what do you think?

I feel like I've kind of drifted away from talking about adoption, and maybe thats not a good thing? I don't know. I guess I have just become addicted to blogging and do it about anything.. I can't help myself! haha. The whole purpose of this blog business was to help myself heal and help others in similar situations, and so maybe talking about other things isn't doing what I wanted it to. Should I stop blogging about things unrelated to adoption and keep the focus solely on Cash & adoption? What do you think?

makeup

Last night I did a little bit of makeup for some of Crystals friends. It was so much fun! I was giving little mini-lessons while I did their makeup, and thought maybe I should post some on here! So ladies, what is in your makeup bag? If you are like most of the girls I did last night, there probably isn't much! haha. Thats a good thing though! You don't need a lot. There are only 8 items you need in your bag to get a complete look. 

1. A good foundation. Apply it starting in the middle and working your way out. That way you will get the cover where you want it most, and it won't look like you are wearing a mask. And don't be afraid to put it on your eyelids, it can double as a primer. Last night one of the girls introduced me to Mary Kay's Total Coverage, and it was amazing!! A little pricey, so if you are looking to go the cheaper route, I recommend Mabelline's SuperStay liquid foundation. 

2. Mineral Powder. I always always always set my foundation with a mineral powder. You just don't look finished without a good powder. And mineral is always nice. Just don't breathe in while you are putting it on! 

3. Blush on the apples of your cheeks and Bronzer on your cheek bones. Blend the two together to get a seamless, tanned, cheerful glow :)

4. Eyeshadow. Please don't go for the cheapest one and expect them to go on the way they look. Get a high pigmented, good quality eyeshadow and you won't have any problems. Play it safe and go for neutrals. On a day where I don't have time to play around with my eyeshadow, I always opt for a gold shimmer base and charcoal in the crease. Easy.

5. Gel liner. Perfect for tight liner, which is a definite must. Apply it with an angled eyeliner brush in the lash line to make your lashes appear thicker. Then apply above lashes if desired.

6. Mascara. (preceded by a good curl of course, don't be scared of them!) I love Mabelline's Falsies mascara in Black Drama. 

7. Brow Pencil. I have realized that I just don't look finished unless my brows are filled in. Especially if wearing a darker eyeshadow. Make this a priority in your daily routine, and you will feel put together even without a full face of makeup I promise! 

8. Lastly, a highlighting shadow/powder. Apply in both corners of your eye and under your arch. Instantly makes eyes pop! 

I won't post about any other makeup tips because that is not what this blog is for :) If you are looking for girls who teach makeup on their blogs, there are lots out there. 

Enjoy! 

me & my career

So, by now you probably all think you know me. For the most part, you know the important things that make me, ME. The things I hold near and dear to my heart. My feelings. My thoughts. My story. I'm going to tell you about the more recent things that make up myself, and that are teaching me new things. What I have done with my life since placement, and what my future looks like. 

I started hair school at Purely Inspired Academy of Beauty on July 19th, 2010. Yep, thats right. One month after I graduated high school and had a baby. I had a month to get back on my feet after all of the craziness. Kinda stressful, right? It was. My mom and I went to Las Vegas for a week before that to help me forget about things and prepare to start "the real world". I didn't know what to expect, starting a 9-5 schedule, 5 or 6 days a week for 9 months with 20 girls I didn't know. I knew I was interested in hair- I just didn't know it would be this much. I fell in love with hair. Weird I know. I finally felt like I had a talent in life, and that I could do anything I wanted with it. I know you're probably thinking "this girl is nuts. She is in love with hair?!" And yes, yes I am. I have found what I call my calling in life, and that is to be a stylist. I have never been as happy with something as I have been at that school. The girls in my class are absolutely amazing, it really is true that college is where you build lifelong friendships. Because of my hairstyling backgrounds, I have became more interested in aesthetics and makeup. I am now a certified Makeup Artist, and am excited to see where that road will take me. I also am certified in Eyelash Perming and Tinting, and Body Sugaring. Body Sugaring is similar to waxing, only better :) I just finished that course this weekend, so I still need practice but so far I am loving it too! And in March I will be taking my UV Gel Nail course, so I can do that as well. I am so so so excited to start working with all these services in a salon. Hair is my passion and main focus, but it's good to have a break sometimes and do the little things as well.

One day I hope to either open my own salon or just work at home. I have never wanted to be a "career mom", so I hope I can spend as much time at home with my kids as possible. Since I love doing what I do, I will have no problem working at home and keeping it up. 

"If you love what you do, you will never have to work a day in your life". 

honorable mentionaries

There are many people who helped me an insane amount during my pregnancy and after placement, and definitely deserve a spot on my honorable mentions list. They are those who were "behind the scenes" and that I haven't blogged about, yet still love very much and played huge roles in my life last year.

1. Bobbi- I have always always always loved Bobbi (aka Sister O) and she honestly saved me through so much. I met her years ago on a church camp and we became really close. We used to go for dinner once a month and just talk for hours. I loved our conversations, and she genuinely cared about what I was feeling, which was important to me. I was with her the day before I had Cash, and then she came to see us in the hospital. She gave me a blanket for him that she had made for her baby (who ended up being a girl) and so she was keeping it to give to someone special. I kept that blanket as a reminder of all I've been through and cherish it very much. 

2. Gloria, Lindsay, Cathy, and Michelle- The women I counseled with. All had something to do with LDSFS, and I saw each of them weekly. They made sure I was aware of all the options and that I was making the right decision, for me and for Cash. Without their support and love I don't know what I would have done. They were so easy to talk to, and helped me with anything I needed. I still feel close to all 4, and am so grateful for the roles they played in my life throughout the hard times. I love them all so much! 

3. Guest speakers that I talked to during my pregnancy- Gloria had lots of people come to our classes and talk to us about their stories. We talked to lawyers, single moms, nurses, birthmoms, adoptive parents, women who kept one child and placed another, and couples who placed and then ended up getting married. Their stories were so touching, and helped all of us girls so so much. It was so helpful to talk to people who had been through what I was going through, and get important information from the lawyers and nurses.

4. The people from my church- You'd think being a pregnant 17-year old would turn some heads and get some negative attention, but honestly I had never felt so loved, and accepted as I did during those 9 months. This might all be in my head and maybe I am living in denial, but not once did I ever feel judged or disowned by the people I went to church with. I guess that because I went every week, maybe people were used to seeing me and didn't really think about it after awhile. Whatever the reasoning for it was, I am so grateful for all the people from my ward who supported and loved me no matter what the circumstances were. It just goes to show that we shouldn't judge people for their mistakes, because everyone can change. 

5. This may seem a little odd, but I am going to mention all the people from LCI- Walking the halls of that high school and trying to fit in a desk surrounded by 30 classmates was a little uncomfortable, to say the least. But everyone there made it so much easier, because they accepted me and did not say rude comments. I know how judgmental teenagers can be, I am relieved I did not hear any of that personally. Most acted like I wasn't gaining a pound a day, which was nice. My friends were still my friends, regardless. Teachers were kind to me, and treated me just like any of their other students- which was really important to me and I am thankful for that. I didn't want to be given any special treatment, because that would only draw more attention to myself. They worked with me, and I did my best to blend in to everyone else. (which is difficult when you have a basketball for a belly. on a little side note- ever wondered how overweight people feel, trying to squish into one of those stupid desks with the chairs attached? well let me tell you, it is no easy task. Near the end of school I had to start sitting sideways in my desk because I wouldn't fit anymore :( made a good laugh for all my friends though) 

The list could go on and on, but I think I should end now and just extend a HUGE thank you to everyone else. Your love and support last year is so greatly appreciated, words can't even say how much the little things you did got me through the big things. I love you all!! 

one day you'll see me there.

I know I have already fallen behind on my own blog challenge, so hopefully I can catch up within the next few days. This is the first of my posts for the things I L.O.V.E. As of recent, I have decided I have a huge desire to travel the world. I hope to go to some of these places within the next few years, while I can before I actually have to grow up and experience the terrifying "real world". The following is a short compilation of the places I will one day visit- Cuba, the Grand Canyon, Greece, London, New York, Niagara Falls, a Rainforest, Rome, Africa, Thailand, Paris, Egypt, the Great Barrier Reef and Peru. Of course I would love to see many many more, but these ones are on my for sure bucket list- just you wait and see. 

not on God's time.

Tonight I went to a church fireside with my mom and some family friends, and picked up on a little quote that our Stake President said. 

It really made me think and I hope it will be comforting to those who need a little help at this time in their life. 

God's Time is not always Our Time.

As humans we naturally want things to happen right now, in this very moment. But we need to stop and take a look at the big picture. Our time here is just the beginning of what is to come, so what is the rush? I've said this numerous times before, and I'll keep saying it as long as it is true. Everything happens for a reason. What that reason is however, we might not know for a long time. Or even at all. That shouldn't matter though- because our Father in Heaven knows. Isn't that good enough? It sure was to me. I wasn't ready to be a mother, yet I was expecting a child. Even though I loved Cash so so much, it wasn't the right time for me to raise a baby. There was a woman waiting patiently for God's timing to catch up with hers so she could care for a child, 

and we were led to each other. 

I know a woman who recently lost a baby. She counseled me throughout my pregnancy, and was present when I placed Cash with D&Y. My heart aches for her and her husband, because they would have made great parents. Sadly, their timing just wasn't parallel to God's and their child was taken back home early. Some people might think this is unfair- why would something like this happen to good people? Well, everything happens for a reason, 

and He needed that spirit back in heaven with him.

No matter the situation, we can't ever doubt that God doesn't love us or care about us if we are doing everything we can, we just have to be patient and have faith that things will happen on his time. 

a little bit of love

This month, I am going to do the (ahem) "cliche thing" and write daily posts about that little 4 letter word- L.O.V.E. Seemed only fitting since Valentines Day is coming up right?! Here are 25 things I love/am passionate about, and will be posting about some of them over the next month when I have nothing else to write about, haha.. 

1. Cash, of course!

2. Dance, and my teammates

3. My nieces and nephews (4 1/2 in total)

4. D&Y

5. Family

6. Best Friends

7. Hairstyling and Makeup Artistry

8. Blogging

9. YOU, the reader

10. Beliefs and Values

11. Curtis aka Cash's Birthdaddy

12. Self-Worth
13. Shopping, Clothes, Jewelry, etc.

14. Education

15. Those who have helped me along the way

16. Traveling the world

17. Oprah. 

18. Adoption

19. One Tree Hill & Gossip Girl

20. Boxes & Picture Frames

21. Unhealthy Food.

22. Quotes & Songs that have meaning

23. The Backstreet Boys & Aaron Carter. 

24. Vision Boards.

25. & lastly of course.. The Apple's that bring you this blog :)

happiness

We tend to forget that happiness doesn't come as a result of getting something we don't have, but rather of recognizing who and what we do have. Being happy doesn't mean everything is perfect- it just means that you've decided to look beyond the imperfections.