New link in the sidebar...

If you'll kindly check out the newest link in my sidebar, it will take you to a page that has several Yosemite webcams.  (Although, at the time of my posting this, there isn't much to see since it is after dark at the moment. lol)  This may be of interest as that is where I will be next week! :)  I'm excited!  But in the meantime, I am busy!  Much to do before we can go! :)

Confidence

I've never had a lot of it. Occasionally, I realize a strength or talent in me and I try to embrace it. I allow myself to believe in it. And then I do feel confident. But with most things, at least regarding me and my abilities, I struggle to feel confident.

I am confident in my faith. I am confident in my God and His spirit when it promtps me to do something. I am confident in my husband, family, and friends. But I lack confidence in me in so many areas. So, I'm working on that.

Lately, I've been working on my health/body. I make sacrifices, work hard, focus on my goals, and I'm getting results. I'm not skinny yet. lol I may never be skinny. That's okay. But I am beginning to feel confident in the changes I've made. I am beginning to feel confident in how I am changing my body.

A couple of months ago, I did something kind of stupid. Except, I don't think it was stupid. I bought a pair of capris that were super cute but too small. I used them as an incentive. I wanted to fit into them. Today I am wearing those capris - they fit perfectly and I feel awesome! I need to go buy another pair of too small pants now. lol

Another area I'm tring to work on building my confidence in is photography. I love photography. I am not educated or experienced in it, I just like it a lot. I think I've got a little bit of a talent for it, so I'm trying to develop that, make it into something bigger and better.

This week, my cousin, Sami, asked me to take her Senior Portraits. I was excited, but nervous - I didn't know what I was doing. I was totally faking it! But I figured, she knew that, so I just kept faking it until we finished up and you know what? They turned out pretty good! Not as great as if I knew what I was doing. Not as great as they would if I really understood how to use aperture, shutter speed, and ISO, but they were good enough that she was very happy and today I got the announcement she sent out with the pics she chose... and they look pretty dang good!

And now, I'm preparing to head out to take her step-brother's senior portraits this evening. I still feel nervous, and I'll still fake it, but if I keep trying and keep practicing, I am confident that I'll get better and one day, I'll feel confidence everytime I aim my lens in someone's direction. ;)

I think it's good to be humble.  I also think it's good to work on improving ourselves.   And I think that it is good to feel confident in yourself and the things you work hard to accomplish. 

Seedlings!

I was out watering my garden this evening and spotted little carrot and little cucumber seedlings poking up out of the dirt. Some of my garden began as seedlings I bought from the nursery, but some began as seeds, and it is so rewarding to plant tiny seeds (which are so lifeless when you plant them) and watch them grow up out of the ground into a plant which will continue on to eventually grow food. So cool... I love it! :)

It's so comforting to know that BlogThings thinks so, too. ;)

You Are Soul Mates

You're in this relationship for the long haul, and it's almost certain that your sweetie is too. Everyone agrees that the two of you are perfect for one another. You were meant to be together. While you and your partner are a good match, you still work hard for what you've got. You are big on respect, communication, and unconditional love. You want this relationship to last forever.

Are You With Your Soul Mate?

Blogthings: We're Not Shrinks, But We Play Them On the Internet

But it is true. :)  I love my Blue. <3

Spring is springing!

It's been a cool spring so far, so everything is a little late blooming, but we're getting there!  And it's getting nicer and nicer each week. :)

Last week I took some pics of some of my flowers right after a little rain shower. 

Geraniums I just potted on my back deck:

Lilacs beginning to bloom in the backyard:

Lilacs beginning to bloom in the front yard:

I promised a friend I would take pics of my backyard and post them.  The backyard is still not perfect, a total work in progress, but I will take the pics this week since the weather should be nice.  Stay tuned... :)

Talents

Two weeks ago, I was released as the Relief Society President in my ward.  One of the sisters in the ward asked me my favorite color at the end of our meetings and yesterday I found out why...

Isn't it cute?!?  She made it for me as a thank you for my time serving the ward!  I LOVE it!  You can't tell from the pic, but the white portion is a series of nice sized pockets and the inside is lined the same!  I. Love. This. Purse! 

Yesterday's RS lesson was about talents.  About a year ago, I shared another friend's thoughtful and unexpected gift, too.  Some people just have a talent of friendship and combine it with thoughtfulness and creativity to make other's feel loved.  I have benefited from that kind of talent many times.  I am so grateful for these friends, for their examples their kindness and generosity. 

It makes me want to be that kind of friend.  Susan C., thank you, so, so much!  The handbag is awesome and I love it, but your friendship is even better. :)

Funnies

I need to post this stuff before I forget it...

• Earlier this week, Rori informed me that when she turns five... she will be old!  I asked, "Five year olds are old?"  "Yep!"  "Does that mean that Gracie is old?"  "Yep!  And Ellie."  "What about Cadi?  What are 11 year olds?"  "Old."  "What about Mom?"  "Old."  "And Dad?"  "He's old."  "All of your friends are old?"  "Yep, but I'm not going to tell them that."  "Why?"  "They might be sad or mad."  "But you just told me that I'm old, what if I feel sad or mad?"  "It's okay Mom, I like you old." 
• Tonight Ryan started teasing Cadi, I can't remember how it started, but it ended with him saying that she wasn't our child, we got her from aliens.  And then he said, "We got you at an alien garage sale."  LOL (Maybe you had to be there, but we thought it was hilarious - the way he said it, lol, it was awesome. lol) She didn't think it was as funny as we did.  So, then he tried to make it up to her, "I love my alien garage sale daughter.  She's my AGSD!"... Somehow, that didn't make her think it was any more funny than before. lol
• We told the girls that they needed to go to bed.  As they are leaving the room, Rori's hanging her head.  But she calls out, "I'm not pouting!"  lol  Can you tell she's been getting in trouble for that lately? ;)