Lent has begun!

Well, it's Ash Wednesday today and the start of Lent. Every year for Lent, I not only try to reduce the time I spend doing something (i.e. eating ice cream, shopping, etc), I also try and do something better. Lent is a time for reflection; a time to renew ourselves and grow deeper in our relationship with God.

This year, I'll be tackling something I struggle a lot with. I'm working really hard to improve my self-love and know that my worth comes from God - not from anyone else. And that I am so incredibly worth it -- even if a friendship is growing distant, a relationship doesn't work out, work is overwhelming, etc. My worth does not come from other people - it comes from the One who gave his life for me specifically because He believed with everything that I was worth it. Over the next 40 days (and beyond, hopefully), I'll be striving daily to love myself and spend more time alone with God. I'll give myself words of affirmation and protect myself from my own harmful thoughts. When I have slip ups (which I most definitely will), I will ask for God's forgiveness and for the strength to move beyond those thoughts and into more positive thinking. I'm learning more and more that how we treat ourselves is ultimately a mirror for our relationship with other people. I can only imagine that by improving my own feelings of self-love and self-worth that the overflow of love I have will impact my other relationships in a positive way.

I'm also vowing to spend less time on my cell phone. It has become somewhat of a security blanket for me -- the need to feel connected. I recently read an interesting article about how time on our cell phone fuels our desire for connection but actually makes us less personable. I'm definitely the person who brings my cell phone onto the treadmill with me, has it sitting on my desk at work or on my lap when I'm in the car. There is no reason that my cell phone can't sit idle for those minimal periods of time or that I "need" to respond to a text message within 2 minutes. I read a book called Classy once that really drove home the concept that if you can't put your phone down, you're communicating to the people you're with that they aren't worth your full time and attention. I do not ever want to convey that message to the people I spend time with, but I'm sure that I do. There are certainly times where I'll need it on me, but I'm going to work hard at only having it out when I need it.

Mackenzie's Bridal Shower

Mackenzie and Mike met in daycare and started dating our senior year of high school. They became engaged last summer and are getting married in 3 weeks. Mackenzie and I also met in daycare and became best friends in high school. I'm glad to be part of her big day.

Today was the bridal shower. Brit (another bridesmaid) and I were so excited to plan the bridal shower. We are both planners and love throwing parties, so we were completely in the zone. After a late-night video taping & chat session and multiple full-day planning/prep sessions, it all finally came together today. We had a blast.

Brit and I had some pretty great laughs while we planned the shower. From spending $117 on 9lbs of m&ms (so insane) to freezing the champagne and having to thaw it out in bowls of steaming hot water in the sink 30 minutes before the shower started, we were thankful everything came together perfectly.

 

The dessert bar! The yummiest part :)

Brit & I made cookies in a jar for party favors. They turned out so cute!

We got the idea from Bakerella, but renamed the cookies.

This is where most of our $117 m&ms went.

 

 The bellini bar

Let the games begin!

Mackenzie reading her "vows"...

One of our games included guests writing vows for Mike & Mackenzie

while Mackenzie opened her gifts. They turned out really cute. 

 

The EFC ladies

Bridesmaids (minus Sandy) with the bride!

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67

Two of my college roommates had birthdays last week. Usually they plan a joint party, but with life so hectic for everyone right now, it just wasn't on the calendar for this year. I was having none of that. I love celebrating my friend's birthdays, so I decided to loop in their men and plan a surprise party (and check off #67 on my 101 in 1,001!)

We went to Sky Zone to jump on trampolines and then headed to Chatterbox for dinner and some good old fashioned fun. It was such a great night. What better way to ring in the big 2-5 than to go to an indoor trampoline park? ;)

Excuse the fact that I didn't edit these pictures. No time/energy.

The gang. Pre-jump. Pre-sweat.

Jess (birthday girl!), Cristina & Amy waiting in line for the foam pit!

Raela trying to get out of the foam pit!

Nicolle (birthday girl!) and I had a blast doing dance moves on the tram. 

Nicolle mid-flip into the foam pit!

Nicolle & I sneaking a picture on the tramps! Shh!

Me with the birthday girls at Chatterbox!

Cristina & I at Chatterbox! Former roommates reunited!

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Lately

Life has been insane lately. Aside from day-to-day life, I accepted and started a new job in January but am also still doing my old job until my replacement starts and gets trained in, have been in full-on wedding mode for my friend Mackenzie's wedding, and planned a surprise birthday party for two of my college roommates.  Pictures of the bridal shower & surprise party to come!

I've been in a funk recently for a multitude of reasons and wish I had a free weekend to recoup. I can't believe it's Sunday night already. We have book club on Thursday night and I have yet to buy the book because I haven't had time... guess I'm not reading this month's book :).

I had the opportunity to go to my alma mater last week and interview students for summer internship opportunities. It was SO great to be back on campus, experience this part of my new job, and see old professors. It reminded me of such an important time of my life. Do you have a handful of experiences in life that were essential to making you the person you are? Bethel is one of those experiences for me. There have been many of these types of experiences for me, but Bethel is a big one. Some of my most cherished friendships started at Bethel and Bethel helped me grow as a person. I will forever love being on campus. This week, I get to go to a career fair for my new job. I attended this career fair as a student, so it will be interesting to be on the other side this go-round. I find that these experiences really help me relate to the students I work with since I was in their shoes not all that long ago.

I've been doing a photo challenge, Feb Photo a Day, on Instagram this month that asks people to take a picture every day. There is a calendar that depicts what to take a picture of each day (i.e. "Something new", "Dinner", "Makes You Happy", "Green", etc). I love taking pictures, but haven't made it a priority lately as much as I used to. I've enjoyed this challenge because it is a fun way to make sure I'm taking pictures every day to capture my life.

Feb 14 -- Heart: Chocolate dipped heart cookies that I brought to work for Valentines Day!

Feb 13 -- Blue: Was feeling blue this day, but this blue vase & 

gorgeous flowers lifted my spirits

Feb 8 -- Sun: I only saw the sun for about 5 minutes this day, but got this 

lovely glimpse on the way to the gym after work.

Feb 2 -- Words: This is a quote I saw on Pinterest and is something I 

need to remember. These things take time. Applies to many things.

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Go RED

Join me today as I wear red in support of National Wear Red Day 2012!

Heart disease is the #1 cause of death in the U.S. and it is truly insane how many lives it claims every year. The Go Red for Women movement was initiated to raise awareness about heart disease in women. Go Red for Women is something I am very passionate about. I had Wolff Parkinson White syndrome and my seemingly very healthy grandma passed away from a heart attack a few years ago. Both situations were completely unexpected.

So, wear red today to stand up against heart disease and stroke. People need to be more informed and be empowered to live a more heart healthy lifestyle. By wearing red today, you can help spread the word and encourage countless other women (and men!) to change their lifestyle for the better.

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