#4 Take an art class

My wonderful aunt Janell gave me the best birthday present ever! She signed me up for a glass making class so I could cross it off of my 20 before 20 list! I went to a studio called Urbanscrap Glass by Amber DeBirk in Holladay for her Valentine's Day workshop and it was so much fun. She makes lots of jewelry and belt buckles and all sorts of dinnerware. There were about 7 other girls taking the class with me and they were all really nice and made some awesome stuff. Amber has little tubs full of scrap glass that are all different colors and types that she let us sort through and pick what we wanted. I decided to make a necklace and 2 rings. Cutting the glass was a lot easier than I thought, you just score it with a little tool dipped in oil and then use special pliers to snap it into the shape you want it. I even got to wear safety glasses! Here are a few pictures of the things I made... sorry they are kind of fuzzy because I took them with my phone.

This is the necklace, sorry it's so blurry.

The things I made still need to be put in a kiln and the metal parts need to be put on but they should be done by Wednesday or Thursday next week. I can't wait! When I get them back I will put up some pictures of the finished product.

Thanks Janell! You are the best :]

February Obsessions

It is once again that time... my current obsessions. February is a very long, dreary, depressing, cold month; so why not brighten it up with things that make me happy right??

1. Brookside Dark Chocolate Covered Pomegranate candies
Mmmm... There is nothing like chocolate to melt away the frozen February weather. I get these at Costco and they usually last a long time despite being the yummiest things EVER! These are sure to turn your day around no matter how depressing it may seem.

2. Knitted head wraps
Okay, I'm seeing these things EVERYWHERE and I want one. (hint, hint... my birthday is coming up soon ;] ) Having a bad hair day? Whip one of these bad boys on and you are cute as a button... maybe even cuter.

3. French braid curls

Get this... you take a warm, relaxing bath at the end of long hard day complete with a deep conditioning hair treatment and body scrub. Then you pamper yourself with your favorite lotions and body sprays. Let your hair air dry until it's barely damp and then french braid it. Depending on how thick it is, you can do 1-4 braids (I prefer to do 2 because it makes loose beachy waves). You go to sleep completely relaxed and rejuvinated. Then you wake up in the morning, take out your braids and BAM! You have sexy hair in less than 3 seconds. Not to mention you get to sleep-in a little longer ;]

This is the deep conditioner I use. It's kind of expensive but totally worth it. Plus, it smells like bananas, yum!

4. Psych

Basically this is the best TV show in the history of forever. It's about two best friends, Shawn and Gus, who pretend to be psychic detectives and solve crimes. Every episode literally has me crying because I'm laughing so hard. They remind me so much of my best friend Rachel and I. The new season just barely started and I look forward to watching it all week. It's on USA every Wednesday night (8pm Mountain Time). You can also watch full episodes at hulu.com or Psych's website.

PS. PINEAPPLE!

February 3, 1994

Some people only dream of Angels... I hold one in my heart.

I think about you a lot, Little Sister. I wonder what you would look like now, sixteen and grown up. I remember you as a tiny blue eyed blonde. You're entire face lit up when you smiled and you rarely ever cried. I remember holding your little hand and talking to you like we were old friends.

I wonder what you would be like now? I would hope you wouldn't end up like me. Loud, opinionated, silly, and far too carefree. I would hope you would be sweeter, kinder, but not too serious. You were always the good sister... I was the monster.

When you left I didn't understand. I searched for you everywhere I went but I never found you. It wasn't until I was older that I realized you weren't coming back. Now I know where you are and why God took you away from us so soon. And I thank Him every chance I get for the time He gave me to spend with you.

I want you to know that we left an empty spot for you at the dinner table. Sometimes I pretend you're still here sitting across from me. I wonder what you would say, what your hobbies would be, what you wanted to be when you were older... I feel you missing wherever I go and I only wish I could tell you how much I miss you.

Sometimes I wish I could have taken your place so you would have had the chance to live. I feel guilty that you can't be with us anymore. But I know you're watching over us and you're in a far better place than we can even imagine.

I know I'll get to be with you again someday. I can't wait to hold you in my arms again and tell you all the things I have wanted for so long to say. But until then, know that I love you with all my heart. I will always carry a piece of you with me wherever ago. Hopefully I can live my life the way you would want me to.

So say a little prayer to God for us. Always know that we think about you every moment and we'll never forget you. Thank you for teaching me that everything is going to be okay. I love you Little Sister.

Peter Pan has all the answers

Life