30 Day Challenge: Day 26

My dream wedding. Well, this is going to be pretty short and simple. I've always wanted to get married in the Boise, Idaho LDS Temple.

Boise, ID Temple

30 Day Challenge: Day 25

Putting my iPod on shuffle so I can list the first 10 songs.

1. This Kiss by Faith Hill
2. You and Me by Lifehouse
3. When You Say Nothing At All by Alison Krauss & Union Station
4. Collide (Acoustic Version) by Howie Day
5. Feels Like Home by Chantal Kreviazuk
6. Prayin' For Daylight by Rascal Flatts
7. Come Thou Fount by Inside Out
8. Don't Take The Girl by Tim McGraw
9. Girls Lie Too by Terri Clark
10. Just What I Do by Trick Pony

Well, there ya have it! Quite a bit of country came up in the shuffle.

30 Day Challenge: Day 24

Yes, I'm just going to do two posts today instead of just going a day longer due to the mishap yesterday.

Something I've learned. It would have been nice if they would have put a time limit on this. I've learned a lot of things in my life, but if they would have narrowed it down to maybe just the last year, it would be easier to pick one of those things. Well, I'm going to go ahead and just go with something I learned in the last year.
I've learned that when I come off my diet, and start to eat normally again, I HAVE to exercise so that I don't gain any weight back. I'm not saying I have to run for an hour, then do an hour of weights. I've realized that as long as I speed walk/jog/run for a good half hour every night, I'm good.

30 Day Challenge: Day 23

Something I crave. Right now, high speed internet at home. We can only get dial-up. By the way, the reason I missed doing this post yesterday was because I couldn't get onto blogger due to my connection timing-out. Every time I tried it timed-out. Then, when I decided I would wait a little before trying again, my nephew must have thought I was done. He got on the internet. With dial-up you can only be on one at a time. So it's really not my fault that I didn't get a post done yesterday. I tried.

30 Day Challenge: Day 22

What's in my purse? Nothing very interesting, that's for sure. Here's the list:

• Eyeglasses
• Billfold
• Cell phone
• Sunglasses
• Keys
• Ticket stubbs
• Eyeglass cleaning cloth
• Dental floss
• Toothpicks
• Mechanical pencil
• Lipsticks
• Lipgloss
• Bobby pins
• Pocket sized notepad with pen
• $4.04 (yeah, I'm broke)
• Thumbdrive
• Eye-drops

I usually have my iPod in there, too, but I was listening to it earlier so it's hooked up to my player. Like I said, nothing very interesting.

30 Day Challenge: Day 21

My all time favorite picture of myself.

October 2010

I'm currently using this as most of my profile pictures, so I know the majority of you have already seen it. I love this picture because I have one of my favorite smiles on. My hair had just been cut, so it looks really cute. You can see my eyes, though I don't care so much for the dark circles I can never get rid of. I've been asked by people if my boyfriend beats me because when I don't get enough sleep, it looks like I have black eyes. Also in this photo, if you notice, I've got my ear-buds around my neck. This lets people know that I LOVE music. I think I actually have my make-up done too, lol. I took this photo myself, so that makes me like it a little more. I'm usually very camera shy, so when I see one pointed at me I'm not overly happy that my picture is getting taken. It's a little different when you're the photographer AND the subject. You can play around and take as many photos as needed until you get a good one.

30 Day Challenge: Day 20

Nicknames. I've had a few of these over the years.

• Ferrari - most of my siblings, if not all of them, had this as a nickname as well. Pretty obvious why.
• Manda Panda - my mom's nickname for me, and also my least favorite (sorry Mom). She was a substitute teacher, and in my ninth grade year, she subbed for a couple of my teachers. One of the times, she called on me by using this nickname. By the end of the day, seventh graders who I didn't even know were calling me this. Yeah, it was embarrassing. My brother in-law thinks it's funny that I don't like this name. He wants his son to start calling me this. I promised him physical pain the first time my nephew calls me Aunt Manda Panda.
• Mandi - a few people know me as this. I never got used to people calling me this and sometimes wouldn't respond right away.
• Manders - a friend who worked with me at Wendy's started calling me this and it stuck. The only people who call me this are ones who worked with me there.
• Boo-Boo - yes, as in Yogi and Boo-Boo. I got this one from the same guy who started calling me Manders. The reason he started this was because of a mistake I made at work. It expanded to include others who became Yogi and Cindy Bear.
• Viola - I had a friend who, in ninth grade, got into a friendly war with me in orchestra. Violins vs. Violas. She couldn't understand why I would give up playing the violin and switch to viola. We would swap jokes and banter. The orchestra director even enjoyed pitching in now and then. Ever since then she has referred to me as Viola.
• Amanda Lynn - I don't have a middle name, just like all of my sisters, and a guy I went to school with in High School insisted that my middle name must be Lynn. A few people that I have told this story to, along with why I'm glad my name isn't Amanda Lynn, have taken to calling me this.

It's possible that I have missed one, and if you remind me, I'll come back and add it to the list.

30 Day Challenge: Day 19

Something I miss. I miss solid, dry ground at home. The snow pack has been melting so we have slush where there is still snow, and mud where there isn't. My car almost got stuck in the driveway last week because we had slush that was about 5 inches deep. My nephew and sister both had to push the car so I could drive it up to where I normally park. I miss the sun, too. If it could make more appearances, then maybe I could have my solid, dry ground that I'm longing for.

30 Day Challenge: Day 18

My favorite place to eat. I'm not huge on going out to eat, so my favorite place to eat is actually my home. If I had to pick a place though, I would probably say Mandarin palace or Bajio. It's kind of a tie. It all depends on if I feel like Chinese or Mexican.

30 Day Challenge: Day 17

Something I'm looking forward to. I'm looking forward to the concerts that I'm going to in the next few months. First is Elton John on April 9th, then Tim McGraw on June 16th. I'm also looking forward to going down to southern California in October.

30 Day Challenge: Day 16

My dream house. I could go on forever on this topic. Being an interior decorator, I have more ideas than I can sort through zipping around in my brain. Media rooms, craft rooms, office spaces, game rooms, music rooms, and the list goes on and on. I would love a large kitchen, a large master bedroom, and bedrooms with enough space to fit more than just a queen sized bed. I love my parents house, large living and family rooms, but tiny bedrooms. I would love to have a big yard with a garden. Though I can't imagine living anywhere but Idaho, I've always loved the idea of a ocean side home on the beach. These grand ideas float through my mind, but really I would just love a home that I could decorate over and over whenever I get bored. I'm the kind of person who rearranges my bedroom every few months. I even have a scaled drawing of my room and the furniture so that I can play with what could work best in my limited space. I love to look at building plans, and even have an architect program that allows me to not only build up a house and individual rooms, but to then decorate them as 3D images. With all of this knowledge, I still wouldn't be able to describe my dream house, because a house isn't a home without a family there. All that really matters about your home is that it is a safe, loving environment that you're comfortable in at all times.

30 Day Challenge: Day 15

Bible verse. I assume they meant your favorite Bible verse. I tried to think of my favorite and I soon realized that my favorite scriptures are all Book of Mormon verses, not Bible verses.

I turned to the hymn book. The hymns all have scripture references at the bottom that go along with the song, or were the inspiration the writers used when penning the words. I quickly started looking for my favorite hymns to find a Bible verse that went along with one. I soon fell upon Hymn # 26, Joseph Smith's First Prayer. I love his hymn and don't think we sing it enough in church. I looked at the bottom to find the scripture. I didn't even need to look this one up. It's a scripture mastery verse that I memorized in seminary back in High School.

    

"If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him." James 1:5.

It all fell into place for me then. My favorite scriptures may all be from the Book of Mormon, but without this scripture, Joseph wouldn't have known what to do to answer the simple question he had of what church to join. He would have never gone into that beautiful grove to pray earnestly to the Father. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints would never have been restored. Without Joseph reading this verse, the Book of Mormon would never have been translated.

I am so happy that Joseph Smith, at the young age of 14, had the faith to pray to our Father in Heaven. I know he had faith because of the next verse found in James:

  

   "But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed." James 1:6

I can't even begin to imagine what my life would be like without the actions that Joseph took, not only as a youth, but for the remainder of his life. I'm very grateful for his courage, faith, and sacrifice.

I know you can't read the words to the song in the picture, so here they are:

Oh, how lovely was the morning!

Radiant beamed the sun above.

Bees were humming, sweet birds singing,

Music ringing thru the grove,

When within the shady woodland Joseph sought the God of love,

When within the shady woodland Joseph sought the God of love.

Humbly kneeling, sweet appealing

Twas the boy's first uttered prayer

When the pow'rs of sin assailing

Filled his soul with deep despair;

But undaunted, still he trusted in his Heav'nly Father's care,

But undaunted, still he trusted in his Heav'nly Father's care.

Suddenly a light descended,

Britghter far than noonday sun,

And a shining, glorious pillar

O'er him fell, around him shone,

While appeared two heav'nly beings, God the Father and the Son,

While appeared two heav'nly beings, God the Father and the Son.

"Joseph, this is my Beloved, 

Hear him!" Oh, how sweet the word!

Joseph's humble prayer was answered,

And he listened to the Lord.

Oh, what rapture filled his bosom, for he saw the living God,

Oh, what rapture filled his bosom, for he saw the living God.

30 Day Challenge: Day 14

A picture of me a year ago and how I've changed. Well, this picture is actually about a year and a half old.

Well, physically, I have changed in that I have lost some weight, my hair is quite a bit shorter and with bangs now. The gaps in my front teeth have also been filled, so I now smile openly and willingly. I have changed in other ways that aren't so noticeable. I've grown spiritually due to my increased scripture study. Teaching an older class in primary has helped me in that way also. I've learned new things at work, new crafts at home, and have become, in my opinion, a happier person. I am experiencing the full joys of being an aunt. I've been an aunt my whole life, but I've never been old enough when a new niece or nephew was born to really appreciate my role as Aunt Amanda. Now that I have a baby nephew who was born last May, I'm enjoying being an aunt much more. I'm sure other people have noticed changes in me that I haven't noted, but sometimes it's hard to look back a year and think that you've really changed at all.

30 Day Challenge: Day 13

Goals. I normally don't think about goals. I'm not the kind of person who makes New Year Resolutions, but this year, I actually sat down and thought about things I want to do. Some of these are goals I want to accomplish this year, while others are ones that may take a few years or even be a life change.

• Meet new people. I am a very shy creature. It takes a lot of effort on my part to talk to people that I don't know. I have been trying, and therefore I've been stepping outside of my comfort zone.
• Read the Bible straight through. I've read the Book of Mormon all the way through, but not the Bible. I am currently in Deuteronomy. 
• Practice, practice, practice! I have slacked off on practicing my musical instruments. When I got asked to play my viola in church for Christmas, I nearly had a panic attack!
• Loose weight/get in shape. I've been working on this one already. I have a goal weight in mind, but if I get to a point before I hit my goal where I feel really good I will most likely stop. Lately I've been running 5 miles a day on the gazelle at home. I can't wait for the snow to be gone, and the ground to firm up (it's all mud!) so that I can start going on hikes.
• Personal Progress. My sister challenged me to do this again. It's changed a few times since I was in Young Womens. As an adult, you can still do the program and receive the awards that go along with it.
• Read and write more. I'm very bad about keeping a journal. Doing this blog challenge has helped me think of new things to write so that I don't feel like I'm getting too repetitive when writing in my journal.

I know I had more that I wrote down, but I don't have my list with me at the moment.

30 Day Challenge: Day 12

Something I never leave the house without. Well this is going to be one of the shortests posts ever. My purse. I never leave the house without my purse.

On a side note, my dog turned 4 yesterday. In dog years that's 28, so I guess she's older than me now.

30 Day Challenge: Day 11

Favorite TV shows. This one would be almost impossible for me to do if they didn't put TV series out on DVD. I don't get any TV reception, the mountain behind our house blocks us from the satellites, and we can't get cable. So, anyway, luckily I can buy my favorite shows on DVD. Those shows include BONES, Veronica Mars, and Gillmore Girls. I really enjoy smart shows that I can laugh at the fourth of fifth time that I watch it. I hate it when you watch a show again and nothing is funny like it was the first time. Well, I guess that's all for today.

30 Day Challenge: Day 10

Something I'm afraid of. This is easy. Anyone who knows me well will be able to tell you that I am terrified of spiders. Unless it drops from the ceiling right in front of my face, or on me, I'm not one of those girls who will go screaming and running out of a room. I have worked with those girls, and even though I am afraid of spiders myself, I have to laugh at them. I will keep my distance from it though. In fact, I have a hard time concentraing on what I'm doing if I know there's a spider in the same room. I couldn't even kill them when I was younger. I still have problems killing the larger ones, which unfortunately I run into a lot considering I live in the mountains. My sister is used to me asking her to take care of the big spiders in the corners of my bathroom. She probably only kills them for me without complaint because she knows I'll get rid of the snakes that the cat brings into the house. Alive. I would post a picture to go along with this post, but even looking at a picture of a spider creeps me out.

I have to say that I think I'm doing pretty well with this challenge so far. I'm a third of the way through it and I haven't missed a single day!

30 Day Challenge: Day 9

A picture of my best friend. This is the hardest post I've had to do so far on this challenge. I don't like to categorize my friends, but looking back at life, I have had a few "best" friends. My first was my brother, Eric. He was my protector. He let his kid sister hang out with him even though I'm 8 years younger and didn't have much in common. Then I started school and met Andrea. We were best friends for years. All through our Elementary, Jr. High, and High school years to be exact. That's a long time to be best friends. After High School we grew apart, as friends do. I still think of her as one of my best friends, but I haven't seen her in a long time. I guess a best friend would be described as the person that you tell anything and everything to. The person who listens to your wild rantings without judging you. The person who holds an unconditional love for you. Looking at my life in this moment, I would have to say that my best friend is my sister, Carma. So, here is the picture that will fulfill my daily blog challenge.

30 Day Challenge: Day 8

A place I've traveled to.

Hawaii. In October of 2008, my parents, Joyce, Carma, and I took a week and a half vacation in Hawaii. I would love to go back some time and do all of the things we didn't get to experience, such as snorkeling. We did get to visit the Polynesian Cultural Center:

Watched the sun rise from the top of a volcano:

Saw some local wildlife:

Watched the waves roll into the beach at the Bonsai Pipeline:

We did many other things, including driving the VERY curvy road to Hana, and taking in a temple session. We had a wonderful experience, and I can't wait to be able to go back.

30 Day Challenge: Day 7

My favorite movies:

I have a lot of favorite movies, because we don't have any TV reception at our house, so we watch a lot of movies. I love romantic comedies like 27 Dresses, How to Loose A Guy in 10 days, Hitch, etc. I'm also a sucker for period romances of the Jane Austin variety. Honestly, I will watch just about anything, and usually like most movies. When I'm sick, my favorite is Anne of Green Gables. When I'm in the mood for some magical entertainment, it's Harry Potter all the way.  I also really enjoy watching Disney/Pixar movies. If I have all day and feel like vegging out, I might watch all three of the extended versions of Lord of the Rings one after the other(Yes, I know, I'm a big geek at heart). There are just way too many movies to list, and it really depends on my mood, the time of day, the time of year, etc. when determining what I would consider my favorites.

30 Day Challenge: Day 6

A picture of something that makes me happy.

Tali loves to curl up on my bed with me. What she loves even more is seeing how much of my bed she can take up by stretching out as far as possible. When I'm sick, she cuddles up with me. Tali gets moppey when I'm not around and is protective of my room (it's her space, not the other dog's. They are not alowed in there!). She is constantly making me laugh. She loves to crawl. She'll crawl through the snow for yards at a time, or across a room to reach you. She may be a large dog, but that hasn't stopped her from being a lap dog. She keeps me warm in the winter when she lays on my lap. Oh what a joy dogs are!

30 Day Challenge: Day 5

A song to match my mood. This was a hard one. I had to think about how I feel today. First off, I'm in a little pain from the 3 hour root canal I had yesterday, so that tends to affect my mood. Second, because I was off work yesterday, I have been playing a little game of catch-up which can put me in a stressed mood. Finally, I realized that my mood has basically been the same for the last couple months: hopeful. I think most of you will be able to tell from the song I picked just what I am hoping for.

Haven't Met You Yet
by Michael Buble

I'm not surprised, not everything lasts
I've broken my heart so many times, I stopped keeping track
Talk myself in, I talk myself out
I get all worked up, then I let myself down

I tried so very hard not to lose it
I came up with a million excuses
I thought, I thought of every possibility

And I know someday that it'll all turn out
You'll make me work, so we can work to work it out
And I promise you, kid, that I give so much more than I get
I just haven't met you yet

I might have to wait, I'll never give up
I guess it's half timing, and the other half's luck
Wherever you are, whenever it's right
You'll come out of nowhere and into my life

And I know that we can be so amazing
And, baby, your love is gonna change me
And now I can see every possibility

And somehow I know that it'll all turn out
You'll make me work, so we can work to work it out
And I promise you, kid, I give so much more than I get
I just haven't met you yet

They say all's fair
In love and war
But I won't need to fight it
We'll get it right and we'll be united

And I know that we can be so amazing
And being in your life is gonna change me
And now I can see every single possibility

And someday I know it'll all turn out
And I'll work to work it out
Promise you, kid, I'll give more than I get
Than I get, than I get, than I get

Oh, you know it'll all turn out
And you'll make me work so we can work to work it out
And I promise you kid to give so much more than I get
Yeah, I just haven't met you yet

I just haven't met you yet
Oh, promise you, kid
To give so much more than I get

I said love, love, love, love
Love, love, love, love
(I just haven't met you yet)
Love, love, love, love
Love, love
I just haven't met you yet

30 Day Challenge: Day 4

 

Dad at the Kanesville Tabernacle during their mission to Winter Quarters

Today's challenge is to talk about my parents. Mom and Dad have been the most wonderful example in my life. They have shown me what love is. They have taught me the gospel and shown me how to grow my own testimony. I was able to go through the temple for the first time with them while they were serving their first mission in Winter Quarters.

Mom is an artist. She sketches and paints, sews and quilts, and she taught me how to play the piano. She is very patient. She put up with my tantrums when I didn't want to practice or have my piano lessons. She is a wonderful teacher, though we had different learning styles that made it difficult for her to help me with my work. She gets exited about the smallest accomplishments we achieve. It's easy to see how much she loves each of her children and grandchildren. Mom is always there when I need someone to talk to. She'll listen and really care about what is going on in my life, no matter how trivial it seems. She has taught me to take care of myself. I remember being sick when I was younger. I would go to her and tell her, "I don't feel good." Her response would be, "I don't know what to tell you, honey." She let me learn for myself how to nurse myself back to health. I value those lessons that helped me to become more independent.

    Mom at home this morning

Dad has never been a very affectionate man. Hugs from him are rare, but when they come, you can feel the full power of his love in them. It's rare for him to say out loud that he loves you, but he has never failed to make me feel loved. I know of his love from the concern he puts into my well-being. When there are problems, Dad can fix them. He can always give me the advice I need. I am grateful that he takes his responsibilities as a priesthood holder seriously and lives a righteous life so that when I need comfort or guidance that only our Father in Heaven can provide, I know I can ask for a blessing. Dad has a dry sense on humor that can take some getting used to. He gets it from his dad and has passed it on to many of his kids. He would do anything for Mom. It's easy to see the love he holds for her. There is a quote that says, "A man can do nothing more for his children than to love his wife." My dad is the perfect example of this quote, and has done more than words can say for his children.

30 Day Challenge: Day 3

Okay, today is about my first love. Romantically speaking, I have never been in love. I have dated a little, but never felt "in love" with anyone. I have had deep feelings for these individuals, but they have been no more than the love I would feel for a friend. I know the time will come, hopefully soon, when I will find my eternal companion. But for now, I guess I will just have to settle with my love of my parents, siblings, nieces, nephews, etc. They were the first recipients of my love on this earth. That love grew to include my friends, peers, teachers, guides, and the children I teach in primary. I have felt many different kinds of love, with different levels of depth, for many people in my life. I would have to say that I have a great love for the animals I have had. An animal's love is so unconditional that you can't help but love them back.

Going into a religious view of things, I suppose my very first love would be that for my Heavenly parents. Though I cannot remember them, I have learned about them here on earth and have formed a relationship through prayer. I can see the love that my parents have for our Heavenly Father, and have learned from them how to come to know for myself of His existence and to know of His love. A greater love there will never be.

30 Day Challenge: Day 2

Today is the meaning behind my blog's name. Close to four years ago I got my fist dog, a chocolate lab. She is a pure blooded lab and I wanted to register her with the AKC.The AKC requires three names on the papers. I already knew I wanted to name her Naphtali. Seeing as I love music, I loved the sound of Naphtali's Melody. I couldn't think of a third name, so I simply named her Amanda's Naphtali Melody.  So, that is how my blog got its name. Naphtali is a name from the bible. It is Hebrew and means "to struggle". It is one of the twelve tribes of Israel. I call her Tali for short, pronounced Tall-e. This is one of my favorite pictures of her:

30 Day Challenge: Day 1

Today I am supposed to post a recent photo and tell you 15 interesting facts about myself. So, here is my recent photo, taken this morning:

And here are 15 interesting facts about me:

1. I make jewelry

2. I carve stamps to plant for letter boxing

3. I've taught Primary for six years and absolutely love it.

4. I've played the piano since I was five or six years old.

5. I played the violin in 5th and 6th grade, then switched to the viola. I continued to play the viola through Jr. High and High School, but I haven't played either instrument much since.

6. I love to sing. Yep, I'm one of those weirdos who sings along with the music in the grocery store. Out loud.

7. I have a logical side, some people have called me an "extreme literalist."

8. I love to travel. I have been to a few different countries, including Germany, France, Austria, Italy, Canada, and Mexico. I have also been to at least half of the states in the U.S.

9. I'm good at math, though not geometry. I struggle with science, though not chemistry. Go figure.

10. I'm very stubborn.

11. I'm a major homebody. It's not that I don't like going out, because I do, it's just that I love to relax at home with my family.

12. I'm shy. I've gotten good at forcing myself to come out of my shell, but it is VERY uncomfortable for me to do so. If I know you well, I have no problem, but strangers...

13. I have a vocational degree in Interior Decorating.

14. I've never broken a bone in my body. Don't get me wrong, I've done some stupid things in my life, I've just been lucky enough to never break a bone. Knock on wood.

15. I have a niece who is 10 1/2 months older than I am. She also made me a great aunt at the age of 20.

That was easier than I thought it would be. My mind didn't blank until the very end. Until tomorrow.

30 Day Blog Challenge

Okay, so I've gotten really bad at keeping up with my blog. I saw on my sister's blog that she is starting this and I thought this would be a great way to keep me motivated.

Here is a list of the days:

Day 0: The 30 Day Challenge Explanation and Description

Day 1: Introduce, recent picture of yourself, 15 interesting facts

Day 2: Meaning behind your blog name

Day 3: Your first love----

Day 4: Your parents

Day 5: A song to match your mood

Day 6: A picture of something that makes you happy

Day 7: Favorite movies

Day 8: A place you've traveled to

Day 9: A favorite picture of your best friend

Day 10: Something you're afraid of

Day 11: Favorite tv shows

Day 12: Something you don't leave the house without

Day 13: Goals

Day 14: A picture of you last year - how have you changed?

Day 15: Bible verse

Day 16: Dream house

Day 17: Something you're looking forward to

Day 18: Favorite Place to Eat

Day 19: Something you miss

Day 20: Nicknames

Day 21: Favorite Picture of yourself ALL TIME Why?

Day 22: What's in your purse?

Day 23: Something you crave

Day 24: Something you've learned

Day 25: Put your iPod on shuffle, first 10 songs

Day 26: Your Dream Wedding

Day 27: Original Photo of the city you live in

Day 28: Something that stresses you out

Day 29: 3 Wishes

Day 30: a picture of yourself this day and 5 good things that happened since you started the challenge

Day 0 is done! Though, since you don't actually start counting with 0, have I really even accomplished anything? Sorry, just my logical side coming out. This should be interesting, and hopefully fun. I hope you all learn something new about me, and I hope I will, too. We don't stop to question ourselves enough. Well, until tomorrow!