The only picture I've taken in the past week :) Echo was not feeling this picture-taking business, but she loves the remote.

What inspired me this week?

Okay. This seems dumb but I'll share it anyway. Graham and I are trying to do 30 minutes of intense exercises, by our standards, each night. After 2 ab workouts (thanks YouTube for the freebies!) we put on a back workout. We didn't know until we clicked on it what it would be. It ended up being yoga! I have done it before and, like always, I enjoyed it. There was serene music playing, it felt like a workout without being too over-the-top, hint hint Jillian Michaels. I was showing off way too many of my wannabe moves to Graham. Simple things like this make me feel inspired to find better ways that can help motivate me to be better.

Name one blessing I've seen this week.

I wrote about my sad woes with feeling overwhelmed. Sometimes it's just inevitable, right? Well I went on and read my scriptures and suddenly~ I felt empowered. I had energy. I had small flames visible in my eye sockets. I filed my taxes, I washed up all my clothes, I paid our bills, I finished up projects, I ran errand after errand. I punched through most of my tasks and it was sweet relief. For me, it just takes hunkering down and remembering "one thing at a time, what needs to be done today."

A goal/task I've achieved this week?

I offered up an idea, that a friend suggested, for a Young Women Camp Fundraiser at Church. Basically we are selling items the girls have assembled to our fellow ward members. It's allowing them to utilize their own skills and doing something different from their typical method (a huuuge bake sale). Since I volunteered it, I've worked very hard to head it up. It has been a very fine mixture of a struggle and a pleasure. This was our first month of a 4 month process, aka lots of trial and error. I'm having lots of anxiety and fun! Wednesday we finally assembled them and everyone worked so hard. My heart was swelling with pride- thanks Hendricks Ave YW, I love you! Get with me if you want to buy some cute stuff, friends;) 

My response to a new article/topic?

JK Rowling retweeted that she is releasing the new play, that I couldn't get London tickets for, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child in book format. YES. I won't lie, when I told Graham I was actually brought to tears. It's not 100% written by Rowling so I am a little skeptical as to how authentic it will be, but mostly I'm thrilled. C'mon! I've been wanting this for years so I can't complain much. July 31st it drops- and I'm gonna pre-order or die trying.

A goal/task I'm working on now?

I want to work harder on being more in tune with the Holy Ghost. Being super involved in my Church we hear a lot about the 'still small voice.' There are times when I know I have been inspired to do/say certain things, things that I recap later on with joy. To receive personal revelation to problems and concerns is something we are promised, it's a privilege. And I need to be better about employing it!

Conversation recap from G + Me?

*Doing Ab Workouts*

Gym Coach:"ARE YOU FEELING THE BURN?"

*5 seconds in* 

"Oh my gosh! Yes." *Pants*

"Ugggghhhh. Oh- can't breathe."

"Noooo, there's a cramp in my quad!"

"Let's pause the video."

 "WHAT are you doing?"

"You aren't doing it right!"

"Neither are you!"

*Critiques each other's form for every workout*

(I should record us because we look so pathetic it's hilarious!)

Weekly Poll: How many days til Listi's home?

Trick question- 6! Yep, next time I check in on Thoughtful Thursdays I'll (hopefully) have many great things to say about the supreme, wise being she has evolved into. I imagine it being the equivalent from Charmander to Charizard. Still shaking my head about how quickly it elapsed. She is so pumped and broken- hearted; she has loved the Tucsonian people. But she loves her Douglasonians (and 2 Jacksonvillans!) more.

Yo, I'm Busy

    I feel the most overwhelmed right this minute than I have in a long time. Some of it is my own doing and some of it can't help helped. Get ready for a long list of things that's on my mind. I'm partially in charge of a big YW fundraiser, I'm applying for a job, I start volunteering this week (hopefully), I babysit, I'm trying to figure out about our fertility clinic (and there about 6 steps I'm not even listing from this one aspect), I'm starting a detox with Graham this week, I'm trying to get stuff together for Listi's homecoming, I've got tons of laundry I need to do, I haven't even logged into my school this week, I've had to get stuff together for an alteration I need on a dress and have to get fitted properly, I'm helping plan a few vacations, I'm still trying to sort out our new insurance and what benefits we do/don't get, I have 2 online assignments I must complete in the next 3 days. 
    My brain feels like there it's just no more room for anything else. And if something gets added I might just collapse. Maybe give a small prayer on my behalf? To complete everything without feeling like I won't collapse halfway in? Thanks ;) And that's it for now, I'll return when I get another free minute. 

Graham's 29!

This was us about 1 hour after getting engaged in 2012.

    29. My best friend has lived through 29 years as of today. I am so grateful for each of those and all the life experiences he has had. I went to thinking about him, and how he has honed in a great deal of qualities and figured I'd share my favorites.

-When he has set his mind to a task, he cannot be stopped. His level of determination is to be admired, it's hard to find someone that'll outwork him if it's a project he's passionate about. He takes on many tasks and works very hard to achieve them. He is a grad student (with a 4.0), he works 45+ hours per week and holds a rigorous calling. 

-He can be so aware of others. When he knows someone isn't included or may be feeling lonesome, he is the first to call them up or extend an invitation to the next gathering. He works hard to befriend everyone and get on an intimate basis with them. There have been many times he has tagged along with people so they don't have to fly solo.

-This man is all about bettering himself spiritually. I like to think of him as an awkward teenager, so much different from the man he is today. He was so unsure of himself going on a mission until he went and as he lived the life of an Elder. Just like Nephi, go and do. While there he just knew he made the right decision, he felt the specific promptings from the Lord. From then on he was so much more aware and has worked hard to stay that way. There is one sacred experience between the two of us that is ingrained in my mind, which I won't be sharing, that solidified my choice in him as my spouse. He is truly an honorable, righteous man. 

There are a bunch more, maaaaaaany more, but those are my favorite. Graham is truly the best friend I could have. He and I are like pb and j, we just go together. I sure can't wait for another year!

Happy birthday, honey! I love you!