Friday, June 8, 2012

Happy Friday!

I love Friday.

This weekend is Parker Days! Free county concert, fair food and carnival vendors... yes please!

It's going to be a great weekend.

But for your viewing pleasure. Have I shared that I'm in band? haha, I don't think I have.

What began as a joke between a few friends turned into a busking adventure downtown. Please enjoy.


Thursday, June 7, 2012

Storm Chasing

For those of you who aren't aware, Colorado was hit with a major storm last night. It was incredible. I was in Littleton driving home from a friends house so I missed the major hail (and my car thanks me for that).

I wathced lightening spread accross the sky the whole drive home. Luckily I didn't hit any flooded streets. It looks like Colorado Springs got hit really hard. Castle Rock didn't fair to well. The parking lot at my office... looked like a hurricane swept through.

I wanted to share some photos with you, but I take no credit for any of them.

Photos via The Denver Post 

Photo via The Colorado Springs Gazette

Photos via The Weather Channel

Photo's via Facebook friends



Wednesday, June 6, 2012

Loving Yourself Day Seven

I don't really believe in coincidences. I think everything happens for a reason, and for some reason this week of loving myself came during an incredibly hard time for me.

It has been a battle to try to be kinder to myself, to love myself, to forgive myself.

I've faced/I'm facing challenges that are beyond my control, and those who know me well know that when things are out of my control, that alone is a challenge for me to accept.

My wise roommate, Jen, reminded me of a story that I shared with her after women's conference. I went to Austin to visit my friend Janessa and while I was there I was able to attend an LDS Women's Conference with Sister Julie B. Beck. At the time Sister Beck was the General Relief Society President for the LDS church.

Sister Beck shared a lesson she learned about trials, and the Lord coming during our hour of need.

She discussed a story found in Matthew 14/Mark 6. After Jesus had fed the five thousand he told his disciples to get into the ship to go to the other side, while he went up to the mountain to pray. Jesus remained alone, but the ship was caught in a storm.

Mark 6:46-51"And when he had sent them away, he departed into a mountain to pray. And when even was come, the ship was in the midst of the sea, and he alone on the land. And he saw them toiling in rowing; for the wind was contrary unto them: and about the fourth watch of the night he cometh unto them, walking upon the sea, and would have passed by them. But when they saw him walking upon the sea, they supposed it had been a spirit, and cried out: For they all saw him, and were troubled. And immediately he talked with them, and saith unto them, Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid. And he went up unto them into the ship; and the wind ceased: and they were sore amazed in themselves beyond measure and wondered.

The Romans divided the night into four watches, the fourth watch takes place between 3 - 6 a.m. The fourth watch is the last watch of the night.

Here are my notes from what Sister Beck said:
- We have a fourth watch God.The Lord will come to us, when we can no longer make it through the night alone.
- The Savior is watching us toiling, we are not alone.
- He will come, sometimes not until the fourth watch, but He will come.
- That time spent toiling will cause our spiritual muscles to grow.

Now, I'm not saying I'm in the fourth watch, I daresay that this could be worse, I could toil more. But just for today, I can't really do it anymore. I can't handle the toiling, my muscles are a bit exhausted. So instead of the miraculous rescue during the fourth watch, this morning I simply prayed for the strength to make it through today.

Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Loving Yourself Day Six

Last night I sat down and made some SMART goals.

I think setting goals, and working to accomplish them, is incredibly important.





I also had a very real, kinda hard to hear the truth conversation with a good friend of mine. I got some much needed perspective. Thank goodness for true friends, a voice of reason and some sound advice!

Another note on loving yourself, my incredibly talented friend and former colleague Jenny wrote this.

Monday, June 4, 2012

Loving Yourself Weekends Days Three-Five

One post to cover the weekend and Monday.

Apologizing.

I find myself apologizing a lot, and for things that I don't really need to apologize for. For instance, I sometimes apologize for only ordering Diet Coke when I'm out with my friend who drink. Like my Diet Coke is offending the server.

Sometimes I apologize for the way I explain things, or for sharing my opinion.

I don't need to apologize for expressing my opinion. I caught myself doing this over the weekend.

I'm all for realizing you need to apologize when it's appropriate. But there is no need to apologize for being who you are.

Side note: I've got a massive headache today. So since I'm loving myself right now, I'm going to take some time off and try to get rid of this.

And for your viewing pleasure Beyonce... she goes hard and I love to watch her perform.

Friday, June 1, 2012

Loving Yourself Day Two

Be Kind.

This is what I've been thinking about today. I stayed up late last night, but I was having a great time. Normally I'd be a little bit mad at myself. Consequently I woke up 30 minutes later than I intended, usually I'd be mad at myself.

Today I was a bit more forgiving.

I hear myself talking to my friends about the way they speak about their bodies or personalities. I feel so sad when I hear how hard they are on themselves, and how they choose to say incredibly damaging things about themselves. They would never say those things to me. They are forgiving of my weaknesses and shortcomings, and shouldn't we be just as kind and forgiving of ourselves.

Hi. My name is Jillian and I'm a bit of a perfectionist. Perfect Girls, Starving Daughters anyone????

I assure you I can be a lot easier on myself. I don't think there's anything wrong with high expectations, but I need to recognize my own limitations.