The Ring

Sorry I forgot to include a picture of the ring. It is absolutely gorgeous. It's a Radiant Cut Diamond on a white gold solitaire ring. I love, love, love it. Sorry the picture isn't the greatest, but lets face it, the ring is just too sparkly for my camera.
Yes, it is that big! Please ignore my fingers, they appear to be a little pudgy in this photo.

Saturday Evening

Oh no, the day is not over. That night was Peter's Dad's Birthday and so we went to Outback to celebrate. It was fun to be with his family that night. I'm excited to a part of many more family fun nights. Today was a marathon day (literally) and I loved it!

Saturday Afternoon

After the marathon Peter and I went over to the Washington Monument to enjoy the Cherry Blossom Festival and watch all the kites around.Little did I know Peter had a little surprise up his sleeve. When I came back from the bathroom and sat down on the blanket I noticed I was sitting on something. Peter instantly pulled back the blanket and there was a ring box. Oh, yes! Peter then got down on his knee and asked me to marry him. I was so surprised and beyond happy. He makes me so happy and comfortable with who I am. He encourages me to be everything I hope to be and do everything I wish to accomplish. He seems to love all my radical ideas of changing the world and making it a better place. I am so happy and feel very lucky to be able to get to marry such a great man.

Just minutes later my roommates coincidentally walked by and so I got to share the moment with them too. So fun!

Later in the afternoon Peter and I went on a boat cruise of the Potomac River to enjoy the scenery and the cherry blossoms.

Saturday Morning

Nathan, a friend and Peter's cousin ran the National Marathon this weekend. We awoke early and joined his wife in traveling all over D.C. to cheer him on at different locations throughout the city. I ran this marathon last year and so it was especially fun to be able to watch one and feel the excitement again. It motivated me to run another. I can't explain the exhilaration you feel from running such a long race and with so many other people out there with the common goal. Congrats Nathan and thanks for the fun!

Happy Birthday Erin

Here's a little shout out to my friend Erin because last week was her birthday. I love Erin because she has great energy. I don't know how she does it but she is always fun, always witty, and always smiling. She seems her happiest just playing with her children and I love it.

My modeling debute

On Saturday of last week I participated in a Paul Mitchell hair show with my roommate. Katie works for Paul Mitchell and they needed some models for a charity event. Even though I was a foot shorter and a little rounder than the other models, we had a great time. We spent the day getting our hair and makeup done. Who doesn't love that?! Here are a few pictures from the night.

Goodbye to Shelley

My good friend Shelley moved away from D.C. this last weekend. Shelley and I used to be roommates last year and I absolutely adore her. She is always willing to join in on the fun, she never complains, and is so free spirited. We used to joke that Shelley had a secret life because she'd been gone for hours and hours and no one would ever know where she went. And when she got back she would be super vague about what she was doing.

Shelley was always very giving and unselfish. She taught me to just relax and enjoy who I am. She didn't teach me how to make cookies or orange julius, but she did teach me that someone can live in a room they can't really walk through. In order to send Shelley off we had a weekend of celebration. First we had a dessert party at her house and then off to the Skydome for dancing.

We love the Skydome because it's never too crowded, they play great music and it overlooks the city and monuments.The next morning we headed out to Carlyle's for a fancy, pancy brunch. Love you Shels!

Hershey, PA

A few weekends ago my friends Cassie, Shelley and I ventured up to Hershey, PA for a day-o-fun. We first went to check out the Hershey Park where they explain how the chocolate is made in the factory and where they trap all the tourist into buying everything Hershey. We had the most amazing Reese's sundaes. I'm not kidding, these things were totally tubular!
Next we ventured over to the Hotel Hershey for some R 'n R. We relaxed in the spa, had a chocolate bath, and enjoyed the sauna. It was so great to just hang out in the comfy robes and chat with the girls. These girls were my roommates last year and I don't see them often enough.

My sweet Uncle Lynn

A few weeks ago my mother called me with the horrible news that my Uncle Lynn had been killed in a car accident. This news was difficult to take as I dearly love my Uncle Lynn and his death was so unexpected. I have gone through many of the grieving emotions of sorrow, denial, anger, fear, and guilt. I wish I would have called him more often, I wish I would have told him how I felt about him more. I wish I would have shared with him more my testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ. I wish I would have spent more time laying out and reading magazines with him, playing rummi, or shopping with him (as those were his favorite things to do).

I am writing this blog to share with everyone the things I love about my Uncle Lynn and the many things he has taught me over the years. I love how kind and nonjudgmental he is to everyone he meets. I love how generous he is with his time and his money. Whenever I saw him he was always trying to get me something I liked or take me to do something he knew I would enjoy. I love how competitive he got when playing games on Sunday evenings. I love how he drove his red Cadillac like he was in his twenties again.

There are so many things I love about this man, but the thing that has most influenced me is how he loves and serves others. My Uncle Lynn absolutely adored his wife Pat. He thought she was the most beautiful, wonderful person. And he treated her like that everyday. He loved to cook for her, clean for her, buy her little surprises, read to her, and everything else you could imagine. Pat became ill many years ago and he cared for her and treated her like royalty every step of the way. This man taught me what it means to love. He taught me what it means to forget yourself and love another unconditionally. I will forever be grateful for his example of how to love and serve another. I hope to someday marry someone whom I adore as much as he adored Pat. I hope to someday serve and love my spouse with the same intensity and gentleness that he did.

I hope you know Uncle Lynn that I was watching. I was constantly learning from your example and I hope to love as you have loved.

(I will post a picture of this darling man as soon as I can get an electronic copy.)

President Gordon B. Hinckley

I know this is a super late post, but I feel as though it is important for me to share my feelings about this man. And besides, I need to be better at writing on my blog again. I mean really, it's kind of ridiculous that I don't write more often.

President Gordon B. Hinckley, for those of you that may not be familiar with him, is the President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. He was called as a prophet just as Moses or Abraham were in ancient times. He was called to share the word of God with the people of the world. A prophet receives revelation directly from God to guide and direct His people in these times.

I believe this President Gordon B. Hinckley to be such a prophet of God. Throughout my life I have looked up to this man. He is a man of great humility and kindness. He truly lives the principles that he teaches. He worked tirelessly throughout his life to bring closer to Jesus Christ. He labored to bring peace, charity, and joy to the world. He had such a gentle, loving, kind spirit about him. Any time he walked into a room or spoke where I was present I felt a great warmth and feeling of peace. You may say this is how I know him to be a prophet of God.

President Gordon B. Hinckley passed away several weeks ago. This news brought me great sadness but also some joy. Although I will miss the example of this man and his sweet smile. I am glad he is able to rest (somewhat) from his work and enjoy the presence of his wife and loved ones once again.

I am grateful for the things he has taught me and the life he has lived. Thank you.