Dork

Most days I look like a complete dork. A complete fat dork. Mumus and Tevas are not attractive (as you can tell from this picture)***Disclaimer: most days I wear regular flip flops, but when we were in the tribe I had to climb mountains and trek through swamps. Flip flops don't work in those situations, so dorky or not, I had to wear the Tevas. Please do not judge my feet for what is beyond their control.



So when my oldest and best friends in the world took our annual Christmas picture and left space for me in the middle to be photoshopped in, I wanted to look normal.(they always make me stand in the middle because I am short. This picture is from last Christmas)



(And this is from my wedding. Why are you laughing? That is totally me. Its me minus 7 years and 15 pounds)



(I think it is discrimination, but I love them so I won't sue) Anyway, here I am dressed like I belong in the picture.



3N1 thought it would be funnier if I took the picture in my meri blouse, but was really happy once he saw me in normal clothes. So, the next day, I decided to put on a normal shirt. Simple, short sleeved that was form fitting. Not tight. I am not that girl. But it wasn't a mumu. I seriously almost died I was so hot, but I did it, and it made my husband feel like he was married to his girlfriend again and not a 65 year old 400 lb lady on vacation in Hawaii.

Some days I just want to look nice, and some days I just want my kids to look nice. Take this baby for instance. Most days she only goes around in a diaper and still sweats like crazy, so it feels like child abuse to put her in clothes.




However, we do get the occasional cool(ish) day where I will dress her up like the little American that she is.



Anyway, here is the final product of the picture where I was electronically added. It makes me happy and sad. I have loved these girls since the 5th grade when they allowed me to join in on a friendship they'd had since birth. Let's face it, it is not often that two close friends let someone else in their group, but they did. Because they are both amazing. Always have been and always will be. We've been through so much together, and means so much to me that they are still thinking of me and finding ways to include me even though I now live on the other side of the planet. Sometimes, as a missionary, you fear that while you are away everyone will just get used to you being gone. That no one will really miss you. That you will be forgotten. So, when your oldest and dearest friends send you a picture and tell you to get your husband to photoshop you into it because they are going to print it out and frame it... you do it. I know it may sound ridiculous and like a waste of time to other people. It sounds like love to me.