Rolling Twists

It is forever my ambition to learn more ways to style Cecelia's hair. I recently came across a mom who makes videos while doing her daughters' hair. I got really excited and inspired, but when it came time to actually try it, as you may guess, it was hard (for me) to figure out. Well, with a little help from my dear fellow-JV missionary friend, Emily, we have a good start.

Here is Emily doing Cece's hair this weekend. She did these rolling twists into puffs. It was her very first time doing Cece's hair, but she used to do hair for a living, so her learning curve is a tad smaller than mine.





Because it was her first time, it already needed to be redone today. So, I stuck in a DVD, camped Cece in front of the TV, and went at it (took me an hour and 50 minutes). Thankfully, Emily had the parts already done, so I just redid the twists. It is by no means amazing, but I did these flat-rolling twists that are supposed to stay in for awhile. I'm really excited about them because I think they look really cute (especially the ones I've seen online), and if I learn to do them well, I can go longer without doing her hair. Of course, I had to share--my first time with rolling twists:

Three Brothers' Festival

If I were a historian, perhaps this post would share some background information about the Czech/Polish Festival we attended in Cesky Tesin, a city near ours. However, this post will focus, instead, on the awesomeness of Cece's expression when she is wearing sunglasses. (I think it actually has to do with her trying to keep them from falling off her face, but her bottom lip comes out, and it is the greatest thing I have ever seen!)





She also started dancing to the music, but she kept her cool:




"Whoah" (Noah) took her on a ride:

Happy Father's Day and Happy Anniversary

Brian and I were married on Saturday, June 19th, 2004 and Father's Day fell the the next day, Sunday, June 20th.

Saturday, June 19th, 2004:


Recent 2010:


I didn't think much about Father's day on that particular, June 20th, 2004 (although, I had thought ahead and got my dad something before my wedding--I still have the to-do lists, if you like to see them:)). However, this anniversary and Father's day were quite different for me. Both mean a lot more than I even realized.

Today, Father's Day, June 20th 2010:


Brian's love language is acts of service (meaning he'd really like me to do something for him--like, update our budget or make him a great meal--I did one of the two for Father's day). However, I just want to say that having an anniversary and Father's day so close together really made me realize blessed I am. I'm not going to go on and on (because some things are not for the world to hear and because Brian does better when I say words of affirmation concisely--he's not one for doting). I will say though that I found myself crying more than once today because I am so overwhelmed by the husband and father that Brian is! Not only am I living my dream with the man that I love, but he is really an amazing father.

Cece and I made this video for him, and we thought the world would like to see this:):

Happy Father's Day, Brian from Aleisha Stephens on Vimeo.

Stephens' June Update VIDEO!

So much has happened since we arrived in Eastern Europe a little over three months ago. We tried to cram as much as we could in our first update video since we arrived. We hope it gives you a small glimpse into what life is like for us. We are really glad we are here! (iPhone users, please visit our mobile me gallery.)

Stephens' June Update Video from Aleisha Stephens on Vimeo.