HAPPY 27th BIRTHDAY NIKKI!!!! Okay, I wish that I could say that this was my original idea, but it's not. Two years ago on my 25th birthday Nikki wrote a blog about the 25 things she liked about me and now I get to return the favor +2 !!! So I hope that you're out on the town with Brenden and Collin having a wonderful birthday!
(Just as a note, I stole a few pictures from her blog. Don't judge. This one above is one of my favorite because it looks like she should be on the cover of Lancome (she's on the right). And in no particular order...
1 Nikki always says that when we met I came up and gave her a big hug. What she doesn't know is that I'm sure that I was a lot more nervous than she was; I mean, we're talking about the oldest brother's girlfriend--there was serious pressure involved! I had to coach myself out of my room. I went down stairs and said hello and gave her a hug. I knew instantly that she was different from all the rest because she didn't try to impress 'the little sisters' she was just very genuine, well spoken, and put together. I realized right away that Brenden better not let go of her.
2 Speaking of put together...Nikki always looks classy! (of course, I can understand this because I think it's kind of a pre-requisite to standing next to Brenden. He always looks classy. Or maybe just by standing by him it transcends over? Hmmmm.) No seriously, she does. Please note the gorgeous picture below...in a corn field, with a baby...yep, still gorgeous, still classy! I need lessons (and I'm sure all of my blog readers ((all 4 of you)) would agree!)
3 While Brenden and Nikki were dating we decided to hike the Grand Canyon to Havasupi. It was a really hard hike! I don't know if Nikki is 100lbs, but I think her pack weighed just as much as she did (see photo below). Everyone else had hiked it before so we knew what to expect and how far it was and she just kept smiling! I know it wasn't easy for her (not that it was easy for me either) but I really was impressed that she was so enthusiastic about giving her all in something that she found intimidating.
4 She is always up for an adventure!
5 Nikki is both interesting and fun to talk to! When she first came up to the house I was so inspired by her boldness (at least it was bold for me). She was not shy at all and would start up conversations with everyone. This was so unusual and impressive to me. I love talking to her--speaking of which...it's time.
6 We’ve all met people who know everything and just like to listen to themselves…this is the opposite of Nikki. She is a fabulous listener and makes you feel like she has been waiting all day to hear what you say…
7 AND she is willing to learn from other people. She is very open-minded and that’s a great quality!
8 Another thing I admire about Nikki is her enthusiastic testimony of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Nikki was baptized into the church about a year before she met Brenden (I'm guestimating here). She learned about the church through a co-worker. First of all, I completely admire anyone who is converted to the church because it means two things: 1. that they are willing to learn from someone else and 2. they are searching for truth. (Speaking of this I just read a biography by John A. Widtsoe of his mother life, he said, "...truth is neither comprehended nor accepted unless the man desires to know the truth and values it above all else.") Anyway, if you've ever spoken to Nikki about the gospel, you will see that she just glows!
9 Okay, this one is not really one of mine, but I heard it from at least three people and I live in Alaska, so that will tell you how impressive this is. Nikki gave a fireside to the youth of the Taylor Stake and from what I understand it was absolutely incredible. “You could have heard a pin drop in there.” “She did the most incredible job.” “I’m so glad my son was there.” She is a great speaker.
10 Also, talk about determination, if Nikki wants to do something, she figures out how. For instance, she was the first Saline to have a blog and not only that, she figured out how to design her own blog page. She also sat down and made her own wedding video--which I might add is better than a lot that I have seen.
11 Which brings me to her creativity...which if you haven't seen her blog, you need to! On thing that stands out is that she created a scavanger hunt for Brenden’s 30th birthday that took him all over the valley to places that represented moments and accomplishments in his lilfe! It was unreal! She also loves to scrapbook and design and well, be creative....
12 Which reminds me of her calling. This girl magnifies her calling. Nikki takes all of her callings so very seriously...let's face it, some don't. She made these frames for a Young Women in Excellence night and personalized each one to the girl it was for. (see photo above)...need I say more? No, really, I can tell by the way that she talks about her young women that she really, truly loves them, which is what all callings are really about.
13 And speaking of love, I really appreciate how much Nikki loves her nephews! I love that she is so interested in them and that she'll sit down and do puzzles or play with them and really talk to them (even when they don't quite respond).
14 Nikki graduated from ASU with a degree of English, so it was no surprise that Nikki is very well read and loves to read…
15 Another thing I totally admire about Nikki is that she is not a waiter, she doesn’t wait for answers to fall out of the sky, if she is worried or curious about something she digs and asks and researches until she finds what she’s looking for—the mark of an intelligent person and a great mother!
16 …and she (with a small contribution from Brenden) gave Keagan and Kaleb someone to play with at Saline gatherings! Finally, a cousin, and a boy even! Wahoo!
17 Also Nikki has always made me feel like I am the best mom—and I really appreciate that she was my cheer squad! Now that she has Collin, I am sure that I will be calling her for advice!
18 And speaking of a motherhood, I could write about this all day. When she was pregnant with Collin, Nikki did everything she possibly could to make sure everything was going well in there for that little guy. She is one of the most researched pregnant woman I have ever met…
18 …AND she was determined to have a NATURAL birth because of all the research that she did she found the best natural birthing process that would be the most positive for the baby, learned everything about it, and stayed positive about the birthing process. (She will probably want me to say that her water broke and time ran out which required medical intervention; NEVERTHELESS, it didn’t phase her philosophy of natural birthing practice!)
19 From what I understand, there were also some nursing issues following the delivery that took a long time to resolve, and I just have to say “Kudos” for getting through that! (I realize that some people just don’t make milk) but it just shows how determined a mother she is to persevere and keep trying even when it could have been so much easier to stop.
20 Nikki is also frugal. She decorated Collin’s entire room with about $136.00—and it is so adorable, she even made him a rag quilt and modge podged his name for the wall.
21 Another thing is that I have never…nope never…seen her mad. Sometimes I get so mad (read hungry) that I won’t talk to people (yes, I’m ashamed), but I have never ever seen Nikki mad. One time when everyone was home her pajamas disappeared and all she did was raise her eyebrows. I envy this quality of keeping a positive attitude about all things!
22 Also, I really respect that she has not fallen victim to the “entitlement syndrome” of this generation (yes, that’s my own term). I tribute her dad, Ray, for the excellent parent that he was to Nikki to raise such a competent individual who thinks for herself and who thinks about others…
23 She does think about others! Nikki is very thoughtful and always aware of what’s going on in whatever situation she is in and goes out of her way to make others comfortable.
24 Nikki also appreciates the arts! Need I say more?
25 And almost finally, Nikki is one of the most entertaining writers I have ever met on a blog and I’m not kidding—its her knack and she needs her own column! At first, this was my personal opinion but I have met several people (who she may not even know) who have told me that they check and read her blog because it is so entertaining! If you need more proof just check out her blog sometime (link is on the left) and plan on spending a while catching up if you’ve missed any because you’ll be glued.
26 One thing I really, really appreciate most about Nikki is that she loves our family and she fits in so well! It might sound silly, but she has really impacted the cohesion of our family and she’s become one of us. What more can I say? Everybody loves being around Nikki!!!
27 So basically, I just wanted to let Nikki know that I really admire her (and her character), probably because I find that she and I think very much the same way and we share a lot of the same interests…and we share a family! I really miss being around Nikki and I’m so blessed that Brenden found her, and I hope that she has
The Most Fabulous (x 27) Birthday ever!
