The bookworm is back!

Today was the first day I picked up my book in over 3 months. This is usually how it goes for me: nonstop thirst for words but when I'm stuck in a rut, I'll put it down & not pick it up for weeks/months. It felt good to read again. To hear words that aren't my own. To imagine life in a way that is so different from my own. To be another person for a little while. I'm reading The Help for the second time. It is as incredible this time around as the first. It is full of heart-wrenching, unimaginable stories & events. I love most that its thought-provoking & full of hope. I love books that change my perspective. This whole peek into the civil rights movement is so foreign to me. This is a time period that is so different where I've been & currently am. I feel like now the general populous expects political-correctness & acceptance. Racism is something that I am lucky enough to have never witnessed. I am lucky enough to have grown up where I did & around who I did. Above all, this book makes me feel grateful because I have known nothing of the hate & injustice it talks about.

On to hope: The Help fosters hope, even in the bleakest of situations. It promotes the belief that no matter how bad things are, you can & should make strides to make things better for those around you. For your friends & parents. For your children. For your neighbors. I love this mentality. Sometimes I feel like the world is a pretty dark place. Sometimes I'm not sure what I can do to make things better. But then I remember that the only way to combat darkness is with light. The light of Christ! By combating hate with love. By emulating Christ on the daily, if not hourly! You guys, we can make the world better! Don't like something you see? Do what you can to change it! I have been trying to do this within myself. I am trying to water my own grass so I won't be tempted to look longingly at someone else's seemingly perfect patch of green grass! (The grass is not always greener!)

Ways I'm trying to improve:

My hair.

 I'm still obsessed with braided updos. I don't know if I'll ever get past them!

Day 2 of the fishtail milkmaid braided look. I like this way better than just regular milkmaid braids! I feel like it adds an element of sophistication.

Trying to not take life too seriously.

I had my heart set on taking a pic with me in mid-air. This was the best I could do. I couldn't time it right. But they're pretty funny looking, right? 

I'm trying to lighten up more. Often, I get so wrapped up in trivial things that I forget to love the moment I'm in! ...which seems silly because its so easy to love the little things in life!

Thankful Thursday: the power of love, the healing power of the Atonement, the gospel of Jesus Christ, the power of prayer, hugs, transparency, feeling the Spirit when I need it most.

Weekly Obsessions:

Groupon.

I told you that Brittany got me hooked on Groupon, right? Well, I just bought three of these canvas prints! Yay!

Pop Tarts!

...er...knock off Pop Tarts from the 99 cent store! They are so addicting! (Hello, 38 grams of sugar per 2 pop tarts! They're more of a dessert really.

Cleaning!

Just kidding. Since we've started packing & moving I've been letting things slide...& its been so nice not to stress about the kitchen being spotless all the time! Messy house=less stress for me! :)

These leggings.

I love them. Target clearance anyone? I love love love it when I find opaque leggings! 

 Side note:

You guys: Valentines Day is Saturday. I just realized it last week & I have so much to do! Yay for last minute planning along with everything else! (Ha) 

What are you excited for this week/weekend?

XOXO,