My Best Friend

So this week has been a really emotional one for me. I've already been really stressed about my job and super depressed about my job hunt. Then the passing of President Hinckely was a bit of a shock. The worst new of all came today, however. I found out that one of my best friends had a stroke yesterday. There isn't a lot of information yet on why or how much damage has been done. I do know that I have totally taken my friends for granted since moving to Maryland. I think I have felt so alone and isolated it was easier for me to shut everyone out. Missing them hurt too much. I realize, now, that I can't take anyone I love for granted. Will is such an amazing person and a phenomenal friend who I can't imaginge being without. I need to make more of an effort to tell the people I love how I really feel and to give friendships the attention they deserve. Please keep Will in your prayer and please tell the people you care about that you love them.

Here are some pics of Will, Sarah, and myself at Zion's National Park in Utah. This is the place where "Backseat Blackhurst" earned his name!

President Hinckley

"Beloved Church President Gordon B. Hinckley, who led The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints through 12 years of global expansion, has died at the age of 97. President Hinckley was the 15th President in the 177-year history of the Church and had served as its President since March 12, 1995." For more information, visit the Newsroom.

President Hinckly is the only President of the church that John and I have experienced so it's a strange feeling to know that he is no longer with us on this earth. We are so grateful and happy to have been able to hear him speak learn from him these past few years. He will be greatly missed and always loved.

"Faith in something greater than ourselves enables us to do what we have said we'll do, to press forward when we are tired or hurt or afraid, to keep going when the challenge seems overwhelming and the course is entirely uncertain.”
-Gordon B. Hinckley

Thanksgiving!!

For Thanksgiving, my dad came up from Tennessee to visit us and I cooked Thanksgiving dinner for the first time all by myself. And by that I mean with my mom on the phone with me 50% of the time. It turned out, surprisingly, well. I made my grandmother's stuffing, which is a two day process. I even made an appetizer! It was really fun having my dad here. It gets pretty lonely here in Charm City. Here are some pictures of the meal I made, as requested by my mom!

Other updates on our lives...

We get to come home for 4 and a half whole days which we are super grateful and excited for. So be sure to contact as if you'll be in town as well.

We discovered that there is a place near Gettysburg called "The Land of the Little Horses" and we are planning a trip there for this spring. In case you didn't know it's been my lifelong dream to own a miniature horse so I'm super excited for this.

The Buckeyes are going to the BIG ONE AGAIN!! Congratulations Mr. Tressel!

John and the boy scouts are making tin foil dinners this week.

I just got another calling to the activities committee so that's a new on for me. John and I now have 2 callings each so are pretty busy.

I also got Gilmore Girls on DVD, courtesy of my dad and have been obsessed with watching it!

My first video

So I have no idea if this will work. I went for the realistic approach by including all of the crying. I wanted everyone to feel like they were really there ;-).

My Trip to The Ohio

Last weekend I was able to go back to Ohio to meet my newest niece. I'm up to three now and no no nephews! It was really fun to stay with Emily and help with the baby. Delainey definitely has her own personality and a temper like her daddy. The pictures aren't all that great because I'm still trying to figure out my new camera so hopefully by Christmas I'll be ready to take some really cool ones.

All About Us

So I stole this from Bethany. I've been on a really good streak of blogging regularly in order to attract more viewers and I'm trying to keep it up!

1. What is his name? John Michael Loop

2. How long have you been together? We started dating in July 2005

3. When and where did you first meet? When I was a freshman in high school my friend Gina made me call him and ask him 20 questions to try and find out who he liked. I had no idea who he was, but he asked me to come up to him in school the next day and introduce myself. So before homeroom Gina pointed him out and I walked up to him and said, "Hi I'm Megan. The girl who called you last night. Bye" That was it! Very romantic.

4. How long did you date? 11 months before we were married.

5. How old is he? 26

6. Who eats more? Probably me. Sometimes John only eats once a day cuz he's a weirdo.

7. Who said I love you first? Me. This is shocking I think. I don't think he said it back for 2 weeks.

8. Who is taller? If you have ever actually seen me you know the answer.

9. Who sings better? Me

10. Who is smarter? Probably me since John only started applying himself in college. So I had a head start.

11. Whose temper is worse? Mine. John doesn't really have a temper at all.

12. Who does the laundry? Me.

13. Who does the dishes? John does them more often.

14. Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? If you are looking at the bed from the end, it would be me.

15. Who pays the bills? Me. Although John is making us a budget and he wants to start doing them. I will believe it when I see it.

16. Who mows the lawn? Sadly, we have no lawn.

17. Who cooks dinner? John has started cooking dinner more since we moved, but he can only make three things.

18. Who drives when you're together? John. I think the man should drive.

19. Who is more stubborn? It's a tie.

20. Who is the first to admit when they're wrong? John. I'm not actually ever wrong.

21. Whose parents do you see the most? Mine

22. Who kissed who first? John. He was a fast mover.

23. Who asked whom out? John is an Internet stalker and bought me a present before we ever even went out.

24. Who proposed? John.

25. Who is more sensitive? Definitely John.

26. Who has more friends? Hmmm probably John. He was the homecoming king after all.

27. Who has more siblings? John

28. Who wears the pants in the family? Me! Just like my mom!

Delaney and Edwina

Emily gave birth last night to a healthy baby girl weighing in at 7 pounds and 2 ounces. She already has loads of hair and a dimple in one cheek just like Emily! Emily and Sean named her Delaney Elizabeth Krasin and they are calling her Laney. Yesterday also happened to be my maternal grandmother's birthday! She's no longer with us but it's pretty sweet Laney was born on this day. I will definitely post some pics as soon as I go visit in 2 weeks.