It's beginning to look a lot like....

It's Christmas next week. Where has December gone?

I have really been looking forward to Christmas this year. I thought that when you were excited about something that the time was supposed to pass slowly, but alas, it is Dec. 15th already. I haven't even posted about Thanksgiving yet, so I guess it's going to be a post filled with lots of little things.

We spent Thanksgiving with my family this year. We were so happy to see our family and hear all the latest news (a new baby on the way for Andrea and a baby born to Brandie). The food was fantastic and we spent several relaxing days going to movies, (Heber saw Twilight with me, can you believe it?) and working on projects.


The other main excitement was...bangs. Yes, I know it's just hair but as someone who is slightly boring and conservative in their hair choices, bangs was about the bravest thing I could do. What do you think? I think I'm liking them.


As you read in my last post, the first week or so of December was spent stressing about Creative Non-Fiction Writing. The relief I feel for being done cannot be described in one small post. The paper turned out pretty well and I am happy to be done with school, at least for now.

In an effort to get into the Christmas spirit, we hosted a gingerbread house decorating party for my nephews. Mom L came up to celebrate my nephew's birthday and also to join us for the party. We munched on pork barbecoa, I'm not sure how it's spelled but I found a great crock pot recipe that tastes just like Cafe Rio. Heber told me that night that he hadn't decorated a gingerbread house since elementary school. I told him he was missing out. More pictures to come on this one.

Is it over yet?

It's been a rough week.

Work, homework, fast food, sleep. That's all I've done.

Please let it be over soon. Just three more days.

I think I need to go to the gym and sleep, yes, sleep.


New post soon.

Thankgiving Thoughts

Thanksgiving is in just a few days and I am packing up to head home for some traditional family gatherings. I am looking forward to delicious food and conversation.

The truth is that I've always loved Thanksgiving. There is something so special about gathering together with the people who are your family, your roots and being thankful. With busy schedules, school and work monopolizing our time, we don't get home very often to see the people we love and the places that made us who we are.

I have an incredible amount of things to be thankful for. I will spare you an entire post and just include the short list: Heber in every way, jobs that we like, a home, the gospel, good friends who we can talk and laugh with for hours and who are there during the hard times, allergy shots (I really am), reliable cars, the Taiwan Imports shopping buddy, Hillary Clinton Chocolate Chip Cookies, darling nephews and nieces, being called "ya-ya," family that listens and supports me in every way and opportunities to be brave.

I'm going to be eating pie for days. Yeah! Happy Thanksgiving!

The Two Happiest Places on Earth

So, just last week I decided I needed a vacation and booked a flight to Southern California to see Loni and her family. As I was in the airport, I rode the escalators down to the waiting area, it was one of the happiest sites I could see, my sister and a little boy standing beside her (last time I saw Judd, he wasn't even crawling yet).

Heb had a business trip to Washington D.C., so I was traveling alone. I don't really mind, it's nice to be independent once in a while. We'll have to get down there again in January when we'll really need some sunshine (Logan gets very dark, dreary and cold during January).

I stayed in Southern California with Loni, Steve and Judd. We had a great time visiting Disneyland decked out in holiday decor (this felt a little weird because the sun was shining and it was 90 degrees). We only had to wait in a few lines and rode all of the best rides.

Judd's favorite was the Teacups, just look at this happy little face.

We also participated in my favorite vacation activity, shopping! I think that I would go on vacation just to shop, Heber doesn't understand this.


Aside from the activities, it was just fun to hang out with their family and play with Juddie. To spend hours talking and laughing about nothing at all. Thanks goes to Loni and her fam for letting me stay a few days, I can't wait for Christmas to come.

Tagged!

So Loni, my sister, tagged me. Enjoy!

1. Do you like blue cheese? No, but I am married to a guy who he and his whole family LOVES it.
2. Do you own a gun? Heber does. My dad gave it to him the first Christmas we were married. We knew he was officially accepted into the family.
3. What flavor do you add to your drink at Sonic? To be honest, I have never eaten at Sonic. Must be this sheltered Logan life.
4. Do you get nervous before doctor Appointments? Not anymore. I've been getting allergy shots and spend like 2 hours in the doctor's office every week.
5. What do you think of hot dogs? I like them. Every once in a while I crave them.
6. Favorite Christmas movie? White Christmas, especially the cheesy dancing scenes.
7. What do you prefer to drink in the morning? I'm not much of a morning person so water.
8. Can you do push-ups? Not very well.
9. Age? 24
10. What's your favorite piece of jewelry? It's hard to say. I like making jewelry a lot and have lots of favorites but maybe the necklace Heber brought back from DC for me.
11. Favorite hobby? Jewelry Making
12. Favorite Actor? Tom Hanks. An oldie but a goodie.
13. Do you have A.D.D.? No
14. What's one trait you hate about yourself? that I can't seem to be on time anywhere.
15. Middle name? It was Michelle but when I got married I changed it to Lawrence
16. Name 3 thoughts at this exact moment: 1-I can't wait to go to California, 2 days!! 2-I am nervous about a meeting with my writing professor this afternoon, she will be critiquing my writing and 3- I am so overwhelmed with projects at work. I don't know what to work on.
17. Name 3 things you bought yesterday/today? Um, a scrapbook for Loni, one of those ones that comes in a bag and all the cuteness is done for you, some Christmas tags with gold accents and that's it. Heb and I did visit the tile store but didn't buy anything. We are redoing our bathroom, yeah!
18. 3 drinks you regularly drink? water and milk. Yes, I know that's boring. And not even milk that much.
19. 3 Current worries? Getting my work done, cleaning my house (I've been stressed with other stuff) and the economy.
20. Favorite place to be? Anywhere with Heb. But I do love D.C. or my home in Grantsville.
21. How did you bring in the New Year? We spent it with Heber's parents. We started a new tradition of burning the regrets of the old year. Very rejuvenating.
22.Where would you like to go? Israel
23. Tag three to six people... Tami, Mindy and Laura
24. Do you own slippers? Yes, I love to wear them on cold nights.
25. What shirt are you wearing? a black turtleneck. Very Chic.
26. Do you like sleeping on satin sheets? I've never done it before, am I missing out?
27. Can you whistle? Yes, seriously so good.
28. favorite color? green almost always.
29. Would you be a pirate? Maybe for a while but not back in the old times with the diseases and stuff.
30. What songs do you sing in the shower? Most recently Christmas music, I haven't even started listening to it yet but it must be in my head.
31. Favorite girl's name? boy's name? I don't have any yet. It's hard to find something that goes well with Green (Amber, Hunter, Emerald, Dale, Dean, you get the idea).
32. What is in your pocket? Chapstick. It's been so dry lately.
33. Last thing that made you laugh? A David Sederas reading on David Letterman.
34. Best bed sheets as a child? Disney sheets
35. Worst injury you've ever had? I broke my toe a couple of years ago a week before I went on a business trip to D.C. I had to hobble around the city.
36. How many TVs do you own? 1
37. Who is your loudest friend? Um...I don't have really loud friends, maybe Joanna.
38. How many dogs do you have? none, we want to get one though.
39. Does someone have a crush on you? Heber, I'm almost positive.
40. What is your favorite book(S)? Guests of the Sheik, so good! Anne of Avonlea
41. Where were you born? Salt Lake City, UT
42. What is your favorite candy? I am a sugar a holic so this is pretty hard. Maybe Twix
43. Favorite Sports Teams? I'm not a big fan of sports except for the Olympics
44. What songs do you want played at your funeral? The Lord is my Shepherd, Dear to the Heart of the Shepherd and Be Still My Soul
45.What are you doing at 12 A.M.? Sleeping, unless I'm procrastinating sleeping.
46. What was the first thing you thought of when you woke up? I'm going to be late for work.
47. Do you live away from your home town? Where are you currently? Yes, I live in Logan
48. Do you like to celebrate the holidays? I love them, especially Christmas and the 4th of July, who doesn't love parades and fireworks?
49. Do you own/use excessive equipment, if so what kind? Excessive equipment...I'm going with no.
50. What do you think of this long list of questions? Its long.

A New Addition

Heber and I are excited to announce a new addition to our family. After many years of waiting, please welcome Dean.



Yes, Heber's new road bike. It is fast and very light with all sorts of great additions.



Heber has spent many months scouring ebay and working with guys at the office who are hard core bikers, road biking that is, to find all the parts.



All we can hope is that it stays warm enough to take a few more rides.

It's Voting Time!

Tomorrow is voting day. I am excited to get out and vote for my favorite candidates and issues. More than anything, I am excited to see it resolved and to not have to be inundated with analysis about the candidates every move.

When I lived in Washington, I saw the inauguration of our last president. By May of that year, they were already putting out complete magazines speculating on who the next president would be. They were just three years early! So I'm excited to get this all done.

As cynical as I am about politics, I still think it's important to participate. So, get out there and vote!

Utah State Homecoming

As Utah State graduates and true aggies, there is a soft spot in Heb and I's heart for USU. I loved my experience as a student and meeting Heber wasn't too bad either. Last Saturday was homecoming and my parents and Carly's family joined us for the festivities.


Jaxson, Nasch and I picking up some candy. Don't I have the cutest nephews!




The group at the parade.
We went to the parade in the morning and the game. Too bad the football team had to lose in the last 2 seconds of the game to a 58 yard field goal. We still had a great time munching on treats and enjoying the sunshine.


Heb and I.

Ever since I was young, my family has been going to Homecoming. Mom went to USU and just loves Logan. She is the biggest USU fan I know. She has even converted dad over from BYU.


What a fun day!

Pumpkin Patches and Homemade Cider, Yum!

So, I was looking at my blog and realized that I have not posted any pictures lately. To be honest, neither Heber or I are very good at making sure pictures are taken but today you are in for a treat.

A couple of weeks ago, Heber's brother Peter and his family came to stay with us for the weekend. We don't get many house guests up this way so we were more than happy to have them come.

We went out to a pumpkin patch in Paradise. I discovered it online on a whim and decided that we go, even though the first part of the morning was a snowy blizzard.


Our friend Jacha came with us too.



One of my recent interests has been the making of apple cider. I have always wanted to see the process, luckily the operation in full swing. Check that off my list of things to see in my life. Not to mention, delicious hot cider to drink.


We topped it all off with a bowl of soup at the bread store.
I may never buy pumpkins in a store again.

The Luck of the Draw.

Well, Heber is out of town this week. Now before you give me the, "oh that's so hard, do you need anything look," I'm doing fine, I'm missing Heb but overall I'm busy and okay. With full-time work, school, church responsibilities, visiting friends, getting 2 allergy shots and Irish dancing, I'm swamped and barely get home to warm up something from the fridge for dinner, watch TV for an hour while I put off cleaning something and go to bed.

One highlight in this unexciting week happened on Monday. I was getting ready and listening to National Public Radio (I listen to NPR everyday, let's just get that out now, and yes, I even listen to some of my favorite shows online. Now you know.) Well, they were having their fall fund drive, something that I despise listening to and usually change the channel. I wasn't in the mood to walk over and change it so I continued to listen. I was finally convinced, yes, I listen everyday, yes, I like the deeper look at the news. Fine. I pulled out my credit card and called into the station. The next thing I know, they do a drawing and I won a $500 radio. There I am in my PJ's brushing my teeth and jumping up and down. What a way to start a week.

So today, I will go and pick up my new radio. I'm not sure if I'll keep it or sell it yet but who can complain about a little extra excitement in my life. Oh, and I can't wait for Heber to come home.

Irish Dancing

I have a new passion, Irish dancing. Yes, I know that I am an adult now and that dance classes are for little girls but I can't help myself. I think it was all the years of ballet, jazz and folk, I just couldn't give it all up. Perhaps this love of dance was in my genes. All of my sisters, mom, many cousins, and several aunts share this love and have danced for years and years. And we can't forget Grandma Barbara who loves to watch us dance, the greatest supporter of us all.

Why Irish dance, you ask? Well, it's the best parts of ballet, the fast paced jumping and doing choreography and you don't have to wear a leotard and tights. There is something so gratifying in putting on hard shoes and pounding away while mastering a new step. All of this while dancing to Celtic music, I love it. I liked classical music in ballet but there is something so expressive in Celtic music.

This is one of the many things I have picked up in the last year. I have been on this great journey to finding contentment and I have to say, I have been happier than I have ever been, not just because of dance but I have found things I love that bring that little bit of joy to life.

I dance everywhere now, in the living room, the store and even on walks. I haven't gone crazy, I just can't get enough Irish Dance. Those of you with dance in your blood will understand.

Something From Work

These are some stickers that I have been working on at Scentinel. I really like how they turned out, especially since this is my first foray into any graphic design. Very exciting!

Writing Creative Non Fiction

I have been taking my weekly writing class on campus. I have enjoyed attending but I have some qualms with it. First, I am a somewhat private person. I don't really share deep aspects of my life. If you have read this blog, you could probably recognize this. I think it is a criteria for creative non fiction to share the most intimate details of your life. I recognize the importance of being vulnerable but please, do you have to share your medical history, family drug use and shunning in grade school? I know things about class members that I don't even know about close friends. Where are the fun anecdotes, the quirky stories? No, it must be serious and deep. I fell into this hole and what I realize is that I don't like deep, dark places. I want to think and evaluate the good times in my life.

Second is that we have to bring pieces for the whole class to workshop and critique. I love that I just happen to be in the second week. This will happen on Wednesday. I am feeling a bit mortified to think that people will be talking about my work and critiquing it. I know that it's this great opportunity but please can't I just avoid this one thing? I guess it's too late for that.

Jewelry Making for the Rest of Us

I love making jewelry. Let me just put that out there first. I love taking individual items and putting them together to form something fantastic. I love that I can put something together in my hands that I can be proud to wear and it's a craft that I can actually use.

So you wonder, why would I go onto such a tangent? Well, this weekend I will be going to my first ever bead show in Salt Lake City. I can't wait! I've never been to one before but I am hoping to come home with strings of great bead finds and inspiration for new projects. If you want to come, how could you not, let me know because I have coupons for FREE admission.

I really enjoy teaching people how to do jewelry. I put together a class a few months ago for some friends in the ward and I guess word got around because next week I will be conducting my second jewelry making class extravaganza. Yeah!

A Quarter Century of Excellence

I know that I'm a little late, it's been busy, but Sept. 8th was Heber's 25th Birthday! He kept calling it his "Quarter Century of Excellence Celebration." We threw a big pizza party at our house. We made the crusts and everyone topped their own. We even had the cheesy italian music, I loved it. We had 10 people over, something we have never done before, but it was a great time. I was a little nervous about fitting everyone in and that it be fun for everyone, our best friends don't really know each other but we wanted them all to share in the day.

And to Heber, Happy Birthday! He is so hardworking and dedicated, I think it really has been a Quarter Century of Excellence.

I have to throw this in, partly because I am excited about it. Tomorrow, I am going to Time Out for Women (kind of like Women's Conference). Mom is coming up to spend the day listening to speakers and being uplifted. Today, my friend Whitney put together a lunch with one of the speakers, Mary Ellen Edmunds. She is so funny! I was cracking every time she said anything. I can't wait to hear her speak tomorrow. I read one of her talks today called Godliness with Contentment. As I read it, I thought that this is exactly what I have been learning and really thinking about lately. Here is a quote from her talk, "Wanting less is probably a better blessing than having more. Its a change in the desires of our heart, and we can thereby be content sooner and more often."

Here's to being content sooner and more often.

Tuesday was a special day for us. Heber and I celebrated our 3 year anniversary on September 2. I think we have officially passed the newlywed mark.

For this special occasion, I will share some of our story. I met Heb back in 2002 while we were freshman at USU. I worked at a telemarketing firm the summer before college and met Bethany, a 25 year old college senior. She had a crush on a boy in her ward and convinced me to check him out with her, it was Heber and he was 19. He didn't ask me out until January of the next year (after Bethany graduated, he never was interested in her). Our first date was to a basketball game and ice cream afterward.

We dated for the following year, studying hard and being happy. Heber went on his mission to Rochester New York. We wrote but I continued to date and have a lot of fun being a college student. When he returned home, I was heading for an internship in Washington DC at the House of Representatives.

We got engaged in June of 2005 and were married in the Salt Lake Temple in September. It was a beautiful sunny day.

Heber is my match in every way. Together we have faced big challenges (not so much in our relationship but in life) and are so happy together. To three great years, and many more to come.

My Exciting Day.

What a day I have had today. I think I came close to dying, okay, so not that dramatic but it was really scary. I have started getting some allergy shots, time to get it all under control. I had my first one on Tuesday with no problems. I went this morning and immediately my throat swelled up. Even with allergies, I have never had this happen before and I can't say how scared I was. Doctors were coming in and out trying different shots and pills and I was just there, doped up and nervous.

Needless to say, it all worked out. It started going down and I was only 2 hours late to work. Good thing they like me there.

I have more exciting news from this week. Heb and I just got back from Portland on Monday and I finally did something brave. I registered for my first graduate course, Creative Non-Fiction Writing. I am not sure if I will even continue on to get a graduate degree or what it would be in but I knew that I needed to make that first step. I admit it, I am your classic over-analyzer. I think and think and never really make the progress that I want. So I called all the university offices and just happened to call on the last day that they are accepting applications at 4:35 when the offices close at 5:00. I think it was fate that I was able to get everything in and get accepted. So, I start school on Monday and I am so excited to try something new and challenging. I am still a little scared but if I've learned anything, it's time to conquer my fears and be brave. I feel really happy right now. I am moving in the right direction, I think, we'll have to see what the first day is actually like.

More pictures and stories from Portland to come.

Portland

Heber and I are so excited for our trip out to Portland this week. We didn't think we would take a vacation this year but we just needed to get out of town for a few days before school starts up again. Who doesn't need a vacation here and there?

We are looking forward to seeing a city that we really like and family, Nate, Nikki, Addie and Carter. Only half as exciting as seeing them will be going to my favorite store, the Paper Source. Of course it has only existed on the east coast, I discovered it in D.C. Their brand new Portland store will be opening the same weekend that we will be there. What luck! Combining creative ideas and fabulous paper, two things I can't live without, the Paper Source is amazing.

We can't wait to chase Carter around the house, to see Addie's new projects, for Heber and Nathan to talk "nerd," to run with Nikki, to finally experience Fry's, to go clamming on the coast, to walk through all the cute little shops and to eat Tillamook ice cream!

Portland!

Taking Time for Me

I have joined a new project for this month called Taking Time for Me. Everyday we have two tasks, something physical and something emotional, mental or spiritual. I participated in this project in April and loved every minute. Every day I would log onto the blog and see the new assignments and get excited. I had a purpose everyday and something I accomplished. If you have time, and it doesn't take a lot, I encourage you to join too. It's free and so worthwhile.

Take some time for yourself. Join at www.taketimeforme.blogspot.com.

Stella.

Well, the time has come to let go of Stella, my first real car. After 160,000 miles, it is time to get something new again. I hate to say it but I have been pretty attached to my car. She is not anything special but I have some really good memories in that car. We go way back to high school.

In honor of Stella, I will share some of my favorite memories.
My first day of college. I remember being terrified driving my car up. Turned out to be a great experience but it is always good to have something familiar to hold onto.

The day that it was stolen by a drug dealer when we went on a road trip to Las Vegas. With it's miraculous return, I figured it would run forever. A really good story, ask me about it sometime.

When I moved up to Logan for the summer and the school year with everything packed into the Saturn. Yes it was tight but it all fit.

All these years and so many good times. To Stella.

A photo to follow.

Memoirs of the Fourth.

Heber and I on the 4th.



Heb's parents, Heb and I at the block party.


There was something so special about the 4th of July this year. Besides having three fireworks displays and very good food and fun with families, it got me thinking back to living in Washington D.C. and the feelings that I felt there. I gained such an appreciation and a pride in my country, in our founding fathers and the sacrifices that have been made for our freedoms.

Throughout the day I thought of the different locations that meant so much to me. Of Philadelphia and the signing of the constitution. I remember being in that room and looking at the simple design and thinking of the incredible things that were accomplished there. Then sitting on the steps the Lincoln Memorial with his noble words and works and the memorials commemorating the fallen heroes in the wars and the solemn and sacred feeling that abound. I loved living in those buildings and finding myself there. I loved that feeling of awe, that I am here and part of this great thing.

Yes, I love Washington D.C., I love our country and am thankful to have spent the day celebrating with my family in a very fitting way, with fireworks.



The White House


The Jefferson Memorial during the Cherry Blossom Festival



The U.S. Capitol

Can my personality really be categorized into one of just 24 options? I have been fascinated this week by the Myers-Briggs personality test. In just a few simple questions, I can ascertain my strengths and weaknesses, jobs that would best fit me and relationship tips. Why didn't I do this years ago? The test sounds like something a college freshman takes to figure out their major, but as one on a continual search for my path in life, it seemed about right.

See what you are, www.ustechnicaljobs.com under the free personality test link, it might surprise you.