Because I run like a girl

Lately I've been thinking about where I stand on things. Like everything. There is so much to be opinionated about these days. And I hate talking politics because really only two parties? I'll leave those posts to bloggers who love to argue. Luckily there is more than politics to be  opinionated about. I recently saw a video called #likeagirl. I had to watch it to see what it was all about. I was impressed.

You have to watch it too otherwise you will have no idea what I am talking about...

My mother and father raised me to believe I could do anything I wanted. In fact I spent many childhood days dreaming of being a pro soccer player. Although soccer nor volleyball happened in high school like I had thought I found out that runners were athletes too. I had unfortunate event happen to my body in high school that effected my speed and it did not increase my senior year. Even though my medley relay team broke our school record I still wasn't fast enough. I didn't tell anyone but I did want to run in college on a team. The amazing thing about running is that you don't need a team. I can always run. So what does that have to do with the video? I want my children to know what it means to me to do things "like a girl". To me running like a girl means pushing physical limits. Attempting to brush aside the want of chocolate... And then giving in and having to run with a belly full of chocolate. Running like a girl means no excuses. I have my babies and I run with them. Running like a girl also means being a proud winner but also a good loser. Adam can out run me any day. It's a fact. But that doesn't stop me from trying to keep up with him. In fact to take this picture he had to slow down and push the stroller...

Exercise is important to me. That's why I studied it in college. I love learning how my body works and how to make it stronger. I saw a quote on Pinterest that said "I don't want to be someone else I want to be me but healthier and stronger". That rings true for me as well. I'm proud to run like a girl. I'm proud to be a girl. I'm striving to have a positive outlook about my body. Sure it has flaws but it's all I got so I'm going to work with it. And I'm going to keep on running no matter who is passing me. 

The most important Christmas gift

Well one thing you should know about me is that I wasn't allowed to wrap gifts when I was younger. Not because my mother was afraid I would tell the reciever what they were getting, 

but because I was horrible at wrapping. 

Even when I was in high school and ok even as an adult. 

Finally I think I am decent enough to wrap my children's gift. 

This year though I wrapped the most important gift I will ever wrap. 

I carefully wrapped the gift and used heavy duty shipping tape to insure that this wrapped gift 

will stand the test of time. 

I wanted beautiful paper and a beautiful tag (although I'm sure the tag will go missing as soon as its under the tree).

Even with a missing tag this gift will be one that everyone will know who it is for. 

So who is this gift for? 

Why is it the most important gift?

Here is my present…

The first thing my two year old noticed about the box was the hole. 

He peeked inside… "all gone!" He shouted.

I told him it is all gone until we fill it. 

This special carefully wrapped box is empty yet it the most important present under the tree.

You see my mom started a tradition in our family of having a present like this under the tree and 

each Christmas we write on a sticky note what we are

giving the Savior for His birthday.

Some years we gave him multiple things, some years my mom had to beg us to write just one thing.

We always gave Him something. 

I remember one year writing I will try not to hit Garett or Lauren for a week. 

Apparently that was a really hard thing to do. 

We always did realistic gifts. 

That was key to the success of giving a gift to Jesus every year. 

To do this tradition simply write what you plan to give to Jesus on His birthday. 

You can choose to write your name on it or not.

On Christmas Day you can read them and ponder how well you "gave" your gift.

Or you can choose to have a smaller hole and keep the gifts to yourselves but write down in 

your journals how well the gift was completed. 

I preferred to read them and not have our names on them. 

(Although it can be obvious whose was whose)

Some examples of gifts:

Visiting lonely elderly

Having a family over for dinner

Changing a habit

Making a habit

Give a physical gift to someone

Be nicer to someone at school/work

Have meaningful conversation with a stranger and get to know them

There are many gifts to give the Savior. 

He isn't here in the flesh at this time on the Earth.

He needs us to do His work. 

So this year i decided it is time for us to have our own gift to Jesus 

under our tree. 

I don't think this is a tradition you can start too early or late. 

If my 2 year old can wonder and ask about an "empty box" then I'm sure your children, spouse, room mates, ect. can wonder about it too. 

I have read many things about Christmas as pertaining how to keep the true meaning of the season. 

I very much enjoyed this blog post here about Mr. Claus 

It is how we are choosing to present Santa. 

I believe that Santa should not take over Christmas but should be used as a tool

in teaching our children about giving. Of course my little man is going to get excited over gifts 

rather than the little baby Jesus. However as he gets older he can understand the true meaning.

It is up to Adam and I to make sure we live our lives in such a way that he can know baby Jesus

is so much more than just a little baby. 

 But for now I will let him wonder about the box that we fill with papers. 

I am grateful for my Savior. I hope when people see me they know I have been touched by 

His light. I hope to share that light with others. 

I know he died for me, I know he died for you. 

But He also lives for me, He also lives for you! 

He may not walk among us but I believe someday He will come again. 

I plan on growing, learning, and becoming more like Him.

I challenge you to do some kind of variation of this tradition. It has helped us stay focused on Christ. 

I love my Savior very much and want to wish 

Him a happy birthday! 

Merry Christmas!

Dear Satan

Dear Satan,

I am sorry to inform you that you did not win this week. Maybe you did with other souls but not mine. You might have thought you had me when I became frustrated at my finances. Or possibly when I became upset because Thayne wouldn't listen to a word I said and threw  more tantrums than I can count. You might have thought that for sure this would be the week you would win me over, when I swore at Thayne. You must have thought that I wouldn't want to change and try again.

Patting yourself on the back thinking you could lead me down a dark path. You must have thought for sure I wouldn't be attending church. "Thayne can't sit still what is the point of even going?" "No one even cares if you are there" "Alyse is so tired she wont go" "Giving up on everything is much easier" These must have been phrases running through that cunning mind of yours this week. Little did you know that I am strong. Stronger than I even know. How? How can this be? Is that what you are wondering? Because God gives me chances. He gives me nights and days so that I may try again. He gives me people who love me and accept me no matter what. He gave His Son to die for me that I can become clean again and try again.

So this will be a huge set back for you but I am going to have a better week. I can only become stronger. You had me fooled all week long that I was worthless and doing everything wrong. "How could I change?" Was constantly in my mind. Well I can change and I will. I may have tripped and fallen, but I can still run. This week your negative thoughts are not invited. I will be too busy being happy and feeling worth while. 

Sincerely,

Alyse

Confession Time

There is one rule to reading this post,

 You HAVE to read the WHOLE post!

So if you don't intend on doing so stop now...

I mean NOW...

You want to read the whole thing?

Promise?!

Alright, here we go...

A few weeks ago I found myself very frustrated with my life. 

I was frustrated at MY son, husband, parents martial problems, financial situation, size, food choices, ect. I mean everything about my life. 

I wanted to quit. 

(If you don't have kids or any trials in your life then you might not understand that feeling)

As I began to think about all the things going wrong in my life I began to become mad at God.

"If only He didn't expect so much out of me, then life would be so good" were how most of

my thoughts began. 

I didn't want to do anything.

"I'll be so much happier if I just stop reading my scriptures, or going to church... blah blah blah blah"

I found myself looking at pinterest instead of studying scriptures. Was I happy? NO

Did i pretend like it was making me happy? Yes

I had become pretty bitter at everything and everyone. I didn't even want to be social. 

(That's definitely not me)

During my episode of not being happy a scripture did come to my mind. 

Alma 41:10 ..."Wickedness never was happiness"

The natural woman in me thought "Oh ya? Well I can test that out!"

Then as I thought some more. I realized something I had already been testing that out. 

Sure I wasn't going out and partying or anything else extreme but I had definitely gone 

backwards in my progression. 

Another thought entered my mind, this time not my own.

"Why don't you try to be good and see if you are happy?" 

I wanted to cry. In fact I probably did a little. 

I follow a lot of LDS boards on pinterest and laughed when I found a pin that 

had a list of things you will be feeling when you feel the Spirit and a list of things you will be feeling when you DON'T have the Spirit.

You can only imagine the feeling I got as I looked over the DON'T section and I had every feeling on there. UGH.

I wasn't happy. 

I made a resolution. To try to be good and do what I know to be right. Guess what happened?

I have been so much HAPPIER!

What is my point in all this?

Instead of testing out if wickedness can be happiness by doing wickedly,

try doing what you are supposed to be doing even if just for a couple of weeks and then check your progress.

Hint the easiest way to see this is by serving others. 

Try it out I dare you.

Meeting an Apostle of The Lord

Ok so you might think because I live in Utah that we run into general authorities all the time. But it's not common at all.

I have to tell you the story!
So mum and I were at Costco. When we see Cody, a new member of the church. We talk to him and all the sudden he says, "is that Uchtdorf?". Shocked I look over to the aisle next to us and say, "if that's not him it's someone who looks just like him." Luckily Cody was brave enough to approach him. Cody says,"excuse me sir will you say your name?" The man smiles and with a very heavy German accent says, "Deter Uchtdorf" I wish you could have seen the excitement on Cody's face. "I knew it was you!" Cody got to talk to him while president Uchtdorf's wife talked to mum and I. They both were so nice. Mum and I just turned red and speechless. I could feel the Spirit so strong surrounding them. It was incredible. We didn't even think to get a picture with them. It was so encouraging to meet them and talk to them. We had goosebumps for so long after. It was a great experience they even got to meet Thayne! It was funny once we got in the car because both of us kept thinking of all the things we wanted to say but couldn't. Definitely added to my testimony.

In the picture you can barely see him but I promise it's him!

Adam turns 25!!!!

Today is Adam's Birthday!!!!

Everyday I am grateful this man walked into my life.

Not only did he walk into my life he helps me be a better person and loves me through 

everything.

He is a God fearing man that works hard to provide for our little family.

He does the best he can and knows how to just laugh things off.

He is smart, kind, and funny. And... dang good looking!

He is respectful and sensitive.

A cowboy and a city boy.

He likes the beach and the snow.

He is an excellent skier, a great listener, and very patient.

He isn't a casanova or rascal flatts kinda guy but

he calls me everyday on his way to work. 

Kisses me goodbye every morning.

Sends me love texts.

And helps out at home.

He would rather spend time with me than anyone else. 

Which is the best message of I love you and much more valuable than money.

He shows me everyday he loves me by the little things.

Happy Birthday!

I love you baby! 

This is at Texas Roadhouse last night. (Adam has to work all day and night today)

He is getting sang to on the saddle they had there. Ha ha 

We have a no-firework law right now because of all the fires going on. 

But Adam wanted to burn something really bad. So we let him burn this squishy toy.

This picture was taken this morning right before work! Adam is wearing the pin Garett 

sent him for his birthday (its a pin with old people) ha ha!

Thayne and I are going to make him a cake for when he gets home! 

Thayne's present to Daddy... 

A stainless steel trash can.

Adam really wanted one. We had a super gross cheap one from college and it 

bothered Adam pretty bad. 

Adam already got most his presents early (we just couldn't wait) 

Our big adventure will be this weekend when we go do Kings Peak (highest peak in Utah!)

Girls Camp 2012 Piuta

Happy 100 years of girls camp!

This was my first year to go as a leader and not a young woman.

And I had a blast! (I kept getting counted as one of the girls and couldn't help but laugh).

These are an amazing group of girls and I can't help but brag about them.

I never heard one word of complaint, or mean comment, or anyone being excluded.

22 girls, 2 cabins, and no one felt left out. Thats pretty amazing.

I love each of these girls and hope they know that I would do anything for them.

At our girls camp we did two hikes... Ruth Lake (pictured below)

and the fairy forest...

Yes, thats a tree playing a sax-a-phone
There were all kinds of crazy things.\

While on this hike we talked to the girls about carrying rocks in your backpacks.

I specically talked about emotional rocks we put into our backpacks (please listen to John Bytheways talk!)

During the week the stake set up some great activities. One of which was the obstacle course.

Lauren got the fastest time. (this is her and Crystal being silly)

Another day we had a rock climbing wall and rope course.

A lot of girls were a little nervous to do this but almost all did it. It was so fun to watch them conquer their

fears.

Now I know not every girls camp gets to do all these things but each girls camp can have the same spirit

and love there. Just as our camp did. Thursday night we got to share with each other our love of the

Gospel and love for our Savior and each other.

It was by far the best girls camp I had ever been to.

I hope to go to many more.

Deseret Peak Hike

Summit

Deseret Peak Hike

Adam didn't tell me how long this hike was till we got there... 8 miles round trip

straight up the whole time.

Totally beautiful the whole time as well thank goodness!

This hike is by Toole Utah.
Completely free to hike unless you camp out at one of their camp grounds.

Highly recommend pants even when its hot the vegetation comes over onto the trail and was poking us even through our

pants I couldn't imagine how scratched up our legs would be without the pants.

Started out at 7,300 ft. Ended up at about 11,000ft. It was super tough but so rewarding when all was

said and done.

There was a scout group that was at the summit when we arrived they all kept telling

Adam that he was such a good day for carrying little Thayne up the

whole way. I got a bit teary when they said this I had a pretty light pack

compared to Adam. Those 14 year old boys just thought that

was the neatest thing that Adam would do that.

And I thought it was so cool that they would even notice or care. Those boys gave us courage and hope and

helped me appreciate the scout program that much more. Of all the things those boys could have been doing on

a Saturday they helped each other climb a mountain and were encouraging to others.

Thank you scouts every where doing the right thing!

Going to the Temple

Living in Utah you see a lot of LDS temples. 

I love seeing them and even like seeing the houses around them. 

I had the opportunity to go to the temple yesterday. 

Adam and I have made a goal together to go to the temple as often as we can.

That has been about once a month. For others I believe this number can be more than once a month

or less. It is whatever you feel is right.

I've been struggling really bad with, well a lot of things. 

We recently moved, cut our monthly pay check in

half, and Adam is gone all the time (these seem to be the root of all the other things I have been struggling with). Lets just say I haven't been the happiest person or the nicest.

Yesterday was raining and its Adam's only day off. We really wanted to go on a bike ride or

hike but because of the cold rain decided against those activities. We made a new plan we'd go to the

temple and then eat lunch. After lunch we would play racquetball. We followed through with our plan.

Going to the temple and seeing all the smiling faces just melts your heart. 

You don't have to be perfect to go there (obviously because I go!) just worthy. 

While serving in the temple I started to cry with joy. (p.s. this never happens to me) 

I overwhelming felt that not only was I doing the right thing but that Heavenly Father loved me

and was so happy that I went to His house. I felt so welcome. 

I felt so happy. Going to the temple makes me a better person. Just ask my husband.

I hope there is a temple close to you. Everyone is given the opportunity to go through a temple before it is dedicated. It is called an open house. I hope you would go. It is a holy place and makes me a better person. I'm more patient and kind and I know it is the Lord's work in me because it doesn't come

natural at all.

In our latest general conference Elder Robert D. Hales of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles 

talked about Coming to Ourselves. He talks about realizing who we are and our "hunger for the sacred blessing that only He (Heavenly Father) can provide". Please read that talk, AGAIN. 

We all need guidance, we all need love. Heavenly Father loves us all even when we make mistakes.

L.O.S.E. yourself

Happy V-day!!!

Last night as I was filling Thayne's bottle up I realized that extra can of formula only existed in my head.

Meaning first thing this morning we had to run to Cedar City to get food. (40 miles away...)

So off to Wal-mart we went.

While we were there I couldn't help but talk to a few people.

Lady #1 at the bra section- Found out she had like 3 kids and her youngest was 2. She said her 6 year old was about as tall as her (she was about 5') and that all her babies had been very big. We talked about Thayne a bit and prices being so hard for things that are necessities.

Lady #2 at book section- Found out she had gotten a cart cover there at Wal-mart and that they weren't very expensive. Also found out she has 4 kids, her oldest 3 were boys and her youngest one was this beautiful big eyed girl. She said since buying the cart covers her daughter hasn't gotten sick. (I bought one)

Lady #3 Wal-mart cashier- Found out she is a single mom with a 4 month old. She is currently going to school, working, and trying to be a good mom. Isn't dating anyone and she has family in town who watches her little baby. What a blessing! She said it was the only way she could do school. She lives with her brother and his girlfriend and doesn't have to pay rent. I told her I just graduated college and that Adam works at Circle 4 and how blessed I am to be a stay at home mom. As I was leaving she told me it was good to talk to me.

Man #1 man with a sign by highway- I want to make blessing bags so bad! I need to do it. He had a sign that said Anything will help. I looked over in my passenger seat and saw my box of cereal. I thought he might like it. I asked him and he kinda chuckled and said, "no, but thanks for thinking of me."

Each of these people are a child of God. If you want a rush, thrill, peace and love in your life.

Talk to a stranger.

Sounds scary right? Against everything your mom told you?

Are you dying to know what the L.O.S.E. stands for?

Ok good

L-earn

O-thers

S-truggles

E-veryday

YOURSELF

It seems like we love to hear those heroic stories of someone doing something amazing for another person. But have you ever thought the most amazing thing you could do is talk to someone?

I didn't

Try it out. I didn't do anything that special but the smile on the persons face after I was done talking to them made me feel so good. I can't explain it.

On the drive home I couldn't help but feel the Saviors love for those people.

And it was almost like He was saying, "Don't you want to feel that way everyday?"

So now I have a challenge learn others struggles everyday. All on your own. Be that light of hope they needed.

After all I don't remember any scripture saying,

"And it was winter so Jesus decided to hole up in his home and wait for others to come to him"

Happy Valentines Day again!

Doesn't matter if your single or not. You can share love.