2 years... wow

John and I celebrated our 2 year wedding anniversary on Monday. We had a wonderful evening. We reflected on our wedding day, the past years, and did some dreaming for our future. And of course we enjoyed some delicious food and a few good laughs.

I am so grateful for John. I can't express enough how much this man has shaped me in just a few years. He is just a pillar of light and goodness in my life. He always seek to do good things, to laugh, to make me laugh, and he is my BIGGEST cheerleader. I know he believes I can do anything... and that gives me such confidence.

I am the luckiest woman in the world! Happy 2nd anniversary to my love-- I can't wait to see what is in store for us.

An Exciting Chicago Weekend

1. Thursday - Drive from Peoria to Chicago. Grab dinner with a friend, have your car broken into and everything inside stolen. Make it to hotel with only your wallet. Thank heaven you changed into jeans and gym shoes and out of ballet flats and a pencil skirt.



2. Friday - Run a few errands to replace some of the items stolen. Shop on Michigan ave, primarily because what else is there to do with just a wallet in downtown Chicago?



3. Friday - Meet hubby downtown, and take a subway to share delicious deep dish with some good friends.



4. Saturday - Visit the Shedd Aquarium on a beautiful day.



5. Saturday - Eat a Chicago Style hot dog. Or Two.




6. Grab dessert at the Top of the John Hancock building. Take a photo with your iphone -- from the women's bathroom!



7. Spend a beautiful Sunday driving up the cost of Lake Michigan. Listen to General Conference on aforementioned Iphone. The marvels of modern technology!



8. Visit where you were born and where you grew up.

9. Remember the important things in life aren't things. They aren't stolen luggage, ipods, clothing or laptops. They aren't damaged rental cars. They are sweet and simple memories, laughter with friends, listening to true teachings, and spending a wonderful weekend with the one you love. I am so blessed.

Fruits of thy labor...

Picked from my garden yesterday :)


Yummy lettuce.


Tasty basil.

This is my first year gardening, sorry you have to bear with my excitement. It is king of like crafting-- I have created something and it is so fun to see it develop! It is gonna be bad when I have children...

#36: Never Suppress a Kind Thought

About 2 years ago I went to stake conference for my church and was counseled to never suppress a kind thought. That really struck me, because often I was filled with kind thoughts but often I let them pass. Why? Because my act of kindness might be awkward, inconvenient or even ill-received. I worried about how someone my perceive my action or how they would react. Could I muster up the courage to do it anyway?

So I took the counsel. I (for the most part, being imperfect and limited in many ways) have very intentionally acted upon the kind thoughts that enter my mind.

I was reminded of this just the other day. I walked home from school and saw someone I had once talked to who I knew was in the business school. I smiled instantly and said "Hi! How are you doing?" He looked at me like I was kind of crazy and continued walking. I just smiled and laughed. Because yeah, there are still some awkward moments, some that make you question your kindness. Those never quite go away. But then, there are in numerous moments where you did some something kind for another person, and you made their day. You may have answered their prayer, or just left a positive impression. You may have just made them smile. And that, my friends, is why you should never supress a kind though.

Oh, what joy this counsel has brought to my life. Never suppress a kind thought.

More success by being joyful!

I am reading for my Behavioral Theory in Management class and I just read something that struck me (and I consider worth sharing) from the Book "The Art of Possibility" by Zander and Zander.

"You are more likely to be successful, overall, if you participate joyfully with projects and goals and do not think your life depends on achieving the mark because then you will be better able to connect to people all around you. On the whole, resources are likely to come to you in greater abundance when you are generous and inclusive and engage in your passion for life. There aren't any guarantees, of course. When you are oriented in abundance, you care less about being in control, and you take more risks. You may give away short term profits in pursuit of a bigger dream; you make take a long view without being able to predict the outcome. In the measurement world, you set a goal and strive for it. In the universe of possibility, you set the context and let life unfold."

I think this is really neat- and really interesting when I am surrounded (in Business School) by a ton of people doing ANYTHING and EVERYTHING to have an edge and get ahead of the other person. As a generality, most people in my classes have seemed to value competition, pride, success and money. And don't let me fool you- there are some really nice people at school with me, and in some regards their go-get-'em attitude is wonderful. BUT- I do think this attitude, this "universe of possibility" will lead to a much greater happiness. Anyway, just my thoughts for the day <3

Kristin :)