On a Whim and a Prayer

I realize that I am a little crazy and I like to do things on whims. But it is fun to be spontaneous and do things on the spur of the moment! So, I did two crazy, spontaneous, spur of the moment things:

1: I am now a red head. Which means I get to be feisty!

2: I am buying a town house. Seriously! And I am so excited!

It kind of just fell into my lap, which is how most things seem to happen for me. So I fasted and prayed about it, and it feels so right! I will only be 2 miles away from work, which means I will officially be a Pleasant Grove resident.

It is brand new, so I went and picked out my options today. They will finish the inside and then I can move in - as long as everything works out with my loan! It is the perfect location, the perfect size, has big windows and plenty of light, a two car garage, a real dining space, a nice size living room, a master suite with a walk in closet, shower, and huge tub, 3 bedrooms total, 2 1/2 bathrooms, a laundry room, 2 pantries, 2 linen closets, etc. Plus, a clubhouse with a gym, theater, and pool. I think I may be in Heaven!


I can't wait until it is finished so I can have everyone over for a party! Wish me luck on my latest whim and spontaneous adventure!

Something Better!

So. . . here goes! The beginning of 2010. My year. Let's start it off with a bang!

I went on a date on Saturday. A miracle! I know!

And I had a really good time!

But remember. . . this is my life! So it has to be a little crazy and a little complicated. Otherwise. . . it wouldn't be my life!

This guy was amazing! We were set up on a blind date by a mutual friend (actually, one of my old student's mother). He texted me on New Year's Eve and we ended up texting for about 6 hours. Seriously! We decided to go out on Saturday. He called me Friday to confirm, and we had a really nice conversation. Then. . . we met on Saturday and I had a really good time! We ate at the Pizza Factory and got to know each other and it was great!

There is just one small thing. . . That makes it a little complicated. . . And maybe a little crazy. But. . . I don't know! Did I mention I had a really good time? So maybe this one small thing shouldn't be an issue.

It was just one date, so who knows what will happen.

All I know is that the Lord works in mysterious ways. And I am going to trust in Him and his plan for me. I still don't know what that is, but I do know I am going to listen to whatever He tells me to do.

In Relief Society today we had an amazing lesson on Life Lessons from 2009. Listen to this:

"Do not fail to take a leap of faith because you have already jumped to another conclusion." Elder Neal A. Maxwell

Don't you love that! Just because I had one thing in mind for my life doesn't mean that I was right! The Lord knows best and I just need to have faith!

Here's another one: When your plans don't work out, make new ones! We talked about this story Sheri Dew told that demonstrates how when things don't work out, pray and ask for something better because the Lord knows best! According to Sheri Dew, Joseph Smith once said this prayer, "Lord, we thank Thee for this Johnny cake, and ask thee to send us something better. Amen." Then someone showed up with some flour and a ham!

I guess it never occurred to me to pray for something better! So. . . (as most of you know) something didn't quite work out for me. And that is ok! Because the Lord knows best. And now I am praying for something better!

And who knows?

Maybe Mr. Saturday was my something better!

Or maybe my something better is just around the next corner!

I don't know!

And that is ok! Because I trust in the Lord and know my something better is out there waiting for me. And I won't stop until I find him!

Welcome to 2010!!!!!!

I am so excited to start a new year! I have decided to make this the best year ever, no matter what it takes! So look out! This is the year of Ashley! It has started out pretty. . .interesting. . .wonderful. . .crazy. . .I'm not sure yet! Let's just say, I have another interesting episode to add to my tv show of a life. I'll let you know how it turns out as soon as I know (. . .after my date on Saturday!).

So anyway, 2009 was pretty crazy. But as I've reflected, I decided it was a good year after all (even if I did go slightly insane - sorry about that!!).

I learned a lot about myself, what I can do, what I want, and what I don't want.

I feel like I've grown closer to my Heavenly Father and Savior. I know they are there, watching out for me, and that they have an amazing plan for me. I'm just not sure what it is yet!

I have grown closer to my family, especially my mom and two amazing sisters-in-law who have helped me through this crazy (did I say CRAZY) few months. I don't know what I would have done without their advice, support, and shoulders to cry on. I really don't know what I would have done without Liz that one day. I am so glad she was there to go swing in the snow with me!

I have grown closer to my amazing friends/team/sisters at work. This includes Heather (the stable one! At least for this year!), Kerry and Jessica (the new ones who are already a huge part of me!), RaeAnn and Marci (who will always be a part of my team!!!), and Trudy (who is always there when I need her!). These amazing women got me through the good times and the bad. Work is still my safe and happy place because of them!!!! I love you girls!!!!!

I made some amazing new friends in my singles ward. Yes, I said it! I am actually enjoying my singles ward. I avoided it for a long time but it has been a good experience.

I am in the best shape of my life and feel great!

I am on my way to earning my Masters Degree in Education (I never want to write another research paper again when this is over!!!!!!).

And I have so many amazing (if not sometimes random!) people who care about me and show me they do in amazing (if not sometimes random!) ways like setting me up on blind dates, hugging me in the hall, inviting me places, etc. I would be lost without the amazing and random people in my life!

So, 2009 was crazy (CRAZY!!!!!) but it was great.

2010 is going to be even greater! Wonderful! Amazing! Spectacular! And hopefully not so crazy! At least not in a bad way!

So let's hear it for 2010! The year of Ashley!!!

Merry Christmas!!!!!

Merry Christmas 2009!!!! I had an amazing Christmas with my wonderful family. We had a great time eating, visiting, and exchanging gifts. Eli, McKenna, and Tanner were especially excited to see what Santa brought them. The whole family got comfy robes and fun Christmas socks. This relaxing and fun day was exactly what I needed. I am so thankful for the birth of my Savior. I don't know what I would do without the knowledge and comfort that the Atonement brings into my life. I know that everything will work out because I have a Heavenly Father and a Savior who love me. Merry Christmas!!!

Who Moved my Cheese?

Have you ever noticed that oozing sympathy is sometimes worse than the event that triggers the sympathy? I just want to reassure everyone that I am ok! I know I have been a little crazy these last few months, and I really appreciate all of the support that all of my wonderful girls have given me. But I have been trying to let go and move on, and so this really is ok (if you don't know what I'm talking about, ask me in private because I can't post it!). I had to laugh about the way it happened because. . .well, once again you'll have to ask me about it! Remember when I said my life was like a tv show? Well, this was one interesting episode! And please laugh with me! I promise, it really is funny! Honestly, with some of the things that have been happening lately, I think I may have dodged a bullet. I am just going to trust in the Lord, know he has a plan for me and his promises are sure, and that somewhere out there is my perfect piece of cheese (we watched the movie "Who Moved my Cheese?" at grad school on Tuesday and it was a perfect metaphor for my life!!! It made me feel much better since that was the day it happened. I am going back into the maze to seek my perfect piece of cheese! So, if any of you know any single pieces of cheese, I am in the market!!!).

Yams and Sweet Potatoes

Happy Thanksgiving! I started my turkey day by running a 5K with Cam. He kicked my butt, but I ran (well, jogged) the whole way and made it in just over 29 minutes, so I was pleased with myself!
I then spent the afternoon cooking with my family. I made green bean casserole, pumpkin delight, and sweet potatoes. No one seems to know that there is a difference between yams and sweet potatoes, but there is and they are both delicious!
We then had a wonderful feast with most of my family and a lot of Liz's family at my parent's church. I ate way too much, but it was worth it!!!

Hiking Heaven!

For Fall Break, I went to Capitol Reef with Anna and Diantha ( a couple of friends from my ward). We had an amazing time camping and hiking for 3 days. We had some fun adventures and saw some spectacular views. This getaway was exactly what I needed!!!!!