Prayers Needed

Ok guys I could really use some prayer right now. Each time I visit my sister in Arizona I find myself wanting to move out here more and more.... and as I sit here typing in the gorgeous Arizona sun, I cant imagine living anywhere else. Yesterday my sister and I took the day to apartment hunt, and to my delight there was a plethora of beautiful apartments in my price range! Unfortunately, there are a few factors keeping me from going ahead and signing a lease TODAY. No matter what, I want to be living where God wants me. I want to flourish where He knows I will flourish best. Please be in prayer that God would reveal His will for me and give me a complete peace about the decision. Thanks everyone!

This is a picture of the front entrance of the apartment complex I'm DYING to live in :-)

A Sister Weekend Is In Order!!

YAY, tomorrow I leave for Arizona!!! Thats right, its "sistah" time! Those of you who know me well, know that my older sister isnt just family, she's my best friend in the entire world. I tell her anything and everything, and as we grow older we become even closer than before. Most of the time when my sister and I see each other we're surrounded by family or friends, so rarely do we get the opportunity to hang out alone with each other for an entire weekend. Fortunately, this weekend her husband is on a snowboarding trip with some buddies so you know what that means...... watch out Arizona here comes the Riolo sisters!!! :-) I'll be sure to take lots of pics and blog about the weekend.

See you soon SISTER!!!!

Casey's Birthday

This past Monday (Feb. 23) just so happened to be my adorable boyfriend's 24th Birthday, and in celebration of such an event, I threw him a private Birthday Party for two. Here are some pictures of the decorated apartment....

It might be hard to tell in this picture, but the whole apartment was filled with candles that where lite when he walked in :-)

A close up shot of the table

The beautiful double layer chocolate cake I baked him myself

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CASEY!!!! XOXOX

Eating Disorder Awareness Week

Today marks the beginning of the 2009 National Eating Disorder Awareness Week!! Its a time we can all come together and fight for an end to eating disorders once and for all. I'll bet not one of you reading this blog right now had any idea that an eating disorder awareness week even existed... and that is precisely the problem! More women die each year from eating disorders than breast cancer!!!! But no one seems knows this. Why?? Its time we start talking about it. Its time to put down our shame and embarrassment and speak out. I'm not proud by any means of what I did to my body, but I refuse to remain silent and allow millions of young girls suffer. Eating disorders can be eradicated, but we need your help!

What Can You Do to Help Prevent Eating Disorders?

• 
  Learn all you can about anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder. Genuine awareness will help you avoid judgmental or mistaken attitudes about food, weight, body shape, and eating disorders.


• 
  Discourage the idea that a particular diet, weight, or body size will automatically lead to happiness and fulfillment.


• 
  Choose to challenge the false belief that thinness and weight loss are great, while body fat and weight gain are horrible or indicate laziness, worthlessness, or immorality.


• 
  Avoid categorizing foods as “good/safe” vs. “bad/dangerous.” Remember, we all need to eat a balanced variety of foods.


• 
  Decide to avoid judging others and yourself on the basis of body weight or shape. Turn off the voices in your head that tell you that a person’s body weight says anything about their character, personality, or value as a person.


• 
  Avoid conveying an attitude that says, “I will like you better if you lose weight, or don’t eat so much, etc.”


• 
  Become a critical viewer of the media and its messages about self-esteem and body image. Talk back to the television when you hear a comment or see an image that promotes thinness at all costs. Rip out (or better yet, write to the editor about ) advertisements or articles in your magazines that make you feel bad about your body shape or size


• 
  If you think someone has an eating disorder, express your concerns in a forthright, caring manner. Gently but firmly encourage the person to seek trained professional help.


• 
  Be a model of healthy self-esteem and body image. Recognize that others pay attention and learn from the way you talk about yourself and your body. Choose to talk about yourself with respect and appreciation. Choose to value yourself based on your goals, accomplishments, talents, and character. Avoid letting the way you feel about your body weight and shape determine the course of your day. Embrace the natural diversity of human bodies and celebrate your body’s unique shape and size.


• 
  Support local and national nonprofit eating disorders organizations — like the National Eating Disorders Association

If you or someone you know is struggling with an eating disorder but dont know how or where to get help, start by calling The Nation Eating Disorder Association's toll free hot line at 1-800-931-2237.

Dont just stand by this week.... do something! There are girls that need you, believe me I know!

Your Daily Dose of Empowerment

Why is it men and women both unanimously agree that being a woman is most definitely more difficult than being a man? Further more, why is it that we as women have settled into a life of resignation when it comes to our struggle with body image, food, and weight? I've heard women say time and time again that to some extent obsessing over our bodies is a "normal" thing for women to do. WHY? What about body dissatisfaction is normal? Its nothing more than an excuse if you ask me. I dont know about you, but I dont want to spend my entire life hating my body or wishing it could be different... what a waste of energy and emotion. Who said that as women this is our cross to bear? NOT ME THATS FOR SURE! I'm fully aware that as I age my body will continue to change, but why are we all trying so desperately hard to keep that from happening? We should be wearing our ever changing bodies as badges of honor... not failure. Now dont be mistaken, I too am guilty of riding the seemingly never ending merry-go-round of body image issues... but I'll be damned if I let myself believe that its "just the way life is". Next time you look at your cellulite, thick thighs, fluffy tummy, or big butt, dare to fight back. Big butt?? SAYS WHO? Ugly hair? SAYS WHO? Who made the rule that only skinny girls with stick legs, big boob, perfect hair, and flawless skin were beautiful? Its time to change our definition of beauty. Its time to be proud of who we are and what we look like. Its time stop letting our unrealistic ideal of the "perfect figure" dictate what we eat, what we wear, or what we do. Dont promise to love who you are five pounds from now... just do it NOW! It wont be easy I can promise you that.... but it will be worth it. I dont know about you, but I'm done believing that all women are doomed to struggle with body image their entire life.... thats ridiculous, and I bet it makes God incredibly sad.

Desire of my heart

Alright guys, ever since I posted the blog about "dating" I've had several friends approach me and voice their opinion on the matter even though I never asked for it. I dont mean to be rude, but my blog is not a place where people can read about whats going on in my life and criticize it as if it were their own. I've been extremely open and vulnerable when writing my entries and if you disagree with what I have to say or how I'm feel regarding something, then by all means dont read it. When in came to the "dating" blog, I wrote it after a long and frustrating night and as a result my thoughts were quite raw, emotional, and jumbled... but also completely honest. Unfortunately, due to the negative response I received I removed the entry from my blog out of annoyance. For those of you who didnt have the opportunity to read it, I basically just took a moment to vent my frustration with dating and my desire to simply find the man God has for me and settle down into marriage and family life. I realize that not everyone shares my desire to get married at a young age, but just because I dont want to be single until I'm 30, doesnt mean I dont know how to be alone, or that I'm discontent with the life I have. God places different desires on different hearts... mine is to get married young and have a family, and there is NOTHING wrong with that. Maybe I seem overly anxious in wanting to do so, but to be honest I am anxious for that to happen. I know God has a plan for my life, and if He doesnt want me to meet someone until I'm much older, thats ok with me because I know God knows best, but I dont appreciate being told by friends that I'm being ridiculous for wanting what I want. This little incident almost made me want to stop blogging, but thanks to my wonderful sister's advice, I've realized that doing so would be allowing the negative responses I received to get to me... and that simply is NOT going to happen! I refuse to make apologies for who I am.

"...As we grow older, our desire matured into a longing to be pursued, desired, and wanted as a woman. 'Why am I so embarassed by the depth of my desire for this?' asked a young friend just the other day. We were talking about her life as a single woman, and how she loves her work but would much rather be married. Your a woman, there is nothing wrong with this. As some core place, maybe deep within, perhaps hidden or buried in her heart, every woman wants to be seen, wanted, and pursued. We want to be romanced."

~Captivating by Stasi Eldridge

A Day of Prayer

Well today is the day all Christians have been dreading.... the presidential inauguration of Barack Obama. I, of course, have no idea what is in store for this nation over the next four years, but to be honest I'm afraid for what Obama has in store for us, which is why I've decided to spend the day in prayer for Him and this nation. Please join me in doing so as he takes office.

"I am confidant that the Almighty has his plans and will work them out, and whether we see it or not they will be the best for us"

~Abraham Lincoln

Not Me Monday

All you bloggers out there have probably already heard of a little thing called "Not Me" Monday, which was originally started by a young mother who sought to use her blog as an inspiration to all mothers and women of the world. "Not Me" Monday is basically and fun and silly way to deny all the things we've done that day and make lite of the complicated and harry lives we lead as women. So here it goes, my first "Not Me" Monday blog.... enjoy!

1. This morning I DID NOT hit my snooze button until 30 min before I had to leave for work. And I certainly DID NOT skip my shower and opt for a greasy ponytail instead. That would be gross... NOT ME!


2. I DID NOT vent to my boss for 40 minuets this morning about the stress I'm under regarding school, money, and life in general. I would NEVER do something like that... why its unprofessional!


3. While grocery shopping with Brookie this afternoon, I DID NOT open a bag of un-paid for Cheetos and a chocolate milk for her to snack on just so I could shop in peace. And I DID NOT sample a couple grapes in the produce isle just because I was starving.


4. I DID NOT get all showered and dressed before walking my dog this evening just in case I would run into any cute guys in my apartment complex walking their dogs... thats just ridiculous!


5. I DID NOT dance around my apartment to the All American Rejects song "Gives Me Hell" while making dinner tonight.... only to realize that my slider blinds were open and my lovely neighbors across the way were watching me... how embarrassing, its just NOT something I would do.
6. Finally, I AM NOT sitting here typing this blog in the middle of my living room that is still fully decorated for Christmas... tree and all!

What is it you DID NOT do today? Join in on the fun of "Not Me" Monday! :-)

My Messy Fun Life....

I'm just about to turn 21 and as I look back on my life, I cant help but be proud of who I've become. My life is far from perfect, but I love it regardless. I'm messy, unorganized, irresponsible, loud, opinionated, independent, outspoken, impatient, and easily annoyed. Sure there are areas in my life which could use some improvement... but who couldnt right? I no longer let others expectations of me rule who I become. I'm done trying to fit into somebody elses idea of "perfection", after all no one's life is perfect. Ask anyone and they'd tell you that I'd be the first to own up to, accept, and whole-heartedly love my flaws! It was actually my eating disorder that taught me to be genuinly and authentically myself in each and every area of my life. Believe it or not it was my anorexia that taught me to let go of my need for perefection, my need for approval, and my need for acceptance. I've also learned to let go of that ever elusive inner critic, and enjoy my messy and utterly unorganized life for what it is. I'm scatterbrained and cooky, creative and spontaneous, and always in search of new ways to enjoy the woman I'm becoming.

I no longer feel anxious when I look at my messy room. And although I know I must eventually clean it before it over takes me life, I've learned to take a moment before embarking on that journey, to embrace the mess before I clean it up. What do I mean by that? I mean I turn on the music and dance like mad admist the clutter and crap. I dig deep to find the child within and enjoy that carefree spirit for a brief moment in my life. Have you ever met a little girl who spent her days cleaning, organizing, and making to-do lists? NO WAY! Little girls put on their best bobbles and highest heals and they simply dance and twirl the day away. Now thats not to say that as adults we can live our whole lives with the attitude of a child, but regardless of your age that little girl will forever live inside you dying to be let out on occassion. I look at my niece and envy her carefree nature and ability to put the world aside and simply play. When was the last time you played? Whatever your quirks may be, enjoy them dont fight them... life it too short.

( Thank you Kelley for being my inspiration! I love your free, life loving, adventutors, and beautiful spirit!! I admire your willingness and ability to embrace who you've become... quirks and all. Coffee with you this morning was a wonderful way to start my day. )

I'll be preaching this till I'm blue in the face :-)

I have a challenge for you today.... Lets try to love and celebrate our bodies just as they are. I know this is a struggle for women across the nation, but doesnt every girl deserve to feel beautiful regardless of her size? Join me today in saying "NO MORE". No more fighting our bodies into a size 2, no more living on diet fads and misconceptions, no more comparing our bodies to models and celebrities, no more exercising to "firm" this or "tighten" that, no more calorie counting or scale watching, no more envying the Victoria Secret models, no more diet pill or cellulite zapping cream, no more bad body talk, no more zero calorie drinks or artificial sweeteners, no more plastic surgery...... NO MORE!!! These are the very things that are keeping women today bound in body shame, bound in endless dissatisfaction, and bound and tied exactly where Satan wants us. I dont know about you, but count me OUT! I encourage you to choose to love your body instead of hate it. Accept your shape rather than try to change it. Celebrate your uniqueness.... celebrate your cellulite, your flaws, and all your imperfections, after all that's what makes you YOU! The Lord gave you a body to love and enjoy as you make your way through life, dont waste that precious gift. Dont let Satan win... take back your body and love it just as the Lord loves it.