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...)

Oh They Say When You're Married in June, You're a Bride all Your Life...

Please tell me you caught the "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers" reference in the title? Oh how I love that movie. Perhaps I'll get to watch it next week whilst I'm at Grandma B's in Canada next week. Oh yes, that's right...I'M GOING TO CANADA in 2 more sleeps. Now that my busy June is over I can focus on a fun family road trip to see more family and old friends and eat delicious Canadian treats. Mmmm! I'm finally getting excited. It sure did sneak up on me!

So, to back track a little bit...I had a super fantastic birthday! I spent the day in my birthday suit hiding in a spa with my bestie, Joni. It was wonderful!! I had a lovely massage by a little old lady and then we did the steam room, jacuzzi, cold dip, rain shower, ate a yummy lunch, chatted, chatted, relaxed, and chatted. It was seriously so great. We didn't even take any pictures because we were too busy enjoying the relaxing day. When I got home I was plumb tuckered out, so I had a nap, played with my nephews for a bit, then headed to Megan's parents' house for the UFC fights. It was a pretty good fight night and ended up being a perfectly low key birthday.

Don't you love her dress?? So vintage-y!


Next was my friend, Sarah's wedding. She was an absolutely beautiful bride and was literally beaming! It was so awesome to see her get married because she converted right before I was put in as RSP. She was my secretary for a little while, a great friend, camping buddy, hamburger craving pal, and more. She let me be her temple escort when she went through a few months ago, and I've just gotten to see her grow in the gospel. She's been such a great example to me. It was amazing to see her be sealed to her husband and it was truly a beautiful day (despite my horribly painful, and newly infected toe....but that's another story). And to make the weekend even better, Daniel was here!! AND...he let me take a good picture with him. Yay!! Only problem is that I need to wait for my friend to get back from Europe so I can get the pic from her.

Then, this past weekend was my cousin Aaron's wedding. He and his fiance were so cute together and happy and their wedding turned out so nice! It was up in Cedar City and I got to do the flowers for them too. It was so much fun!

Oh...was I supposed to take pictures of the bride and groom? My bad...I was having a good hair day, so It HAD to be documented, right??

Ok, here's one! Good thing my mom takes pictures of the important people!

ps...the pics for the two weddings I did this month have been updated on Sassy Stems too...

Honey, I'm Home!

So, I kind of have two boyfriends. They both know about each other and they’re both ok with each other. One is my friend Megan, and the other is of course Daniel. I have been spending a lot of time with my Megan boyfriend since my Daniel boyfriend moved away. They each fulfill different needs, and though I’m missing my Daniel boyfriend, I am fully appreciating my Megan boyfriend! She's a good friend and is continuing to teach me more stuff. Now it's just actual skills that she's teaching me, instead of just life lessons. Woo hoo!!

Lately I feel like I’m nesting without having anything to nest for. What the what?? Maybe I’m having sympathy symptoms for all of my cute pregnant friends right now. I’ve caught the domestic bug and I don’t know how or why or when, but I caught it! I’m all about projects, and sewing, and cooking, and painting, and learning all sorts of new things. I’m still working on that sewing project that I bought fabric for a couple of posts ago, which I shall reveal shortly. I’m making great progress on it this week! And I’ve volunteered for more sewing projects…because I have so much free time, right?! I plan on sanding and painting a frame I got from my friend Pam in Portland, and I’ve totally been cooking! Ok…so I’ve only cooked a few times, but that still counts! I made that “holy” tortellini a few weeks ago, and despite the little slip up it was still good. Daniel’s mom taught me how to make his favorite chicken rolls when I was up visiting in Colorado, Joni sent me her spaghetti carbonara recipe and I made it a couple Sundays ago. It was a hit! It makes great leftovers too. This past Sunday Megan taught me how to make bbq meatballs and they were sooooo good! Even Jonas liked them. I dare say I’m getting some recipes and skills to stick under my belt over here!

I still have a painting to finish from my last class, and more that I want to do. I'm making a fake flower arrangement for my friend's house, and I’m also dying to help someone decorate their house or a room or something! Please!!

Oh yeah...and I have 2 weddings coming up in the next 2 weekends. Creative bliss!