Look Whose Home!

THIS GIRL!!!

After 18 long months Sister London finally returned home with honor on January 13th! It was a day that was highly anticipated by us all....

The Airport Sign Committee:

The Emotional Parents:

The Hysterically Excited Sisters:

After what seemed like hours, we finally got a glimpse of our girl at the top of the escalator. We then proceeded to cheer for her to hurry herself up, and give us some hugs! We couldn't get enough of this beautiful girl!

It was so nice to finally have the whole family together. This was our first family picture-as a family of six! Just look how big those smiles are!

Words can't really express how I felt about Abbie coming home. Those last few minutes at the airport I was so hysterically, excited. I was giddy! I have always been close to my sisters, but I feel like I've become even closer to both of them during the past 18 months. I was so excited to finally get to see my favorite missionary, after spending so much time writing her, and getting to know her better. She has grown so much during her mission, and I was so excited to get to know this more grown version of her better. 

The giddiness still hasn't worn off, almost a month later I still get so excited when I get a text from her. (She can text me now!! It's awesome!!)

I'm so proud of you Sister London. You were one amazing full time missionary. You inspired and encouraged me with your example. However, I'm so happy that you are home! I love you baby girl!!

Sharing my Sister

I've started this post a dozen times, each time not sure exactly what to say.

So I've decided, I think, to just say this:

Sharing my sister is one of the hardest things I've had to do this far in life. Knowing that I won't get to call her when I need someone to make me laugh, or be able to burst out randomly in song and have someone there to finish it with me. Knowing that she will likely not be here for big changes within our family, as I start my career and decide exactly what I am going to make of this life of mine.

When I think of her not being here I can't help but cry.

However one thing I know without a doubt is this:

God is good.

He knows when we hurt, when we cry, and he knows how best to heal our pains.

For me that healing is the rain.

I am of the mindset that rain gets a bad reputation-for me rain is something that I find incredibly beautiful, a reminder of how grand and incredible and eternal things really are.

And it seems that when I most need it, when I hurt or stressed or scared God opens the heavens a little and lets the rain remind me that he is there.

Friday and Saturday I sat in our dark living room in awe-mesmerized by the rain beating down from the sky against our little house, against me. It was the reminder that I needed-that I am never alone.

So although Abbie won't be here for 18 months, at least I'll have the rain, and more importantly all that it brings with it.

Before her farewell

After she was set apart as a full time missionary

Right before heading to the MTC

I hope you all know too that I could not be more happy for Abbie. There is nowhere else I would rather her be during this time than on a mission-dedicating herself full time to preaching the gospel of our Lord. Honestly I am so very happy for her, so very proud of her, and so excited for what this will do to her and her life.

It's just that sometimes sharing your sister is hard.


If you're a fan of Abbie's (and really who isn't?) please feel free to check out her blog. Mom has asked me to take it on, and share her pictures and letters with our friends and family. Honestly, if you miss her just read her letters-there is no way to be anything but happy after that.

You can find the blog here.

Or on the sidebar!

Abbie in Indiana

Friday night Abbie opened her mission call surrounded by many friends and family. With anxiety and excitement she read that she had been "assigned to labor in the Indiana Indianapolis mission."

There was an audible gasp immediately followed by a collective laugh as everyone looked from Abbie to Dad, who served his mission there 30 something years ago.

I'll never forget the look on his face. He was surprised, but also so happy.

We had spent hours guessing where in the world Abbie would go preach the gospel. Never did any of us think she would be in Indiana. That night though, after everyone had left and the house was quiet we all sat in the living room. I listened and watched as Dad and Abbie talked about Indiana, the temple that is being built there, and the place that would be "home" to both of them at the age of 19. And in that moment, it felt so right.

Abbie in Indiana.

My Happy Little Diet Coke Loving Heart

Remember how I mentioned these awesome 30 second birthday parties Diet Coke was giving out to some of their fans? Well I entered a twitter competition to celebrate with them, thinking nothing of it really. However, that afternoon I received the following direct twitter message:

That's right-they wanted to celebrate with me! I was so excited that I could hardly contain it.

 After responding I decided to look a little closer at what exactly a 30 second party entailed, and I stumbled upon some very disappointing fine print. In order to win you must live within certain zip codes in New York City.

I was crushed and immediately took to begging those in my life to help me throw a 30 second party. Days went by and I'd given up on the idea of winning anything.

So you can only imagine my surprise when I went down to get the mail last Thursday and found this:

I could hardly believe it-I mean who gets mail from Diet Coke? I quickly ran up to my friends apartment so I had someone to open it with. Brittney put it best when she said "I feel like you're opening a mission call."

So apparently my mission is Diet Coke.

And if that is the case I obviously accept! Look what they sent:

"Hey Nicole,

Thanks for celebrating our 30th birthday with us! We loved your tweet about Diet Coke being 'liquid joy'.

As a token of our appreciation, we wanted to send you a month's supply of Diet Coke. We hope you enjoy it!

Stay Extraordinary,

The Diet Coke Team"

And although I could argue that 24 cans of Diet Coke is hardly a months supply (not even one a day) I was excited and happy beyond compare. I may or may not have carried the letter in my purse for a week so I could show everyone I love.

And I can't even tell you how excited I feel drinking my "free" diet coke. I swear it tastes better.

So-THANK YOU Diet Coke. I can't believe that a huge international company like this would respond with a handwritten letter in such a kind way.

You have a fan for life.

Ok, ok I was already a fan for life-but the free Diet Coke and letter sure helped seal the deal.