When I Grow Up...

I want to be just like my Grandma Brandley. I've always admired her optimistic personality. She's a true lady too. She always has her pearls and earrings on and her hair done. She loves muu-muus and I think I've only seen her in "slacks" twice in my life! I've never heard her swear, and I love her chuckle. She's always smiling, and she is always looking for the silver lining in every situation. When we were little she was never afraid to get down with us and play. She had a closet full of amazing dress ups that we would play Fashion Show with too. She never let us win at games, but she taught us to play fair, and she would chuckle when she won and ask if we wanted to play again. She used to cut up little gummy treats so we could use them for Barbie food and she would let us use the rubber bands for her braces as our Barbie's hair ties.

I love this picture of her and my cousin Monica (whom I stole these pictures from) from the 4th of July festivities in Canada this year.

I love how in love she and my grandpa still are after 60+ years of marriage. They still hold hands and give each other little kisses. This summer my grandpa's hand was all bandaged up, but they still got out and shuffled on the dance floor at the street fair and they're both 85!

I don't know if optimism and that kind of attitude is innate or something you work for, or both, but all I know is that's how I want to be! And how in love I want to be with my husband when I'm old..er. I truly admire my little grandparents and wish we lived closer so we could see them more often.

This Guy

I'm going to Denver to visit this guy this weekend

I can't wait! It's going to be tons of fun (as usual)

I know, I'm wayyyyy behind on blogging because I've been having too much fun this summer, but I assure you there will be lots of mini posts coming soon! Stay tuned...

(ps...Thanks so much Christy Cropper for the pics. Clearly we don't take picture taking very seriously, and I think the one on the top may or may not be one of our only decent pictures!)

A Moment Like This

I was having a not-so-great day yesterday, I came into work and started having a not-so-great day again...and I was NOT having it! So, naturally I turned on a little Kelly Clarkson to liven my spirits. I was listening to her first album and it took me on a stroll down memory lane. My college roommate, Heather, and I were obsessed with "A Moment Like This" in college. We would grab wooden spoons, brushes, remotes, whatever we had available that could be a pretend microphone and we would BELT this at the top of our lungs (much to the dismay of our other roommates, I'm sure). Then, at the end we would hold out our index fingers (because we were each other's #1) and touch finger tips and make this funny "sentimental" face. I guess it's really only funny to me, and maybe her brother Jeff, and a few people who witnessed it, but it made me really miss her. She passed away a couple of years ago, so I guess I'm just feeling a little nostalgic listening to that song, and remembering how much fun we had and how ridiculous we were in college. We had a blast! I could list all of the things we did, but it would take way too long.

Another "Memo"

Ok, so I don't know if you all remember my rant about fashion faux pas , but I must add another one that has been plagueing me especially these past couple of weeks, as my eyes have been offended twice in a succession of events. I mentioned leggings in my last rant and mentioned that occasionally I do find them comfortable and fun (though Daniel and most men would disagree - if your dress is too short, it's too short. Don't try to fix it with leggings - though that is a completely separate rant).

Now, my feelings for this next item nearly echo my feelings about velour sweat suits... I DETEST leggings with denim minis or minis in general and especially on GROWN A$$ WOMEN! Seriously. Why?? A) I'm not sure who decided this was a good look in the first place. B) I'm not sure who decided that this look on a 25+ year old woman would make her look younger? False. It does the exact opposite. I'll be a little more lenient about this look on little girls (though I still hate it, and their mothers probably have no fashion sense) or as a Halloween costume 80's style, but on grown women it triggers my gag reflex and The Hulk inside me all at the same time. So if you find yourself reaching into your closet for your potholder of a skirt to put over your cotton leggings for a fun, summer look please, for the sake of all mankind, stop immediately! You look ridiculous.

Milestone

Guess who's been RSP for 2 years today??

ME!

Can you believe it?? It's gone by so fast, I've learned a ton, had so much fun, and definitely been blessed. Here are a few fun facts since I've been in:'

- Started with 118 girls and now have 59

- 2 secretaries

- 3 2nd counselors

- 2 1st counselors

- at least 4 or 5 baptisms (I can't remember!)

- MULTIPLE marriages

I can't decide if I've chased off all of my presidency members, or if they've just cycled through life and moved on? Let's just go with the second! So...I think I'll treat myself to a little cupcake after a temple session today for my little milestone :)

Spiritually Fed

Megan was saying the other day that she likes how life is cyclical. If you are ever in a rut, or something isn't going right, or you're getting lazy in your calling, it's just a phase. It's temporary. You will get back up to the top again, you just have to recognize which phase you're in and do what you need to do.

Bishop was kind enough to teach for me this week and so we were both researching the subjects of choice, decisions, and faith. I ran across this quote in a book by M. Russell Ballard last night and thought it was totally appropriate.

"The unquestionable reality is that you control how close you are to the Lord. You determine just how clear and readily available promptings from the Holy Ghost will be. You determine this by your actions, by your attitude, by the choices you make, by the things you watch and wear and listen to and read, and by how consistently and sincerely you invite the Spirit into your life."

Drumroll please...

So remember when I said I was starting a project with some fabric I took a picture of? Well I took this...

And turned it into this...

I made crib bedding! First time ever, and I soooo would not have been able to do it without my insanely talented mother who came up with it all out of her head - no patterns! Piping around the bumpers and comforter, double box pleated dust ruffle, fitted sheets...my mother is an amazing coach. She told me what to do and I just sewed it. Ta da!

I did it for this little angel and her incredible family. (Sorry, but I stole these from your facebook, Carrian. Hope you don't mind! I'll delete them asap if you do...)