#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....

Shout Out....

This is Shandee.  AKA Shand.  AKA Shandu.  AKA Shaunaaaay.  AKA my sister.  AKA my best friend.

Shandee is eleven years older than me, and my only true blood sister (I say that because I have lots of sisters of the not blood, or in-law kind).  Shandee and I are as different as you can imagine, and yet we still find little moments when we realize how very alike we actually are.  I have loved that now that I am older, we can relate on a lot more levels and we love talking.  She and my mom are usually the first people I go to when I am in some sort of dilemma.  Guys, she really is just fantastic.  Let me tell you a few reasons why:
Shandee is a wife.  And mommy.  She is a good at both of those.  One of my favorite things about watching Shand be a mommy is how much she plays with her babes.  A lot of times you see mommies just being mommies and ya know, taking are of the kids and teaching them what is okay and what isnt' and yeah of course Shandee does an amazing job at that.  Obviously.  But she is so good at really playing with her kids.  She is a "cool" mom.
She is funny!!!!  We have the exact same laugh and when we get goin' together, there is no stopping us.    She is goofy and brings out the goofy in me and I love it.  She keeps our family laughing with her silly voices and funny dances.
Shandee is a constant friend.  For example, when Shandee was in high school she was a part of the peer tutoring program and became best friends with one of the sweetest angel girls you could ever meet.  To this day, Jenny calls Shandee several times a day because she knows Shandee will always be a resource and friend for her.  Shandee still schedules special time to be with Jenny.  Jenny knows each of Shandees kids by name, and frequently has all of our family go to her family's house to play.  Shand loves Jenny and anyone else for that matter in the most Christ-like ways.  She fulfills her callings, she serves, she is everyone's best friend in her ward, and everyone just loves her.  No one could ever speak unkind words about Shand.  She is just too great!
Now. Speaking of Christ-like.  Shandee has one of the most tender hearts in the world.  There have been several times that I have gone to her with some trouble or concern or heartache and while I cry to her, she cries too.  I've seen her do that with others too.  To me, that is an extremely unique and special gift.  She truly mourns with those who mourn.  She is extremely empathic - a quality I personally work hard to attain.  For her it is the most natural thing in the world.  She loves deeply, openly, and actively.
I so admire my older sister.  I truly feel that so much of who I am goes back to who I watched my sister be.  She was the perfect example to me.  I don't know if I've ever told her this properly, but I loved hoping and thinking that I was maybe becoming like her - music she listened to, clothes she wore, make-up she put on, but mostly the testimony that she lived by.  So many times when I was little, I would walk past my sister's room (later to climb in bed with her because I got scared) and she would be reading her scriptures or kneeling at her bed in prayer.  I honestly don't remember a ton of things from when I was little, but some of my most vivid memories are of my sister - just little things like her cleaning her room while listening to Shania Twain, being so proud of my big sis when she was up dancing on the stage, and us practicing our little "sister, sister" secret handshake.  These are the images I think of when I think of my Shandee.  She is incredible.  Incredible, I tell you!
So just so you know, Shandee Lynn, you are my big sister.  FOREVER!  I couldn't be more blessed.
I sure love you!

Shout Out...

"Sometimes in life there really are bonds formed that can never be broken. Sometimes you really can find that one person who will stand by you no matter what. Maybe you'll find it in a spouse and celebrate it with your dream wedding, but theres also the chance that the one person you can count on for a lifetime, the one person who knows you sometimes better than you know yourself is the same person who's been standing beside you all along."  

^ This is my Cami.  Oh, my Cami.  Tears come to my little eyes and my heart swells just thinkin' about this sweet angel.  The story of mine and Cami's friendship is one of my favorites.  We met in heaven.  AKA:  Savior of the World.  Probably real heaven too - the pre mortal kind. We were just wee little ones.  Crazy little girls sliding on the rolly chairs in the dressing room wearing only our unders, playing pollies back stage, and really just running around causing all kind of havoc.  The rules that the production team have for little kids now-a-days were put in place because of Cam and me (so proud of the legacy we left there) :D Needless to say, we quickly became what we call "bosom friends."  Then I got some of the happiest news I have ever heard - she was moving from North Salt Lake to Centerville!!  I don't know why her parents were inspired to come to C-ville, except it was probably for mine and Cami's sake.  hehe okay maybe other reasons too.  Anyway, because we were so little, we didn't think to get each other's phone numbers so when I knew she had moved, I walked around Smoot Park looking for her, and she sat in front of her new house on main street, waiting just in case my car drove by.  Well, we finally found each other have never lost each other again. 
I often think about how our friendship was kindled in such a spiritual, close-to-God setting.  I think that is one reason why this bond between she and I is so unbreakable.  Our hearts grew being in Savior of the World, so we share some of the same molds that shape our hearts today.  Let me tell you just a few reasons why I love this girl so dang much.  
Cami has never ceased to be able to make me laugh.  Ooooh she makes me laugh!  Even at times when I think all that I need is a serious heart to heart cry session, she tricks me and makes me laugh to bring me back to earth a bit.  What a gift that is of hers - one that she constantly shares with the world.  
So Cami has a hard time keeping a cell phone.  She has a hard time answering her cell phone.  However, it's funny because while it used to frustrate me, we now just have a sort of...understanding.  I know she'll call me back even if it is four days later, and we will have the most enriching conversations.  She is loyal.  Unbelievable loyal.
Cami is in the world, but not of it.  I make it an effort to follow this girl's example and be sensitive to the unclean/unhappy things of the world.  We all need to be sensitive to the things we expose ourselves to and while so many allow themselves to become desensitized to muckity muck surrounding all of us, Cami does not.  She has such a tender heart.  One that is offended by the same things I imagine the Spirit is offended by.  Woman of virtue.  
Last but not least, Cami's zeal for life, and adventure, and discovery inspire me.  Simply inspire me. The enthusiasm she speaks with, the excitement yet vulnerability in her outstretched arms as she opens them to give the sky an embrace, the testimony she bares, and the love that she gives are all manifestations that God lives.  She witnesses of Him through her life.  She is a disciple of Christ.  She is a delight to all who know her. She lifts and buoys me up.  She makes me want to be better.  She is a friend of the truest kind, and I could never fully express my gratitude for her.  
Well, there is a little bit of Cami for ya.  Unfortunately, I still haven't purchased more space on my blog for pictures, so words will just have to do for now.  
Cami, I love you forever, my bosom friend! 

Perfect Way to End the Summer

For this year's Labor Day celebrations, my cute mom and dad decided that we would have smores then a giant family slumber party!  In the morning, my dad made his mom's famous ableskeevers for breakfast and we had our traditional "anything goes" day treasure hunt.  Besides the fact that it was an unbelievably fun couple of days, I could not help but marvel at how unbelievably blessed I am.  My family is my world and between choosing and naming stars with the little ones, and watching my mom read the newspaper comics as my dad picked peaches from the peach tree, I was truly content.  I felt so much peace - like if anything in my life went wrong, I would be okay as long I was leaning on the Lord and these people who I love so dearly.  I can't wait to have my own little family and for them to get to know these people!  They probably already do. :)  I just love them so much!  Did I mention that I love them?  We are a family built on the foundation of Christ.  We are Happy.  We are ETERNAL and I am so grateful!
Here are some pictures of our family fun!!

Around the fire (we only used brickette coals so my dad referred to it as a "sabbath fire")!

Our very own pyro.

Star-gazin'

Yup, good morning!!

He worked on that hair-do all night.

Yes, that is me trying to wake up.

I love that the babies are so cuddly in the morning.  

Mmmmm

Lookin' for clues on the treasure hunt!

Each of the kiddies with their Book of Mormon heroes clue, and there's the treasure box!!