10 reasons I love being a Mormon.

Today I saw someone very close to my heart post an article by someone who had written 10 things they loved about not being a Mormon. I must say I was hurt a little. Not offended. I just couldn't understand how someone could take one persons opinion to show how they view the church in its entirety. Some of the article bothered me. I'm not trying to be judge mental of course, this person had their reasons for the way they felt. I however feel differently. I love this church, the people of course aren't always perfect but that's what we're here for. To strive to be better. I decided instead of commenting and starting an unwanted argument, I am going to simply state the 10 things I love about being a Mormon. Call it shouting from the rooftops if you will, because I want the world to know. These are in no particular order because I love them all equally to be honest.
1. The Atonement. What our savior did for us. He sacrificed himself for us, so that when we make mistakes we can be forgiven. We repent, and do our best to change, we're forgiven and we try to be better people than we were before. For most who don't know there have been many hard, and sad things that have happened in my family. I can proudly say we've made it to the other side, things have been taken care of and I will forever be grateful for the Atonement because I believe, and I know that my family will be together forever!
2. I love the dress standards of our church. We teach our girls to be modest. In this world to follow this standard, it's a huge sacrifice, but we do it because we believe it's right. It's amazing to know people really enjoy your company because of you, and not how you're dressed. It feels good to not always be concerned someone is watching me because I'm wearing a low cut top, or a tank top and shorty shorts. I'm not judging you because you decide to wear them, I do it because I feel more comfortable covered up. It's how I was raised, and I intend to raise my daughter with the same standards. Modest is hottest anyway.
3. Love one another. It's literally one of our hymns y'all. I'm not judging you because you have a different lifestyle. I may not agree with it, but I still love you just the same. I was taught to love everyone, not just a few choice individuals because I happen to like them that week. I know I'm certainly not perfect, but I'm trying to be better and more understanding. Give people the benefit of the doubt, learn to agree to disagree, pick your battles and just love all of God's children. Loving everyone is one of the most important things we are taught.
4. Going to the Temple. I love the feeling I have when I'm in the Temple. It's a beautiful, calm, quiet place to just reflect on life, pray and receive answers, and try to become closer with our Father in Heaven. It really just is the happiest place on earth, though Disneyland is a close second. ;)
5. We believe we will live for an Eternity. Forever. I will literally get to be with my husband and daughter to infinity and beyond. This brings me such joy there is simply no other way to explain other than: WOOT WOOT!:D
6. Family. We strongly believe in the importance of family. I love my family, even when we don't all get along. I love that we know we will be together forever. To the rest of the world having a family isn't all that important anymore. It's over rated in their minds. In my mind, it is the most important thing. I always wanted a husband and kids. I love being a Mom, it's the greatest thing in the world. To me, maybe not to others and that's okay, but I love that I was raised to believe having a family is one of the best decisions I'll ever make in my life. Savannah is my heart, my joy, my life, and my smile. I love that little girl. I love my family and they are the most important people in my life. The church, and my mom, taught me that.
7. The Book of Mormon. I've always been taught that if I need to talk to my Father in Heaven I should pray, but if I want him to talk to me, I need to read this book. Anyone who reads this book can't deny it's truth. They'll try but they know in their hearts they are wrong. We have this book to help us understand how we should live, and it's full of many examples of great men who served our Heavenly Father and the blessings they received because of it. We should strive to be like Jesus Christ and God, and this book is literally the worlds How To guide.
8. Seminary. I'm no longer in High School, but I loved Seminary. I thoroughly enjoyed this time each day. I had a lot of wonderful lessons in Seminary, and great teachers who really knew how to teach with the spirit. They knew when we were struggling and needed someone to talk to, and when we needed to be spiritually uplifted. Seminary really is one of the greatest things about being a Mormon.
9. Going to Church each week and taking the Sacrament. Each week we are reminded of what our Savior did for us, and the covenants we made with our Heavenly Father. There is absolutely nothing wrong with trying to be a better person. No one is perfect, but it is a good thing I believe to try. To be more kind, loving, understanding, giving, and to serve everyone. We go to church each week, we learn lessons about our Father in Heaven and our Savior and how to try to be more like them.
10. Missionaries. I have a brother serving a mission in Brazil right now and another one serving in the Dominican Republic. I absolutely love the description of a Missionary: Someone who leaves their family for 2 years so that others can be with their families for Eternity. We believe this church is true, and we are truly happy living it. We want to share our joy and knowledge with the world, and if we're sending our 18 year old boys out to teach others of this truth, we must really know something don't ya think? In my humble opinion, enough said. ;)

Disneyland!

This last weekend Munga (that's how Savannah says Grandma) and Grandpa took the entire King family to Disneyland! It was Savannah's first time ever and I was so very excited to experience this with her. I literally prepared myself for weeks before we went on how I was going to handle Disneyland with a toddler. I read TONS of mommy blogs and advice from lots of parents who go to Disneyland often. It turns out my little toddler could do all sorts of things there!! There were lots of rides she could go on, and there were quite a few characters I was eager for her to meet! 

This was taken right before we left Provo for our trip to Disneyland!

 

We stayed in Vegas on our first night traveling to Disneyland. This was taken the next morning and while the rest of the family packed, these kiddos got to run around and get out all of their wiggles before continuing the long car ride to Anaheim. 

 

The first day in California we decided to go to the beach! It was super chilly but the kiddos loved it:)

Savannah and I collected a few seashells to add to her jar of seashells at home!

We're hoping to visit again this summer with Nana and Papa so we can go when it's warm and keep adding to her seashell collection!

This was the first photo I took when we got to the park. We actually were on her very first ride, the mater ride in Cars Land at California Adventures. Savannah hated it...

Uncle Taylor and Cousin love Tigger so they were very excited to meet him!

Turns out Savannah loved Tigger too! So much in fact that Daddy gave in and bought her a Tigger pillow pet:) Aren't these cousins so cute??

 

Savannah's favorite Disney Princess of all time is Rella (that's how Savannah says Cinderella). She absolutely loves her! The first time we met her she was very unsure but don't worry, we visited her 3 more times and each time Savannah loved her more and more:) Believe me I've got a few more pics to post of Savannah and Rella:)

 

We also met Princess Ariel!

And Princess Aurora!

And Belle!

These pics were taken while we waited in line for Dumbo! It was a ridiculously long wait for such a short ride but worth it. These kiddos had lots of fun!

Savannah had so much fun watching the fireworks with Aunt Jeca and Uncle Jordan!

The next morning the first thing we did was go and meet Rella again!

Munga (grandma) took all of us ladies to Ariel's Grotto for lunch where we got to meet all of the Disney Princesses and they stayed and chatted for a little bit, they signed Savannah's autograph book and we got to take lots of pictures! Have I mentioned how much my daughter loves Rella? I have oodles of pictures of the two of them:)

This photo was taken while we were resting and everyone else was on rides. Isn't she so darn cute?

We took this pic on a carousel in California Adventures! Savannah got to ride on a Fishy! She was very excited and very upset when the ride ended. I promised her we would ride on the one in Disneyland which calmed her down:)  I made good on my promise and the carousel in Disneyland was the last ride we rode! 

I told you Rella was Savannah's favorite Princess! We went one last time to visit her so Cousin could get a picture with Rella too:) While we waited in line Savannah (who was hyped up on marsh mellows, fruit rollups and churros, don't judge me...) kept yelling about how she was going to "MEET RELLA!!!" Everyone around us thought she was pretty adorable:) When we finally got to see her one last time Savannah gave her a hug, and didn't want to let go:) Not gonna lie, knowing it was the last time we would see Rella that weekend almost made me want to cry... But I promise y'all we will go back. Savannah will meet Rella again!

Disneyland really was the happiest place on earth.

Thanks for our awesome trip Munga and Grandpa! We loved it:)

New Year's resolution!

We're a week into the new year and I hadn't decided on a resolution yet! I seriously started thinking about it after Christmas and there are just so many things I wanted to try and make my new year's resolution, but I couldn't choose! I really shouldn't try to focus on too many idea's or I will never be successful! There are always the cliche's such as lose weight, go to the gym more, or eat healthier. There are the brave souls who stop drinking soda (to you I have to say I am in awe of your strength) and there are the folks who try to be less sarcastic. Haha, cute! I really considered trying to stop my soda intake, but lets be realistic. That wasn't going to happen. Dr. Pepper is how I get through the day! Also, I'd have to change the name of my blog and that wouldn't work. So what does that leave me with? I considered trying to be better with my blog! But that's kinda lame since I really suck at blogging... That would last maybe a week? I could try swearing less. To be honest I don't swear that often but there was a mishap recently... For those of you who aren't aware, Savannah can copy what mommy says now. Shit. I mean shoot.. That sarcasm thing wouldn't have panned out either. ;) Hmm. Then it hit me. MY NEW YEARS RESOLUTION: Learn to cook and bake more! The more I started to think about that idea the more I loved it. Slight problem. Whenever I try to make a grocery list I end up thinking of the same old dinners. Pizza, tacos, lasagna, gulosh, repeat. So Pinterest is going to become my new best friend! I've started to pin easy, cheap, yummy new dinners to try. Now all I have to do is actually use the recipes I find. For Christmas I got a Kitchen Aid Mixer and I intend to be the best mom ever and make lots of cookies! If anyone has a favorite cookie recipe or dinner idea they love and are willing to share I'd love that! New ideas are wanted!! Please help me achieve my new goal! Hopefully I will be successful!:)

Thanks for reading!

I'm grateful for...

This month many of my friends on Facebook have posted daily about things they are grateful for. I wanted to do this but by the time I had made the decision I was like 10 days in. So I decided instead that I would wait until Thanksgiving and just post 30 things I'm grateful for here on my blog. :) Today is not Thanksgiving but for whatever reason I feel I should show my gratitude now. Some of these will be in no particular order, I am just thinking of things as I go along. 

1. The gospel. I'm grateful to have a loving Heavenly Father and for my Savior Jesus Christ. I'm thankful to have the spirit to help me be calm when life is so chaotic around me (among many other reasons having the spirit is a blessing).

2. My hubby, Carter. He is the most amazing man I know and I'm blessed to have him as my partner in crime for eternity. I'm glad I'm in it for the long haul with you:)

3. Savannah. The most beautiful, amazing, adorable, aggravating, hair pulling, cranky, sweet, kind, fun loving child I know. :) She really is the best! I love her more than life itself. 

4. My Family. Mom, Dad, Jared, Jamie, Jordan, Jessica, Taylor, Eva, Sean, Jacob, Quin, Becca, Hayleigh, Emma, Grace, Kristoffer. Every single one of you. I love you all.

5. Friends. There are too many to list but you know who you are. I am grateful to have you all in my life. You are the most incredible people I know. 

6. Dr. Pepper, you complete me.

7. Mr. Pibb, seriously it's a close second.

8. Photographs. I love taking pictures. I love to take pictures of my daughter and I can't wait until she's older so that I can share them with her and look back on all of the fun memories Carter and I have of watching her grow up. I'd also like to clarify that I am not a creep, but any mother would be proud of the plethora of naked baby photos I have of Savannah. They'll be great for any future dates. 

9. My hair straightener. I'd be lost without you.

10. Shoes!! Really this should say Flip-flops. I live in them all year round.

11. Make-up. Man am I grateful for make-up.

12. Cheap rent. 

13. The Temple. 

14. Music. Country all the way y'all. I love me some Brad Paisley. 

15. Food. I love Food.

16. Books.

17. Movies. 

18. Sweaters. Warm, oversized, comfy sweaters.

19. South Dakota, more specifically the Black Hills. If we could pick up and move there tomorrow I would. No questions asked. 

20. I'm grateful for my Husband's job. 

21. Our apartment. I love making it a home. :)

22. Apple juice, cheese, gold fish, and graham crackers. Seriously these are all things near and dear to my heart, for they are all life savers when I have a cranky toddler on my hands. 

23. I'm grateful for my middle name. Murl. I have always thought it odd but I've now come to appreciate it's importance. I'm named after one of the greatest women I know, my Great Grandma Anna Murl Christianson. I love her dearly and am proud to have her name. :)

24. The Internet. Seriously I love to shop online. Receiving packages feels like it's Christmas everyday!

25. Facebook and Instagram. I love being able to share all the fun pictures of Savannah! Much to the annoyance of some people I'm sure, but oh well. I'm a proud Mommy. :)

26. Pinterest! Enough said. ;)

27. Bows. I'm thankful for super cute bows to put in my baby girls hair!

28. I'm grateful that everyone takes one day out of the year to really appreciate everything they have. 

And stuffing, I'm really grateful for stuffing. :D

29. I'm thankful to live in a place where Fall is the most beautiful time of year.

30. I've already said this one, but I'm grateful for my family. I love them all more than they know.

Thanks for reading!

Making our apartment a home!

I'm usually not a creative person. I love crafts but I never know where to start, where to buy the supplies and how to make the finished product look cute.

Recently I told Carter that all I want for Christmas this year are some items to make our apartment feel more homey. We've lived here for a year now and I don't even have curtains for pete sake! 

A couple of days ago one of my best friends Brielle posted a blog about all the cute craft items she had been making for their apartment. I was really impressed with them and they were so cute I thought I'd give it a try. So we got together and she showed me how to make some of these adorable DIY coasters. I intend to post photos but first some back story. She told me I need to choose SOME of my favorite photos. Well I went through all of Savannah's photos and there were a lot! Then I went through some family photos, wedding photos, and photos of Carter and I while we dated. Too many to choose from!!! So eventually I ended up with 13. Unfortunately one of the photos I chose was not going to work for the project so I ended up with 12 photos to make coasters with. Then we met at Home Depot to purchase some of the supplies and went to her place to make them. Thanks again Bri for helping me!

Here is the finished product!

Thanks for reading!

P.s. I have no Idea what I'm going to do with 12 coasters but aren't they cute?:)

On the fence.

Carter and I are often asked when we plan to have a second child. Savannah is almost 18 months old and everyone always points out that we don't want our children too far apart in age. I always respond with some sarcastic answer. I look to Carter and questioningly ask, when does my birth control expire? in 3 1/2 years? Perhaps we will try then. This always makes people uncomfortable and they drop the subject, which is the accomplished goal of my awkward answer. First I want to rant a little. I would like to point out that it is absolutely no one's business as to when and how far apart I want my children to be in age. Thank you for your opinion but I don't recall asking. I've always said I didn't want my children more than 3 years apart at the most. Which means Carter and I would need be trying for our second child around the time Savannah turns 2. Which is in 6 1/2 months. Probably the scariest thought I've had in months I must admit. Recently it seems we are getting that question more and more. When are you going to have another one? My sarcastic answer is becoming less funny and more scary since it realistically isn't our plan. I hate this question people. I hate it, I hate it, I hate it. Got it? Okay good. Rant over. Now for the whole reason I felt I should write this blog post. Recently this question came up again. I happened to admit that I would like another one at some point but the Idea of dealing with a newborn and a toddler at the same time has me scared out of my mind. So scared in fact it has me often thinking the selfish thought that I don't want another one because I can't do it. It took me sooo long to figure out how to take care of Savannah and myself. I'm pretty sure I lived in only pjs for Savannah's first year of life. Doing my hair and makeup was out of the question. My skin was awful when I got pregnant and it still is. I loved my daughter but I hated myself. I looked awful all the time. I recently have been doing lots of things to make myself feel better about me. I have purchased an entire new wardrobe of clothes, I dyed my hair and I refuse to leave the house without looking my absolute best even if it takes 2 1/2 hours to do so. Much to the annoyance of my poor husband. So when this question came up yet again I wanted to run. Instead I teasingly turned the tables on my husband asking if he was even ready for another one. His response shocked me. Yes. He said yes. Wait what? I didn't know that. Then I felt uncomfortable since it was clear to everyone in the room that he was ready and I was sitting there in shock that my husband wants another baby and I don't. At least not right now. Am I selfish? Am I a horrible person? I thought a lot about it the next day. I prayed about it, asking if I was wrong to not want a baby yet, or if I am and my fear was just holding me back. I asked for a sign. Carter and I hadn't really had a chance to talk yet so that needed to happen. What about school, and his job? Money? Can we afford another baby? Do we have room for another baby? What about Savannah? Will she love her new sibling? How do I handle two little ones? Savannah is a handful. Most days I can't keep up with her. My house looks like a tiny tornado struck all the time. And that's just with one. What happens when Savannah has a pal to help destroy all of mommies hard work while she napped? Can I take care of two kids and myself? Then I started to think about how Christmas is coming soon. This year it will be just us and Savannah, but next year? How fun is it going to be to watch Savannah help her little brother or sister open their gifts? I got on Pinterest and looked up fun ways to announce baby #2 to my hubby and to everyone else. I looked up fun big sister kits to give Savannah in the hospital. I'm not saying it's going to happen anytime soon, but I was happy to find I was excited about the idea of kiddo #2. I'm warming up to it more so than I have in months whenever I was asked. It's still a hard question to hear especially since now I know Carter is ready to have one whenever and I'm the one holding us back, but at least now I know the idea makes me happy and excited. Scared but happy. I look at other parents with more than one kid and wonder how in the world do they do it? I think I'm going to be okay though. I'll figure it out, I did the first time around didn't I? I've got tons of help from friends and family if I need it. I have an awesome and loving husband who is just the greatest dad in the world. I love watching him with our daughter and it makes me happy to see how excited he is discussing giving her a sibling. I kinda wondered if Carter's excitement was that sign I asked for. It actually makes me want to be ready for another one. I don't know where I will be with this question when Savannah turns 2, but at least now I have the reassurance I'm not alone. I can do it and it's not wrong to ask for help. I have Carter, he is my rock. He seriously is just the greatest guy I know and the worlds greatest dad. Yeah yeah its a cliche, but in Carter's case it is the absolute truth. So when we decide to have another baby I know I have him to support me and our family. And that's all I need:)

Fall is in the air!

It's almost here! My favorite time of year y'all!

A. U. T. U. M. N.

I thought I would write a small blog post on how much I LOVE this season. The leaves changing color, the chill in the air, my Fall wardrobe! And last but certainly not least BYU football folks! I'm not even sure how to express my excitement to all y'all about how much I really love the Fall. 

Getting out of this 90 degree weather? 

Enough said.

Cozying up in my favorite sweater with hot chocolate and my favorite book?

Enough said.

Living in a college town where every Saturday you feel the entire cities excitement leading up to watching a good game?

Enough said.

I love me some BYU football y'all! 

I can't get enough of it and I am so excited it's finally here!

I love the Fall and I especially love the Fall in Provo, Ut!

Can't wait to take Savannah to her first BYU football game!

Hint Hint Jamie and Jared;)

I know this post seems like two different topics, Football and Fall.

However they go hand in hand folks. 

And I LOVE it!:)