Time Out For Women

This past weekend, I got to spend two whole days with four wonderful women. Deseret Books Time Out For Women was in Minneapolis this past weekend, so the five us headed up north for a fun filled weekend. We left early Friday morning, so that we could get several hours of shopping in at the Mall of America before attending the conference. We had a great time looking at shoes, especially watching Shannon try on a pair of $500 boots. She didn't buy them, although she was sorely tempted. We shopped until we dropped, at least I felt like I was going to drop. We had lunch at Kokomos, a fun restaurant that has a tropical feel to it. Carrie wanted to go to H & M, a store she used to shop at when she lived in New York. Once we were in the store, it didn't take me too long to find the cutest dress. It is a deep wine red color and it fits perfectly. I tried it on and wasn't quite sure, I felt like it might be a little too tight, but when I asked Carrie about it, she said it was too perfect a fit to not buy it, so I immediately took it to the register and bought the dress. I wore it to church on Sunday and it was very comfortable. Thanks Carrie for convincing me to buy the dress. After many hours of shopping, it was time to leave the mall, but not before making a stop at the Lindt store. I was tempted to buy some truffles, but Carrie bought 3 bags of truffles, and she was sweet enough to share. I ate my fair share of chocolate over the weekend, but I would have eaten more if I'd bought some to bring home. Thanks Carrie for buying the chocolates and sharing, so that I didn't have to buy any. I probably would have gained 10 pounds. The conference was a lot of fun. I didn't feel that it was as good as the one two years ago, but I was uplifted and inspired. After the Friday evening session, we went out to dinner at PF Changs at 10:40 that evening. We had such a great time laughing, talking and eating. Of course we all ordered lettuce wraps for our meal, because they are the absolute best thing on the menu. We also got to celebrate Shannon's birthday. Unfortunately I didn't have my camera with me, so I don't have a picture of these wonderful ladies. Thanks for such a fun weekend. I had a great time and it was fun just getting to know each of you even better. We will have to do this every year, just get away for the weekend and have fun. I highly recommend a girls weekend away for any woman that needs a break. You come home feeling rejuvinated and ready to deal with life once again.

My Sweet Sister

Nicole and Tara

Jon had a presidency meeting this evening at our house and so I thought I would read blogs while he was busy. It's been fun reading about all the fun things everyone has been up to. As I was reading my sister's blog, I thought I had read all of her posts and as I scrolled to the very end, I found this:

I want to introduce you all to my lovely sister Tara. I am so lucky to have such a great sister! Tara and I are 7 years apart however we have always been pretty close. Growing up Tara taught me a lot about life by her example. At age 15 Tara got very sick with ulcerative colitis and was in the hospital for months. At the time I was very young and didn't completely understand what she had to go through. I look back now and realize what a fighter she was. Her strength during that time still amazes me! As we got older Tara and I grew close and loved to spend time together shopping and just having fun together. One summer Tara invited my cousin and I to go to a FHE activity with her. We went and for the first time met Jon, the man who would later become the love of her life. Tara and Jon were married shortly after and have been happily married for nearly 8 years. After Tara completed school to become an x-ray technician their greatest dream was to start a family. Six years later they are still trying to fulfill that dream. A couple of months ago Jon and Tara were approved for adoption! We couldn't be happier for them and are anxiously awaiting the day that they welcome a beautiful baby into their loving arms! I know that they would be wonderful parents! Please keep them in mind if you know of anybody who is looking to place their baby for adoption. I have placed a link to their adoption profile on the sidebar of my blog.

Of course, I started to cry as I read the wonderful things my sweet sister had to say about me. I just want to thank her for thinking of Jon and I and putting a post about us and our wish to adopt. I also want to let all of you know what an amazing sister she is. I think she is the best, in fact I think she's almost perfect. Although she is 7 years younger than me, I look up to her a lot. She is such a great example to me. I miss our talks, shopping and hanging out. Happy belated Birthday, Lou!

Happy Birthday Jon!

The last piece of the German Chocolate Cake I made for him on Sunday. I didn't have the camera with me Sunday when he blew out his candles, so I had him do it again for the picture.
The birthday boy with all his birthday loot.

Yesterday was Jon's birthday. It was a pretty ordinary day because he still had to work all day. I wanted to make his day seem a little special, so I went to the store before Tanner came over, and I bought Jon some balloons and a small package of Reese's Peanutbutter Cups which are his favorite. I dropped them off at his office that morning, so he could enjoy the balloons and treat all day. We have been out to eat so much lately, so Jon requested his favorite dinner for me to make, meatballs and mashed potatoes (his mom's recipe). I made a nice dinner, and then of course he had to open his presents. He got lots of cards money, which is perfect because he can order a bunch of new games. Yay! After presents we had a few errands to run so we stopped at the mall and filled his popcorn bucket with Karmel Korn's cheese corn. This has become a tradition since we've lived here. My parent's bought him the bucket filled with cheese corn two years ago, when they were here for Jon's birthday, so I've tried to keep up the tradition. I would have surprised him with it that morning, but the mall wasn't open at 9:00 am. Happy Birthday Jon! I hope you had a wonderful day.