Time to Catch Up!!

Hey there fellow bloggers/family/people I don't know (if there are even any of you out there. Make your presence known!)! Long time no blog. But I actually have an excuse as to why that is which is pretty valid(ish). 

Now, I'll admit, I could probably still be blogging pretty regularly, especially during the day when I'm doing pretty much nothing. I still have yet to find a job, but I'm finally getting everything sorted out for school in the fall. But this isn't what has been distracting me, though it probably should have been.

I have lost more weight, but I'm not too focused on it as much anymore. I'm keeping up those healthy habits I developed, and I'm a little more active. I go on a walk now almost every day. And that's because...

I have the most amazing boyfriend!

Its true. Those of you who know me are already aware of the fact, but not everyone really knows who he is or how it all happened. I mentioned a certain young man in one of my previous blogs (Click here to get the story of how we met). In the post I mentioned that I wasn't sure where it was going to go, but that I looked forward to having tons of fun with him. Needless to say, its gone somewhere, and somewhere AMAZING! 

Our hike and picnic at Ensign Peak

Since that Saturday where we hiked with our ward, we've had the best time together. We defined our relationship that following Monday (? I'm pretty sure anyways. I'm terrible with dates and stuff like that), and made it "Facebook Official" July 17 (I can see that one online...). 

James is so good for me! He is sweet and caring, respects me in every way, and I can tell by the way he treats me how much he cares. He likes my family, and his is a ton of fun too. We played the best prank on them about a week ago (we pretended to be engaged. I even borrowed a ring to seal the deal. It was hilarious because his one sister was constantly telling him to take it nice and slow, and she was so mad! So fun!). I feel like we're compatible in so many ways. He's such a strong, upstanding member of the church, but he's not the kind of person who acts like he's so much better than everyone else because of that. We make each other so happy, and our time together is full of laughter. I can't wait to continue getting to know him, and growing closer to each other. 

--Lexi Lou

30 Day Photo Challenge: Day 17

Day 17 : A picture of something that has made a huge impact on your life recently...

This is a special post, seeing as its Father's Day. During my break up, I got two father's blessings. The first one was mostly one of comfort. I was told to be patient. During my second one was when I realized what I needed to do. 

I am so grateful for my dad! I am so thankful that he lives in such a way that he is worthy of his priesthood and can give me a blessing whenever I need one. I love him so much! 

Happy Father's Day everyone!! But what are you doing on the internet? Go spend time with those special guys that raised you!

--Lexi Lou

30 Day Photo Challenge: Day 15

Halfway through! 
Day 15: A picture of something you want to do before you die...

I know, it seems silly. I am a nineteen year old who wants to go to Disney Land before I die. But I have never been!! I was going to go for my honeymoon...yeah. Since that's not happening, its starting to look more and more like I won't be going until I take my own kids there. And by that time, it will look pretty weird if I'm jumping onto rides, especially if my kids don't want to ride them with me.

I just want to do something Disney related. Whether I go to Disney Land or Disney World, go on a Disney Cruise...heck, I'd love to just work at Disney at this point. I just want to be able to enjoy the magic while I'm still (mostly) young. 

--Lexi Lou

Ask Me Your Questions!!

Hey there! This will be a short post, I promise. Then you can get back to all the other...interesting(?) posts on my blog...
I want to get to know my audience (the whole five of you!), and I want you guys to get to know me. So here's the scoop. Post comments, questions, queries, whatever to any and every post. I will go through them and select a question to answer. I'll be answering questions starting biweekly on Mondays, maybe progressing to weekly depending on your response!
Now please, there are no dumb questions!! Ask anything you'd like to know! I can't wait to hear from you!

--Lexi Lou

30 Day Photo Challenge: Day 5

Day 5: A picture of your favorite memory...

Ok, so picking a favorite memory is so hard! Especially since my very best memories there wasn't a camera around. So I'll pick a few...

 #1: Pirate Ship Sleep Over! 

"Call me a liar..."

Down at Snow College, one of the professors (he retired this year) has an AWESOME pirate ship. He originally built it for his grandkids, but he lets the college students use it every once in a while. We slept in the "Captain's Quarters" and played Liar's Dice. We also told "scary" stories. It was one of the best bonding moments my roommates and I had. 

Captain Will Lubber
 (Bill Lubber or Blubber for  short...)

When we woke up the next morning we found a tub of pirate costumes and messed around in those. The boat had a cool sound system, so we hooked up my roommate's iPod and rocked out to the Pirates of the Caribbean soundtrack. Such good times! 

I loved getting to know my roommates this year. We had so much fun, and I love them a ton! This isn't even the craziest thing we did! We once had an elaborate scheme to order pizza in the most bizarre way (two of us were in a dumpster dressed as hobos), we locked one of my roommates out and sent her looking for clues to get back in, and we all played our share of pranks...or maybe we didn't... I love and miss these girls so much!

#2: Any and every memory I have with my family...

Sorry to inform you, but my family is the best one there is! Sure, we're not perfect. We all have had our share of disagreements. But at the end of the day, we're all laughing and having fun together. When I was at school I came to miss and appreciate the days when I got to see my family everyday. I am so happy to be living with them again this summer. I know that the day will come when I will move out for good, but for now, I love being with them and sharing in the joy only family can bring. 

#3: Good times with my Friends

Since going to school, my friends and I have all drifted apart, but we're still pretty close. My very best friend is spending the summer in California, but we may end up going to school together in the fall! (Fingers crossed!) I still see my other friends every once in a while. 

We have all had such good times. Whether it was night games with my friends in my ward or a girls night or sleepover with my friends from high school, there was always tons of laughter and fun. 

And there still is. This summer, I'm hoping to reconnect with everyone! It may be difficult, because of people's schedules, but I'm willing if they are. And I can't wait to make more memories with them. 

--Lexi Lou

30 Day Photo Challenge: Day 2

Day 2: A picture with you and the person you've been closest to the longest

This is a picture from one year ago at my high school graduation. That's right! The person I've been closest to the longest is my mom!

I love my mom so much. Through the years I've been able to talk to her about anything. She has always believed in me and has laughed/cried along with me. I've loved this summer because I've gotten to spend more time with just her (and Sarah) than I have in years and its AWESOME! She is such an inspiration to me. I hope to be a mom, wife, cook, and amazing woman just like her someday. 

I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE my mommy!!

Summer 2012 Bucket List

It seems like every blog I've visited recently has had a list of things they want to accomplish this summer. I haven't thought about it much, but I've decided I wanna write one as well. I want to really live it up this summer, and I want to be able to look back and see more than sitting on the couch and letting the summer slip by me.

My Bucket List for Summer 2012!!

1. Start Dating Again

I want to get back into that dating scene. Its gonna be tough though. Its been over six months since I've been on a date with anyone but my ex. I'm going to have to start slow. But I am determined to get back out there. The right guy out there for me is somewhere, and I can't wait to meet him. 

2.Get an Awesome Job

I desperately need money! Well, I guess not desperately, but I really want some money. To really be able to have a great summer I've got to have some green in my pockets. I know they say the best things in life are free, but there are some pretty fun things that cost money too. Plus, I'll need the experience for future jobs. Not to mention the fact it'll get me out of the house. If I could choose a perfect job for me right now, it'd probably involve childcare or something related to teaching.

3.Lose Weight

I know, I know. I'm not the biggest girl on the block. But I am pretty pudgy around the midsection. Not to mention gaining 12lbs since last summer. But this goal has more to do than looking good (though I am looking foward to that immensely.) My family has a history of diabetes, and I'm pretty sure I'm already showing the signs of prediabetes, if not worse. I really want to improve my health and be able to be my whole self. I don't want weight and health issues to hold me back. I'm already working on getting this goal done. I'm looking into joining Weight Watchers. My family is also planning on exercising together this summer. I hope to weigh a maximum of 145lbs by the time school starts up again (fingers crossed!).

4.Buy My First Car

Every teen dreams of the day where they have their own car. I just can't wait to not have to depend on others or a bus for a ride anymore. Feel like going to Walmart? Bam! I'm there. I don't need anything fancy. Sure, someday I'd love to own a 1956 cherry red Ford Thunderbird. For now, I just want something reliable that I can afford. Of course, that will be determined by whatever job I get, so it probably will be quite a clunker. But again, nothing wrong with that. 

5.Hang out a TON!

I need, need, NEED some social time. I've already been lucky enough to spend tons of time with my family. I love them so much! And I got to see my best friend and hang out before she left for California for the summer (Love you lady! Can't wait to see you again!) She'll be in and out of the state until school starts up in the fall. I want to get together on a regular basis with my other friends and make a ton of new ones this summer. I also want to be able to get together with my friends from college scattered around the state. I wanna go to a ton of parties and other events (going to a wedding this weekend. So excited!). I just wanna get out there and have fun in the sun with some freaking awesome people!

6.Get my Room Organized

My room is kind of a wreck at the moment. I share with my eleven year old sister. When I moved back home, it already was a little messy. That, plus all of my stuff I had at school (I don't get how stuff grows while you go away somewhere, but I ended up bringing a whole lot more home than I did to school.) has made the room a little hard to live in. We're already planning on buckling down and cleaning the room the first week of my little sister's summer vacation. This might be my easiest goal to accomplish. (By the way, my little sister has a blog too! She's so cute! You should check her out, it'd mean the world to her. http://www.thegirlgab.blogspot.com/)

7.Finish my Novel

Even if I only get it half finished, I'd love to work on my book. I've got the first chapter done, and I'm halfway through the second one. The way that I've plotted it out, I figure it will be about twelve chapters plus an epilogue. I really want to finally finish a story I've started, and I feel like this is the one to do that with. This is near the bottom of the priority list though. I need to be able to find a time when I'm not working and when I'm not going to want to hang out with friends. Until I get a job, I'm thinking doing it after I wake up and exercise with the family. We'll see how it goes. 

I hope to make this the best summer yet!! I'll try to let you guys know how everything goes. I can't wait for all the fun I'm gonna have! 

The Heart Bender: Life's Suckiest Roller Coaster

I feel like I've been on the craziest of roller coasters since the break up. One minute I feel like I'm having tons of fun with my family, just laughing and not thinking about it. Then the next minute I feel super down. I feel like I have to be super-aware of everything I or anyone else says or I might get caught off guard and burst into tears.
I went to a restaurant with my parents that was one of our favorite haunts. Every time the door opened I felt my head whipping to it to see if he was going to be the one coming through the door. Which is stupid, since he moved and there is one much closer to his house.
When we went shopping, I noticed a few guys that I thought were pretty cute. When I was checking them out, I almost felt guilty. GUILTY?! I'm a single lady, I can check out whomever I want.
My mind is starting to revert back to my old, boy crazy self...but I feel like part of me is still resisting the change back. I know I'm going to need time to really get over my ex, but I just wish I could make the time move faster. I just want to get out there and have some crazy fun with random guys, but sometimes I feel like I'm cheating just thinking about it. Its driving me crazy!!
Both of the blessings I received during the last two weeks of my relationship mentioned having patience. I really feel like I need to develop that. I realize its going to be hard to go from getting ready to spend the rest of my life with someone to getting back on the dating scene. Realizing its going to be hard doesn't make it any easier though. I will definitely need the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost to comfort me and help me know that better days will come eventually.
To try to make myself forget about it all, I've been making a new man list. This list is qualities and skills my ideal future husband would have. Of course, there are silly ones that I'd be willing to compromise on. For instance, I'll melt for pretty much anyone with red hair and blue eyes, but that doesn't necessarily mean he has to be a ginger. But there are some that I'm determined he will have, or no deal. Maybe I'll have to post the list one of these days.
Also, I've been having to remind myself constantly of all the reasons I broke up with my ex. He texted me the other day and told me he still wanted to get back together and that if I would want to he still wants to marry me. That really shook my resolve, since I'd already been having a hard day. I do miss him, but I am trying to be firm. Reminding myself of the negative side of the relationship, though a bit depressing, is helping me remain steadfast.
But besides all this drama, I've had a pretty amazing time. I feel like I've still got it, and I know once I'm ready to start dating again I can get the best kind of man. I have been talking to friends again, and I went out for my favorite food (SUSHI IS THE BEST!!!) with my grandma. I'm looking for work and getting prepared for college again in the fall.
If there's one thing this has all taught me is that my family is the best one out there! I love my parents and siblings so so so so so so much! My sister especially stood up for me, but told me that whatever I decided to do she'd support me. Everyone has been there for me when I needed a hug or an encouraging word. I love them! I am so grateful that I get to spend the rest of eternity with them as my closest friends.

--Lexi Lou