"Saturday Is A Special Day"

It is 9:45pm on a Saturday night and I have not left the house today. Your first thoughts may be to feel sorry for me. Please don't. Today was a very productive day. Last night my roommate and I ventured to IKEA in search of a dresser. I really do love that store. Perhaps the quality isn't superb, but the prices are great and it does the job for those of us on budgets! My bedroom has been driving me crazy because it is so messy and cluttered. I need one area in my life to feel settled! My goal for today was to put this dresser together. I started at about noon and finished it up around 5pm. That's right. It took me 5 hours (minus a lunch break) to complete this task. Oh, but it was worth it. My clothes are now nicely put into drawers, and not in boxes on my floor. I also hung up pictures in my room, and it is really starting to come together. Anyway, I am pretty proud of my mad assembling skills. Better go change my laundry. Check out my new dresser!

Big Bad Steve

"Every morning at the mine I could see him arrive
6'6" weighing 245lb, broad at the shoulders, narrow at the hips
Everybody new they could take no lip from
BIG STEVE, BIG BAD STEVE!"

This is a song we would sing to Stephen when he was younger. Stephen was 10 lbs when he was born and off the charts in height. We new he was going to be a big boy! He definitely grew to be a tall young man at 6'4", but I am pretty sure he isn't close to 245lbs. Grandpa Mick even called him a giraffe this past weekend....good laughs!

Yesterday I had to say goodbye to my dear brother for over two years. He leaves to serve in the Kaohsiung Taiwan mission, July 25th. I most likely will not be able to fly out for his farewell in a month. It doesn't get ANY easier. I had a difficult time saying goodbye to Brian. We had such a fun time at BYU together and it was sad to see him go. And now, Steve is leaving. It is such a mix of emotions, because I am so proud of him and am grateful for his desire to serve a mission for our church. However, it is still very upsetting to say goodbye to your brother, and good friend for over two years.

Anyway, I am back in Alexandria, VA in my new little place and have much to look forward to. It is always difficult to say goodbye to the fam, but good to get back into a schedule. I had such a wonderful visit and have much to be thankful for.

Dustin & Stephen(They will be such good missionaries!)

Worldless Wednesday

"Ob-la-Di Ob-la-Da ,Life Goes On"

My siblings and I put our heads together and decided to do a little surprise family party for my mom's 50th birthday. That's right, the big 5-0! Although her birthday isn't until June 21st, we figured we needed to rub it in a little while we were all home! We had fun decorating the house while she was at work, making one of her favorite treats, Lemon Bars, and getting her gift all ready. We put together a gift bag of the Top 10 Must Haves When Turning 50!

#10: Must have an assortment of pills and a fan to control those hormones!

#9: Must have slippers to rest your weary, tired feet!

#8: Must have cute stickers to scrapbook with because you are going to have more time on your hands now that you don't have to drive kids around as much! (we are a scrapbooking family...love it!)

#7: Your body must have rejuvenation...an excuse to pamper yourself!

#6: You lived during the "oldies"! You must have some fun songs to rock out to from your era!

#5: Your wisdom increases with age...You must have some books to enlighten the mind!

#4: You must have some hip jewelry to keep up with the trends!

#3: You must have this plant to remind you to nourish your faith.

#2: You must have lots of pictures to show off your kids and grandkids!

drum roll please......AND the #1 thing you must have when turning 50: You must have another 30 years of date night with your poopsy (yes, poopsy is really a term of endearment my parents use with each other!)

We also put together a 15 minute video of family pictures to music, of good memories over the years. It was a fun night. I think she was surprised!

Jeff & Mom with her loot

Mom with her new fan, to cool down those hormones :)

Isn't she adorable!

Happy Birthday Mom! We love you!

Pop This

The trend that has college students from all over the United States buzzing: popped collars. I first noticed this trend my senior year of college at BYU. Naturally, I thought it looked ridiculous and pledged to never be a "popper". My first impression of someone with a popped collar is, ultra prepster that thinks he or she is better than everyone else. I tend to be more traditional and prefer the collar to lay where it belongs. HOWEVER, the popped collar trend has grown on me somewhat. I am not as opposed to it as I used to be. Although, I don't think I will be "popping" seriously anytime soon... Haley and I thought we would give it a try. We felt pretty foxy with our popped collars... Will you be "popping" anytime soon?
I think my niece has far better fashion taste than me! Check out those Vans and cankles! So precious.

Graduation

I know this is a little late in coming...but I did promise to post a few graduation pics. Unfortunately my camera was not found, so I only have the few shots from my parent's camera. I had such a good visit with my parents and am grateful that they were able to come and support me. I am still in Washington and getting anxious to get back to DC and begin real life.

Mom & Me

Dad & Me

M&M

My cute parents outside Lincoln Center

And...the new car! Still feeling pretty good about that purchase !

Sweet Reunion

It has been quite a while since I've blogged. I am now home in Washington State visiting my family. It is wonderful. My brother, Brian returned home from the Rosario, Argentina mission on Saturday, June 1. The siblings were all a little excited and decided he needed a welcome home poster for his return. Brian was a little shy when he got off the plane, but that is to be expected. We are all happy he is home! The original 6 Mickelsen children are home this week, and we are having a great time! Haley keeps us entertained...I think I may be the favorite aunt now! Check out these pictures:

The Mickelsen Children await Brian's return!

Elder Mickelsen

What a good looking crew!

Haley meets Uncle Brian