Hello friends!!! So I have never seemed to be the perfect height for my pants, they are usually too long. But thanks to my friend Brooke, who told me what to do, I was able to hem my own pants, WITH THE ORIGINAL HEM LINE!! (After I showed my sisters, Lindsay said, WOW you can't even tell they're hemmed!) I was happy with her response.

Before I tell you HOW TO, you all need to know that I am no seamstress. I have never felt confident in my ability to sew pretty much anything. (I made my daughter a baby blanket and had to unstitch the whole thing twice before it actually looked like a blanket.) When you want to do something, DO IT. You CAN do it!

"Every person. young and old, has had his or her own personal experience with failing. But as long as we are willing to rise up again and continue on the path toward our goals, we can learn something from failure and become better and happier as a result." -President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

And now the tutorial begins!

To Start you will need:
~Pants that are to long
~Sewing machine
~Thread to match the color of your pants

Lets get Started!!

First put your pants on and figure out how short they need to be.

Since you will be using the original hem line, you will be sewing right up next to the hem line, so when you roll your pants up, make sure to match your hem with how long you will want your pants to be.

 Tuck the bottom part up to really make sure they are as long as you want them to be.

*Note that you can pin your pants, but jeans are pretty stiff and will stay where you rolled them. If you don't feel comfortable not pinning them, pin them.

** Also make sure that you look at both legs together so that you can make sure they are the same length.

Okay, once you are sure your pants are where you want them to be they're ready to sew. The reason you want the thread the same color as your jeans is so that you won't be able to see the new line :)

Make sure your pants are lined up correctly. I'll show you how to this this by the pictures below:

RIGHT

                                   

                                      WRONG

I learned it was wrong after I started sewing! :(

Thread your machine and lets start sewing!!

 I put my pants on my machine, (as picture above) so that I didn't accidentally sew my leg hole closed! Make sure your needle is as close to the original seem as possible. The closer you can get to it, (without being on top of it) the nicer and less visible the new seem will look.

As you can see in this picture I wasn't always way close to the seem. But thankfully since my thread matched my jeans, you can't even tell unless you're looking right at it.

Once you've sewed around the whole thing, do a back stitch, take them off and put them on to see how they look. You will have to tuck them back under your pants. If it looks good feel free to cut the extra fabric around the bottom off!!

Then do the other leg the exact same way!

 Hopefully you're as happy with your new hemmed jeans as I was with mine!!

 Others things to NOTE: If you do end up having to unstitch, be careful not to put a hole in your jeans and start unthreading them.

HOME SWEET HOME

First, it must be said how excited I am to be doing this with my sisters. We started this blog a while ago but weren't really consistent with it and hadn't planned out our goals very well. Tiff had the idea of starting it up again and after a lot of talking, skyping, and never ending design updates I've felt eager to get it going! Due to my full-time job and our differences of schedules, I find I probably communicate the least with my sisters (which makes me sad - read my bio). So having a blog based on the ideas and passions each of my sisters are interested in TALKing about could not make me happier! Love you sisters, thanks for making me do this!

Since it has been so long I want to TALK about where I've been! I've been living in downtown Salt Lake City, Utah for almost a year now and I love it. Some interesting and {possibly} surprising facts about the SLC are as follows. It has been ranked in the top 10 for best state for business, best U.S. hiking city, happiest state, top ski resorts in the U.S., and top gay friendly cities in America (bet ya didn't expect that one!). It has its own professional basketball , soccer, baseball, and ballet teams. It is an awesome place to live with a lot to do and love. With that said, here are a few of my favorite things about living in Salt Lake City, in no specific order. 

LIBERTY PARK

Clark and I are literally obsessed with Liberty Park. It is located in the heart of Salt Lake City and lucky for us it is only 3 blocks from my apartment! It was featured on the Bachelorette with Des and Brooks which made me so proud. Not only is it absolutely breathtaking with its large trees, pretty gardens, and enchanting duck pond (isn't though?) but it has something to offer for everyone. It has giant outside fireplaces as well as many grills for people to have barbecues, huge playgrounds with splash pads that accommodate to strollers (yes, a parent can take a child to the top of the slide while pushing a stroller). There is a sidewalk surrounding the entire park where you may choose to run on cement or a trail which attracts bikers, runners, dog walkers and rollerbladers alike. Tracey Aviary is located at Liberty Park for those of you who are bird lovers. There are carnival rides, a swimming pool and tennis courts for people to enjoy in the summer (there is a dome placed over the tennis courts for those who like to play in the winter as well). Forgot your water bottle? Don't worry! There is an artesian well that may cater to your thirst 24/7. I could go on but I've got to finish my list!
(enjoy photos taken by Clark and me on Saturday morning)

SHOPPING

It is a very good thing I have a full-time job otherwise I would have serious problems. After growing up in Iowa, Salt Lake City has been an oasis for anything I could ever imagine wanting to purchase. Those from California may disagree, but I am so dazzled by all of the many choices of clothing and design items between the Gateway Mall, City Creek, local boutiques, outlet malls and IKEA. My favorite place to shop is City Creek. The store of my choice, however, would definitely be West Elm. 

^^^When in Salt Lake you might as well 'Do as the Romans do' and put a ring on it^^^

RESTAURANTS
I have tried many "firsts" while living in Salt Lake. The food options here are extraordinary and constantly getting better. You could find almost any type of food in this city and count on it being good quality. My all time favorite is the Atlantic Cafe & Market which serves Mediterranean food. It's so cute and quaint. If you visit us we will most likely take you there. We also love Ichiban Sushi (yes, I like sushi!) which is located in an old restored church. On Saturday, we had lunch at Gourmandise where you may admire the photos we took. Is your mouth watering yet?

HISTORY

I love the history that Salt Lake City has to offer. There are actually historical plaques placed all over downtown that tell about a lot of old historic buildings, people, and things that have happened. If you have not taken the time to stroll around downtown to notice these historical treats, you really should! It makes for a really fun date night or outing with the family. 

^^^This is the church building I meet in every Sunday that I love. It was built in 1908 and that window is a huge stained glass window of the first vision.^^^

^^^This post clock is one of the oldest historical pieces in Salt Lake City. It is said to have arrived in 1870 and is the only one left of its kind! I hope I am not boring you but I think that is so fascinating! Is it not beautiful?^^^

^^^This is the City-County Building, built in 1894 and cost $900,000! It was Salt Lake City's first Capitol building and public library. vvv

^^^ I couldn't write a post about The SLC without featuring the temple I was married in. It is clearly the most popular site in Salt Lake City. If you are making a trip to Utah definitely put this on your list of places to visit! It basks in the rich history of how Salt Lake City came to be.^^^

MEMORY GROVE PARK (CITY CREEK PARK)

Ok lets be honest, I love parks which is why two of my favorite places in this city revolve around parks. There's nothing like taking a nice Sunday stroll with the hubs while admiring this gorgeous planet we live on. However, this park is very special to me as it honors those who have served and fought for our rights here in this country. I'd like to say it is one of SLC's best kept secrets (maybe it's not though and it just took me a long time to find it) but I hope everyone living here would take the time to visit and pay some respect to those who have given so much for us. 

^^^Memorial to those who died in World War II^^^

^^^surrounded by the cutest homes^^^

TRAX

Yes, Trax (and utah's public transportation system as a whole). This little light rail system could get you anywhere you'd like to go from the University of Utah to much further south in Salt Lake (as well as the airport!). I could live here without a car and meet every one of my needs. I love it. It's good for the economy, quick transportation for the residents, and fun for everyone to enjoy. It is completely free if you are only using it downtown so don't bother buying a ticket and catch a ride while you're there. Good job Salt Lake City, you win! I wish every city in America had one of these!

K Well those are some of my top favorite things about my home sweet home (for now). Not sure how much longer we will be here but I am loving every minute of it. What are some of your favorite things about Salt Lake City? Did I miss any? Find beauty and love in your city, it will make life happy and exciting for you!

Special shout out to this good lookin' guy for running around the city with me all day Saturday to get these beautiful pictures!

"WE BELIEVE" WEDNESDAYS

Yes, this is Kaylee, not Tiffany.  Kaylee lives closer to a church than I do and so she was able to run over and get a pic. for me!

So, for all of those that didn't know already....We are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints also known as Mormons. We thought that every once in a while we would have "We Believe" Wednesdays, where we share some of our beliefs. We have many family memebers and friends that are not of our faith and thought this would be a great way to share with others!

Today I wanted to start with the name of our church. It is called the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints because:

1. We believe that Jesus Christ is our Savior and that He restored His church through modern day prophets and
2. Members of His church are referred to as Latter (modern)-Day Saints. We believe a saint is someone who is a follower of Christ. 

Lindsay and Kaylee goin' to church!

If you would like to know more about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints please go to the following links:

• lds.org
• mormon.org
• mormonchannel.org



I am sincerly sorry there are no pictures of myself in this blog post today! Next time...don't you worry. Good thing I have good lookin' sistas though huh!

PERFECTION

As soon as you become a parent you feel the sudden eyes of the world on your every move.

Everyone experiences being judged throughout their lives. It first started when we entered middle school and the word "clicks" started becoming important. We were all told that high school would be better, where in most cases anything is better then middle school, but the judging really never stopped. Then we finally made it out and onto college where we are finally okay with ourselves and the people that we have become. 

Suddenly the world seems to no longer care what brand of clothing I wear and how good I am at sports. Then in the blink of an eye, it all disappears the first time your little baby cries in public and you can't seem to get them to stop.

I have always felt the need for people to see me and my life as PERFECT. I was pretty good at keeping up the charade until I had kids. As soon as I got home from the hospital with Chad, I was so full of emotions that I didn't know how to handle. 

The first time I left my apartment I remember the sudden overwhelming panic attack that I could no longer make my life seem perfect. I now had a little baby who would do and act as he pleased, and I honestly had no idea what I was doing. I felt like EVERYONE was looking at me.

As Chad and I became more comfortable with each other I finally started to feel good going out in public and being the icon for perfection once again. Chad was sleeping through the night, he was talking more than most kids his age, I finally started showering on a daily bases again and life was great. But I was always worried for when the moment came when someone would see something about my life that wasn't perfect.

This got extremely tiring and overwhelming. Even when everything was going great I was so anxious and worried that something would go wrong that I could never really enjoy the things that were going on around me. It wasn't until I made two really good friends that I started to feel okay if someone saw a glimpse of an imperfect aspect of my life. 

The first time we went to the park and Chad didn't act as the perfect child that I obviously taught him to be, neither of them judged me. They still wanted to be my friends and still wanted to hang out with me and my imperfect family.

As we became better friends we started sharing our imperfections with each other and my stress levels significantly decreased! I started being able to be with people, other than my family, and not care if they saw my family and me as we truly are!

This brings me to the point of my post. IT IS OKAY TO NOT BE PERFECT. People most likely are watching you. You probably are being judged by the people around you. But its okay. Its okay that I read a comment on a blog last week that someone thinks I'm poisoning my child because I'm giving her formula. Really I feel sad that they obviously have these insecurities that they feel they have to judge me to make themselves feel better.

This life is pretty hard. We all are going to continue to face trials up until we die, lets not make things any harder for ourselves or others by judging or feeling like we have to be perfect. It is okay if your house is bigger then mine. It is okay if your house is cleaner then mine. It is okay if my child throws more fits in public then yours does. It is okay if your clothes are cuter and nicer then mine. It is okay if you are skinner then me. IT IS OKAY!

10 WAYS TO GET THE BEST OUT OF THIS LIFE.

Ever since I was little I couldn't wait to grow up and be an adult. I always wondered what I'd look like, what things I would become and the places I would go. I feel like I have lived my whole life like this hoping and waiting for the next stage of my life to begin wondering what new adventures would come.

I have realized now that it has been great always being excited about the next stage of my life but looking back now I wish I would've just enjoyed my life in high school with all my sweet friends, summers in Utah, and the joys of living at home at the tender places I grew up. 

I grew up in a small tiny town in the middle of Iowa. I was honestly so blessed to have such incredible friends and such a fun high school experience. Yes at the time I thought it was going to be the end of the world when I broke up with my boyfriend or when I wasn't with all of my friends in the summer. But the truth of it is, those times were so precious and so dear to me, I really hold them so tightly in my heart. 

So what's the point now? Why am I writing about this? I have come up with a list of ten ways to really get the best out of life. Try them. If you don't like them or think something else should be added, then great, make a list of 10 things that help you get the best of your life. This is my ten. 

1. Love hard when there is love to be had.

Really love is such an incredible thing. I am not talking about buying gifts for each other, pretending to adore one another. I am talking about the true love that comes from simple friendship. The love that waits for you every night when you come home from a hard day. The love that is there for you when you are sick mentally, spiritually, or even physically. The love that makes you put your wants and needs away for someone else. The love that is just a phone call away at any time of the night. Hold onto the ones you love because relationships are the most important thing in life.

2. Enjoy the day. The moment. The little things.

Enjoy the simplicity of life that we have been given. I feel like we get so caught up in the future and the things to come its hard to just enjoy the day. Enjoy what ever time you are in your life because I can promise that exact moment won't come again.

3.Think Positively.

It's not always easy especially when the grass seems greener on the other side and everyone "SEEMS" like they have a perfect life. I can promise you they don't. Nobody has a perfect life and when we compare each other to someone else and what others can do, we are usually comparing our weaknesses to someone else's strengths. Think positively. Thoughts turn into words, words turn into actions. (Ashley and Kaylee used to say this after they went to EFY(Especially For Youth) one summer, for weeks) But it's true and I love it. Our thoughts are empowering, so try to think positively. 

4. Be grateful.

I had a hard time a couple months ago and I started writing a gratitude journal. It helped me realize all the things that surrounded me that were so good. I realized that my problems weren't nearly as big as I thought they were. Once we see all the things in our life to be grateful for, how can we not smile?

5.Take time to just stop and look around.
Really though. When was the last time you just stopped in the midst of your crazy life to look around. Look at your kids, husband, best friends, roommate, heck even your dog. Maybe your house or look at where you came from and where you are at now. Do you love it? Is this where you thought you'd be? If not you can take into account that maybe you should be doing more to get where you really want to be. But you may just realize how incredible your life is.

6.Breathe.
Sometimes I get anxiety. (That's a whole other story) And when I do or when I am stressed when I take the time to breathe, I get oxygen into my lungs and let it fill my body, it clears my mind. It helps you to handle any task that is in front of you. I feel it makes things more bearable.

7. Find spirituality.
It is so important to find something to believe in. Religions have shaped communities and have shaped who we are today. Or maybe you don't like the whole religion thing, which is personally up to you to decide. It's your choice. But I have found that having something to believe in gives you so much hope to know that you can become more. It can bring about the most pure happiness that can be found. It can may even give you something to live for. To help you see a different perspective. Find your spirituality.

8. Laugh. Laugh a lot.
So one time us girls were all hanging out and we decided that even when you have a bad day just try laughing. Yes, fake laugh. Laugh at yourself. It helps you realize that there is more in this big picture of life than just that moment. And if you can laugh your way through something, you are doing good.

9. Work hard.
After being in college I have realized that nothing comes easy. Honestly no matter what you do you can try to cheat on things but in the end you are only cheating yourself out of great things in life. So work hard and with working hard comes great benefits. It is even proven that when we work hard we have a greater satisfaction in life. Work hard in school. Work hard in Work. Work hard in your relationships. It will be worth it.

10. Serve.
When you stop focusing on yourself and the problems you have in life and find someone else to serve all of a sudden your problems don't seem as big. Also how rewarding is it to know that you made a difference in someone else's day or even in their life. Go out and serve. Even if it is just a simple smile, or holding the door for someone. Do it. You will feel better inside.

- Lindsay

FEARS.

Soo long time no talk huh? Let's see the past couple of months have been crazy for all of us girls and I'll be the first to admit it. I just recently got married and with that happening meant I took all of the attention from my sisters so they could help me with my wedding, whom I am so grateful for. But this is besides the point for this post, maybe. Maybe it is relevant that is up to you to decide.

I have a confession to make, to most people I seem like a pretty confident person doing my own thing and living life. But I have to admit when it comes to school and my dream of becoming a Physical Therapist, I get scared out of my whits. My poor husband probably didn't know what he was getting himself into when I go tell him about all of my dreams and how it is a love-hate relationship between my dreams of becoming a Physical Therapist wondering if I will be able to accomplish this far out dream.

For the past couple of weeks I have had more and more time to think about life and really what I want to come out of it. No big deal, right?... It's a huge deal, because the thought of Physical Therapy pops into my head and for once in my life I feel inadequate and wonder how can I be ready to help heal peoples bodies through exercise? I went to a health fair today with big companies letting out all their secrets to me on how to succeed in "their business world". I was distraught at the thought that most of these big health care businesses were people who had majored in Business. Business is not what I want to hear about right now, I want to hear about Physical Therapy. Exercise Physiology. Something related to me. I want to get my foot into the door but have no idea how and where to start. Sure I'm just a junior in college and the only experience I will be able to get is volunteer work, but hey its a start and I will gladly take it into the palm of my hands.

The point of this is I have been afraid for the past year and a half to pick up my cell phone, dial a number to a Physical Therapist office and get my name out there. I have been afraid that maybe I am not on top of my game with Anatomy, Medicine, and Chemistry.

It goes beyond this, I have been afraid of Chemistry in school.  Afraid of snowboarding fast and on my heels. (I snowboard backwards and on my toes, weird I know) Afraid of talking to new neighbors. Afraid of talking to some of my best friends from high school. Afraid to let go. Afraid to start something new. Afraid of what I truly can become through hard work and determination.

There was one thing I didn't let fear get in the way and that was marrying my best friend. Yes, we are young, in college, and still trying to figure our lives out but we are doing it together and it is through him I have found strength and should give a lot of thanks to helping me get over some of these fears.

I heard a quote from someone one time "Do something every day that scares you." I am kind of at that point where, I am done being afraid. I really feel like sometimes you get so done with being afraid and have to realize this is your life...go out there and show everybody what you're all about. This is your life. 

More importantly prove it to yourself. Prove to yourself you can overcome all those things that scare you. 

It can be little things like I am afraid to cook, smile at a stranger, afraid to love, afraid to jump into something new. Afraid to go see a part of the world that is different than anything you are used to. Afraid to pour your heart and soul into your passions and professions. Afraid to talk to someone in your family that have hurt you. Afraid to move on. Afraid to talk to that person you like. Or Afraid to ask a professor what you got wrong on a test. These things aren't so little but begin to define who we are.  

I'm done being afraid. No more excuses of that I am not qualified enough. I want to conquer Physical Therapy. 

Make a goal right now. Do something that scares you once a week and get it done. We can't let fear rule our lives any longer. 

What are your fears? What do you want to conquer?