Our Little Man

We are having a little baby boy and couldn't be happier!!!!!!!!

This was the best Christmas present we could have asked for. We truly feel so blessed for this little boy that is coming into our family. The ultrasound was so incredible; Seeing him move his beautiful little arms and legs and being able to feel him at the same time was so amazing. I'll post pictures as soon as we are able to but we had to share our news with everyone. Bryan and I are both on cloud nine!

We hope you all have a very Merry Christmas!!!

Go Ahead--Laugh at Me!

So I'm not much of the homemaker; My mom tried but it didn't take. This youthful decision to choose anything but learning how to cook has been much to my detirment. I have had lots to learn in the last 2+ years. These last few days have proved quite entertaining for Bryan and quite infuriating for me. Two nights ago I made Bry dinner (I really hate cooking so I was feeling very accomplished). I'm finishing the meal off by sprinkling salt over it and instead the whole rock salt contraption breaks dumping about 2 cups of salt over the food and counter and floor. I start screaming. Bryan comes down stairs and starts laughing. I start crying. Later that night I get an obscene phone call from my 15 year old brother making fun of my inability to cook. I'm not sure how he reigns superior in this area considering the kid probably doesn't even know how to make toast but still he manages to rub it in.

Last night I'm trying to do laundry so we can pack for Christmas. I start the washer but forgot one of the shirts...so I run grab it, stop the machine, put it in, and try to restart it. Will it restart? Ohhhh no. I unplug it...still wont work. Somehow I managed to ruin our brand new washer. That is talent people. So here I sit in pants that I just wore, sulking about the fact that I will be packing dirty clothes to take to California.

This morning Bryan says to me, "Don't touch anything while I'm not home...you may burn down the house or something." Lovely.


2:50 PM
Shall we add to the list. Why not! I get back from my lunch break and like any pregnant person I need to empty my bladder (sorry not trying to be too graphic). I do this and flush--much to my dismay the toilet explodes everywhere. Not exactly what you expect when you use 3 squares of toilet paper. Now I am not exaggerating--weeks worth of everything a person never wants to see come flying out the toilet and spilling onto the floor. I come out screaming again. Don't ask me how I do it--I am just on a roll.

I think tonight I will crawl into bed and not touch anything, guaranteeing the world goes unharmed.

Thankful

After a pretty stressful day everything turned out to be okay! Bry was at the doctors for nearly 6 hours yesterday but... after nine million phone calls I was able to talk to the head dean who helped me get where I needed to be. I then had to meet with the dean of students to explain Bryan's case. After a long day we finally got Bry's test rescheduled! I didn't think it was possible, but that faculty at BYU is incredible--What a huge blessing!

So today I decided to put up one of my favorite Calvin comics to lighten up our blog. :)

Awh Life...

...Always full of the unexpected. Bry's first final went really well yesterday. His next final is tomorrow. So what happens this morning? He wakes up with severe stomach pain and vomiting. He's now at work with me which means he just got two shots in the bum (he's not too happy about that one) and is getting hooked up to an IV because of dehydration. Oh bless. Could the timing be any worse? My response would be no because under no circumstance can he miss his final tomorrow morning. I look forward to that future day that we can look back on this and laugh...(I hope that future day includes us living in a beautiful house because of Bry's good paying job earned from his excellent score on his test tomorrow)...as of right now no laughing, only lots and lots of praying. :)

Is it Christmas Yet?

Great site! :)

http://isitchristmas.com/

Winter Wonderland

It's starting to really feel like Christmas in Provo. Saturday we were out running errands and a mini blizzard hit. It reminded me that I hate "Utah" drivers. Just driving down University Parkway we passed two accidents. Then when we went out later that night we saw even more. By the end of the day I needed a deep tissue massage to relieve all the stress caused by driving in this insane city. Even though I feel like my life is in danger every single time I leave my house I do love the way the world looks when it's covered in a white blanket! :)

This weekend was really eventful for us. For the first time in about 3 months Bryan was not kept from socializing because of me. Poor guy has only seen the inside of his law school cubical and our house since I got pregnant. We actually left the house and stayed out til a whooping 9:30. This is big people--maybe even astronomical! Friday night we had my work Christmas Party with all the girls and husbands. We got to play the white elephant game and some lucky receptionist got to go home with an egg cuber. I on the other hand got a Church cd by the famous Merrill Jenson. Then Saturday night we went to Olive Garden with all Bryan's old co-workers to have a going away party for Valerie and Anthony. It was really fun to see everyone even if I thought the Italian smell was going to do me in. We will miss them! The rest of the weekend was spent with Bryan locked in the study getting ready for his first semester of law school finals. This basically means that I was stuck downstairs all alone and had to tiptoe passed his door in order to avoid disrupting his groove. He's working so hard and I am really proud of him.

Oh and the big announcement:
Only 12 days til we get to find out our babies gender!!!!!!!!
Can you tell I'm sooooooooooo excited!
Bryan is 100% convinced that it's a boy...I, on the other hand, am not so sure. I think it's more wishful thinking on his part. Every dad wants a little boy to follow in his footsteps. We shall see.

Pregnancy Tag

Kami tagged me to tell 7 ups and downs about my pregnancy so here goes:

1. One of the hardest parts of pregnancy for me has been telling people I'm pregnant that are friends or acquaintances that I know are struggling with fertility. I have been on the other end of that news and it hurts in a way you can't describe. Even though you are truly happy for the pregnant person it breaks your heart. It was so hard for me to be the person to put my friends in pain; I also realize that there are probably many other woman that I don't even realize are hurting because of my blessing; I cry for these women all the time--I wish so badly that everyone could just get that desire of their heart to be a mother.

2. All day long sickness. I have been so sick. Every morning I wake up and heave for about 5 minutes straight. Then I go back to my bed to find Bryan has taken all 8 of our pillows and put them over his head. Poor Baby. From about week 6 to week 14 I couldn't make it through more than 2 hours of work with out running to the bathroom. This last week I'm feeling really blessed because it's been limited to the mornings, nights, and when I don't eat enough. I'm hoping this means with week 15 I'm starting to get better...we shall see. Honestly, I haven't cared a bit because if my baby is healthy I will be sick for all 40 weeks. I may regret that I just said that...

3. Worrying. I am scared to death that something could go wrong. I am so cautious of everything I put in my body. Every decision I make I worry about the effect it will have on my baby.

4. My gratitude for Bryan has deepened A TON which I didn't even think was possible!!! He might make fun of me in his blog, but he truly has done all the cleaning, cooking, laundry, and grocery shopping. Every night when I go to bed at 7:30 (not exaggerating) he comes up to check on me at least twice to see if I need anything. He has been incredible and I feel so lucky.

5. I have had zero energy. Refer to the 7:30 bedtime mentioned above. One day I was determined to be good wife and make Bryan a sandwich. HA! This requires standing for a certain period of time....ya know like an intense 5 minutes. I got light headed after about 2 but I was determined. Right as I finished his sandwich I threw up all over our counter and then had to nap for about 2 hours to regain my strength. Walking into to Target to buy a single item has been an accomplishment to write home about for me. You get the point...I'm exhausted.

6. I hate feeling like a teenage acne victim again. Especially because I have never had acne like this before in my life. And then it gives me the teenage complex that everyone is starring at my face. Vicious cycle.

7. I wake up every morning with butterflies because I am so happy and excited about this pregnancy. I just feel so blessed. I cannot wait to meet our little baby...even if it is still 6 months away. It's like Christmas morning every day for me. :)

This is by far one of the greatest blessings and miracles I have experienced and I am only at the beginning! All these things that are "downers" really aren't. They have been part of the blessing of pregnancy and are just really easy to laugh about. I cannot wait for all that is to come!!!!

Every Who Down in Who-ville (Kristen and Bryan)

Liked Christmas a lot...
But the Grinch,
who lived just north of who-ville,
DID NOT!
Long, Long ago on a cold October day I came home to my King Henry Apartment to find pictures of this on my door...

Now back then I didn't consider myself the Grinch at all. But when you are best friends with someone who believes the Christmas holiday starts the day after Halloween, who loves chipmunks Christmas music, and who has a green and red paper chain around the house that consists of far over 30 links...I tend to appear like the Grinch who stole Christmas. Then I get married and think this nickname wont last but much to my dismay it did. Bryan isn't quite as extreme as dear Kristen, but the second Thanksgiving is over he too is blaring the Christmas tunes (usually Jackson 5) and begging to buy a tree. Even though we'd been given all sorts of cute ornaments I could never justify buying a tree if we weren't even going to be home for two weeks of Christmas break and so I remained the Grinch.

I'm not sure what came over me this year but I decided I was done being called the Grinch. As always Bryan turned on his favorite Michael Buble Christmas CD and I sang along; He asked for a tree and we got one!!; I even splurged on new ornaments, set up our manger set, and am counting down the days til Christmas!

And what happened then...?

Well...in Who-ville they say

That the Grinch's small heart

Grew three sizes that day!

And the minute his heart didn't feel quite so tight,

He whizzed with his load through the bright morning light

And he brought back the toys! And the food for the feast!

And he...
...HE HIMSELF...!

The Grinch carved the roast beast.

Decorating the tree...

After dancing to our first Christmas song...

The day after Thanksgiving we were in search of a tree topper. We found nothing that we liked and came home empty handed and disappointed. Then we picked Megan up from the airport and she handed us a little toad from mom. Isn't he cute? It's magnetic so we are using toadstool as our tree topper this year. :)

Lastly, the triple chocolate cake Bryan made me. Delicious. He's the best!

Feeling Thankful

I left for work this morning and as always kissed Bryan goodbye. He was still completely asleep today when I left. I tell him I love him and as I'm leaving the bedroom I hear, "I love you too, but we need to talk about a long term plan." HUH?!? "Recycling only saves the earth if we do it for 10 or more years Ashley." Ooookay Bry, Bye-bye.

With Thanksgiving tomorrow I wanted to take a minute and say how thankful I am for the life I have been blessed with. I am so grateful for a husband who talks gibberish in his sleep. I am thankful for family and friends that are truly incredible. I am grateful for the gospel and for a Savior who is my best friend. I am thankful for our home and ward. I am thankful for Bryan's schooling and for a hopeful future. And this year I am extremely grateful for our little baby.

I hope everyone has a very Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Tagged...

Katie tagged me to list six facts or habits about myself so here goes:

1. I DETEST cereal and eggs. By detest I mean I cannot stand to look or smell these two foods; I literally gag when cereal is in my vicinity. Growing up I would always have breakfast with my dad and brother who aren't freaks of nature like me. I had to put up 2 cereal boxes to guard my eyes from seeing what they were eating.

2. I am a hypochondriac. Since working at the Health Center so closely with the doctors in Urgent Care my condition has greatly worsened. I see all these young students with scary symptoms and I automatically start having them for fear of dying. One doctor told me a kid lost a leg from a blood clot from the same meds I was on...instantly my leg hurts. Appendicitis patient: my side hurts. On and on...it's truly pathetic.

3. I LOVE, love, love California. Growing up it was always my favorite vacation spot; I would dream about what it would be like to live there with the Mediterranean homes, the ocean, and the year round sunshine. When I came to BYU and people would guess that I was from California or say that I dressed like a California girl it was the biggest complement ever. :) Then I married Bryan who is from Cali and equally as obsessed with the state as me. I now get to spend most of our holidays there and have a hope of some day becoming a true California girl.

4. I am a huge girly girl. I love pink; I danced ballet; I love clothes and shoes and shopping; AND I run like a total girl! I played basketball from 5th to 8th grade. All my friends made fun of the way I ran, but because I was faster than them I didn't believe I ran funny. Then I saw a tape of it...my arms would bend at the elbows and swing side to side like I was doing a little tap dance. Needless to say I never lived that down. As a result of that and everything else that makes me girly I was voted most feminine in both our 8th grade and senior year who's who section of the yearbook.

5. I am completely in love with my husband. He is my best friend and my entire world. I always wanted to believe that whole "someday you'll find someone and they will feel like your other half" but as I was dating in college I was having a hard time believing this person existed. Then I met Bryan and right away I knew he did. Which is probably why I was engaged after less than 3 months of dating him. Every single day I look at him and feel like the luckiest person in the world. He always makes me laugh to the point that I cry; He is so witty and intelligent; He is humble and so giving of his time; and he makes me feel like I am his world with his small acts of kindness. I am so proud of him. He is working so hard in law school and is going to make an incredible father!

6. I absolutely cannot wait to be a mother. I am sooooo excited! Although I can't feel my baby I still feel so close to it already and love it very, very much! Maybe my closeness is because my family has a thing with nicknames and my poor baby already has one. Because I was on a high dose of fertility drugs Bryan's fam and mine were very worried about us having twins. My little sister on the other hand thought it would great for naming purposes. Her favorite combo was Luigi and Mario. After we found out that there was only one baby Erika was distraught. She and Bryan were discussing it at Sunday dinner and Bryan says "well my favorite Nintendo character was always Toadstool anyway." Since that fateful day my poor baby has been referred to as Toadstool by everyone! All I can say is that if it's a girl...she's doomed.

I tag: Emily, Heather, Janelle, Jenna, Kristen, and Valerie :)

Sharing Our Joy!

Bryan and I are beyond elated to share with all our friends and family that we are HAVING A BABY May 24!!!!!!! Words could never express the happiness and great gratitude we feel for this blessing. We are just So HAPPY!!!! As most of you know this has been a very long time coming for us. We can't thank each of you enough for the countless thoughts and prayers that have been said on our behalf this past year and a half. We are so blessed to have you all in our lives. Thank you!

I will officially be 12 weeks on Saturday, but we just got back from our doctors appointment where we were able to hear the baby's heartbeat; the doctor told us we were in the clear to share our big news with everyone. We found out that I was pregnant September 15 which honestly seems like an eternity ago. When I looked down at the test that day the tears just came. I was extremely overwhelmed with gratitude and love for a Heavenly Father who truly knows what is best and wants us to be happy. When Bryan came up stairs after I took the test he saw the mascara running down my face and automatically wrapped his arms around me and says "It's okay, have faith it will happen for us next month." I was crying so hard I could barely tell him it was really positive. He didn't appreciate the deception. :)

Because of the past two miscarriages our doctor was very pro-active with our care, which I was so grateful for. He had us come in immediately to do blood work which came out very positive. It was a good way to start but my nerves were still very on edge. We were also able to have a viability ultra sound at 7 weeks. I have never been so scared or nervous in my entire life. I think Bryan had to carry me in that day because I was shaking so hard. The sonogram tech had to tell me to look at the computer screen because I was too afraid to. Seeing our little baby was one of the most incredible moments of my life. Seeing its little heart beat was absolutely surreal. All the trials and enduring to get to this moment were not easy, but it was more than worth it for that moment. Since then we have been praying and waiting for our appointment today. Hearing the heartbeat again overwhelmed me with that same joy and peace. Like I said...I really cannot express the amount of gratitude we feel for this blessing of a child in our lives.








(I realize you can't really tell what's going on in this ultra sound but it's our baby's first picture--and we're excited!)

If you want the "real" story of how my pregnancy has been going (or if you just want to laugh) you can read Bryan's Counterpoint:
http://phippscounterpoint.blogspot.com/
Thanks again for all your prayers--We love you each so much!
Love, Bryan and Ashley

Happy Halloween!

Saturday Bry and I decided to carve pumpkins! True to Bryan's personality just carving them on our own wasn't good enough; We had to get the special carving tool kit. As much as I harass him--he was right--it was more fun. I was quite impressed with my pumpkin choosing skills. Bry kept picking out the ones that tipped over so I took over and found two monster, perfect standing pumpkins. We took them home and Bry so graciously scraped out the insides for me.

















Bryan decided to take on one of the more advanced carvings. I'm sure you can guess which one is his. It took him a bit longer than me to finish. However I'm sure his defense will be that he did all the hard work on my pumpkin. :) After we finished we waited for it to get dark so we could test them out.

They turned out pretty cute huh?!? I'm quite fond of my little bat. I don't think I have carved a pumpkin since I was in Girl Scouts back in about 3rd grade. It was a really fun thing to do together!

Miracles

I stole these picture from my cousin's wife Katie. I just cannot get over what a miracle this is. My Aunt and Uncle Sabin's home was literally just barely spared from the fires in San Diego. In all the devestation that happened last week this is such a huge blessing.

I love Mail Deliveries!

Yesterday I came home from a looong day of work to find MAIL! Something about it just totally brightens my day. I love the surprise. Yesterday was especially great because I got three packages! I'd ordered some of Shannon Hale's books a while ago and they never came. Finally yesterday I got Enna Burning AND Princess Academy which I am so excited to read! And to top it all off I got a sweet little box from my best friend in Boston! Thanks Kri for the note and toothpaste :) I can't tell you how much I miss you!! Anyway...maybe I'm extremely pathetic for blogging about mail...but it's the little things that make life so good, right!

Happy Sumo and A Homecoming

This weekend was packed full of family. Bryan's mom and our sister in law Ashley came out for a visit. Mom and Megan have been staying with us and it's been so fun. Lots of game playing! I love that our place is big enough to accommodate company now! We introduced them to Happy Sumo; so delicious! We had been planning on going up to Gardner's Village all week but the "snow storm" didn't make that seem too appealing. Instead we met up with Ashley and our niece Keira for the day. It was great--we miss them so much!

Sunday day was filled with my family. My cousin Chris got home from his mission in Vancouver, Canada. Tons of my extended family was in town to celebrate his homecoming. It was a nice change to not be the only "Hoggatt" representing at an extending family gathering. Even if the other Hoggatt only made fun of the all the old people's overly vibratoy voices the entire meeting. Chris gave an incredible talk; It always amazes me how much growth can happen during two years. I think Chris changed even more than most because of the trials he faced with what happened to my Uncle Jan while he was gone. His stories of dedication and love of the Savior brought the spirit in so strongly and the emotions were running pretty high for all of us. Sitting there and seeing what my Aunt, Uncle, and Cousins have had to endure was very difficult; but looking around the church and seeing pew after pew full of family members made me see how our family really is there to bear one another's burdens and love unconditionally.

Anyway, it will be great to have Chris back. He left two days before Bry and I got married so it was kind of sad to have him miss out on that big change in my life when we have been so close. But I'm sure he'll get plenty of us now! :) I thought this pic was a fun flashback. Right after my bridals Allene told us to come over so Chris could see my dress.

Cousins! Brenda, Tosh, Me, and Chris doing the over happy smile.

Two Years!

The 14th Bry and I celebrated our two year anniversary! It is hard to believe how quickly it has gone. I have been eternally blessed having this amazing man at my side these past two years. I am so thankful for his endless ability to make me laugh and feel unconditionally loved. I just feel so lucky to have found him because he is with out a doubt my other half. I have also been so blessed these last two years to learn and grow with him and I cannot wait for all the other experiences that are ahead for us.

We had a pretty laid back weekend because I wasn't feeling too hot. We are definitely planning on going down to SLC to the Melting Pot to make up for it. Bryan had been dying to get the new electronic monopoly so we bought that and played it a ton. I'm not sure why I played so many times--probably because of the thought that "next time I'll beat him good." YEAH RIGHT. You'd think he'd let his ill wife win but no such luck. It's a pretty sweet game...you get to use credit cards, and the board is updated with places like Time Square and Disney Land. Anyway we played that and watched lots of movies. Saturday we went to lunch at Shoots and then for a drive up the canyon to see the pretty fall leaves. It was gorgeous! It was a very laid back weekend but I just enjoy every minute that we are together so it was great!

BYU Throwing Elbows

The Princeton Review just named BYU law school the most competitive school in the United States. The Deseret Morning news ran an article on it yesterday. Most of the comments are hilarious. http://www.deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,695216995,00.html

For 10 years, surveys of college students have placed BYU first on the Princeton Review's list of "stone-cold sober" schools. In two new books, the company ranks students in BYU's law school and graduate business programs No. 1 in the category "Most Competitive Students."

My favorite line from the article followed that, "Does that mean BYU grad students are running around with 8-ounce milk cartons under one arm while throwing elbows at each other with the other?"

Ahh good old BYU: sober and out for blood. :)

My Firsts

First Friend: The first friend that I really remember is Kelly Prissel. We were three and had both just moved into the neighborhood. She came and played on my swing set without asking and I was mad.
First Time to Disneyland: I have yet to be to Disneyland; I have however been to Disneyworld! My first time was my freshman year of highschool with my family and I had MONO! I was dying with all the walking it required but it was still such a blast!
First Memorable Gift: This is hard! I think it would be my first birthday with Bry. He got me this necklace that I said I'd loved a month earlier and completely forgotten about. Plus he made me a three layer pink cake because pink is my fav! Overall he is just the most thoughtful gift giver. He always pays close attention and gives gifts that mean the most.
First Time Wearing Makeup: I started dancing when I was three and we always caked on the make up for recitals. I think I actually started wearing make up in 6th grade but only mascara was allowed.
First Birthday Party: My mom put together a scavenger hunt and lunch for all my girl friends.
First Pet: My entire life we had one family pet: Sunny a fish that died two weeks later. My mom and dad weren't big on the animals.
First Car: My first and only car is Connie, my sweet '99 Ford Conture Sport. Yeah that's right, Jack splurged and gave me the up-graded pack.
First Job: I was a sales associate at a department store in the home and china department.
First Car Accident: My first and really only accident was with my friend Jackie's mail box. I backed right into it and almost completely plowed it over. The worst part was that it was in the dead center of their yard, NOT right off the drive way.
First Concert: This would be Country Jam my Junior year where we saw Brooks and Dunn.
First College Roommate: My best friend that I grew up with and I were roommates in St. Cloud.
First Airplane Ride Alone: The first time I flew home from BYU after my sophomore year of college right after my 21st birthday.
First Time I Met Bryan: It was our first big storm in Provo and we were having a snowball fight in the King Henry quad. Bryan was "the new kid". He came out in his flip flops, nailed my roommate and I with snowballs and then went back inside.
Us and Our first home:
First Kiss with Bryan: Well I couldn't have dreamed up a more romantic first kiss. I had just met his sister and brother in law for the first time that night down in SLC. We got home late but weren't ready to leave each other. We decided to go up to the BYU Castle; on the drive up I remember Kenny Chesney's Something Sexy About the Rain song coming on. We got out of the car and as we were walking up to see the view from the castle it started to down pour. So I got my first kiss from my husband in a castle in a rain storm! :)
First Home with Bryan: Our townhouse in Countrywoods.
First Real Job: I don't know that I consider my job at the Health Center a "real" job, but I am graduated from college and this is where I work.
First Time I Realized I Wasn't a Kid Any More: I thought I realized I wasn't a kid anymore when I transferred to BYU. I was on my own and knew I wouldn't be seeing my family more than once a year. But I think I really realized it when I got married and saw that I had my own family and husband to care for. Although I'll admit that Bry does a really great job of letting me feel like I still am a kid somedays. :)
First time snowboarding: (For Kristen) My first and last time snowboarding was at Snowbird with the inseparable Kristen, Rob, and Kevin. It was so fun for about the first two hours. After that my bum and knees just killed. My last time down the mountain I fell over and just started crying like a baby; I'm pretty sure Rob and Kevin just laughed at me. Then I went back to the car and slept for the last 2 hours of the day while they continued snowboarding. When we got home and took off all the layers my knees were seriously black and blue and swollen.

Parent-Job Description :)

POSITION :
Mom, Mommy, Mama, MaDad, Daddy, Dada, Pa, Pop
JOB DESCRIPTION :
Long term, team players needed, for challenging permanent work in an, often chaotic environment.
Candidates must possess excellent communication and organizational skills and be willing to work variable hours, which will include evenings and weekends and frequent 24 hour shifts on call.
Some overnight travel required, including trips to primitive camping sites on rainy weekends and endless sports tournaments in far away cities!
Travel expenses not reimbursed. Extensive courier duties also required.
RESPONSIBILITIES :
The rest of your life.
Must be willing to be hated, at least temporarily, until someone needs $5.
Must be willing to bite tongue repeatedly.
Also, must possess the physical stamina of a pack mule and be able to go from zero to 60 mph in three seconds flat in case, this time, the screams from the backyard are not someone just crying wolf.
Must be willing to face stimulating technical challenges, such as small gadget repair, mysteriously sluggish toilets and stuck zippers.
Must screen phone calls, maintain calendars and coordinate production of multiple homework projects.
Must have ability to plan and organize social gatherings for clients of all ages and mental outlooks.
Must be willing to be indispensable one minute, an embarrassment the next.
Must handle assembly and product safety testing of a half million cheap, plastic toys, and battery operated devices.
Must always hope for the best but be prepared for the worst.
Must assume final, complete accountability for the quality of the end product.
Responsibilities also include floor maintenance and janitorial work throughout the facility.
POSSIBILITY FOR ADVANCEMENT & PROMOTION:
None. Your job is to remain in the same position for years, without complaining, constantly retraining and updating your skills, so that those in your charge can ultimately surpass you.
PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE :
None required unfortunately.
On-the-job training offered on a continually exhausting basis.
WAGES AND COMPENSATION :
Get this! You pay them! Offering frequent raises and bonuses. A balloon payment is due when they turn 18 because of the assumption that college will help them become financially independent. When you die, you give them whatever is left. The oddest thing about this reverse-salary scheme is that you actually enjoy it and wish you could only do more.
BENEFITS :
While no health or dental insurance, no pension, no tuition reimbursement, no paid holidays and no stock options are offered; this job supplies limitless opportunities for personal growth, unconditional love, and free hugs and kisses for life if you play your cards right.

Chubby Bunny Champ

Thanks to another law student I have a pretty picture of my chubby bunny winner. Someone told him he didn't look any different. Real sensitive :)

Homecoming!

This week has been Homecoming week at BYU. In all my years here I have never been to a Homecoming game so this year I decided to be part of the festivities. I love the football atmosphere at a big school; it is so much fun! We met Jenna and Steve there and cheered on our team until the rain started in the fourth quarter. We walked to our car completely drenched. It was great!
This is a picture of our view. Apparently we waited a little to long to get tickets, because the only ones left were seriously on the top row. Not joking, not exaggerating. We were laughing our heads off as we kept going and going and going trying to find our spots. Our seats were little notches in the stadium wall that were way too high up for me; my feet were dangling like 2 feet. We had a great time watching our BYU beat the Air Force.

Proof of Studying

Bryan wanted this picture up for his mom so she would know that he is studying! It has been a total turn around from his under grad! The road through law school pictures you got him are a huge encouragement. Thanks Jolene!!!

"Forget Bad News Bears...

...try bears who bring bad news." --Erika Hoggatt

This story made my day. Too funny! So Erika met this boy her first week here at BYU. Nice enough kid but he immediately fell in love and she immediately knew she had an unwanted stalker. For the purpose of this story we will call the stalker Jamba Juice...the nickname Bryan and I gave him on his first ask out attempt. I'm sure you can put two and two together. Since the first attempt Jamba Juice has probably texted my poor sister 900 times, asked her on multiple dates, and shown up where she is out of the blue. The other day I got a call from Erika saying that I needed to come to her dorm immediately. I go to lunch with her today and see what the emergency was. There is a build-a-bear box on her floor. I pick up the cute bear and push the paw to hear none other than Jamba Juices voice, "Erika will you be my Queen and go to Homecoming with me." HA! Erika gave me the play by play. Apparently he called her to come to his dorm to get "chem homework help" and then hands her the box. This kid is genius. Coerce a girl to go to Homecoming with you by spending a ton of money on a cute bear and putting her in a position that she cannot say no. The best part is that he asked if she would go to not one but TWO DANCES with him this weekend. And the entertainment begins. I never knew how fun it would be to be the big sister. :)

Soccer for Girls...

Don't get me wrong. I am all about my little girls playing soccer. I plan to start them young. But we went to the Y's Womens Soccer game on Friday night and I wanted to poke my eyes out. Yes both. Boring doesn't even do it justice. Maybe this was because the game was against Wisconsin :), maybe it was because we were sitting next to 3 year olds, or maybe just maybe it was because they scored 1 goal the entire game and the rest of the time they kicked the ball to no one in particular and got it stolen over and over and over. Either way I'm pretty sure that will be my last game. It really wasn't that bad...we had a good time taking in the "sporting" atmosphere and the great fall weather. Did I mention I am so happy that it is fall. My favorite season ever! The changing trees, the distinct smell, the breeze, the excitment of a fresh start, and it's our anniversary in less than a month!! Fall is fabulous.

Chubby Bunny

I have never been so proud in my entire life. I am married to the 2007 BYU Law School Chubby Bunny Champion. His reward for having a big mouth...a BYU Law School mug valued at $6. This will look incredible on his resume.

My Book World

"I live in two worlds. One is a world of books. I've been a resident of Faulkner's Yoknapatawpha County, hunted the white whale aboard the Pequod, fought alongside Napoleon, sailed a raft with Huck and Jim, committed absurdities with Ignatius J. Reilly, rode a sad train with Anna Karenina, and strolled down Swann's Way. It's a rewarding world, but my second one is by far superior. My second one is populated with characters slightly less eccentric but supremely real, made of flesh and bone, full of love, who are my ultimate inspiration for everything."
-Gilmore Girls

I remember the first time I heard this quote how much I related to it; I love to read. I love how with each book you are swept into another world where the characters become your friends and the scenery surrounds you. This summer I had much free time to enjoy many different books. I was in Denmark during WWII with a Jewish family, down south sharing secrets with the Ya-Ya Sisterhood, at Hogwarts with the witches and wizards learning magic, and in Puritan America suffering and search for redemption with poor Hester Prynne. I am really thankful for these books that have expanded my imagination and learning; They have allowed me a second world and have been so enjoyable to be a part of.

Mom's Last Days...

Mom headed back home after a week visit. It was so fun having her stay with us. Friday night we went out to pizza at Pizza Factory.
Delicious! Then Saturday we headed up to Heber to look at the Ivory Homes. They are gorgeous, and it is sooo peaceful up there! We are hoping Dr. Jack makes an investment soon! After Heber we took mom to the airport where we said our goodbyes. Poor Erika was pretty distraught. It's hard saying goodbye when you know you wont see home for 4 months. I tried to make her feel at home. I said, "In the words of our dear father, dry up!" :) I think she was okay after a boy took her on a date and spent $90. BYU boys are one of a kind...

Family love.

Hanging out Friday night.

Back to School

I started taking classes again this semester so I have all the requirements for graduate school complete. I was all excited to go back to school; to learn; to be part of the college life while Bry is. Yes....that excitement wore off pretty quick. Erika has class at the same time as me so I went down to pick her up and see her dorm room. I was positive parking by the Museum stopped requiring passes at 5. I thought we would have plenty of time to drive up and get to class in 10 minutes. Oh no, all the parking around the Admin building ends at 7 pm. I'm driving all over with no luck. I give up and park in the 30 minute parking. Erika was freaking out, "You can't park here, class is 2 hours." Oh dear, dear freshman, so much to learn. You don't need to go to class to graduate with high honors. True to my usual pattern, I ran in, got the syllabus, and left. It feels great to be back at school.

Memorial Day

Bry got to hang out with the girls all day. I know he had a joyous time watching my mom and sister try on clothes and make up. After a morning of shopping, and getting Erika not to hate us any more we headed to Olive Garden. (Bry and I decided to play a practical joke. Erika met a guy her first day here. He is obviously very into her. We stole her phone and changed Bryan's name in her phone to be "the boys" name and then texted her that "He knew it was fast but was in love already." We thought she was just say he was a psycho and laugh when we told her the truth. She thought he was crazy but didn't think we were too funny.) Awh well...we thought we were funny. And as I'm reading this I'm thinking we are bored, pathetic married people.
Anyway, after Olive Garden we took my mom house hunting. It's been really fun having them out here!

Founder's Day Dinner

The Founder's Day Dinner was our first experience among all the "big names" in the Law School's history. I was pretty overwhelmed standing next to Elder Oaks and President Samuleson last night and realizing that these are the people we become associated with because we chose to attend BYU. The reception and dinner was at Little America in Salt Lake. The banquet hall was packed with students, alumni, founders, and professors.
I got to meet one of Bryan's professor's. While we were talking I found out that he was from Wisconsin-ironic! Well it gets better. I asked which part and he said, "I'm sure you've never heard of it. It's a very small town, Osseo." Never would I have guessed that one of Bry's professors came from our desolate side of Wisconsin, less than 30 minutes from where I grew up. After talking we realized that the family that helped convert him was the same father that blessed me as a baby. That was neat to have the connection.
It was so amazing to see how all these people had started their journey in Provo and had ended up all over the world, serving is so many different areas of law. It made me very excited to see where our journey will take us. But we wont get ahead of ourselves, we are only 5 days into that journey.
Elder Bruce C. Hafen, who played a vital role in founding the Law School 35 years ago, spoke to us. He gave a wonderful talk about the history of the school. He was very passionate about it which I loved! It made being here all the more meaningful. This schools founding really was a miracle; No one believed that a law school could be mixed with religion. I'm so thankful they were wrong and that the founders stuck it out and created this amazing school that has risen to the top tier to be ranked among schools that have been around for hundreds of years. Much of Elder Hafen's talk centered our the schools first dean, Rex Lee. The jokes this man told were hilarious. Here are a few of my favorites:
*Rex and Elder Hafen served in a stake presidency together. In one sacrament meeting Rex fell asleep, and Elder Hafen nudged him saying he was called on to give the closing prayer so he'd wake up. Rex says to Elder Hafen, "According to the first amendment we have the freedom to worship how we please. You worship your way, and I'll worship mine."
* A very frugal old man died. His wife called the newspaper to see how cheap she could do an obituary. The editor said, "It's your lucky day we are doing 2 for 1 word price. What would you like to say." The wife decided to stay true to the mans frugality, "Jim died today." "Okay mam now you can have three more words for free." Hmm...what else is there to say? "Jim died today. Toyota for sale."
Elder Hafen also made said another thing on a much more serious note that really touched me. He said that so many times lawyers are made to be bad people because they defend the guilty. Lawyers are also known as advocates. For each of us our biggest advocate is Jesus Christ the Savior; Aren't we glad that he is willing to be an advocate for the guilty?
The whole night was a great first experience. The food was delicious; Little America is beautiful; It was wonderful to meet so many people (even if I found that I've become far more shy since I married Bryan) and to be part of something so incredible.

Sister Sister

ERIKA IS HERE!!! The little freshman has arrived and is moved into her dorm. I'm so glad Bry and I stayed here so that I could be part of all this. It's like living my freshman year again vicariously through her. Except thats not true because unlike me she has air conditioning, a SINK in her room, a vegan roommate, and no boys on her floor. I think BYU has been a much easier place to drop a child off; I'm pretty sure my dad was ready to turn around and take me home with them my freshman year as he passed the signs on the road that said, "don't worry fathers, we'll take good care of your freshman daughters". I'm so glad Erika is here and happy!!! I'm thrilled that she will be surrounded by wonderful people that share her standards and that on top of it all she will get an incredible education! Plus her being here also means I get a week to spend with my mom who is staying with us.

Phipps Up-date

You know that feeling right before you are about to go over the big dip of a huge roller coaster? When your stomach feels like it's in your throat, but you can't decide weather that's a good or bad thing. You're excited, your scared, your nauseated, your nervous, etc. Bry started Law School this week and this is exactly how I have been feeling. I'm so happy for him to begin this adventure that he has been waiting for for the past five plus years. I'm excited for him to learn the things that he is already passionate about and to gain an amazing education. I know he will be dedicating himself to this education heart and soul. On the other hand I'm a little saddened because I know that the time that I'm so used to us spending together will not be as numerous. But it will all be worth it and I feel very lucky to be the supportive wife. Let the roller coaster ride begin. I can't wait to see where the ride takes us. No matter what happens, I am truly grateful that I am in the roller coaster car with Bryan.
Last night we went to a welcome evening at Professor Echo Hawk's home. Because of everything that has been happening in our little family over this past year and a half I have sometimes doubted whether or not BYU was the right choice for us. It has been a trial moving forward and having faith after the miscarriages, and some days the internal struggle has been heightened by the Provo atmosphere. Some days I have wondered if Virginia or California would have been a better fit for us. Last night gave me a very reassuring feeling that everything will work out for the best with our family being here. I am grateful for the special spirit that is here at BYU. I pray that it will be with Bryan as he gains his education. I am so proud of him for all his accomplishments, but mostly for his amazing character.
I forced Bry to get pictures in his BYU Law attire. These faces represent emotions I'm sure he'll be feeling this next year :) Orientation has been great; He's more excited than ever for school to begin. I am also starting classes again so I am able to apply for graduate school this coming winter if I choose. I'm excited to go back and learn!!
As for the progress we are making with my wonderful body; My surgery has been put off until September 25 but until then doctors have upped my clomid to 100mg. They are hoping that we can just get pregnant and not have to worry about the surgery. Our fingers are crossed! I am just grateful to being going in a forward direction!
Other exciting news is that I got a nice raise at my job! Another perk of the Health Center was brought to my attention yesterday when I was informed that a patient with active TB came in and half the reception dept was exposed. Delightful. I was panicking but the doctors told me its about a .001% chance of actually contracting it. Now I'm sure no one will want to talk to me.
Other than that I am just really excited for my little sister to get out here for her freshman year. It's going to be really nice to have Megan and Erika out here!