Change is good..right?

     A month ago I made one of the biggest decisions of my life. I moved 2,200 miles away from everything I knew. From my family, friends that I've had since grade school, and all familiar streets and back roads. Everything. I left an amazing job that I had been at for 2 years. But as time has passed I can see that this is exactly where I need to be. It doesn't make me miss my family, friends and "home" any less but it definetly makes this process some what easier.

      As cheesey as it sounds I had been praying for good roommates since I decided to move. And I know without a doubt that God heard those prayers. I have 3 of the best roommates ever. They are amazing girls and so much fun! We even took "roomie" pictures on Sunday. Who does that? Um, us!

             Camille, myself, Deb, and Ananda. Aren't we the cutest?!

 I now have a job. The benefits may not be as good as my last job but I feel good about the decision I made in taking it. I feel like there is alot of room to grow with the company and I'm excited to see where it takes me. And yes, it's at bank. Well, Credit Union rather.

                                                                   haha, at walmart.

      I was really nervous about moving to Utah. Simply because there are Mormons, everywhere! There is honestly no escaping it. Pretty sure all of my coworkers are LDS and all of my roommates are also. It is a crazy change of pace but it is a nice change of pace. I love walking outside and seeing mountains and the fact that there is no humidity, haha.

                                          This is my view walking out of the mall..beautiful!



                  I am grateful for this opportunity I have to experience something new and different.   

                                                    

Baby steps

               Desire: to wish or long for.

 I have tons of desires. I desire to be rich. I desire to be a famous singer. I desire to be supermodel skinny, to finish school, to be a mom, to eat more healthy, to travel the world, to be a wife, to be a giving person, and the list goes on and on. Doesn't everything start with a desire? When you're a baby you have a desire to walk; so what came next? You got off your baby diaper butt and tried it. It took practice and it took time. It took people helping you along the way. Sometimes you fell and got hurt, but you had that desire to do it and you didn't give up. 


That is just like any other desire we have in life. First we realize that we want something and we see what we can do to achieve it. It could be something as small as a new pair of shoes or something as big as changing the way your life is headed. But at the end of the day every desire has the same process. Realize what the desire is, determine what it will take to get there, enlist some help (friends, family, etc.) and work hard to do it. It is okay if you get set back every once in awhile, that is part of life. But get back up and do what you know you need to do.


You can't go your whole life saying.. "Well, I had the desire. I just couldn't ever do it." Trust me, I get it. It is hard work to give something up in order to get something better. But you can do it. Just don't lose sight of the ultimate goal. This whole desire topic is something I have been struggling with lately. I've just been telling myself "Well, I have the desire, and that's gonna be enough to get me there." Uh, wrong! 


I wasn't seeing any difference in my life once I determined this desire. I figured things would just start happening for me. But they didn't. Then I was talking with a friend and she said exactly what I needed to hear, all in one sentence. She said..."It's more than having a desire to change." And then it all clicked! She didn't have to say anything more. I knew what more it took. You have to put some action forth and not just sit passively hoping that you've got enough desire to get you there. It's been tough. Changing things about your life isn't easy. But think of all the desire's you have had in your past, and then think of how good it felt to finally reach them.


Put one foot in front of the other and take it one day at a time.

This was one of my many desires; to be a Cosmetologist. And I did it!

Life..it ain't easy

  Today was such a crazy day. 


  To start the day off I did not wake up in time for class. Not a first, probably won't be a last. But it threw off my whole day. I woke up and put what I thought was a McMuffin from McDonald's that my Dad got me in the microwave and when I took it out and unwrapped it it was a McDouble..I don't even know how or where that came from. Didn't have time to make something for breakfast so just ate a granola bar and jumped in the shower. My shoulder (have been having problems with for awhile now) was hurting me more than usual today and I'm sunburnt. So getting ready for work was a task in itself. 
   
    When I got to work we were pretty busy. At the end of the day I was balancing my draw and lets just say..something wasn't right, lol. Thought we figured out the problem only to find out that the problem was even bigger than I thought. Long and detailed bank terms that no one would understand. Finally got that taken care of and rushed home to change and then off to class I went. 


    In class tonight we had an Exam. I was hoping to review after work but didn't have time. I got my test and looked at problem #1 and was already confused. Pretty sure I didn't get that one right. By the end of the test I had left 2 or 3 blank, which I consider pretty good. Guess we will see in about week or so. Also it is always freezing in that class and I forgot a jacket and wore flip flops. #miserable
  
    After class I went to Institute. If someone is actually reading this blog and you do not know what Institute is then, first off, thanks for reading and second, Institute is a class where we study the Scriptures. It is at our church building and if we are in college then we can also receive college credit for it. Win,win. We talked about molding ourselves into what Heavenly Father wants us to be. We were handed some playdough and asked to mold what we thought of ourselves or what we wanted to think of ourselves. We had someone mold an alligator to show that they are tough skinned, meaning when they are determined to reach something, they do it. I molded a Sun. Basically because I'm not very artistic and that was the easiest thing I could think of other than just a ball of play dough. But when I really thought about it I do want to be like a Sun. And I think God wants me to be like a Sun too. I want to be able to shine, to succeed, and be a beacon of light for those around me. 
   
   I try not to talk much about Religion on things like Facebook and such because Religion and my relationship with God is very personal to me and not something I feel the need to share with everyone around me. But it is a part of who I am. I was raised in religious home where I knew every Sunday, no questions asked, we would be in church. Weekends to me growing up consisted of only Saturdays because Sunday was spent at church or visiting family or something uplifting. I'm not perfect and even though I have made mistakes and continue to make mistakes every day of my life I know that Heavenly Father loves me. And loves everyone, equally. It's important to emphasize the equally part, because it's true. No matter who we are, or what we've done, or what path we are on, He does love us. And that is something I'm glad I am able to feel. I encourage anyone who doubts that or who needs comfort in their life to ask the number 1 person that can help us, and that is God. He is there, not just when we are doing good but always. 


  Just to end my little rampage about religion..today I was chit chatting with a friend about life and the different things we go through. She pointed out a quote that pretty much summed it all up quite well.."Your journey has molded you for the greater good. It was exactly what it needed to be. Don't think you've lost time. It took each and every situation you have encountered to bring you to the now. And now is right on time." 


All in all today was just another manic day. Spring break is next week and even though I still have work I'm glad to not have to think about school. Life is good. When you think you have it bad just look around you..others have it worse and there is always something to be thankful for! 
Like beds, comfy beds. Not everyone has a bed. So be thankful for your bed as you go to sleep tonight lol.


Be kind to one another.


-Sierra

just a little fun with the camera, haha. 

Being in two places at once is hard, but three is even harder.

         Today was a busy day. And that may even be an understatement. I was laying in bed this morning, debating if I was going to church or not because I was so exhausted (I worked 40 hours this week on top being a full time student. Kudos to parents in school!) but I decided God would give me strength to get through this next week if I went. And I also remembered my Mom was speaking and I wanted to hear her talk. Which she did wonderfully on. She spoke about "Let us oft speak kind words to eachother" and did an amazing job. I am definitely going to take her challenge this week and try to be more peaceful in my home, work, and while going about my daily activities. Not only in words but in thoughts. Thoughts eventually turn into actions. 

When I graduated Cosmetology School.

    After that I helped my Aunt Deanna in nursery. Not only do I enjoy being in there with the little ones but I enjoy being able to spend time with my Aunt also. When I was little if I wasn't at home then I was next door and Dee's house. And that was pretty much all the time. I remembering coming home from school and Dee helping me with my homework. And breaking down while driving around town multiple times, it only seemed to happen when I was in the car! So Dee and I tackled the nursery kids and we seem to make a pretty good team. I enjoy being in there with the kids and getting some time with my Aunt.

     Then, after church I had three houses to be at all within the next 4 hours. I stopped by my friend Hannah's house to say hello to her and her family because they invited me to their cookout. Hung out there for about 30 minutes and then went home to change and head to stop number 2. 






      Next was my fake big sister Alyssa's house. She is leaving for the Navy this next week and she invited me to her Family goodbye dinner. I am gonna miss that girl probably more than she realizes. Probably more than I even realize yet! She is one of the coolest people I know. And I feel so lucky to consider her my "fake big sister" and one of my best friends. 

This is just one of our many memories, haha.
(late nights+monopoly+lotsofcandy&sugar=thugs)

      Last I went to my brother Tyler's and my sister in law Krystal's house. Krystal is going back to school (Yay! So proud!) and I was helping her with her FASFA and looking at the application for the College. We looked at the different degree tracks and the top paying jobs, haha. Even though having a lot of money would be nice, you can't get back those precious moments with your kids and family. And it is really all about doing something that makes you happy, then it won't be a 'job' at all. While I was there I was able to see my two wonderful nephews; Gavynn who is 2 and Emersynn who is 3 months and almost 2 weeks old. Let me just say, being an aunt is the coolest thing ever. Gavynn is full of so much energy and love! He is one of the most loving little boys I know. We played a quick game of hide and go seek and when it was his turn to hide it was too funny! He hid behind this bird fountain they have in their front yard and when I was done counting I said "Where's Gavynn??" And he says "Here I Am!!" It was hilarious. I am so blessed to have so many amazing nieces and nephews! 

Baby Emersynn! He is so big already.

I told him to smell the sprinkles and then shoved his face in the cake. I know what you're thinking, Coolest Aunt ever, right? haha He loved it.

    Today was a busy day but I wouldn't have it any other way. Life is too short and moments are to precious to sit idle. I wish I had more time to spend with those that mean the most to me. My family is my everything and my friends too. 

All we're missing is Emersynn in this picture.
Love my family.