#weddingweekend

So there was this one time when one of my best friends got married and then another one of my best friends got married the day after that.  For both weddings I was a bridesmaid and, don't get me wrong I loved it, but I am exhausted!  I have kinda been crashing today.  My cute roommate kellie-Jo got married and Meredith, a friend from savior of the world and roommate from Provo got married as well.  For both brides I was in charge of their bachelorette parties and had a blast throwing them!  Here are some pics!  

                                

                             

                             

                                  

Then came their weddings!!  Kellie's was first and got to do her hair and make-up! That was fun to be apart of despite going to bed at 2:30 and having to wake up at 4:20.

                               

                                  

                             

I adore Mark and my Kell Bell.  It's amazing to me how easy it was for kellie and I to connect when I moved in.  Her other two bridesmaids were her sister and her best friend since 7th grade so the fact that she chose me as one of them was so sweet.  We really did become dear friends quickly.  The reception was a blast and I even got to stand in the line!

                                   

                                   

                                    

                                  

                     

Then Mere's!  I have loved watching Meredith and Steve together.  He truly treats her like gold.  Even the way he speaks to her - the tone he uses.  He is so kind to her.  And they are hilarious to watch too.  It was an honor to be included in all of their festivities as well.  It was also fun because Meredith and I know a lot of the same people from savior of the world so it was a bit of a reunion!  Pics ahead: 

                   

                                   

                                  

What fun times.  Remind me that I HAVE to have a dance party at my wedding reception.  It's necessary.  So fun.  On a more serious note about attending a temple sealing for the first time.  It was the most beautiful thing I have ever seen.  The veil was thin and it was so apparent that those marriages were of God - His presence and approval could be felt throughout all of the celebrations. The promises and blessings made in that ceremony are worth any sacrifice that could be asked of us.  I loved watching such dear friends experience such beautiful and eternal things.  I love the temple and I love love and I love our Heavenly Father's perfect plan!  

Now to go catch up on some much needed sleep....

Interest is Different than Like

Let's talk about something for a small moment here.  I have learned a small something about myself.  Sometimes entering potential relationships, I get scared.  Like super scared like a small child.  I back waaaaaay off, want to run away from everything, and hide under a rock.  Whyyyyy?  Pressure.  Expectation.  And above all...SPEED.   What the heck?!!
Take me on a few real dates before you try to cuddle with me!  That's right, I said a few.  Make sure you actually, you know, like me before you put your arm all up around me.  Let there be a bit of suspense and guessing and giddiness - no, I'm not talking about the game - I'm talking about courtship.  The real kind where I have to start asking myself, "well is he ever going to hold my hand?"  Then when you do, I feel like I did the first time a boy ever held my hand.  Then when you kiss me, let it have taken long enough that we both can't stand not having kissed anymore.  Really.  Cuddling doesnt have to be an expectation just because both of us know we are interested.  Dont let it me a customary gesture...let it be special.  When all of my roommates sit down to watch a movie, we don't have to cuddle just because it's a movie.  Too often the physical aspects of relationships progress before the friendship part of the relationship progresses and the relationship relationship has to play catch up to the physical relationship and THAT DOESN'T WORK.  It's not designed to.  I feel like since now that we are dating to get married, it's like we both know why we are there and the mystery of it all goes to pots.  Well if we are interested, we are interested and that means we hold hands and cuddle and for some, kiss.  No.  Blaspheme!  Interest doesn't mean like and only like means physical.  For me anyway.
One real-life relationship I was in, the boy didn't hold my hand for weeks and weeks.  It was the sort of thing where I would text my best friend after we all watched a movie and say, "why didn't he hold my hand?  Did I do something wrong?!"  Let me panic for a second.  You know?  We still had to flirt back then.  Then.  Theeen.  He waited even longer to kiss me. Oh.  By the time that first kiss came, boy.  It was time.  And I had never felt so giddy.  I'm pretty sure he heard me scream as he walked away from my closed front door.  It was waited for and worked for and well-deserved on both our parts.  We were best friends first.  It had to be a process for us.  A process, I say!!  Am I completely crazy?  I mean, tell me I'm not crazy for thinking this way.  Because, hey, I have been there several times.  I've experienced the non-commital cuddle.  It's fun for the moment, but you go home after and feel empty.  I'm ashamed to admit, but it's true.  Bleh.  No mo.  MmmmMm.
Interest is different than like.
Flirt.
Slow your roll.
Enjoy.
I'm glad we had this talk.

Holla atcha random...

• Hoodies are my safe place.  Started being so in high school.  Who's with me?!
• I accidentally gag myself almost every time I brush my teeth.  What are some of your quirks? 
• Speaking of teeth brushing, did you know you can be allergic to your toothpaste?  Apparently you can. And I am.  Still using it.  Toothpaste is expensive.
• I love hats.  I wear them frequently.  Mostly because I don't want to wash my hair.  But you didn't know that.  
• I'm a cryer.  It's true.  I cry often.  It's how I process things.  It's how I work through them.  So what do you need to do?  Just let me cry.  Hold me, maybe.  Tell me to stop, absolutely not.  Make me laugh, Yes.  Always.  Above all, just listen.  Good.  Glad we had that discussion.
• I'm a fairly fickle person, I've come to realize in the last while...which is strange cuz I usually am not.  heh heh.  Crack on then, shall we?!
• I have a large amount of candy in my backpack.   I don't share.  
• I sleep on my stomach a lot and I can't stand to have to covers all tucked in and stuff.  Nope.  I will go to great lengths to loosen them up.
• I become a pretty needy baby when I'm sick.  
• I paint my nails probably about twice a week.  
• I talk on the phone while grocery shopping.  I get bored and need company.  
• I love earrings.  I feel naked if I'm not wearing earrings.  Okay, not naked.  But I don't like it.
• I chew my gum really hard.  Last month the cartilage in my jaw kept popping out of place because I chew too hard.  Oops.  Don't worry, I learned to calm it down a bit.
• I also love perfume/body sprays.  I can't just have one smell.  I have to switch it up.  Although I usually keep it pretty consistent when I'm dating someone.  Is that weird?  Yeah, I think that's weird.  I think I just try to keep things simple for 'em, ya know?  Do you have a specific scent you always stick with? 
• Current favorite snack?  Those apple-sauce pouches.  I feel like a child when I start sucking out of those things in class, but they sure are tasty!  Also expensive.  Right now, they take priority over getting new toothpaste of which I'm not allergic to.  Any recommendations for less expensive munchy munches?
• I want a baby, dang it!!
• The more and more I get into my social work classes, the more I am interested in the DCFS/child protective services/forensic interviewing stuff.  Eeee.  I know.  Scary stuff.  But it fascinates me!  
• I feel empowered when I'm wearing lipstick.  Bright.  Red. (or pinkish) Lipstick.  So I usually wear it on days I take tests.  Totally works.  Past 3 tests...ACED.  What empowers you?

Welp, there's that.  Some randoms I have noticed about myself lately.  It's good to learn about yourself, ya know?  Healthy I think.  What things can you learn about YOURself??  :)  

Where have you been all my life?!

So apparently there is this guy named James Taylor.  Umm he is amazing and I love him and I didn't even know him!  Why have I only heard his name and not his music all of my life?!  Well, now that I got to attend the MoTab choir concert featuring ol' James, I have and I love his sound!  He has such a unique sound and combing that with another one of my favorite sounds: the choir (my dad), was a heavenly feeling!  Ya know how some music can really just calm ya down and make you feel so content and like you have just gotten all the answers to everything?  Well that's how I felt during this concert.  So good.  Plus I was with some of my favorite people in this whole world.  I got to go with my mama, sister, and brother-in-law, and Mr. Chase Hansen was kind enough to be my date that night. Love these people!  Love James!  Love music!  Love the gospel!  Love my papa!

These people are bomb!

Mama gets a little irked when she cant see Dad real well.

Sista, sista.  Oh, I love this lady.  We are soooo different, but sooo alike in a lot of ways too.  She has become one of my very best friends.  Also, we make each other laugh like no ones business.  I absolutely love it when we get goin'.  The poor people around us before the concert...stifling our laughter is a very painful and awkward experience for all parties involved.

I think Chaser was a little overwhelmed at mine and Shandee's sisterly-ness. ;)

Aww.  Got a good one.  Phew!

Happy Birthday to ME! #3 + photo attack

I say #3 because it is the 3rd birthday documented on this blog.  Which means, I have had this blog for a little over 3 years!  Woot!  That is a celebration in and of itself.  Anyway,  I will now proceed to tell you about my 21st birthday festivities.  Ahem...

 So!  Usually my birthday falls right during spring break, but unfortunately my birthday fell right on the day that we all got back from spring break.   We just made sure to make the week leading up to it as amazing as possible.  First, my parents and I drove to St. George and just enjoyed the sunshine and a fun time together.  My cute daddy declared in "birthday WEEK" so I was unbelievably spoiled for that whole time.  "YOT21O" dad said.  I didn't want to tell him that you only turn every age once.  Kept that one right to myself, I did. ;)  We slept in, played tennis, went to a spa (well my mom and I did), went on nice walks, watched awesome movies (Oz the Great and Powerful...cute show.  Very entertaining.  I still like Wicked better though.  Also, Have you ever seen Touchback?  SO GOOD!!  I loved it.  The man in it is also very attractive.  That's a plus. :D), ate delicious food and ice cream, and did a lot of SHOPPING!!!!  We didn't get a whole lot pictures because we were too busy relaxing - ha, that's an ironic statement.  Here are just a couple of the lovely gems we picked out:

fun spring pants!

cute poka-dot jacket that is actually a lot more flattering on. :)
Thanks, Mom and Dad!

Anyway, when we got back from St. George, the party planning commenced!  My cute mommy gathered a bunch of things from her stake women's conference, and we were able to use them for decorations for my party.  We even did a little photo booth with props and hats and mustaches!  It was a complete success.  A few pics from the party:

Just some fun decorations - check out those presents!  

YUMMY treats my mom and I had a fun time making together.  Recipes to come, probably.  That strawberry mousse was an absolute hit.  Great for parties.

Games, of course!

The spread for the photo booth - the mustaches and lips were super easy to make.  Templates were online, and I just hot-glued them to shish kabob stick things.

The gumballs were a fun additions.  Who knew they'd make cute decorations?!  

So the pinwheels and big chevron circle things came from the women's conference, but my mom happened to have the exact same wrapping paper that the wheels were made out of, so I just made the little banner flag things out if it.  We'll be able to use them for other celebrations too!

Cute Kayc and Steven

Mom put out paper, sharpies, and a bowl so people could write cute birthday messages to me.  They were so fun to read through after.  I am so blessed to be surrounded by such amazing people!

Some randoms.  I don't know what Lee and Adam are doing in the back there.  I'm not responsible.

So fun!

Here are a couple from the photo booth - I would highly suggest doing this for a party.  It was so fun!!
The background is just wrapping paper as well!  Just ticky-tacked to the wall.

Needless to say, the party was a complete...party.  Such a blast.  It was kind of a come-and-go-as-you-please party.  People just kinda did whatever they wanted.  Ate, played ping-pong or fooze ball, ate, took pictures, socialized, and ate!
Sunday, a couple guys from my ward came and left a surprise on my car!!  It was so sweet.  Each sticky note has some awesome quote on it.  It must have taken them forever to do!  I still haven't read all of them - it started to rain so I had to hurry and get them off.  Oh.  Chocolates were included.  Need I say more?

Then after church meetings, my family came over and we had a fantastic dinner and ice cream cake.  Everyone told me a reason they love me (a Russon family tradition for everyone's birthday) and my dad and brothers game me a beautiful blessing.  Possibly the best gift I could have gotten.  It's so amazing to me to be able to feel that special power in my home during my time of need...A lot of crazy things are going to be happening for me in the next several months.  Between best friends coming home from and going on missions, finding out about Nauvoo, finding out about the Social Work program, and just making big life-changing decisions in the next while, I wanted a little extra help to just make sure I am constantly doing the Lord's will.  That's really all I want.   I know His plans for me and for others (each of those things I just listed dont only effect me, but they effect people I love dearly as well - friends, family, those who will be taught by Nauvoo cast members, complete strangers etc) will be BEST!  I'm excited for whatever the future holds.  Adventures await us!  Sorry, tangent.  The photo booth was a hit with the little ones as well.  Going through the pictures after, the ones with my nieces and nephews made me smile the very biggest.  I just love them!  The only thing that could have made this better is if a very particular set of people had been there.  T Russons, that means you!!  I missed having my oldest brother and his sweet family there.

Adam got a little excited with his jello...

So this is what it comes to, Uncle Adam?!

bah haha

Oh.  Scott never made it over to the photo booth.  Punk.

Last but not least, Monday night, on my actual birthday, my roommates threw a little party for me.  Flowers, balloons, candy, cupcakes, ice cream, dear friends, singing, and lots of laughing were all included.  Seriously, how have I been so lucky with roommates during my college experience?!  So cute.

So there ya have it!  Guys, I am so incredibly blessed.  Thank you, thank you, thank you to all who have been a part of my first 21 years of life!  It has been wonderful!  To the memories to come!!