Sisterly Love

 A sister is a little bit of childhood that can never be lost. ~Marion C. Garretty

 Having a sister is like having a best friend you can’t get rid of. You know whatever you do, they’ll still be there. ~Amy Li

A sister can be seen as someone who is both ourselves and very much not ourselves — a special kind of double. ~Toni Morrison

I know there is mostly just one of my sisters here, but I have been bombarded with the world's best sisters in the form of best friends, roommates, missionary companions, and, of course, my biological sisters. 

Despite kids, husbands, jobs, and life events, my role as a sister will always be high on the list. 

After the Manner of Happiness

After listening to Jeffrey R. Holland's talk titled, "Living After the Manner of Happiness," here are some of my things from my life that invite happiness:

1. The gospel of Jesus Christ. One of the many blessings that come from the gospel is General Conference every six months. Another blessing was being a able to serve a mission of inviting others to live the gospel. The best? Being able to combine those blessings by watching G.C. with Courtney who I met on my mission!

2. Being surrounded by God's beauty and creations on a daily basis. The trick is to take time out of your busy life to actually enjoy it. 

 3. Creating memories with the people I love. 

What helps you to live after the manner of happiness?

And Now I'm Back

.....from outer space.

(Please say that at least one person gets the reference).

Because of my 19 month hiatus from this blog I will treat you with a 19 point list of random loveliness. None in order.

1. I'm truly back from Tennessee and Kentucky (its own planetary system to be sure).

I flew into Salt Lake City on August 27th, and received quite the royal welcome from mi familia.

2. Reunited with the Mizzy!

3. Playing the most beautiful instrument with some talented youngsters.

4. I'm thinking Stevie is not too excited to have me back as her mother 

and I like to play around in Provo. 

5. One of my favorite places to be in on a college campus. Especially with those gorgeous mountains behind! (I really missed the mountains!)

6. Can you find the "Y"?

7. Seeing mission buddies! You talk about these moments as a missionary, but it seems surreal that you are able to hang out...in pants.

8. Stalking my childhood home. Those trees were definitely not that size. 

9. Visiting Jeb's grave in Malta. So glad he is closer to the rest of the gang!

10. Seeing MANY General Authorities! D. Todd Christofferson is somewhere in that mix. 

11. Being overwhelmed with all the new nephews and nieces. "They're everywhere, they're everywhere!"

12. Still being entertained by the elder ones. He asked me to handcuff him to the chair. Being the charitable aunt I am, I had to oblige. 

13. One of the members in my mission sent me this picture. Her daughter named her African American doll and stuffed pig "Sister Johnson" and "Sister Johnson" from when I was companions with a Sister Johnson. What a honor. 

14. Reunited with Pickle! Both proud of our Southern missions!

15. We received a knock on the door one evening and a guy from the ward bought a dozen roses and was giving a rose to each apartment. I happened to be the one to answer the door so they all claim it was for me.

16. What happens when you add Halloween and S'mores together? You get orange marshmallow cream = deliciousness. 

17. Mission Reunion!!! It happened to land on my one month of being home anniversary and was such a tender mercy to see so many of my good friends. Luckily I didn't have too many awkward "do we hug or shake" experiences. We all just went in for the hug.

18. 8:30 am church means special roommate bonding time.

19. And just another picture of the siblings. Thanks for singing in sacrament meeting!

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year That Happened a Week Ago

I had a most fantastic Christmas and New Years with hardly any pictures, but a basket of laundry to prove it. Most of the holidays were spent living out of a suitcase in Boise, Provo, and Bear Lake. 

My first photo with the new camera:

 For nine months of terrorizing her womb, we thank Mummsie by rubbing her feet:

Went through the Twin Falls temple (JC and Sara left before the picture):

And went through the SLC temple as well:

Latin Dancing at the Church History Museum. Not sure how those two relate, but please note the little punk in the background. He was kind enough to inform us of his photobomb afterwards:

She lights up my life:

Some events to celebrate the last days of 2012:

Reading books.

Snowmobiling and snowboarding.

Sleeping in.

Going through the temple.

Party with the family.

Party with my friend's family.

Les Mis.

The Hobbit.

Eating food.

Awkward church dances.

Sitting in the car.

Tis the Season for..

Presents

Hey Janeen, what's that dangling on your ear?

Yep, it's an orca earring.

Thanks Rachel, one of the best presents ever!!

Christmas Lights

Farewells

Two of my best friends left for the MTC yesterday.

Only 54 more days until it's my turn!

Party Day is Every Day

The past month I suffered from a symptom in which I get nauseous every time I look at my camera.

Never fear because I did manage to take a few pics of some fabulous parties I had with this girl: 

The trekkie is Danielle and my old roommate. 

She is leaving for her mission to Peru in about a month!!!

This was from her surprise birthday/Halloween party.

Our other roomie Dianne.

LOVE these girls!

What's a party without a Jello eating contest?

The second featured party was:

Latin Night!

Tacos

and 

Jarritos

And Latin Dancing.

Last semester I went Latin Dancing which consists of 1 hour of instruction and then they turn the lights down low and let us loose. The first song, this Asian guy in white pants and a white suit jacket grabs my hand and goes out onto the dance floor. Let me tell you, I was twirling all over the place like a rag doll. It was crazy!

And guess who was there again:

That and our own dance party in the corner of the room made for a fantastico latin dance jam.

We finished the night with Zorro and sopapilla.

Me, myself, and I made this Mexican dessert consisting of cream cheese, roll dough, sugar, and butter.

Yum.

Side note: Me and Danielle also enjoy Zumba and lots of movies together. 

A Play Date in the City

Utah called my name before I headed up for a week of schooling in Rexburg.

While in SLC for the Greek Fest, we decided to swing by City Creek Center. We actually went into Tiffany's and a guy was asking our opinion on wedding rings. He was willing to pay a whole year's salary on a ring. Noble, but I would kick my finance's bum if he tried to do that with me. (He could spend a whole year's salary on the honeymoon though!)

Provo is the closest Krispy Kreme store anywhere and so of course we had to get our assortment.

Excluding the glaze, can you guess which 3 are mine and which 3 are Rachel's?

One of the boys that Rachel nanny's has a killer whale outfit.

Of course I tried it on!

If I was in pants, you bet I would have attempted in get into a four year old's costume as much as I could.

The same little boy said his favorite color was black and so he liked my shirt.

I just attract those young men.

Some other events that tragically did not get a photo were a triple in Provo and a couple missionary's homecoming.

Thanks for the much needed weekend Ray Ray!