GIFS

Lately I have been enjoying these internet gifs.  I don't know why they are called gifs, but they are very enjoyable.. Here are a few of my favorites!

The music of life...

The past few days I have had some "black keys" in the song that is life.  I am so glad for a wonderful loving husband who is there 100% to help me make it through those days.  

Yesterday was particularly rough.  I'll spare you the details... suffice it to say I was received some very sad news and it was very hard for me.  

Mike was very supportive and loving.  We worked on this craft project and watched movies together.  

We got these glasses as a gift from my mom-in-law, and they worked perfectly for our sports logos to be etched on.  

I am grateful for a loving husband.  I am grateful for the tender mercies of the Lord.  And I am glad that through hard times, I know He can be there to carry me through when I can't do it on my own.  

It's Here!

Today I got a pleasant phone call from my husband asking me to come downstairs and help him carry in a surprise.... 

my Christmas present is finally here! 

I can't wait to relax in style on our lanai in this baby!

Merry Christmas to me!

{daughters of a King}

Some excellent food for thought on womanhood:

If every husband and every wife would constantly do whatever might be possible to ensure the comfort and happiness of his or her companion, there would be very little, if any, divorce.  Argument would never be heard. Accusations would never be leveled.  Angry explosions would not occur.  Rather love and concern would replace abuse and meanness.

"I want to be happy

But I won't be happy

Till I make you happy, too"

-President Hinckley 

May I invite you to rise to the great potential within you.  But don't reach beyond your capacity.  Don't set goals beyond your capacity to achieve.  Don't feel guilty or dwell on thoughts of failure.  Don't compare yourself with others.  Do the best you can, and the Lord will provide the rest.  

-President Uchtdorf

I am amazed at the inspired words of our inspired leaders - In my marriage, I have found that when we are both working to put each other first, conflict rarely arises.  It is times when one of us (and both are guilty of this at times) is being selfish that idyllic flow of marriage seems to slow and we have to redouble our efforts... 

But then, as President Uchtdorf emphasizes, DO NOT DWELL ON THOUGHTS OF FAILURE!  Move forward, and do the best you can.  

It's humbling to know that many are seeking these answers, and we are blessed with the ability to find them- all we have to do is study the words of our prophets.  There is no great secret to life - it is living day by day, and realizing that today is a part of eternity.   

{the tide, FURT, tebowing and other bits of random}

2013 has started out well in the Reynolds household.  We are both staying busy and there is a lot going on ... Sometimes when I think about updating this blog I can't just choose one thing I want to focus on, because that's just how my brain works, so here are a few of the events going on here... 

1.  Of course the first event I talk about HAS to be the Alabama football game.  a.w.e.s.o.m.e.  For some situations, there are just no words, and this is one of them.  Loved, loved, loved every moment of that game.  I am thoroughly enjoying every moment of the Nick Saban era.  

2.  On the same note, a friendly wager may have been made on this singular national championship game with a co-worker.  This may or may not appeared on my desk on Tuesday morning, enclosed with a sizable sum because aforementioned co-worker wanted to bet $5 on the point difference.  Ouch.  

3.  We had a super fun game night with the Aubrey's and Wallaces.  I really need to work on getting my camera out sooner, but I was able to get a few fun shots.  Our favorite game just might be 'Furt'... a game which creates a bond with people that just can't be created any other way.

4. I purchased flight tickets home to Utah for a ten day trip for my best friend's wedding!!  I am so excited for her, and to get to be there and see her get sealed to Landon.  It has also been since June since I was last home (for four days) so this will be great to visit with family.  March 17 could not come quick enough.

5.  It's been pretty rainy lately.  But I love moments like this where the rain stops and the sun peeks through the clouds and this is what you catch a glimpse of.  Gorgeous.  

  

6.  Work is good.  Stressful but good!  A few days after my birthday the office had a meeting and everyone sang happy birthday and I got a lei, which made me feel very special and happy inside!  Even though the job is hard, I have the best co-workers a girl could dream of. 

7. I decided to do the Personal Progress program again along with the young women I am working with.  It's changed quite a bit since I have been in Young Women, so this will be a fun goal to work on.  I've got my work cut out for me if I'm going to accomplish this before I leave!   We'll see how it goes! 

8.  Speaking of the young women, we had a wonderful activity recently where we incorporated the value of 'faith' and had an obstacle course.  It was a blast, and Sarai shared with us a story about Tim Tebow standing up for his faith - which led to the obligatory tebowing moments.  I couldn't love my calling with the youth more.

Welp, I think that about covers it folks!  

Be happy! 

Hau`oli Lā Hānau to me!

That, ladies and gentlemen, is Hawaiian for HAPPY BIRTHDAY! 

Indeed my birthday was a happy one this year.  

I turned the illustrious age of 24!  I suppose I am on the cusp of starting to feel old and not wanting to count birthdays, but thus far I have not felt that way.  I have been more concerned with my "birthday wishes" being fulfilled :D  

They certainly were this year! 

I had to work during the day, but when I got off I had a nice surprise to look forward too!

Mike took me to my favorite steakhouse in Waikiki - Kobe Steak house!  

He gave me the earrings I am wearing in this picture and a sea turtle necklace (I really love sea turtles, so I was super excited)!

To top it off he made me this awesome jewelry holder...

Yep, I had a pretty great birthday if I do say so myself! 

A challenge for 2013

I haven't really thought of my resolutions this year, although I certainly need to. 

This morning, however, I did sit down and hammer out a list of books I want to study during 2013 that I feel would really help me progress and grow spiritually.  

Here is my 2013 reading challenge for myself - 

The Book of Mormon

Jesus the Christ ... James E. Talmage

Joseph Smith- Rough Stone Rolling ... Richard Lyman Bushman

Mere Christianity ... CS Lewis

Covenant Hearts ... Bruce C. Hafen 

Finding Peace, Happiness & Joy ... Richard G. Scott

The Inevitable Apostasy and the Promised Restoration ... Tad R. Callister

There you have it!  My list of reading for 2013.  I will post something on the blog as I finish each one - here's to hoping I can complete these all before 2014!