Valentines Day

I think, that out of our almost 8 years of marriage and 12 years as a couple, that this Valentines Day tops them all!! We have been discussing for the last week or so what we were going to do, and nothing was ever decided! My sweet husband, however, suprised me with flowers on the table when I woke up yesterday morning! I was very surprised at his sneakiness because I was with him the whole previous night! Anyway, throughout the day I tried and tried to think of something that would surprise him in return, and about 10:00 in the morning, it hit me! I started calling around to ALL the hotels (well, the nicer ones anyway) and finally booked a room for the evening (turns out that's a popular thing to do on Valentines Day! It was hard to find a room)! Through a series of twists & turns and with the help of Ollie & Lynnette (thanks guys!) I was able to surprise Nate with a romantic night out!! We had a great time and I am very blessed to have my Valentine not only as a Valentine, but as my husband and my best friend for all eternity!!

The Bacon is Burning!!

Okay, here's my story! My mom is in Colorado visiting my sisters (the suckers!), so yesterday I called up my dad and invited him over to Sunday Dinner! I stewed and thought and wondered about what I should make for dinner, and then my sister in law (with whom I was shopping at the time) suggested that I make breakfast for dinner! You know - pancakes, hashbrowns, eggs - the works! Fabulous idea? I think so! We wandered around the store, picking out the perfect foods to add to the Sunday dinner when we came upon the bacon! (Before this story goes on, I must remind you that I eat nothing that has to do with pork, red meat, or the ocean - I am a chicken & turkey gal, and that's on a good day!) So, I think, hmmm... special occasion... Sunday dinner... dad for dinner... I could get some bacon... so I did - and that's where my wonderful Sunday dinner went awry. I can count on, well, no fingers the number of times I have cooked bacon. If Nate wants it, he cooks it! Not because I won't, but because, (I'll admit it)I am not that fabulous of a cook! I tend to ruin recipes (no joking) and stick to things like salads, fry sauce (I make a killer fry sauce), mac 'n' cheese, deviled eggs... you know, things that I can't break! So, I pull out the pan, throw on the bacon and let it cook!! The house starts to smell, the air starts to cloud over, and I hear, "Clar... I think the bacon is burning..." Alas, it was BLACK! I was fired from cooking the bacon (not remorsefully) and went on to whipping up the eggs for French Toast, when I hear, "Clar... I think the hash browns are burning..." Alas, blackened hash browns... There's not really a moral to this story... the French Toast was good... but I smell like burnt bacon, I have to scrub a scorched pan, and I still don't like cooking! Dad - I love ya and you know it, but next time you come to my house for dinner, don't expect bacon!!

Wonderous Weekends!!

Can I tell you how grateful I am that every 5 days a weekend begins? During the week I fantasize about what we will, or won't do, on Friday night and the fact that we get to sleep in (usually till about 8) on Saturday morning! The rest of Saturday brings relaxing, a little homework, catching up around the house (sometimes) and usually a little time with our families! Sundays are my day of rest (except for today - it felt like I've been busy ALL day long) and my Spiritual renewal! It's amazing how much strength just walking into the Chapel gives me!

My weekends are extremely precious to me because it usually means at least 48 straight hours with Nate!! It doesn't really matter what we do, even if we are just sitting at home, because we are together! For instance, at the moment, Nate is playing X-Box with a Rascal resting on his lap, and I am checking e-mail, blogging & mentally gearing up for Monday morning - yet, I am completely content because he is sitting by my side!! I usually feel a little guilty of all that I didn't accomplish because we were enjoying our day off a little too much, but I think I'm okay with that! We do have clean laundry for the week and we are both caught up on our homework, so if we must be, we are ready for the new week to begin! I can promise you, however, that when our alarm clock goes on at 6:40 tomorrow morning, my longing for the next weekend will begin!!

Across the Universe

So, Friday night Nate & I went and wandered around Hastings before meeting up with some friends for dinner! We ended up renting the above mentioned show and watched it on Saturday afternoon. It was trippy and wonderful and we can't wait to get the soundtrack!! All of the music in it are BEATLES songs - remade - and the way that they are incorporated into the show are clever and at times a little strange! If you are a lover of music and art, you will appreciate this movie!!

President Hinckley

What a wonderful man we were all blessed to know and to follow. President Hinckley was a very inspired man who showed great love and compassion for the members of the church and for mankind alike. He was such a great example and dedicated man. The news of his passing was for me, unexpected, yet I can't help but be happy for him and his loved ones that he has been reunited with. He will be remembered with great respect and fondness and will be truly missed by all who knew of him.

In Red Purse Memory

The Red (Faux) Prada Purse was purchased on May somedateish 2006 in Times Square, NYC by me, it’s loving owner. The Red Purse was sought after because of a sweet boy named K telling me that I needed a Red Purse to match my red hair. It was love at first sigh (and haggled down from $40 to $20). The Red Purse lived a very fulfilling life – it traveled around New York City, New Jersey, Colorado, but happily spent most if it’s days at home in Utah. It held many precious items including a digital camera, keys, a cell phone, tampons, and it was the keeper of my cash and notebook full of ideas and thoughts that my brain had produced (both very important). The Red Purse was a true friend and keeper of my stuff. The day that the zipper started sticking was a very hard day for the both of us but the Red Purse was a trooper until those last days right up until it was emptied out and retired to the garbage can. The Red Purse will be greatly missed, but it will always be remembered with great happiness.

 

Ready, Set, Watch

All right, here's the truth! Running is not my thing. I have never enjoyed it, I have never wanted to do it, in High School - I walked around the track with my friends and sang songs when we were supposed to be running the mile (I was so cool)! However, one of my New Years Resolutions is to get into shape. Not lose weight - I feel I am at a pretty healthy weight, but to be physically fit. So far this week I have completed the mile three times (I'm not going to embarrass myself by telling you my time - I'll wait till it comes down a little) and I attribute that success to the best running companion ever - ALIAS. We are ALIAS buffs - we have the complete collection - but it's been quite a while since we have watched it! My rule is that I can't watch it now unless I am on the treadmill - I get to get in shape and be rewarded at the same time! It is full of action, great music and a captivating story line! I don't look down at the treadmill screen until I feel like I am ready to collapse because I am so entertained! So, if you are a fellow un-enthused runner - give it a whirl! You may just find yourself inspired!

Brain Food?!?

They say that classical music is supposed to boost your brain power while you study! I have been listening to a lecture that includes more classical music than I have heard in my life for the last hour! It is still playing - I am hearing violins, percussions, flutes... I've got it all, and I've got a bit of a headache... Not only that, but I don't feel any smarter at all? Wait - that's not true! I know now what a concermaster does!!

Wonderous Winter

It has been a great couple of weeks! The 4 days straight snowstorm that we got may have caused me to complain a little (as I was sliding down Mountain Road sideways to get to school), but the snow really does make everything so beautiful! It has been cold and busy, but that's what wintry life is all about! Lance & Carlynne came home for a week and a half and we got to meet and snuggle little Lizzie! She is so sweet and when you can get a smile out of her it has complete melting power! (As you can see from my pictures!) It was hard to say goodbye but that had to return to their warm home at some point! While they were her, they blessed Lizzie, we had a girls night to celebrate Carlynne's birthday and the fact that we finally have a baby girl in the family (Ollie was just itching to make a pink cake - which, as always, was awesome), we ate way too much, and we spent a lot of time gazing and laughing at the kids! School has started back up for me and Nate will be starting his classes next Monday! We have plans to study at the Library together often and it will be great to be able to have a study partner! Anyway, the day is calling!!

Happy 2008

Here is our New Years in Numbers:

*2:00 - the time I got off work on New Years Eve

*3 stores I shopped at for our Chinese New Years Eve Dinner

*2 hours it took me to shop at those two stores

*4:00 - the time Nate got off work on New Years Eve

*60 Egg Rolls prepared and cooked for our Chinese Dinner

*2 cups of sugar used for the sweet and sour sauce

*9:00 - the time we ate our Chinese Dinner

*12 people around the dinner table

*7 hours - the total time I spent in the kitchen New Years Eve 

(that is why I only cook egg rolls once a year - twice if Nate is extremely lucky)

*12:00 2008 rolls in and Nate & I share a New Years Kiss!!

*2 Dr. Peppers I drank between 7:00 and 11:00

*3:30 in the morning - the time I finally fell asleep as a result of those two Dr. Peppers

*8:00 - the time the Nate had to be to work on New Years Day

*11:00 - the time I finally showered on New Years Day

*12:00 - the time Nate got off work on New Years Day

*12:45 - We finally got to meet my new niece, Lizzie!

 (We've been waiting for a few months and are so grateful that Lance & Carlynne are finally here!!)

*3:00 - Joe, Ollie, Sam & Jack arrive for a fun afternoon of family fun

*3 adorable kids to play with

*7 family gifts opened

*1 great game of Apples to Apples played

*9:00 - our exhaustion kicks in

*1 episode of Iron Chef slept through

*10:00 - time we went to bed

We had a wonderful New Years and are grateful for all the time 

we were able to spend with our great family!

Thursday Blues

For some strange reason, I am feeling a lot like that guy looks today! I feel that so far, I have had a good and productive day, but I just feel blue. Seriously, I have cleaned out our closet, watched "Hairspray" (which, shamelessly, I loved!) and finished up the laundry, but I can't pinpoint my blueness. Funny, how days like this happen without a reason...

Our Christmas

We had a fabulous Christmas this year! On Christmas Eve we headed out to my parents house after a huge snow storm!! We ate a tasty dinner, had a special Christmas Home Evening that my mom had prepared on the Three Magi, and played some cards! It was a very relaxing evening and nice to spend time with my dad while he was home! Christmas morning was full of sleeping in, silly stocking stuffers (which included a lovely hat for me and this special Christmas tie for Nate), a Christmas "breakfast" fit for kings, and lots of time with family! It was a wonderful day that went by way to fast!!

Enchanted

If you have a girl, are a girl, or even know a girl, this movie is a MUST SEE! We laughed, we swooned, we cr... wait, we didn't cry, but we were definitely enchanted! We decided this year that we would finish up with Christmas early and stay OUT of the stores on the Saturday before Christmas! For the most part we succeeded and we were able to spend the evening with our friends, the Becks! Nate & Tyson heartily agreed to give in to Leisa & I, and go to this movie! It was full of puns, bursting into song, and all around "feel goodness." If you want to lay in bed at night and think that all is right with the world, let yourself be Enchanted!!

Christmases Past

I am enjoying, way too much, all of this free time that I have on my hands!! Yesterday I tore our room apart, and it is now very clean and as organized as I can get it!! Today, well, I thought it would be fun to grace you all with pictures from Christmases Past! Enjoy!!

The Most Wonderful Time

In my 27 (gasp) years, I have experienced much joy! I had a great childhood, learned all the right (and some wrong) things, met & married the love of my eternity, and feel that although I may be sheltered, I have some knowledge of the things going on around me! There is one time of year, however, that causes me to become somewhat giddy. True, the suffocating traffic and the frigid weather may bring out the worst in me, but I love Christmastime! This is why!

Christmas Lights!!

Who can resist a brightly lit street on the way home from work?
I love looking at Christmas Lights! They are so festive and the bring out the child in me!

The Elf! 

You can't honestly tell me that this movie didn't cause you to at least crack a smile.
I have fond images in my mind of syrup covered spaghetti and iddy biddy toilets!!

Christmas Candy!!

Oh the sweetness and the extra toothbrushing that come along with Christmas!
I can't resist a good piece of fudge, a homemade caramel, or crunchy peanut brittle!
Not to mention the candy canes!!

The Dollar Store! 

Nate & I have a silly stocking tradition!
 Every year, usually on Christmas Eve, we go to the dollar store and spend $10-$15 on silly stocking stuffers! We started this our 2nd year of marriage to save some money, and we laughed so hard that we had to continue! We have given and received gifts such as ketchup, coloring books, weird candy, mini pool tables.
 If it's sold at the dollar store, it's open to becoming part of our tradition!

And the best, of course, for last! The beauty of the season adds to the wonderful feelings and the great blessing that we have all been given. The gift of our Savior and of the opportunity that we have to return to our Heavenly Home through all that Christ did for us.