Mix of Arbitrary Happenings: Part I

Elder James Russell Perry entered the Mission Training Center in Johannesburg, South Africa Feb 17. You can track his mission status on his Facebook page that we're keeping updated.

My niece Savanna getting big *muaaah* kisses from her Aunt April! She started saying "over there!" It's so cute!

*See bottom of bag*

Some friends of our went on a Mediterranean Cruise in Feb. We were so jealous that we bought our own. (I bet ours was a lot cheaper)!!

BURDICK BUBBLE BUTTS!

I mentioned Burdick family traits in a previous post. This picture was taken to display a particular dominant gene. This pic is my big bro TC and I and his daughter Savanna, who so adorably inherited the BBB "trademark!"

25 Random Things about me - Tagged

1. I’m in denial that in 2 years I will be 30. (People always think I’m in my early 20’s and I never correct them).
2. I thought I'd be a Mother by now.
3. I am left handed.
4. I drive my dream car. Blue Mazda 3, not new but still!
5. I am bad at slicing, dicing, cutting, cubing any kind of produce. I just don't get how it's supposed to be done.
6. I love watching American Idol, The Bachelor and The Office. (And many others)!
7. I like doing laundry.
8. I have done temple work in the following temples: Columbia River WA, Timpanogos UT, Salt Lake City UT, Jordan River UT, Seattle WA, Portland OR, San Diego CA, Mesa AZ.
9. I love doing random little things for George and surprising him. Like coming home from work and surprising him with this favorite (and expensive) green olive salsa. He humors me by being all excited and grateful.
10. Apparently I told my sister she was adopted and she believed me for a long time. I was terrible!!
11. I like to spin around corners in the snow by pulling up my parking break, and I’m good at it!
12. I like to write poems and music.
13. I have Emetophobia, which is: (copied from wikipedia.com) An intense, irrational fear or anxiety pertaining to vomiting. ...And not like pregnancy puking, but from food poisoning or stomach sicknesses.
14. I have only thrown up ONCE in the last 17 years. And that was the one time I tried alcohol. I only had a little, but I learned my lesson fast!
15. I have travelled to Argentina, Hawaii, Mexico and Belize.
16. My sisters and my nieces are my best friends.
17. Here’s a secret: I claim to like sushi so I can be apart of the unofficial fan’s of sushi club but I won't eat it if it's in a seaweed wrap, it must be tempura fried and have a little as raw fish in it as possible.
18. I love taking pictures of things and people.
19. I was born with my elbows out of the sockets and they still are today. (Go family Burdick traits)!!
20. Since I turned 18 I have lived in Washington, Utah, Brazil, Mississippi, Arizona and Alaska.
21. I make myself an egg and cheese sandwich for breakfast almost every morning.
22. My nickname in Brazil was “Poposuda,” which is slang for voluptuous chick with a badunkadunk. It’s been my life trademark/curse.
23. I’ve always been pretty good at keeping in touch with people, even old friends that I know I’ll never see again. I get that from my Daddio.
24. I have had a total of 13 moles removed from my body!
25. When I wear my Domestic Diva apron while cooking I feel pretty and my food tastes better.

I TAG: Jessica, Mom, Marisha, Melissa (both), Liesl and Allie, and YOU!

Feelin' The Love

Snail Mail is underrated

So... since my sis Marisha has been in Hawaii, I've had fun sending her letters, (yes, the kind you write by hand, seal and stamp :) and apparently we've become pen pals!
Last week I was nonchalantly checking the mail after having a long day and there were 2 letters in there for me from Honolulu, baby! One of the letters as you can see was written on a Sudoku puzzle that I had sent her blank. She had completed and mailed it back with a message on it. There was also an unexpected thoughtful card in the mail from my Super-Mom. There was an "Ape" on it and the card said "During these times, I think of you a lot." I received them all at the perfect time too when I needed a little cheering up. Made my whole week, thanks guys!

Now for the funny part:
My Dear Mother had a senior moment...
I received the card from her and hesitated and it was addressed to my first name, and my sister Kristin's last name. LOL
P.S. I love Sudoku

*A Lifeline For Us All*

"If we were to let our thoughts be drawn out toward the heavens enough to transcend even temporarily the strains and limitations of daily life, we would be likely to hear the promptings of Him who overcame all things, assuring us that the promise is true. He will, as an act of mercy, cause the circumstances of our lives to be for our ultimate blessing, if only we love Him with all our hearts."
-Bruce C. Hafen

"Come what may and love it."
-Joseph B. Wirthlin

Independent Moments

Excuse the cell phone pictures! Here are some memorable independent moments from the last few weeks.

Savanna Jane and her beautiful dimples!

A delicious surprise snack, made and designed from my Georgie himself!

The afghan & lamp picture posted as promised. Thanks DeAnn!
& of course Cricket took advantage of another photo opportunity LOL

Unexpected rose when we met up for dinner one night after work...
I love that he can still be romantic & I can still get butterflies*

Babysitting for our friend's adorable kids, Jaxon and Jerzie!
A BLAST

Ode to Marisha

I was playing catch phrase a few weeks ago and got a word. The hint I gave was, "My sister lives in...!" And in unison one yelled, "HAWAII!" while the other yelled "ALASKA!" Then it hit me... they are both right ~ and how crazy is that?! I realized that all of the kids in our family are very adventurous. My 2 sisters living in the 2 outside states and I lived in Brazil for a few months teaching English when I was 19. TC served his mission there, and James will be moving to Johannesburg, South Africa for his mission next month. We are all adventurous; I love that!

Now for the purpose of this blog: I am so proud of Marisha for going for it and following her dreams. On her blog, she wrote about how in High School she declared she was going to go to BYU Hawaii one day but somewhere deep inside of her she thought it was simply a dream - Like a wish on a star that would never come true. I am so excited that she made it happen!

Reds are red, Violets are blue,
Sisters are great, I'm lucky to have two.
Ones in Alaska, Ones in Hawaii
My sis in law's in Provo & I'm glad to have her by me.
Marisha's in Paradise (after living here)

Here are some pics of memories we made last year.

BOWLING HALLOWEEN

GOOFIN' AROUND...

I LOVE YOU SIS *** YOU CAN HAVE WHATEVER YOU CHOOSE***LIFE IS ABOUT CREATING***WAY TO LIVE YOUR DREAMS!

Holiday Glimpse

Finally our Holiday post! (Yes, we tortured Cricket into wearing a Santa hat which lasted about a minute).
Christmas Eve was spent with George's Dad's side of the family. All the peeps that grew up in or around New York/Connecticut area. Lots 'o political talk and jokes I didn't get but laughed at anyway! Also VERY DELICIOUS food. (Anytime we have family get togethers on George side we eat well)!!

Spent Christmas morning figuring out how we were going to get the presents and ourselves over to "the folks" house in the winter storm. (They live .2 miles away from us). Nonetheless its in a different neighborhood and down the hill. We thought about throwing the gifts and the dog into a bin and sledding over, but figured it would be too deep, too cold and probably too fun. :) We decided to go in the car and barely made it in one piece and just in time for a yummy hot Christmas breakfast.
George's angel Mother knitted me their traditional family stocking! Isn't it cute? I'm so excited to have it and for our kids someday to have matching ones too! Hopefully she'll teach me how to do it so we can carry on the tradition.

She ALSO made us the following beautiful dark red afghan that matches accents in our living room. It's so ornate and thick and warm; we love it. I will show a picture of our living room with that and our beautiful new lamps.

Ok. I was taking pictures of the Christmas Tree and Cricket apparently wanted to be in on it, you know, center of attention, and I snapped a shot. I guess she's a ham like me. Wait, what?
This picture was taken at my niece Savanna Jane's 1 year Birthday party. She was so grumpy and adorable!! She was a riot on her actual birthday though. I look forwarding to having pictures of my kids to post like everyone else, in the meantime, the pet and my nieces will have to do for now! ;)