Two updates in one day?!

This one will pretty much just be pictures for those that have asked to see what my new place looks like. These are only of my bedroom because I'm not thrilled with the way the front room looks at the moment. Oh and a huuuge thanks to Carrie for coming down with her trusty tiny hammer and level and helping me decorate! If it weren't for her I would probably still have empty walls. Also, huge thanks to Chris, Ben and Jerr for helping move all of my stuff in and for helping me figure out where to put my furniture.

My lovely new bed and wall art designed by Care. (Ignore the non matching comforter, I still haven't found "the one" yet.)

The lighting is weird in this one but it's my favorite part of my room. I finally bought my favorite picture of Christ.

I'm using my necklaces as decoration...smart eh?

I did this wall by myself...can't you tell?

My $25 desk & chair. True love.

Again with the lighting...my closet doors.

Inside my closet. It's huge.

The bottom of my closet with my great grandma's hope chest. I love it and wish it could fit somehwhere outside of the closet but I think it looks nice inside too.

My second favorite wall. Love everything about it. See the picture to the right of the mirror? That's the one I blogged about awhile ago called "I miss the idea of you..."

Give, serve & love...

Lately I have had the thought "give, serve and love and ask for nothing in return" running through my mind often. This is something I have always worked to be and see myself fall short often because I don't want to be walked all over. I feel happier when I am giving, serving and loving and asking for nothing in return but how do I do that without becoming a doormat? Or is it all in my head that I'm becoming a doormat? If any of you out there have any thoughts on the matter I would love to hear them.

You've all seen the photo & link on the side of my blog of my friends Lora & John, probably many times over the last year. Many prayers from many different people have gone out in hopes that they would be blessed with a sweet little baby and, as I mentioned in my last blog, they and the people that love them were reminded that there is a plan and in time things would work out. I'm so happy to say that their time came and they have a sweet little girl. I can't think of 2 people that deserve it more. I was able to go for a quick visit tonight to meet her and I fell in love immediately. She is tiny tiny tiny and absolutely gorgeous!! She is a little angel baby! Congratulations Lora & John! I love you guys!

Mommy & baby! Check out Lora's blog (they are listed in my links) for more pictures.

About time for an update...

I guess the time has finally come. If by some crazy chance someone doesn't know already, I'm back in Utah. I've been back for 2 months and if possible the time went by quickly and slowly all at the same time.

The last 4 months are definitely completely different then anything I could have imagined but I really see that there is a plan for my life. I have my guesses on why things had to go this way (and by that I mean moving to MD just to move back to UT again). The first of which being that I really needed to start over. There were so many parts of my life in Utah that I knew could be good and it was hard for me to leave those but I had such hope for a life in Maryland. I loved feeling like I could really be a part of the singles ward in Baltimore. I loved being with my family. I loved gaining a closer relationship with my Gran and I loved being closer to some fantastic friends. I didn't love not having a job and I didn't love the humidity. I also didn't love being away from the people in Utah that I love.

The decision to move (both times) was made solely on the basis of answers to prayer. I felt that moving to MD was part of the plan for me and moving back also did. I don't know if this was how it was supposed to happen all along and I don't really need to know. I do know that I have felt Heavenly Fathers hand in my life regularly over the last two months. It certainly was not the easiest time in my life but if I look at my life now it all fits. I was "homeless" for almost 2 months but I learned to be humble and ask for help. I learned that people are kind and generous and I learned that I'm not the nuisance to them like I often think I am. People actually enjoyed having me in their homes...weird. I was also reminded of how to rely completely on my Father in Heaven for strength. I ended up in a ward that has many many similarities to my singles ward in Maryland. I have been introduced every week since moving in and not the kind where people say "This is Beth and she is new in the ward" but more like "This is Beth, I know she was introduced last week but I just learned this about her while we were talking." I've gotten much better at learning things about people and carrying on conversations that don't depend solely on them asking questions about my life. It's a good skill that I lost somehow over the last few years. (Maybe I didn't lose that skill but lost the confidence to use it...)

To finish off the babble I'll say that although I don't know what has really changed in me I see differences. I see myself having better relationships with my friends, trying harder to renew old friendships and I am feeling more deeply then I have in awhile. I go through phases where I kind of stop feeling. Usually because I ignore everything that seems too hard to face and then I forget how to feel. It's always a painful hike back into the world of the feeling but once I get there I'm so grateful for it. I feel deeply, I care about people deeply, I feel happier and stronger and closer to God and to the spirit and those are the things I have been searching for. Hopefully I can hold on and continue to grow. The rut I was in before leaving Utah is scary to think about and it's not a place I want to be again. So, off I go to find new opportunities and grand adventures to help others and better myself.

Hopefully I'm back to the blogging world. I'm going to make an attempt. Maybe if I don't get better I'll punish myself (and you!?) with another full month of blogging daily.

A random update

So I haven't updated on life in awhile nor do I really feel like it. Which is a good thing because that means I'm busy. :) I am, however, at work right now and a little bored so why not fill out a good ol' survey? It has been a long while!

*FOODOLOGY*

What is your salad dressing of choice? That stuff that Lora always has...no idea what it's called or Ranch

What is your favorite sit-down restaurant? Probably Cheesecake Factory or Mimi's

What food could you eat every day for two weeks and not get sick of? Rice!

What are your pizza toppings of choice? just plain old cheese please!

What do you like to put on your toast? peanut butter or a little bit of butter (only if the toast is hot enough to melt the butter all the way)


*TECHNOLOGY*

What is your wallpaper on your computer? At home: A picture of Brenae, Corinne, Amy, Lora & I the night before I left for MD. At work: My nephew "flossing his teeth".

How many televisions are in your house? 2, one in the living room and there is one in my roommates bedroom.

What color cell phone do you have? black with scratches...very sleek. :)



*BIOLOGY*

Are you right-handed or left-handed? right.

Have you ever had anything removed from your body? All of my baby teeth were pulled by a dentist (not all at once mind you)...that's kind of something right?

What is the last heavy item you lifted? A couch.

Have you ever been knocked unconscious? never knocked unconscious but I have passed out.



*BULLCRAPOLOGY* (really is that name necessary?)

If it were possible, would you want to know the day you were going to die? Definitely not.

If you could change your name, what would you change it to? I don't know that I would change my name. Everyone I meet asks if my name is Bethany but I hate that name...so I wouldn't change it. So there.

Would you drink an entire bottle of hot sauce for $1,000? I wish I could say I would but nope.


*DUMBOLOGY*

How many pairs of flip flops do you own? Oh my...it is far fewer then ever before but I'm not positive probably about 8.

Last time you had a run-in with the cops? When I was pulled over many years ago in Mt Pleasant. ilch.

What do you want to be when you grow up? Queen Latifah...ok I don't want to be her but I want to be like her in some ways. Career wise-a mom and if that doesn't happen then I have no idea, I'm working on it.

Last person you talked to? Cassie

Last person you hugged? Lora



*FAVORITOLOGY*

Season? Fall or Spring

Holiday? Christmas is my favorite but I also really love the 4th of July.

Day of the week? Friday, Saturday, Sunday

Month? Probably May, I love the weather in May.



*CURRENTOLOGY*

Missing someone? I miss my Gran! She sent me a card yesterday that made me miss her even more.

Mood? sleepy, hopeful

Listening to? Account Services chatting and the AC buzzing in the vent.

Watching? Nothing

Worrying about? Stuff



*RANDOMOLOGY*

First place you went this morning? Work

What can you not wait to do? Go to Orlando!!

What's the last movie you saw? The beginning of Sisterhood of the Traveling pants. Last full movie was a Lifetime Original movie...yeah I'm cool like that.

Do you smile often? I try to

*OTHER-OLOGY*
1. Do you always answer your phone?
Unless there is something preventing me from answering yes.

2. Its four in the morning and you get a text message, who is it?
I don't get a lot of text messages at 4 in the morning. Usually late night texts are from Chris or Rach.

3. If you could change your eye color what would it be?
Blue like Sarah's

4. What flavor do you add to your drink at Sonic?
If I add flavor usually cherry.

5. Do you own a digital camera?
Yup!

6. Have you ever had a pet fish?
I've had many, most memorable being Your Mom who lived in a blender.

7. Favorite Christmas song(s):
Have yourself a merry little Christmas.

8. What's on your wish list for your birthday?
I don't have a list. Just being with the people I love is perfect for me.

9. Does the future make you more nervous or excited?
a little nervous and a little excited depends on the day.

10. Do you have any saved texts?
Nope

11. Ever been in a car wreck?
Yes, someone hit me in the Costco parking lot.

12. Do you have an accent?
On occasion. :) Mostly when I choose to have an accent.

13. What is the last song to make you cry?
Better Than I

14.Plans tonight? I should probably work on unpacking but if something better comes up I'll totally go with that one. :)

15. Have you ever felt like you hit rock bottom?
I've had my moments.

16. Name 3 things you bought yesterday
postage, more postage and a frozen pizza.

17. Have you ever been given roses?
Yes I have and they were lovely.

18. Current worry? Rather not say

19. Current hate right now?
The printer at work :)

20. Met someone who changed your life?
Oh my goodness everyone I have met has changed my life in some way.

21. How will you bring in the New Year?
Wow that's a long way off. I usually don't even know until the day of and it's usually just games or watching movies.

22. What song represents you?
Hmm I don't really know.

23. Name three people who might complete this?
Pretty sure I'm alone in this one!

24. Would you go back in time if you were given the chance?
I can think of a few things that I would go back in time for but not much.

25. Have you ever dated someone longer than a year?
nope

26. Does anyone love you?
I do believe a number of people do.

27. Ever had someone sing to you?
Yep!

28. When did you last cry?
Last night.

29. Do you like to cuddle?
I would guess that I would.

30. Have you held hands with anyone today?
nope

31. Are most of the friends in your life new or old?
Old and quite wonderful

32. Do you like pulpy orange juice?
I don't like OJ at all.