flashback: london 2006

So I know I already mentioned my study abroad to London in my Wimbledon flashback (and I certainly talk about it enough already) but I felt like I should give that experience and the people I shared it with a proper shout out now that it's been four years. So please, indulge me.

To sum it up all I can really say is that I had the time of my life that summer. I know so many of you have had similar experiences that have enriched your lives and what more can we say than that? It's hard to put it into any other words but I'll try: I met some absolutely amazing people - including our professors and their families - some of which I still consider close (lifelong?) friends, learned a lot and saw a whole bunch of stuff. Was that vague enough? It makes sense that so much of my heritage comes from England because it sure feels like home to me there. I could go on about it but in the interest of not boring you, I'll let these pictures speak for themselves (with help from a caption or two).

Note: I did not perm my hair, it just took on a life of its own that humid summer.

Meeting the cast of the 2nd Pirates movie at the London premiere.

With Ben and the bobbies.

Molly and I groovin' on the bus. We also did such things as make up songs and raps that annoyed everyone else.

Hyde Park

Bones.

London LDS Temple.

We also spent a fabulous week in Ireland.

I admit this next picture is cheesy. I like it though because it reminds me of the Chinese tourists who thought it was photo worthy enough to take some of us with their cameras, too.

Studying for finals.

Some of my best pals.

Still in touch at Molly's wedding a couple months ago.

My London adventures will forever be one of the most amazing experiences of my life but I also am very grateful for what it led me to. If I hadn't done that program I wouldn't have thought or wanted to go to BYU for a semester and therefore would have never me Bret. Sometimes we play the always thought provoking "what if" game and the question of "what if I never went to London?" always seems to me the most profound. Not only would I have missed out on a lifetime opportunity but also the love of my life - a thought sometimes too scary to consider.

To all my London friends: Thanks for the memories and I hope life is treating you well! Are we still up for the 2012 reunion in London for the Olympics? Count us in.

making stuff

I already mentioned some stuff that Bret and I have made for baby boy here and here. Well, I've made some more stuff. Now that summer sporting events have ceased and I am still without job or husband, I'm trying my best to fill up the time with quality activities other than reality TV. Like taking out my acryllic paints for the first time in years, learning Portuguese (Eu quero uma agua gelada.... Eu nao gosto cerveja) and yes, a little crafting.

Once again my sewing sister, Amy, came in quite handy, this time helping my sister Sarah Jane and I make burp cloths. Very simple actually and lots of fun. (Amy mentioned it on her quilting blog here)

I came back a few weeks later and made a nursing cover. Not too hard either and even more fun to put together (I'm so into orange right now). My sewing addiction continues to grow!

Even so, I'll let Amy perform her magic and turn some of this fabric into a quilt for me. Thanks sister!

I also went to my most craftiest friend's house (Laura G) last night and did some fun letterpress stuff. They turned out super cute.

Although, I admit, that visit may have included some reality TV as well.

motherboy

Instead of doing a flash back I thought I'd do a flash forward today. I give you my son and I, four and six years into the future:

And we totally win cutest couple, too :)

so much for sympathy weight

Since mid February when this picture was taken Bret has lost over 25 pounds. For reals. Meanwhile, I have gained that much (ok, maybe more....) since then in pregnancy weight. It's as if our bodies inversely grew and shrunk simultaneously. Granted, we live in different countries right now so I can't blame him too much for not gaining any sympathy weight, but come on! I'm proud of him for setting a goal and achieving it and everything, but it's sure not helping my self esteem.

All Dogs Go To Heaven

Claire, aka the smartest dog in the world, passed away this week (after 17 years!). What a good friend she has been. While in bed last night, I couldn't help but think about the deep connection that humans share with animals, especially dogs. I believe in God and certainly in his creative wisdom, to me this connection obviously serves a purpose. I'm no prophet, but it seems absolutely ludicrous that our natural affinity to animals belongs merely to this life. The bond is so deep rooted I wouldn't be surprised if it carried over into the next life. All dogs go to heaven...lets just hope we're all good enough in this life to co-exist with them there. We'll miss you Claire.

-Bret

video chat

How we spend a lot of our time. And yes, the stache is back and better than ever. Mercy me.

Rachel pulled a sneak attack and took this picture of B while he was chatting with me. They're now in the Rigby's house but since the crate of everyone's stuff hasn't yet arrived, this is his life right now. Poor guy.

sweet land of liberty (lake)

Hooray for the fourth, my favorite holiday! This past weekend I went up to beautiful Liberty Lake, WA, where I was invited to celebrate it with Bret's family. I've always heard from B how fun their place was for the 4th of July and I've been looking forward to going for years now, but I always assumed he'd be there with me when I did... bummer. Still, I was happy to be there.

The Millers have a cabin about an hour north of Spokane on another lake called Deer Lake. That community puts on their firework show on the 3rd so the entire crew (including Bret's parents, all but one sibling, bros-in-law, nephew, aunts, cousins, grandpas and three dogs) went up for the night to enjoy it.

Deer Lake by day...

... and by night (I used my phone to take these so they're not awesome)

(B's pa and sister Carynn)

(the men folk at work)

On the 4th, Liberty Lake puts on a fireworks show from the center of the lake in which the Millers have an amazing view from their house, so they invite anyone and everyone to their yard for the show.

Liberty Lake by day....

(Large and in charge.

Perhaps subconciously recreating one of the paintings from this post)

....by night

Although Bret wasn't there, it was still so fun to have some quality Miller time. It's crazy to think that the next time I'm up there I'll bring a kid with me! Someone for our cute little nephew, Ty, to play with.

I even got to visit a dear, old friend while I was there. Scooter has been living with Bret's sister, Melinda, and her husband since we moved from Seattle. They've been very nice to watch her for us while we're in Brazil.

Thanks, Millers, for a wonderful fourth!