovin, go here. 

2. New clothes. It's okay to be girly sometimes, right? Well, ring in the new blue pair of pants I just bought: 

Aeropostale-on sale- only $15

And this beauty:

Downeast- $10

Looks kind of silly, right? I used to walk past these "half-tank-top things" and thought they were a joke. I didn't see why anyone would want half a tank top. Then I realized how hot it is outside and that half my shirts are long enough at the bottom, but too low at the neck line. Solution: a "half-tank-top thing." I LOVE IT! 

3. New adventures. Ammon and I are driving to Bicknell this weekend for Shelby's wedding. It is right by Capitol Reef. I'm super stoked for that. Also, in 2 weeks, Ammon's family is having a family reunion in Heber. (Also super stoked for that.) And then maybe Ammon and I will be able to join my family in Moab for Labor Day. My brother Taylor will be skydiving for the first time and who doesn't want to see that?

Alright. On a more serious note, I would like to go back to the poem that Alfred Tennyson wrote. The poem is centered on Christ and how through Him, we can ring out the old and ring in the new. Meaning, we can ring out the things about ourselves that need improvement, and ring in the new when we overcome them. It is our choice whether or not we want to ring out the old. It starts with a desire and is nourished with prayer, faith, and applying the atonement. I'm so grateful for my Savior, Jesus Christ who made ringing out the old and ringing in the new possible!

shelby

This post is dedicated to my best friend, Shelby who is getting married next Friday! 

Shelby and I met exactly 2 years ago. 

She had just said goodbye to her best friend, Jordan who was leaving on an LDS mission for 2 years. Me? I wasn't dating anyone. 

It was the perfect reason for both of us to go to CHINA. 

We met at an ILP orientation meeting. And then lived together in china for 4 months. 

We sort of got along at first, but not really. Which knowing my history, I should have known that meant we would eventually become best friends. 

Well, it certainly didn't happen right away. At first, the more we got to know each other, the more we weren't friends. We're not exactly sure why, but for whatever reason we did not get along. 

About 3 months later, we started really getting to know each other. We went running together, asked questions, and really listed to how the other perceived things in life. Suddenly, we had a lot in common and really enjoyed having meaningful conversations. She taught me a lot about love and making a relationship work if you want it to. I loved hearing her talk about Jordan. They had overcome a lot and I became very invested in their relationship!  

We got back from China and have hung out in between adventures ever since. I'm so excited for her to marry Jordan. They are so perfect for each other. They are are a team and are going to be amazing parents one day. I love you, Shelby! You're about to make the best decision you could ever make and I know you picked the right time, person and place! :)

Eating dinner at a fancy restaurant

Riding on the Li River

After riding on a train for 28 hours straight

Eating Subway sandwiches on the Great Wall of China

A few months after we got back from China

And now she's getting married to her best friend!

by the inch

Sometimes there are days I wonder how on earth I can possibly reach my full potential. I think, "If i'm stressed now, and the house is messy, and once again I didn't make dinner, and I'm tired, and I missed a day of exercise, and I'm sick of doing math, and I didn't do something cute for my husband, and my hair is a disaster, and my blog is slacking, etc. etc..... then how am I going to make a good mom? How am I going to fulfill my church duties? What about having guests over? What about service? And all those little things I'm supposed to do too?" Then I remember to take one moment at a time. "By the inch it's a cinch."

I love this quote by President Thomas S. Monson:

I have spoken over the years with many individuals who have told me, “I have so many problems, such real concerns. I’m overwhelmed with the challenges of life. What can I do?” I have offered to them, and I now offer to you, this specific suggestion: seek heavenly guidance one day at a time. Life by the yard is hard; by the inch it’s a cinch. Each of us can be true for just one day—and then one more and then one more after that—until we’ve lived a lifetime guided by the Spirit, a lifetime close to the Lord, a lifetime of good deeds and righteousness. The Savior promised, “Look unto me, and endure to the end, and ye shall live; for unto him that endureth to the end will I give eternal life."

He really knows how to put things into perspective! Doesn't life seem a little easier after reading that?
To read the rest of this really great talk, click here