Remember When...

Remember when I used to post weekly? Remember when I had so many fun things to say and crazy pictures to show? When did I get so old and boring?? Somehow I've allowed myself to be a boring grown up and I've stopped documenting my life. Well, this isn't going to be the big exciting post you were all hoping for, and I swear I'll do another one this week with pictures, but I thought I'd at least send out an update on what's been going on in my life. May has been a busy month!

1. My nephew was blessed in Idaho at the beginning of the month, Gibson Ralph Brandley, and he is adorable. I'm so in love with him! He's also over 1 month old now. Talk about being behind the times here! Also, Jonas is a little boy now and he cracks me up! The kid is a ham and can keep us all entertained for hours!

2. I had 2 weddings on back to back weekends in May, both of which are posted on my Sassy Stems link. The first one was smaller and quite simple, and the second one had about 30 bouts and corsages, but I actually gave myself enough time to do it without being rushed. It's a miracle! It only took a year to get it right! I thought they both turned out well though. That makes 9 weddings and 1 baby shower in the year that I've had my business. Not too shabby, I think!

3. My best friend, Joni, is finally home from Law School and is getting married in August. I'm so excited she's back and now we get to do the planning from a much closer distance! She pretty much has everything under control, but I'm here for moral support. I'll be doing the flowers for her bridal shower too and I'm so excited!

4. I'm still talking/dating a guy in St George and things are going well. I saw him once in May because we both have such busy schedules and he works a ton, but it was soooo good to see him and we really like each other. He's a lot of fun, and a pretty amazing guy. We'll see what happens there. Baby steps, right?!

5. My family went to NY because my dad had business out there and Mom, Mark, and Michael jumped on the opportunity to go see Michael's mission. They had a total blast and I'm dying to go back with Mikey soon. They brought me back a whole bunch of presents, so I couldn't hold a grudge for being left behind. ;) Also, I travel the world without them all the time, so who am I to get bitter?!

6. My birthday is in 15 days and it's my dreaded "27". Not sure why but that's always been my dreaded number. Actually...I do know why, but I'll tell you later. The absolute only reason I'm counting down at all is because I'm going to San Francisco to see Wicked and just get out of town with my "bosom friend" Megan P. We haven't taken a trip with just the 2 of us yet, and she's never seen Wicked, so it's going to be a lot of fun. I'm sooo excited! It's pretty much the only thing getting me through my days lately.

7. Did I mention I'm moving? Don't worry, it's still in Vegas...in fact I'm moving back in the the 'rents. I know, I know, don't be jealous that I'm that cool. 27 and living at home? OooOOOh! I'm awesome. Actually, it took me a while to decide but it's really the smartest and best thing for me to do right now and I really don't even care that much about the stigma of living at home. I'm kind of proud of it now! I'll be spending some much needed time with my bros, keeping Mom company when Dad is out of town, and getting my life in order again. I just hate the moving process. Blech!

So, that's pretty much it. I won't bore you with the parts about how life gets so busy sometimes you just want to throw your hands in the air and say "I'm done!" I'm sure we all feel that way somtimes. The important part is that we take a breather, have a good cry, get back up, and keep pushing on. Life is a learning process and it's taking us somewhere great! We just need to buckle up, take the bad with the good, have a little faith, and see where the ride takes us.

I'm an Aunt!!!! ..again

I'm an aunt! I'm an aunt! I'm an aunt!

Matt and Renee had their new little guy at about 1:00 today. He's 9lbs 3oz and still doesn't have a name yet. Check out my new little nephew here! Any name suggestions?? They're thinking maybe Oliver or Remington (Rem)...

So, clearly I've been stalking everyone's blogs and I love the "airing" of all the laundry all of my mom friends are doing! I really, really want to participate, but I'm not a mom. Clearly I'm not perfect, so I guess I can air my single gal laundry. I was thinking about it and have any of you read "Can You Keep a Secret?" It's an absolutely hysterical book about a girl who spills all of her secrets to a complete stranger on a plane and ends up running into him later. Sooo funny!!

So, I was thinking that I can do a cross between the two things. Yay!! I'm so creative!

Ok, so here we go...

I have never, ever, ever been one of those girls who has ever planned out her wedding day. BUT I have to say that in the last year that I've been doing weddings I've started to think about it a little bit. Just a little though. Here's one thing I do know - I'm not having one! Take that! I really, really don't like them and I'd rather just get married, have flowers and pictures, and a family dinner. So there. Don't worry though - it doesn't mean I don't still LOVE doing other people's weddings. I do. :)

As some of you may know, I'm the RS pres in my singles ward. I really do enjoy my calling, and I love the girls in my ward so much. Seriously, they're amazing! BUT sometimes I just don't want to do it! How long have I been doing it? About 8 months. Yeah. Pathetic, I know.

I only wash my hair once a week. Sound gross? It's not! Curly hair is more dry and you're not supposed to strip your hair of it's natural oils anyway. Not gross. I still shower and rinse my hair every day, I just don't shampoo it.

I hate painting my toenails. I'd rather pay someone to do it.

I am a closet nerd. I love spreadsheets and books.

I watch people in the mall and try to figure out what's plastic and what's real.

I love snowboarding and longboarding, but it still scares the crap out of me to go really fast.

I always wonder when I'll actually get married. Not that I'm in any rush, but I sometimes wish I at least had a time frame or something so that I could plan accordingly. I guess that's where that whole faith thing comes in! Oh, and the thing where I don't have to plan everything.

I always wonder what people really think when they meet me.

I'm talking to a guy and I get temporary anxiety moments where I think he's bored with me, or annoyed and I wonder what he's really thinking and not saying. Then I remember...he's a guy...and he's at work. Guys are pretty simple creatures. They mean what they say and they usually say what they mean. Plus, he should probably focus just a little bit at work. Why are girls so irrational at times?? I totally confess to being an irrational girl at moments, even though my life's ambition is to be the "cool" girl who doesn't freak out and scare guys off. Unfortunately that's the one way pass to friend zone! Turns out men and women are wired differently for a reason. Who knew?? So, I'm being a girl these days and I'm kind of liking it. Whew!

Ok, well that's enough from me then. Enjoy my laundry/confessions/whatever. :) That does feel good.

Best Friends...

I've had a lot of really, really ridiculously good friends in my life. Seriously. I've been thinking a lot about my friends lately and how lucky/blessed I've been to have such good friends who have made me who I am. So, even though I'd absolutely looove to write a full out blog about each and every one of my friends - and I really could - I decided to reduce it to a few of my "best friends" that I've had throughout my whole life. Sometimes I hate the phrase "best friends" bc I feel like I could put a lot of my friends in that category, but just go with it!


Lindsay and I met on the monkey bars (I think) in the 1st Grade and was my best friend for pretty much my whole childhood. Crazy to think that even after all these years we still keep in touch and see each other from time to time. Lindsay is soooo much fun, can talk your ear off any day, has the cutest little family, and is the best mom ever! Sometimes I get really sad that she's all the way up in Canada, but I'm glad she's a really good blogger so I never lose track of what she's up to.


I know I look retarded in this picture, but I wanted the most recent one! Robyn and I met in the 9th grade and we were inseperable through high school (along with the rest of our "Six Babe Bandits! haha!), and remained best friends through college even though we were in seperate states. Robyn can make you laugh 'til you cry with her amazing stories! She married the coolest guy, who also cracks me up, and is expecting her first little one in a few weeks. I'm sooo excited to be an auntie to a little girl! Robyn is one of the most compassionate people I know and can literally make friends with anyone!

Again...not a great picture, but the most recent one of Joni and I. It really wouldn't matter anyway, bc we have never in our entire friendship taken a "normal" picture together, as we discovered when we were trying to pick one for her wedding website! So, although Joni was one of the first friends I made in Las Vegas, and we were friends all through high school, we didn't reach "best friends" status until we both graduated from college and moved back home. Joni is one of the smartest and most determined people in the world! She always knows just what to say and when to do some crazy dance move to make you laugh! She's about to marry an amazing guy and start their new law lives here in Las Vegas. I'm soooo excited for her to be living close to me again!

Alright, I'm just realizing that I don't take the best pictures. Oh well! So, clearly this is my madre. I'd have to say we met before birth, and she was my best friend even through all the other friends. We've definitely had our moments through all of my snotty teenage years, and she deserves a medal for putting up with my independant nature my whole life. She (and my dad) have been my biggest fans, my greatest support, and the most giving and sacrificing people in my life. My mom and I have a special relationship and I'm very grateful that she's always been there.

Look What I Found!

Sorry Dad, but I had to. So...what usually happens is that at the last minute my mom, dad, brothers, roommates, etc. will swoop in and help me with the picture taking/loading/delivering of my flowers for whatever wedding I'm doing that weekend.

Well, for the last wedding I did they came over and took pictures for me. I didn't see them until I finally sat down the other night and this is what I found.

Do you think I should hire him for all my shoots?

**Also - I just posted this wedding on my Sassy Stems page so go check it out!

What is Wrong With Me??

Ok, wait! Don't everyone answer all at once!

Why is it that every time I do yoga or pilates and we're doing "flexed feet" moves, my feet turn into these paralyzed, cramped raven claws?! It is slightly painful, and feels super weird when they finally relax! Do I need more potassium in my diet??

Why oh why do I continually insist on staying up until the wee hours of the morning when I have a hard time dragging myself out of bed every single day anyway?

Why is it that I think I'm so darn funny and am usually the first *slash* only one to laugh at my own jokes....often?

Killing Time...

1. Do you like blue cheese? only on spicy chicken fingers

2. Have you ever smoked a cigarette? ew, no!

3. Do you own a gun? Nope, but I've shot them a few times and I think I'm pretty good!

4. What flavor do you add to your drink at Sonic? mmmm...I'm always a strawberry limeade drinker

5. Do you get nervous before doctor appointments? I don't ever feel nervous about the doctor, but I do about the blood pressure thing!

6. What do you think of hot dogs? ew...only rarely if they're bbq'd and drowned in ketchup, or if they're a healthy chili dog, or corn dog. Ok, so I guess I'm not totally anti. I'm surprised Lindsay's a fan bc she said she found a hair in hers when we were in the third grade. Hmm...

7. Favorite Christmas Song? Josh Groban, O Holy Night - right Mikey??

8. What do you prefer to drink in the morning? I like milk, but I usually scrounge for breakfast at work and end up drinking water.

9. Can you do push-ups? I'm all over the girl push-up...not so much the "real" ones

10. What is your favorite movie? Singin' in the Rain. I can watch that on repeat any day!

11. What’s your favorite piece of jewelry? I'm obsessed with funky earrings!! I think my fave pairs are either my oragami cranes, or the wooden ones I got from Florence.

12. Favorite hobby? Oh man, do I have one of these? What's a hobby anyway? Like a crafty thing?? I love painting and wish I had more time for it, but let's just say flowers since that's my creative outlet and I do it the most often.

13. Do you work with people who idolize you? haha!! seriously?? I work w/ my mom so...probably not.

14. Do you have ADD? only at church sometimes

15. What's one trait that you hate about yourself? I have all these great project ideas and I get them started...but for some reason I don't think I've finished them yet. I really, really want to though!! Where does Whitney find the time??

16. What’s your middle name? Dawn, like the morning :)

17. Name three thoughts at this moment: 1) What is lung percussion anyway? 2) I wish I blogged more often, 3) Why is it that whenever you try to think of your thoughts you can't?

18. Name 3 things you bought yesterday: movie ticket, slice of pizza, milk

19. Current worry right now? honestly...really worried about a very sick friend. Don't you guys worry though - it'll be ok :)

21. Current hate right now? lack of time

22. Favorite place to be? outside in beautiful weather. Sigh. The best place is the forest in front of the Fontainebleu chateau in France, or the Versailles gardens, or the beach on a cooler day, or the mountains, or the gardens in Portland....oh shoot. I've chosen too many, haven't I?

23. How did you bring in the New Year? Annual Bunko game at the Burleson's followed by sparklers, a little Texas hold 'em with Megan, Miss and Co., then a mad dash in the back of Brian's truck to the Suncoast to watch the fireworks. haha! I forgot about that...so funny

24. Where would you like to go? Hmm...how much time do you have? I want to go to every continent before I die! My list is way too long though. I'm a traveler...or at least I want to be.

25. Name three people who will complete this? I like whit's answer too! I'm such a thief here. 3 people looking to avoid life for a few moments like me.

26. Whose answer do you want to read the most? I'm so easily entertained it doesn't even matter

27. What color shirt are you wearing? kelly green soccer shirt from when I was 13

28. Do you like sleeping on satin sheets? I don't think I ever have. I had satin jammies once and they were waaay too staticky for my liking.

29. Can you whistle? barely - it takes me a few tries

30. Favorite color? honestly, I don't know! I love brown and green

31. Would you be a pirate? probably not - I'd get sea sick

32. What songs do you sing in the shower? whatever I crank my ipod too when nobody else is in the house! The soundtrack to Wicked is a good one though

33. Favorite girl’s name? I can't tell you, or I'd have to kill you.

34. Favorite boy’s name? Jonas - cutest nephew in the world!!

35. What’s in your pocket right now? no pockets - I'm wearing sweats

36. Last thing that made you laugh? I laugh all the time. Probably a funny text or something. :)

37. Best bed sheets as a child? pink gingham

38. Worst injury you’ve ever had? I fractured my ankle "frolicking" senior year of high school

39. What is your favorite snack? dried pineapple from Trader Joe's

40. Favorite thing to do on Sundays? nap with a full belly...oh, and go to church without having meetings...sigh...that's actually more of a dream

41. Who is your loudest friend? toss up between Megan and Missy! haha!

42. How many dogs do you have? not a pet person

43. Does someone have a crush on you? ooooh, I hope so!!!

45. What is your favorite book? Harry Potter - duh! Also, Memory Keeper's Daughter is the most beautifully written book I've ever read.

46. What is your favorite candy? currently - Whatchamacallit

47. What is your favorite sports team? whoever my friends are cheering for!

48. What song do you want played at your funeral? wait, I have to die some day?? just have a party

49. What were you doing 12 AM last night? laying in bed texting or reading...I can't remember

50. What was the first thing you thought of when you woke up this morning? that's a secret ;) My second thought was, "I'm turning into one of those old people who thinks sleeping in is 8:00!"