Never forget to...

BeDifferent is a pact of kindness, truthfulness, self control, and most of all, love. It is a pact to think of others before yourself and to do your part in making our world a little less chaotic.

A lot of the time we try to remember to be this way on our own, but the reality is that most of us need a reminder. The BeDifferent wristband is that reminder.

What I think is really cool is that a lot of people, strangers in our own lives, want to be this way but need a little push. Ive had so many people comment on my wristband saying how much they love it and want to know what it means. Just the words themselves scream "change." Ive also run into a few friends that I havent seen in so long and a select few of them were wearing the wristband! BeDifferent is slowly but surely spreading like wildfire and for an amazing purpose.

Are you in?

Xoxo,
Hill

Spent today with my best friend.. Ive missed her so much!!! We went to our usual field and this spring, its beautiful and green. Such a bummer the day had to end early for me to go to work! But so so so excited for Saturday when we go to the BOP show and for next weekend when Jon and I get tattoos!!!! :D

Hope everyone is having an amazing week :)

Xoxo,
Hill

The black and white photo is one of my favorites from today's shoot with Kelly, and the one in the field was a candid from the shoot we did on Saturday. They went so well!! I fall more in love with photography every shoot that I have...
Enjoy!

Xoxo,
Hill

Relief.

Yesterday... I told him my story. I told him everything about my past that makes up who I have become. I knew I was going to have to tell him eventually, but I wasnt sure when it was going to happen.. and all of the sudden he asked me one question that followed a statement I had said. That question was "Why?" and thats when I knew.. I was about to spill it. I could tell he knew as well.

I had never been so nervous to tell anyone my story before; not even when I was in a crowd of strangers. I was nervous because he was about to know me and maybe see me in a different light, and I wasnt sure if that light would be good or bad.

I didnt leave anything out. Everything as embarassing as being anorexic and bulimic for one year and as intense as running away was out in the open. All the reasons behind those things were out as well. But when I was talking, I felt something that I didnt expect to feel, and that was confidence. I was confident that this was good, that he was accepting it. I was confident that I didnt break anything, and that for me is a huge leap. I am so good at thinking that people are going to leave, mainly because its happened to me so many times; but in this case, I felt secure.

Security is something that I have only ever known with one person, and that one person is my best friend Natalie. She is the one person that got to experience everything first hand while I was going through it and never had one single thought of leaving me to deal with it on my own. She has never let me feel like I didnt have anyone, and now there is another who, although didnt get to experience it first hand, knows my story and isnt going anywhere.

God is so good. He is so smart.... and I am so relieved.

Xoxo,
Hill

Family bonding

Tonight, my family and I went to dinner in Poway with my nana and her best friend. My nana and popop live in Washington, so we only get to see them once every other year or so. Nana was down by herself this time to celebrate her best friend's 75th birthday- so cute! So tonight, we all went out to the Brigantine. Getting my brothers, parents and I all together was a miracle. Its rare for all of us to even be home at the same time for more than an hour during the day.
We had so much fun. Unfortunately, I got tonsillitis this week and even now that its going away, I am still having a hard time talking. I can talk, its just a little difficult to make out what Im saying haha. Some letters are super painful to pronounce right now so I do my best to avoid emphasizing them. But regardless of this, we all had a blast. I ordered clam chowder tonight for the first time after being vegan for 2 years and man... it was so good!!!! Ive been peskitarian since mid February (thanks to Jon), but Ive been taking it slow. Yeahh I got a bad stomach ache but it was so worth it.

Xoxo,
Hill

I officially cannot talk. I can, but you dont want to hear it. My voice is going away and my sore throat is so bad that there are a few letters that I cant pronounce without cringing.
Just because Im in pain though doesnt mean Im not enjoying my day! I woke up this morning, layed in bed and listened to music, eventually got ready for my day and left the house. I just felt like going for a drive, but I took a blanket, my camera, wallet, and a beanie for wherever I ended up. Of course, I ended up going to Starbucks in Encinitas. Haha but after that, I left and went to the spot Jon showed me. The most amazing spot overlooking the ocean and a good 25 mile stretch of the coast. It was amazing. The storm was rolling in and dolphins were playing in the waves. I was there for a good hour and a half.
When I left, I headed home, grabbed my purse and left for Teri Cafe to finally see Jon after he was gone for the weekend and to get some soup. I was there for another hour and a half, and most of it was taken up by a 61 year old guy talking my ear off. It gave Jon and I a good laugh though. We had a great time.
Now Im home and the storm is officially here, blowing rain and wind against my windows. I made the most delicious drink to help my throat as well. I had intended on making a simple cup of hot water with lemon and honey, but when I saw that we didnt have any lemons, I grabbed and orange. Hot water, one fresh squeezed orange, and 2 tablespoons of honey. Best drink ever. I think Ill start making it on a regular basis :)

Hope everyone is safe in this storm!!

Xoxo,
Hill

Today was full of surprises..

The biggest surprise of my day was seeing one of my friends who I havent seen in 2 months. She is 18 and got married on Valentines Day and found out she was pregnant a week before that. We were fine before all this came up, but she was overwhelmed and didnt tell me about any of it, so we were rocky for a little bit. The other day, though, she texted me and we got to catch up and I realized how much I miss her, so today at the fundraiser, I had the pleasant surprise of seeing her and her sister.

And then later on... Natalie and I went for a walk downtown.

I have no idea what today was. International Awareness Day?? There was a festival thing with flags of all the countries and booths talking about different countries, people dressed up all crazy and dancing down the streets.
We saw a few people dressed like bananas riding their yellow bikes, a guy dressed like a singer from Kiss, another guy dressed like Lady Gaga, and plenty of other REALLY weird and crazy outfits.

So fun!

Oh and by the way, we raised $6,000 for Kate and her soon to be adopted baby girl from the Ukraine!!!!!!!


Xoxo,
Hill

Lets go raise some $$

My best friend, Natalie, is coming over in one hour and we are heading over to a fundraiser for a family who is adopting a child from the Ukraine!! :) So sweet.

Natalie is leaving in one hour to come here, so in one hour, I am also leaving to go to pick up surprise Starbuck drinks! I love making my best friend happy.

It also looks like its going to rain today!!! Time to stretch out the jeans and try to get them on! I have been going to the gym every day lately but I havent been in a week because Im sick and Jon wont let me go. He doesnt want me to wear myself out too much.. and plus, my heart rate has never gone over 135 before and the last time I went to the gym right before I got sick, I was only on the elliptical for 15 minutes and my heart rate felt ridiculously high, so I measured it on the machine and it was at 183!! I scared myself so bad so I left. No wonder Jon wants me to wait until I get better. And plus, if anything happens or I get super sick all of the sudden, he isnt here to take care of me because he is out of town until tomorrow.

So since it took me about 10 minutes to write that last paragraph plus running to the kitchen for water really quick, it has already started raining!! Im so in love with it, rain is my favorite weather :)
Xoxo,
Hill

Call me crazy

But I think its a very rare thing to be so happy with your life to the point where you find yourself smiling at nothing with tears in your eyes.

God sure knows how to bless his children. <3

Xoxo,
Hill

Good Morning from Hawea :)

This is Hawea! I babysit her every Friday from 8:00am-4:30pm. She is almost 5 months old and today was my first day feeding her real food!! She is getting so big.
Right now I am playing music by Bon Iver and she is mezmorized. I think she is in love ;)

Hope you are all having a great day!

Xoxo,
Hill

Thank goodness its going to be a busy weekend

I had to say bye to him yesterday for the weekend because he is going up to the mountains with his church for a worship conference thing(he is on the worship team, so he doesnt have a choice). He's going to be back Sunday, and since Ive been sick, Im going in to Teri to see him and to get some soup.

So, thank goodness Im crazy busy this weekend! I have to leave in about 30 minutes for work, and when I get off sometime around 4:00, my best friend Natalie is coming over and possibly 3 other girls from my small group. Then Saturday morning we are all going to a fundraiser, maybe to coffee, and then I have 2 photoshoots and a possible hostessing job on Sunday morning. This is the most perfect weekend for me to be busy! I love it.

Xoxo,
Hill

Hello again, Im back :)

So I havent been using blogspot lately because I started using this other blog site and to be honest, I kindof forgot about this one. But I think Im going to start using both, mainly because this one is more personal.
So hello again everyone :)

It has been a few months now since I have updated anything on here; I think the last time I posted was early December? Maybe even mid November.
Well as you know, it is now March and today is actually St. Patricks day... I forgot to wear green. Haha. But so far it has been a wonderful day!

So much has happened in these last few months, so I suppose I will start with the new year!

January was my motivation month. I was starting up two new jobs babysitting, my first semester at MiraCosta, and I started exercising somewhat obsessively. My jobs babysitting were Mondays/Wednesdays from 9:00am-12:00pm for an adorable 9 month old girl named Skye, and Fridays from 7:00/8:00am-4:30pm for another adorable little girl named Hawea who is now 4 1/2 months old. Within two weeks of babysitting, a few things happened: 1) I was already whipped into shape for motherhood. 2) I learned I will most likely be a really good mom and love it. 3) I learned that there is no better birth control than babysitting. For those of you who know me, you know that I am absolutely in love with kids. Ive always wanted to be a mom. When I have friends who are pregnant, I shop like crazy and have so much fun with it. None of that has changed except for the fact that I now do not want kids for quite some time. They are a handful to say the absolute least.
I was really excited when school started that month as well. I had been out of school for 6 months and I had nothing to do with my time! So starting school again was great. Around late December, something someone said inspired me and I found what I am absolutely passionate about, which led me to my major and minor in school: major in art and minor in psychology to eventually become an art therapist. I also began exercising daily, starting January 1st. I was determined to get back into shape. And well, I did it. Haha. I dont go every day anymore, mainly because I have been sick, but I managed to get down to a healthy weight and I have kept it for 2 months. Hurray!

February was a month of surprise. The month started off well. School was going great, I was getting the hang of everything as far as babysitting went, I was still focused on being healthy and I was beginning to really find out who I am. Moving away and moving back home really made me open my eyes to so much and taught me more than I thought I would have discovered. My best friend and I are growing a lot together and learning so many new lessons as we go through life. I was surprised on Valentines Day with the news that another friend of mine had gotten married and was expecting... that was the biggest shock I had experienced in quite some time. But I suppose times are changing, we are all getting older and sooner or later, that is not going to be so much of a surprise as it is going to be an excitement. On the day after Valentines Day, I had the chance to meet with a friend of mine for coffee to talk and get to know each other.. that person has become pretty significant in my life this past month and Ive never known such a happiness. He is wonderful. I also got offered another babysitting job! This one is for a 2 month old named Addie and she is such a mellow, calm, adorable little girl! I feel so blessed to have my job :)

March came in a flash and I still cant believe its already the third month of the year. Today is the first day of spring break- thank goodness!!!- and today in my stats class we found out that not only do we have this week off, but we also dont have stats the week after spring break! Best news of my life! Im so excited. Haha.
Tomorrow I work from 8:00am-4:30pm and later in the evening, a few friends are coming over to stay the night and we possibly going to a yoga class Saturday morning and then to a findraiser for a family who is adopting from the Ukraine! Then I believe I have 2 photoshoots this weekend? YAY :)

So there is the update on my life as of now. Haha I will be updating more and more as this year goes on. At this point in my life, I am very, very happy and I feel so blessed to be where I am right now and to be with who God has put in my life.

Xoxo,
Hill