A red one.

If I remember correctly,
 I wore a ribbon tied in a bow for at least an entire 365 days when I was 17.

Just a little ribbon transformed into something so, so cute.
So, whoever thought of tying a bow around a man's collar:
God bless you. 
Whoever you are, wherever you are, you must have the cutest name.
And your grandpa must always look cute, too. 
A closet full of so many cute ones.
Polka dots.
Paisley.

Bowties.
Love making them. Love finding them in cute shops.

But when my darling boy wears a bow tie,

holy smokes.

I love adjusting it.

I love matching it with my red dress.

Just me, my man and that little bow.

I am one blessed, blessed woman.

Lately when I'm just walking down the street, sunlight bursting in the clear blue sky, warm face (warm heart), all of a sudden just so very content. 

And can I just point out, it's red.
A red bow tie.
And patterned.
I just can't even.

Rainy Days.

Over the past few weeks, each morning around 9 am, several little hands knock on my front door. The Fairies have arrived for day camp. Usually they are adorned with wings, special things they've found in their yards, beautiful little dresses and so many new insights (mostly about love, magic and sometimes how those are the same thing, really). The days have been full of sunshine, nestled beside Lake of the Woods. Needless to say, it is pure magic.

On Wednesday, the Sunshine was nowhere to be found.

It was cold.

And oh, so rainy.

Despite the weather, we put up our hoods and made the treck down so many hills, across many puddle-filled streets until we came upon this bridge.

In the wagon, under soggy towels and sweaters were 42 colours of bright chalk.

So, the fairies began.

Cars would slowly pass under our secret bridge, 

smile and wave.
Others would speed by, leaving the fairies 
drenched and giggling on the sidewalk.

Soon their fingers were rainbows 

and their wet little fairy wings were much too cold.

And we went home.

Later, as I put their clothes in the dryer, 

I thought of that magical place we had created.

On a cold, rainy day.

Those fairies,
leaving the world a better place
than when they found it.

An Honourary Gypsy.

For the past two-ish weeks...

I've stayed at five different apartments, slept on two air-mattresses, 1 couch and 2 beds, went to two states, walked the streets in my nightgown, used my trunk as a closet, found my to-do lists blowing in the wind on sidewalks, loved sunflower-honey bread with peanut butter, walked down University Avenue with my big ruffle-pink pillow, kept my heart wide open and had the time of my life. 

When people asked me what I've been up to lately I replied:

"Well, I'm sort of a Gypsy lately. Just visiting this town and being with my man."

People seemed to like that.

I love periods of my life like this.

I could go this way or that.

I belonged to the brightest stars,

with the dearest friends,

and the most delightful times.

Blessed.

The miracle of people taking care of each other

and the tender mercy that wherever you are,

Heavenly Father surely does remember you

...is something this honourary Gyspy holds so dear.

Meet Burley.

Have you ever travelled to 

British Columbia?

Let me tell you, it is an absolute

dreamland.

So many daffodils.

Rain to fall asleep to.

And huge, mossy trees. Everywhere. 

Upon my arrival, I was thrilled to meet this guy:

 Burley.

A bicycle built for two.

Light blue, gears if you really need.

There he was just sitting there, 

on the side of a busy street...

Just for us.

To spend the afternoon with Burley,

YOU WILL NEED:

-A helmet (apparently required by law)

-Practice balancing (whether pedalling or relaxing)

-How to communicate left or right foot first

-Swift hands for flower picking

-A backpack (for your flowers)

-Peanut Butter and Honey Sandwiches

-Bright, excited eyes for sightseeing (the smiley kind)

-Hand signally skills that are top notch

-Lots of laughter (Burley loves that).

But most importantly,

if you want to spend the afternoon with Burley,

You will need 

a most wonderful man to take the front seat.

And because of that man, 

You will also need a most grateful, full heart. 

And such a heart is easy to find...

Because Burley has a way of making his riders feel

very, very blessed.

Good old Burley:

He's been nothing but good to us.

P.S. Guest posting over here today!

Sunday.

I love Sundays.

So much.

Especially after very, very long weeks.

I have spent hours sitting atop a dryer

(our apartment is very tiny)

typing the hours away.

And many nights telling myself to not look at the clock.

A common phrase in our apartment:

"This too shall pass."

And, my dear friends, it has passed.

And it's Sunday.

And the sun is out.

Sunday will always come, 

just like Spring will always come.

The snow melts and before I know it,

I'm stopping to smell Easter Lilies at the grocery store.

Here's a peek at last Sunday:

My Canadian cousins came through Salt Lake on their way home from California. While their parents took a much needed nap, we had some quality picnic, playground and Temple Square time. I found myself giggling down the freeway as they gave me advice and windows rolled up and down, up and down in my car.

Advice on finding a Leprechaun to marry (Remember, it was St. Patrick's Day) or at least how to kiss one. And more importantly, advice on how to always be happy. 

And remember to be happy.

I asked them if they loved going to the Happiest Place on Earth, meaning Disneyland. 

And they told me the Happiest Place on Earth is actually wherever your family is. 

They've got it figured out.

And once again, 

Sundays stole my heart.

Miss Heart.

At school today I was given a brand new name:

Miss. Heart. 

And I love, love, love it. 

 When we left the school today, 

the student teachers exclaimed:

"I feel like my whole body has went into shock from even watching the sugar intake today.

Let's talk about my first love.

Greg.

Grade 2.

Completely smitten.

When I got home from school on Valentines Day,

my older sister was looking through my valentines and gasped.

In the bottom right hand corner, 

ever so lightly and written in pencil,

Greg wrote, 

"I love you, Josie."

I was more smitten and loved him for at least a week. And a day.

Fast forward: 

Lunchroom duty with the grade twos.

 I asked boys and girls the same question:

"What do you like about Valentines Day?"

Girls:

"Everything."

Boys:

"Candy."

"I only like it when I have a girlfriend."

"I get to find out who likes me. That's nice."

"Everything except the love.

That's for grown ups and girls."

So without further ado, 

it looks like I'm qualified to talk about love.

 I mean, I am technically a grown lady and I just happen to be a "girl" and I also happen to love many very, very much.

 I'm a firm believer that hearts should always be opened. And to always love with a full, full heart. 

There is never a time when even the smallest bit of love is ever wasted.

Bighearted, sweet-hearted...

And learning to love for at least forever and a day.

(My dear friend Susan is having the cutest giveaway! Go see her cute things and enter before it's too late!)

Snow White Sunday.

When I think of Snow White, I think of 5 things.

1. Her best line, "What do you do when things go wrong? Oh! You sing a song." Gosh. She has a way with words.

2. When I was sick a few weeks ago, a boy complimented me with, "Your skin...is fair as white as snow." (I was on my way to the emergency room, so that was ironic).

3. A few summers ago, I went to Disneyworld with my dear friend. We were walking, he sneezed, and of course, I responded with a, "Oh! Bless you." The entire family walking ahead of us turned in hopes of finding a princess to sign their autograph books. Shaun just said, "No, no. She just always sounds like a princess. It's natural."

4. Snow White is classic. So classic. And so very helpful. How fun to go into the woods and find 7 little men to cook for? So fun. You'd think she'd do something simpler like a casserole or something. But either way, what a homemaker.
(I'd probably opt to stay in the woods than with that prince. Think about it: He's kind of a creep with the whole kissing thing).

5. THIS video. Here's the deal, folks. I wore this cute dress, took Snow White photos, all because of THIS video. A dear friend of mine made it and is very, very close to winning lots of money. So, go watch 60 seconds of magic. Be sure to "like" it. Share it. And post it.

 Everywhere.

...it's off to work you go.

Dress: Modcloth Sale, Red Hair Bow: Ardene, Black flats: Target, Tights: Walmart

P.S. I'm over here at Sunday Style.

Patience is...

Patience is...Calm endurance.

I'm learning a thing or two about being patient in all sorts of areas in my life. 

...It's one thing to be patient with others.

But a complete different endeavour to be patient with myself.

I've been sick today. 

Nothing serious, just a little sickness caught from the school children. I've spent a few days resting on and off, but today it hit me hard. I literally had to lay in my bed all day long (which is very hard for me)...

especially on Sunday, my favourite day. I spent the day reading, catching up with old friends (mostly my main man sleep) and watching Kate and Leopold among other favourites.

I had lots of time to think. Many times today I started to remember and eventually miss some of those I love dearly. I missed them so much it made my heart began to ache.

...So, I got up. Lysol-ed the apartment and ate some ice cream.

Then I remembered that it's okay to rest. 

It's okay to miss.

It's okay to wait.

 But it's very best

to live in the moment and remember those who are here right now, too.

As the sunset, the doorbell rang and

a box of oranges, a book, chocolates, water, and brand new lysol arrived at my door.

Patience. 

Patience is...calm endurance. 

Guest Posting!

I'm over at "a mile in her shoes" today!

Feel free to 

come on over!

One Week.

It's hard to believe it's mid-January, I've been here for one whole week of teaching and that I live minutes from Temple Square.  Our school is full of bright-eyed children who come from all sorts of homes. In one week I've learned that I'm not just teaching children, I am advocating for them.

I'm caring for them.
And names of little ones have been added to my prayers.

I guess I've always known that part of my role, but this week, I've been able to put that realization into action.

A little boy sat alone at the lunch table...

I'm in my orange vest on duty.

We sat and talked. 

He said, 

"I don't like girls. 

But I sure like you."

We see another student crying in the hall.

 He lost his backpack,

 "Over the fence, in the tree, by the church." 

So, we trek through the wintry, 

snowy field and search.

Our teacher shoes fill with snow.

And by the time we get home, 

it's 6pm 

and we are all very seriously contemplating going to bed.

But we carry on-lesson planning, cutting felt stories and even saving egg cartons and other beautiful junk...

just in case we'll need it. 

It's a busy life, but a good life.

Outfit: Cardi-Walmart, Boots-Weekend Adventure, Dress-Room mates! 

10, 9, 8...

The most exciting 10 seconds of the year must be prior to midnight New Years Eve.

 Party hats, noise makers and the excitement to hug and kiss those you love...

 Everyone is so excited for the new year in those seconds. No one is thinking of the hard thing they have to do tomorrow or the next day. No one is thinking of that trials may come. They are celebrating exactly what it is, no strings attached. 

Purely a new, fresh start. 

So, here I am waiting for my plane to Salt Lake City where I begin my adventure Student Teaching tomorrow. 

I can't help but think those customs guys at the airport must see at least 95% of those who come through crying. 

It's completely contagious.

 And as I wait at my gate everyone is talking about their "cabin on the lake," and their wonderful Canadian holidays. 

And it makes my heart swell a bit.

 In the meantime, 

2012 taught me much more than I have ever imagined.

It was good and very hard. 

Actually, the hardest yet.

I'm certainly not the same lady as before.

So, here's to 2013. 

And making those 10 seconds last.