Did your parents ever call you the wrong name?

Well, today I was in the bathroom and was kinda half listening to Lucas play with Moose in the family room. They are buds.

All the sudden I hear Lucas say, "NO, MOM!"

Mom?

No, Mom? How does that even happen? hahaha!!!

I've been laughing all night. I will probably call Moose "Mom" for a few weeks.

Seriously though, we love our dog. He is the cutest little black mop in the world. He is so fun and we love playing with him. He loves hide and seek. If he takes too long to find you he starts crying while walking around re-checking all the regular spots. Then he finds you and gets SO happy. Its adorable. Today we set up a camera when we went to get dinner to see what he does when we leave. It's pretty boring, except in the beginning when he goes in the bedroom and gets his bed and then spends 10 minutes being not neutered yet. (We will be responsible and get his ...ahems...ahemed. Don't you worry)


Here's Mom getting into trouble!



Ever do a dumb thing? Here's a good one for you.

After church I was going to make some cookies, but we were out of chocolate chips. I decided to ask our next door neighbors if we could borrow some. So I grab some butter that I borrowed from them last time I made cookies, and head to the door.

Somehow my mind got really far ahead of my body and when I made it to the door I assumed I was already at my neighbors house, and so I politely knocked on the door.

I stood there...inside my own house, waiting for my neighbor to answer so I could ask for some chocolate chips.

Finally I realize that I was still in my apartment and had knocked on my own door I busted up laughing and fell on the couch.

Lucas asked if I was going to answer the door.

Dont worry, Lucas. It was me.

Survey

My friend Sara has been quite bothered by my lazy blogging so she sent me this survey to get the ball rolling, I'll see where it takes me. haha


Do you sleep with your closet doors open or closed?
wherever I left them. Usually closed because sometimes moose gets in there and cuddles with clothing.

Do you take the shampoos and conditioner bottles from hotel?
I do not. I use them on my hair.

Do you sleep with your sheets tucked in or out?

The bottom is tucked in, but not the sides. I move to much. The bottom sheet is best when its snug and tucked tight.

Have you ever stolen a street sign before?
Yes, in highschool we drove by one that was on the road. We took it like a couple of dishonest little punks. It was cool to have though. I think my sister has it in her apartment now.

Do you like to use post-it notes?
I use them at work sometimes, Except I hate them because they look messy. I have a notebook in the kitchen that I pull out when I need to write something down.

Do you cut out coupons but then never use them?
I dont. Sometimes Lucas does, but I just know I never think of it.

Would you rather be attacked by a big bear or a swarm of a bees?
A swarm of bees while wearing a bee proof suit. Easy question, haha

Do you have freckles?
Uh, not really. I do on my shoulders from many sunburns as a kid

Do you always smile for pictures?
Yeah, I do NOT understand not smiling in pictures. It looks ridiculous!

What is your biggest pet peeve?
People who are determined to believe their situation is horrible and the world has chosen them to pick on. You will only feel that way if you choose to not see all the good in the world.

Do you ever count your steps when you walk?
I used to always count stairs, and on my way home from the bus in High School I would count the steps between sidewalk cracks.

Have you ever peed in the woods?
Yes, while camping.

What about pooped in the woods?
erm


Do you ever dance even if there's no music playing?
All the time! I can't help it. I'm a great car dancer too, haha

Do you chew your pens and pencils?
Nope

How many people have you slept with this week?
I sleep next to Lucas every night

What size is your bed?
Queen

What is your Song of the week?
I have not had time for music. But I'll say "Whip my hair" because the music video is hilarious and its cracks me up that she's ten.

Is it okay for guys to wear pink?
I dont see why not. I kinda like it.

Do you still watch cartoons?
Every now and then they SUCK me in. But I never seek out cartoons

Whats your least favorite movie?
Hm....I dont really know. Probably planet 51

Where would you bury hidden treasure if you had some?
In my bank account

What do you drink with dinner?
Water. I grew up LOVING a glass of milk with dinner, but since my gallbladder surgery its mostly water for me!

What do you dip a chicken nugget in?
the trash!

What is your favorite food?
Right now I am obsessed with Cream of Wheat. I can't get enough!! I do love steamed or grilled vegetables though

What movies could you watch over and over and still love?
Star Trek, Inception, and Tangled right now.

Last person you kissed/kissed you?
Last person I kissed was Lucas, the last person who kissed me was Lucas. But the last kiss I received was from the dog, Moose.

Were you ever a boy/girl scout?
I was a boy scout before my sex change.

Would you ever strip or pose nude in a magazine?
No

When was the last time you wrote a letter to someone on paper?
I'm really not sure. I mailed a letter I typed to my brother last month, and I write notes on paper to Lucas a lot. I wrote him a letter with bananagram tiles on the counter, and thats much cooler.

Can you change the oil on a car?
I can't. I had a friend do it for me once when I lived in Rexburg before, and it looked so challenging I have just taken it to shops ever since. He did a good job though.

Ever gotten a speeding ticket?
Hahaha. I had 2 in Hawaii, 2 in Colorado, 1 in Wyoming, and 1 in Idaho.

Ran out of gas?
I was almost out of gas once and slid my car into another car on ice, and my car wouldn't start so the cop gave me a ride to the gas station to fill up a red gas thing, and drove me back to the car and didn't give me a ticket. Nice guy!

Favorite kind of sandwich?
I love sandwiches. Anything with flavor. I only dislike bland sandwiches because they are a let down, haha

Best thing to eat for breakfast?
Cream of wheat!

What is your usual bedtime?
10:30 lately, but most often I'd say 12

Are you lazy?
I have moments, but overall I'd safely say no.

When you were a kid, what did you dress up as for Halloween?
I was a witch 7 years in a row, a graduate, a pumpkin, an M&M bag. Thats all I remember

What is your Chinese astrological sign?
It used to be Gemini, so I am going to continue believing that I am still gemini.

How many languages can you speak?
English. so one.

Do you have any magazine subscriptions?
Ensign

Which are better legos or lincoln logs?
Legos! Lincoln logs are so limiting!

Are you stubborn?
Not really. I will drive my point into the ground, but once I've made sure you know where I'm coming from I usually am willing to find out if I was wrong.

Who is better...Leno or Letterman?
CONAN

Ever watch soap operas?
Sometimes they come on at the hotel and I half listen to them while I sweep

Afraid of heights?
Nope

Sing in the car?
Constantly, even if I'm not alone.

Dance in the shower?
Dangerous. I dont, but I sing in the shower.

Dance in the car?
Always

Ever used a gun?
Just the few times I've needed to save the world.

Last time you got a portrait taken by a photographer?
When Kristen took some shots of me

Do you think musicals are cheesy?
Of course, but I like them sometimes

Is Christmas stressful?
I dont get stressed, really.

Ever eat a pierogi?
Ever eat a guazbo?

Favorite type of fruit pie?
I love pie. I like it all!

Occupations you wanted to be when you were a kid?
Teacher, firefighter, and Mom

Do you believe in ghosts?
Kinda...

Ever have a Deja-vu feeling?
Yeah all the time!

Take a vitamin daily?
Nope

Wear slippers?
Nope

Wear a bath robe?
Sometimes

What do you wear to bed?
Thats for me to know and Lucas to find out, hehe

First concert?
98 degrees haha

Wal-Mart, Target or Kmart?
Target, of course!

Nike or Adidas?
Nike?

Cheetos Or Fritos?
Neither

Peanuts or Sunflower seeds?
Both

Ever hear of the group Tres Bien?
Nope

Ever take dance lessons?
As a kid I took ballet and tap for a few weeks. And in highschool a couple weeks of hip hop haha

Is there a profession you picture your future spouse doing?
Being a business owner

Can you curl your tongue?
yeah

Ever won a spelling bee?
Nope

Have you ever cried because you were so happy?
Many times

Own any record albums?
Nope

Own a record player?
Nope

Regularly burn incense?
Nope

Ever been in love?
Three times

Who would you like to see in concert?
Mat Kearney, Bon Iver, James Morrison, Jack Johnson and Dave Matthews again.

What was the last concert you saw?
I think a girl from American Idol who came to BYUI

Hot tea or cold tea?
Pass

Tea or coffee?
Hot Chocolate!

Sugar or snickerdoodles?

Sugar cookies

Can you swim well?
Yeah, I can hold my own.

Can you hold your breath without holding your nose?
Yes, haha

Are you patient?
I have no choice. Patience is my life.

DJ or band, at a wedding?
Band

Ever won a contest?
Yes

Ever have plastic surgery?
Nope

Which are better black or green olives?
Black. Green are horrible, and the fastest way to ruin a meal.

Can you knit or crochet?
Nope, but I would love to learn.

Best room for a fireplace?
A room in a house where I live would be wonderful.

Do you want to get married?
I would like to always be married to Lucas.

If married, how long have you been married?
For 2 years come April 3rd.

Who was your HS crush?
haha. Too many to name them all. I was a major crushaholic. I liked any boy who could make me laugh.

Do you cry and throw a fit until you get your own way?
No haha

Do you have kids?
I had a daughter, Molly. She would be 6 months old.

Do you want kids?
I want 4-6 more kids

Whats your favorite color?
Green and Yellow

Do you miss anyone right now?
All day every day with all of my heart.

Did you watch, Next Great American Band on FOX?
I did not.

Christmas Eve, Day, Snowman, School

I missed blogging a holiday.
Christmas came and went, and then New Years, and then I started school.
I have wanted to blog about things, but I have been putting it off because I didn't want to go back and play catch up.

Lucky for you I have a couple friends who claim to have "fallen into depression" at the lack of blogging on my end, and I love my friends, so I am going to just do it!
(Also I came to class an hour early and the BYUI website wont let me log on and so I am stuck here for an hour on campus with my computer and nothing else to do. The stars have aligned)

So here goes!

CHRISTMAS
Lucas and I had to work Christmas Eve and Christmas. Since we had already taken our trip we figured the double pay and allowing our co-workers a chance celebrate with their families would be okay.

We spent Christmas eve in the office at the hotel on Skype with our families, since the Hotel was pretty dead. We joined our family for a 1st annual Christmas Eve program. Everyone in Colorado prepared something to share, sing, do...except us since we were WAY up here in Rexburg. It was fantastic to see everyone and join in even though we coudln't be there. I love living at a time where distance can be erased in a way, when not long ago we would have been unable to be part of the celebrations.
Christmas program was something like this:
Sarah and Nathan played the piano,
Steven played the guitar
Mashay and Jason sang a song,
Emily shared a video,
My parents sang/cried a song accompanied by my brother Eli on the guitar
Everyone sang the second verse of their song together.
I was feeling very left out so decided to play music in the office and pretend I was singing it in a silly way for a minute as my contribution. It was dorky, but fun :P

Growing up, my family had a yearly Christmas time celebration of everyone getting out their sleeping bags and pillows and sleeping in the family room under the Christmas tree. We would read Christmas stories, eat cookies, and talk until we go to bed. I didn't want to miss it this year, so we pulled out the futon mat and slept under the tree with Moose and our humble pile of Christmas goodies.

Each of us got woken up by Santa in the night, but acted like we were still sleeping :)
Come six ish, i think, I was too excited to stay asleep and got Lucas up and said "Santa came!"

Lucas and I had stockings from Santa this year, which was really fun. We had our own Christmas together with Moose chewing on his new chew toy, and then Skyped with our families for their Christmas mornings.

Lucas family was very calm, as you would expect. One person gets a present from under the tree, and opens it and the wrappings are thrown away thank you's and hugs are given around and the present is set aside, and it is the next persons turn.
My house is another reality.
The skype video opens up to a mountain of wrapping paper, about 25 people running around with their new gifts, and not an inch of floor untouched by wrappings, toys, gifts, or the dog. It was complete chaos.

I wanted to be in both places, anywhere but getting ready to be at work by 3pm. But we had to keep our jobs, unfortunately. haha.

Aside from the regular Christmas stuff it was a very emotional day for us.

We missed Molly. For Christmas I had made Lucas an ornament with a picture of him holding Molly, and the words, "We held an angel July 22, 2010"
Then my Mom sent up an ornament with a little angel on it and on it it said something like "Although we cannot see them, they are always here with us....Molly, July 2010"
My mom was also wearing a shirt that said "Grandma's First Christmas!" My sister in law made it for her, and there was a little picture of their three Grandkids: Jacob, Hank and a little angel baby for Molly.

I cried my eyes out at all of these things.
It was hard being here and trying to feel full of family cheer and love when we were alone in Rexburg, and feeling even more alone without our baby girl.

Once again, though, it is hard to get too sad about it, because on Christmas of course we talk about Jesus Christ. And when we think about what he gave us, a chance to have Molly again, a chance to repent so we can be WORTHY to be a family with her...we feel very very blessed. That feeling runs much deeper than our sadness. So we were still able to have an overall happy holiday.

WINTER STUFF
Winters here are horrible and freezing, but one day Lucas and I took the dog out and Lucas tackled me into the snow, which led to a snowball fight, and then we built a snowman in the middle of the street. We live on a cul-de-sac so all the cars were circling our creation for a couple days. I liked it. It was really nice to enjoy the snow instead of wishing it would go away so we didn't have to scrape the car off in the mornings, haha




NEW YEARS

For New Years my sister, Sarah, and her husbaband, Nathan came up to Rexburg to visit us. Christmas eve we went to the temple, and had an AMAZING experience.

In the temple families can be sealed for time and all eternity. The reason we will be able to raise Molly one Christ comes is because our family has been sealed in the temple. We also perform family sealings for people who passed away before they were able to be sealed together. We do work for people who passed away without the chance at these blessings, because the Lord wants EVERYONE to be given the blessings available through eternal families.

So we got to help seal a couple to their little girl in the temple. It was such a special experience, because I know the joy of knowing you get to be with your children and your spouse forever. I bawled through the whole thing. I was so glad my sister and brother in law were there to share it with us.

It was amazing to get to spend time with them. We played a TON of games, ate some treats, went to our ward Christmas Party (Where sarah and Nathan collided and nearly knocked eachother out on a bouncy castle) and counted in the new year. It was really fun having them here.

SCHOOL
School started early this month, and I am attending for my first time in 5 years. Its been such a long time that I was SO nervous that I would have completely lost my ability to write a paper, or manage time as a student, or study. But classes began and it came back to me haha.

I LOVE learning. I love feeling my mind progress and diving into subjects I wouldn't have on my own. I feel SO blessed to be able to be learning again. I took the opportunity of a college education for granted when I came here before, and now, after waiting so long to be able to be a student, I feel like a million bucks to have hours and hours of homework every night.

Its amazing.

And you know what else is amazing? In my Anatomy and Physiology class our teacher shared this video before we got into our lab work...

I love this. I have watched it again after class, and am sure I will watch it over and over. Its so uplifting, I may even download it to listen to it on my ipod on a down day.






Sorry its so long, I'll try to be more on top of it from now on!