Okay, so I'm lazy...

Hello friends!!

I am a terrible blogger… and I wish so much that I could go back and remember every little detail of the last few months that I was going to share. But, I can’t… it’s funny. I waited for all of January and February for something amazing to happen so that I could blog about it but let’s just say – those are not my favorite months at all! Borrrrinnnngggg. Yet, then I realized that life is what is happening and I guess that's what I need to write about because if not, I'll end up getting way behind again! Crazy. LOL.

January has got to be my least favorite month of the year. I like the beginning part because it is Karl and Mindy's Birthdays but after that - the cold and freezing winter sets in. Iowa was INSANE. We had crazy snow storms, subzero temperatures and freezing rain storms that literally made this place look like a frozen iceland. It was definitely a rough winter.

Mindy and I got haircuts in February! HAHA Finally! But it’s about time I get it trimmed again. Anyway, I don't trust just anyone with my hair but I got a good recommendation from a family friend. It turned out great... I just got a cut, layers and BANGS! That was nice. =D Mindy got the Alice Cullen hairstyle and it looks OH SO CUTE on her! =D

I never told ya'll that one time I was pretending to be Alice Cullen. I was dancing around and twirling and it was so much fun. So, of course I had to show Mindy. So I'm almost at the bottom of the stairs, I spin around the banister and say "Look Mindy! I'm Alice!" I leap from the bottom stair, do a twirl on the hardwood floor and then BAM - I fell flat on my butt -HARD! I mean, REALLY hard. I couldn't walk right for many days after...haha.

Alice is graceful. Me? Not so much.

LOL!!

My last blog was rather sad sounding and I'm sorry to those I may have caused to worry. The month of February is never an easy one for me. We have the Anniversary of my brother, Michael’s, time we found out he had cancer memories. That and being sick, cold, frustrated… it was just a rough month for me and my whole family.

Though, a few things did help this year. =)

On February 13 I had the opportunity to travel to Nauvoo, Illinois (my heaven on earth) with a bunch of other YSA’s… (a group of kids about my age from church). We had SO much fun. We went there for a Valentine’s Day Dinner/Dance and let me just say – it was one of the best things I’ve done in such a LONG time.

We met at our church building around 11am… and the people from Ames had “rented” our stake van which seats up to 15 people so it was awesome because everyone who went got to go in the same vehicle. =)

The drive there was a lot of talking and getting to know one another. Everyone thought Karl and I were dating… lol. They think that all the time.

When we got to Nauvoo we checked into the motel and “freshened up.” Then we went to the FUDGE SHOP and a bookstore. I bought several treasures.

We went to the dinner/dance which was at the Stake Center. SO MUCH FOOD!! I have never seen that much food at an LDS dance before. Haha! That was so much fun because we were all STARVING!! We hadn’t eaten anything all day. The dance itself was pretty fun too… the music, eh, not so much but it was still fun. I danced several times with the boys in our group… Nathan, Adam and Jon. =) Each of them are so charming and nice. I realllllllyyy like them all. Great people and wonderful friends.

We went to church in Iowa City at the Institute Building that is on campus. What a beautiful building!! The feeling in that place was so peaceful and happy. The Bishop opened up the meeting to all of us visitors – I bore my testimony on the importance of the Gospel, forever families, and friendships. I was amazed at how comfortable and close our little group became after a couple of days!

After the meeting we had lunch and then headed on home. The weather was supposed to turn for the worse (snow and wind) but that NEVER came. We had clear, beautiful blue skies pretty much the whole way home.

The whole experience was awesome and what I love more than anything about going on trips like that is the fact that every time I do I am reminded of my worth and I always feel better about myself. My faith is renewed in so many ways – even just knowing that I have friends. =) There are guys in this world who are chivalrous, helpful and sweet. It’s such a wonderful feeling. =)

I also must make mention of Percy Jackson and the Olympians!

My little brother Daniel and I had been waiting close to a year to see the movie --- because we read all the books and just fell in love with the story. So, my review of….

PERCY JACKSON AND THE OLYMPIANS: THE LIGHTNING THIEF.

I LOVE/D IT! People, if you have not read the books – you’ll enjoy it. If you have read the books, it’s different, YES, but… it’s a GREAT, ENTERTAINING, FUNNY movie!! I loved it so much. I love Logan Lerman as Percy Jackson. He’s got that twitchy ADHD personality that is so prevalent in the book. I think he was perfect for the role. I loved him. Annabeth didn’t have blond hair… oh well. Not worried about it. Alexandria is beautiful… she did a good job. Grover was good too… FUNNY. I actually love the fact that he’s African American. Haha. Makes it just so much more comical. =) SEAN BEAN as Zeus is just perfect. I lovvvveeee him. He’s so good looking. Kevin McKidd as Poseidon. LOVE.

All in all… fun, entertaining, family movie. Books are still much more epic but -- I can’t wait to see if they make more movies!!

In March we celebrated my Mother’s 50th Birthday! It was pretty amazing. We decorated like crazy, had cake, went out to eat and I made a tribute book for her – which included messages from many of our dear relatives and friends. It was such a special day, one I am sure she will always remember.

We also went to Minneapolis, Minnesota for a Spring Break trip!! =) We went to IKEA (Swedish furniture store) and then the Mall of America. We stayed two nights. I was sooo excited to get out of Ankeny – away from work – and do something amazing with the family. I love road trips and the randomness that is our family! I used some of my tax refund to pay for the trip… lol. Probably not the wisest thing but our family has endured a lot of stuff lately and it was time to LIVE and have FUN!!

Also because Karl is leaving on his mission soon this trip was one of the last we’d take all together until who knows when.

It was so sweet because as we were in the car driving there Karl was listening to the Book of Mormon audio and reading along. He’s preparing and taking his missionary plans seriously. Warms my heart. How will I live without the kid for two years? CRAZY. But, I am way proud/excited for him.

What else? Minnesota was amazing...looks like Sweden! Or so my Daddy says. =)

Cddfv gd-gb f-bg-f-gbf-  Karl did that. Grr @ him. Lol

There are lots of pictures from our trip on Facebook. I need to do the whole blog posting with pictures but I am too lazy, once again… Haha. That and I don’t have a whole lot of time and I am trying really hard to get this posted TODAY.

April has been a pretty good month. It is, of course, over now by the time you see this blog. I worked a lot… yes, still at Sonic. I ask myself WHY all of the time. Believe me, it is almost over… I can’t take much more than this summer. I see a lot of changes coming in the near future so I am almost positive I will be able to quit soon. Oh, but that’s what I always say. =D

Some of the best experiences of the year so far have been with the YSA group from church. I am part of council who meets each month to plan fun activities for people around my age. I have met so many incredible people through this opportunity. I have been building friendships that I soooo need right now in my life. I have had heartfelt conversations with people I never would have had the guts to talk to before now. I’ve watched movies, eaten treats, gone to concerts… LOTS of stuff. It is so much fun, and I hope to become even more active with them this summer. We are currently planning a Youth Conference Weekend of sorts. So, we will see how it all plays out. =)

What else? What else? We went to Pella, Iowa last weekend to see the tulips blooming. Always a special time of year! It’s soo beautiful. Lots of pictures on my Facebook. =)

I am trying to get into an organized, clean space, fashiony, crafty, domesticated frame of mind. I don’t know why…this Spring/Summer just seems like the time to get my life in order. There are certain things I’ve been neglecting too long.

From now on, I plan on blogging at least once a week… and not nearly as choppy as this one seems to be. I want to tell you all the latest in my life, but I also want to tell you about OTHER stuff… like things I am doing, projects I am working on… etc. So, I plan on blogging more and at random. =)

Karl will be getting his mission call very, very soon. All the news will break about that as soon as we know… and when the time is right. I love him. He will get a whole blog dedicated to him in the very near future.


I believe that is all for now, I love you all so much… thank you for reading. =)
I’ll be back soon this time – I promise.

Oh, and just a random thought – I miss and love Heath Ledger. <3 =D

Love,
Shelle