my cheeks hurt from smiling.

yesterday was hectic.

i wrote two articles in an hour,

finished up an audio news story in two  

and went home to eat my first meal of the day

 at 3:56 in the afternoon.

then i had to study.study.study for my media law midterm.

i took a power nap that really only lasted twenty minutes.

it.was.glorious.

i survived my midterm and walked away fairly confident.

then i hopped in my car and drove home.

all the way home.

care to know why?

okay.

it's because this face

this sweet, sweet face came home.

granted, it's not the happiest of circumstances,

{his foot is messed and the physical therapy down in mexico is not cutting it. there is a chance he might need surgery but hopefully some intense rounds of physical therapy and rest will make him good as new so he can get back out.}

but it's still good.

hearing his voice, hugging him, sitting next to him at the dinner table,

laughing with him, looking at mission pictures, just talking with him

was so.good.

it's quite surreal.

it felt like i was dreaming. 

it felt like the best dream ever.

everybody's gonna love today.

my eight a.m. class was cancelled.

the weather is perfect.

i'm wearing a dress and a cardigan and couldn't be happier.

i just had a dear friend bring me a rose and a note.

i read my little brother's email and he sent me my own personal message.

"hey sister...soul sister. i love you too."

what a kid. 

his strength and testimony inspire me everyday. 

little messages and short phone calls have made my day.

i feel loved.

genuinely, truly and completely loved.

i hope you feel and know you are loved.

it's one of the most comforting feelings in the world.

three cheers for family and friends and a beautiful day! 

little ray of sunshine.

this little bundle of joy is my brother.

he loves yard work. 

i just wanted to tell you that we're making him viral.

so far i have thirteen friends who have made this their profile picture.

and those thirteen friends are getting their friends to change their pictures.

he's like the mexican version of jimmer. 

if james weren't on a mission right now he'd be so mad.

mwahahahaha.

blue tie in the blinding snow.

sunday i went for a drive with my friend.  we went to the temple and just sat and talked.  apparently sunday is temple day at the mtc and there were hundreds of young men and women walking past us.  just when we were about to leave my friend said "ohmygosh, it's jamie."  i turned and looked up and there he was.  my baby brother.  wearing a black hooded pea coat, a dark blue tie and dance/walking in the middle of a snowstorm.  he did a double take and covered his mouth.  then he made a heart with his hands and smiled.  he told his companions and they turned and waved.  i looked at lauren and smiled.  i think she knew exactly what i was going to do.  i turned my car around and headed to the temple.  i had to see my jamie once more.  i drove up and went through the parking lot parallel to the temple.  i saw my brother again. our eyes locked and i blew him a kiss.  he did the same and then we both did the "i love you sign."  we smiled and i started to cry.  he looked so good.  he looks a little older but it's still him.  his companions waved and smiled and i had to drive away.  i didn't roll down my window to talk to him, i just looked.  i feel like those three minutes said more than words ever could.  "i love you."  "i miss you."  "please be careful."  "you can do this."  "i love you."

i woke up this morning to my telephone.  i was getting called from some number in texas.  i answered and it was him.  hearing his voice instantly woke me up.  he said "seeing you yesterday was the highlight of my week."  i told him i loved him over and over again.  i said "you'll do great jamie.  you're going to be so good."  we ended with an "i love you." and that was it.  the next time i hear his voice will be Christmas.  i needed that.  i needed to see him and know he was okay.  i had to see him smile one last time.  the last time i saw his face we were all crying.  this time it was better.  this time it was happy.

i love you jamie.

you'll be great.

i just know it.

xoxo. 

b.

dear baby brother: i miss you.

Elder James Porter 

reported to the MTC last Wednesday to prepare to serve the people of Chihuahua, Mexico.

November 03, 2010 

has been one of the hardest days of my life.

 

 i know he'll do great.  

i know this experience will make him grow and learn.

he's going to come back a better person and a better man because of this.

but it doesn't change the fact that last night while i was driving home,

i wanted to call my jamie and tell him about my day 

and ask him about his 

but i couldn't.

because he's gone.

he's only a few minutes away

but it feels like he's in a different world.

because he is.

cross your fingers that these next two years

go by with lighting speed.

.................

i love you jamessicles. 

just....don't...

i don't really want to talk about it right now.

give me a few hours.

maybe a few days.

just not right now.

it's too fresh.

:(

ayy chihuahua!!

so i have this baby brother.

maybe you remember him?

well here's his face in case you forgot.  

yesterday i went home so he could open his mission call.

and guess what?

he opened it.

..

..

....

..

..

james will be serving in the chihuahua, mexico mission for the next two years.

he will begin his service on november 3.

i can't tell you how excited i am for him.

he's going to be a fantastic missionary.

and i think he'll have a pretty good time fitting in...

 

i'm happy for you brother.

i'm just sad that you're leaving.

also. the first words out of his mouth as soon as he read his departure date:

"i can go to the howl!!!!"

geez louise...