"Sugar is the Devil"

This is a quote from the book Skinny Bitch. So, for the next 26 days I am ridding my diet of sugar/sweets. I want to see if sugar really is the devil and see how my body feels eating significantly less sugar. Now, you must remember that I grew up in a house where my mother made carmel icing cake for birthdays/every occasion she could make the excuse (literally made with sugar, cream and butter) and ate brown sugar by the spoon full! Well I hate to say it but the apple does not fall far from the tree (I do not hate to say it, I love my mom, just hate the sugar tooth I inherited). So, needless to say this is a big challenge I have ahead of me. So wish me luck and I let you know what I think.

Jeremiah 29:11

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

Thoughts

So, I did some thinking today...I know, I know, surprise surprise right? I was at work, organizing some of my to do's (my favorite thing to do, mindless work) and I got to thinking about all the little hobbies that I want to be pursuing that I have currently pushed to the back burner. One thing I have learned recently when it comes to those things that mean a lot to you, but you just do not do for one reason or another, is just go for it. Who cares if your plan fails miserably or if the result is far different than you envisioned, at least you are taking steps closer towards the end point. And the truth about end points is there generally is not an end point, just another bend in the road that could not be seen from the previous vantage point.

So, as this time of year generally brings forth New Year's resolutions and fresh beginings, I too am begining a little something new myself. I plan on doing a lot more of those little things that I think about doing or say to myself "one day I will..."! I will is not going to be in my vocabulary anymore. So, I am making a list of things I want to start playing more with in my free time and see which one I really love and make them more apart of my daily life:

1) Cooking
2) Running-new routes and challenges and locations (travel to different places for races)
3) Photography
4) Travel
5) Basketball
6) Ragner Relay BEING AMAZING
7) Doing my hair and make-up more:)
8) Hike/surf/something in the great outdoors 1 x a month
9) Reading 1 new book a month
10) knitting/painting....

Those are the top ten that came off my fingertips, this is more a way for me to process my thoughts, so hope you enjoyed reading whoever you are!

The past couple of months I have spent time quality time with family and it has been AWESOME. Did I mention I love my family! I took a survey and I got the results back and...yep...as I expected....I am a family girl to my core and I relish that time with my family. When I go too long without it something does not feel complete in me. I am beyond thankful and blessed.

With older sis Amy a couple of days before she had my newest niece Audrey Isabella Owens! She was literally about to pop.
I flew home to Seattle and surprised my mom (dad was in on it with me) and stayed for a long weekend. We decorated the christmas tree together too, our very first fake tree mind you. So, as a result it required that we buy a pine scented candle to fill in the real tree gaps the fake one was missing.
Other Sis Lizzy's baby shower (1st of 3, little Ashby Noel is spoiled and loved already). It was a fun mommy shower with all the SoCal friends and family.
Liz and I at the OSU vs. USC football game. We were literally in the nose bleed section but we had field passes prior to the game...how does that add up? We had fun and kept warm by eating all the vegan things we could find...corn on the cob, bean and cheese nachos (we eat cheese now, love it too much) and sweet potatoes. We pulled major fat status, literally we were eating the whole game:)
Andrew, Uncle Steve and Liz on the field before the game watching the players warm-up and hanging out with Dave (and Traveler).

Dreams!

I Love Traveling and Photgraphy. I want to do more of both of those! Something so fun refreshing about getting creative and also seeing new places and different parts of the WORLD! Where am I headed next...any suggestions?

A Few Fall Memories

Angels vs. Yankees game with good friends Allison and Ian Kennedy.

Weekend in Montana with sweet cousin Lo, only one more semester!

Riding cruiser bikes on the Strand with whole family when parents in town. We stopped here for popsicles!

Sunset at the Beach...I love the Beach!

Babies

I love all my nieces and nephews! Allison, Ella, Nolan, Elisha, Juda, Zacha, Jonah and now baby Owens and Ashby. I have a confession, I am slightly obsessed with them. I cannot wait for Ashby and baby Owens to be born. I know its not time for them to come out yet, but when they do come....I will be so so excited. I already am. That's what aunties do, they get excited to spoil the little ones and love them like crazy.