Let's Play Catch Up!

A quick recap of all that's happened since November...

It's hasn't even been 3 months, you think it would be uneventful or something. Nope, not my life. I should rename by blog and call it "My Crazy, Insane, Hectic, Beautiful, Not Normal at All Life"...but i think that would be too long of a title. We'll stick with Amber Hart :) 

On to the events...

• Thanksgiving - I spent it with one of my close friends, Brittney. We went to morning mass and delivered a meal to an elderly woman (she nearly talked our ear off for 2 hours.) Brit's mom cooked a full meal, which immediately required a nap after consuming. 

After we consumed large amounts of food

• Black Friday- technically Thursday night, stores are opening up earlier every year...don't get me started on this. Brit and I headed out to bear the crowds in search of killer deals. I think she mainly went shopping for herself, which is a pretty novel idea. I, however, got 90% of my Christmas shopping done and saved a boatload of money. Yay deals!
  
  

  

  Working off the turkey

  
  
• Disneyland- with my nanny family. It was a work/play weekend. Emphasis on the work. (There will probably be a blog about this at some point.)
  
  

  

  Kay gazing off in the happiest place on earth

  
  
• Baptized & Confirmed- in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Wait...what!? Yes. There will be more on this later! But for now I'll just say it was a long time coming, 4 years, and one of the most joyful days of my life.
  
  

  

  Just some of the missionaries

  
  
• Family Pictures- I chose to do family pictures for my Christmas present because I realized we haven't had a family picture since I was about 5 years old. Not cool. We hired a local photographer and she did a great job. Thanks Sheryl!
  
  

  

  *forced smiles*

  
  
• Christmas- This year my whole family celebrated together. It was chaotic to say the least. But I did enjoy spending time with my loved ones! (Apparently I forgot to take pictures on my favorite day of the year; so here is my mom and me with a snowman.)
  
  

  

  Go home snowman, you're drunk

  
  
• Talked in Sacrament- 2 weeks after being baptized. I loved sharing my story and hope to continue to. If you would like to listen to it, e-mail me here.
  
  

  

  "There are many truths in this world but I choose this truth."

  
  
• NYE- I welcomed 2014 in at a church function and (surprisingly) had lots of fun.
  
  

  

  It was a hodgepodge of people

  
  

To wrap it up, my life feels like a continuous stream of crazy. I never know whats going to happen next and to be frank, I like it that way. Here's to 2014 and all of it's unplanned glory! One of my New Year's Resolutions is to post weekly; so expect the unexpected!

Hold on, it could be a wild ride!

Hugs & kisses,

The Awe and Wonder

What TODAY is all about...

Disclaimer: My intentions are not to try to preach or be perceived like I know it all- because I don’t. All I hope is to share a little something I believe in and perhaps it gets you a wink more excited about life as you were before reading this. Read on lovelies!

Here is me not knowing it all
{Space Mountain, Disneyland 2012}

A little something I've noticed... 

So often we get caught up in our everyday lives: working, cooking, cleaning, paying bills, going out with friends, waiting for the weekend to arrive, focusing on our relationships, attending church on Sunday, anticipating that pay raise, grocery shopping and oh so much more. That list could go on forever. Well it’s great to be driven, focused and perhaps on a schedule. However, we often miss the world around it and with that it passes us by. We don’t see the beauty in everyday things and soon enough they become ordinary: the mountains, trees, wind, familiar faces, smiles, loved ones, water, the air we breathe, sunshine on our face and just like the other list this one could go on forever as well. There will always be something to complain about but there is also always something to be grateful for- you choose. We have so much to be thankful for, I’m alive today and if you are reading this so are you. Amen to that. We hear it so frequently that everyday is a gift (and most times we shrug it off as just another saying or cliché quote) but let it sink in for a moment….You (and me for that matter) don’t have to be given another day, another tomorrow but we are. Your work is not done, today is not for worrying how the bills are going to get paid or getting in another argument with your significant other or hating your body but it another chance to try and strive for whatever your goal(s) may be. Whoever or whatever you believe in- whether it is Allah, God, Buddha, or the Universe or something else, thank Him, thank them, thank it. You have air in your lungs, love in heart and unimaginable opportunities, for today you are alive. Take today and carpe diem the crap out of it, see the beauty and live in it because none of us are promised tomorrow. Enjoy the awe and wonder today!

A day a lived in the moment...

Huntington Beach, CA 2013

Do I look worried about the bills I had to pay? Or my future plans? No. The funny thing is on this day I had NO IDEA what I wanted in life, where I wanted to be or what my future held. But I didn't care. I was so immersed in that day and in those moments nothing else mattered. For today, I can't wait to see where the day takes me, for all I know today could be the greatest adventure of my life. Hukuna matata babies!

HUGE

 hugs & kisses,