remember when we still lived in provo?

Brian and I spent all weekend driving around Colorado because there is a small possibility we might make a move over the Rocky Mountains sometime soon. We drove from Loveland - where we saw the most adorable nieces and nephews ever, to Boulder- where we saw the most tie dye and tattoos ever, to Aspen, to Downtown Denver, to Parker where I served my mission, and to every other possible corner of the state. We loved it! We listened to "The Life of Pi" in the car and had so much fun with family. We do not know what will happen but we do know that we are really happy to be home. We love our old rundown home that is a work in progress and we love all of you who are here with us too. Here we are in Provo- just being so happy.

remember when we were valentines?

Valentines-
I have been thinking about you tonight. Doesn't reading "sheblogs sheblogs" put you in the mood to love? I really feel like it does. I have learned a lot about love this past year, and look forward to learning so much more in the year to come.
Pablo Neruda is a favorite Latin American of mine. He writes lovely poetry about all sorts of things. Some of his first poems were called, "Twenty Love Poems and a Song of Despair." My favorite of the 20 poems is about how love can be still and is not always active. That just being there is enough. Or at least that is what it means to me. So I know that even though you aren't always making comments on my blog Valentines, that you are there, and that is enough for me. I am here for you too. Love you!

"Me Gustas Cuando Callas" or "I Like for You to Be Still"
by Pablo Neruda

I like for you to be still: it is as though you were absent,
and you hear me from far away and my voice does not touch you.
It seems as though your eyes had flown away
and it seems that a kiss had sealed your mouth.

As all things are filled with my soul
you emerge from the things, filled with my soul.
You are like my soul, a butterfly of dream,
and you are like the word Melancholy.

I like for you to be still, and you seem far away.
It sounds as though you were lamenting, a butterfly cooing like a dove.
And you hear me from far away, and my voice does not reach you:
Let me come to be still in your silence.

And let me talk to you with your silence
that is bright as a lamp, simple as a ring.
You are like the night, with its stillness and constellations.
Your silence is that of a star, as remote and candid.

I like for you to be still: it is as though you were absent,
distant and full of sorrow as though you had died.
One word then, one smile, is enough.
And I am happy, happy that it's not true.

remember how I drive a mercedes benz?

Brian and I are shopping for a new car. Turns out our rear wheel drive luxury sedan isn't proving to be the best choice for a family of two who live on a snow covered alley way. The best part about shopping for a new car is obviously the shopping part. Shopping is fun! Brian will tell you that he doesn't love to shop, but that is a complete lie! By day he drives State St. in Orem looking at sticker prices, and by night he surfs Craig's List, Auto Trader, EBay...the list goes on.

Something Brian also loves are sturdy, affordable, American built cars that have things like "great resale value", and "amazing gas mileage." I am not as successful at being so level headed. After a long discussion where Brian explained to me all of the perks of buying a Chevy Malibu I explained to Brian that when I hear "Malibu" my mind immediately goes to individuals like: undercover cops and general authorities. Brian pulled out You Tube and sure proved me wrong: This does not scream reliable.

So when you see my cruising the around the corner in a sleek, affordable sedan and think, "Oh those Williams... so predictable!" Don't be confused by the Malibu. I will in reality have a brusky in one hand and a babe in the other.

remember when i went on a mission? remember when i went to NAUVOO?

You do? Me too! Yesterday I woke up for school and took a little more time getting ready. I haven't been feeling my best lately, so I thought maybe a little eye liner and a well thought out outfit could really start the day out right. I got to school and took off my coat, looked around, and I seriously couldn't figure out what had gone wrong. I felt so good when I had gotten dressed. Why did I all of a sudden feel so frumpy? Then I remembered this:

Oh yeah, I was once a missionary and maybe I still work at the MTC, and so maybe when I get dressed I think it is cute to wear shade shirts layered with a patterned button down and an oversized solid cardigan. Whoops.
What is a girl to do? Sorry I think panty hose are strangely comfortable, sorry I like a conservative preppy look, sorry I think midcalf skirts are actually really cute... I'm even wearing one right now. I really am sorry.

All of this aside, today something really important happened in Nauvoo. Thousands of people decided to leave and walk in the freezing cold across the river so that they could continue believing what they know is true. Here they are walking:


I really love these people, I really am so glad that they had the courage to do something so hard. I hope you love them too, if not... we can talk. Right now in my life sometimes I feel like I am doing hard things. Maybe I'm not... but what they did was hard, and right, and I love Nauvoo. And I love you too! I'll being seeing you soon. Most likely in hose and a button down. Andrea