birthday boy.

h a p p y  b i r t h d a y 

dear crewser:

 i can't believe you are 20. 

you are growing up way to fast, which is perfectly fine for you.

but, for me, it makes me feel old. 

{so please, stop it. or simply slow down.}

you are in another country, which makes it impossible 

for us to celebrate your big day together.

however, let's pretend you lived next door. 

this is how it would go:

1. we'd start the day off with a big chai frappuccino- your favorite.

2. we'd walk home laughing about who knows what- 

because we always laugh about anything and everything when we are together.

or rather, you are always making me laugh. 

3. we'd come home to find midge patiently waiting for us,

 with a pile of presents for you-

because we all know that she loves you the most.

{or at least she does on your birthday.}

4. you'd open your gifts which would include, all things utah and sport oriented,

 a new pair of converse and a rubik's cube.

{or at least those would be the gifts last year's crew would get.}

this year, midge is sending you a few new white shirts, new socks, 

books on the gospel, and giving you money to treat yourself to a new suit.

5. dad would be begging to spend every second with you-

whether that meant sitting on the couch or playing a round of golf.

we all know he loves you too much.

you are his favorite child, no matter what the day is.

6. we'd spend the day doing something fun, crazy and adventurous-

because with you, there is never a dole moment in life. 

7. you'd pick your favorite restaurant to go to for dinner. 

if your taste buds haven't matured too, i'm guessing you'd pick

pizza limone, crown burger or cafe rio.

the brothers would of course make fun of your selection 

in what they'd consider a 'crapy' restaurant.

8. we'd race home for a delicious dessert; probably a big slice of chocolate cake.

not forgetting a big scoop of ice cream.

9. the day would be over just like that;

you'd be 20 and i'd be wishing we could stay this young forever.

10. we'd all go to bed thankful that you are 

the caboose and 'accident' of the family.

because, let's face it crew, you are everyone's favorite. 

then, you know me- i'd sneak into your room and lay on your bed and

"accidentally" fall asleep while we lay there talking about life. 

i'm so glad we are best friends.

even when you are thousands of miles away.

your birthday marks 20 years- 

and i'm hoping it is the happiest birthday you'll have.

and how can i forget that your birthday also means one more thing...

it means your one year mark 

is just around the corner.

i'm beyond excited for that day,

because that day will mark the beginning of my countdown 

to when i get to see you next. 

then, we won't have to do any pretending.

we will celebrate your two birthdays, the two christmas' and all the holidays 

in between that you missed-  the minute you get home.

you may even get a celebration dance from yours truly, 

the second you step off that escalator in the airport. 

actually, i'm guaranteeing a dance.

i'll be that excited. 

until then crew, happy birthday.

i miss and love you dearly. 

weekend hangover.

happy monday.

today marks the first day of spring semester for me.

i'm a little excited, anxious and already stressed at what's to come-

{meaning the homework, making room to study and an amplifying the word busy in my life}

but for now, it's still a happy monday.

our weekend was a lovely one.

a busy one indeed, but that's nothing new-

tons of rehearsal for me, a much needed dinner date night- just us two, 

a gossip girl marathon {should we be ashamed? good, because we're not.},

a little church, hung out with some of our favorite friends,

downton abbey- of course {yes, i'm still crying over sybil.},

and some very anticipated play time with mowgli.

how was your weekend?

tell me something good.

meanwhile, february is quickly approaching.

i'm feeling the need 'heart attack' my house.

i'm beginning to brainstorm which diy/crafts i'm wanting to tackle. 

do you have any suggestions?

i have one in mind- which, i'm hoping to share with you later this week.

so, please stay in touch, so we can share projects.

since monday is typically a long and dreaded day,

 i better say it one last time...

happy monday.

let's make the most of today.

xoxo

p.s. i'm well aware that my legs need to see the sun.

although- a sun tan, mid season for a ballerina, is a big "don't you dare".

so please, bear with me.

come may, my legs and the sun will have a joyous reunion. 

say it loud, say it proud.

happy tuesday.

{already..? wow}

monday managed to escape far too quick,

which isn't necessarily a bad thing.

yesterday was jam packed with two test at school

 and 7 hours of dance.

it was a loooong day to say the least,

which is why i'm surprised it seem to pass so quickly.

maybe it was the weekend that seemed to pass by in the blink of an eye...?

don't they always, though?

my weekend was a lovely one.

lovebird and i spent a good amount of time snuggled up on

our couch watching this all weekend long.

we had a splendid time with one another as we 

deepened our understanding of our beliefs.

we also gained a momentum for every day life, 

which always seems to accompany conference sessions.

{thank goodness it comes around twice a year.}

we woke up this morning feeling rejuvenated;

with so many goals and happy thoughts in our minds. 

every day, but especially today, i am proud to say that...

"i am a mormon. i know it, i live it and i love it."

i sure hope you had an uplifting weekend yourself.

i'm anxious to play "catch-up",

and read about all of your fun adventures, while stalking your awesome pictures.

xoxo

fly me home.

i felt like i was shot out of a cannon this weekend.

i jumped on a plane {way too early in the morning},

finally landed in the beautiful city of salt. {aka: salt lake city},

raced to special events, such as ballet performances and baby blessings.

then finished the weekend off with my lovely parents on the couch.

sundays are the best, especially at home. 

i hope you had a lovely weekend,

minus the feeling of being shot out of a cannon. 

xoxo

before and after.

happy weekend.

it's finally here. yippee!

i am embracing this weekend like no other.

the heavens opened up:

i don't have school or dance today.

  what!? this never happens. i mean never. 

a big thanks to cesar chavez- you're the reason we don't have school.

lovebird got the night off work, which means date night! finally.

and it's conference weekend. what could be better? 

nothing, i tell you.

so... lately i've been thinking about life before and after lovebird.

it's kind of strange how easily you adapt when you are instantly 

immersed in the ways of someone else's life.

some or small things. and some are big. 

here are the small ones: 

before i met lovebird:

1. i never flossed my teeth. not once. never, i repeat.

{no cavities either! knock on wood.}

2. i showered just once a day. like a normal person.

3. i didn't eat my veggies. in fact, i hated them.

4. i drove a stick shift car. 

{technically i still do}

5. i said my prayers alone at night.

6. i drank milk. and lots of it.

7. i didn't have a worry in the world about strangers.

8. living on my own was lonesome and boring.

9. i knew nothing about jewish people or bulgarians. 

10. i never cracked my knuckles.

after i met lovebird:

1. i floss my teeth nightly. can't miss a night or i feel gross.

2. i shower twice a day. 

because now i realize, i probably should after dancing 6 hours. whoops!

 lovebird is an insane clean freak when it comes to showering.

3. i eat more veggies than carbs {my beloved bread} now.

i crave those green things. 

4. i drive his car more than my own.

"the white night". it's automatic, and i love it.

5. we say our prayers together. always.

6. we don't buy milk. period.

lovebird is lactose intolerant.

we do however, guzzle almond milk. yum.

7. i am now aware and somewhat paranoid about "strangers".

i am reminded the world isn't as safe as i dream it to be.

especially where i live. 

8. life is full of companionship.

every adventure is together now matter how big or small. 

9. i now love his jewish background.

and i now love the people of bulgaria as if i knew them like he does.

10. cracking my knuckles is a daily ritual. 

shame on me. 

i love that i've integrated his ways into my ways.

after all, what's his is mine. and what's mine is his.

hope you have a lovely weekend yourself.

and i'm curious... is there anything you do or don't do now

that you life with your prince charming? 

xoxo

combat boots and turquoise rings.

hello to you. 

and hello to another new week.

mondays seem to keep rolling around.

i just said to lovebird last night,

"isn't it strange how the days of the week go so slow,

but come every sunday night, i'm shocked that another monday

 is already knocking at our door?"

time is a mysterious element in our lives. or at least i think so.

i hope you had a lovely weekend.

we certainly did:

my first letter from little brother came in the mail.

{i literally leaped with excitement.}

we add a yummy bbq with our awesome friends. 

{delicious cheeseburgers with bbq sauce. and of course i brought salt and vinegar chips.}

we went to church. that's a given.

it was ward conference- and it was a lovely day to say the least.

lovebird called me a gypsy due to the amount of turquoise rings i was wearing.

what can i say, i love turquoise. and jewelry.

i sported the combat boots with the dress.

i guess you could say, i was a feminine yet edgy gypsy. 

i'll take it.

{i like to spice up life with different outfits and styles. }

i can't wait to catch up on reading your weekend posts. 

 i suppose i'll do that after class, while drinking my new addiction: hansen's soda.

xoxo

p.s. i'm thinking about doing a button exchange! 

are you interested? let me know!

via your comment below or an email sent to:

thelittlelovebirds.blog@gmail.com

goodbye, elder.

goodbye to you.

this goodbye was a hard one.

by far the hardest one i've experienced in life so far. 

it's not forever, but two years is forever to me.

you are my best friend.

you mean the world to me.

i am happy for you.

i am praying for your strength, courage, and safety.

i miss you already and it's only been five days.

{725 more to go.}

you'll be an incredible missionary.

the people of mexico will just adore you.

you'll be missed at home, dearly.

but, you are in the right place doing the right thing.

we all love you.

thank goodness for your cute friends waiting at the curb to embrace you.

they helped my goodbye end with a smile and 

gave me the comfort to know you'd be perfectly alright in this new chapter of your life.

p.s. i miss our little texting convo's, but i'm looking forward to exchanging letters. 

i know from experience, letters helps your love grow.

just yesterday, you were 4 years old.

oh, wait! how dare i forget to blog about this.

it's awfully important, after all.

crew went through the temple while we were visiting in utah.

{december.twenty.eight.two.thousand.eleven}

what a beautiful day and remarkable thing.

we are both so happy for him. and extremely proud of him.

it was a day spent in love, laughter and spirituality. 

the support of extended family was unreal.

we headed back to aunt carol's for a delicious dinner.

the day could have lasted forever.

it was a perfect day.

a proud sister

yesterday was quite eventful.

it started bright and early with two performances of the nutcracker.

onto work, studying for finals and cooking dinner.

then we decided to be festive, and decorate our christmas tree. 

{despite how exhausted we both were.}

on a typical day of the lovebirds, decorating the christmas tree would normally seem 

like the grand event. the big bang. 

but yesterday, something super special and exiting happened.

my little brother

[aka: crewser, my best friend, c-cup and crewber]

received his mission call to.....

mexico city!

awesome, right?

{if you have no clue what i am talking about, click here.}

he is going foriegn, which he wanted desperately.

 he is also learning spanish. which, in my opinion, is such a useful language to learn.

lovebird and i being beyond excited for him quickly did some research to find out

where exactly our brother, who is growing up way too fast, 

would be spending the next two years of his life. 

he is going to an incredible place full of culture, history and people.

fun little fact: the population of just the metropolitan area is a little over 21 million people.

that is a ton of people. holy cow.

 anyway, we couldn't be happier for him.

i'm already trying to imagine life "without" him for two years. it's going to be ruff.

good thing for handwritten letters, and two phone calls home a year.

looks like i'll have another nickname to add to the list... elder carlson.

i promise to post some photos and a video of him opening his call very soon.

we are beyond elated for you, crew. 

xoxo