Paul and Emily

The New Year

2012-02-02T14:19:00.001-08:00

If it's not too late....HAPPY NEW YEAR!
I can't believe another year has past. Paul is graduating in 4 months and I can't contain my excitement. For me this means I will no longer share my evenings and weekends with homework or studying. I don't know if it's even possible....because it's all I've ever known. I have a feeling I'm going to like life on the outside!
To start off the New Year Audrey rolled over for the first time today. I laid her on her back, I came back from dishing myself up some delicious New Years food and she was on her stomach. I can't believe I missed it. Way to go baby girl! I can't believe how fast you are growing.

I had to document this. Terrible pictures because my video camera doesn't have a flash. My Brother was showing his oldest son how to eat a steak like a Man. He just sat there and ate it right off his fork. Hilarious. Good job Buddy! I think you did a pretty good job at being a man for the first time.

Christmas

2012-02-02T12:46:00.000-08:00

The Christmas that keeps on giving because it's taken me forever to post it!!

I've been thinking a lot about traditions as this year comes to a close. I want Christmas to be memorable for all the right reasons. I want warm ginger snaps and rice pudding with just a hint of cinnamon on top. I want to put up the tree as a family. I want to go caroling to the older couples and the widows in my neighborhood. I want to help a family in need. I want the smell of evergreen to fill my home (even if it's just a candle). I want to read stories like the Christmas Carol, The Mansion, and Luke 2. I want family game night, Christmas Eve dinner, and pie on Christmas morning for breakfast.
Next year Paul and I may spend Christmas alone and I guess that's why I've been thinking about the traditions we are going to carry on. The most important thing I think is just to spend time together. There's not a lot of time during the year when everyone is off, so Christmas time is such a valuable time for me.
This year was Audrey's first Christmas and while she probably doesn't remember it I was glad that she got to spend time with all the people we love. Unfortunately there was a virus that ravaged through my parents house and just about everyone ended out with the screaming barfies. I was hit the day after Christmas...not awesome. Paul's families Christmas got cut short for me. I'm just glad I didn't pass it on. I feel bad that Paul has had to spend most of his vacation taking care of me but I'm grateful he was there to help with Audrey.
I'm glad someone documented one of the Christmas' because I sure didn't. Thanks Kim!
As you can see it was quite chaotic at my parents house....but that's why I LOVE it!

I'm sure that Rod took some pictures at our second Christmas...I'll have to hunt some down.

Audrey 4 Months

2012-01-18T12:39:00.000-08:00

A couple weeks before Christmas my sister offered to help me take some Christmas photos of Audrey. We don't own any shade of Red or Green as far as clothing goes. I think there's a rule that you can only buy pink for a baby girl because that's all I have.
My Mom still has this box of baby clothes in her sewing room. I think she is holding onto them for a rainy day. We went through it a Kim found an old red and white dress. It think it was hers back in the day. Add the candy cane and....Wala!

Last year a couple weeks before Christmas I got a call from the clinic to let me know that I was pregnant. That news was the greatest Christmas present I got that year. So before I took down the decorations and put away the ribbon this year I had to take a few pictures of her wrapped up like a present, because this year her being here is the greatest gift I could have received. I love you Audrey!!
My Favorite thing about month 4 is going in to pick her up after her nap. She smiles up at me with that big gummy smile and my heart melts. Life doesn't get any better.

Stockings (someday) Hung By The Chimney With Care

2012-01-17T17:56:00.000-08:00

I am so behind! I have to push past the urge to skip ahead. I know if I don't I will regret it later just like I always have. These were my projects before Christmas. I started the stockings right after Thanksgiving. I took a break because they were frustrating me... only to finish them on Christmas Eve. Procrastination is one of my greatest weaknesses. Just when I think I've beat it, it sucks me back in like a never ending black hole. New Years resolution in the making.
After finishing these babies I was super proud of myself. I'm always proud when I finish something I start sewing because it rarely happens. The middle one is Audrey's. I'm sure you tell which one is Paul's...I can't help that he requested it!
My sister took these beautiful pictures of Audrey. I had planned to put them on one of the walls in her bedroom but I can't bring myself to do it. Why? Well when we moved into this apartment we were promised that it would be painted before we moved in. It wasn't. The people before us obviously liked hanging pictures and in the process may have messed up a few times. Audrey's room is evidence of this in the most literal way. There must be twenty holes in each light brownish pink wall (yes I said brownish pink...I don't know what else to call it). That's not even the worst part. When they moved out they covered over the holes with white Spackle, and white on brownish pink is not very appealing.
So I put them in the living room on the only wall that doesn't looking like a brownish pink cow. I love them! Anyone who enters our house may think it looks like a shrine with no other pictures adorning these walls, but I don't mind because I really really love this girl!
Projects done...this makes me Happy!

Audrey's First Flying Lesson

2012-01-05T08:27:00.000-08:00

Audrey had her first flying lesson over Christmas break. It could be the cool knobs and switches on the controller or the bright colored television...but I think she enjoyed it. She sat there so content while I wrapped gifts for our families.
I thought I would take a few minutes to get caught up on blogging. I've been sick for the past couple weeks. Paul must have a stronger immune system.

Well I think catching up will have to be wait because I hear a little voice in the other room. She's supposed to be sleeping...maybe I'll give in just this once. I just can't resist that little smile!

Born an Engineer

2011-12-22T18:37:00.000-08:00

We were at Paul's parents house looking through old photos when we came across this beauty. Guess who? Part of me has always wondered when Paul became interested in all things mechanical. Now I know. He was practically born that way. Can you tell where Audrey gets her cheeks?

Cute to Ruggedly Handsome....I love him.

Hair Cutting and Gift Giving

2011-12-13T11:09:00.000-08:00

It was my Dad's birthday last week. He is hilarious...I love his guts! I will cherish this picture forever (Thanks Kim!). I know everyone says this but he really is the best Dad in the whole world. Maybe some of his parenting skills will rub off on me!

This whole Christmas thing is driving me nuts. Every year I have the hardest time finding my husband the perfect gift. In years previous I have crashed and burned in this category! Literally. It will be forever burned in my memory. If I were less of a person I might just get him a gift card...but I'm not!! I've been researching. We will see if it pays off.

I cut my babies hair today. I know what you're thinking...she doesn't have any. Well she did. It may have only been a small thick tuft in the back of her head but I assure you she had some. I was so proud of her dark brown hair that it may have clouded my judgment. She grows hair like a champ in that one spot. I finally decided that it was probably not the best look for her. It had to go! She has a very short attention span so she wouldn't stop moving her head back and forth. It might look worse than it did!

Moving on...

In honor of the season we watched the First Presidency Christmas Devotiona l a couple weeks ago. If you haven't seen these videos you should! They are awesome. I promise you won't regret the time it takes.
Anyway...I, like the wise men and shepherds so long ago have a desire to give a gift to the Savior for his birthday. I assumed he would want what Pres. Monson wanted for his birthday last year, "lift up the hands which hang down and strengthen the feeble knees". So I'm on a mission to do just that. Wish me luck!

What will your gift be this Christmas?

3 months

2011-11-27T20:02:00.000-08:00

My Beautiful Baby is growing up. I can't believe she is already 3 months old! My sister Lisa made her this beautiful dress out of some of my mom's vintage fabric. Isn't she beautiful! Thanks Aunt Lisa, you're awesome. All of the little girls at church are going to be jealous.

Part of me just wants this little baby to stay little forever and yet I love each new smile, sound, and movement. She is slowly gaining control of her hands (her new favorite toy is my hair). She smiles like it's her job (when there isn't something interesting like a camera around), and still hates tummy time.

I started voice lessons last week. I love singing again. Paul is finishing his second to last semester of school for his bachelors degree. He'll be glad when it's over. He got a job offer in Texas and we'll be heading there next year.

We enjoyed spending thanksgiving with Paul's family and can't wait for Christmas. I love this time of year. Being wrapped up in a blanket with someone you love watching a movie with a cup of hot chocolate is a must. If you haven't already done it, you should!

2 Months

2011-10-24T09:39:00.000-07:00

Halloween is a week away! I'm so excited and to be honest it really doesn't add up. I'm still living in an apartment so the opportunity to scare kids who come to my door is really non-existent. I'm no longer a kid... I might have been able to pass for trick- or-treating a year ago but now that I'm a Mom it kind of feels wrong. My brother and I used to talk about trick-or-treating till our nineties, we would die doing it. The ultimate Halloween treat left on someones doorstep. They would probably never be the same after witnessing such an event, but we thought it would be the best way to go. I guess it wasn't in the stars because I stopped at 19. I had a good run.

It's just too bad Audrey isn't old enough. I did have a thought as I was driving to my parents house the other day that maybe I could take her to be the decoy. Maybe next year.
Paul doesn't understand he says it would be easier just to buy my own but you don't get the variety like you do when you get a piece from each house. Lucky for me I'm living close enough to my parents this year that I might be able to get a little scaring in.
Pictures will be posted...

As for Audrey...
I can't believe it's been 2 months. She is my best little friend.

Rough Morning

2011-10-19T18:29:00.000-07:00

Paul decided it would be wise for us to invest in a video camera to document Audrey's life. I've never really been into video cameras. I remember hours and hours of footage taken at my uncles farewells and homecomings. Since then I think I've changed my mind. I think the key is short videos. This one is my favorite...I could watch it over and over again. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!

Audrey's Special Day

2011-10-18T12:40:00.000-07:00

I sit here typing one handed. If you have ever done it you know that it's definitely not efficient. Audrey woke up from her nap with a stomach ache so I resort to comforting with one arm and typing with the other.
Last week was Audrey's baby blessing. I was the first time I have orchestrated and event of any kind. I told Paul I should have delegated it to his Mom. She's much more experienced in these things. Overall I was surprised it went as well as it did. We almost didn't have plastic plates, cups, or forks....Paul's parents came through for me there.
I was so happy two of my older sisters were able made the drive to see her and spend time with me. It's been a long time since I've seen some of my nieces and nephews, you would thing I'd been gone for years. They are all growing so fast. It meant so much to me that my Mom took time to make Audrey a beautiful blessing dress. She looked like a princess!
I love this set of pictures. Audrey has three cousins around her age. Audrey still hasn't acquired the art of sitting and by the look of her face she's not to happy about me making her but someday she will thank me for documenting this moment. It's makes my laugh. They are all so cute!

Update

2011-10-17T14:50:00.000-07:00

I love the Fall. I love wearing a light jacket and smelling the crisp air. I love the holidays and I love spending time with family. I wake up every morning a love that I am here where I grew up even if it's not permanent, I'm soaking it all in one day at a time.
I've decided that I'm going to start voice lessons again. This time going in with thoughts of what I can take away to start teaching. Over the last couple years I haven't been anywhere permanent enough to start teaching but that's going to change soon enough. Lately I've missed the joy that singing brings to my soul. It makes me so happy to learn new music. Secretly I've been slowly teaching Paul. Nobody knows this but he actually sang with me in our ward in Texas which he never would have done before. I think he's slowly warming up to my side of the world. The side that doesn't involve complex thinking...just a little bit of Country and Rock n' Roll.
Audrey is growing so fast. I feel like if I blink I might miss something cute.
She thinks she's so big, she doesn't just want to lay on my shoulder. Instead she tries desperately to hold her head up like a big girl and look around. She loves to stare at her Daddy, when he gets home her eyes follow him everywhere he goes. She laughs in her sleep, kind of makes me wonder what she's dreaming about. She loves to cross her legs like a little princess. She's still learning how to smile but when she does it accidentally it the cutest thing I have ever seen! She grunts all the time. I think it's her way of communicating. She smacks her lips when she's hungry and cries when she has a tummy ache.
When I lay her down she sticks her legs up like this. Someday she's going to have some nice abs! Notice the Thunder Thighs...this was a month ago I think they are still growing! Plain and Simple... I love her guts!

Audrey's Many Faces (1 Month)

2011-09-27T13:37:00.000-07:00

Audrey's Adventures

2011-09-06T15:15:00.001-07:00

I will spare you the crazy details this adventure but I wanted to get something rough down for now. I had Audrey on the Thursday the 25th. We spent two nights in the hospital before we came home to our apartment in Texas. I was a little overwhelmed because there was so much that needed to be done before we moved that Sunday. Paul's brother and his wife were our heroes. They fed us that evening and Paul's brother came over in the morning to help Paul finish picking up the house and packing the car. I tried to put on my games face as we got in the car Sunday afternoon and made our way back to Utah. I know your thinking this may sound crazy but you do what you have to do. Paul started school on Monday and we had to be back as soon as possible. We knew we would be a couple days late but we finally made it Tuesday evening. Audrey is such a good baby and slept through most of it, although I don't think she likes her car seat anymore. My delivery went better than planned, but as we left I wasn't sure if I was actually going to make it that far. Paul gave Audrey and I a blessing before we left and I know that is what held us together.
My parents have taken us in and have been so great to let us stay here until we find an apartment. It's been nice to have my little sisters hold Audrey when I want to take a shower and be able to take a nap whenever I want. I have a feeling when I leave here I'm going to miss being spoiled.

These pictures were taken a couple days after we got here. These are for you Merian!

Miss Audrey

2011-08-31T10:16:00.000-07:00

I love how people in the south use the title of Miss in front of peoples names. I used to love that the woman at the security gate to Paul's work used to call me Miss Emily. There was a woman in my ward in Texas (My third Mom) that called this little one Miss Audrey in the womb and I loved it! Hence the title.
Audrey was born on the 25th...almost a week ago. As I hold her I feel like I'm dreaming. I love being her Mom! I keep thinking that someone is going to come and take her away and say "just kidding". Fortunately for me that hasn't happened yet.
Paul is in love with his little princess. She already has him wrapped around her little finger.
I'll post details about the week later, but for now I just wanted to show you how beautiful she is. Someone please pinch me!

Thanks to my sister Lisa. She only had an hour and she made magic with these photos!

Pregnancy

2011-08-21T13:33:00.000-07:00

For those of you who haven't seen me lately. Audrey is growing, and hopefully we will meet her on Tuesday

Texas Wrap Up!

2011-08-12T07:58:00.000-07:00

There are a lot of things I have missed over the past few months. It seems like every time I sit down to write the words leave me and I am left alone with the computer and an empty brain.
Today is a little different. There are a few really exciting things that are coming up in the near future and I thought that I might do one last post before all the craziness starts.

Paul finished work today! I am so proud of him and the hard work that he has put in over the last eight months. He said his final presentation went pretty well. You have to know Paul to know what that really means; Translation: "I'm AWESOME and everyone was wowed by my proposals". He has learned so much and I know that knowledge will help him through these next two semesters.

This Picture:
Paul's family came out at the end of June. Really it was a breath of fresh air for me. I think I let out a few tears when I saw his Mom. It had been a while since I had seen one of my Moms. While they were here we had a birthday party for Paul. He wanted Pumpkin Pie. I know weird...considering it was June. My Mom always made me my favorite so we continue on with the tradition. Isn't he good looking?

This next week is going to be filled with preparations to leave. Packing everything, shipping everything, Moving furniture, cleaning house, cleaning our car (I think there is 8 months of beach sand on my floor mats), and getting ready for our hospital trip. I'm pretty sure my Doctor is going to strip my membranes on my Thursday apt. I'm only assuming considering he said he would cause me a little more pain and we would get things moving. Usually when Doctors say a little bit of pain they don't really mean a "little" bit of pain. Then if I don't have the baby by Tuesday I will be induced...but only if things look like they are progressing. There's a third option if things aren't progressing but I try not to think about that one because I don't want Paul to leave me.
After meeting Audrey which is what I'm most excited about... Paul will pack up the car while I recover for a few days and then we will make the 28hr drive back home so that Paul can make it back for school.

It will be the 1st adventure we have as a little family unit. I will be documenting every moment so that someday she will be able to share that she became a Texan and moved to Utah all in one week. It's going to be a pretty good story!

This Picture: At the end of July my ward gave be the most beautiful Baby shower. Most of them have only known me for 8 months and they have been so kind to me. I hope to keep in regular contact with them because they have become my greatest friends.

Side shot will be coming next week.

Thinking Out Loud

2011-07-27T13:05:00.000-07:00

During the past few days I have felt like I am living in a dream. I guess it could be because so many things are changing in my life right now. So many things are happening that I have only ever occupied my dreams. I sit here day after day and try to convince myself that I really am going to be a Mom in less than 4 weeks time. I'm pretty sure nothing is registering up in that vast empty space of a brain right now. I feel like I'm going crazy.....I'm going to be a Mom!
I went to visit a lady in the hospital today. Her nurse told me that he has delivered 15 babies, and then proceeded to offered his guess on Audrey's arrival date, which was 7-10 days considering how low I'm carrying. I had to giggle a little as I left the hospital. He doesn't know that having a baby early is not in my genes, nor do I want it to be. Maybe I'm carrying lower because I'm tall, but if this is low I would hate to see what high is.

More news. If you didn't already know we are moving again just days after I'm supposed to have the baby, which brings all sorts of complications by itself. But it would be so much harder if there weren't so many people willing to help out here.
I've grown so close to so many people. I wish that I could bring them all home with me. I don't think I have ever had so many great friends of so many different ages.
However, I'm so excited to be going home. I'm already envisioning arriving at the state line. I can't wait to actually see what Fall is supposed to look like.

Sailing

2011-07-11T10:55:00.000-07:00

I've heard that people live on their sail boats. Sailboat living is cheap. Many people retire early to live out the rest of their days sailing. At first it may sound like an adventure but I'm not sure I would love living on top of the water...especially during hurricane season in the south.
I have always been curious about sailing. It's something I associate with retired people who have nothing else to do. I've only had it on my bucket list because I just want to be able to say that I've been sailing...find out for myself what all the hype is about. The guy who took us out on his boat is one of Paul's co-workers. How he makes friends with these random people at work I will never know.
Now that I have been I would say that everyone should take the opportunity. I thought of my Mom as I sat there and watched the sunset with the wind in my hair and a light spray of the ocean on my face. I knew that only my Mom would appreciate something so relaxing.
Siting there was almost as awesome as getting to sail it for myself. I was determined that if Bill asked I was not at any means going to touch the wheel of that boat. I thought for sure I would be the one to capsize his hand crafted sailboat. After he told the story of how it was his fathers project and together as father and son they had built it themselves there's no way I was going to touch anything but my butt to the seat.
After much insisting I took the wheel and he talked me through it. It was pretty much awesome...and I didn't even crash it!
Paul kept talking about how relaxing it was all the way home. Who knows someday in the far distant future we may have the bright idea to join the rest of those retired folks out there....but probably not.

Thanks Bill for showing us more of the beautiful side of Texas!

Refining My Skills

2011-06-16T09:41:00.000-07:00

I used to watch my Mom sew. She has an amazing talent to make something out of nothing. When I got into high school I was determined to take a sewing class and become an expert. I'm pretty sure I failed miserably. My sewing teacher was far less impressed with me...I was not my sisters!
My problem. I had not an ounce of patience. However it was going to come out was good enough for me. That was until the finished product was a disaster. Then depression would set in. Since then I have put a lot of time in with my Mom, and have watched my sisters over the years. I know now that it's not as hard as I was making it and quality is always better than quantity.
After Paul bought me a beautiful antique sewing machine for Christmas (it runs like a dream) I started making things. At first I had to get over that voice that was telling me that my skills weren't refined enough.
My first project was a quilt that is almost done! This was the second project. If I can do it....you can do it! These cost between $35-$40. I did two for $7.
This is the tutorial I used...the internet is my best friend! It was so easy.

Nursing Cover:

http://madebythemamamonster.blogspot.com/2008/04/nursing-cover-tutorial.html

PS I used a 12 inch piece of boning on each of these because the 16 inch was way too big. I'm a little more private than that!

Simple Things

2011-06-15T11:28:00.000-07:00

I love the simple things in life. The things that make you forget about everything in the world around you and help you to focus on the important things.
Paul and I had the opportunity to help teach with the missionaries a couple of weeks ago. I had the opportunity to share with one of these people what makes me happy and gives me the most joy. If I had a little more time to think about it, I would have said that nothing brings me greater joy than being in the temple.
I love this place. This one's a little smaller, but it's beautiful and has become my sanctuary in this not so small town.

Side note: I hate that I can't get a really great picture of both of us unless I ask a random stranger to take one.
Hence the awesome awkward close up! It was really bright.

Names

2011-05-24T09:38:00.000-07:00

Everyone keeps asking me about names. Everyday we think a little bit about it and everyday we make a little bit of progress. We were looking at five different names, and now we are down to two. I think we like them pretty equally. So I have come to ask your help....although you may not sway our decision I think it would be nice to get some opinions.

I like the idea of naming her after one or two of the amazing women in my life.

Audrey Lyle (Lyle is my grandmothers name. We would like to use one of the grandmothers names but we haven't decided which one yet. Lyle, Nola, Eleanor, or Mary.)

Elizabeth Anne (Elizabeth, and Anne are our Mom's names.)

Please don't say you like both....that will not help in the decision making. I need honest answers here!

I love things that come in little packages

2011-05-13T14:20:00.000-07:00

I love mail! I love taking a little stroll out to my mailbox to find something inside. Anything is welcome...although bills aren't the most exciting. At least I feel happy when I can send them back to where ever they came from and not have to worry about them for the rest of the month.
Yesterday I was particularly lucky when I received three envelopes, and all of them contained happiness inside. The first was a gift card from our electric company to Subway. No strings attached, free food...just how I like it! Then there was a graduation announcement from my cousin on Paul's side. Shannon is one of my best friends and I'm so excited for her and her upcoming college debut. Lastly I received the cutest birthday card from my Mother-in-law. I'm sure she is one of the most creative people I know. I think this plays a part in the fact that Paul is such and awesome engineer. Thank you for the card Anne! It made my day!

For all the rest of you...go check your mail. Who knows, you might find something there waiting for you.

Getting me some new skills

2011-05-12T10:25:00.000-07:00

Have you ever met or known a women who is obsessed with crocheting or knitting? It seems like their hands are always crocheting and their mouth is always doing something else. I admire that these women seem to have something to do where ever they go. You can be sure that they are always prepared with a skein of yarn and some hooks or needles depending on what they are doing. Well I've never been interested in this skill before. I think the last time I tried was in our Young Women group at church when I was 12. I was really terrible at it because I was so impatient for it to become something. Hopefully I have grown a little more patient since then...because after seeing these beauties I'm looking into developing a new skill.

You Tube here I come!

I had to say goodbye again

2011-05-12T09:56:00.000-07:00

Kimberly and Tamara,
You were a much needed visit from home. I know it was cramped because my apartment is hardly large enough for four people, and you had to be woken up by Paul every morning. Maybe next time someone decides to visits me I will have a home...or at least an extra bedroom. Thank you girls for making my mornings brighter, my days full of sun and laughs, and my evenings full of dessert and chick flicks.
I swear I am still recovering from eating so much ice cream. The amount you left is still in the fridge, and I have a filling it's going to be there for a while. Above all thanks for bringing a little bit of home with you! I'll see you again soon...

PS. Thanks for the note. I would never forget you two!

Exhibit A:
This is my calendar...I think the Kimberly and Tamara had claim to the lower portion.

Get Ready to PAR-TAY

2011-04-22T10:02:00.000-07:00

In less than a weeks time I get to see these girls!!!!! For my birthday they spent their hard earned money to come see me (cute I know). Thank you girls...I've been missing my sisters! I'm so excited I can hardly sit still!!

We are going to explore the city and spend a lot of time in the water. And of course they can't leave without having some good old Texan BBQ. Bring on the ice cream and beach umbrellas!

Don't worry Mom...I'll try to keep the Texan boys from staring.

Pictures will follow...

Walmart.....a necessary evil

2011-04-15T11:29:00.000-07:00

I've avoided this trip for two weeks. I'm now out of face soap, body wash, eye shadow, shavers, shaving cream, cleaning supplies, Q-tips and hair spray. Obviously you can see that I had no choice. I had to brave the crowds, and the crazy people hanging out in the parking lot trying to get me to donate, join their church group, or buy some tomales.
So I figured I would go right after dropping Paul off at work. It would be 8:00...no one would bother me and I could shop in peace. Walmart is the
NECESSARY EVIL in my life. Every time I go something bad happens and I regret going. So why do I keep feeling this gravitational pull toward the big blue sign. I don't know..maybe it's the marketing for cheap stuff.
So this morning I'm pretty excited to go to Walmart so that I can get home and shave my legs. My hair is getting out of control! My specific goal was to address the lack of shaving equipment.
Surprisingly I find everything I need, and I'm pretty proud of the cost. I go to the check out and I'm surprised again because I chose the right line to get into. I was impressed...no crazy coupon lady, no new checker, no product without a bar code, and alas no one with too many credit cards they can't decide which one to use. Paul would have been proud of my surveying skills! The person across from me wasn't so fortunate. As I exit a woman approaches me to discuss the next
religious meeting her church will be having for Easter...I should have given her a pass along card. I'm not too disturbed by this because my shopping experience went fairly well.
I get home and go about my daily routine. I get to the shaving part and there's NO shaving cream! I search the bags over several times hoping that I won't have to go out a get in my car with no gas and go to Walmart AGAIN! Twice in one day is too much for me to handle.
I come up with no shaving cream so I head back to Walmart. The parking lot is overflowing with anxious shoppers. I take a parking spot out back. I head to the customer service counter and the woman there tells me she has to check the register...she wants to make sure that I'm not trying to steal a 2$ bottle of shaving cream. Finally she comes back and tells me to go pick one off the shelves. At this point I'm starting to formulate in my brain how I can get Walmart to pay for this bottle after my inconvenience. I bring the bottle up front and get back in the line of 10 people for her to give me a receipt that means nothing.
As I'm in line I'm looking over my receipt and notice an item that says (disposable) and it costs 15$. I know for a fact I didn't but anything over seven dollars....and nothing that was called disposable!
I get to the front and she gives me the shaving cream. I point out the 15$ and she looks up the number. The shavers that I bought that were labeled 7$ are on my receipt as 15$. At this point I chose to walk away...I could have made my claim but I didn't. I'm not going back home to get the shavers to make a third trip! It was 11:30 I hadn't shaved my legs, I needed to get gas for the car, and I had a visiting teaching appointment at 12:00. My legs still aren't shaved.

Getting Older and Wiser

2011-04-14T06:27:00.000-07:00

After blowing out the candles

Earlier this week I went to get my hair cut. Let's just say 80-90 degree weather + pregnancy + thick long hair = a very unhappy person. Afterward, I was headed home on the freeway minding my own business when the person in front of me moves out of my lane. I'm still driving thinking nothing of it, then I see something gleaming on the road in front of me...by that time it's too late. Before I know it I'm hitting a metal ladder going 70 mph. My heart was pounding! I wasn't sure if the car was okay...I didn't even know if I was okay. After calming down and calling Paul I was fine, and the car surprisingly "so far" has nothing wrong with it.
So if your headed out on the freeway make sure to remember to watch out for large random objects. I'm just grateful it wasn't a couch!

This baby is growing. I finally broke down a couple days ago and went pregnancy clothes shopping for my birthday. When I woke up for church last Sunday and tried everything on, and then had to piece something together...I knew it was time. Success, I feel normal again!

For my Birthday Paul and I made breakfast together. He doesn't usually have a lot of time in the mornings so it felt really good to sit down and have breakfast with him.
Breakfast always reminds me of oranges. Have you ever known anyone that doesn't like oranges? I don't know what is involved in the cultivation process to make this deliciousness happen, but I want to know the secret. So now that I have seriously heightened my craving for "Simply Orange" orange juice with extra pulp we will move on.

I had a great birthday yesterday. I spent a day next to the pool by myself, which surprisingly was very relaxing. Paul came home and took me to the greatest burrito place on earth for dinner. Then he made me a carrot cake as per my request...yes he did all of it by himself. I only had to monitor the frosting. Then we watched Tangled. I couldn't be happier, 26 doesn't feel so bad after all!

Very pleased with his cake baking skills

P.S. Thanks to Karl for these awesome candle holders. Our kids are going to love them!

Guess What....

2011-04-07T17:29:00.000-07:00

Do you have any idea how ridiculous one feels in a posed position in front of a blank wall. I feel like I'm getting a mug shot! I'm sure it will be great for posterity, but how am I supposed to smile when I feel so...exposed.
So you may ask why I would put myself through something like this. Well, I live far enough away from home that people keep saying, "I can't picture you pregnant!". So here is the proof. I am going to have a baby. Despite my ever growing waistband I still have to remind myself every now and then that it's actually happening.
Today was like Christmas for me. I was so anxious all morning to find out what "it" was. I think the Doctor could sense that I was excited and waited as long as he could to get to the bottom half of the baby. He kept on talking about it's arms, mouth, and head. Finally he took a peek. It looked like a blob to me. He announced that he was 90-95% sure that we were going to have a GIRL!!! Paul's extended family is almost completely made up of boys, so I had to ask him to look again. Paul has been telling me for months that he wants a Girl.
On the way home today he confessed that he felt like he couldn't get excited or call it a girl until the doctor knew 100%. He said...and I quote, "I don't want to get my hopes up only to have my dreams taken away at your next appointment". I thought it was cute!
I'm not that smart but I think 95% is a pretty big number!

He gave in...we're picking out names.

Texas World Speedway

2011-04-01T07:46:00.000-07:00

About a month ago Paul and I headed off to the old Texas Speedway. Apparently if you have a really fast car or a race car of your own it's the place to be! It may look like a ghost town, but it's pretty awesome what they do here. This track used to be the place where all the real races happened, until things got a little outdated. Luckily for us they left the track for people who want to make a hobby out of racing.

As we entered the speedway I started having flashbacks of Paul and I in high school watching "The Fast and the Furious". If I wasn't so sick at the time I may have bummed a ride off of someone! I think my brothers would have been proud.

Here they do three different types of races. The first one is for the beginners with street cars. It was crazy, there were even executives with their BMW's! They take their cars out on the track with an instructor to get a feel for the track. The next run is all the "more" experienced guys with whatever they want to drive, and the last race is done just with modified cars, and race cars. Paul's co-worker goes out every weekend to race his car. Paul was invited to come watch and take a ride of his own. I was a little scared to have him going crazy speeds around corners but I knew this was a once in a lifetime opportunity. It's something he has wanted to do for a long time.

I wish I had a decent picture of him in the race car but the one I did take ended out being fuzzy. Here's a picture of the car Paul got to take a ride in and a picture of one of the races.

If you want view this on your own, in all it's glory...it's free to get in and watch. I promise it will be worth your time!

Updates on Pregnancy:

We find out whether it is a Boy or Girl next Thursday. I'm so excited!

I feel the baby move on a regular basis now, it's pretty much the most amazing experience I have ever had! I love that I'm starting to feel pregnant and not chunky anymore.

I hate the smell of french fries. I have a hard time breathing through my nose when I drive past any fast food restaurant...and sadly there are a lot of them.

I feel great! Here's to the second trimester!

I love cheese cake, cucumbers, kiwis, and grapefruit...I can't get enough of them.

I've been inspired by my sisters to do some refashioning. I need pregnancy clothes, and what better way is there to get cheap fashion and refine my sweet skills on a sewing machine. Pictures to come...

I'm Pregnant!

2011-03-01T09:16:00.000-08:00

I few posts ago I meantioned that Paul and I had been going through fertility treatments. It was a pretty hard process for me to go through. I remember wanting laugh about all the crazy things Paul and I had to do but it really didn't seem like the right emotion. After doing a couple IUIs I got pregnant! It almost seems like a dream because I feel like I've wanted it for so long. Words cannot describe how it felt to see that first ultrasound.
I realize that I am so blessed to be pregnant. I know so many people going through the very same thing right now, and I will continue to keep them in my prayers. My family and Paul's family were so supportive, and I have a sister who was there for me way more than I ever was for her. I owe great thanks to them and to my Father in Heaven for blessing me with such a great gift.

Paul is a little nervous but he can't hold back his excitment to become a Dad! I told him that he could pick the name of our first child... as long as I liked it too. I think that has been the most stressful task for him so far. He can't come up with anything that he likes, and all these name picking websites don't help either. I let him resign until we find out what "himshe" is going to be.
I went to the store a few weeks ago to pick up a few white onsies. I can't believe how small they were! Now I just have to wait to find out a gender so that I can start doing some applique.
The baby is due in August which is the same time we will be moving again. We welcome this new adventure!

PS..the pool opens today!!! Come on over and join us.

Last Week

2011-02-10T09:04:00.000-08:00

I miss these girls...and everyone else in the Arctic North! Thanks for the jeans they are awesome, and congrats on your cell phones.

I've been up since 6:30 and I'm exhausted but I am so happy! Slowly I am beginning to overcome my fears one at a time (secretly I have a lot of them). I'm pretty sure my Father in Heaven is very much aware of me and what I need. Two weeks ago I got called to be in the Relief Society Presidency...talk about overwhelming! I feel like I'm so young and this calling was meant for the older more experienced women. I am really scared, but even over the last couple weeks I have begun to understand his plan in all this. It's a pretty beautiful experience to watch yourself grow and do things you never thought possible.
I'm pretty grateful to know that He is there to help me become more like him everyday.

Last week I sat in Sunday school and a man approached me. He asked me what I graduated in...I assumed he already knew by the look he was giving me. After I explained he told me they needed a vocal coach at the high school to help kids on the side. They are apparently the most accomplished choir in the state. He offered to get me a foot in the door. At this point I wouldn't care if they didn't pay me because it would be an invaluable experience. Who knows if anything will come of it...either way I'm excited for the future possibilities.

Last week there was supposed to be a large storm headed our way. They even predicted snow! The afternoon before "the storm" our apartment send out warnings. They wanted us to drip our faucets, keep our heat high, and make sure to be careful on the stairs. They came through and dumped a load of sand to melt this ice which still remains at my front door and down the stair well. Paul got sent home from work early and was told not to come in the next day. The clouds came and went and sadly there was no snow. Around here snow is a BIG deal!

OH The Awesomeness

2011-01-22T15:52:00.000-08:00

As Emily and I were walking back to the car from the battleship the other day I couldn't pass up the opportunity to walk up this little ridge to get a look at the view. It was just before sunset and I knew there was a water channel on the other side. I was pretty sure it was going to be awesome. As you can see, this is a beautiful view. Now, some may say that the distillation towers, furnaces, and flares ruin the view. "Oh how beautiful it would be without those ugly oil companies." Personally, I think they are a beautiful accent to an already great view. Don't you think?

Paul

San Jacinto Monument

2011-01-17T13:03:00.000-08:00

Our first Saturday here Paul and I were sitting on the floor with no couch and no chairs trying come up with something to get us out of the house.
Several people in our ward recommended we take the drive to see this Monument.
I was pretty intrigued...knowing nothing about this thing.

Within the first few minutes of being there I found out that this spot is actually where the San Jacinto battle took place. This was one of the key battles in Texas winning their independence from Mexico. (I've been told I should watch "The Alamo" I can't remember if I've seen it)

All around this monument they have made the grounds look like the original battle grounds during that time. If you pay 5 bucks you can take a ride to the top of this thing and I'm sure see most of Texas. Someday Paul and I will return and do just that.

This is a must see for whoever drives through this area.
It was a little windy....hence the amazing picture! Don't we look so HAPPY?

Paul tells me that it's a lot like the Washington D.C. Monument but better because it's 15 feet higher and it's all one color.

Without knowing it we also stumbled onto this baby!
This is Battleship Texas. It was commissioned in 1914 (at that point Battleship Texas was the most powerful weapon on earth) and was used in both World War 1 and World War 2.

If you desire to jump aboard this thing it will cost you an additional 10 bucks. Again, someday I will have the pleasure! Apparently they let people spend the night on it all the time...I'm not sure that's what I'm looking for!

The Gift

2011-01-14T08:51:00.000-08:00

Side Note:
It's pretty awesome when you go to wash your hands...you've just filled them with soap and then you turn on the water to find that there is none. So in desperation to get the soap off you go to your only drinking water supply and rinse your hands. I guess I'll be using hand sanitizer for the rest of the day. It would have been really nice if someone would have told me that they were going to turn the water off today. I'm thirsty just thinking about the lack of water!

Real Post:
Since Paul and I got married I have been searching out the best sewing machine. My Mom got a sewing machine in her teens from her Mom and to this day it is still her favorite machine. I was determined to find an old Bernina like hers that was made of solid metal so I never had to worry about anything breaking.

For Christmas Paul surprised me!!! I didn't even have to do any work he found it all on his own...with some help from my Mom. I started quilting on it last week and it sews like a dream. I feel so spoiled.

I have plenty of time and a lot of projects to finish so wish me luck! I am already getting ideas for next Christmas.

The Apartment

2011-01-12T12:12:00.000-08:00

I hate apartment complexes with a fiery vengeance. Paul and I have been shafted one time and I still look back on that dark time and shutter.
I like renting in Utah where you sign a one page contract with some random person and you never see them until you move out. With this complex I had to sign my life away...25 pages and 4 hours later we had a home.
I think the people in charge are really trying to make me like it here....and I think it's working...so far.
How could you turn down freshly baked cookies everyday, or theater popcorn? Not to mention the billiard room, the fitness center, the park, the pool, an excess of grills, and a pretty awesome walking trail? They even have two fountains to make the landscape look overly elaborate...but I'm thinking those are going to come back to bite us during the summer when they turn into mosquito infested ponds.
I am so grateful that we found something that works for us.
This summer is going to rock!

Farewell Utah...

2011-01-10T08:13:00.000-08:00

*I don't miss your freezing temperatures and I don't miss your endless gifts of white fluff.
*I do miss my family on Sundays and menacing my little sisters awake in the morning because I'm bored and have nothing to do. Oh...and who could forget the on going game of Donkey Kong!

This year I packed up my tree and my house before Christmas and moved into my parents house for a few days. We made gingerbread houses, watched Christmas movies like they were going out of style, went caroling, and wrapped gifts all night long.
Christmas was amazing; Paul and I have been so blessed this year. Life just keeps getting better and better.
After Christmas with both families Paul and I packed our little car and headed across the country. I don't think I was quite ready but I wanted to get the finding an apartment behind us and allow Paul some R&R before he started work.
So we drove and drove, and then we drove some more. And after eating out as many times as we did I swore off eating out for a very long time. I will not miss the grease and extra butter.
Everyone in the ward had been awesome, our community is pretty quiet for the most part, and the weather has been great. It's weird...I kind of feel like I'm in some sort of a time warp and it's May in Utah... except for the ocean being so much closer which kind of throws everything off.

Just Say it Out Loud.....No Matter How Ugly It Is!

2010-11-04T11:31:00.000-07:00

(This is my ugliest picture....it's a picture of my parents spooky house this last Halloween. My brother in-law dressed up to scare all the kids. It's not a super high quality photo but doesn't the blur just add to the scariness?)

Sadly it's true....I'm getting older. I feel like I spent my childhood always wanting to move to the next step. When I was twelve I could stay up longer. When I was thirteen I could pierce my ears and wear makeup. When I was 15 I would go to high school where all the cool people were. When I was sixteen I would be able to drive, etc.
Now that I am an adult I have decided not to live in the future anymore. I have found that life is so much better when I take each day as it comes. It has taken me a long time to come to this conclusion but I think I am finally there. Although, it would be nice to be done with this last math class :)!!!

Many of you know that Paul and I have been seeing a doctor for infertility. I'm a pretty private person so I like to keep my personal life to myself. This last week I found a blog that is written by a chain of fertility clinics. As I read stories about other women I felt like it would be good for me to say it out loud. So here I am....I assure you, this post is not about me complaining. I would never give up these few years I have had to become closer to my Heavenly Father and his Son Jesus Christ. I would never give up the relationship that Paul and I have developed through just being there for each other. And lastly, I would never give up the time I have had to truly find myself through going to the temple every week with my parents.
Today was my first time seeing a fertility specialist. I was a little nervous for obvious reasons. I knew it would just be more poking and prodding. I was right, but I also received more answers and Paul and I walked away with a little more we can grab onto . I would be lying if I said that I wasn't scared, but when has that ever stopped me from doing something.
I'm sure all of us are a little scared when walking into something new. So here I go....wish me luck!
And I wish you good luck in all the new things you will experience this week!

Trick or Treat

2010-11-01T14:55:00.000-07:00

Fall is my favorite time of the year (ahhem....a close second to the summer). I love how it's not too hot and it's not too cold. For the first time I noticed that their is a smell that accompanies fall. Last year I was in Texas and the seasons are little different over there. Fall doesn't creep up on you as fast as it does here. So the past couple weeks as I whizzed past the changing leaves, and the Halloween decorations on my bike I started to notice that familiar smell that comes with fall. I guess I just never paid attention before.

I was pretty surprised when Paul came home from school about a week ago and asked me what he should be for Halloween. I gave him a few suggestions and it didn't take him to long to decide on this one. I tried to get him to be Prince Charming but I'm pretty sure he's the best looking Paul Bunyan around!

I think I'm going to see if I can get hired at Disney. My sister gave me the last minute inspiration to be Cinderella. I think my nieces would be proud!

This year my family decided to have their first Halloween party...it was a huge success! Yay for new traditions! For some of us it was our first time carving with a pattern....which can be a lot more difficult than it looks.
I'm pretty proud of Paul's pumpkin. He was instructed at a very young age at The Kendall School of Pumpkin Art. They taught him to master the art of pumpkin carving. I'm kind of jealous of his skills!

Adventures of Captain CC

2010-10-13T10:06:00.000-07:00

We tie down the sails as we head directly into the eye of a storm. It's dark and everyone goes quiet as we are washed back and forth by the waves. The rain is cold and we all hope it will end soon.
We picked up a new pirate at the last port. It's Lu Lu's first time aboard a ship of this size. She and a few of the other new pirates lay flat on the deck burying their heads as they wait for Captain CC to give her orders. She tells us not to be sissy.....pirates are not afraid!
After hours of darkness the sun begins to shine and Lu Lu picks herself up off the cold damp deck.
Captain CC tells us to stay aboard the ship, it's too dangerous for inexperienced pirates like us to be swimming around in the ocean. She warns that if we don't swim fast enough the fish will suck on our toes, and it's almost impossible to get them off. Captain CC is already missing one of her littlest toes from one of her previous adventures when a large purple fish decided to make himself a meal of it.

We watch as Captain CC carefully takes to the plank and jumps. When she hits the water she swims faster than any fish I have ever seen! She must get to shore where the treasure awaits. For years we have been scouring water and land for the black fairy dust. This is the last place on the map, Captain CC is sure we will find what we're looking for here.
When she arrives at the shore she is attacked by the yellow monkeys. Everyone points to Lu Lu, it's her turn to do the swimming. She must save Captain CC. She timidly crawls to the end of the plank and finally gets the courage to jump. She hits the water and swims as fast as she can to shore. She takes on one Monkey at a time wielding her sword in all directions. Finally the monkeys retreat back into the forest. Captain CC takes to the trees where she finds the black fairy dust. The pirates still aboard the ship holler for joy.

They pack the fairy dust safely in their packs and set off into the water. It will be harder to swim fast enough while carrying such a load.
When they climb aboard the ship they are not surprised to find a few fishes have attached themselves to their toes. The crew members are quick to pull every last fish off before they can do too much damage. This is not an easy task and must be done carefully so as not to remove any toes. Carefully but quickly all fish are removed and thrown back into the ocean. the crew watches as Captain CC and Lu Lu empty their packs of fairy dust.

Finally the black fairy dust was theirs. An adventure accomplished with almost all toes in-tacked......

TO BE CONTINUED...

Biking License

2010-09-21T11:45:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago I started to ride a bike instead of driving. I'm not some crazy biker... I have never owned my own bike. Some of you may think that I was deprived, but to be honest I was only ever interested in roller blades (The 90's fad). My parents couldn't get them off me. During the summer they wouldn't come off until the sun went down or we were called to dinner.
So after years and years of not riding a bike and never having one of my own meant that I had put in very minimal hours on a bike.
Paul laughed a little as I proposed the idea of "biking everywhere" to him. At the time I thought he was thinking that I couldn't hack the kind of exercise it took. Now I'm pretty sure he was just worried about my competence on two wheels.
My first attempt went okay. I borrowed Paul's "Moab Edition" mountain bike. I kind of felt like I was learning how to ride a bike again ...trying to look cool to all the neighbor kids but not succeeding. I'm pretty sure I look retarded. And I guess people don't care to put their butts on the seat when mountain biking because it's hardly the size of a small child's back side.

The next day Paul helped me pick out this flashy seat tailored more to the real size of a normal persons butt. I love it! Although, I'm pretty sure it doesn't exactly fit on a Moab Edition; in fact it probably lowers the value.

Over all I'm pretty amazed that I haven't crashed into a light pole yet. And surprisingly this ride is super comfortable.
I'm trading in my car for this baby!

Blast from the Past

2010-09-03T09:29:00.000-07:00

When we arrived we were greeted by warm faces and warm smiles. I don't know what it is about Grandmas and Grandpas but they always seem to give the best hugs! They hurried us to the table were we sat down to a meal prepared of garden vegetables. Someday I too will have a garden. There's something about a home grown tomato and a little cottage cheese that makes me smile.

Paul's grandmother seems to be a very wise woman. I can say I already love her as if she were my own. I really wanted to have the type of conversations that would lead to advice for "young people" like us, and memories of their own young adult experiences. She seemed to know just what I was looking for. She told me that not to long after her parents had passed away she wished that she could have had one more conversation with them. She had so many questions that she never asked. She gave me the best advice she could have. Ask questions, and make memories with your grandparents before you look back and regret that you haven't.

This conversation led to this perfect swing in their backyard. She told me her father had one that was similar. When she got married she made sure that her husband built her a swing just like it. As I sat in it I envisioned our (someday) new house where this swing was hung in the backyard. I took pictures of every piece to make sure mine would come out an exact replica.

We then took a trip to Paul's uncles house where Grandpa showed Paul his fathers truck that they rebuilt. It seemed from the reaction that this was Paul's favorite part. Especially the part where he took it for a test drive. Thanks to Bruce and Jolene for making his dreams come true!!

Beautiful Work and an Amazing Artist

2010-08-28T08:02:00.000-07:00

This is my sisters work. She an amazing artist and I am so jealous of her skills. She is finally starting her own business. Her blog isn't completely finished but if you would like a drawing done for yourself or one of your loved ones, or you would just like to see more of her work visit her blog at http://www.inspiredbyamemory.blogspot.com/

She is amazing! You won't regret it! Spread the word.....

Fireworks and a Huge Crush!

2010-07-20T10:07:00.001-07:00

Fireworks have always been intriguing to me; maybe it's the thought of putting fire up in the sky that's exciting. When I was younger I remember lying on the lawn in the park with my family. Above us the city set off a round of fireworks...I began to squirm, I thought for sure they were close enough to touch me.
Then when I was nineteen, a few months before Paul left on his mission he took me to that same park where where we stood and watched the same fireworks. Afterward he carried me on his back to his parents house were we sat on his lawn and talked till I had to go. I had a huge crush.
This year Paul and I sat on the trunk of our car and watched the cities fireworks from several blocks away in the comfort of our own driveway. I know it sounds boring but I loved every minute of it, and I still have a huge crush.

We also took some liberty to purchase our own. This comes with a Warning!!! If you think to purchase a box of fireworks (no matter how large) from a grocery store...just know that they will all look the same!!

Just Another Day

2010-06-15T13:57:00.000-07:00

It seems like a dream, waking up to the sound of his voice. He was there to tell me that he was leaving, going to school again. I begged him to stay even though I knew he couldn't. He gave me a kiss and left me sleeping. I'm still tired, I slept until nine, and I still wake up tired. My eyes hurt from the beating they took last night as I cried in my husbands arms. Life can throw some cruel punches.
The new morning sky brings happiness, and I smile. As I sit down at the kitchen table the sound of emergency vehicles ring outside just as they do every morning. I wonder who will be rescued today. After breakfast I drive the bus to Mom and Dads. The morning is truly beautiful;I roll down the windows and breathe the fresh mountain air. After a long day yesterday and feeling like I was being kept a prisoner in my own home it feels good to be outside.
When I get to my destination I head straight for the kitchen where the dog leash hangs from one of Mom's shelves. It was fraying at the handle where the remains of the previous walk still lingered. Disgusted by the weeds and dirt I find a pair of scissors and give it a little bit of a trim.
With trimmed leash in hand I walk straight to the backyard where Poscha seems to be waiting for me, or maybe she knows I'm her only ticket out of her pen until the afternoon.

Meet Poscha, she will forever be my favorite Dutch Shepherd. She is an excellent listener, and for the most part will do whatever you ask. She is smart, and on more than one occasion has made it known that she is the dominant female.

Poscha and I walk for quite a while and for the first time in a long time I pause at the end of the street and stare up at the mountains. Only God could have created something so magnificent. This is what Katherine Lee Bates must have meant when she wrote American the Beautiful, "Purple Mountain Majesties".
Today is a better day...

Graduation

2010-05-23T19:35:00.000-07:00

Graduation made possible by: (see below)

When I married Paul I was working full time and going to business school part time. I had decided to become a business major because it was one of the only majors that offered night classes that would allow me to work full time to support my single self. The life I knew before, which I had grown so comfortable with was turned upside-down when Paul convinced me that I no longer needed to work full time. He suggested me going to school in something I enjoyed a little more.
I didn't really know what to say. For as long as I could remember I had always wanted to go into music.
After much contemplation I quit my job. I couldn't believe what I was was about to do when I took a part time job making half as much money, and started my early morning classes in the music program. I loved it! I was a little behind in age but I will always be so grateful to Paul for being there to push me to do something I love. I love that he continues to support me in all my crazy dreams!

I was a little nervous as I waited in line to walk across the stage. I began to wonder what life would hold for me next. For years I have know exactly what I was going to do as I registered for school every semester. I have a few things in mind but I guess we'll see where the Lord points me next. I am excited to see what the future holds!

Despite my brothers wedding being the same morning my parents made it to support me. Thanks Mom and Dad it meant a lot to have you there! Paul's parents were great to
sit through 2 graduations that day, and Paul's Dad took all of these beautiful photo's. Thanks Rod and Anne, I really appreciate everything you do to support Paul and I!
I am looking forward to the next graduation I will attend....hang in there babe!

Pictures of the event

The Time Has Come...

2010-04-12T19:41:00.000-07:00

I'm a little nervous....we'll hope it doesn't show!
I hope everyone can come.

We The People

2010-03-23T12:31:00.000-07:00

Today I hung my Flag....

FIGHT FOR FREEDOM, pass it on (re-post this on your blog) or I am afraid there will be a price to pay greater than bad luck.

Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.

Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battle-field of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.

But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate -- we can not consecrate -- we can not hallow -- this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us -- that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion -- that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain -- that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom -- and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.

These are the words of our late President Lincoln a man who fought for liberty.

President Lincoln was a man who united a nation, a man who fought for the people and not against the people. Brave men and women gave their lives for this great nation that we love. I will not allow someone to defile our freedoms and destroy our liberty. I will not stand by and watch an economy, our ancestors built with their own precious sweat and blood, crumble.

I say that, I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

America, I say to you there are men trying to divide us and rob us of precious freedoms but “we the people” will be engaged. We will come together and fight. We will fight for freedom just as our grandparents did. If you love this country, as I love this country. If you love God and family, as I love God and family. Join with me. Raise the flag of this Nation. Set it up in front your home, a home you want to protect. We joined together on 9/11 to raise that flag, join with me now. On 9/11 the terrorists were without. On 3/21 the terrorists are within. We will fight you with the emblems of our freedom and we will fight with our votes.

A shout out to all the little people....

2010-03-16T13:48:00.000-07:00

I have really never celebrated St. Patrick's Day aside from wearing the usual green. Today I'm going to step out of my bubble and make cupcakes with green frosting....just because I was some!
But this year to accompany my green shirt I will be sporting my own version of red!
As a result of the endless blowing of my nose...My face and nose are similar to the color of a fire engine and have the texture of sandpaper. Despite the quality of toilet paper it has started to crack, bleed, and even peel. As a matter of fact it looks a lot like the eczema on my hand. My husband wonders how I could have used a roll of toilet paper in one day, but I think my face pretty much says it all!

Aside from the holiday today has been a pretty special day. Today I was lucky enough to be blessed with a brand new nephew. Happy Birthday Colton! I'm looking forward to meeting you when you are feeling better...

And I'm pretty sure this little girl is pretty excited to meet her little brother.

This picture was stolen from Mike and Chrissy's blog (Sorry Chrissy!).
Happy St. Patties Day!!!!

It doesn't get better than this...

2010-03-14T11:56:00.000-07:00

While I don't quite agree with the new Oscar Meyer campaign...contrary to popular belief it DOES get better than a hot dog. Although I will admit they do have an upper hand on the market. They put out the best hot dog I know of. Let's just say you get what you pay for in the hot dog world and with Oscar Meyer you will never go wrong.
However, I don't think there are may things that could make my life any better than this. I have been so sick the past couple of days. I hate it when I can feel it coming on and can't do anything about it. All I can do is take more vitamins, drink more water, lay down, and hope the virus is nice enough to pass me by.
By the evening I was feeling terrible and went to bed fully armed to fight whatever it was that was against me. Unfortunately for me, I didn't end out sleeping more than an hour. My tossing and turning didn't help Paul either because he ended out on the couch at 4:00 in the morning trying to get some sleep. I felt like the worst wife in the world! Despite what I had put him through the next morning he went out a bought me juice, nasal spray, and some Tylenol...all while I slept on the couch.
He came home after school and helped me make dinner, and then did the dishes. I was determined to spend the next night on the couch sleeping upright to avoid not being able to breath through all the congestion. Paul insisted on sleeping next to me on our little love sac the whole night. I truly married my best friend. Even though I was in pain and so tired, it was one of those moments when I couldn't help but smile....it doesn't get better than this!

Lessons Learned

2010-02-11T13:27:00.000-08:00

This is a sight I would have never seen in Texas. I would never welcome cold weather, but looking out my window this made me smile...

For your pure entertainment I have decided to share just a few of the things Paul and I have learned over the past year.

* Never get a warranty on a car, unless you have loads of money and have nothing better to spend it on.

* Never sign a contract without having calculated exactly what could go wrong, and what it would take to get out of the contract if you needed to.

* You get what you pay for. If it costs $1 including shipping from China, the dollar may be better spent elsewhere.

* When going on long trips in the winter through long canyons on wet roads with no stores around for miles...always pack a spare container of wind shield wiper fluid. It will be worth its weight in gold.

* Don't clean up black mold in your refrigerator just to buy and new one, and have your landlord give the one you cleaned from top to bottom with your bare hands to your upstairs neighbors.

* When moving into and new apartment always check for a dishwasher...it may not come with one.

* Never go to bed with your hair wet in the winter.

* Never take two upper division Math classes in the same semester, unless you want to die a slow and painful death.

* Never assume anything...asking is cheaper!

* You always have more time than you think you do.

* It's harder to get pregnant than most people would generally think...20% chance!

* Sea World is always a good option when looking to get away!

* Never use hotwire.com, unless you don't mind flying out at 2:00 am, or stay in a "3" star hotel that looks like your uncles trailer. I'm pretty sure you won't get your money back.

* Aligators are super cool as long as you can run faster than the fat guy standing next to you!

* Don't be afraid to lose yourself in a good book.

* When an invitation says semi formal, wear a suit....even if your wife tells you not to.

* When given the option to sit it out or dance...always dance.

* Family is always worth your time.

* Don't let people intimidate you.

* Real flight is worth every penny if your husband is addicted to model airplanes.

* When Macey's is selling cereal for $1 a box don't be afraid to buy 70 boxes!

What have you learned this year?

So Long Texas......

2009-12-19T18:12:00.000-08:00

Why would anyone ever desire to be misplaced, never feeling like they belong anywhere? Why do I feel homeless today? I hate the in between stages in my life. This must be why I hate moving so much! You have to pack up all your junk just to move into a place that doesn't feel like home. It takes putting pictures up on the walls, doing laundry, and cleaning every crack just to get it to feel and smell like home.

So long Texas...we will truly miss your sunshine, simplicity, and kindness.

Today Paul and I packed everything we own into our little compact car to make the 27 hr drive home. Yes, we will be leaving behind another home (the fifth since we got married)and returning to our original home. I'm so excited to spend time with family (I miss them so much!) and enjoy the true meaning of Christmas. It will be a nice little vacation before we return to school. We aren't looking forward to the search for our next apartment, but I'm sure the disgust for looking for an apartment will get lost in all the Christmas celebrations for at least a little while.

Thank you James and Jenny for putting up with us for 5 months...we appreciate it more than you will ever know! We will miss little Dean most of all!

Mom and Dad thanks for being willing to take in a few homeless people for a little while. We promise we won't become permanent!

Merry Christmas Everyone!

In the days of 'Climate Change', I'm glad I work for ExxonMobil

2009-12-18T10:41:00.001-08:00

Today was my last day working at ExxonMobil Chemical. This has been an invaluable experience. I never had so much fun working. Great people, great company, and awesome work. I could do this for the rest of my life.

They even gave me a polo. That's all I ever wanted. Now I can be cool like my brother.
Paul

Happy Birthday Dad!

2009-12-08T09:36:00.000-08:00

Unfortunately I don't have a lot of face forward smiling pictures of my Dad. He doesn't seem to like the camera in his face. I don't know why...he is definitely one of the best looking men I know. I'm a little sad today because I can't be home spending time with him on his birthday. It's times like these that make me home sick. So I thought I would brag about him a little bit to make myself feel better for missing his birthday.
Dad I love you more than you will ever know! I only hope that someday I will have as much faith, as much endurance, as much courage, and as much love as you do. You have always been there to provide and care for me, and have always given of yourself and your time. You have always taught me that nothing was impossible...I still believe that!
You have given me more gifts than I could ever ask for. I hope this birthday you get everything you wish for! Happy Birthday Dad! I miss you!

You think you're having a bad day...

2009-12-07T09:21:00.000-08:00

In areas where it rains buckets at a time they have these deep ditches to contain all the water. Well this morning a local trucker is having a bad day. I know it's terrible but I laughed so hard. I even went outside to get a picture because I figured it would be a better view!

View from the street

View from my bedroom window

That might go on your trucking record!

Christmas in Texas

2009-12-06T09:07:00.000-08:00

Friday morning we were expecting snow...fortunately for me that doesn't happen very often here. I can honestly say that it was a welcomed surprise when I opened my blinds, but only because I knew it would be gone only hours after it came. I guess people in Texas don't know what to do when it snows. I almost had to laugh when I heard Paul was coming home from work at 1:00 in the afternoon, and the school next to us was sending all of the kids home. Snow Day! I'll admit it was pretty awesome to have Paul home early for the weekend. We watched a movie, drank hot chocolate, and played Christmas music all afternoon. All I have to say is....Let it Snow!

Sea World, San Antonio

2009-12-05T08:18:00.000-08:00

I felt like a little kid. My body willing me to run toward the park. Between the line for tickets, and the security check at the entrance it took a little longer to get into the park than expected. Our goal was to see everything before we left. Why pay such a large amount of money and not do everything once, or several times?
When we first arrived I was a little worried about sitting in the "splash zones". I had this little battle with my inner child. I really wanted to get wet because how often to you get splashed by a whale? At the same time I just straighten my hair the evening before and I had this image of myself looking like a drown rat with curly hair and no gel to tame the frizz. So I just did it, at the first show I was a little disappointed. The little sea lions weren't enough to splash me....and the walrus didn't even get into the water!

I really can't blame the walrus for his unfortunate weight and the fact that he probably could do a flip if he wanted to. However, it was pretty funny to watch him to a couple sit-ups!

And the Sea Lions did find it in themselves to sing a little Christmas carol for me.

I've always wanted to pet a dolphin...or swim with one, but we'll save that part for later. I thought it was cute, because Paul was willing to do anything to get me the opportunity. When we got there for the first session the line was so long that we weren't going to get through in the hour slot they had available. Luckily we walked by toward the end and they were still allowing people to feed them. It was honestly one of the coolest things I have ever done! Paul and I walked around the rest of the day so proud that we had touched a dolphin.

I was a little sad that we didn't get any pictures of both of us together. This is the only one I was able to get of Paul after riding a few roller coasters. He looks real happy to get his picture in front of the penguins!

I am officially a roller coaster junkie! There was one roller coaster that was fairly similar to splash mountain at Disney. It made quite a large splash at the bottom and poor Paul was in one of the outside seats. He got soaked...and I laughed.
When it got dark and everyone went home I was still pushing him through the lines. I guess it's the adrenaline that gets me. I feel bad because he finally told me that he was cold. Wind and wet clothes...I should have thought about it for a second.
So I gave him my hoodie, and we went to see the Shamu show again!

Isn't it everyone's goal when they go to Sea World to see Shamu? After watching these girls ride and come out of the water on the tops of these large beasts, I was sure that in some other life I was meant to have a career at Sea World with Shamu at my side. If I could start all over again I'm pretty sure I would skip the pain of a music degree and swim with the killer whales. I think it would be the coolest profession in the world, even if I only got paid 6 dollars an hour.

So if you haven't been to Sea World in a while, you might want to take the opportunity to feel like a child again. It will be worth every penny! You might just find yourself wishing you were swimming with whales instead of sitting in an office or doing research.

A Weekend to Remember

2009-12-04T09:19:00.000-08:00

Paul and I decided to be spontaneous last week, and it served us well. I've found that most of our spontaneous booking of hotels and going places happen late at night when we should be sleeping. Before I knew it...last minute right before Thanksgiving we booked a hotel in San Antonio for the weekend. So with Thanksgiving leftovers in tow we headed to the nearest freeway.

San Antonio Downtown is beautiful! I could have taken thousands of pictures, but it was imperative that I had room on my Micro SD card for our Sea World stop the next day.
When we arrived in Downtown our first stop was the River Walk, another item on my bucket list ever since Dad mentioned it to me 5 months ago. It truly was everything he talked about and more...a little Italy in the middle of San Antonio, Tx. For lunch we went to the Hard Rock Cafe, and came to the conclusion that we were definitely paying for an experience more than the food. It was good but not the best burger I've had...especially for the price!

As we were walking we under this bridge. Paul stopped to admire the atrocity of it's engineering. He watched a documentary on the History Channel all about bridge making. This bridge is built on a chain system much like many of those that have fallen. I just thought it was a cool looking bridge...but what do I know?

We also enjoyed watching these little guys fight with each other over the one female duck. I guess there's not enough of the women ducks to go around these days!

Yet another check off my Bucket list! Next on the list...run a marathon!

Turkey Day

2009-11-29T17:01:00.000-08:00

After much anticipation Thanksgiving has come and gone. Just as my Mom warned, Paul and I were cooking for a day and a half and the meal lasted only 20 minutes. It was the first time I have been away from home on thanksgiving, and the first time I've cooked that much food in my life. Now I can honestly say that I can relate to my Mother...I am still exhausted!

I even sacrificed my face for a good homemade coconut cream pie. While I was stirring it...right before the boiling point it splashed up in my face leaving two very nice burns. It was pretty painful, but I'd like to think that is was worth the price!
At some point in the morning I didn't think I was going to make it to my 4:00 goal. We ended out finishing an hour ahead of schedule and the food was great!

Here are just a few things that I am grateful for this holiday season.
*An amazing husband...he was so worth the two years of waiting.
*Paul's internship here in Texas. I have learned so much being here and Paul has had a great work experience
*The Gospel of Jesus Christ
*My family...I love every single one of them

Here's Paul and his brother James watching their car and driver videos. I'm sure it will be become a new Thanksgiving tradition.

The Closet Performer

2009-11-23T10:57:00.000-08:00

(This picture was taken by my sister..isn't she amazing?!)

I feel like I have to hide when I practice. Not because I'm afraid to sing or practice in front of people...to be honest I am afraid people will get annoyed. Practicing whether it's piano, guitar, or voice is not beautiful. Paul's Mom told me that when Paul was younger they never knew he could really play the Saxophone. He was taking lessons and was in band, but they never heard anything but phrases of music he struggled with, played over and over again.
I guess I struggle with something Paul didn't, he's usually better than me at most things but I never thought it would extend to music.
Why should anyone else have to endure the ugly part of music? I have come to the conclusion that this is the reason why most people don't practice. All anyone wants is the performance part of music, the part that comes with adrenaline, lights, and a stage.
As a result since moving to Texas I have become a closet performer. I have a shelf cleared in my closet where my keyboard sits. I have found a way to plug the keyboard in by fishing the wire underneath the door to the plug outside. Once I am in the closet I reach up to the top shelf where the towels are located and stuff one in the opening between the door and the floor. At this point I am committed to at least an hour of practice. The acoustics are terrible....a lot of dead space, and my voice doesn't carry beyond the shelf in front of me. The closet seems to work for now, but I still find myself hitting the walls when I stretch my arms back to help me hit a high note. Sometimes it gets a little boring when I've been staring at my cleaning products for a solid hour proclaiming my love or disgust for them.
I just keep telling myself that at sometime in the future I will have a house where I can make all the ugly music I want while Paul is away at work. Until then...I fear the closet and I continue to grow closer.

Ghetto Boarding

2009-11-16T17:53:00.000-08:00

My brother and I wanted to go the beach to do some boogie boarding, but unfortunately, we couldn’t find a store that sold them. Really? So being the kind of people we are, we tried to make our own...out of noodles and duct tape.

My brother was a little more ambitious than I was.

It really didn’t work out. However, I don’t think it was due to a lack of engineering. I think the waves just weren’t big enough. Water’s fault, not ours.

Paul

Photography

2009-11-15T19:07:00.000-08:00

I've been thinking a lot lately about learning more about photography. I spend hours and hours looking at photography blogs. Some good and some not so good, but I'm always excited to tell Paul when I find a good one. My sister after taking Nicole's class showed me her website. Her photos are beautiful...let's just say it's a very distant dream of mine. Check out her website at www.nicholev.com

Inspired by a Spad XIII

2009-11-14T17:43:00.000-08:00

I really like building things, and since I get board sometimes my brother got me this card building set. You can pretty much build anything you want. Inside there was a picture of this weak-sauce airplane. I said to myself, “that’s weak-sauce, I’m gonna build me a good one.” I went at it and made this thing. I tried to get it to fly, but the center of gravity was a little off. Other than that I think it could glide.
Thanks again bro!

Paul

Happy Birthday Dean!

2009-11-12T11:06:00.000-08:00

We have all been waiting for this great occasion. Paul has said many times that my nieces and nephews truly weren't enough. While he adores those little girls and that one little boy...he has always wanted one of his own. November 3rd it happened! Beautiful little Dean was born, and we were here waiting when he arrived home. We are so grateful that we get to bask in this cuteness everyday, listen to his little voice, and watch him make faces at his parents. While I am truly jealous of Jenny and can't wait for my own , I am truly proud to call little Dean my nephew.

Here are a few pictures of Paul and I and our latest nephew!

Congratulations James and Jenny!

All Hallows Eve

2009-11-08T14:40:00.000-08:00

When I was in high school I did my best to scare myself. I watched horror movie after horror movie...never being truly horrified. I guess that's what intrigues me about Halloween, aside from the free candy I get to be the lead role on the stage of my own horror.
Unfortunately, kids don't usually come to apartments. But I have a vision of someday having the most horrific house on the block. Every Halloween there will be rumors exchanged in the halls of the local elementary school...real monsters lurk inside that house.
My goal will be to scare, I will be the most real scariest looking witch that ever roamed this side of the earth. I may have to make my own costume to get the real effect I'm looking for, but here are a few things I found on the Internet...love the shoes!

This Halloween we didn't do much, but we had a great time carving pumpkins, watching horror movies, and participating in the ward trunk or treat.

I've been trying to think of something terribly frightening for Paul to be...any suggestions?

hate [heyt]: to dislike intensely or passionately

2009-10-29T05:49:00.000-07:00

Last night I had a dream that my sister Kimberly and I were shopping and found the greatest deal ever! Right in the middle of the store...thousands of t-shirts with a large sign above them that read 25 t-shirts for $25. I remember looking at Kimberly while I tried to contain my excitement, then yelling..."I can't believe they are $.50 a shirt!"
I shook my head this morning as I laughed at myself. I can't even do math in my dreams!
True to my motto I have saved the best for last, or in this case the worst for last. After high school I made a sub conscience decision to never use my brain to do math again. I tried so hard to grow a love for something I truly hated in every meaning of the word.
Now as I come to my last semester of college I force myself to do something I hate. Paul and I sat down to work on math last night. I felt every feeling I have ever felt in the past come back to me as I tried to listen and understand. Paul was the perfect tutor as he listened to and answered every question I had.

Today I have decided I'm going to do this...I'm going to win my battle against math, and pay $1 for each t-shirt in my dreams.

Alligator Etiquette

2009-10-22T17:12:00.000-07:00

• ABSOLUTELY DO NOT feed or annoy the alligators.
• Keep pets on a leash no longer than six feet.
Do not throw objects in water for your dog to retrieve.(They may get eaten!)
• Keep at least 30 ft. from an alligator – do not assume they’re slow-moving.(They will get you given the opportunity)
• Do not swim in or wade into any water in Brazos Bend State Park.(You may get eaten!)
• If an alligator goes after a fish you have caught, cut the line and let the alligator have the fish. (Now is not the time to fight for your food)
• Avoid any alligator sunning itself in the middle of the trail or lake bank.
• Stay clear of grasses, twigs and/or soil near the side of a trail: it may be a nest and the mother alligator is probably close by guarding it.
• If an alligator opens its mouth and hisses, you have come too close. Retreat slowly; make no quick moves. Keep your eyes on the alligator.

Brazos Bend should be a must see on everyone's bucket list. As we entered the park the ranger gave us a map with the "Aligator Ettiquette" listed above. Paul and I laughed as we entered the park and I read the rules aloud. Note: my thoughts are in the( ).
There are supposed to be hundreds of adult alligators over 6 ft, and thousands under. We were told we should keep to the trails for obvious reasons. When there are no fences keeping the beasts in you have to stick to some of the rules.
When Paul and I neared the first lake we understood why these rules were listed in plain sight on the map. The Alligator posted just left stood no less than 15 ft in front of us covered in green slime. There were 20 people gathered by the side of the lake staring at the ground (He would have gotten his pick of the big or small). I didn't understand what all the hype was about until I looked closer. We backed away to our 30 ft mark and Paul leans over to me with his comforting words. "It doesn't matter how close we get...as long as you can run faster than the fat guy standing next to you."
So if you want to walk among the wild.....just head out to Needville Tx. But remember not to get too close unless you can run faster than the fat guy next to you!

im⋅ag⋅i⋅na⋅tion [i-maj-uh-ney-shuhn]

2009-10-14T13:00:00.001-07:00

As a child our imagination almost took over our minds. It caused us to believe that any one of our stuffed animals could come alive at any moment. We had super magical powers that would allow us to have super strength, or dissappear at will. Thunder was an untamed beast that only came out when it rained. (To calm my fears Mom used to tell me that it was just the people up in heaven playing a really good game of bowling, "STRIKE".)
We could no more get rid of our imaginary friends than our parents. They were a part of who we were.
As we grow older we tend to forget the large hairy monster under our bed, the beautiful fairies that accompanied us in our sleep, and our adventures with the pirates on the great ocean that lied between the couches in our living room.
When did it happen? When did I lose that little girl who danced freely to the music in her head. The one who sang "Part of Your World" just because it was fun. The one who allowed herself to be herself even when people were watching.
I've become a boring adult in need of a child with an imagination! This week I'm going to become Siebel in the opera "Faust",and Orfeo in "Orfeo Ed Euridice"
I'm going to dance to the music in my head and sing for fun!
So let yourself go this week....see where your imagination takes you!

Rain

2009-10-10T09:12:00.000-07:00

I woke up this morning to the sound of rain on my window. It's funny how something so small could put a smile on my face. I got up out of bed and pulled the blinds so that I could watch as it ran down the window. I must have laid here and watched for hours.

Take A Trip To The Zoo With Us!

2009-09-04T10:24:00.000-07:00

Paul and I went to the zoo a couple weeks ago. I probably picked the worst day to go but Paul stuck it out for me. We were both wiping the sweat from our faces all day. We lost more water than we drank, and were hardly prepared for one of the hottest days of the year. I think Paul was wishing the I had chose to go the the Blue Bell factory....indoors with a cup of ice cream in our hand! I figured because it had rained earlier that it would stay pretty cloudy but the sun came out right as we got there and it was blazing the rest of the day. We had a really great time though...and here is my proof.

Isn't he the cutest!

Meercat

Just born a couple days before...big baby!

Then there were the sea lions...

Aligator...he was a little lazy that day.

Big....lizard thing

little turtle

Elephant

I don't know what this is!

Massive cows...can you say neck ache!

lazy lepoard

The monkeys were our favorite!

These are the only ones that I could get of the big cats. They were staying in the cool areas.

Paul...Doesn't he look harmless?

We're glad you took time out of your day to go to the zoo with us.

Surfin USA

2009-08-12T16:02:00.000-07:00

Today we decided to spend some time in Galveston. On the way to the beach we noticed a couple boats just randomly hanging out. They really cleaned up after the hurricane, but there are still a few owners that haven't claimed their boats from the sides of the highway. In some cases it's surprising to see what some people are still living in.
On the way we also had the opportunity to see the Bishop's palace from our car window. It's a massive house in the middle of Galveston that a bishop used to live in. Now they have opened it to the public for tours. We didn't want to pay 10$ a person to see a largely overrated house so we took the view from our car.

By far our favorite part of our adventure was getting to the beach!!

At Kim's request we made her a truck. Here's your Ford Kim! I would have painted it but I didn't have time.

I told Paul that we couldn't leave the beach without me burying him in the sand. He didn't like that idea much, so we took a picture of the sand.

We saw dolphins, jumping fish, and crazy pelicans...I would say it was a successful trip!

Life is a Highway

2009-08-10T17:22:00.000-07:00

This last week Paul and I hit the road for the longest road trip I have ever taken, and finally made it here to Texas on Saturday. It may have been long and painful but we did have a lot of fun, and at times were very entertained. We love Texas! Here are some pictures of the trip!

There's always one person who has to go 20 miles and hour less than everyone else. Had to document our first traffic jam.

I just have to wonder who the poor sap is that had to put telephone poles in out in the middle of no where.

Random mounds all over near Lake Powell

Beautiful Southern Utah

On the road again

Colorado's Farmers

The New Mexico sunset

Chimney Rock

In New Mexico we stopped to eat and ran into Route 66!

"She likes me for my body!"

More Route 66

Our first look at Texas

I thought this was funny. Those Pecans must be real good.

Dallas

Definitely in Texas!

Maybe someday we will get there....Texas is massive!

Summer Nights

2009-07-19T13:26:00.000-07:00

Over the last few weeks Paul and I have been enjoying our summer with each other. It has been the first time in two years that we have taken a break from school. Blogging has taken a back seat and we have spent every waking hour making the best of our summer. As Paul takes this time to recover his sleep from the last trip I figured I would start catching everyone up on the past few weeks.
A couple weeks ago we took a trip with Paul's parents to Salt Lake. There are a few random things that I wanted to see that I had never seen while passing through. First on our list was the cemetery.

Day 1

Among many others we visited the grave site of Porter Rockwell. He has always been one of my heroes. In the past I have been completely and utterly against graveyards; I had this phobia of walking over dead bodies when I was younger. I'm not going to lie and tell you that I am completely over that, but I will tell you that it was easier for me to connect with these people by being there at the cemetery.

Later we went to "This is the Place State Park" which I didn't even know existed before Paul's parents came along. I didn't take a lot of pictures while we were there but it was pretty cool to see things that were owned by the pioneers.

My favorite part was probably being able to see these quilts that were hundreds of years old. I couldn't get Paul to understand why someone would make the time to painfully sew something so intricate by hand. I only took a few pictures but they were all beautiful.

History has always been really intriguing to me so it was fun to make a connection with these people who made such a sacrifice to settle the Salt Lake Valley.

Day 2 to be continued at a later date.

Our Money Pit

2009-05-07T19:46:00.000-07:00

I have to say that I am very familiar with a vehicle being an endless problem. I currently drive a 1984 pickup which has fewer things right with it than wrong. But that's not what I'm writing about. (I also had to deal with an Isuzu Rodeo when I got married, but that's another book that will never be written. I still twitch at night when I think about it.)
Recently I read a post on my sister-in-laws blog about a recent tire escapade and I laughed pretty hard. I too have sunk what seems like an endless amount of money into our "new" car. First of all, last winter was like driving on an ice rink with the "high performance all season tires" that it had. Yeah, lies. So we decided to get some soft composite winter tires. But hey, if your going to pay for mounting, balancing, dismounting, and re-balancing for every season you might as well buy a new set of rims. Right? They'll pay for themselves. That felt pretty good on the debit card.
So the winter goes by great. We put our "high performance all season tires" with our new rims on the car for summer driving. Low and behold, the tire bands had broken apart and were waiting for a pot hole to have a catastrophic failure (see picture above). I didn't want my wife to have that much excitement in her day, so I decided to go and see what it would take to get some new tires. Well as it turns out, it was only really bad on one tire, and since you can't just replace one when the others are half gone (yeah, you would think a tire should last a little longer that half it's life. However, the previous owner didn't see fit to grace us with the warranty on the said "high perfo....junk tires"). I didn't strike a gold mine in the back yard of my rental apartment over the winter, so I still was in the condition I was and the beginning of the winter, poor. Only more poor. So what does a guy do. I still didn't want my wife to have that much excitement on her way to school so I busted out my beaten debit card and only bought two new tires. Yes, the front are bad, but I have to put that on in the hands of the Lord. We are trying desperately to make it to the end of the summer to my internship. If we can just get there alive I will be so, oh so happy.
All you people out there battling with the preserve my life vs. fix my car...I feel your pain. If it were my car, I wouldn't care. I suck CO (carbon monoxide) from my broken exhaust on my truck to prove it. But that's another story. I hope I don't get too much brain damage. I try and drive with the window down. Winter was tough. My heater doesn't work either.
Paul

I'm a Survivor (Part 2)

2009-04-25T13:10:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the "Days of Our Lives"
I literally feel like I have stepped into a soap opera. Each day I wake up thinking that I dreamed everything that happened to me the day before. Last week I woke up a few times wishing the day before had been a dream. I'm glad that at least school is coming to a close at the end of this week. One less thing to think or worry about. Yet even as I write these things I feel that I have no room to complain. Others would have a better reason to ask the question "Why me?"
While I have found my share of downs this semester, there have been a lot more ups, and I can say that I am grateful for the blessings that I do have. I have truly found comfort in the talk given by Elder Jeffery R. Holland posted previously. So if you're having one of those days just find comfort in the fact that someone else knows exactly what your going through, and he is there with you every step of the way.
Em

Easter Message

2009-04-12T08:30:00.000-07:00

I'm sorry everyone I deleted this....having technical issues. You can find it on YouTube under "Elder Holland's Easter Message"

By Elder Jeffery R Holland, an apostle of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
I am so grateful for my Savior today! I love him and am so grateful for his presence in my life. He is my constant.

My Love, My Valentine

2009-03-04T17:08:00.000-08:00

During this last month was the blessed day of valentines. This year I heard people getting all up in arms about it being made up by the card companies, just another holiday for them recieve an abormally large sum of money. ( Which by the way could not be farther from the truth)

Yet I don't think one woman would deny an excuse to go out, get flowers, or even the occassional card from the one she loves.

So I'm going to dedicate this post to Paul. I honestly could say that no man could be more perfect. I wouldn't hesitate in saying that I got the better end of the deal. I still cannot believe that I married the little boy I met in my 9th grade math class. It still blows me away when I wake up next to him in the morning, and he still gives me butterflies when he walks into the room. Although the road here was a long one, I am so grateful to have him as mine! Our famous saying was always..."The best things in life are worth waiting for". I truly believe that, and I'm glad that I got what I was waiting for.

Goberment?

2009-02-18T18:58:00.000-08:00

I was looking through Paul's mission photos and found this..... thought you all would enjoy it!

Need I say more!

Then You Stand

2009-01-27T19:24:00.000-08:00

Today was a really overwhelming day. I truly think that some people were inherently born with the talent of suppressing stress. Although I may try my hand at breathing exercises, and anxiety books, I don't think I will ever manage a life devoid of tension. I was driving home after a long day at school and once again I was feeling it build up inside of me. It seemed to move all the way through my body until it conveniently positioned itself in my forehead. Out of habit I looked in my review mirror to switch lanes and I took a good look at myself. I hardly even recognized the person staring back at me, I continued to stare trying unsuccessfully to straighten out my forehead. I composed myself, focused and even began to rub it back and forth until I finally got it to look normal. Just as my focus moved to something else it would tense back up again. I was tempted to get frustrated with myself but what's the point in being frustrated with my frustration. Needless to say I failed in my attempts to once again conquer my disease of tensionidous.

About two weeks ago I was given a rather large tedious assignment in my "Form and Analysis" class. I walked away feeling like I had just gotten hit by a bus. I don't think these professors understand what they are doing to me!!! It was only an hour later that my left eye lid began to twitch. I must admit that it was probably the most annoying thing that I have ever experienced in my life up till this point. Not to mention I had to keep people from getting too close to me while in conversation for fear they would notice my one retarded eye blinking by itself. I began to wonder what I was going to do when it continued to go untamed the next morning. I sat in the farthest corner of the classroom and hoped my professor didn't notice this newly formed habit. Today I continue to hide myself from civilization as it has been roughly two weeks and my eye lid is still loving this newly found freedom to do whatever it pleases. Someday I will find peace!

Em

Home for Christmas

2009-01-17T11:42:00.001-08:00

Christmas was great. I can't describe how great it was to just sit down and watch Christmas movies with Paul and have nothing in the world to think about, No homework, no events to sing at, no need to go to bed early.
We went shooting with James, and Paul's Dad. A day that should be documented considering it was the first time I actually shot and hit more clay than I didn't. We also did some snowman building, game playing, Christmas decorating, niece entertaining, and LIPS singing.

Now we have returned to our normal routine and although it can be stressful I am excited for this semester. I started an Opera Workshop class which has definitely been a new experience for me. I am not an actress, but I knew I needed to take this class to get over the many nerves that still continue to accompany me when I sing. Becoming a character sort of allows you to step out of yourself, which is a much needed process for me at this time. Now I just have to get over acting in front of people. I almost feel like I'm opening myself up for rejection by letting people see me not as myself, but I hope it helps me at a performance level. I'll also be learning how to better speaking the languages I sing in, and have a semester performance where I will be singing an Italian aria (Voi Che Sapete) while I act out the scene it's taken from.
Along with many other performances this semester my most important is my junior recital which will be at the end of the semester. I am a little nervous because it's first time that I will be the only one singing on the program, 45 min all alone...a little intimidating. I'm just grateful to have people who support me in everything, especially Paul who has to listen to me practice everyday. I can't be easy to do math while you wife is singing opera. I love you Babe!

Take A Healthy Big Bite

2009-01-08T20:22:00.001-08:00

My Mom has always been the best cook around. I have been far and wide tasting food and most of it doesn't even seem to compare. I hope to never miss a Thanksgiving or Christmas without my Mom. I suppose I would survive because some of it rubbed off on me but It would truly be a sad day to have to miss my Moms coconut cream pie during the holidays. So I wish to thank her for caring enough to wake up and make me waffles before I went to school, and feed me soup when it was freezing. Also for being willing to teach me much of what she knows. Even though I live in the basement apartment, I still miss those times. Thank you Mom!!!

So now all of you know my secret, I love to cook. There is nothing like making something that even makes you proud. I'm sure Paul doesn't mind either. When I have a moment of spare time I truly enjoy watching the food network. This week I watched them cook Chicken Burgers. It looked so good I had to try it, plus I didn't feel bad for eating it because it's the healthy version of the real beef burger. It was definitely worth the time and the dollar. So I have decided to post the link. Let me know it you enjoy it too!

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/chicken-patties-recipe/index.html

Derek and Jennifer

2008-12-28T20:30:00.000-08:00

Last Saturday Paul and I had the priviledge of going to my oldest sisters wedding. I was so grateful to be there in the temple with her. It was a beautiful ceremony, I don't think there was a dry eye in the room....except Paul who I call the emotional stone. Someday I'll catch him in the act and it will go down in the history books. Until then I do most of the emotionalizing around here if any. I am proud to say that I was the one to set up the first blind date between Derek and Jenn I truly loved Derek from the moment I met him. I believe everything happens for a reason and as a result I am grateful for my job at the time and being able to meet Dereks nephew which ultimately led to my meeting Derek. A true testimony that the Lord knows who we are individually, because there could not be a more perfect match for Jenn. As for the day, it was freezing!!! Jenn promised that we would keep the pictures down to a minimum considering the 10 degree weather...yeah, that didn't happen. However, we did get some good pictures and amazing memories. We look forward to their reception at the end of this week. More pictures to come!!!

Sierra

2008-12-23T14:27:00.000-08:00

School is finally over (for two weeks) and all I have to do is…nothing. It’s great. I can sleep in—wait a sec, no I can’t! Our niece is visiting for the holidays and as much as I love her and her three year old humor, sometimes I just wish she would let us sleep. She’s still suffering from a bit of jet lag and thinks that 5:30 am is really 7:30 am. We live in the basement apartment which has a locked door to separate us from the upstairs. When no one wants to play with her at 5:30 in the morning, she bangs on our door until we come out. “Unc Paul … At Emily! Unc Paul…At Emily! Wake up!) So when I do finally go to the door and ask, “Hey Sierra. What can I do for you?” Where At Emily? Where she at?” “She’s asleep.” “Go get her, she my friend. I need her.” “I can’t Sierra, she’s asleep.” “But…but she my friend, I need her.” As cute as it was, I don’t think that Emily would have appreciated it much. I finally just said, “I think your mom needs you, hurry up stairs. Hurry… Hurry!

Paul

Photography

2008-12-18T18:32:00.000-08:00

Everyone knows how hard it is to come by a good photographer. My friend Brittany Andersen has just gotten her website up and running and her pictures are Fabulous!!! In honor of her website being lanuched she is giving away a full portrait session including all images (size 4x6) on a high-resolution cd (a $150 value), and a $25 gift card to California Pizza Kitchen. Please visit her blog for details
http://www.brittanyandersenphotography.blogspot.com/

Love You All!!!

I'm A Survivor

2008-11-20T17:11:00.000-08:00

I feel like I am drowning...no I think I'm beyond that point. There's this little demon in my head that tells me everyday that I should just quit going to school if it causes me this much stress. Despite how appealing that might sound I keep willing myself to endure the end well. I truly enjoy what I do but not when I have deadlines, and so much pressure. Paul and I probably won't say so much as three words to each other aside from Thanksgiving day till the end of a semester. I'm at the piano and he is endlessly at our kitchen table doing something that I won't even try to understand. Not to mention the endless headache that accompanies such work. So I decided in my efforts to minimize my anxiety I would get everything down on paper so to speak. It's better there than in my head where it causes so much pain.

You may at this point wonder why I posted this picture. Probably because it makes me happy. It reminds me of a semester void of stress and having endless time with Paul. I embrace the thought of Christmas break!!!

On a happier note some of you may have heard about Paul's intership. After many interviews and resume work Paul was offered an internship in Texas. I am so proud of him and all the work he has done, and I couldn't be happier to take a semester or two off to enjoy the sun and the beautiful area of Houston.

Hero

2008-10-13T19:05:00.000-07:00

On a daily basis my table looks like this. Paul is usually sitting intently over his homework with his hand on his head and saying something like....No, No, No, whoda sheeka mahda! I'm not even sure how to spell the things that come from his mouth. As time passes I'll usually ask him if he's ok to make sure the pile of books he's sitting over hasn't turned his mind into melting sludge.

So different from the way I do homework.... My philosophy has always been pleasure before pain. I truly should learn from my perfect husband, but I continue to procrastinate. I think the problem is that I do so much better under pressure. As a result I have developed hobbies that have continued to take up my time until the very last minute. Last week I was reading Breaking Dawn as I analyzed Bach's Concerto in A Major. I'm not sure the habit of multi-tasking I have developed is healthy at this point, but these are the things that keep me sane. Paul and I honestly don't have a ton in common, but while he's so different from me there could never be anyone more perfect for me. Love you Babe!

You're So Vain

2008-09-09T19:43:00.000-07:00

The Battle of the Universities I just want to know if anyone has had a similar experience to this. A few months ago I was visiting with a girlfriend and we were discussing what was going on in our lives. At the time Paul had recently transferred to another local univiersity (the Y) and I was telling her that we were so busy with school a homework that we didn't have much time to spend together. She replied with, "Well Emily, He has to understand that he's at the Y now." I think that I was so caught off guard that I didn't say anything! I remember having a similar experience in High School with one of my friends that said the same sort of thing to me. She insisted that the college I was attending was a glorifed high school and that I would never be able to relate to her university experience. I just want to put this out there for the kind of people who think like this. Can you honestly say that you ever taken a class from the UV that wasn't Dance 101, or Communications 1010? I constantly hear...."Well I'm a the Lord's University!" Well I'm sure the Lord appreciates how humble you are about it too! I'm not trying to degrade this Private University, I have complete respect for the professors and the school itself. Just don't try to give me any less credit than I deserve for getting my education at a University other than yours!

What Hurts The Most

2008-08-04T19:47:00.000-07:00

As most of you know I am a vocal performance major. I'm finally ready to admit that it's kind of ironic. I love to sing I always have, but there is something in me physically that does agree with my mind. There is nothing that makes me happier than to sing in front of people. I have those dreams everyone does of singing on stage in front of a million people, and I hope one day to do it without my nerves following close behind. I suppose it will come with more time. I can already feel a difference from semester to semester. Tonight I had a recital which I tried desperately not to stress about and still I found myself at work with restless leg syndrome and a serious case of hyperventilation. Yes, I can panic attack with the best of them folks! So I prepared all I could and I can honestly say it went really well. I am finally a senior and I have learned a lot. I wouldn't give away the opportunity I have had to go to college for the world.
I have finally given in to the people who have asked and decided to teach voice this fall. I'm really excited for what is to come and I am so blessed to be where I am right now in my life.

Colors Of The Wind

2008-07-25T19:51:00.000-07:00

Paul and I have had some interesting experiences with smells this week. A couple of days ago we opened the fridge and there was this foul oder coming from it. I looked around and couldn't see anything. So I started moving a few things around, and there was this bag of rice hanging from one of the shelves and I am not joking it was purple. It was the most crazy color I have ever seen. Then today I was going to make potato salad and I went to retrieve the sack of potatoes that I left in the back room. This strange smell seemed to follow me out of the room. I got up to the bag of pototaoes real close and took a big whiff. I figured that's all it could be. Sure enough I had to hold my gag reflex....whew. Wow, what a powerful knock you off your feet smell. Then I proceeded to go through the potatoes one by one till I found the culprit. Gushing yellow and white I extracted the potatoes from the bag and made Paul take them to the trash. I'm not sure if Iwill ever look at a potato the same.

Beautiful Disaster

2008-07-24T19:54:00.000-07:00

It was Paul's birthday a few weeks ago. I was determined to make the day some sort of spectacular event so I started planning months in advance. I decided to have a perfect birthday there had to be an element of surprise so he knew absolutely nothing about the day from start to finish. Months earlier I had spotted Paul's model airplanes in his Dad's office. Paul used to do a lot of building and flying airplanes before his mission and I knew it was something he enjoyed. He hadn't been flying since he had gotten home from Spain so I asked his Dad if he could arrange that for me on Paul's birthday.That morning when Paul got home from class I took him to his parents house and required that he close his eyes our whole trip. When we got to the air strip and pulled him out of the car he was pleasantly surprised. I haven't seen him smile like that since we were in high school. I had achieved my purpose and we thoroughly enjoyed our time there. Then we spent some time with his parents and went out to lunch. After lunch I had another surprise for him. I drove him out the Lake to meet my sister with two wave runners to spend a couple hours in the sun. I think he had a great time carving up those waves.When we got home I had him blow out his candles and open his gifts. I made dinner and we sat down to watch "Rambo." It was a busy day and I think I wore him out, so we laid down for a few minutes and all of the sudden an alarm starts beeping. Paul started running around the apartment trying to find the smoke detector that had gone dead. That's when we noticed that it was our carbon monoxide detector which Paul's Dad had bought us just a year earlier.We both ran outside and sat on our front porch as we called the police non emergency number. About a half hour later an ambulance and fire engine show up and ask us to explain what happened, then pulled out their gear and moved into the house. After a few minutes they came out and told us we had a positive reading of 130 ppm, and proceeded to tell us the comforting news that if we had of gone to sleep that night we may have not woken up. After a couple hours and Mr. Questar they came to the conclusion that it was our water heater which had gotten plugged and was pushing CO back out. So they turned off our water heater, opened our windows, made sure it was safe, and told us to keep everything open that night. After it was all said and done we both escaped with minor headaches but we had a blast. Definitely a Birthday we will remember for years to come.