Thursday, August 27, 2009

On vacation...

At the moment, I am visiting the lovely state of Maine with my mom. I will post pics when I get back. Also, thanks for those who provided me with advice. I really appreciate it!

Love
Janae

Sunday, August 23, 2009

Taking that ultimate leap of faith?

I have never considered myself much of a risk taker. Usually, I shy away from doing anything crazy. This past year has shown me that I am a risk taker, that I can take leaps of faith and that everything will be alright. A year ago, I moved 3,000 miles away from my family and friends to pursue my Master's in Boston. I came out here knowing only my roommate. No matter how scared I was, I knew I was making the right choice as the Lord had shown me the path I now needed to take and even confirmed it to my parents. Usually, I am shy and would rather fade into the background, but I could not be that out here. With no family nearby, I had to create a new one and that meant making new friends. I put myself out there and befriend people. I developed this great group of friends at church and at school, who I love so dearly. I took this huge risk (moving) and another (stepping out of my comfort zone to make friends), but now this is other situation I am in where I don't know what to do.

Here is where I need some advice. I am going to be extremely vague in many ways, but hopefully what I write makes sense. If not, just call me. I am in this situation where I need to decide to take the ultimate risk by being completely honest about my feelings. I don't know what to do and have spent the past few days contemplating my next step and why taking it scares me. Moving to Boston scared me, but I did it. Making new friends was never easy, but I did it. Why is doing this thing scaring me? I thought it scared me because I was frightened of rejection. However, now I think I am scared of getting everything I wanted. Of being extremely happy. How crazy is that? Why does this scare me? I could be on the cusp of this great thing, but yet, I cannot take that leap of faith. I know I should just go for it. I know I should jump, I really should. I am open to any advice or suggestions. Thanks!!!

Friday, August 21, 2009

Renee and Lewis' Wedding Celebration!!!

Below are more pictures from my sister and her new husband's wedding. Her wedding was beautiful. For more beautiful photos, you can check out my sister-in-law Laurel's blog. She was their photographer and took gorgeous pictures. If you need any photos taken, hire her. She is amazing.
For her bachelorette party, we dressed Renee up. However, she did refuse to put on this red velvet dress. Oh, well. She was a good sport. We started the party by introducing ourselves using out stripper names. Mine was Elise Woolley (you use your middle name and the name of the first street you lived on). Renee's was Amy Sapphire.
What bachelorette party is complete without a penis cake. I made this cake with Renee's best friend Brent. We have the cake mold if anyone wants to borrow it. We use played pin the pecker on the man. Laurel has those photos. Can you say blackmail material? Just kidding!
Christy Ellers, Renee's best friend and her co-maid of honor, doing Renee's makeup. Christy was a champ. Besides doing Renee's makeup, she did mine and my cousin Aubree's. She did a fantastic job.
Renee with Christy's little girl Maisy and Lewis.
After they got married, when went around to the back of the Redlands temple for photos. It was hot at this time, but we survived. Laurel, my sister-in-law, is readying everyone for their photos.
My nephew Eli, during the wedding. He keep asking why he couldn't go in the temple. When I told him he could not go in until he grew up, he told me that he was grown up because he is 3. Then I proceeded to explain that he had to be as tall as his dad to go in. Also, he was the first to greet Renee and Lewis when they came out of the temple. He gave her the sweetest kiss, which you can see at Laurel's blog.
My dad, holding his youngest grandson West, chatting with his new son-in-law.
The back of Renee's gown. Her gown is gorgeous.
A photo of my dad with his siblings and parents.
The happy couple posing with my parents.
Eli resting before the reception, which he had a blast at. He kept running around and laughing when his pants fell down.
As their was no luncheon, we all ended up at BJ's pizza to eat. We were starving after standing in the sun. It was good and is one of Renee's favorite places to eat. Though I captured a pic of the happy couple eating, I will not post it due to how the light caught Renee. Also, I may need to use the picture for blackmail in the future.
As Eli's pants kept falling down, Lewis loaned him his belt.
This is the entrance to the reception. It was decorated with pink tulle and lights. At night, when the reception occurred, it was lite up and the pink glowed. It was beautiful.
Our family loves Italian orange soda. We drank it everyday on our trips to Italy, so naturally Renee wanted it at her reception.
Our backyard decorate. Shelley Moore did a wonderful job putting everything together.

Again, congratulations to Renee and Lewis. I wish them nothing but the best.

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Renee's Wedding!!!

This past Saturday, my sister got married to the love of her life, Lewis. Their reception was beautiful and fun. I am incredibly happy for both of them. Here are some highlights:

After they walked out of the temple, my father is chatting up the groom while holding my cute little nephew West.
Renee and Lewis sharing a moment.
Renee with her best friend Christy and Christy's little girl Maisy. Lewis is performing her first husbandly task by holding Renee's bouquet!
My mom (holding West) with the newly married couple.
Our family shot. This is a combo of the Lakey/Litchfield family.
Me with Renee and Lewis.
My parents yard set up for the reception. It was beautiful. The pink tulle glowed when all the lights were lit.
Decompressing the day after. We all just laid around and ate. We had so much food left over, which included the best sandwiches and meatballs.

More pictures are coming, including some of the two cutest boys and a special bachelorette party pic!

Monday, August 17, 2009

California!!!

My last trip back to California this summer was awesome. My sister got married and her reception was gorgeous. I am so happy for her and Lewis. They truly belong together. Many pictures are forth coming just as soon as I make it back to Boston and my computer.

Sunday, August 9, 2009

Beach Time...

Two weekends ago, I headed down to Narrangansett, Rhode Island to spend the weekend at my friend and former roommate Robin's parents house. Her town is located right on the Atlantic Ocean and the beaches are beautiful, though I will always love Newport Beach first and foremost. Taking in the beach, I strolled along the shore and even took a dip. The water felt good and the waves weren't that rought.
The shoreline.
The beach was pretty crowded.
The Narrangansett beach...the lifeguards were hot!

Wednesday, August 5, 2009

Summer Reading!!!

This summer, I have done much reading, courtesy of the Boston Public Library. Libraries are fantastic because you do not have to pay for books and have an endless selection of reading materials. I have read through so much, from every book by Sophie Kinsella to reading Tori Spelling's Mommywood to Harry Potter. Go make use of your local library. You will never know what you find.

At the moment, I am currently Jodi Picoult's The Pact. I love her writing. She just draws you into her books and you cannot put them down. About a month ago, I read her book, My Sister's Keeper. What I love about her writing is that she tells her story from various points of view. There is no one main character, but you get to see the events unfold through different perspectives and she is not afraid to discuss any subject. The Pact deals with a suicide pact between a girl and her boyfriend. While she dies, he survives. The parents of the couple are neighbors and best friends. This situation drives them apart as Emily's (the dead girl) parents, especially her mother try to cope with her death. Her mother especially wants Christ (Emily's boyfriend) to pay for her death. On the other hand, Chris' parents believe the situation was a tragic mistake. Chris' mother, Gus will do anything for her son. Even though the book begins with Emily's death, Picoult takes you back through the years as she shows you how the families became close and how Emily and Chris fell in love. I have not finished yet, but I cannot put down the book. You just feel everything. She is incredible. If you get the chance, read one of her books.