arizona sunshine

so, these two cuties  f i n a l l y  got engaged!  and when i thought it couldn't get any better, it did.

they came up with the best plan ever.

honestly.  e v e r.

they booked me for engagement pictures and bought me a secret plane ticket.

see... kelly is my 'adopted little sister'.  and her older sister brittany has been my best friend for years.  we were roommates through college.  Britt's been on bed rest and had some scares with getting her twin baby boys here safely.

 so we surprised britt.  one of the best. days. ever.

bed rest did wonders for me. :)

it was nice to  s l o w  down.  

enjoy some sunshine.

and be with loved ones.

being away from matt made me appreciate him even more.

we mostly did a lot of chatting and beginning preparations for the little guys.

this woman is an inspiration to me.

 just being around her lifted my spirits.

and  t h i s  little guy may have turned me into a dog lover. maybe.

i miss you gals already.  what a tender mercy this was.

and i miss the arizona sunshine.  matt? can we migrate south for the winter? or spring/summer/fall?

i miss you.

my best friend and old roommate from college is having twin baby boys.  i love their family.  her little sister kelly got engaged and we booked to do her engagement pictures without telling britt.  it was one of the best surprises i've been able to be apart of.  now i get to keep her company for the tail end of her bed rest, and be here for such big chapters in both of their lives.

i love everything about being here.

 but.... i miss you.

like crazy.
you're my other half love.

goodbye january

peace out january! 
it's been real, but we're ready for a new month.  hopefully free of inversions and blizzards.  but we're grateful for all the good you brought.  and i wanted to take just a moment to reflect on it all, not just in my life, but in those around us.  we linked our blogs for the post so you can snag a glimpse of ours, and reflect on your own best january moments.

the winter can be as bleak or as warm as you want it to be.

personally, i am a fan of clean, fresh starts.
-a brand new notebook
-a new friendship
-new chances at life
-new chapstick
-a new year
-and a new day

new years may be one of my favorite holidays.
and one of my resolutions is a new dedication to journal writing.

soooooooo......

just a few of my favorite january moments:
#1- matt teaches seminary and works with the young men.  we decided to go a hockey game to support the youngin's.  we ran into an adorable family from our ward.  their kids are darling! we said hi, and then went down to find seats near the box.  i was a little down at the moment from a few things on my mind, and almost as if the little could sense it, he came tip-toeing down every stair and reached out his little arms for a hug.

melted my heart!

then they wanted to play with the camera.

they had us giggling and smiling the whole rest of the game.

#2- snuggling.  i don't mind the extra cold so much when it means we get to throw some extra blankets on the bed and fall asleep having snuggle/movie parties every night.

#3- Mr. and I found our new  f a v o r i t e  drink: cactus pear lemonade from black sheep cafe.
if you haven't tried it, do.
you won't be disappointed.

#4-friends.  t r u e  friends who love you for who you are and enjoy just being around you.  

(shot by the amazing carolina)

looking forward to spending more time with you, february.

continue the circle and check out the cute stephy!