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.

Year in Review

    Well it was a wonderful year of 2012.. We enjoyed many grand adventures together! It is amazing to look back on this year and see what we have done and accomplished! We had some really big changes this year and some fabulous experiences! Here are just a few highlights!

Our marriage turned one HERE
We took a temple trip to all the temples in Utah HERE
Brian learned my deep dark secret HERE
We graduated from Utah State University HERE and HERE
We rescued a rabbit HERE that ended up surprising us with babies HERE
Went to Moab for my first time HERE
Had our first camping trip together HERE
Made another family music video for my cousin Erin's wedding HERE
My sister Raquel married her love of her life HERE
Swam and boated in Lake Powell HERE and Flaming Gorge HERE
Moved to CHICAGO ILLINOIS HERE into our lovely apartment HERE
Traveled to Old Nauvoo HERE
Brian turned 24 HERE and I turned 21 HERE
Kayaked Chicago HERE
Celebrated a "Cheesy" Halloween HERE
Went to Mexico and worked at an orphanage HERE and HERE

We are excited for 2013 and all the new excitements that await us!

Beach House

Hola Amigos! Estamos en México!

    Just after Christmas, my family took a trip down to La Mision, Baja California, Mexico. Here we worked in an orphanage and spent wonderful time with the family. We stayed in a beach house right along the beautiful Pacific Ocean.

Our beach house is the one with the green railing! 

What a view right?

We spent a lot of time combing the beaches. One night the tv series 24 was on-and we were all hooked--

 

I I love my Sisters!

 

...and even my brother.. :)

The sunsets were absolutely stunning!

 

The boys went Deep Sea Fishing one of the days. They had a blast catching lots of fish, whale and dolphin watching, and trying not to get sick. Poor Brian was pretty sick the whole time but he was such a good sport!

 

We visited Ensenada and walked, shopped, and ate!

 

    All too soon it was time to leave and head back to Utah and Chicago. We are so grateful we were able to go over the break and to spend the time serving and with our family. My dad told us many times on the trip and it is instilled in my heart- The Lord has a very special place in his heart for orphans and for all his children.

"We are surrounded by those in need of our attention, our encouragement, our support, our comfort, our kindness. … We are the Lord’s hands here upon the earth, with the mandate to serve and to lift His children. He is dependent upon each of us." -President Thomas S. Monson

La Puerta De Fe

    My dad has worked with A Child's Hope Foundation for several years. This foundation is involved with La Puerta De Fe or Door of Faith Orphanage that we were able to go work in while down there. Back in 2008, my sister Raquel, along with my dad, and I went down and worked in the orphanage and absolutely loved it that we have wanted to take the rest of the family down since that time 4 years ago!
    It was such a great experience to have the whole family there including Brian. When you work with these children you can't help but he touched by their incredible sweet spirits. As soon as we walked up, we had little hands in ours pulling us to the swings or to draw with chalk or play soccer. Their smiles instantly melted our hearts.

    Once the kids noticed that I had a camera.. they all wanted to take pictures of themselves, each other, and me! I have often heard the saying "the window to our soul is through the eyes." When you look at these pictures like the one above-you see that it's true. These children have such tender and caring spirits. Their souls are pure and beautiful.

    I had many little children just run up to me and hug me--a perfect stranger. I had one little girl say, "Quiero un abrazo?" or I want a hug. Before I could even say a word-she was in my arms.

   On New Year's Eve, we had shark tacos (Yes.. real shark) and the kids broke open a pinata. We played games and drank sparkling cider and welcomed the year 2013 and all the wonderful possibilities awaiting us.

     Some of our projects were building a fence around Buena Vida Orphanage and building new dorm rooms in Door of Faith Orphanage. We also had quite a few soccer games where the volunteers would play against the orphans (they are all AMAZING at soccer!) and for the first time in many years-the volunteers won!
    This experience was definitely a beautiful one for me. To be able to celebrate the birth of our Savior and then go out and serve these children. When we picture the Savior in our minds-we don't picture him in an office of sitting on the couch-- we picture him out serving others and holding children. It was a wonderful way to spend the Christmas holidays and trying to be more like our beloved Savior.