No. 6 | Friendship

I have been blessed with the most amazingly wonderful friends. I love and adore each of them in ways I cannot describe and I will fail miserably if I attempt such an endeavor. I could spend hours and days on each beautiful woman and what she has done for me and for my family.

But I have thought a lot about friendship recently. I attended my ward relief society meeting recently. Upon returning home I realized that I had been comfortable enough to be my crazy self, and abandon the "socially acceptable adult" shell I tend to put up when I don't know or am uncomfortable around people. I bounced around, made dumb jokes, and had some real conversations with the ladies there. I am so grateful to these women.

These women I live by, and get to associate with weekly at church. They are fabulous and amazing examples to me. I have enjoyed getting to know them and their families. They are real, they are smart, they don't judge, they are kind and amazing and wonderful. I have cried in front of most of them (I teach once a month... so its a fairly regular occurence...) and I enjoy laughing and eating and chatting with them all! There are many here who know and understand what I am going through. They have kids, we all deal with laundry, messy houses, and the "what to cook for dinner"every night question... These women are inspirations to me as they go through life and its challenges with grace and dignity.

I would do anything for them. And I am grateful that I can consider them as friends. I am grateful to the Lord for directing us to this house so I can have these new friends in my life. Thank you all.

PS. No pictures of these beautiful ladies... You can trust me on that though. :)

One Busy Weekend

I don't know if we could have packed more into one weekend than we did this past weekend. I am sufficiently exhausted... My best friend graduated from BYU last weekend. I told her I would throw her a BBQ to celebrate but we waited a week so as to not conflict with family matters.

So very proud of your accomplishment! <3

Friday was the day for the BBQ. Of course the beautiful weather turned sour come Thursday... which made for an interesting plan. But it was a successful party. Thanks to my wonderful husband who grilled the kabobs and pineapple. The food was delicious and it was fun to meet all of my friend's school acquaintances. We did find it rather humorous that those in attendance were all married. Except for her and her guy friend (that happens to know Bryce from work.) All in all it was one successful party and I couldn't have been more pleased with the results. (there may or may not be ice cream included for me...)

Brayden helped us get ready for the party too.

Saturday was supposed to be reserved for the family shootout (we are still bummed that it was canceled and excited to attend in a few weeks!) but the plans changed last minute, and then again at the very last minute. Our ward had a service activity that Bryce attended and I found myself detoured along the freeway until I found the Tulip Festival at Thanksgiving point where I met my mother and sisters -in-law... I've never been so I was excited to see what it was. It was fun to spend some time with the girls.

Love the aviators! 

My other sister-in-law was playing for the state solo and ensemble competition that afternoon so I found myself walking the halls of a high school with Brayden while we waited for her turn to perform. She did a fantastic job.

We stopped to get some lunch before heading off to attend Bryce's cousin's wedding. They had a beautiful backyard wedding ceremony. It got cold when the wind picked up for the dinner afterward... but we were glad we were able to be a part of their special day. She was lovely and they make the perfect couple.

The most adorable couple! Congrats to you two! A beautiful wedding for sure!

One of the cousins is going to beauty school and she was willing to give Brayden his first hair cut. He looks like a little boy now! No longer my baby... *sniff*

Thanks to Jennifer for risking your fingers! I couldn't be more pleased!

  

Brayden LOVES spray bottles. He opens his mouth so you can spray him...

This morning (Sunday) we made our way to see my adorable little nephew blessed. I am sad we didn't get to stay longer but Bryce was teaching part of the lesson for the 5th Sunday combined meeting (did we mention that he has been called as 2nd counselor in the bishopric?)

So here I am, Sunday afternoon. Brayden is taking a well deserved nap and I am unwinding through the outlet I like to call my blog. :) Thanks for reading!

Mini Houdini

Today is the day!!! This final interview should be over and passed! Bryce is focusing hard on memorizing everything... with the health care market the way it is... its a lot to memorize. We're praying hard that he will remember it all when the executives quiz him on his knowledge. I know he will blow them out of the water! But a little divine help is always appreciated! :)

Brayden wanted to tell his story... so here he is:

mmmaaaammmmm. bblloobbb *raspberry* oooo-oooo.

Roughly translated that means...

Mom's old friend came to visit and she brought me a new pal. Sterling is 2 months younger than me, but about my same size. Mom and her friends decided to go out to the mall for a girl's night. Since Dad had to study I got to tag along. We were all starving by the time we got there, so we went straight to the food court where mom put me into the stroller. I enjoyed the crackers and cookie I got waiting for the opportune moment. Then, just as I had given up hope of escape my moment had come! Mom turned to look at the baby for a minute, this was my chance! I wiggled down beneath the lap bar, turned sideways and let gravity pull my feet to the floor. Ica had to go and see me as I was squatting to my knees. Never mind her, I'm a fast crawler now I can get away!  I don't know how she did it, but she caught me before my escape was complete. Maybe next time...

Again, that was a rough translation. He might be guest posting again sometime. We'll see. But I will say this, we couldn't help but laugh at the amazing-ness of the whole food court ordeal! He couldn't help but look quite pleased with himself either. lol.

Brayden is crawling for real now... on his hands and knees. It's taken him about a month to figure out that it is faster. We think he still has a harder time on the hard floor, but he's getting the hang of it quickly. I have begun locking our cupboards, and am on to drawers here soon. He also pulls himself up on basically everything, so everything is rising in elevation. Any suggestions on bookshelves?

I have this little tradition for Thanksgiving. I make the table centerpieces for the celebrations. It started when I was in my floral arranging class and I wanted to try my hand at it. This year I was watching my daily dose of Studio 5 when one of my favorite contributors talked about this project. I knew that I would have to try them for the centerpieces. Here they are so far! I'm quite excited about them...

I have been busily working on gifts for the birthdays that are coming up. My mother-in-law had a birthday on November 9, and My mom has one coming up in December. I can't wait to post about the projects I've been working on for them... but I can't give away the surprise. I just want everyone else to be excited too. :)

Thanks to everyone who actually reads my random updates... It means a lot. Lots of Love! XOXO

Marriage, snow, and Idaho!

One of my dearest friends/ roommates was (finally) married and sealed to her new husband on May 1st. What an adventure for her (for the rest of forever) and for us, the roomies this weekend. She looked so beautiful with her hair all done, in her beautiful dress, smiling because she was finally going to be with the man she loves forever! He couldn't stop smiling all weekend... pretty cute. :)


I was able to attend the ceremony/ordinance and oh what a special treat that was for me! The sealer brought up some wonderful points regarding eternity and the couple's centrality to eternity for their family. Both previous generations and future posterity. It was quite the concept to ponder and I couldn't help revisit my own marriage and what we were told on our special day. I was also able to apply some new knowledge into my own marriage and was able to talk about it with my husband. A special moment for us. I am so grateful to know I get to spend eternity with such an amazingly wonderful man! :) (sorry mushy again... i shall refrain...)


The snow on the mountain was big, cold, and wet as they were getting ready to come out of the temple. As a result, the bride was a little unhappy. They will get to take pictures on a sunnier day, but it still makes a bride cringe a little when you plan for the sun to shine... Luckily, the Bountiful temple has a little atrium inside that they were able to take pictures with their friends and family there. As we were standing in the hall, chatting as we waited for the "friends" picture, we were right in the pathway of some of the temple personal. When we moved closer to the wall, Ica looked at a group of men coming toward us, recognized one and smiled. While passing, just inches from my shoulder, he said hello to Ica as he walked passed and she responded. By the time his back was to us we all realized that who should have walked past us but President Eyring! *gasp!* I was about to tell a story, if I had, I might have hit him as he walked passed! *blush* So yes, I thought it was cool enough to blog about... :)

P.S. that skirt was made with a little help by yours truly! There is much love in that skirt! :)

The luncheon was in Bountiful, the reception was in Burley, Idaho where his parents live. Yes, we drove out to the reception, and I was able to provide some support as our dear bride was getting ready as her brother was in the emergency room with a burn cornea... and her parents missing... and trying to take some pictures. It all turned out in the end, but as a bride it is easily the end of the world. I was very happy to be there with her and wish her and her husband the best of my very best wishes...

Bryce's brothers both live in Logan. So we stopped by for the night and went to church with Layne and Alison. We got to see Colby and Megan's new little home (which is such a great home!) and had some delicious stuffed french toast (thank you krustbuster!). It was fun to spend some time with them, and laugh a little with them. Thanks guys for letting us stay with you! We also got to spend some time with my family to share Sunday dinner, and plan some future meals. (Cinco de Mayo is gonna be awesome!)

What an awesome adventure this weekend was. I am so happy to have such a wonderful life, wonderful family, and wonderful friends! As enjoyable as this weekend has been, we are still glad to be home and back into our regular school/work life for a few days before the next crazy weekend. :) Life is great! :) Happy Spring everyone!

Sugar and Spice and Everything Nice...

That is what MY girls are made of! :)

Heavenly Father has, for some reason, deemed me worthy to receive the blessings that I call my wonderful friends. They take care of me and cheer me up every day here and I can't even begin to express my gratitude and love for each of them.

I can't imagine life without my amazingly wonderful roommate Ica. I don't think anyone who knows us can either. The whole "joined at the hip" idea is not truer for anyone than us! :) She takes care of me everyday. Her happy smiling face can brighten everyone's day and never fails to brighten the apartment. Even when I know she's having a not-so-good day... or has to go to the ER... she always makes effort to make sure everyone else is alright and happy! I get these little random love notes attached to my bed, in my car, or just randomly all over the place. She is a sweetheart. We have had some amazing times over the years and they just keep getting better. I wouldn't have it any other way! I also don't think I could watch LOST without her... it has created a special bond between us... :) I will not know what to do with myself when she goes off on her adventure to Disneyworld... all I have to say is that it had better be a great souvenir... ;) I just love her so much and I thank the heavens that she puts up with me as her roommate and friend. :)


My next little blurb is for Megan. There is a quote that I believe describes our apartment and mostly Meg. I quote Po (the panda), "there is no charge for awesomeness, or attractiveness." We have to remember to only take about 10% of what she says seriously, but when it is serious she know how to be. We laugh and worry together and have had some really great times. She's the psych major and I think she couldn't be in a better apartment of girls. :) Meg is a wonderful example to me of patience and unconditional love. She gets things done and also knows how to have fun!



Alyssa is the one who has promised to beat up any boys that break my heart. :) (Bryce, don't pay attention to that last sentence...) She has made that promise to all of us. She's a girl who knows where she is going and what she needs to do. I admire her for her perseverance, honesty, and easy-going attitude. She doesn't really complain and I am hard pressed to find her in a really bad mood. She usually greets me with a smile and a "how was your day?" :) It is nice to feel so loved! I will say, when I first moved in, she was a little intimidating... but I have found a wonderful friend and I wouldn't trade her for anything! I will miss her when she moves away from me. *sniff*

Julie and I have a special relationship... :) and by that I mean only the best! We love to tease each other because we make each other laugh. She has the best faces! If there is a potentially awkward topic of conversation we (the other girls and I) often find ourselves competing to see which one of us can get "the Julie face." I can usually win with a "*gasp!* JESSICA!!" and a good wide open mouth. :D She thinks I have weird eating habits... which I do... and will constantly pay attention to my meal times. I thinks she's just impressed with my mad skills of making everything safely unhealthy... :D One day Jules... its only a matter of time...We're pretty tight and I love her to death. There have been some pretty deep and wonderful discussions. It also makes me laugh when she comes out on the couch at night because she doesn't want to go to bed, and then immediately falls asleep... only to have me drag her back to her bed... good times. I am so excited that she isn't abandoning me over the Summer months. We are planning some gand adventures together. (take that Ica! :D ) She inspires me to be better everyday!



Katy is a brand new bundle of energy that keeps all of us hopping. She loves dance, her family, and playing cupid's little helper. It has been fun and interesting to get to know her and she is a sweet girl who has a lot to offer the world. She just got home from a mission in Argentina and has some great stories to tell.



This seemingly random post comes up as all of try to decide where we are going to live in the upcoming months. I wanted to publicly acknowledge these wonderful girls and thank them for all they have done for me. I have grown spiritually and physically so much since moving in with them. I truly believe that Heavenly Father placed them in my life to teach me the lessons that I have learned about friendship, relationships, and service. They are such great examples of Christ-like people that its impossible to find a better bunch of girls.

Catch up!

Hello again to anyone who actually reads these random ramblings. :) With the hustle and bustle of the Holiday season I had much happen and no time to tell about it! A quick catch up is in order [insert here]

Christmas was great! We had to wake my brother up to go downstairs to where the tree was. I got a wonderful memory foam pad for my apartment bed... its like sleeping on a heavenly cloud and my roommates are all pretty jealous. But I also got an electric blanket! Good bye shivers, Hello good night's sleep! :D Christmas day was probably the most lazy day I've ever spent but it was nice as I didn't have any school to worry about.


Ica and I did go sledding with Dan and Phil one day. It was quite the adventure... Phil took us to a hill that not many know about and let me tell you, there is a reason... I sled down it a grand total of 5 times and I face planted at the bottom (or middle) every time! :) It was fun though. This picture was taken just after Ica went head first into a bush at the bottom... she told me it wasn't all that tasty... I was so wet that I had iceicles in my hair! This is also before Phil pushed me through a bush and off a cliff... yep, good times...



The fam and I partied it up for a few days, Mom and I hit our "after Christmas" stores, and Ica and I finished up our roommate gifts. New Years Eve came and with it my boy came back from Roosevelt. We stayed up late and I was up and ready to go at 7. Bryce was actually brave enough to come down to the ranch in Kanab with my family and I. It turned out to be a lot of fun! I whooped him in Rummy 500... and the stars were pretty amazing at night. :) There was ice on the lake and naturally the boys spent at least an hour and a half sliding around on the ATVs. The hardest part of going down there is the hard reality of school starting again... *sigh*

As it always does, vacation ended and now we're back in school. I have a new roommate who bought Kerry's contract... she is way nice, a little crazy, and super fun. I think she will fit in nicely here. :) All of us crazy girls are back safe and sound. And so far we have survived the classes of the first week. My schedule is pretty intense but I am excited for it too. I start classes on MWF with Geography 101 at 8:00 am, ASL 102 10:00, Social Psychology 11:00, History 202 12:00. Mondays I have an evening 2nd half of the New Testament class from 5:00-6:50 to get home in time to run FHE. My Tuesdays and Thrusdays start at 9:00 with World Dance, and ASL at 10:00... so yeah, I will definately be kept on my toes this semester. I am also hoping that one of these job interviews will end with me getting a job... so cross your fingers and pray for me! :)

In world news (as far as I know anyway): The missionaries are all working hard. Xander just had his first transfer and is doing really well in Indonesia. The work in Europe is progressing forward, both in Spain with Jonathan and in France with Travis. In Japan, our Elders Stufflebeam and Badger are finding good things to write home about. In all honesty, there is not a whole lot of news from Brazil... I hope its still there! :) And finally from the MTC, Elder Raynor is finishing up his last two weeks there and will then be on his way to Mexico! The church is true where ever you are and I am so proud of them all!

Well thats it for now, hopefully I'll have a more exciting story to tell sometime soon! :) Tschau!