til we meet again

http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/deseretnews/obituary.aspx?n=stephen-brown&pid=151181770

I went to a funeral this week for Steve Brown (obituary above). he's not the first person my age to pass away, but it was definitely a sad experience. Steve had cancer for a long time. I knew him and his brother when we all lived at the Glenwood (BYU 116th ward!) when Sam and I lived together. Actually, both of the brother's wives were in that ward as well.

What always impressed me, though, and was brought up by everyone that spoke at his funeral, was his positive attitude throughout his entire illness. He achieved so much and was always so willing to serve, he was, and is, a great example to me.

It makes me so grateful for the Plan of Salvation, that we have eternal families that we are sealed to. I am also grateful for the Atonement and the healing power it brings.

All in all, it was a very reflective experience, and my testimony of this Gospel definitely was strengthened.

Oh, and did I mention Steve was so cool that the Processional was to the Olympic theme song? What a champ :)

take a look, its in a book

Okay, so you can just start calling me Belle.

Why you ask? Well, I've been reading more lately! Not sure why that is such a big accomplishment, but for me it is. Early on in life, I loved reading. I used to read the Baby-sitters Club books every day after school in elementary school, and probably Jr. High. And then I got to college. And ever since then I've gone through phases, but really most of the time I don't read. Ever.

Until recently...

Gulliver's Travels. It honestly took me over a year to read. Not because it wasn't a good book, because it was, but I think it was because I didn't understand the satire. Also, I had to look up quite a few words in the dictionary. Which is fine, that is how my knowledge expands, right?

Water for Elephans: SO GOOD. I read it in a matter of days and then saw the movie. The movie was pretty good, and Edward, I mean, Rob Pattinson, did a great job. And I love Reese Witherspoon. Anyone looking for something that will capture your interest right from the beginning, that is your book.


Don't make fun... it was very informative. It was written by this guy that was a consultant for Sex and the City, and a girl that was one of the writers for that show. They used a ton of examples from women in real situations to prove that he really just isn't that into you.

Wow. Eye Opener.
My favorite line, though, came from the end of the book.:
"Don't waste the pretty."
My new slogan...


Next up, Somthing Borrowed. Saw the movie and LOVED it. I can't wait to start it this weekend!

PS Over Christmas I reread a couple of the Twilight books and the Host. Just to get ready for the last movie... again, no making fun, because I know most of you have read them too...

sista, sista, never knew how much i missed ya

Remember how Jenny and I decided we were going to take more pictures? My other part of that was that I am going to post more. Yay! I know you are all so excited.

May 20, 2011:

Jenny and I had a sister's night out to the movie theater. I had coupons for a free drink with the purchase of a nacho, so we ate nachos, diet coke and popcorn for dinner.

We saw...

It was so good! I remember reading the book in high school and loving it, but didn't remember a lot of what happened. I think it may be time for a reread...

May 21, 2011 - apparently the end of the world?

Good thing we were at the temple doing service...

We spent the morning pulling flowers out of the thousands of flower beds on the Salt Lake Temple grounds, and then our stake fed us lunch.

We went to Costco on the way home and got new dog toys.

They had squeakers in them, so... I de-squeaked them.

They underwent an extensive surgery to get the squeakers removed.

Here they are with the squeakers removed, and no worse for the wear (yet).

I think they were a success...

Post Script: the lobster is already shredded at two different seams, and Nemo isn't doing so well either. They both got ahold of the red one and proceeded to kill it. Probably because it is the color of the Univ. of Utah and we are Cougars. Duh that must be it. Cause the whale is completely intact still...

We also had a ward activity that afternoon.

Silly sisters.

Dinner was soooo good. I need to get the meat recipe from my bishop. Cause it was to die for.

Sunday before church:

My smokin hot sister

Me and her

All in all, it was a pretty good weekend. And I mowed the lawn. I'm awesome.

catch me if you can

Oh boy. I just realized that I haven't really posted on anything since the summer. What?

Okay, that is not entiiiirely true. But I haven't posted much since, well, Christmas. Alright. So here we go. Catch up on the last 4.5 months.

Jenny and I are living together! Have we taken pictures other than of our dogs? Nope. That is changing. We already made the goal last week. And have so far succeeded, as you will see in coming posts.

Anyway, so far this year...

Dogs:

We all know Blaze had a cone around his head for two weeks after he got the snip. Hegot a double eye infection (scratched both corneas...) about 2 months later and that resulted in this:

Ruby chewed and swallowed the entire soul of that shoe...

Ruby and Blaze like to play. (Fighting over the same stick)

The neighbor girls love Ruby.

And look out the window.

And sleep.

And seriously, they are two of the most beautiful dogs ever.

Katie and Sarah: love these girls.

I should also probably include James, my best friend.

We have lots of fun together.

Playing uno.

So focused. She is actually pretty good...

The siblings.

James wasn't having it though...

Carly came to visit!

Mmmm, In-n-Out. We are, and always will be, California girls.

At Best Buy: Carly and I got new phones!

Party at Kelly and Glen's: April 8, 2011

Carly, are you mad that you are holding James?

Glen stole my phone...

Jenny and Sarah

Carly and I went to Sonic on her way to the airport:

In other news:

Kjerstin, my best friend at work, no longer works with me. Sad, I know.

(Kjerstin, I would have posted the picture of Reagan but it turned out funny because she was moving. I guess we'll have to go to the park again I guess..)

I got flowers at work for Administrative Assistant's Day, even though I'm not technically an Admin Assistant

I got the flu :( but lost 6 pounds :)

There was a rainbow after the session I did the other day. Sooo cool, right over the temple!

Carly got engaged! To Bryce Mortensen. I got to meet him!

Silly sisters...

My future bro-in-law

Well that's about it for the past few months since Christmas. Expect many more blog posts to come. Because I'm taking more pictures. And writing posts and saving them until I can add pictures (cough cough, Rachel, cough, music swap, cough cough). Sorry for the length but four months is a lot...