Worst Best Friend Ever.

So I was looking through my old posts, and realized I didn't put up a post about Gabrielle's wedding!! It was a year and a half ago, but here's a picture montage of how the day went.
Jen, Emily, and I were the three non-sister bridesmaids. We took our job very seriously.

 Hams.

Super cute dresses, but I can't wear it anymore.

 Outside the Seattle temple.

Typical serious face close-up.

The bridal party at the reception.
And my favorite picture of the night...

Totally sums up how we acted that day. We were the best bridesmaids ever OBVIOUSLY.

 Gabrielle's cousins were nice enough to pick us to dance with, so we weren't bridesmaids sitting by ourselves. It helped me realize I realllllly liked Brandon, because I had no idea how to talk to guys anymore.

Waiting for them to come out of the reception.
It was a great day. I was so glad I got to be part of it! Sorry Gabrielle I know it's late!

Semester from Outer Darkness Part 2

So I haven't blogged in a while... the last few weeks have been pretty rough. I taught preschool twice in a week, and had three major meltdowns. One of the days was a two-teacher day, where I was the lead teacher and only had one other teacher in the room. It was AWFUL. I've never wanted to quit my major so badly. Brandon had no idea what to do with me, because he had never seen me like that.
However, it's over. My life is no longer ending, and I no longer feel like a failure. I have a 92% in my preschool class, which I did not think was possible after all the negative feedback.
I definitely need to work on getting negative feedback. Some people may not like what I do with my work, and that's ok. I need to not take it personally. I know people are not victimizing me when they tell me what I should work on, and it doesn't mean I'm a failure.
The important thing is that I have a good family, good friends, a wonderful husband, and I'm still doing well in the hardest classes of my semester. Possibly my whole college career.

And, I've got a super cute preschool class. I get to teach them about keeping our bodies clean on Wednesday... Because they don't know how to properly wash their hands or keep their mouths covered when they cough and sneeze. I hope to instill a little fear into them about germs. I wish I could put pictures up of my class, but confidentiality laws or whatever keeps me from doing that. I actually feel like I could handle a preschool lesson by myself. I know I'm not the worst preschool teacher ever, so that makes me feel good.

AND, the semester ends in a week and a half! WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!

Happy Birthday Dad!

I'm sure he's glad the wedding payments are over....

Ah, Saint Patrick's Day. The one day of the year that we celebrate a part of our heritage that isn't Icelandic.
In all seriousness, happy birthday to my dad! Story about his birthday- apparently, his grandpa Murphy thought that he should have been named Patrick, because of his birthday. So until his death in the 90's, he called my dad "Patrick".

 Tucano's- this year.

Dancing with Daddy.

Telling Brandon exactly how it is.

 New York City- Rubbing Buddha's belly.

(Note: Dad doesn't take a whole lot of pictures... so this is what I have!

It hasn't been until the past few years that I've learned how great my dad really is. Without him, we would be in a lottttt of trouble right now. He's a great bishop, great dad, and soon will be an excellent grandpa!! Happy Birthday Dad, we love you!

RIP 54 Jay Way

So the Giullians moved from their house in New Hampshire. It's too bad, because I liked New Hampshire a lot and now we don't really have a reason to go back.
What was even more sad was they had to leave this behind:

Meet Cienna. She's crazy, but super cute. This was taken of her when she was still little, but even when she was older she was cute. The problem was that they didn't know where they were going to end up yet, because they don't have a house. And Cienna deserves better than traveling for a month at a time. So they found a house, where the woman was a dog trainer (LUCKILY). She'll love that home, and we'll always remember her as being crazy and hyper.
On the plus side, they're so much closer to us now! They're going to be living in the Walnut Creek area, right by San Francisco. I looked it up, it would take us about the same amount of time to get to their house as it would to the Murphy house in Irvine. So we're thinking of going there for spring break to see their new house.
We'll all miss Cienna. But we'll now always remember her as the crazy puppy that she was.

Woo hoo!!

Note: I wrote this the night Alyse told me. I've just been waiting to post it.


We're going to be an aunt an uncle!!
Sorry, that deserves more excitement.
WE'RE GOING TO BE AN AUNT AND UNCLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
better.
So Alyse called me on Coley's birthday. I thought it was to talk about how Coley is 11 and so old, everything I put on my blog. But, she said, "We have some news!" Instantly I was on high alert. I've been wanting a niece or nephew to spoil or a while, but I knew better than to ask. So I just assumed it was about Tommy's internship (which is ALSO exciting). But when she said "We're pregnant!" I squealed so loudly I'm surprised my neighbors didn't knock on the wall, and ran into our room where Brandon was sleeping. Bless his heart, he tried to be so excited when awoken out of a dead sleep. But yeah!! In September I will have a new niece or nephew to spoil! I just can't wait to know if it's a girl or boy so I can know what kind of baby blanket to make. So exciting!!!

March 10

So March 10 has been a great date in Brandon and my history. Everyone should remember what happened last year on March 10, but let's be honest it was the most special for me.
But what about the lesser known March 10 in our relationship? I mentioned in the link above that we got engaged on our 1 year anniversary. So, that means March 10, 2010 was the day we became "official". You know, the day of the D.T.R. (Determine The Relationship, for those who don't know)
That day was a pretty funny day. Not at the time, but now. Brandon and I had been "kind of" dating (but really we spent all our time together so we were) for almost a month. I was worried about getting into a serious relationship with a returned missionary, because we all know how that ends! So he was ready to take it to the next step and I was dragging my feet. I had a ton of stuff to do that day, and I was way stressed out. But the highlight of the night was going to be my date with Brandon to 50 cent wings at Pizza Hut. Then, during my ED 200 class (I still remember), Brandon texted me and said "This girl from my Public Speaking class wants me to go over to her apartment tonight and watch 'Twilight' with her." I saw that, and my stomach dropped. First of all, NO WAY was he going to go over there! But, then I realized something. If I liked him this much and didn't want him to go over to another girl's apartment, then why was I dragging my feet on this relationship thing? I couldn't be the psycho girl he was kind of dating. Once I was the girlfriend, then he would KNOW that he couldn't go over to other girls' apartments. Note: There are so many capital letters here because I was really freaking out about it during class. So I decided to talk about that with him that night. But first, I had to see what he would say about going over to the other girl's place. I texted him as casually as possible saying, "Well, what are you going to do?" After what felt like an eternity, I got the message. "Well, we have a date tonight don't we? I'd much rather be with you." That was it. No way was I letting some other chick take him away!
So when it was time for the date, Brandon burst in my front door with this:

He said "I knew you were having a busy day, so I hope these help!" Seriously guys, how cute is that?!
We went to Pizza Hut, and discovered that their 50 cent wings are actually not that great. Afterwards, we went back to his apartment and just talked for a while. I wanted to bring this whole little "girl" thing up, but I was too nervous with his roommate around. So I said, "Can we talk?" meaning, can we go somewhere else. He said, "Sure, what do you want to talk about?" I looked at him, and gestured with my head towards the door. Finally he got the hint, and we went out to his car (with it's wonderful seat warmers).
I sat there for a little bit, then blurted out, "I don't want to be that crazy jealous girl that you are kind of dating. But I don't want you to be going to other girls' apartments. It makes me crazy to think of you with another girl. I think I'm ready to stop dragging my feet on this relationship." Brandon sat there for a while, as I awaited my fate. Finally he said, "So you want to make this official?" "Yep." "Ok, I guess it's official."
... and that was it. I guess it wasn't really that different from how it had been 5 minutes before, except now we couldn't date other people without there being REAL problems.
And here we are 2 years later. We've been married for almost 7 months, and I love Brandon so much. He really is my best friend, and living with him has been great. We're still in newlywed bliss, which is how I think it should be when you're married for 7 months.
I just think of this date for the last 2 years, and how much sadder my life would have been if I had not said yes (or "yep"). Those were the best 2 decisions I've ever made thus far in my life. Love you Brandon!

Easter Headbands

It's so cute, I made one that was too small so I gave it to a friend of mine. Her little girl loved it, when I took it away to finish it she screeched at me and held out her hand to give it back. Colors may vary.

My first baby product

I made this yesterday, for all those having fall babies contact me! (ignore my obviously professional photography skills, the hat is really super cute):

It's a little pumpkin, and it has a vine and leaf on it. For newborns to 3 months old, I can make bigger sizes but this one is smaller than my fist. I can't believe that babies have heads this small!

Pseudo Aunthood!

So my beat friend Gabrielle is having a baby!!! I'm so excited for her and her husband... this is so exciting.
You'd better believe her kids are going to call me Aunt Camille! I'm working on fall baby stuff, pictures to come.

Uncle Joel

Around this time of year, I always get a little bit sadder as I think about what happened to our family years ago. I've never really documented it so I thought I would now.
This week 11 years ago, my uncle Joel passed away from melanoma. I remember holding week and a half old Cole when I heard the news. He had fought a hood fight and needed to be released from his pains, but to 10 year old me it just didn't make sense. How could (one of) my crazy cool uncles die at the age of 30? How could Heavenly Father take him away from his beautiful wife Natalie, and a family that loved him more than anything? He was in medical school at UCI, and would come over often. I think out of the funerals i've been to in my life, that was the hardest to go to. I sat in the nursery instead of going on because I couldn't even think of going in. Even now, I'm amazed at how strong everyone was.
But there is a my so sad part to this. From this experience at such a tender age for me, I learned the meaning of eternal families. From then on, I wanted to be worthy to see Joel again, because I had such fond feelings for him. I also told Brandon that i've wanted to name one of our boys Joel.
I know families can be together forever. I've seen the comfort that this doctrine has brought to families during difficult situations. We still miss and love Joel, but we know that he is doing something great (and probably a little bit mischievous, from the stories I've heard about him from his younger days) on the other side of the veil, and just wants us to see him again. I know that I for one will do what it takesto get back to heaven, because I want to be with my eternal family. And that is my testimony.