drum roll, please.....

just like that.... we became a family of three.

obviously, we are elated and totally in love.

he's stolen both of our hearts already. 

i'd reveal his name... but, i think i'll wait until monday to do that.

{we are pretty sure we've picked it, but we'll make our final decision this weekend.}

as a side note for our future little ones {as in kids, not pups} to read:

this is a big day in the history of the stice's.

lovebird agreeing to a dog is a big deal;

just ask anyone who knows him.

i knew i could soften lovebird's heart and convince him that we "needed" one.

however, i'm not sure i did the convincing.

i think our new pup convinced him in just the last 24 hours. 

our pup has lovebird wrapped around his little finger paw. 

we're happy he is ours to keep forever.

we can't wait for all the future adventures and memories with this little guy.  

happy friday, indeed.

plans for the weekend...?

nothing but playing with our new pup.

i mean just look at that face,

how could we not?

hope your weekend is lovely as well.

your always welcome to come over and play with us.

just bring a doggy treat, and i'm sure our pup will invite you right in.

xoxo

fall is outside. I am {stuck} inside.

yesterday and today are the first days that finally feel like fall.

ironically, i'm stuck indoors; 

still, sick as can be.

which, got me thinking that maybe this sickness came as a punishment.

due to my constant complaints of it being too hot,

still feeling like summer,

not being able to wear fall clothes....

i've concluded, that when fall finally decided to make an appearance,

it reprimanded me for doubting that it was indeed really coming. 

punishment? a nasty cold. 

however, after being glued to my bed all day yesterday, 

{literally, i did not move for hours straight}

lovebird decided i needed to step outside and get a breath of fresh air.

so, that i did. 

we took a little walk around our complex,

and when i turned the first corner i was greeted by a lovely sight.

it took my breath away.

suddenly i realized how easy it is to take the things right in front of you for granted.

it's funny how being sick gets you thinking about these sorts of things.

being healthy, breathing fresh air, 

being able to dance, having strength,

kissing lovebird, enjoying a good night's sleep,

 having a busy day and tasting food.

all of these every day tasks i suddenly haven't been able to do for the last couple days,

as really made me appreciate them and their important role in my life.

not to get all cheesy on you or anything-

just stating my love for a healthy life and recognizing how lucky i am to have one. 

and even though i've been stuck indoors....

i plan on enjoying every minute of this fall weather that just arrived

 the second i feel healthy and like myself again. 

two lessons learned:

1. never complain, or you'll get sick.

2. don't take the little things in life for granted. 

cold buster.

sick as a dog.

woke up with an awful case of the ugly cold bug that is going around.

yuck.

so, for the next few days i'll be taking it easy.

most likely laying in bed,

drinking lots of water {per lovebird's request},

eating chicken noodle soup,

reading and studying,

and sneezing a billion times.

{i've lost count already, as it is.}

i hope your wednesday is full of healthiness. 

please go enjoy the lovely fall weather for me, since i can't.

i'm hoping for a speedy recovery-

because now isn't the ideal time for a cold.

isn't that always how it goes though?

you always get sick at the worst possible time in life.

i'm determined to kick this cold before my parents come 

to visit and my big show next weekend. 

i can do this, yes i can. 

happy, healthy thoughts. 

p.s. anyone a firm believer in the "cold buster" from jamba juice? 

please, say yes.

i gave it a try last night... i'm waiting patiently for it to work it's magic. 

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

five senses.

{this week's five senses:}

taste: pumpkin frozen yogurt.

i'm currently addicted, 

and plan on it being that way for another two months.

see: did you watch the presidential debates?

is sure hope so.

our future is in the hands of one of these two gents.

smell: a pair of new pointe shoes.

{this may seem totally bizarre to a "non-ballerina".}

but, nothing is better than the smell of brand new shoes;

untouched by sweaty feet and smelly toe-pads.

gross, right?

well, now you know why i love new shoes. 

hear: a little birdie told me it's finally going to start cooling down this weekend.

please tell me you heard the same thing?

it's been far too hot for october.

{100 degree weather is meant for summer, not fall.} 

besides, i'm extremely eager to wear fall clothes-

so sunshine, please take a nap now.

touch:a simple touch, in itself.

that feeling when lovebird touches my hand unexpectedly,

and suddenly i feel safe, comforted and 

most of all... in love.  

happy friday.

hope all of your senses come alive this weekend.

xoxo

moments interlaced with busy.

i sat at school today trying to study as my brain 

seemed to wander off to a land of it's own.

my music text book couldn't seem to captivate my attention,

as my brain managed to come up with the concept that 

life's companion is: "busy". 

without a life you couldn't be busy, 

and if you weren't busy or actively doing anything, 

life would be awfully dole or possibly cease to exist, in a sense.

but, then there is the argument of being too busy...

is my life at that point?

days like today, i would say yes.

but, is it all worth it? 

yes, definitely.

why? because the little moments in between the busy ones,

are what truly define your life and make it your own.

you know, those two minutes you get to see 

your hubby before racing out the door?

or the hour you spend eating dinner with your family?

the quick hello to a dear friend at the grocery store? 

reading a book for five minutes before your fall asleep from exhaustion?

a quick, yet romantic, walk around the block?

..........

these are the moments that make life seem doable-

no matter how busy i may feel. 

here are my little moments as of late:

{instagram username: eleasejane}

1. shhh! i snuck a diet coke when lovebird wasn't looking.

2. happy national sibling day! 

3. met baby Laken, and she nearly killed me with your cuteness.

4. date night: rock of ages.

5. puppy shopping.

6. quick snap-shop with my ballet director. 

7. believe it or not: my campus. gorgeous, i tell you.

8. toast+almond butter+bananas= best breakfast ever.

9. happy 40th anniversary to my parents!

10.my primary kids {well, some of them}. i love them as if they were my own.

11. this is what date night looks like when lovebird is out of town.

12. lovebird at crater lake. so jealous!

13. you are never too old to feed the ducks.

12. this 100 degree weather in october, still calls for gladiators.

i'm sure you have some little moments to share... 

let's hear 'em. 

sharing my secrets.

three simple beauty tricks i swear by:

{at least lately.}

{source}

1. wash your hair with cold water.

{literally, as cold as you can stand it. pun intended.}

have you heard this one a billion times already?

if so, chances are you still aren't doing it.

why? because let's be honest- who wants to take a cold shower?

{we are spoiled with warm steamy showers and take them for granted, folks.}

but, by doing this, your hair will instantly start to shine.

i'm converted, and never going back to rinsing my hair in warm water-

even as much as i hate being covered in giant goosebumps those first five minutes. 

it's well worth it- the shine is fantastic. 

2. spray your perfume before getting dressed. 

i recently talked to a "perfume specialist" who gave me the low down.

she emphasized on how important the sense of smell is to the human;

without knowing it, one of the first ways we evaluate a person is by their scent.

we even tend to hang out with people who have a similar scent to ourself.

oh, and that list of cute boys you have hanging on your fridge...?

chances are they wear similar, if not the same, cologne. 

interesting right?

most importantly, she taught me a beauty trick-

spraying your perfume before you get dressed, helps the scent last much longer. 

so, next time: shower, moisturize and spray your perfume, immediately, all over your body.

3.ond word: aquaphor.

especially, as these fall and winter seasons arrive;

bringing with them, dry skin and chapped lips.

aquaphor is the perfect remedy- it cures all.

i'm simply in love and have been hooked for years.

i rub it on my knuckles and lips every single night, without fail. 

trick of the trade: coat your lips before applying a bright lipstick. 

allow enough time for the aquaphor to sink into your lips, then apply your lipstick.

ta-da!! your lipstick glides right on as smooth as can be,

and you don't have to worry about your lipstick 

separating in those tiny cracks of your chapped lips. 

{we all hate that. so annoying, right?}

i'm curious now, 

what's the one beauty trick you swear by at the moment?

do share- i'm already anxious to try it.