talent or die

It has become apparent to me that without gifts and talent, it is hard to be successful in this world. Sure, its more about who you know when it comes to getting your foot in the door with dream jobs, but it is a person's talents that keeps them there. Last night, I was thinking about talents and the gifts that I have been blessed with. And then I started thinking about how I am not using those talents to the best of my ability. 

I feel like I have to be good at a lot of things; being a wife, a student, a daughter, a member of the LDS church, a human being. I don't want to disappoint anyone and that is especially true for myself. I hate to disappoint myself, to not measure up to what I feel I am capable of. And as I thought about the talents I have been given, I felt a little disappointed. In the past few months, and even past few years of college, I have let some of my talents take a back seat. 

Singing being one of the most prominent. 

Singing used to be such a huge part of my life and now I don't even mention singing in my top hobbies! Don't get me wrong, the steering wheel of my car has heard her fair share of lyrics and Ryan Lovingly (i hope) calls me his canary. But when it comes to sharing my talent with others, I have become mute, never volunteering for choirs or sharing my talent to help others. I have thought about this a lot in the past few hours thinking of ways that I can expand my talents to help others and honestly, I dont know how improving my talent of singing with help anyone. But I had a feeling that I need to continue to strive to be the best version of myself and develop the talents I have been given. 

So bring it on. 

I just hope those talents that have cob webs and stuck joints will be easy to unearth. But then again, anything that is too easy isn't worth working for... right?

Sunday funday!

With life as crazy as it is, I hardly have time to just sit back and relax. I force myself to plow through the weekdays knowing that the weekends are my time to reenergize and have a little fun. Sometimes having a little fun is little more than hanging out with the hubs. However, yesterday our mornings were spent apart. Ryan went on a bike ride and I went running. Ryan biked 45 miles (he wants everyone to know that during this said ride he ascended 1500 feet and then descended 1500 feet-obviously) I ran 4 miles. Not nearly as impressive when put up next to Ryan's 45 miles but hey, he was on a bike. Not fair..

When I run, I always feel so silly. You know you are an awkward runner, when even your mother tells you that you have bad form. great. love you mom. =)

Once we both worked out, we came back together and went on a food date. YUM! First we went to sensuous sandwich and had a blast just talking and eating. We then went and got Ryan's car from the bike shop... and proceeded to race to Cold stones. Dont worry, we abided (almost) all traffic laws. Ryan beat me. Dang it!
Then Ryan went to work and I went to a wedding reception. Every time I go to a wedding and see the happy bride, I am reminded of our wedding day and how absolutely amazing that day was. Plus it reminds me of the smoking hot man I get to have by my side for the rest of eternity. Heck yes!

In church today, it was stake conference and we learned a lot of different lessons. But one lesson that stuck with me was about sin and not allowing that sin to take over my life. I was struck by how a simple sin can turn into a fire that consumes our lives and turns us into different people. It made me reflect on the simple things in life that are contrary to the gospel and how dangerous they can be if we do not take care to avoid them.

It has been a great weekend and I am reenergized enough to make it through to next weekend! We have plans to go to the cabin with some friends! woohoo! Until next time.
Always keep your step moving toward happily ever after xoxo

life of an el ed major

9 classes, All with homework and group projects and lesson planning. 

It is enough to make me go crazy and yet, it also proves to me that I am in the right major because even with all the crazy group projects and weird teachers that leave me wondering what the point of the class is, I love what I am learning. I love knowing that I will be able to implement the ideas being taught and there is something so satisfying in coming up with a lesson plan or activity I actually plan on teaching! I am a nerd and proud of it. =) This week, I had 6 group projects. It took major planning and I am proud to say that after 13 years of grade school and 3 years of college I am finally learning the art of not procrastinating! I try and get all my homework done before the weekend so I can actually enjoy time with my hubby and then I begin homework for the next week a week before it is due. It has made my life a little more organized and less chaotic. I wish someone would have led me to this revelation sooner! haha. But with Ryan working two jobs and going to school and with me working and going to school, we dont have a lot of time to spend together. so we definitely take advantage of time together whenever we can. 

This weekend, we went to the SLC temple and did a session. It was absolutely amazing to be inside that gorgeous temple and to have ryan with me. It reconfirmed my love for him and I am so grateful to be married to such an incredible guy! then we got in-n-out and scarfed it down as we raced home so ryan could get to work on time. He is such a hard worker! I am really looking forward to February! 

     It is valentines day! 

     The vow comes out. Girls night out?? 

    We are going to Calfornia for a wedding and Ryan's brothers Homecoming!!!!!

    It's one month closer to my practicum! 

School can be stressful and it is such a comfort to know that I am not alone, that I have Ryan by 

my side. He is such a comic relief =) two nights ago we were watching Who Wants to Be a Millionaire. 

This is one of the questions: 

The nursey rhyme rub-a-dub-dub features three men in a tub, what type of profession isn’t mentioned as being in the tub?

A. Baker

B. Cobbler

C. Candlestick maker

D. Butcher

As we sat there, watching the poor contestant blank on the answer, Ryan commmented, "I think we are missing the real question here.  Why are there three grown men in a bathtub?"

New Shoes= Motivation

For Christmas, my amazing husband got me these adorable Nike frees. These awesome shoes plus my new years resolution has been the driving force these past few days to get my butt off the couch and go running. So far, these two factors have been successful because as of january 3rd, I have logged 5 miles. Not too shabby for a girl who used to up chuck at every turn during a race. =) Now, when I actually think about it, 5 miles really isnt that much and yet, I can't help but be proud. It is 5 miles more than I would have run without this resolution. Maybe posting it on this blog will be enough motivation to continue this insane goal. I would not want to embarrass myself by giving up! let the madness continue!

Today was my last day of laziness before the new insane semester begins. 9 classes and work will keep me plenty busy. I am looking forward to having structure again. these past two weeks have been awesome being able to visit family and sit around and do nothing. Yet, my mind gets bored and I feel bad wasting away my days. But back to school. Waking up at 6 am, going to school and work and hopefully finding some time to spend with my amazing, lovable husband. My day just isn't complete without some time with my man <3

Tonight, I have definitely taken advantage of the epic craziness ahead. Ryan is at work ( he is such a stud, I am so proud of him) so I got into my most comfortable pjs, turned on pride and prejudice, and settled in with some popcorn and pepsi. Ryan vows he will never watch Pride and Prejudice so I have to take advantage of watching this awesome movie whenever I can. I have also been enjoying my Kindle. For a bookworm, the Kindle has been the best gift! (Thanks mahm!) I always loved a good book; the smell and feel of an amazingly written book. But the Kindle has opened my eyes to a whole new world of easy access and lightness. It is so fun to carry around this small sliver of technology that holds so much potential. I feel like such a nerd but might as well admit it to the world. I am a bookworm and I am proud of it. Read on!
This is all for now. Goodnight. and dream big!

New Years Resolutions

With the New year, like so many others, I have made some new years resolutions. These are things that throughout the year of 2011 I had hoped to improve and never succeeded. 

2012 will be different. 

No excuses. 

My Goals/ resolutions

1. run 500 miles.
One of my dreams is to run a marathon and enjoy it!  This is a big goal for me considering that when I ran track as a kid, I would throw up during every race and then continue running. Needless to say, I didn't enjoy track very much and yet I am determined to have a fit body and to be an active person. I may not run a marathon this year but I want to get to the point that running is something that is enjoable for me. hence, the goal of 500 miles. It  seems like the kind of goal that would allow me to achieve this fitness and happiness. I want to enjoy running and that will come with time. hopefully...

2. Stop biting my nails.
I am telling the world I have a horrible habit. I bite my nails. I have done so since I was a little girl and have tried to stop numerous times. It is a horrible habit and I really want to have pretty nails to paint. Plus, I just got married. I want to show off my ring without being ashamed of the man nails.

3. Read and pray every day.
Being spiritually fit is as important, if not more, than being physically fit. I want to refocus my relationship with my Heavenly Father and also grow closer to Ryan as we search the scriptures and pray together. If you would like to know more about my religion and what I believe in, feel free to visit lds.org.

Each year I make resolutions and every year, I look back and say "hmmm. next year" But not this year. I want to become the best version of myself and although these are not the only things I need to improve, it's a good start.

Live every day as if it's your first

2011 has brought a lot of changes into my life. Unlike many others, I have loved this year and am sad to see it go. But at the same time, I am excited for the new adventures that lie ahead.



When this year started, I was dating this amazing guy. He was everything I wanted and yet I was scared to take that leap, to fully commit to something, someone, when it was still so new and mysterious. It was fun to be with someone who made me so happy and encouraged me to enjoy life.
In March, I went with his family to Washington DC. I knew I loved him, he was the other half of my rainbow. As we stood outside the Ford's Theater waiting to go inside, his family asked me the question " What are your intentions with my son?" All I could say was that I loved him and we would see what the future had. As we took a picture outside the theater, I couldnt imagine that in 5 months time, I would be a Ford.

In May, Ryan proposed and I happily accepted. He romantically took me to Rubios (It was taco tuesday afterall) and then to the place we had our first date. He told me how much he loved me and how he wanted to spend the rest of eternity with me. It was one of the moments I will never forget.

From June to August, I didnt see much of my fiance. He was at school in Utah while I was in California busily planning our wedding and working. It was hard being away from him but it helped both of us to concentrate. I got to spend time with my family and had so much fun planning with my mom. Those are memories I wil never forget. She is my absolute hero. Without her, my wedding would never have come together.



August 20th. The big day. The day I married the man of my dreams. It is hard to believe that a day could go so perfectly. Sure, I got to the temple and realized I didnt have the marriage license and that the invitation had the wrong address for the reception and that i was so stressed out that my feet were swollen so my dream shoes no longer fit. All these things were means for devastation... and yet somehow, everything worked out. Every piece of the puzzle fit and at the end of the night, I ran through a sea of sparklers, holding hands with my best friend, knowing that I would spend the rest of eternity by his side.

We went on a cruise to the Bahamas and had a blast. Irene tried to ruin it for us, but like most honeymooners, nothing could bring us down. We had a blast spending the week together, in the nice bahama weather.

We have since been living in Utah and from September to December, it has been a whirlwind of event.
•I turned 21, ryan 24.
•We got a new nephew! Ryker Glodowski
•I got to see my best friend get married
•We spent thanksgiving with the Fords, running a 5k and eating delicious turkey
•I did my first practicum in a first grade classroom
•We spent christmas with the Saffords playing minute to win it and going on our traditional 16 mile+ bikerides. With our families, it has been such a blessing because by getting married, we both gained another set of amazing parents. I am so grateful for my parents and for the relationship I have with them.
•We spent our first christmas together!

As a little girl, I always dreamed of what my wedding would be like. How everything would be, who I would marry. But now that I am married, I realized that as important as the wedding was, it isnt that one day that matters. It is all the days before and after. All the little things that build the relationship and the marriage. I was watching Friends and a quote really stuck out to me " Wedding days are important but, more importantly I just want an amazing and life-fulfilling marriage" and so far, thats what 2011 has brought me. A happy and life-fulfilling marriage. The type of happiness that makes me grateful to wake up in the morning. The type of happiness that makes me willing to change my last name and begin a life with someone else.

2011 has been a changing year for me.

2012 has a lot to live up to

Im beyond grateful

With Thanksgiving coming up, I have thought a lot about the things i am grateful for and this past week has been a cornacorpia of events that have made me realize how grateful i truly am. 

1. I am grateful for the opportunity that I had to be in the schools for my practicum. It was challenging and absolutely exhausting but I loved every minute of it. This practicum has confirmed to me that I am in the right major and makes me look forward to being in my own classroom one day

2. I am grateful for music. In church, we had the most gorgeous music number "Be still, my soul"As I sat there, i realized how much music affects my life and how grateful I am that music is such a big part of my life. 

3. I am grateful for those that serve. With so many friends and family serving missions and serving in the military, I just want to give them my thanks. It is incredible to me that these men give of their time and life to serve others. In the elementary school, the third grade put on a production about America and being free. They had a video and presentation dedicated to those who serve and I thought of all the amazing people i know who are serving in some division of the military. To my cousin travis, my brother in law shawn, my uncle Shawn and my friend Kelsen I give my love and thankfulness for their willingness to serve and protect this country. 

4. I am grateful for family. For the new family I have gained. I am so grateful for the relationship I am building with them and the opportunity I have to open my heart to these wonderful people. I am grateful for my mom and sister. I love the relationship I have with them. I would not be the person I am today without them. They have seen me at my worst and at my best and have helped me to grow and prosper. I love my grandparents and for everything they have done for me. I am grateful for my brothers who always teach me what it means to be alive. They are so full of life and i miss them everyday. I am grateful for my daddy. He is my hero and I am so proud to be his galpal. I dont know how i got so lucky to have such amazing people to call my family. 

5. I am grateful for the gospel. I am a member of the church of jesus christ of latter day saints and it has blessed my life tremendously. It has given me a purpose in life and allowed me to live life to the fullest. It has given me a reason to be happy and helped me to know what true love and selflessness is. 

6. I am grateful for a great book. I do not have a lot of time to read lately but there is nothing better than a  cozy spot and a good book. I am grateful for the worlds that reading creates and the imagination inspires. 

 7. I am grateful for the incredible man I married. Every single day, Ryan gives me reasons to be thankful to have him in my life. I have so much fun with him. He is my forever and I look forward to finding out what the rest of our lives hold. I could go on and on about how much i love him and how grateful I am. But I wont embarrass him by doing that, so this will have to suffice.

Ryan sang this to me earlier this morning

"Do you know the muffin man?

Alex knows the muffin man, she sleeps with him every night." 

When we went to buy our nurf guns, the cashier was so excited to find out which cute child we knew that would be getting these nurf guns... uhhhhh there for us. haha. just one of the many reasons why i love Ryan. hahaha

There is so much more I am grateful for but I feel as if it is time to actually spend time with my man instead of in my own virtual world. =) Happy thanksgiving to all and to all a good night!