The Best Kind of Prize is a SURPRISE!

It's a wonderful thing when I am able to get Friday off and we have no class on Monday- so this week, I returned to my roots and surprised everyone for Valentine's Day/birthdays/President's Day/just-for-fun day!
It's been a blast!!!  And it was nice to kind of have my own little spring break ;]

Dad was the only one who knew I was coming, so he came and picked me up from the airport and we started our way home.  We reached Dallas right as my brother should have been leaving for work. Just to make sure, I called home and asked if I could talk to Mom.  I was told she was just leaving, but would call me when she got back.  So, we took the back way home in order to get there before Mom got back.  I took that opportunity to surprise my little sisters (there was lots of screaming and hugging) and enlist them to help surprise my mother.  She came back and we captured the little gem at the top of this post. :] Then, that night, I got to surprise my little brother when he came home from work.  SO fun!  But it didn't stop there!  Every Sunday, our family has a skype/google hangout date with everyone.  So when my older brother called for our regular meeting, he also got a surprise when I was sitting at home!  So much fun!!! :]

Today, we went to church and I got to help teach in primary!  The class I helped with had some of my three-year-olds from before I left for BYU (and now ... they're old!)  And I got to help one of the most amazing ladies EVER, so that was awesome, too. :]

One of my little sisters gave a talk on music and I got to hear it and the other one taught during Sunday School, so I got to hear that as well!  It was so cool!!  I picked a good weekend to come/my sisters picked a good weekend to be born.

To: Sweetheart

(Click here to read the challenge.  My Challenge Response Follows.)

Well, here's another Valentine's Day come and gone without you by my side.  Sometimes I wonder not if I'll ever met you but when.  The grand question of my life.  Sometimes I think about what it will be like and I wonder.  I wonder if we'll know instantly that there's something special like in fairytales or if we'll be unsure and on again off again like in Chick Flicks.  (I hope not, because those kinds of couples drive me INSANE.)  Most of the time I wonder if I already know you.  Sometimes, after having an especially trying day, I imagine what you would do and say to make me feel better.

Today in honor of you and I, I tried to think of others first and serve them.  I helped a guy in my class with our assignment when he was having trouble.  I walked and talked with someone who I'd never met before.  I held my tongue and controlled my temper when every inch of me wanted to scream.  I hope you were able to help people, too.  Today is a day to honor love and that love is made manifest through actions of service.

Darling, here's to next Valentine's Day.  I hope we'll be able to spend it together.  Until then, I've a date with a BLT and glass of sugar-free lemonade.

Alone for now, but forever yours,
Leigha

Valentine's Day Challenge Round Two

Hey everyone!  

So about this time last year, I created a challenge from a facebook post I saw from one of my friends.  This year, I've decided to reissue the same challenge.  With a little twist.  Before you write your letter, re-read the one you wrote last year.  Reflect on where you were last year, how far you've come since then.  It's amazing when we just stop and reflect on how much we've changed in such a short amount of time.  So, without further ado, here is your challenge!  

Well, we're a week from Valentines day, 

and soon Facebook will be flooded with "Single Awareness Day" stuff... 

Usually, in the past, I've joined this massive self-pity fest, 

but this year I thought I'd try something different. 

This week, I'd like to challenge everyone, 

(Myself included) 

to contemplate and write a thoughtful letter to your future sweetheart. 

Someday, when the time is right, 

you'll find each other, 

and you'll know how worth it it will be.

I've learned a lot about service lately and I feel that Valentine's Day doesn't have to be about sweethearts and couples.  It's about making people feel special and loved.  So, I also challenge everyone, whether you're single, married, engaged, casually dating, or forever alone, to make at least one person feel special for Valentine's Day.  I promise that not only will they appreciate it and feel a little bit of love, but you'll also feel love for them and maybe walk with a little more spring in your step because of it. <3

You're the Obi-Wan for Me

In response to my challenge from last week: (click here if you don't know what I'm talking about)

Here are some things which I wrote to my lover:

Dear Prince Charming,

       . . .      

            I received an anonymous valentine’s gift today.  Someone wrapped a piece of pink paper around a bag of dark chocolate hearts and addressed it to me saying “Hope your V-day is as sweet as you are!”  It was really nice!  . . . and it made me feel really special.  Maybe it was you that left it.  Or a wonderful, caring friend who wanted to give me a little pick me up :]  Either way, it was just what a single girl needed.

. . . 

            I hope your valentine’s day was wonderful.  I also hope you had someone to love you, or someone to make you feel special, because you definitely deserve it, probably more than anyone else I know. 

. . . 

Neither of us are perfect now, nor will we ever be in this life time.  But we’ll love each other for who we are and who we will one day be. 

. . .            

 There will not be many tomorrow’s until we find each other. I’m waiting anxiously for that day!

           

            Until then, stay true to you and the values we share.  I’ll be waiting for you.

Forever Yours,

Me

Valentine's Day Challenge

Normally, I hate Valentine's Day.

For a gal like me with no significant other (ever), 

it's just always sucked.

Seeing couples on normal days sucks enough 

(kissing and cuddling and kissing and hugging and kissing ...)

but Valentine's Day is ... worse.

So, I was prepared to face Valentine's Day as I always have:

no regard whatsoever.

The End.

BUT

As I was perusing the most popular social network in the world, 

I found a challenge from one of my friends.

And I have accepted said challenge.

It reads:

Well, we're a week from Valentines day, 

and soon Facebook will be flooded with "Single Awareness Day" stuff... 

Usually, in the past, I've joined this massive self-pity fest, 

but this year I thought I'd try something different. 

This week, I'd like to challenge everyone, 

(Myself included) 

to contemplate and write a thoughtful letter to your future sweetheart. 

Someday, when the time is right, 

you'll find each other, 

and you'll know how worth it it will be.

And now I extend it to all my single friends.

This is your mission, should you chose to accept it.

I hope you do.

As for all you ... couples ... tell your spouse you love them.

Again.

And again.

And then do something for someone else

together.

Happy Single's Awareness Day!!