happy birthday little sissy

can't believe little anna katherine is 15!

[yes anna I know this is a week late]

10 reasons why I love you:

you're beautiful

you're smart (obviously anyone who's ever been to an ISB awards ceremony knows this)

you're able to learn just about anything you want to with very little effort

you're so so talented at learning languages, can't wait to see what you pick next!

you're taking after me in volleyball, you'll probably actually beat me out, and you also just ball it up in basketball

you're a good friend

you're a good person and have a desire to choose the right and set an example

you're funny (when you actually talk)

you have a cute little french boyfriend and  you're too shy to just admit it ;)

you're my little sister

happy birthday annie!!

hope you have the best 15th year



catch up!

Okay, I realize I have been a HORRIBLE blogger lately, but really since I've been back at school I've just haven't had a lot of free time.  But here's a quick catch up of what has been going on!

Sadly (and maybe with a few small tears) I had to leave this place and my favorite people

to come back to this place

and these people

and dye my hair

and do this

and these

(and a few others)

AND THIS

which really deserves its own post that may come by the end of the week...!

I guess looking at this it really doesn't seem like that much, but in between ALL of the mindless and occasionally interesting reading I have to do for all of my classes, playing with friends, sleeping, eating, and pondering my future I have been so unbelievably busy.  At times I love this place, other times I feel like I'd rather just drop out and go to hair school (JOKE) or go on service trips all around the world and help people or just move home to my family and not do anything at all for a while.  But all in all I realize how blessed I am to be having these experiences, even if it means I'm a little cranky, tired, stressed, and homesick.  I appreciate everyone who puts up with that by the way :)  I hope everyone has had a little less hectic January than I have, but hopefully just as fun!

teeth.

upon request from my dear friend melissa ... i post pictures of the wisdom teeth aftermath for all of my faithful blog stalkers to see. i kind of regret this now, they're actually pretty embarassing but i'm sure in a few years i'll look back and just laugh.  kind of makes me wonder what all the random people in israel that are currently reading my blog will think about me when they see this, but nevertheless ... enjoy!

just doesn't do it justice ...



my ice pack headscarf

my goodybag of drugs :)

bizzing.

as always during christmas break, we find some fun and crazy activity to do to keep us entertained (besides the unofficial but nevertheless annual ritual of watching some dumb TV series together late into the night.) this year it was bizzing with our good friends the rowes.

bizzing - verb - sitting on or in assorted household items (trashbag, plastic bin, foam "sled") that will slide on snow while being yanked (aka thrown) around through powdered streets because of attachment by rope to a car with good traction (in this case a 4-wheel drive sequoia)

i personally feel it was one of our most enjoyable activities yet and made up for our lack of vacation this year due to the december 2010 passey surgeries (mine's tomorrow ............) don't get me wrong, the peaceful holiday season has been lovely, despite matthew's ever annoying sonic screwdriver and it has been great to take a break from school and be home with the fam for a while! anyway here is documentation of our new family favorite activity!

"I am a part of the fellowship of the unashamed, the die has been cast, I have stepped over the line, the decision has been made. I'm a disciple of Jesus Christ. I won't look back, let up, slow down, back away or be still. My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, my future is secure. I'm finished and done with low living, sight walking, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tamed visions, worldly talking, cheap giving and dwarfed goals.

I no longer need pre-eminence, prosperity, position, promotion, plaudits, or popularity. I don't have to be right, first, tops, recognized, praised, regarded, or rewarded, I now live by presence, lean by faith, love by patience, live by prayer and labor by power.

 

My face is set, my gate is fast, my goal is heaven, my road is narrow, my way is rough, my companions are few, my guide is reliable, my mission is clear. I cannot be bought,compromised, detoured, lured away, turned back, diluted, or delayed.

I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of adversity, negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity. I won't give up, shut up, let go, or slow up until I have preached up, prayed up, paid up, stored up, and stayed up for the cause of Jesus Christ.

I am a disciple of Jesus. I must go until He comes; give till I drop; preach till everyone knows; and work till he stops me. And when he comes for His own, he will have no problem recognizing me, because my banner will have been clear."

meet my fhe family .........

keepin' it awkward, but still fun ... just like real families. thats all.

christmas season.

belgians just aren't quite up to par with our american christmas celebrations and being out of the country for 3 years seriously made me forget how much i love the christmas season here!  i love the snow (if its not TOO cold), i love hot chocolate, i love christmas lights and christmas trees, i love christmas music, i love david archuleta singing christmas music, i love christmas food and my mom's fudge and caramel, i love seeing how happy presents you give make those you love...and i kind of like getting presents too, i love that it means finals are over.

i also love temple square in salt lake, which i went to see friday night with chad

 

borrowed this from google images ...........

and my dorm hallway



and these people that i finally get to see after 3 1/2 months!

 and i love jesus christ, the reason we even have christmas at all.

"This is a glorious time of the year, simple in origin, deep in meaning, beautiful in tradition and custom, rich in memories, and charitable in spirit. It has an attraction to which our hearts are readily drawn. This joyful season brings to each of us a measure of happiness that corresponds to the degree in which we have turned our mind, feelings, and actions to the spirit of Christmas." -Thomas S. Monson