That One Time I Met the Boston Celtics.

Many weeks ago (yes, like all the way back in February!--told you I am so behind!) I had the awesome opportunity to go to the Jazz/Celtics game. My uncle was kind enough to spoil my brother and I with 5th row seats behind the Celtics. Yes, I am not from Utah. So no, I am not a Jazz fan. And yes, I am a huge Celtics fan. (Gotta support the fam!) 

It was such a close game (unfortunately & fortunately!) and my boys pulled it off.

It was fun to see family, too.

I had the opportunity to sit next to a boy named Scottie who is going through a lot physically. He, actually, is going to be the voice of NBA Cares next year. He had so much personality and truly loves basketball. 

But, I have to say, to top it all off, one of my dreams came true!! I met many of the players of the Boston Celtics. The quality of these pictures aren't awesome. But it was fun to chat with Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce. Not many people can say that's happened before, eh? 

I can die happy now. 

With Scottie at the game! Look at Landon yelling. Haha. 

With Scottie and Paul Pierce.

Instagram pictures

With the brudda--5th row! 

Not the best quality. 

Haha I caught Pierce's sweaty headband after the game. there was a 9 year old sitting behind me who was dying to have it, so I gave it to him. not something I really care about. That was my good duty for the day. Ha

With Kevin Garnett. Look at how huge he is! I felt like a 5 year old child next to him.
Side note: He told me to get on the plane. Uhhhhh....I'm good, thanks.
Yes, he is as crazy as he seems. Ha. 

Such a fun experience!

Love my basketball. 

Blogging Party {9 Million Years Later!}

A few weeks ago, I had the awesome opportunity to go to Red Mango with some blogging ladies. 

Yes, a few weeks ago. I am so behind on blogging!

Unfortunately, I did not get as many pictures as I would like. 

My life is a little hectic right now. 

But I thought I would share with you this awesome group of ladies. 

I loved meeting you all!

I won't lie...sometimes I really hate blogging things. I always feel like the fattest, least dressed up, worst blogger there. I am not really in this whole "blogging world" that you all are so wonderful at. Nevertheless, it was a good time! I'm glad I went. 

Here's who was all there!!! 

*Sierra

Oh, Just Living the Dream 

(obviously)

*Jenny

Plane Pretty

*Marsa

The Daylee Journal

*Elise

Hunters of Happiness

*Sarah

Love By Lynn

*Gentri
Gentri Lee

*Kelsey

Kelsey Bang

*Jessica

Lovelovelove

*Kyla

Ford-ology

*Melissa

ISLY: I Still Love You

*Rachel

Mr. JP and Me

*Shannon

Style With Shannon

*Brenda

Brenda Bird Designs

*Amy

Dreaming in Cashmere 

Buncha cuties, huh?

Come follow us all, ya know?

xoxo. 

Happy Hump Day! 

Spiritually Fed and a Giveaway!

This past weekend, I was able to attend General Conference for my church.

Growing up I always watched (er, fell asleep) General Conference from my home in Oregon--always dreaming of being able to sit in the Conference Center in downtown Salt Lake. Since living in Utah, I have had the opportunity to go many times and it's such a wonderful experience! 

General Conference is where all the leaders (apostles and prophets) speak to the members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. We all gather together every six months to "reignite" our testimonies, if you will. 

I love General Conference. I love the strength, light, and power that these men and women possess. 

I love that I can remind myself of how much the Lord loves me every six months.

I am grateful that I have this church to make me not only a better person, but to strive to bless others as well. 

It was such a neat experience to go and sit with Tanner too. Isn't he cute? :)

instagram

A few favorite quotes/highlights from this weekend: 

"As you reach our your arms to others, He will reach out and draw near to you."

"We are under covenant to life up those in need."

"There are some things that must be left to the Lord."

"God promises to show us the way out of darkness."

"Healing comes when you walk out of the darkness and into the hope of a brighter light."

"Successful couples love each other with complete devotion."

"Obedience brings strength and knowledge."

"Exert your own strength first."

"Successful couples love each other with complete devotion."

"Obedience brings strength and knowledge."

"Exert your own strength first."

"Stand strong until additional knowledge comes."

"Be kind regarding human frailty."

"Following Jesus Christ is not a casual commitment."

"Much of our redemptive work on Earth is to help others achieve their just hopes and desires."

"Weeping may endure for the night, but joy comes in the morning."

"Start with the faith that you do have and then go from there."

Please take a moment to watch or listen to these talks! They are so awesome. 

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Also, some fellow bloggers and I are doing a giveaway over at Amberly's blog! 

We are giving away marriage/relationship gifts!!! I know you all know about that :)

Come check it out and spread the word. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Jack's Senior Photos

Look! I took pictures! Yay! 

Enjoy.

For the Women in Kenya

Copyright: Sierra Ainge Photography- Oh, Just Living the Dream

Copyright: Sierra Ainge Photography-Oh Just Living the Dream

Copyright: Sierra Ainge Photography-Oh, Just Living the Dream

My dear blogging friends,
Many of you know that I had the wonderful experience of living and teaching in a village in Kenya in 2011. Since that time, my heart has only grown fonder for these amazing people, specifically the women. I have watched these incredible young girls who are treated very poorly in some cases not being able to live up to their potential because of lack of money, safety and health reasons. They are so bright, beautiful, and bold and I want nothing more than to see them achieve their educational goals in better circumstances.

This is a girl Mariam that I had the opportunity to meet. She was such a special young girl. This is her story:

The Usalama Center

Usalama is the Swahili word for "safety". Young Kenyan girls are falling victim to early marriage, sexual violence, prostitutions, disease, and many other challenges. Design by Kenyan principals, educators and community leaders (including many influential women) our vision is that the Usalama Center will provide:

• A shelter for girls, age 11-14 who are being stalked, pursued or attacked. 
• A study hall that includes light, resource books, and tutors.
• Classes to help girls who become pregnant stay in school.
• Mentoring in assertiveness, life skills and study habits. 
• Family counseling
• Business life skills to help girls become self sufficient. 

Through Global Giving and with YOUR help we can create this place for these girls!

So, my amazing blogging people,

All I am asking you to do is go to Kenya Keys Facebook page and "like" it. That's it!! 

For every "like" that our page gets, Global Giving will donate 1$. 

This will go til the end of April, so please spread the word!

Thank you, thank you, thank you! 

For other ways to donate and help click here. 

Tanner's Home! {Video}

Here is a video I made for Tanner for his mission.

I'm so proud of his hard work.

I'm even happier he's home ;)

I may or may not have been up all hours of the night making this. 

I couldn't sleep. He was laying on my lap.

I just couldn't  get up, ya know?

It was one of those "picturesque" moments.

It's the little moments in life that make me cry, I have learned.

Last night was one of them.

Enjoy! 

I am, Like, So MIA....

I know I have been a terrible blogger the past week and a half. 

Life is a little crazy right now. 

Crazy good, that is.

I am a little bit on cloud nine right now.

Just bear with me as I learn how to balance EVERYTHING THAT IS HAPPENING. 

K? K thanks. 

And, now, for fun... here are some pictures. 

Because we all love pictures.

Tanner's mini mie.

Instagram 

LINK UP Bachelor Thoughts: Sean's Season {Episode 10: Season Finale}

Good News, Friends!!! 

I have decided to make this a button only link up party!

 I have been reading SO many Bachelor posts and I thought--Hey! Why not? Let's all get in on the drama, eh?

Here are the rules: 

1. Follow Oh, Just Living the Dream. 

2. Put the Bachelor button at the end of your post and somewhere in your blog link it back to mine! Easy enough, eh?

3. Leave a comment telling me that you linked up!!!! 

HERE'S TO SOME JUICY DRAMA POSTS.

Oh, yea.

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I love Catherine's response to his sister's question. So honest and real. 

Okay, stop. His niece and nephew are fuh-reaking adorable.

His mom is so skeptical. Holy cow. Mama Bear is coming in right now.

But she gave the approval! Yay.

I love Catherine. I do. I just don't see Sean with her. I don't see Lindsay with him, either though. So, really, Sean sucks. Haha. 

K, Sean's dad is perfect. Can he be my father in law?

Catherine is about to lose it--that is exactly what she needed to hear. Especially since she doesn't have a father. So huge.

Sean's dad looks weird in those designer jeans. Haha. Not gonna fly on an old man. 

"I missed you!" Blah blah blah. You say it everyone.

Cute, dress, Lindsay!

LINDSAY STOP TALKING. Ugh, the second I saw her I just wanted to smack her. 

I have said this before, but she is so ditzy. 

Sean's dad made both girls cry. Now I know where Sean's shmoozing came from. 

Lindsay is such a sweet girl, but I just...I don't know. I can't love her. I just can't.

Good advice from Mama Bear. I agree. If he doesn't know 100% who he wants to marry, he shouldn't propose. She's right. 

Ugh, I hate guys in tanks. Especially in that blue color. Haha. Sooooo gay.

Holy crap, Lindsay is tiny. And she forgot to put clothes on.

...So did Sean.

This date is painfully boring. Holy crap. She just seems immature and needy and clingy and ditzy. They just seem very physically attracted to one another. I don't feel a ton of depth. 

They're gonna make out now. Cause that's all they do. 

"There's more to this girl than I thought!"-Sean

Wrong. So wrong, Sean.

This is sooooo boring. And horribly painful. 

Riding an elephant? Are you kidding? I want to do that!!! Catherine got a much better date. Ha.

Ugh, the towel shot. With no shirt. Think that will ever get old?

Catherine and Lindsay are wearing the same dress but gold and silver. Ha.

I think he's going to pick Catherine. That's my guess.

This is so scripted. You can tell Jackie, Sarah, Lesley and and Ashlee have their things practiced. Ughhhh.

Was it me? Oh, my heart. So heartbreaking.

I love that she took her shoes off. Sean, stop talking. Just let her go.

"I am so addicted to you!"-Catherine. Haha

I KNEW THE LETTER WAS GOING TO BE FROM CATHERINE.

Ummmmm this is perfect.

CATHERINE! CATHERINE! CATHERINE!

I am so happy!!!!!! Sean used his brain!!!!

He's Home!!!!

So nervous!

little cutie!

Best hug ever.

So precious.

:)

So excited to wear normal clothes again! Haha

As many of you know, I said goodbye to a missionary for my church two years ago. On thursday, he came home. I was so incredibly nervous for Tanner to come home. During that day, I couldn't breathe.

No, seriously. I literally couldn't breathe. I think it's because I was so overwhelmed with a plethora of emotions. I was so excited, happy, nervous, worried, scared for him to come home. I had developed this life over the past two years, and I honestly was worried that I couldn't fit him into my life. I was scared that I wasn't going to feel anything for this man that I had been writing and dreaming about for two years (or vice versa!). 

The second that he walked down that escalator in the airport, I started bawling. It was a huge sense of relief. Everything that I had been worrying about, all the feelings I was scared about disappearing came flooding back. He was home! And I was (still am!) so happy.

I'm sorry if this is horribly cheesy. I'm sort of cloud nine right now.

I haven't slept in two days because so many conversations and experiences have been swarming me with this guy.

He's home and I couldn't be happier.

I'm a lucky girl :)