Kissing a Porcupine

    Brian knows that I dislike facial hair. It's like trying to kiss a porcupine. So he knows that if he wants any kisses at all.. a clean shaven face is the ticket.
    When I went to Utah a couple weeks ago, I came home to a little surprise:

 

     And honestly... he can pull it off! I gave him a couple days, took some pictures (So that if he ever tries to grow one again just "to see what it looks like," I'll pull out the pictures and show him!)

P.S doesn't he have gorgeous eyes?! Such an amazing coloring.. Ah! I love it!

    Just for fun, we went down to the beach in the snow.. I was curious if Lake Michigan could ever really freeze due to its size. Below is a picture of the shore. The sand was frozen solid! I stood right on the edge and kicked and jumped and tried to break it off. Not a grain of sand fell.. Wow!

I had a baby..

Well... Sort of.
    Have I mentioned that I'm the only member of the "No Baby Club" in my ward now? That's right.. Brian and I are the only married couple not pregnant or that have other kids. No pressure or anything though right? Ha..
    Anyway, the truth is. I do have a baby.. sort of. She's not really mine, but I get to take care of her everyday. I started a new job about a month or so ago where I get to take care of a beautiful newborn! The job switch was necessary due to it being closer to home and no more nights!
    Meet Lily! This little chunker turns 4 months old this Wednesday. I get to spend every day with this cute girl and we sure do have a lot of fun. 

Utah AGAIN

    So I flew out to Utah again on February 1 to watch my four cousins while my Aunt Laura and Uncle Jed went on a cruise. Here is a picture of the four kiddos below.
    Motherhood is a hard but rewarding job. These kids are amazing kids and were extremely helpful. We had a lot of fun making playdough, playing games, hot tubing, seeing Wreck-it-Ralph and just spending time getting to know my cute little cousins a bit better. I'm pretty sure we had more fun then their parents did on the cruise.

       My Grandpa Johansen turned 80 on Sunday Feb 3. I was very blessed to be able to see that cute man and celebrate his wonderful life. Grandpa J has always been the biggest example to me of strength both physically and spiritually. Through his diabetes, operations, and pain--he never complains. He is always happy and smiling. He is a spiritual giant. He knows so much about the church and has such a strong testimony. You can feel it just by being a few feet from him. He's always teaching me new things and helping to strengthen my own testimony. AND! He has the best smile ever... Happy Birthday Grandpa! I love you so much!
    I was extremely blessed that my best friend Rebecca got her mission call while I was in Utah so I was able to attend! It was a beautiful moment and I think ever person in the room could feel the spirit as Becca bore her testimony before opening the call. She will be going to Asunción Paraguay and will leave on July 4! I am so excited and proud of her. She is a great missionary now and will be wonderful down in South America! Wow!

    I also got to go lunch with my cute father-in-law twice! I love this man.. he raised such a great son and I'm so grateful that I could spend time with his goodness while I was visiting. (Not to mention-he took me to Cafe Rio... which I miss more than any other food out here!)

    I also took back to Chicago with me the family cat--Minnie. I have never gotten so much attention in an airport before-carrying a crying cat was quite the attention grabber. (Everyone kept asking if I was carrying a baby in the pet carrier? what the?!) Luckily the plane's jets were loud so I didn't get kicked off. She's a super cute cat and very VERY snuggly. We are happy to have her. She keeps me company during Brian's long hours of study and doesn't mind watching the girl's drama on shows like the bachelor. She's allowed anywhere in our small apartment except our bedroom-which is the one place she wants to spend her time for some reason? She lays outside the bedroom door all day.. even though we hardly go in there! Weird?       It's good to be back in Chicago-never thought I'd say that. I missed Brian though it was great to spend a little time with my family. Chicago is home for now.