Grateful

Gratefulness has been the primary adjective that has described my life these past few years. I have so much to be thankful for. A wonderful husband who works so hard to provide for us and our dreams and who would do anything and everything to make me happy. We have wonderful families who support us and provide advice and direction when we need it. I'm thankful for the job opportunities we have come across the past few years that have helped contribute to our dreams of having a home, future family and the freedoms of being able to spend time together. I'm extremely thankful for our health and strength that we have to pursue our goals and things that are set before us. I grateful for my cat, Leo, he is the most sensitive animal who loves to just cuddle when you need a hug. He always puts a smile on my face. I am thankful for our countries freedoms that we enjoy and the ability we have to pursue an education, worship where we choose, and where women can participate and be as equal as men. I am thankful for the trials that I have endured, they have definately helped me to grow as a person and to reshape my perspective on life and who I am. I am grateful for being grateful, how hard would it be going through life not being grateful? I think it's so important to recognize your blessings because without those, we have nothing.

“When you are grateful, fear disappears and abundance appears”- Anthony Robbins

Happy Memorial Day, thank you to all the men and women who do what you do and face challenges every minute of every day for our country. Stay safe and may you return to your homes soon.

Oprah emailed me!!!

I sent Oprah a quick email yesterday, thanking her for all the years of inspiration and dedication to her fans. Not expecting a response, I woke up this morning seeing an email in my inbox from "Oprah Winfrey" entitled, "Thank You."

I couldn't get it to download onto this thing so I'll just copy and paste...

Thank you
Thursday, May 26, 2011 12:00 AM
From: This sender is DomainKeys verified "Oprah Winfrey" oprah@oprah.com
To: a.ladner@SBCGLOBAL.NET

Allayna,
Got your email.

Thank you for watching the finale. I could feel your beating hearts, along with mine, through the TV screen.
I'm off to take a little rest, and then I'll get busy working on OWN.

Take care of yourself.

I'll write soon,
Oprah

"In your own way, you can illuminate the world"

In this day and age, a great amount of respect has been lost. Hopes have been shattered; dreams, smothered. Faith remains with few but only by a mere fiber.

As rare as it has become, there are a few great people in this world. Great examples on how to be human who continue to have hope, faith and respect for humanity.

I am inspired by the example of Oprah Winfrey. Her selflessness, diligence and love for all mankind. She sees nothing but hope in each day, each event and in each life she encounters. I may not ever have my own television show, millions of dollars, or the profoundness she has in speaking but through observation; that is all irrelevant when it comes to making a difference in the world of others.

Where are the rest of the "Oprah's" of our world? Do they exist? We can only hope. I know that I have a renewed perspective in the ability I have to make a difference in someones life. I will try each day to be a better person than I was yesterday. I will see the suns rays through the rain and I most definitely will not give up on myself and the things I wish to achieve.

"What I knew for sure from this experience with you is that we are all called. Everybody has a calling, and your real job in life is to figure out what that is and get about the business of doing it."

I endlessly thank you for that example and inspiration...

Wah-lah!!

Remember the necklace from the previous post?? So, instead of spending $300, which I wouldn't do anyway because that's just ridiculous, I paid $5.50 for this beauty! I love being a thrifty shopper, it's so fun!

Things I love at the moment.

Doesn't this bed look so cozy?!! I could lay in bed with my babe all day in this thing!!!

I've always been a huge fan of bohemian peasant tops, this one, I adore... 

I know it's summer and 90 degrees already but I love these MASSIVELY chunky scarves.

 Um, this chair is beautiful! So simple but so chic and fabulous and the same time- a motto I strive to live by though chic and fabulous may not always be appearant.

 Navajo beads...I know, I'm Choctaw but still...I love this necklace! Wouldn't this look great with my many pairs of jeans and white T's?? Yeah, I thought so too.

 I want this quilt! I'm a huge fan of cozy'ing up in a good blanket no matter what time of the year it is and this one is adorable! I love these colors. I need to learn to sew...BAD!

 I need a place to go so I can wear this dress, pronto! SO FABULOUS and this just so happens to be my favorite style/fit of a gown. In love!

 Oh my, serenity! I could not live without a bath tub and this my friends, I MIGHT just die whether I do get one or not!
 

You might say I have too much time on my hands but I have replaced spending the majority of my free time on Facebook to looking at the things that make me happy and help me use my creative juices! I have an entire list of crafts that I NEED to complete by the end of the summer! Ooh, it makes me so happy...

Where has the time gone?!

It's been awhile since I've had actual events take place to blog about...usually it's just my ramblings! Where to begin...

My parents, grandparents, aunt and uncle came to Utah a few weeks ago to celebrate my sister, Devin's graduation from Dental Hygiene school. My mom booked a vacation home for all of us at the Sundance Resort and had so much fun! It was so good to have everyone together and to just chill out and enjoy being together. As of late, all of our get togethers have consisted of weddings where everything is so rushed that we hardly get to sit down and enjoy it! Dad took some family pictures...

Josh and I also finished up a semester at Weber State. I have to say that Weber is by far the best school to attend. I have nothing but good things to say about it. I took a few of my harder classes and still managed to get nothing less than a B+. No need to ask Josh how he did though because he'll probably tell you he got a 4.0 before you even ask! I'm so jealous...I wish it was as easy for me! ha.

We also, right after my family's visit and finals, packed up our lives and moved again. Yes, again! Our lives are never boring, thats for sure. But we are finally back in Texas. After much excitement and anticipation, it feels SO GOOD to be back home. We are living in Lewisville which is about 30 minutes north of downtown and 30 minutes north of my parents. We're all settled and are managing to put together our summer routines again. This summer is going to be an amazing summer! We have so much hope in meeting our goals this year and it's completely comforting. Josh is loving his transition to the new alarm sales comapany, Elite Home Security and they have been nothing but great and so accomodating for us. We also have some other really GREAT news that has to do with this job but I won't share just yet until it's finalized and Josh gives me the okay to announce it.

My sister, Dev and her husband, Dallas will be moving here in the next few weeks as well!!! They will live in Plano which is 20 minutes north of where we are. SO CLOSE!!! We have tons of plans for crafts and pool days...it's going to be so fun to spend this summer together since we were always so busy before that we rarely got to see one another.

Yes, we still have Leo. He travels where ever we go...he basically doesn't leave our sides. Literally. Even when you take a shower, he's sitting on the bath mat until you get out. We still love him to death and it's so funny to see Josh and him "bond" after Josh has been at work all day. He's still currently our only child and will be for the next little while. Our home would be empty without him.

Other than this, it's all I can think of at the moment...there's bound to be more posts soon. Summer's are always full of good times.

Oh, the places we want to go...

White Villages in Santori, Greece

and here...

Italy

“One’s destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things.” 

Henry Miller