Existing Aspirations

I aspire to:

keep creating.

try new things.

meet new people. 

hike often.

& live life with happiness and gratitude. 

I've been thinking a lot about goals and dreams lately. Why are aspirations so important anyway?

• The secret to living is giving. When you follow your dreams you develop something that you are passionate about, something that is worth sharing with others. And that passion gives others hope, inspiration, and meaning to life.
• Chasing your dreams builds courage. Everything worthwhile seems to involve some aspect of risk, am I right? (yes, I am) So why not take that risk and let courage fuel you to achieve more.
• When you accomplish your dreams, you realize the importance of failure. This is when you'll have a paradigm shift. You will view your failures as STEPPING STONES, rather than setbacks.
• You are the creator of your dreams! Once you accomplish your goal, you prove to others that they have no say in who you can and can't be. Powerful, right?

So what are your aspirations?

...

ALSOOO,,,

I've gone on like a million hikes this week (okay only 4, but still)

 

Crying bc this will probably be my last year with these Chacos. *violent sobs* 

...which means that I will be getting new Chacos soon *happy claps*

 

This wasn't really a "hike," it was more like "I need to be in a mountain rn or else I'm going to explode." Ya feel? Wellll, check out that lil moose to the left of the river. What a beauty, right? Not going to lie, it was a bit nerve racking to be so close to such a powerful animal, but I'm still alive, so that's always a good thing.

 

Cecret Lake. And yes, that is really how it is spelled. But don't tell. It's a "secret" ;)

 

Bells Canyon, you have my heart.

 

When you are having a bad day just remember that this guy had it worse.

 

 

I've pretty much hit rock bottom in the realm of single-ness. Tonight while grocery shopping I bought this little number. But don't worry, I only bought one because HOLY SODIUM BATMAN. 

xo

dal

Farmers Market

I hate to be "that blogger" who posts the same pics on her blog as she does on her instagram and other social media...but this day was too good not to smear all over the inter-web.  

Hanna and I have been trying to do as much as we can together before she leaves for China and one of the "bucket list" activities was to go Downtown to the Farmers Market. I had never been before, so it was a totally new experience for me!

We started out by getting some SUPER DELICIOUS LIMEADE w/ MINT. (not pictured, lol, but it was still quality product folks)

I'm not even kidding when I say that we sampled like a million different salsas. And I loved all of them. What can I say, food is my love language. #foodie

 I also bought the most beautiful bunch of sunflowers! Sunflowers are my absolute favorite flower, so they definitely did not disappoint. 

The farmers market was so great that I dragged my mom there again this weekend. She fell in love with it too! The second time around I actually bought some hummus, which is my new true love, and some salsa. I'm pretty much way excited to go to work this week because I will have the best lunches ever.

  

Meet Dixie. She's so adorable, please withhold from drooling all over your screen. 

Last night I had a dream that Dixie passed out flyers to a bunch of other dogs that declared that I was the alpha and so then all of the dogs worshiped me because I was their master.

So yeah, that happened...

I think I have been hanging around my dogs too much. But just for the record, it was the coolest dream ever.

love,

that crazy dog mom who dreams about marriage,

dallas

xo

ten things

ten things

by dallas

1. work early=go to bed early

2. temple trips

3. antelope can't elope cantaloupe (say that 10x fast)

4. it's better to be kind than to be right

5. be obsessively grateful

6. always in the mood for a good dance party

7. cut the hassle of dirtying a bowl and just eat ice cream out of the carton

8. floss

9. have at least four good belly laughs a day

10. christmas music isn't just for december

 

p.s. totally kicked brad's butt in just dance

xo

dallas & zoo

CHANGE

Change is something that nobody can dodge. It's bound to happen to everyone. And your attitude about change seems to be half the battle.

As most of you probably know, my family recently moved homes. It was so bittersweet to leave our old yellow home and all of our sweet neighbors, but also SO exciting to finally move into a neighborhood with kids our age.

 

I have especially felt like so much "change" has been going on in my own life.

 

 

I start college in the fall and I don't know anyone else who is going to my same school

 I started a new job

I don't live at home

I have to manage my time around work and yard work

My best friend is leaving in 23 days and won't come back for 4 months

I need to find a FEC (future eternal companion ;) )

I will soon start going to a singles ward where I know absolutely NO ONE

 

 

I would be lying to you if I told you that I wasn't nervous about my future. The truth is that I am completely petrified.

 

As the oldest child and first generation college student in my family, I feel like I have a lot that is expected and required of me. But you want to know what? Even though I'm nervous and uncertain about what the future has in store for me, I'm also so excited!

 

 

I get to go to college. What a huge blessing that will be in my life.

I have a great job!

I have the opportunity to live on my own and learn self reliance first-hand.

My best friend has a once in a life time opportunity to serve in China.

I love love. So waiting for my FEC is teaching me patience. (darn you patience!)

I have to opportunity to meet new people in the singles ward! Who knows, maybe I'll meet my FEC there!

It is always so much easier to be a Negative Nellie and feel bummed out about your life, SO SO much easier. I totally get that. But that won't change your situation.

POSITIVE THINKING CAN.

Your crappy situation won't just vanish because you were positive, but you will be better able to see your hard situations as OPPORTUNITIES rather than burdens. 

See trials and setbacks as stepping stones, learning opportunities, and a time to reflect.

 

Also, a hot fudge concrete from Nielsens Frozen Custard will usually help you get back on your feet and prepare you to take on any situation. I'm being serious, the custard has super powers!

xo

dal