Anniversary...

I don't know if anyone else does this, but occasionally on random days of the year I will think, "last year at this time I was...(fill in the blank here with where ever and what ever I was doing)". Then I will think, "that is so weird that it's been a whole year since then."  Well every year on April 24th I think, "it's been X number of years since I got home from my mission." Today it's been 9 years. NINE. That is such a long time! There were days when I was a missionary that I thought it would never end...and more days when I wished it never would. But it did end, and now when I look back on it, I can't believe what a small part of my life that was...I've been home 6 times as long as I was out. And that seems so weird to me...18 months seemed so long back then. I still remember it all like it was yesterday. And even though it was such a comparatively short time in my life, I think it has had more of an impact on me than anything else I've ever done...so I'm always glad to celebrate this little anniversary...missions are awesome, and I'm so excited for Juli's call tomorrow!!

Dear Crazy Neighbor Girl,

Thank you for waking me up this morning. You know I really hate to sleep in past 4:45 am--especially when I have a killer cold. I'm just so fortunate that you decided to yell into your phone out on the balcony...I'm sure "baby girl" appreciated it too...she probably wouldn't have been able to hear you if you hadn't increased your volume with every f-bomb you dropped! I really appreciate how considerate you are...you made it so much easier for me to eavesdrop! Most people try to have their conversations in private where the entire apartment complex can't hear them-but not you. No, no need to apologize, I enjoy it when you broadcast the intimate details of your super-exciting life at 200 decibels. In fact, I really would like to thank you. Normally my next door neighbor has the happy privilege of waking me up in the middle of the night...every time he moves, his bed bangs against the wall and jolts me out of sleep...and then I get to enjoy the symphony of his amazing snores through the wall. It was so much nicer to wake up to your soothing shout. I am just so sad that we will only be neighbors for 5 more days! I really am a much more effective person when I never get a full night of sleep...so really, Thank you! And please, enjoy your Saturday morning...I am sure you will be sleeping in, so I'll make sure to tell my children to keep it down while they are playing out on the balcony...I know, I don't usually let them play out there in the morning...but for you I'm going to make a special exception. And I won't encourage them to have a scream-at-the-top-of-their-lungs contest, just for you--I always like to repay favors!

Regards,

Your sleep deprived neighbor

How do I love this song?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MqAkTyprC_o

Let me count the ways...

So just to clear up any confusion...I am not lamenting a lost love or anything. I heard this song a few months ago but wasn't super impressed, but then I heard it again and actually listened to the lyrics (which are awesome) and then I was in love! I made Jeff buy this album with the itunes gift card I gave him for Christmas (so Merry Christmas to me instead!) and then I listened to it in the car on the way to Florida as many times as I thought Jeff would let me before he wanted to break the ipod. Or throw me out of the car. I am definitely a "repeat" kind of girl. I listen to the same song over and over and over and over and over and over. And then I sing the song to myself, to my kids, unconsciously under my breath (or unconsciously out loud) until Jeff has to tell me to shut up. :) So hope you will enjoy this song too. And if you are lamenting a lost love, just crank this up and sing to your mirror! (You know you do stuff like that!) Own it!