Christmas

Christmas 2011

What a day.

Waking up at 5:20

because the little brothers were so excited;

getting everything I wanted;

A laptop, cute jewlery, clothes, stuff about my mishh;

and of course

Shawny's Package.

That was so fun to open!

He spoiled me!

Chile bag, B.O.M. in spanish, Chilean money, pass along cards in

spanish, a change carrier, and those two name tags!

Both of these were hand made.

Spiderman hat, and freakin sick jacket.

He knows me so well!!!

But of course..

this is what means the most to me.

He wore this.

I love thinking that.

He walks around everyday with the Lords name on his badge.

I am so proud of my boyy.

He is amazing.

Thanks you so much babe for that amazing

Christmas Package.

The rest of the day went something like this.

Falling asleep in church;

eating lots of food;

party at the Lambs house;

got my favorite lotion;

Went home and enjoyed another family party

with my dads side;

and while all this was going on..

i was waiting for one text.

one text that would either make me very happy

or crush my world.

Lets see if you can guess what it was..

Shawn's mom told me to drop off the presents on the porch.

It hurt.

All I wanted was my Christmas Wish.

All I wanted was to see him on Christmas.

Everyone else got to either talk or skype with

their missionaries on Christmas

and mine just so happens to be down the street

and I couldn't even watch him open his presents.

I couldn't help but start to cry.

I then went to drop off the presents at their house.

I got Shawn 2 really nice shirts for Pday

and I made him a necklace with E<3 on it.

its manly, dont worry.

and I made his parents a sign that said

"Mis-sion-ary: Someone who leaves their family

for a short time, so others will be with their families for

eternity"

I then got a very sweet text from her

telling me how much she loved the present

and how much Shawn loved his!

But I'm still very sad over the fact that

its Christmas..

and I couldn't see him.

It was a very good day, and I have a lot to be grateful for

but this would of only made it the best christmas ever.

I miss him so much.

I was looking thru old photos

and these were the pictures taken last year at this time.

I love you babe.

Then for the rest of the night

I just enjoyed being with my whole fam

watching Christmas Vacation.

Time to hit the sack.

Merry Christmas Everyone.

Merry Christmas Shawn.

I love you.



Christmas when you were mine.

This sums up how I'm feeling right now.

I love you Shawny. More than you will ever know.

We can do this;

We have to.

We'll be together soon

and we will never be apart on Christmas again.

<3

but for me its just a lonely time

cuz there were Christmases when you were mine.



Not easy.

His surgery went very well.

But it was more intense than planned.

I guess he has had a hernia his whole life

and never knew about it.

So there was more digging, more stitching;

and he is in so much pain.

It took him two weeks to finally feel comfortable.

He was supposed to go back

December 16.

But there was just no way.

Poor guy can't even move,

you think he'd be okay to go out and serve his mission again?

I dont think so.

So looks like he'll be home for Christmas

and New Years.

Yay me.

Sarcasm?

Yes!

Because this is the time of year that we love

and spend every minute together

and we can't.

BUT

part of me really is happy he is home.

1. I'd rather have him recover here than Chile

2. I have to only do one Christmas without him

not two;

even though we aren't "really" together,

its nice to know he is so close :)

And lets just hope I get a miracle this Christmas to see him.

Other than that,

you guessed it;

I haven't seen him yet.

Its the hardest thing I have ever done.

I'm just waiting for the day that I run into him somewhere.

In fact, I did pass him last week while driving.

He was in his Grandma's car.

For a second, I couldn't believe that was him.

I thought I was seeing things;

til my sister reassured me that it was Shawn.

Then I had a mini heart attack as he smiled at me when I drove by.

I love him.

We email Mondays

and he just sent me some pictures from his mission.

^Men Working

I love him.

He is SUCH a stud!

My heart melts everytime I see a picture of him!

534 Days babe.



Battle we're fighting.

"I might not get to see you as often as I'd like, I may not get to hold you in my arms at night, but deep in my heart I know that it's true. No matter what happens... I will always love you"

You think being 6000 miles

away from someone is hard?

Try being less than 5 minutes away

and not being together.

I am now facing the hardest obstacle in my life.

But because of this trial,

I somehow feel closer to Shawn than I have ever felt.

Even though this straight up sucks

and this wasn't part of the plan

I am a firm believer that

everything happens for a reason.

And maybe there is a big reason this all happened

and we wont know about it til' later;

maybe he needed to touch someone's life here;

maybe he needed to get away from Chile

because something was going to happen;

and of course doctors are better here,

but if anything,

this trial has brought us closer together

and I love him more than I did yesterday.

and I will love him more tomorrow than I did today.

And during the last couple of days

I have learned something.

Nothing will take me away from Shawn.

I have felt his love more the last couple days

than I have ever felt.

He's worth the wait everyone.

and even though we are going through

something that is miserable;

'our love can conquer anything.' - Shawn.

What I have with him is worth it.

It is worth every lonely night, every tear I cry from missing him,

and the pain I feel from not having him close.

It is worth it because he is my one and only.

When I picture myself years from now, I see only him.

No matter how painful distance can be,

not having him in my life would be worse.

"Not being able to hold you has got to be the hardest thing I've ever had to do. But I get to look forward to the next time you are in my arms; your smile only inches away from mine getting closer and closer until at last... our smiles meet. Something that beautiful... that's what keeps me going"

Waiter Haters.

I wanted to make a special post for

all the waiter haters out there.

I consider myself very lucky

to not come across many of those

(yet)

But I'm ready to take on

whatever they want to throw at me.

"Two years is such a long time"

"So much can happen in two years"

"He will be so different when he comes home"

"You honestly think after not seeing you

for two years, he will still love you?"

You honestly think

those things haven't crossed my mind?

I'm a girl.

Every fear, doubt, worry, and question

has crossed my mind.

But wanna know something else

that crosses my mind more than those

awful things you waiter haters wanna throw at me?

I have an amazing man.

Shawn changed my life in ways that

I didnt think were possible.

He has made me the happiest girl.

I have never laughed so hard,

smiled so big

or felt so loved in my life.

I fell in love with the most thoughtful,

caring, and loving man.

He takes care of me and looks out for me so much.

I would be stupid

to let him go.

We have been thru so much together.

and I know that everyone says that

but if you only knew what we

have been thru together

you would be waiting too.

We've had so many spiritual moments before he left

and everyday he won my heart over more and more.

Another thing that crosses my mind?

Not only does he love me

he loves this gospel.

He is willing to give up

two years of his life

to help the people of Chile and bless their lives.

He is serving our Father in Heaven.

It takes a strong man to do what he is doing.

He is growing and learning so much.

Becoming the man of my dreams.

He is an amazing priesthood holder.

All he wants to do in life is help people.

He is the best missionary.

He is so obedient and strives every day to be better and better.

Which in return,

makes me want to be better everyday.

He's my best friend.

He knows everything about me

and still loves me.

Two years is nothing compared to eternity.

"90 percent of all girls waiting for a missionary eventually give up the life of limbo either by tapering off the correspondence or mailing a "Dear John." Seven percent wait it out, resume dating him when he returns -- only to eventually break up. Only about 3 percent of the girls who wait for their missionary end up marrying him"

 

I will be that 3%.

"Never give up on what you really want to do. The person with big dreams is more powerful than one with all the facts."

So for all you waiter haters out there,

I want to say

Thank you :)

You motivate me every day

to prove you wrong.

So keep it up.

You're jealous.

"A womans heart should be so hidden in Christ, that a man should have to seek Him first, to find her"

-And thats what my boy is doing. and I am so proud of him.

Long Distance Lullaby

Could this song

be any more perfect?

(pause my music to listen to this song)

(scroll all the way to the bottom)

One more hotel room

one more night away from you

one more phone call

to say i'll be home soon.

I'm just so tired

of all the distance in-between

all I really need

is you with me.

I miss your voice

I miss your smile

I wish

I could give you

a kiss for the thousand miles

Sleep well

my love

tonight when you close your eyes

hear my long distance lullaby.

la la la la

I know its hard

when Im so far away

and these words

can only go so far to say

I miss your voice

I miss your smile

I wish

I could give you

a kiss for the thousand miles.

Sleep well

my love

tonight when you close your eyes

hear my long distance lullaby.

la la la la

I love you Elder Shawn Larkin!

My Best Friend.

It's the times we're so crazy,
that people think we're high.
It's the times we laugh so hard,
we can't help but cry.
It's all the inside jokes
and "remember whens".
those are all the reasons
that we're best friends!

I have so much to be grateful for.

So many people have helped me

thru this hard time,

so many people have encouraged me

and supported me through

everything.

But there is one person

in particular

that has helped me the most

and thats my best friend

Alexis Strahm.

This blog post is for her.

Dear Wexy Sexy:

i  can't even begin to tell you how much I love you. Weird to think that we were friends all thru high school but never really close, and then all of a sudden you come into my life. I have prayed and prayed for a best friend. We both have been stabbed in the back and treated like crap and I didnt think a good girlfriend was possible. I know that Heavenly Father put you in my life for a reason, and he answered my prayers. This whole ''waiting thing'' would be almost impossible with out you. Thank you for putting up with my bull crap all the time, my mood swings, my complaints, my annoying laugh, my tears, my monday email chats, not being ashamed of me even tho I wear zero make up (hahaha), and all my imperfections. Thank you for lifting so many things off my shoulders. Seriously, I know that I can always count on you to pretty much tell me to ''not sweat the small stuff'' and you ease so many of my worries. Thanks for keeping me strong, for helping me wait and supporting me in tough situations; for keeping the end in sight for me and reminding me of my relationship everyday with Shawn. Thanks for pulling tricks on me (like the one in your kitchen with the drawer), sending me fatbooth photo's, making a joke out of everything so we can laugh hysterically where we almost pee our pants, screaming Celion Dion songs with me, jamming out to Irish music, sleepovers with your heated mattress, slimfast diets, giving me "the look" and i know exactly what we are both thinking, and being there for me in the latest time of the night, or earliest time in the morning telling me everything's going to be okay. Thanks for being the best bestfriend ever. You're my rock, and I love you so much. This may sound corny to some of you, but she deserves this thank you post. I couldn't do this with out her. I honestly, do not know what I'd do with out you. You're amazing Lex, you're so strong, so beautiful and I look up to you in so many ways.

I love you best, mother-trucking- friend :)

 

The Missionary's Girl :)

Somewhere between the whirl of teen-age dates

 and the responsibility of matrimony,

we find a lone creature called

 the Missionary's Girl.
They come in two varieties...

engaged and hopefuls.

They come in assorted... sizes, weights, and colors,

 blue being the most common.

The missionary's girl is found at home, missing parties

(Just the parties that have RM's),

staying away from dances (too depressing without him there),

paying her own way to the movies, and buying stationary by the gross.

Missionaries love them,

young girls look up to them,

parents tolerate them,

postmen hate them,

and weekly letters support them.
A missionary's girl is a composite.

She has the appetite of a hormonally unstable 18-year-old girl,

the enthusiasm of a wet noodle,

the patience of Job,

the persistence of a stainless steel salesman a

nd the imagination of Scheherazade.

She likes letters from the mission field,

invitations to his home,

long distance telephone calls,

items for his scrapbook,

pictures of him, and other girls who are waiting.

 She isn't much for Saturday nights out on the town ;

people who say, "Two years is a long time"; or “Don’t waste your time” or the classic “ so much can happen in two years” ,

new clothes with no one to wear them for;

sad movies and music;

movies with love scenes;

knitting;

wedding receptions;

 little sisters who date;

calenders;

and "Dear Janes."

 A missionary's girl is an odd object:

She can get lonesome, discouraged, and temporarily lose faith in the whole missionary system.

No one else can write such cheerful letters

 in such a rotten mood.

 No one else can get such a thrill

at the end of the day by the words,

"Why yes, there is a letter for you."

Nobody else is so early to bed and so early to rise

A missionary's girl is virtue with no chance to be otherwise,

 faith with twenty-four months to wait,

 prudence with 69 cents in her savings account,

and beauty with no one to give a darn.

Yes, she is all this, but it will all be forgotten the day he receives his letter of release and, upon his arrival home she will probably utter the words she once considered trite,

"It hasn't seemed like any time at all!" 

By being yourself.

“I love you,
Not only for what you are,
But for what I am
When I am with you.I love you,
... Not only for what
You have made of yourself,
But for what
You are making of me.I love you
For the part of me
That you bring out;I love you
For putting your hand
Into my heaped-up heart
And passing over
All the foolish, weak things
That you can’t help
Dimly seeing there,
And for drawing out
Into the light
All the beautiful belongings
That no one else had looked
Quite far enough to find.I love you because you
Are helping me to make
Of the lumber of my life
Not a tavern
But a temple;Out of the works
Of my every day
Not a reproach
But a song.
I love you
Because you have done
More than any creed
Could have done
To make me good
And more than any fate
Could have done
To make me happy.You have done it
Without a touch,
Without a word,
Without a sign.
You have done it
By being yourself.=- Roy Croft

I love you Elder Shawn Larkin. More and more everyday. Its the simple things that remind me of your love and the amazing man that you are. Distance isn't a factor in this relationship because even tho you are so far away, I feel closer and closer to you everyday. You complete me and I love you more than words can explain.

 

570 days til I have you back.

I miss you.

The Excitement

First Package from Chile!!

This is my Christmas Package

from Shawny.

I was so excited

until I realized that Christmas

isn't even for another month

and a half.

Better early than never right?

I love you Shawny!!

11/11

This day is a silly day.

People make the biggest deal about it.

Me?

I have every reason to!

11/11/09

Two years ago today,

I met my best friend

the love of my love

and the most amazing man

in this world.

I got a letter last week

and I wasn't aloud to open it til today.

and boy am I glad that I waited.

It was the most amazing letter.

I wanna share what he wrote.

"I can remember the moment I met you. I remember when I was

walking in the halls of Davis High and I remember seeing you and thinking

to myself that you were such an amazing, gorgeous girl. I thought to myself, I wish

I could find someone like that, but that I could never get a girl like you. I promise I thought that. Then, I was on facebook and this picture of that gorgeous girl I have seen popped up and I had to add you. So I did, the next time I got on facebook I had an email and a new friend. I saw that it was from you and I got all nervous. I thought "What am I going to say? What am I going to do?" You gave me your number and I texted you within seconds. I was so freaking excited. Then three days later, on 11/11 I met this amazing girl. We planned to hang out for an hour or so before I went to the Hollywood Undead concert. So the time came for me to come to your house. I was so nervous about meeting you!! So I pull up to your house and I just sat in my truck looking at your house just thinking I am about to walk in this freakin gorgeous girls house and meet her for the first time. I thought to myself "What am I gunna say?" I've never been so nervous. So I got out of my truck to go to your door. I hit the doorbell and seconds became minutes just waiting for someone to answer. Then the door opened and your dad welcomed me in with a smile on his face. I asked if you were home and then around the corner you were there. You were more gorgeous then I remembered. I felt so good, when I saw you. The moment stopped. The world stopped. I really couldn't believe how gorgeous you were. It felt like it was a dream baby. You were so nice, so amazing. I felt so special being with you. And it felt so normal. It was like we have been best friends for a long time. It was natural. I know we were together in the pre earth life. Then when I had to leave, I couldn't get you off my mind. and I still can't. You are amazing Emily. I love you SO MUCH!!!!! Thanks for the best two years of my life"

And the letter went on and on and on.

6 pages

of the sweetest words.

It was hands down

the best letter I have ever gotten.

I have never felt his love so powerful before.

I can't wait to marry my best friend.

I love you Shawn Larkin!!!!

Two years ago..

was the day that changed my life forever.

575 Days.

So much to tell.

Where do I begin?

1.

I'll start with

Monday,

November 7, 2011.

Because of the time change

emailing each other is going to be

more difficult.

Last week, we agreed to start next monday

(which was yesterday)

to email at 10:00 am

while I am at lunch.

You following?

K good.

So all day Monday,

OF COURSE

I was so excited to be able to talk to him

10:00 am falls around.

Nothing.

11:30 am

Class starts.

Nothing.

Well, great. this is just awesome.

You see, we can't email during class.

the teachers are so strict on cell phones.

and thats why I was so sad.

Anyways,

while I was doing my friends nails

I got 12 emails from him.

One of them

I would love to share with you.

"Hey babe! 

 i am truly sorry that i couldn´t get on like 10am your time this week. I had to go to concepcion in the morning to pick up my visa, and my companion had to shop and it took a ridiculously long time and then the bus is like 1 hour and half to two hours to concepcion and back, and i didn´t get back here until like an hour ago, gosh it sucks being out in the boonies. But next week i will be on at 10am so that i can talk to you. I am so sorry but i don´t have to go anywhere next week! by the way i sent you a package today, you should get it in ten days, don´t you dare open it until christmas morning on the 25th!!!!! or i will fly home and kill you haha, but really you should love it! You better love it! i love you babe. thanks for all those amazing emails, especially those pictures of you in Disneyland. thanks for everything you do. and then november 11 is the day we meet two years ago!!! and i get to listen to the tape that you sent me! baby i love you so much, i really have no idea what i would do with out you and you are so gorgeous. thanks for the best two years of my life. you are so amazing. i can´t wait to be able to skype with you and my family on christmas, that will be so amazing. just like you. i hope that your work and school is still going amazing and that you and your friends are having fun also! i really am so jealous that you got to go to disneyland and the beach ahhhh lucky duck. i miss you so much. ugh my sister is having a really hard time in russia heath wise. She has a lung infection, and she had a lympnode problem in her groins before the mission but she thought she got it taken care of before the mission, but now its even worse, and she can barley sleep and nights over in russia and gets really bad head aches and its hard for her to breath at times and she gets panic attacks and stuff. So my mom and dad are dealing with my sisters problems while lindsey is all the way in the crap in russia. but thanks for everything, i can feel you with me here in chile, and i can feel your prayers and love, i hope that you can feel me there in utah! i am almost at my six month mark then we have to do 3 more six month marks and i am home! Hey i was talking with brackin about you and me when i was over in his sector for a day, and he was telling me how good you are doing and how in love you are in with me and he told me with out a doubt that he knows that we are going to get married, and that we have to invite him it was awesome, he is funny guy and he told me about his whole experiance about having to go home and get surgury and stuff and how bad that it sucked. it was the first time i got to sit down and talk with him since i have been here in chile. I really hope you are doing good, it sounds like you are! and i love you so much, seriously, you are amazing.i will be thinking about you this week, and the 11th cause it is a special week for us! ahhh baby i love you so much. you mean the world to me! thanks for all you do and i can´t wait to be with you again, 19 months Emmie!! and we'll be together forever.

 Love,

Your Shawny"

Now,

after reading that email

will you agree with me that I am the

LUCKIEST

girl in the whole world???

He is amazing everyone! I love that boy!!

Dont worry,

I also got an email about his mission!!

He is doing so great! He just got transfered.

New area, new companion.

Its in the boonies of Chile

(thats what he calls it)

and his companion is from Peru

and doesn't speak a lick of English!

But Shawn really likes him

and they get along great!

He says its way different

just cuz they speak in Spanish 24/7 now!

But he is loving his mission so much!!!

I am so proud of him!!!

He is the best, and I know that

the Lord is so honored to have him wearing a badge

with His name on it.

Shawn also sent me pictures!!!

^companions in the house

^His First Area!

What a stud :)

^ Hiking on Pday!

Elder Larkin and Elder Huerta!

^The Beach!

^Nonquen

Gosh, he is so cute!

2.

November 8, 2009

(2 years ago today)

Was the first day we ever talked.

Yes, this is going to sound stupid

but we met thru facebook!

hahaha.

But thank goodness I got the courage

to write him that message.

who would of thought

it would of turned into something

this special.

November 8, 2011

5 months down.

5 months that I will

never have to do again.

I will see my best friend in

19 months!!

It really does feel so good to say that.

I was asked today

"Is it getting easier or harder"

and this was my response.

"Depends on the day. Easier because every day is one day closer to being with him again, but harder because i miss him more every day that passes because its another day with out him. but i'm keeping busy and i LOVE that I am on this journey with him :) He's amazing and I wouldn't want it any other way. Whenever I am sad, I can only think "I have an amazing man serving a mission and serving the Lord and helping so many people. We have an amazing relationship. He loves me. I love him. I have so many friends and family members that help and support me. and i'm one day closer to being with him again. whats there to be sad about? :)'' Cheesy? Yes. but its true"

Sorry for such a long blogpost.

But I wanted to update all you blogstalkers out there

me and Shawn.

and in case you didnt get it,

we are doing just great.

perfect.

everything is amazing.

And for me?

School is great!

6 more weeks until I am on the floor.

I have the best, Bestfriend in the whole world.

and I love love my job.

K i'm ending this before it gets ridiculously long.

Bye :)

I love you Elder Shawn Larkin!!

578 days.

Christmas Package.

Christmas Package 

sent in October.

Oh the life of a missionary girlfriend.

So I wanted to share what

I did for his package!

It's really cute,

and he is going to LOVE it!!

I sent him

12 presents

First one opened on

December 14.

"On the first day of Christmas

I send a little tree

And special decorations

you will plainly see.

Reminds me of your servie

to your Father up above,

I think of you so often

and I'm sending you my love."

Gift: Small Christmas Tree and decorations

"On the second day of Christmas

I know you have your tree,

this special ornament

you will plainly see.

When placed upon the tree

it will remind you of my love,

and all the blessings Father

grants us from above."

Gift Idea: A picture frame ornament

with a picture of us inside.

"On the third day of Christmas

you're always on my list,

here's something fun to eat

so you know that you are missed"

Gift Idea: Favorite Food

"On the fourth day of Christmas

we are steeped in tradition

and so to you out there

i am making this addition.

Christmas carols I've sent alont your way

I hope these songs will brighten

each coming day"

Gift Idea: Church and Christmas music

"On the fifth day of Christmas

a very special night

I wish I could be with you

the spirit is just right."

Gift Idea: Pictures

"On the sixth day of Christmas

you want peach on earth

here is a picture

to remind you of your worth"

Gift Idea: Armor of God picture

(missionary picture)

"On the seventh day of Christmas

my heart begins to swell

the love I feel inside for you

I could never tell

Please wear this token of my love

with you all day today

If others ask just what it means

this is what you'll say-

I am loved!"

Gift Idea: A tie with our inicials on it

S & E

"On the 8th day of Christmas

I send you something funny

Be prepared to laugh

I know you'll love it hunny"

Gift Idea: Jelly Beans and a laughing pill

(you press the button and it laughs hysterically)

"Tis the night before Christmas

and all thru the house

not a creature was stirring

not even a mouse.

This stocking was stuffed

by your girlfriend with care

with hopes that this Christmas

is more than just fair"

Gift Idea: Stocking stuffed with

letters from family, a tape, and candy

"On the tenth day of Christmas

I send you some tunes

so listen to them often

and know that i'll see you soon"

Gift Idea: More Church music

(my favorites so he can think of me)

"On the eleventh day of christmas

this day is so specific

what i want to do

is make you feel terrific.

While visions of sugarplums dance in your head

remember i love you

while lying in bed"

Gift Idea: Pajama pants on Christmas Eve :)

"Christmas day is so spccial

tho your miles away from home

Whisperings of the spirit

tell me you are not alone.

This gift youve enjoyed

at this time of the year

has kept my thoughts close

and helped me feel near"

Gift: I made him a notebook for letters

or for his journal.

The front cover and back cover

is a collage of our pictures and memories.

I can't WAIT for him to get this package.

He is going to love it.

I love you Elder Shawn Larkin!!!!!

But Who's Counting?

Peace out 600's.

What's up 500's?!

599 days until I see my best friend! <3

132 Days that I will

never

have to do again.

19 weeks I will

never

have to do again.

4 !/2 months that I will

never

have to do again.

Are you starting to understand?

599 days.

85 weeks.

19 !/2 months.

! year, 7 months, 3 weeks
until I get to be with
the love of my life.
But who's counting?

By the way!
Shawny had his first
BAPTISM
Saturday, Oct. 15, 2011 :)
He is so happy
and it definitely makes
everything so worth it.
He makes his girlfriend SO proud!

I sure do love him :)

Ps. Isn't this so cute?

I love you so much Elder Shawn Larkin :)

Vintage.

Vintage PhotoShoot

Naomi Leu Photography