TOP 2 TUESDAY

Go HERE to link up to the fun.

This week's topic is TOP TWO FAVORITE DRINKS:

So besides water...Aquafina to be exact...

I definitely can be seen with DIET SODA. 

I LOVE Diet Coke and OF COURSE Coke Zero.

 Also, lately I am REALLY LOVING Diet Dr. Pepper. 

I just love the fact that it tastes so good yet has zero calories.

My second drink of choice is definitely Lemonade. If it's Strawberry Lemonade...you definitely can count me in!

If you've ever been to Sweet Tomatoes, you HAVE to have their Strawberry Lemonade. It's to die for.

I can't wait to link up next week. 

HAVE A GREAT WEEK EVERYONE!

What I'm LOVING Wednesday

Thanks to my girl Brittney I am linking up for the first time.

You should too! :]

Lately I am loving EVEN more that I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. My testimony is growing each day and I am growing closer and closer to my Father in Heaven.

I am loving that I have gone through the temple and that I am sealed to my husband for time and all eternity. I am grateful for the great faith my husband has and that our relationship is strengthened through our relationship with our Heavenly Father.

I am loving our puppies and their cute relationship. We swear they love each other.

I am loving that one of the moms of my Primary kids mentioned that her daughters love our primary class and love me as a teacher. It really made me feel great that they look for me in Sacrament meeting and are worried if they can't see me.

I am loving Jazzercise and my quest (while it is a struggle) to be more healthy.

I am loving that I am getting my hair done on Friday.

I am loving that I get to go on some FUN vacations in the near future with my husband.

I am loving my life.

<3

Courage

I am NOT a courageous person...

I normally just want everyone to be happy so I go along with things and hope everything turns out for the best. I try not to stick my nose in other people's business and I just keep on keeping on.

However, lately I am a new woman. 

I have found myself standing up for what I believe in.

While I am shocked at my choices, I am super proud of myself and hope that I can continue this courageous streak.

I am proud that I showed courage to do something I would NEVER imagine myself doing, which is participating in a flash mob with my Jazzercise workout group.



I'm in the blue behind the cowboy, haha, and while this might not seem like much, it was big for me. I am glad I can say I participated in a flash mob.

I am proud that I also stood up for what I believe in on two different occasions, which meant a lot to me and strengthened my faith. One of the occasions didn't work out as I had hoped, but I put all of my emotions on the table, explained how I felt to someone as a friend, and just had to hope for the best. While I am still not 100% sure of the outcome, I do know that Heavenly Father is proud of me and that I made the right choice, whether the person chose to or not. My second act of courage (in my opinion of course) was really hard because it involved family. I knew what I needed to do, and even with people telling me I was wrong, I knew that I was making the right decision and followed through. Because of this, I hope to have set a good example to those around me and I hope they realize that I made the right decision.

"Let us have the courage to defy the consensus, the courage to stand for principle. Courage, not compromise, brings the smile of God’s approval."
-Thomas S. Monson

I am so grateful that I am able to keep my covenants with my Heavenly Father and that I was able to go through the temple. The temple is a holy place, a place of love and beauty and I am so grateful that I have been blessed with being able to attend the temple. I am truly blessed and thank my Heavenly Father every day. I'm so grateful for the courage I have gained recently and hope that I can continue to express my feelings no matter how hard it may be.

TOP 2 TUESDAY

Top Two Songs on My IPOD:

This is my first time linking up, but you should too. Go HERE to do so! :]

I have to admit that I haven't listened to my IPOD in FOREVER. This may be due to the fact that I didn't even know where my IPOD was until a few days ago when I found it in my hubby's truck. So, I'll just find two of my favorite songs on good old Youtube:

1. Then by Brad Paisley

This is my wedding song with the love of my life and will always be a favorite! <3

It took me awhile to think of a second song, because I can't say I have another favorite, so I'm just going to post a couple more songs I LOVE (not in any order):

If I Die Young by The Band Perry

Giddy Up by NSYNC

This isn't necessarily my favorite NSYNC song, but I DO love them! I went to three of their concerts when I was younger and find myself wishing they put on a reunion tour. We also worked out to this song in Jazzercise today so that brought back my love for this song!

Country Grammar by Nelly

Again, this isn't my favorite song but it does bring back memories. I pretty much love ALL genres of music and especially love being reminded of my youth and my family. My brother always played this song when we were younger and it's just crazy to think how much we've grown since then. AND it's crazy to think I listened to this song when I was little. I had NO idea what they were saying or referencing, thank goodness.

I hope you enjoyed some of my flashbacks and that you got your groove on with a few of these songs. :]

Heavenly Father Answers Prayers

Heavenly Father loves us, is there for us all, and definitely answers our prayers each and every day. If you take the time to listen, no matter how big or small the question or request, Heavenly Father will answer your prayers and I can personally attest to that fact.

A couple of weeks ago I taught my primary students about prayer. It was a great lesson, the kind of lesson that not only teaches the students, but allows for me to learn more as well. I was reminded of the proper way to pray and that each prayer should be a special conversation with my Heavenly Father. Prayers should not always be the same words and should not include "vain repetitions." If we can take the time to pray, we can take the time to truly express our feelings to our Father in Heaven and let him know what we are thankful for and what we need, not only for ourselves but for others as well. Because of this lesson, I was reminded that my prayers needed a slight adjustment and that I needed to strengthen my relationship with my Heavenly Father, and what better way than through prayer?

"We are all children of God. He loves us and knows our needs, and He wants us to communicate with Him through prayer. We should pray to Him and no one else. The Lord Jesus Christ commanded, “Ye must always pray unto the Father in my name” (3 Nephi 18:19). As we make a habit of approaching God in prayer, we will come to know Him and draw ever nearer to Him. Our desires will become more like His. We will be able to secure for ourselves and for others blessings that He is ready to give if we will but ask in faith."

I appreciate my opportunity to be a primary teacher and to learn more each and every week. I'm grateful for my testimony and for my chance to talk to my Heavenly Father whenever I'm in need. I'm grateful for my husband who has a very strong testimony and who taught me to never be ashamed to pray no matter where we are. I'm grateful for answered prayers both big and small and that the spirit is with me always. I'm grateful for the missionaries and all they do to share the gospel with those in need, including our neighbor Sally. I'm grateful for my savior, Jesus Christ and for all he has done for me. I'm grateful for the atonement and for my chance to be forgiven of my sins. I'm grateful that I was able to go through the temple with my husband and that we are sealed for time and all eternity. I'm grateful that I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and that I have learned so much about faith in the last couple of years.

Also, although this might be a silly story, I wanted to share it so I can look back and remember it in the future. I want to remember that Heavenly Father is always there for me and that he always answers my prayers, if I take the time to listen, so here it goes:

Today while going to CVS Pharmacy to pick up my EXPENSIVE prescription, I thought about how we could really use some paper towels. I decided that we didn't NEED them and that we could really save the $10.00 or so because we've had some unexpected expenses come up this month and I'd just rather use a towel, haha. So needless to say, I decided that I'd just go in for my prescription and that's it. I went in, got my prescription and paid, and I noticed that the receipt was EXTRA long tonight. The pharmacist explained that there was some coupons at the bottom of my receipt and went on to tell me to have a good night. Before I left the store I decided to look at what the coupons were for and...to my pleasant surprise I had 3 coupons. One for $3.00 off of an 8 pack of paper towels, $1.00 off an 8 pack of paper towels, and $2.50 in Extra Care bucks. I happily went and grabbed the paper towels, took them up to the cashier, and purchased them for less than HALF the original cost. I know this may seem like a mere coincidence, but I know that because of the power of prayer and because I keep my covenants with my Heavenly Father, he helps me when I'm in need. While these just may be some paper towels, they really will help us and the discounted price definitely helps a Newlywed Couple. My prayers were answered tonight, and are answered often and I love the feeling of knowing Heavenly Father is there for me.

I hope each and everyone of you are able to see your blessings, both big and small in your life. Don't forget to thank your Heavenly Father each day for all that he has given you. With Heavenly Father, all things are possible. I was able to meet the love of my life in 2008, and marry him in 2010 because Heavenly Father has a plan for me.

I thank Heavenly Father each day for all of my blessings, including my biggest blessing of all, being with Andrew forever. :]