Trip to Logan, UT

Today is the day! I'm headed down to Logan later today to meet Brennan and Austin's little baby Lainey. I got the text this morning saying she was at the hospital and I was giddy with excitement! I can't wait to meet her and I'm so happy for Brennan. She's going to be an amazing mom. I just hope the roads/weather cooperate for me while I drive. Pictures to come!

Home teachers

Since we've been married, we've had home teachers come to our house once. It didn't ever bother me because growing up I don't remember many home teachers coming. I always saw my dad go, so I knew we were supposed to have them, but it almost felt like it would be a waste for them to come to our house when there were so many others in the ward that could use them more.

Last night our home teachers came last night. What I loved about it was how they wanted to get to know us. They didn't just give a message and leave, they took true interest in who we were. While they were at our house they also asked how we were doing with couple scripture study/prayer. We had to laugh because this semester and even most of last semester was not our most successful. One of them took the opportunity to challenge us to make it a priority and was even bold enough to ask us if it was OK that he call or text us once a week or so to see how we're doing.

I truly am grateful for his ability to listen to the Spirit and that he challenged us. It's good for us to be held accountable for the things we know we should be doing. We are going to take this challenge and work up to where it's no longer a "challenge" but rather because it becomes part of our daily routine-no different than brushing our teeth everyday or eating a meal.

It has also renewed my thinking on visiting teaching/home teaching. If you work with/through/by the Spirit, you'll never know what kind of difference you can make in someone's life. That's something I want to strive for is making sure I'm doing my calling as a visiting teacher and maybe sometime in my life I can make a difference for someone.

Like father like daughter

If someone would have asked me years ago if I thought I was like my dad I would say absolutely not. We seemed to be complete opposites and I was OK with that and I assume he was as well. I then took a class where we did the color personality test. I learned more about myself and even my dad in that class than I ever thought possible. I realized that I have a good amount of red in me, which comes from my father. We are also very much blue, and we all know that I have some yellow as well!
(Take the test here)

• REDS

Need to look good technically, be right, and be respected. They are strong leaders and love challenges.

• BLUES

Need to have integrity and be appreciated. They are focused on quality and creating strong relationships.

• WHITES

Need to be accepted and treated with kindness. They are logical, objective, and tolerant of others.

• YELLOWS

Need to be noticed and have fun. They love life, social connections, and being positive and spontaneous

Since then, I have discovered many ways my dad and I are alike. It became apparent most recently when Ethan got frustrated with me because I've been falling asleep on the couch at night and I don't come upstairs until the wee hours of the morning. He told me how he tries to wake me up multiple times (supposedly I get angry with him for trying). If I don't wake up he goes and showers or watches a show and then tries again. I tell him I'm coming, so on and so forth. He eventually goes to bed and I sleep on the couch, or floor, until I wake up and go upstairs. 

It may not be clear what this has to do with my dad, but for anyone that knows him, knows that he sleeps more on the floor or couch than he does in his bed, and it's hard to wake him up. I remember one time in high school my best friend Jordan and I came home around 12:30 am or so and my dad was sleeping on the floor and my mom was vacuuming around him. (This is not a common occurrence. My mom usually doesn't clean that late but we had visitors coming in to town.) We went to my room and she asked how my dad could sleep like that with all the noise around him. At the time, I had no idea. 

I know now. It is a glorious skill that I have inherited from my dad. Ethan may not be able to stand it, but I love it and can see how it could be very beneficial in the future.

Date night

Around these parts of town we try to go on dates regularly. It seems that every Friday we go with our friends Cameron and Hannah to a movie of some sort. We usually go to the cheap theater, sometimes we'll rent a movie and occasionally we'll go to the regular price theater (hardly ever).

This weekend was no different. We started off with a trip to Costa Vida and got a buy one get one free salad which was fantastic! We headed to the store quick to pick up some ice cream to take to Cam and Hannah's for dessert. We rented a clean version of The Campaign with Will Ferrell and called it a night.

Saturday we did absolutely nothing. I had a basketball meeting at 10:30 and Ethan had homework all day. I decided to try out the new show (not really new, but new to me) Downton Abbey. I'm in love. I finished the first season in one day. I told you, absolutely nothing. Ethan finished his homework around 8:00 pm or so and we wanted something to do. We decided we were going to go on a date by ourselves, which very rarely happens.

We decided to go cosmic bowling. On the way to the bowling alley, Ethan was trash talking saying how he was going to beat me... right. I started off the game and got a spare. He was next and got a gutter ball. The game continued in my favor.

He wanted to play one more game because he said it was a fluke and he needed to get warmed up first. He wanted to go two out of three. I suppose he just enjoys getting spanked in bowling because I came out victorious once again.

It was a closer game, but still. We decided that we should maybe start trying to play things where we can be on the same team to lower the competition between us but where's the fun in that?

College parents

I don't know about you, but it doesn't matter how many times I hear my parents or anyone's parents for that matter talk about college I can't envision it. It seems so far away and almost impossible that my parents were on the same campus I went to (although it has grown and changed drastically) more than 30 years ago.

For anyone that knows my parents, they're not really into divulging their past. It takes so much poking and prodding to get the smallest bit of information out of them. They can't remember or they don't know. Really? I highly doubt that your college years are that far out of your mind you can't remember. You're not that old.

Last night I got an inkling to go looking for my parents in the Rixida year books from Rick's College circa 1975/1976. Look at the pot of gold I struck!

May I introduce Sue Yule

1975

1976

The best part is she looks the exact same. My mom is/was beautiful. 

Curt Oxnam everyone!

1976

Lucky for him, he still has all of that hair with a slight decrease of shag. For some reason though, he only has one photo. I'm pretty sure he skipped the picture in 1975. He's never really liked pictures. 

Seeing these makes it a little more real that my parents really were just like me and it really is fun for me to see. 

Transition

I feel like I am in a time of transition. Yes, I've kind of gotten through most of the "transition" stages, school, graduation, marriage, etc., but life is a constant transition. Ethan and I have been talking recently about how we wish we were at that point of being settled. As I've mentioned before, it's hard to be at the younger end of larger families. Both of us each come from families with five kids. I'm the youngest of my family and he's the second to youngest. It's hard to see your older siblings settling into their lives and knowing we're years away from that. We want to be in those positions where we can travel and buy things that college kids really can't afford. We want to be in our own home and be able to do whatever we want to it. We also eventually want to have kids.

I think the hardest thing for me is knowing that I'll have all of that someday, but I'll have to wait. I think we tend to forget that for the most part, our families didn't have all the stuff we're wanting right now when they were in our stage. I'm such a "I want it now" person that I forget the work and time it takes to have those lives. I just have to keep reminding myself I'll have that life, eventually.

I'm just waiting for that day when I'm finally at that stage and I wish I was back at this stage because life, although it doesn't seem like it right now, is more simple. I feel like I'm going to keep getting this reminder for a while that this is a time where I need to enjoy the life that I have. I can't always keep wanting more because where does it stop? There will always be more to want. How can I expect to enjoy more if I can't/don't enjoy what I already have? I think there's a reason we have transition periods in our lives. They're here to help us prepare for what's next, whatever that may be.

Best Friends

In the past four years I have become friends with multiple people, but I would definitely have to say that two of them top the charts. Both are former roommates (each of two years) and both of them are the only ones from college that I truly stay in contact with.

The first is Brennan. She and I became roommates my second semester at college. We were living in the same complex and she happened to be roommates with a girl that I because pretty good friends with and decided to move in with after my first semester. We didn't really do much together but we were all friends and had a good time. I went away to Milwaukee for the fall and came back to live with them again. That was the semester we really got close. We were and still are complete opposites. She's quite high strung and I'm fairly relaxed, she's super blingy and I'm more simple, and she's a bit of a hypochondriac and I'm well.. not. Even through all of these polar opposites we were best friends. We did everything together. I couldn't believe that I could become that close to someone I had known for such a short time. We had another good year together and then her missionary came home and she finished school with her associates. I was part of her wedding and It was an amazing day. She looked beautiful and I could tell she was so happy. We may not talk everyday anymore but anytime we do we pick up right where we left off. She's pregnant and due any day and I cannot wait to meet little Lainey and watch her grow up. 

The second is my dear sweet Laura. All of my roommates were getting married off so I needed to find new roommates. Laura and I met in our Mass Media class with Bro. Skinner. I was talking to a few other people in the class and mentioned my basketball coaches name-Dave Leavitt. She chimed in asking me, basically, if she heard me correctly. Evidently he was in her ward and she knew him and his roommates fairly well. From there we'd talk in class and she'd even come to my basketball games and we'd do the occasional hang outs. Laura was kind of in the same predicament at the time where she was wanting to get out of the place where she was, and get a new place with new roommates. There was a new complex being built so we went to check it out together. I would be leaving for the fall and she would be as well so we would come back together in the winter. It was one of the best decisions I have ever made. We fit together so well. Unlike Brennan, Laura and I were very similar. We were on the same page on so much. We even had the same major and some classes together. We eventually worked it out one semester where we had every single class together. It was awesome! We did AAF (American Advertising Federation) together and competed in nationals. It was so fun to have a best friend there to create memories there together. She'd even wake me up every morning with the most soothing voice saying, "Good morning princess, time to wake up." Who wouldn't want an alarm clock like that? I could always go to her whenever I needed someone to listen to me. In June of 2011, my friend Scott introduced me to Ethan. Laura and Scott had a banter relationship but I knew they liked each other. It ended up working out for all of us because while Ethan and I started dating, Laura and Scott, to much denial, started dating as well. We all hung out all the time and finished off the semester with myself going to AZ, Ethan to NC, Laura to Thailand and Scott stayed in Rexburg. Our relationship flourished as well as theirs and they wound up getting engaged in Thailand over Christmas break. Our last two semesters were a little different but they were still some of my favorite times. Laura, Scott and I all graduated together and then they were off to get married a couple weeks before us. It was so hard to say goodbye knowing that we couldn't go to their wedding and they couldn't come to ours, and that we had no idea when we would see each other again. It was hard for me to go from always having that best friend basically every hour of every day to a phone call or text every so often. Luckily I bounce back quick and am so happy for them and where they are. And just like I knew it would, our friendship is still strong and I'm so thankful for her and everything she did for me. 

Day Off

Yesterday I had the day off and it was fabulous. I woke up at a decent hour went downstairs while letting Ethan sleep in and started to do a little working out. I love starting off the day with a workout, but I also love sleep which seems to cut in on my ability to wake up and have a great workout in the morning. But yesterday it happened and it was great. I had a little breakfast and then I sat down and watched White Collar. I forget how much I really miss that show until I sit down and watch it again. I watched a few episodes and then Ethan finally woke up around noon (that's not even an exaggeration).

For the rest of the day we lounged. We watched a few episodes of Parenthood (my new favorite series right now) and hung out. It was great to have a day together to sit and relax, not worry about homework or cleaning or even grocery shopping. It was a day for us and we soaked it in.

Later that night I went to play some basketball with the girls and Ethan stayed home to work on our router. I got home a couple hours later and I could tell he was fried. He had tried to change the name of our wireless internet and it wasn't working for him. I guess you could say I'm good luck or something because when I got home, we finally got it to work. I felt so bad for him because he was so frustrated. But we figured it out and our internet is up and running again! We finished up watching Australia (holy long movie, seriously?), and then called it a night.

I love days off.

Kelly Canyon

For Christmas I gave Ethan an all expense paid trip to Grand Targhee to go snowboarding. We were super excited to go and have a weekend together and then we started thinking how much fun it would be if we could go a couple times instead of just once. So, we decided that instead of doing a weekend trip we'd do a few different trips to Kelly Canyon.

Yesterday was our first trip to Kelly and it was a lot of fun! We decided to invite our good friends Cameron and Hannah to come along for the ride. We decided to do a half-day, which starts at 12:30 pm and goes to 5:00 pm. We got there a little bit early to get our boards and boots and headed to the mountain. It was Hannah's first time so it took us a little bit longer to get down, but she finally got the hang out it and actually finished off super strong.

We hit the slopes a few more times and by 4:30 pm and I was done. I fell so many times my wrists were killing me, my calves were done and my nose was frozen. It took a lot out of me, but I can't wait to go again! Although, I may or may not take some ibuprofen before to help kick the pain I know is inevitable!

Sore

Last night Ethan, Victor (our single friend that we've taken in like family and has been crashing on our couch for a couple weeks), and I went to the gym. They usually go to work out, and I stay in the I-Center to play basketball with a group of girls that get together on Mondays and Thursdays.

Somehow I didn't get the memo that the girls weren't playing. I was so annoyed because I came to the gym, in the cold, and even went as far as to shave my legs! In my frustration I sat on the side of one of the courts while Ethan and Vic shot around. Once the pick up game we were watching was over, Ethan and Vic joined the next game which happened to have another girl that I play with all the time. I decided to play and it was awesome. We got a couple of games in before it started getting late and people started to leave.

The boys wanted to play a round of 21, so I decided to find an empty court to shoot. I probably shot 400+ times and it felt so good. I was shooting well and it felt like I was in high school again. I shot around for a good hour or more and loved every second.

Fast forward to this morning: I could barely get out of bed I was so sore! My lower back was killing me, my shoulders and neck were tight, and my arms felt like Jell-O. I may only be 23 but I am feeling old after a day which, a few years ago, never would have affected me. It was definitely not my proudest moment.

Wedding Favorites

I just wanted to post some of my favorite pictures from our wedding. My photographer was my amazing talented sister Kara. 

Engagement Favorites

Because I'm just starting this blog, I thought I take the time to put up some of my favorite engagement pictures and then I'll do a post later of my favorite wedding photos. Ethan and I did our engagements in April before he left Rexburg. Our photographer was Chantri Kelle and she was awesome! I loved her and the pictures.

My all time favorite would have to be the one that's already featured at the top of my blog. To be honest, I literally loved all of my pictures, but I thought I'd narrow them just a bit.

Dear Rexburg

*Prepost edit- Before I posted this, I completely forgot that I wrote a post about this same thing literally right before this. So I apologize in advance, but evidently you can see how much this is affecting me! Also, excuse the iphone photos, I didn't have my camera. 

You and I have had quite the run together. I came here 4 winters ago and you got me good. I wasn’t expecting your freezing cold to take the breath out of me the second I stepped outside. I learned your ways and soon we were decent friends again. That was, until I came back from Arizona and you decided to torture me again, this time knowing this time my blood was thinner than the last time we were together. Luckily you gave me a bit of a break and I acclimated back to you.

But yesterday and today you have made me want to leave you for good and never come back to visit you. Do you realize how cold -18 degrees are for a girl wearing a skirt? 

Oh you don’t? Let me inform you. I was bundled as much as I could be for church without looking like Randy from A Christmas Story (You know who I’m talking about. The little kid that’s bundled so much he can’t put his arms down!). I obviously had to wear a skirt but I wore my boots. I’m pretty sure I was on the verge of getting frostbite on my knees. Thanks.

Then today you decide not only are you going to freeze me out, but you’re also going to knock all of the power out of Rexburg and the surrounding towns. Don’t get me wrong, I loved being able to sleep in, so I thank you for that, but when I finally got into my office, it was so cold I could barely feel my fingers. Luckily I had to go to Staples in Idaho Falls to pick up some tax forms so I was able to get away from you. But not before I was saved by my amazing husband who brought me a space heater, and a stop at a little shop from heaven called Cocoa Bean. 

I decided I wasn’t going to let you take me out so I got myself a peppermint stick hot chocolate and was warmed from the inside out.

Like I said before, we’ve had some amazing times together, but you’re really getting to me and I don’t know how much longer we can do this. Get your temperatures up, or we’re over.

Sincerely,

The girl with the frozen fingers

Rexburg

Rexburg has this little reputation for being cold. I don’t know why. Oh wait, yes I do. It is frigid here. I sit in my house wearing a sweater, sweats, slipper socks and a blanket and I’m still cold. My hands are permacold, and let’s just say if I were a dog, I would be considered healthy. Temperatures are well below freezing everyday and to top it off, we've received so much snow there’s a complete blanket covering the town. 

I hate the cold and I hate the snow, yet when I’m sitting inside my house looking out the window, there’s something serene about it. It’s a love/hate relationship.

Time

It seems like there's never enough time in a day to get everything done that I want or need to. I go to work all day while Ethan is at school and work, he comes home and does homework. On top of all of that he just got called to be the first counselor in the Elder's Quorum. I also know that anyone who's out of this stage of life is thinking, "Just wait, it only gets worse." Yes, I understand that.

*Side note-It doesn't make it feel any less significant though. I was talking to my sister the other day and we were talking about how being one of the youngest in a family, it doesn't really matter what stage you're at, someone is always going to be able to trump you. If you have a newborn, and they have toddlers, you try and express how hard having a newborn is but they trump you with a "Just wait until you have a toddler, it's harder." It's a never ending trump cycle. So try not to think that me wishing I had more time is ridiculous. It may be, but you probably felt the same way at one point.

I know we'll never be able to find the perfect balance and we may get frustrated because we feel that the other isn't giving us the time or attention that we need. I suppose the important part is just to make sure that the time that we do have together, we cherish it and look forward to the time we have time together. Even if just for a little bit.

2012 Wrap Up

Since I wan't in the blogging sphere in 2012, (I was it was just on Tumblr), I thought it might be a good idea to recap what happened:

• Ethan and I came back for winter semester at BYU-Idaho
• Ethan's parents came and visited and took us, along with Ethan's brother Jared and his wife Shannon, snowmobiling in West Yellowstone

• I played basketball for two semesters (Won the championship a second time)

(Poor picture quality. Sorry)

• Ethan and I got engaged (after what seemed like the longest wait of my life!) on March 14th

• Ethan left in April to sell security for Vivint for the semester (longest 4 months of my life!!)
• My family had a reunion up in Rexburg, with a suprise visit from Ethan 
• I finished up my final semester of college
• Graduated on July 20th

• Went through the temple for the first time July 21st

• Started training for my job July 23rd
• Got married on August 17th in the Salt Lake City temple

• Had a reception in Payette and Charlotte
• Went to the Dominican Republic for our week-long honeymoon

• Came back to Rexburg for work/school
• Ethan met my Grandma for the first time (She loves him. She is always commenting how good looking he is. Tell me something I don't know.) We also went to the Missoula Carousel which always brings back memories of my Grandma's. 

 (93 years old and funnier than ever! While we were there, my sister was asking how she met my grandpa. She said she was riding the bus back from Texas after finding out her husband had another woman. Ralph (my grandpa) happened to be on the same bus, and from the mouth of my grandma, he kissed her and her socks fell off!) I sure love her. 

• Ethan and I both turned 23
• Fall semester Ethan played lacrosse and his team had a great season 
• We went to my house for Thanksgiving and had a small dinner with just my parents and us which was followed by a houseful of the whole family minus Kara and her family
• Traveled down to Salt Lake with our friends Cameron and Hannah to see the Christmas temple lights

• Spent a week at my house before traveling out to North Carolina for Christmas with Ethan's entire family (got my new Canon Rebel!) and then drove up to Washington DC for Ethan's sister's wedding (Congratulations again Mariah and Johnny!)

 Hello beautiful (I'm in love with that thing!)

 Isn't he attractive?

 In the 15 passenger bus driving to DC!

The Christus Statue at the DC visitors center

 At the wedding luncheon

At the reception in Charlotte

• Flew back to Idaho on New Year's Eve to spend it with my parents, Derrick and Kim, and Cameron and Tiffany. 

Get her dad! 

I think that sums up our year fairly accurately. We're excited for a new year and everything that it'll bring.