Nickie's HOME!!!

Dear blog,

My beloved sister, Nicole, returned home from her mission yesterday!! It was a joyous reunion and it's so wonderful how normal it is to have her back. Our family was a little empty without her big personality and now we're complete! Also she met that Joshy boy for the first time and I was really expecting the worst but they already love each other so much. I'm so excited for her to be back!!!

Love,
Rochelle

Camren Jay Larsen

Dear blog,

On Oct. 29th my good friend, Camren, died. It was super unexpected and they still don't have the autopsy results back so they don't know what happened yet. Camren is a wonderful soul and I miss him all the time. I have been wanting to write about him but nothing feels meaningful enough. How do you sum up the value of one person's entire life in one meager blog post? I've decided that you just can't but I still want to remember him. I want to remember the first time I met him at the Dairy Queen that one time when we changed that sign and he told us that he likes Ray Bradbury and I thought he was the coolest person I'd ever met. And how he would take forevvverrrrr to tell stories. And I want to remember how he was a really supportive friend and he would come to every party I invited him to and he would even watch the bachelor with us (and don't let anyone tell you he didn't love it!) I want to remember how I invited him to every family vacation and he would just giggle. I want to remember the last times we hung out like at comedy sports when he suggested they use the question "what is it about a man in uniform?" and then the very next time they asked for a suggestion he suggested, "what is it about a man in unicorn?" And I want to remember his green reeboks and his greasy hair and his plaid shirts and coke bottle glasses. I want to remember how when we would go camping he would always sleep outside and he wouldn't change his clothes the whole time. And that one time we hiked to those stupid hot springs and he was so kind and patient to walk and talk with me when I was scared and grumpy. Or how he would always just listen as I would talk talk talk about work and love and life. And I want to remember how every time after we would leave his house I'd say "Wait, do I have a crush on Cam??" I want to remember the gaping hole that is there when we all hang out together. I want to remember how confused and sad that I feel. I want to remember how much I miss him and I want to remember how much I love him (which is a lot.)

Sure love you, Cam.
Love, Rochelle

Autumn

Dear blog,

My favorite Anne (of Green Gables) put it best when she said, "I'm so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers."

Here's a list to prove it:

1. all things pumpkin.

2. leaves.

3. crisp sweater weather.

4. fun fall activities.

5. birthday!

(it's on Thursday so... updates to come!)

xoxo,

Rochelle

p.s. this song:

Dream a Little Dream

Dear blog,

Two nights ago I dreamed that my husband took my last name and we both were so happy we cried.

Last night I dreamed that it was the zombie apocalypse and my family all turned to zombies and nothing changed except our bodies and we couldn't find food so we started starving. And the night it was the end of the world, I ordered an oreo shake.

Love,
Rochelle

Positive Affirmation

Dear blog,

I don't want to say that today was the worst day ever but.... today was the worst day ever. Without going into excruciating detail, let's just say that I cried 8 times before 11 o'clock. But on the way driving from one crisis to another I remembered this video and I started yelling "I'm awesome! I can do it!" and even if the affirmation didn't exactly stop me from feeling like a complete failure, at least the thought of how ridiculous it was for me to be yelling how awesome I am at the top of my lungs to myself brought a smile to my face.

And you know what? Tomorrow is a new day.

Love,
Rochelle

Moving Day

Dear blog,

There's something about moving that is so exciting and anticipatory. Who knows what adventures this new location will bring? Maybe in this new space I will somehow be new. Not to mention I always find cool clothes that I forgot that I had.

Happy moving day to me!

love,

Rochelle

p.s.

There's an equal and opposite part of my soul that hates moving. I hate the change and the possibility of failure. I also hate the sweat and the dust and the physical labor. But this optimistic post is an effort to be optimistic. I will conquer you, moving day!

Doc

Dear blog,

When I'm staying at my parent's house my favorite moments are the simple ones. Everyone sitting around and giggling. Mom saying something outrageous and then promptly telling me not to tweet it (I always do.) Making food and eating all together. But one of my very favorite moments of being at home is when I come in late at night and my puppy hears me come through the door and I walk up the stairs and he comes to greet me. Then I kneel at the top of the stairs and rub his tummy and scratch behind his ears and he nuzzles my hand and let's me kiss him. There is something about loving and being loved that makes my troubles melt away for that moment and fills my heart with good. 

love,

Rochelle