Great Friends

Last night was the start of my book club with some of my girlfriends.

I was worried because I didn't think people would show up.

Those who showed up made it worth it all.

I'm so grateful for such sweet friends in my life.

Like Mary, who came, even though she had a party to attend after.

And Jess, who had to wake up at 4 am the next day for clinicals... and she lives 30 minutes away.

And Magen, who had just worked a full eight hours with me.

I really am one blessed lady.

And we sure like to party.

Even if Mary can't keep her eyes open.

Fear

With it being October...

Have I told you that lately? That's it's October? And my favorite month? I have? Oh, my b.

... I thought it would be a good time to talk about some fears that have been on my mind lately.

Laziness:

When I was young, I was super active. I loved running outside and playing.

In elementary schoo, middle school, high school and even some of college, I played soccer religiously and was always involved in some kind of sport. I didn't mind running around and I sure didn't care what I ate.

BOOM!

Adult life happened.

Now I work an 8 hour job, where I sit in front of the computer daily.

And, and you might be surprised, but it is exhausting.

So when I get home, the last thing I want to do is work out.

And I still have my "healthy" eating habit (and by healthy I mean "I can eat a lot").

Basically, I've gained weight. Not a ton. And most people probably wouldn't really notice.

But I do. And I really want to lose it. Mostly, I want a healthier lifestyle.

The problem: I'm lazy.

I'm fearful that I won't overcome my laziness and actually get my butt up and back in shape.

Selfishness:

I have the most incredible husband. Really, I do.

The King really does treat me like his queen.

If I need ANYTHING, he will find a way to provide it.

If I want ANYTHING, he will do his best to get it for me.

I have this horrible habit of letting him serve me hand and foot.

The problem is that I used to be this really independent person and I rely too much upon my husband.

I'm talking about things like, "Hey AMOOOOOOORRRR, will you please get me a glass of water?" while he is painting a room across the house and I'm sitting on the kitchen floor. 

Like I said. I rely too much on him.

I need to spoil him more. I need to not be so selfish and I need to get him the glass of water instead.

And just treat him right.

I'm fearful he will realize how selfish I am and have to try a little harder to love me.

Blogging:

I took the almost six month hiatus from blogging.

It was really scary at first and then I completely forgot about it.

Then, one day, I felt like I had something to write about again.

I bucked up, put my big girl panties on, and started blogging again.

THEN, I started to peruse the blogopshere again.

None of my former bloggy friends were there, or they had left me far in the dust.

I almost don't recognize that world I used to love SO MUCH.

I didn't even really know where to start to find those genuine blogs that I would love to read.

I don't even know how to forge the relationships anymore.

It has all changed too much.

I'm fearful that I might re-not find my passion in blogging.

Book Club:

A lot of my friends kept saying that they wanted to be in a book club and meet new people.

So, I started a book club for them to meet new people.

They all keep bailing.

And it makes me really sad, because I never bail on their stuff.

I'm fearful that this new book club that I'm not really doing for myself, but for my friends, will end up being like the Blogger Book Club that I was co-host of.... something that ended up dying because no one ever really joined.

Traveling in NYC:

I'm also super terrified of traveling from JFK to Manhattan via train at 11 pm at night when we fly in.

But what the hey... I get to go in the first place, so that's good enough for me!

I have SO MUCH to be grateful for, but sometimes, you can't appreciate them until you voice your fears, even if it is just so you can hear them out loud. Even if it is to try to face them and change them.

October Surprises Are Underway

One of my all time favorite traditions for October are the October Surprises.

My lifelong bestie, Laurel, and her mom were so obsessed with October and Halloween that it kind of rubbed off on me. Well, Laurel's mom, "Mama Marzek", would give out "October Surprises." They were just little things like candy, or a lip gloss or Halloween dinky item. They were awesome.

I've been in the habit of giving out October surprises and it's one of my favorite things to do.

Well, yesterday Laurel surprised me with tickets to the pre-screening of "About Time."

BEST OCTOBER SURPRISE EVER!

The movie was phenomenal.

It was created by the makers of "Love Actually" and had a stellar cast.

It's about a guy who comes from a long line of family time travelers and his life, love and consequences from his gift. Rachel McAdams is in it, and I was a little worried because she already stared in a movie eerily similar to this one. But it blew all time traveling romance movies out of the water. I highly recommend it when it comes out in November.

Also, on a whim, Laurel and I decided to fly to New York to visit our friend, Esther.

We leave in like two weeks.

It was super last minute, but I am SO FREAKING excited.

It's only the second day of October, and the surprises are already underway.

I got a box of RedVines from my co-worker, Magen, and I brought her delicious cupcakes from Sweet! by Good Golly Miss Holly (they are super delicious too).

I cannot wait to see what the rest of October has in store.

I TOLD you it was magical.

It's October

It's scary how long it's been since I've blogged.

Like really scary.

So scary, that I'm actually nervous as I type this.

So scary, that I'm not sure what to really type about.

But what's not scary is that it's finally October.

It's no secret that October is my favorite month.

There is MAGIC surrounding this month.

There is PEACE as the weather changes.

There is HOPE in the world and the year.

There is LOVE for your fellow man and the little things in life.

There is CLARITY in what you want and need.

October is special. 

It rejuvenates me.

It inspires me.

It makes me remember who I am.

What I love.

And where I want to be.

Here is to October. Welcome long lost friend!

It's so good to have you back.

I cannot wait to see what you have in store for this girl who loves you oh so much.

General Conference Knowledge Value Project

As a youth, I mostly slept through General Conference. My family would gather around the satellite television, bring our big comforters, lay around in our PJs and BOOM! pass the heck out in the middle of the profound words from the prophet.

I don't want that for the young women I'm over at church. So I thought it would be fun to give them a workbook to help keep them awake and focused on the messages being delivered.

*are you wondering what General Conference is??? Click here to find out*

I found several ideas online and the best one (or the one I liked best) was from SugarDoodle, but it wasn't updated for October Conference. So I copied it (well, recreated it and tweaked it a bit) and have it here for you and your young women to use this conference.

I plan on updating it regularly so different young women can use it each conference.

Please excuse any misspellings and typos. I did it late at night.

It was a fun project for me to work on and I am really excited to use it as a way to stay awake this conference. Don't get me wrong, I really do love the messages and the spirit that can be felt. As a leader, I get to complete the Personal Progress program again with my Young Women and for my Good Works Value Experience, I'm counting this. 

Click on the image above (or right here) to go to the link for the full download.

*It will say that no image is available. Just click download*

There is a higher quality and a lower quality. Both are fine for printing, but some printing services won't take the higher quality ones and the lower quality's pictures look a little off. 

If you have any questions, please feel free to email me.

kaylee{dot}gwyn {at} gmail {dot} com

Happy Conference Watching!

"The Wilderness Must Be Explored! Caw Caw ROAR!!!"

The King and I are Disney Annual Pass Holders... Have I told you that?

We have been for about 6 months now.

That means we only have 6 months left to accomplish our one goal for Disney:

Do. Every.Thing. EVERYTHING!

You see, Animal Kingdom is kind of a tough one because, one, its not EPCOT (my favorite... hands down) and two, because its so freaking hot.

The King loves him some animals though and we decided to devote the entire day yesterday to checking those animals out.

My lifelong friend, Laurel, decided to tag along (she works for Disney, so she's like my permanent Disney buddy). Laurel and I are... how would you say this???.... special. That's it, special. So when we saw the "Wilderness Explorer Troop Tent" and that there were real life Wilderness Explorers there giving out merit badge books, we said, "yes, please sir... sign us up!"

After enthusiastically learning the Wilderness Explorer's chant (the blog post title, but with hand wing motions and claws) we were presented with our own Wilderness Explorers badge books. The King rolled his eyes, did the call along with us, and then realized that he did marry "That Girl" and would be going around doing activities meant only for 3-10 year olds all day.

We did learn a lot of important things though, including:

+ Tarantulas shed their ENTIRE exoskeleton (including their lungs and eyes).

+ Cheetahs are the only cats whose claws cannot retract.

+ How to greet and say good bye to someone in Thai.

+ The Country of South Africa has three major capitals and they are all there for different purposes.

+ The brontosaurus never actually existed, but was two separate dinosaurs put together!!! (This is just like the whole, "Pluto isn't a planet" thing alllllll over again.)

Honestly, I've never had so much fun at a Disney park and never spent ALL DAY at Animal Kingdom.

You bet this Wilderness Explorer will forever explore the wilderness.

Here are a bunch of pictures I took around the park.

It was seriously the best day. I hope everyone else had a fun, restful and memorable weekend.

Our Home: Downtown Abbey

It's been a little over a week in our new home and slowly, but surely, we are making it our own.

I cannot describe to you how surreal it was sitting down at a table and signing all of those documents.

That is truly one of life's weird moments that help you realize.... Yes, I am an Adult.

I mean, the King and I have both been living our adult lives for a while. We've been providing for ourselves and making our own decisions. But now, we have an added commitment binding us together. One that makes us more responsible and accountable.

But.... it's all ours.

That's the best part.

This. Is. Our. House. HOME.

I can't wait to share with everyone the progress we will make on it.

Last weekend we started with the first bit of painting. Next stop: washer and dryer.

After that... who knows.

Welcome to our new downtown house: Downtown Abbey.