a trip to Dallas

When I heard that my friends, the Nielsons, were going to be giving a fireside last week in my sister's ward in Texas, I jumped at the chance to make a quick visit. I took the red eye from Mesa to Dallas, and boy was I glad to see that pretty bed at Leslie's house when I arrived.

Leslie and I are the same in almost every way except one: shopping. She is good at it, I am not. So she spent our first afternoon together convincing me to buy things. (It really didn't take much convincing, I guess. Her mere presence was all I needed. I suppose it's good for my pocketbook that we live a thousand miles apart. But that's all those silly miles are good for, darnit!)

That night was the fireside and it was great! Stephanie and Christian are inspiring and happy people. I was glad I got to hear them speak about their faith and hear their strong testimonies. And their baby! Oh, she is darling.

Have you read Stephanie's book, Heaven is Here? What did you think? I thought it was so real, and I loved how Stephanie showed that we all have the potential to survive tragedy because we all have the same bit of the divine in us.

During my visit, I took a few pictures around Leslie's pretty house. It is a beautiful, peaceful place. Everywhere you look there is some special little detail. I even snuck a picture in front of her famous What I Wore Wednesday mirror. (I don't know about you, but I miss those posts!)

I had such a wonderful time. Leslie and her family are the best hosts. We ate lots of yummy food and spent lots of time talking and relaxing. It was just what I needed.

Hooray for sisters! And for husbands who are good at holding down the fort while mom's gone, too!