A New Me

This is hard for me to share, but I feel like I need to share it. It has been a life changing experience for me. Here is my story:
Ever since I was a young girl, I have never felt like I was very pretty. I wasn't tall, skinny, or a big flirt. In fact, I was painfully shy and awkward around guys - especially the ones I liked. I accepted those facts and knew that to attract guys, I would have to use other features, qualities, and talents that I had.
I remember the day that I got married. It was so cold outside, but inside my heart I was warm. I was warm because I had found a man that I loved with all of my heart and he loved me back. He looked past my faults and saw who I was inside. I also felt very beautiful and like a princess. I wondered if I would ever feel so beautiful again. It was a day that I will never forget.
Fast forward 6+ years, 3 kids later, and several pounds heavier. I rarely wore makeup, nice clothes, or any jewelry (except for my wedding ring). I just went day to day and tried to just get through the day sometimes.
Then my friend, Michelle, told me about "Dressing your truth". She shared some books and a lot of information with me. I was interested in it, but hesitant because it was expensive and I didn't feel like I should pay that much for it. So I waited. I was blessed to be able to purchase the program for a really good price a little while later.
I purchased the program on July 1st. After watching the beauty profiling and dressing your truth online courses, I was very excited to let the real me show on the outside. Michelle and I went to Deseret Industries (2nd hand store) to find some clothes that fit my type - a bright and animated woman. I have always hated shopping, but this was great! We were in and out within 1 hour. I found a pair of capris, a skirt, a jacket, and a couple of shirts for a great price and all the style that compliments my type.
Then on July 14, I decided to take the plunge and go to the Dressing Your Truth Beauty Salon for a haircut and consultation. My mother-in-law came to watch the kids while I went. I would have never thought that a simple haircut would be so life changing. However, when I was done at the salon, I felt like a new woman. I felt those same feelings that I felt on my wedding day - beautiful and like a princess. It was so wonderful and exhilarating!
The hair stylist was so good to explain to me everything that she was doing as she styled my hair so that I could duplicate it on my own. She did the same as she shared some makeup tips with me. I feel like this haircut brings out my natural beauty and personality. The best part is that each morning as I wake up, I am excited to get up, get dressed, and do my hair and makeup. I just feel so wonderful and I want that to show!
I was worried about what my husband would think about my new haircut. Thankfully, he LOVES it! I feel so much more attractive and beautiful that it flows over into every part of my life! I am so grateful for a friend who shared the "Dressing Your Truth" program with me and for my Heavenly Father who has helped me to feel his love for me.
So here is my before picture:

And here is my after picture:

Emma's Blog

My friend Emma and I started our blogs about the same time:) She has lots of cute, crafty ideas. She is doing a give away right now.
Check out her blog at: http://itotallymadethis.blogspot.com/2011/07/as-promised-my-first-giveaway.html

Flowers, flowers, and more flowers

I have never been a girly girl, but recently I had a friend introduce me to the art of making fabric flowers! I LOVE it! They are a perfect accent for hair, shirts, or even a purse. I have also recently found a blog with instructions to make crocheted flowers. They take about 5 minutes to make and are oh so fun!. Here is the link to that blog:
http://littlebirdiesecrets.blogspot.com/2009/03/how-to-crochet-flower-video-tutorial.html
I will post pictures soon of the flowers that I have made. I will also post a tutorial for the fabric flowers if you are interested.

Lite and Fresh Chicken Tacos

I found this recipe in the local grocery store ad. I tried it and LOVED it. I needed to write it down and thought you might enjoy it as well. This is a great meal on hot summer nights when you don't want to heat up the house by using the oven. Let me know what you think!
1 lb chicken cut into bite size pieces
1 cup lemonade
1 1/2 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp lime juiece
1 1/2 tsp worcestershire sauce (I LOVE this stuff!)
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp onion powder (I used a little bit of fresh onions and it tasted great)

Put all ingredients in large skillet, over medium heat and simmer until the chicken is cooked through and the liquid is cooked off. Serve with taco toppings on tortillas.
I will post a picture when I get a chance.

Sunday Afternoons

We have church at 11:00 a.m. We get home around 2:00p.m. It is nice to have the rest of the afternoon to relax. Yet some Sundays, I have a hard time coming up with something to do. Yesterday (was Sunday), I was listening to General Conference while I was fixing dinner. One of the talks that I listened to was Elder L. Tom Perry's about keeping the Sabbath Day holy. As I listened, I remembered the feelings I had as I listened to it the first time.
I know that there are things that I can be doing with my family to make the Sabbath a special day. I have three small children that I want to teach that Sunday isn't just day that we go to church, but that it is a day that we spend worshiping our Heavenly Father.
So I want to know- What do you do to make Sunday a special day in your family?

Why this blog?

I decided to create this blog as a way to share things that I love. A few of these are: books, crafts, sewing, scrapbooking, my children, and faith. I feel so blessed and want to share with others those blessings.