Who are you cheering for?

Usually for the superbowl I don't really care who wins. I pick either my favorite colors to cheer for, or I like to cheer for the underdog. Because who doesn't love a good underdog success story? 

But this year, I'm cheering for the Seahawks. 

My decision still isn't totally educated. I based this decision solely on two Seahawk players.

Bobby Wagner #54

Robert Turbin #22

Both former players for Utah State University. MY college. And not only former like as in they played for USU 7 years ago, but I actually went to Aggie games they played in, while I WAS an Aggie. I cheered and sang the school songs in the football stadium with my friends, having the time of my life. 

So I don't hate the Broncos, in fact, I think most of my family is cheering for them. But I'm cheering for the Seahawks, because Wagner and Turbin remind me of my college days. And those are days I will never forget. 

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love story part twelve: telling mr. jolley

I knew I was going to marry Mr. Jolley. And even though we were always texting 24-7, I wanted to tell him in person. It was the most wonderful news.

When he finally made it back to Logan again, I told him I wanted to go for a walk. There was a cemetery nearby my apartment complex that we enjoyed walking in, so we headed there. We held hands, googly eyeing each other and making small talk. I finally broke the news...

I told him I had finally prayed, I told him exactly the conversation I had with the Lord on the way home from the gym that night. I told him I couldn't live without him, and that nothing would make me happier than being his wife for forever.

He grabbed both my hands, kissed me, and told me this the best news ever. I will NEVER forget that smile on his face. We started chatting dates, which temple to get married in, and everything wedding related.

 We both smiled all night long. We were going to get MARRIED. This was really happening...

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bare minerals giveaway

I'm so excited today because my wonderful sponsors are giving one of you a $35 Gift Card to BareMinerals! What girl doesn't want to splurge on nice, clean makeup for herself? Now go enter and meet some AMAZING bloggers, you know you want to!

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3 ways to complain less & enjoy today more

Lately I've been realizing how much I've been complaining. And ya know what? It's WAY too much. I used to be known as the girl who never complained and was always positive, but I'm not so sure people know me as that anymore.

So instead of wallowing in self-loathing, I've decided to do something about it. So here are three ways to complain less and enjoy today more...

1. Write it out.

Journaling is a great way to get perspective without throwing your dark cloud on someone else's day. I find when I write things in my journal I try to find the best way to write out my life without sounding like a crazy lady. It often helps me get perspective. Don't want future generations to read about it? Type it up and delete it. Write it out on paper and shred it or rip it up. But putting things into words for just you can be incredibly therapeutic. You could also make a list of things you are a grateful for!

2. Take a 10 minute time out.

Wanting to tweet about your awful day? Set your phone down and take 10 minutes to yourself. Meditate, take a 10 minute bath, crack open a can of Diet Coke, look up inspirational quotes. Do whatever it is that helps pull you out of a funk. Sometimes I need a good 45 minutes away from everyone and everything. Sometimes I tell my friends that I just need some time alone or I'll say and do things I regret. People are generally pretty respectful of that and are usually impressed that you have that kind of self-control. 

3. Serve!!

I am a huge advocate that the best way to realize how blessed you are is to give of yourself to others. I love this list of Random Acts of Kindness.  Take a bit of your time/energy to give something to someone else. Encourage someone, call your mother, write an Operation Beautiful note. Just get yourself OUT of yourself. You'll be so busy worrying about others you won't have time to complain ;)

The truth is, complaining does NOT make us feel better. It seems like an immediate relief, as humans we tend to put ourselves in the victim's chair. We want our life to look worse than others. Why? I don't really know. But long term, being a positive force in a negative world will help you enjoy today even more than complaining ever will.

What are your tips for complaining less?

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date night: red mango

Date night last week was a little bit last minute, neither of us really had anything specific we wanted to do, which is fairly unusual. So instead of spending a ton of time deciding what to do, we went to our fall back... ICE CREAM!

We decided to try somewhere new and after using Siri to find different yogurt/ice cream places and we ended up at Red Mango!

I love simple dates like this every once in awhile because it allows us time to just talk and enjoy each other's company. Life gets busy, and leaving my phone on silent so I can focus totally on my husband is one of the best things I do for my relationship.

Where's your favorite place to get ice cream?

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the best dating advice

This time last year I was in a somewhat unofficial relationship with a guy that I wasn't really sure I wanted to be with. But trying to protect his feelings, I dated him a few weeks longer than I should have. I realized I needed to trust God with my love life. I was only 19 after all, I didn't need to settle. I threw myself into a study of the scriptures and began to focus more on my spirituality. 2 months later I went on a blind date with the man who would become my future husband.

Will this be the case in everyone's story? Is it as simple as studying the scriptures more and you get a rockin husband? Not necessarily. But the reason I dumped that guy, was because of this quote...

Do you want capability, safety and security in dating and romance, in married life and eternity? Be a true disciple of Jesus. Be a genuine, committed, word-and-deed Latter-Day Saint. Believe that your faith has everything to do with your romance because it does. You separate dating from discipleship at your peril. Jesus Christ, the Light of the world, is the only lamp by which you can successfully see the path of love and happiness. How should I love thee? As He does, for that way 'never faileth.'"

-Jeffrey R. Holland

We can't always control our love lives, we have to turn it over to God. Your faith has EVERYTHING to do with your romance. And it continues to be true throughout my new marriage. Spirituality increases love, and love makes for better romance. Don't believe me? Try it out for yourself! 

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victoria's secret giveaway!

Do you realize there's only 21 days until Valentine's Day? My second favorite holiday right behind the 4th of July! (I know, I'm a freak.) And to celebrate, how about giving one of you lovelies a $75 shopping spree to Victoria's Secret?? Yeah, I thought it was a pretty good idea too. So I've joined up with some fabulous bloggers to give one of you a Valentine's Day shopping spree. Wishing you luck! XOXO

Allena Mistral // Elle Sees // A Little Too Jolley

The Modern Tulip // Happy Is A Choice // Yellow Mango Life // Sweet Southern Sparkle

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