coming out of hiding.

{milano photography}

10 things to explain my absence:

1. this perfromance took just about every second of every day, there for awhile.
2. a lovely girls trip to san francisco. rain or shine- we know how to shop, eat and have a good laugh.
3. midge's visit that was long, but still not long enough. mother's are the best visitors, especially when she's your best friend, too.
4. indulged in the time to sleep- or rather caught up on the lack of sleep from the last busy month.
5. lovebird's spring break seemed to have distracted me with kisses, a gossip girl marathon, an adventure or two, a temple trip and an unusual amount of heart to heart talks.
6. truthfully, i needed a slight break from technology. i did the whole "unplug" thing for a little while. it was beyond refreshing. instead, i've been on a big reading kick.
7.  san francisco, again. and again. we have literally been up there every weekend for the last two months. {now, i'm trying to convince lovebird to move up there. help me please!}
8. mowgli is quite possibly been my biggest distraction. his need for attention has grown rapidly. but, i don't mind; days at the dog park, walks around the block and never ending games of fetch- i love them just as much as he does.
9. teaching and then more teaching. between teaching piano and pilates, my days seem packed. however, i wouldn't want to be doing anything else. i love it.
10. my mind has been somewhere else lately, trying to make sense of the future and the unknown. while it's been slightly exhausting and stressful, it leaves me eager and excited to see what's next.

i'm so sorry to have been gone for what-feels-like forever.
life seems to happen so fast, and it takes us with it sometimes.
i'm back and here to stay.
at least for awhile.

tell me what i've missed. catch me up, pretty please. 

history buff.

{reflection of a beautiful utah sky and valley}

happy tuesday.

life never slows down, does it?

especially, when you visit home;

there are so many things to do, see and catch up on.

yesterday, lovebird and i took a trip up to the

natural history museum of utah

with my brother corey and cute mother. 

holy cow! it was incredible.

we were there for several hours, and i could have spent several more.

thank goodness for my geology and anthropology classes last semester- 

the museum felt like one big fat review.

it was so awesome to relate everything i just learned in school to "real" life.

it was fascinating. 

i slightly feel like a nerd, but i'm completely okay with that.

life is about learning.

if you are in the area {or even somewhat close}

i strongly urge you to go see this specatular museum.

it's free if you're a student, print a coupon here, 

or go on one of the days that admission is free. {next date: july 9th}

it's well worth the time, your money and

of course, exercising that brain of yours.

dear mom:

dear mom: i love you.

a lot.

coming home to utah is always a treat.

but, spending time with my mom is an even a bigger treat.

we are best friends.

being away from her is tuff, but it isn't until i'm with her

that i really realize just how much i miss her while i'm away.

we are the same person.

i love that about us.

we have the same taste, love the same things,

buy the same treats, laugh the same way, do the same things.

we have a unique relationship. 

i'm so lucky to have such a close friendship with her.

certainly, she is my mom;

she provides guidance, advice and motherly love.

but, she is my best friend.

i tell her my deepest secrets, and she tells me hers.

we have a whole week of just us.

{lovebird is still home working and taking his finals.}

we can finally go to lunch together, run errands together,

shop until we drop {which we already have done}, sit on the couch and chitchat,

read our books together, and drink our diet cokes.

all without having miles between wishing we were closer.

it will be a week free of texting and phone calls because we'll be face to face. 

it's going to be a good week. 

however, any week is a good week when your with your mom.

technology saved the day.

being away from both of our mother's was a bit hard yesterday.

we miss them both oh, so much.

my dear mother is in utah,

while lovebird's sweet mother is in heaven.

we're thankful for the remarkable mothers they were and continue to be. 

my mother being my everything- including my best friend

and lovebird's mom being his inspiration and maker of his personality...

is just the beginning to who they are to us. 

we are forever indebted to their sweet spirits.

they've showered us with kisses, hugs, advice, tears and support.

we love you, both. 

hope you enjoyed receiving flowers through the phone-

bet you didn't know we were that on top of it, did you?

mother's day meant something different this year:

crew's {aka: elder carlson} first mother's day on the mission!

we {finally} got to speak with him and see his handsome face!

due to the wonders of technology,

he was able to call home {via skype} to my family in utah.

they then called us {via the iPhone} so that we could use FaceTime to see him!

it was all so complicated.

viewing him through two screens was better than nothing.

quick update:

i'm forever grateful for his distinct laugh,

his devotion {and frustration} with the language,

the happiness that came radiating from his heart,

and his love for mexico, the gospel and the people around him

i hope you all had an awesome day spoiling your mother's with love yesterday.  

we sure did, even being miles and aeons away from them.

xoxo

recap through pictures.

my mom's visit through the eyes of my instragram. 

 the week with my mom went a little like this:

{in no paticular order}

1.the two of us in our matching ray bans. 

thank goodness we live in two different states. 

2.ranuculous flowers. simply my favorite.

thank you walnut creek, for planting them everywhere.

3.mini diet cokes. or rather the perfect size.

what could be better? 

4.just my mom, "being a little midge."

inside joke between our little family.

5.mac lip stick. i could never have too many shades.

6.a delicious pick me up during our eight hour shopping streak.

7.yesterday's books: a used bookstore here in town.

aka: my mom's second home on earth. {arguably her favorite home.}

8.we were on a quite the search for the "perfect" purse this week. 

i fell in love with this one. {my birthday is coming up. hint hint.}

9.not-even-a-day-old kitty.

i about died. if only i could convince lovebird we needed him. 

10.the most delicious artichokes for easter dinner.

as sick as he was, even lovebird snarfed one down. they were that good. 

well, that's a wrap.

it was a lovely trip and now it's back to reality...

which, thankfully it's still spring break! 

xoxo

instragram user name: eleasejane 

mothers are priceless.

okay, i'm in big trouble.

and i mean big trouble.

you see, when you don't typically have a mom around to 

do all things girly and fun... you don't spend much money.

it's the normal: grocery shopping and saturday date night with lovebird.

however, when you do have your mom around...

that story changes. big time. 

with the combination of it being spring break {free time} and

the fact that i live in a place surrounded by fabulous shopping in every direction,

it's a little hard to not spend money. 

or should i say, it's too easy to spend money?

wether it be spent on clothes, accessories, diet cokes, lunches, decorations...

it all adds up. and it adds up quickly, might i add.

lovebird is about ready to hide my little wallet.

however, as much fun as it is to spend money on a new outfit,

there is nothing like "spending" time with my mom.

we are best friends.

and have been for as long as i can remember.

i was in need of a little mother-daughter time to reboot my engine.

she sometimes feels too far away from me.

being in her arms these last few days has been lovely.

yes, most definitely- spending hours shopping, drinking diet cokes,

reading, laughing until our bellies hurt, going on lunch dates

and running errands has been the absolute blast.

but, simply being in the company of my mom is worth far more than

any outfit, diet coke, decoration or pair of shoes i could buy.

i love her dearly.

xoxo

p.s. i'm back to "normal" blogging on thursday.

and stay tuned i have an awesome giveaway coming up! 

a little "midge" is coming to visit.

{adorable wreath my cute mom made and sent me for easter}

happy weekend.

{and happy spring break to me}

today is a quick post due to two things:

1. i woke up with lovebird's sickness. 

2. my dear mother is flying into visit us today.

{a very last minute decision.}

can you say awesome?

what a perfect way to start spring break:

sick and in the arms of a mother. my mother. 

surprisingly, i'm not joking.

this is a dream come true for me. {okay fine, minus the sick part.}

now, if i can just boot the sickness by easter that will be perfect! 

please send happy and healthy thoughts my way,

as i will send them back to you.

xoxo

never new how much joy could fill a little mailbox.

dear mailman: you always make my day.

all good things come in the mail.

and this week our mailbox has been full of nothing but just that.

{good things, happy notes, and surprise packages.}

1. another sweet hello and happy letter from little brother.

he's happy and doing well. what a relief.

2. a st. patrick's day package from the leprechaun.

{also known as: the best mother in the world}

full of all things green:

shoes, shirts, treats, gold coins, a pair of earrings, letters, and a little bird vase.

3. a much anticipated package from fedex.

which carried a little gem from oc tanner in it.

{another pun intended}

we are happy over here when our mailbox surprises us.

we usually only get lots of adds, random mail and bills.

but this week was an exception to that rule.

and we are feeling loved.

and the biggest lesson learned from this:

i need to send mail more often.

even if its just a postcard or small little note saying hello.

why? because if it brings so much joy to me-

why not share that with those you love.

make someone's day and send them a quick note.

it only takes words and 41 pennies. 

you won't regret it.

and they will love you forever.

happy friday, dear friends. 

i'd love to send you a little love note in your mailbox.

email me your address! 

{thelittlelovebirds.blog@gmail.com}

nerd alert

there was a key in our mailbox. 

i swear it's like getting a key to open a treasure chest.

and that's exactly what i did. 

i opened my mailbox to find this lovely and large package (more like gift) from my darling mother.

i ripped it open, because lovebird and i both know that packages from midge

are simply the best. hands down.

she proved herself to be the best mother yet again.

she sent me a "back to school" package. awesome right?

take a look...

a backpack. hip hip horray! you can find it here.

two of my favorite things: houndstooth and the color puke green. 

but of course midge didn't send an empty backpack....

she crammed it full of new clothes for both lovebird and i,

school supplies, snacks, jewelry and a pair of new shoes.

i'm all set for school. 

i'll be prepared, fashionable and my back will no longer

complain of my heavy load. and yes, i was complaining after just a week.

so folks, guess what?

i am officially too cool for school. 

one, two, black and blue.

well, it the week we've all been waiting for.

okay, more so the week lovebird has been desperately waiting it's arrival.

he finally 'went under' the big knife and had his surgery on his ACL.

may 17, 2011.

what a day.

for me, it was... 

a day of waiting with diet cokes, hospital blankets, and pretzels.

a day of patience, nerves and gratitude that my mom was with me. 

for him, it was...

a day that was well anticipated and well needed.

a day of pain pills, loopiness, a cold table, a lack of remembrance,

crutches, doctors, nurses and a breathing "toy".

all went well with the surgery.

and i'm here to tell you, he is off to a speedy recovery already.

our summer may be less active than we'd like,

but that won't stop us from having fun.

we are looking for days on our patio, sitting by our pool,

reading book upon book and road trips home.

and a big thanks to midge for being her for the week.
we couldn't have done it without her. 
it was one of the happiest weeks of my life.
i'm so lucky to have such an awesome mother. 

two handprints

{here is your own handprint poem. with just a couple adjustments} "I miss you when we're not together I'm growing up so fast See how big I've gotten Since you saw me last? As I grow, I'll change a lot, The years will fly right by. You'll wonder how I grew so quick When and where and why? So look upon these handprints two hands instead of one And memories will come back of me, as well as memories of your new son." mother... you are simply the best. words cannot express my love nor can i ever thank you enough for your never ending love. this year you became a mother to lovebird. and for that i love you more. you will forever be my "best bud", midge and hero.i look up to you, always. your example and way of life is modeled after our savior, and i thank you for planting a testimony in my heart. i love you.

we are both wishing you a happy mother's day today.

one year older and wiser too.

happy birthday midge!

you truly are the best mother a daughter could ask for.

i love you dearly.

more than i could ever express on this blog.

i hope you have a lovely day.

eat lots of chocolate cake with white frosting.

because that's our favorite, after all.

xoxo

p.s. if i were home i would give you a stepping stool for your b-day. 

guest

been cleaning ALL day

for our special guest who's staying the weekend

.....

my dear mother arrives tomorrow!

finally.

she hasn't seen our little nest yest.

i can't wait to show her.

busy weekend to say the least.

performances, san francisco, shopping,

cooking, playing, church going, and

drinking diet cokes. 

just wanted to post about nothing really.

other than to tell you i'm dying to spend time with "the midge"

and i wanted to wish you all a happy, lovely and adventurous weekend.

live a little!

"peace & blessings"