Spring is here!

    The snow is melting, the ice cracking, the birds are flying back, and I'm already unpacking my flip flops! We took an afternoon walk to one of the forest preserves in Illinois-- Independence Grove. There are several large ponds here and one is solid ice while the other is filled with seagulls, swans and pelicans taking a bath. Ah it feels so great to have the sun out! Welcome Springtime!

Did I mention?

    That we are going to be going on a cruise?! I'm SO excited! Brian surprised me for our anniversary, but he told me a week early because he was too excited.
    He told me that he was going to be home late one evening and to check the mail for some tax stuff. I thought it was odd since I remembered him telling me the day before that he'd be home early and that taxes were done. I shrugged it off, when I got home from work that day I opened the mailbox to find a letter from "Carnival Cruise lines!" I immediately recognized Brian's handwriting and saw the "Three Wise-men Stamp" that I figured he had taken off of a Christmas card. I got so excited I ran in the house and tore the envelope open to find we're going on a 7 day cruise in May! Wow!
    To be honest, I cried a little. It was just so cute, and then he came downstairs and surprised me again by being home. He really is the best. :) I just love him!
       Our last cruise together was on our Honeymoon HERE and I can't wait to go on another one with him! They are such a fun way to travel!

2 years ago...

Our marriage was born!
    It is hard to believe it has been that long.. all my friends were heading off on missions and I remember thinking "When they get back, I'll have been married for two years!" I couldn't believe it then, and now, it's been two years, they are back from their missions and I still can't believe it.
    Marriage is so fun. I love being married to this man. This journey that we are on is a beautiful one, I can feel it and I see it in my everyday life. My life is a collection of love. I know that I am the person I am today because of the love that I have felt, experienced, and given.

 

    Last year's anniversary is HERE (With previous pics in the marriage journal) then we took our anniversary trip HERE!

"Forever is composed of nows" -Emily Dickinson. We are enjoying and loving our "nows!" 

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.

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!