Baby Steps

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I love how it says, "Okay, fine, deactivate @______"
Tricky, twitter-makers. Trying to make me feel guilty...
(It almost worked, too.)

Do you ever feel so bombarded by all things technology-- all things responsibility?
I've been sick for the past couple days and other than throwing up and sleeping, all I have basically done is spend my time on social networking sites.
Therefore, I deactivated my twitter and formspring account today.
I suppose if I truly wanted to do something big I would delete my Facebook or Pinterest account but... as much as I want to, I don't see that happening anytime soon.
But for now, baby steps.
Aren't you proud of me???

While I'm on my soap box, a huge shout out to my family and friends who have made me feel so much better these past few days. (And an extra shout out to my Mother dearest who was not even 100% over her illness (it's been going around) when I became sick, but still helped me out massively anyway. She's so great.)

10 months.

Brannigan is a big boy.
He is 10 months old and I'd be willing to say 100 lbs.
Holy moly!
With that said though, he thoroughly enjoys sitting on people's laps... it's quite an experience.


He likes to get close to the camera.




Really close.




I love him.
Mom's a saint to put up with him.
He's an Agle.

All You Need Is Love.

My Valentine's Day was a bit of a rough one this year. However, instead of focusing entirely on the negative, let me share with you some of the positive as well.

It started off by being greeted with this lovely surprise from my dear, sweet Mother who is incredibly talented in many areas but especially in arts and crafts. She made the gift bag carrying the Valentine's Day themed candy corns. Isn't that spectacular?! And you should see the cards, scrapbooks, and boxes she can make. Seriously. It's incredible. Thank you Mama!!!



The 'roughness' started at about 11:30am when a certain young man knocked on my door to say goodbye for two years.

(For those of you who don't know, I belong to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and in our church we have what you call, Missions. These missions are served by young men who are 19 years of age and are optional for young women who are 21 years of age. In these missions, these young men and women, go out all around the world and preach the gospel while giving service to whomever they might happen in contact with. It is such a blessing to both the individual serving, their families and friends back at home, as well as those who they meet.)

It was wonderful to quickly catch up, finalize plans and give hugs, but then, quick, like a band-aid, Stuart left with the words, "I'll see you in two years, pal."


I strongly believe in the work Stuart will be doing, my sister Dano served a mission in New Hampshire about year ago, and my dear friend Coryn is currently in Paris, France serving a mission. And though I believe in its goodness, it's not easy to say farewell. However, it's a common occurrence here in Utah county and life goes on.

With that said, I had to buck up and go to school.

....

That evening, I arrived home at 8:15pm, got in my onesie, and started homework. That is, until the doorbell rang. My Mom answered the door to find these beauties, as well as a ginormous heart cookie (don't worry it was devoured entirely by yours truly that night), and a card from a "Secret Admirer."


Despite the 'anonymous-ness' of it all, I knew who it was and immediately called him on the phone and ordered him to turn around and come back to my house. Being the wonderful young man that he is, he did just that and we were able to talk, laugh, and cry (I cry all the time these days, I don't know what's happened to me) for four hours straight. It was the perfect ending to an emotionally draining day.

And who was this secret admirer, do you ask? In case you don't already know, it was this handsome fellow:


I'm grateful for such wonderful family and friends and hope your Valentine's Day was a little bit more formal than my own. Why? Because, love is a splendid thing, love lifts us up where we belong, all you need is love.

It's simple days like these that remind me life is good.

What. A. Day.
I believe this is how all Sunday's should be. (No work on Sunday's is divine.)
I was blessed to have the opportunity of seeing some friends I haven't seen for a while, as well as catch up with some family members who are normally pretty dang busy during the week (or who live elsewhere).


The day started with picking Curbs up to go to Stu's mission farewell. (If you didn't see the post about Stu, he's going to Lansing, Michigan for two years. He leaves on Wednesday. Ahh!) In that meeting, Stuart made me CRY. That's right, his way with words is inspiring and his testimony floors me. Good for him.


After the meeting, I visited with some good friends (Chris and DJ), and then took Curbs home. However, before he got out of the car, I made him take a few pictures with me. Why? Because I hadn't seen him in 3 and a half weeks, that's why! I sure missed him so it was good to catch up.


Fast forward to Dano and I at home, eating super healthy lunches (sarcasm, in case you couldn't tell), to spilling our guts out for about 4 hours straight. Can you believe that? We were really just chatting the whole time. From that I learned two things:


1. My sister's awesome. (Well, I already knew that obviously but this pow wow reaffirmed it once again to me.) And...


2. Time truly does fly when you're having fun.


After a scrumptious dinner prepared for by Mama, Dano obliged me in letting me take pictures of her... and isn't she beautiful? My favorite is below:


It just seems so Dano to me! Especially accompanied by the light snowfall. Her smile is refreshing to my SOUL.


Following the shoot, Keke and Dare Bear came over to our home, where we exchanged cutie-patootie Valentine's day cards and candies. (I am officially sugared out as of this moment.)


After that, we sat around the fire and exchanged stories from our childhoods and ladies and gentlemen, I don't think I've laughed that hard in MONTHS! How funny are little kids? And how much funnIER is picturing our loved ones do stupid things as kids?


After Keke and Dare Bear left to go back home, Mama, Paps, and Dano agreed to watch Harper's Island with me, a super scary mini TV series resembling the plot of Agatha Christie's novel, "And Then There Were None/Ten Little Indians". Gee wilickers it's intense! And though my family aren't as big of fans as it as I am, they were sure awesome to give it a try with me!


And that brings us to now, my friends. I am sitting on my bed, typing this blog post and wondering how I got so lucky in this life to be blessed with such wonderful people. If I've mentioned you in this post, I for sure love you. If I haven't... I still for sure love you. Basically, unless I've ever said, "I don't love you," you can pretty much assume you're on my favorites list:)

Thanks to all those who made today special.
It's simple days like these that remind me life is good.

just do it.

I'm an avid pinterester.
I saw this early this morning and haven't been able to stop thinking about it.


So as of today, I am quitting school, no longer eating healthy, and definitely not exercising.
Just kidding!
Tempting, but no.
However, I am going to keep it in my mind.
Happiness is important, ladies and gents.
What are YOU doing to ensure YOUR happiness?

(Let me know if there's anything I can do to help.)

I love my Dad.

It's my Daddy's birthday today.
I was supposed to be born on this day but instead, I came early so as to let my wonderful father have this day all to himself. Why? Because he deserves it! He is extraordinary!
Let's start from the beginning, shall we?

This is my Dad when he was little:

Can you find him? (He's second from the left...)

Uncle Kenny (his little brother), and Paps.

And this is him being a stud in front of the Eiffel tower in the 70's:

And this is him a few years later with his (awesome) fam bam:
I love my Daddy because...

He loves my Mommy SO much.

He always support his daughters in everything they do:

He obliges me (and my Mum) by attempting to love Brannigan:

And here's some more Papa awesomeness:



Happy birthday Daddy! You are incredible, and don't you forget it!
Love you!

Ps. Want to read some amazing writing? Click HERE to read his blog.

That's how you know.

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