Christmas break

So I got a digital camera for Christmas and I have been taking pictures like crazy so of course I have to share some with all of you. So first of all we are all moved into our apartment and we had Christmas there this year.

Then we went down on Christmas eve and sang at my parents ward and we got to see my cute nephews Colby, Nathan, and Andrew with their santa hats at my mom's house.

Then we spent Christmas with my family and then went down to mom and dad pyne and played guitar hero all day even mom got into it.

and Missy and Shelby...

I did play but mostly Ruby and I just played on the couch while she ate her apple.

It was such a great time and then after all of that we had Lis's bridal shower and she is due in the middle of January so it is coming up soon.

We are all so excited for her and she will be the first one of us friends to have a baby!

Well that is it for most of my vacation except there is New Years and snowmobiling at the cabin at the end of this week so who knows there might be more! Love you all and hope you all had a great break like we did!

Greetings from Logan...

So we are moved into our apartment in Logan...well technically not all the way moved in. We are getting excited and nervous for school to start. We will be coming back down to Salt Lake on Christmas eve though. The snow is coming down so hard up here but it is so pretty. Can't wait for the holidays and to see everyone!

Craziest thing happened to me today!

Okay so this is kind of a follow-up to my last post. I wrote that the other night when I was just having a hard time and I decided to bring a little light in to cheer me up. So these last few days have been hard because I have been freaking out about moving and I didn't get into my prerequisite class for like ALL my classes. Needless to say I was a little nervous and scared and I have to get a new job and life is just a little bit of a mystery. So yesterday Jake and I got a little upset at each other because I was scared and a little pessimistic about the whole thing and he kept telling me to have a good attitude.

So...today I was texting my great friend Nikki who I met down at Snow and she started talking about how everything works out when you have a good attitude which was really weird because today I was starting to have a better attitude about Utah State...okay so here is the big kicker. I get online just to check out my grades then I go to USU website and just check to see if any of my other classes have a spot even though I am on waiting lists and they got booked like the first day I decided to look anyways. There it was my Intro to Family and Consumer Sciences Education class. It was seriously a miracle. I have been praying so hard for this because if I didn't get in I would be put back a semester possible two. This was crazy how random but what a miracle it was. I know it sounds dumb but it just goes to show that He knows exactly what you need and how when you really try hard to be a good person and have a good attitude He will always help you. So there you go my little miracle for the day!

A little sadness...to a little sunshine

Do you ever just look back on your life and think "oh that makes sense why that happened"? That is completely what I have been thinking lately. I have always wondered why I needed to go to Snow College (then I quickly found that out because I found my hot husband) then I wondered why the heck I ended up going to BYU of all places I didn't want to go and I have found that one out and now I am thinking about what lies ahead of us in Logan. I am not going to lie I am excited and not at the same time. I have always wanted to live there but I hate change I guess this is the Lord's way of teaching me to get used to it.

One thing that I have thought a lot about were some of my trials in my life and why the heck they came to me. I will admit some of them I asked for but some were completely not my choice. Then I realized that one of the hardest things that I have gone through has helped me help soooo many people and I came out of it so much stronger. I never thought I would see the day but I am there. One other thing that I have come to question is (this is just my theory to help me get through things) that maybe in Heaven God had this grand plan for us of this person who was supposed to teach forgiveness, peace, or unconditional love or whatever it may be and he knew and possibly we knew in Heaven what we would do but we accepted because we knew that somehow, oneday we could help even just one person to get through their trial. It gives me hope to realize that we aren't the only ones and maybe the next time you are mistreated or you make a mistake it might help to think that this isn't just about you and this is your opportunity to be the best you can be and to help others. Anyways aren't we all going through the same test? Why not be there to help someone else.

Book I recommend: The Little Soul and the Sun...From this little child not only does he find out who he is but he shows the whole world who he is..."I am Light!"

Our new apartment!

So we just got our new apartment in Logan. It is a cute 2 bedroom townhome that is a lot bigger than our place now. I am so excited to finally have some room and we got the best deal ever. I will have to add pictures of it once we move in and maybe have comparison pictures of our little place now. I told Jake that we have to take pictures because our kids will never believe that we had that small of an apartment. I have loved it thought and there have been some really good memories. I don't think anyone forgets their first few months and years of marriage and this little apartment holds a special place in my heart even in I have a little gallery kitchen and I have to cut my potatoes on the cutting board on the stove because we don't have much room. One other thing I will miss is our cute little neighbors. We have loved our neighborhood and the great people we have met in our ward. It will be sad to leave but there will be many great roads ahead of us.

Relaxing...I think NOT!

Don't you love it when you realize you only have a little bit to do in a night and you can sit down and watch a movie with your husband or read a good book and clean up and it not be in a hurry... I do! Well this is what my plan was for last night. Jake and I had hardly any homework and we had a great meal and were going to watch a movie until...I looked at my Marriage Enhancement syllabus and realize the marriage project that I hadn't even started on was due today! AHH! Well it took me about 5 hours or so last night and another 1 and a half today. Oh gosh I hate procrastinating. It worked out great actually I got it done and it was actually really interesting.

In reality the real reason why I am writing is because I have been inspired. I read the book Hiding Place by Corrie ten Boom for my Home and Family Living class and I loved it. It is a story of a woman who was smuggling Jews in Holland to avoid persecution and she gets caught and sent to a consentration camp. The whole time it tells about how horrible the conditions are and how everyone is getting sick. Her one sister is there with her but her other sister has been released so she sends Corrie this package with a sweater, toothpaste, and a bible. The bible is tiny so she can fit it under her clothes. They haven't had very much time to read because of the guards. One day they are reading the scriptures and they read a verse which talks about being thankful in all things. Corrie's gracious sister Betsie talks about how she is thankful to be with her sister, to at least be healthy, the bible, Jesus Christ, and for the fleas that are infesting the barracks. Corrie finds this outragious but they realize that they are not to be grateful in just nice times. Betsie gets sicker so she is sent to work in the knitting department. This is where all the weak women go. They notice that the guards hardly come in at all so Betsie reads from the bible to the women so that they can have more faith. Betsie gets back to Corrie one day and says that she has found out why the guards stay away from the knitting department and so they can read the bible and it is because of the fleas that the soldiers do not want to come in to check on them. This was truly a blessing and it just made me want to be a better person. So many times we can be thankful for extra money we received or a nice new present but it is much harder when things are difficult and you are in dispair but Betsie showed me the person that I want to be with unconditional faith and hope that you can be grateful in ALL things!

I'm thankful for...

Well it is that time of year and a tradition in our family is that we go around the table and say something we are thankful for but since we didn't do dinner with my family this year I figured I would say what I have been thankful for on here.

1. My amazing faith-there there have been a lot of times lately where I haven't quite known what was going to happen or how things were going to work out but I am so thankful for the knowledge that my Heavenly Father is there to help me always.

2. My amazing husband-he makes me happy when I feel like the world is just so horrible and he helps me to see the best in everything. He always helps around the house, now that his back is better, and he takes care of me when I have my crazy and emotional moments.

3. My family-of course my great family but also my new family who has welcomed me in so nicely and has considered me one of theirs.

4. The many miracles in my life-even just lately we got another grant for Jake's school and switching schools and we have seen so many other things that have fallen into our plates these last few months that have made me realize that nothing happens just by chance but there is a purpose to everything.

5. Last of all this beautiful country that I live in-I am so grateful that I have religious freedom, freedom of speech, the chance to vote and make my voice heard, and for the chance that I have to work and be healthy and know that my children will grow up to be free like I am.

Well just thought I would share just a little bit of why I am so grateful for my life because even when it seems so horrible and there is no end to the mundane I realize the great blessings in my life and know that it is far from ordinary and fully of joy.

Okay so I have to...

I have to give my thoughts on the Twilight movie. I saw it on Friday and went with my family because my mom got free tickets from work so I thought what the heck... I loved it! They did such a good job and the characters were great...and very good looking. They made it seem so real life and not just this crazy story, which I thought it was before I started reading. I also wanted to add that now I have become addicted and I am on the second book and I read 230 pages in one day which is a lot for me now because I am so busy. I love reading but this is just even better. Oh and I had to include my favorite part where he gets out of the volvo with his shades on and gets the door for bella and puts his arm around her. He looks so good. Well that is all.

Oh man!

A little... well kind of big update!

So it is official we are moving in January to go to Utah State! Jake has been taking Engineering classes and has really liked them and has realized that he has a lot more opportunities if he does that instead of digital engineering or recording. I am excited because I have always wanted to live in Logan but never thought I would since I came to BYU after Snow. We are now trying to look for apartments up there that will hopefully be bigger than our 4 to 5 hundred square feet place that we have now! Well all is going well just thought I would finally announce it! GO AGGIES!

Back in the Day...

I found this super cute website that Jen had on her blog and I had to do it. It converts any picture too look over 100 years old. I love it!

The most "magical" weekend...

This weekend was so great. I went to California to go see my cousin's, Brittany, baptism. It was so great it is kind of crazy how she came to the church because she always had an influence of the church but most of it was not the best from some of my extended family. It was so great to see her get baptized and the faith that she has. The next great time that we had this weekend was going to Disneyland! Oh we had so much fun...oh and it was free which is even better. My cousin knew some people who worked there. The weather was perfect just a light jacket and short lines. This is a picture of my favorite ride: Space Mountain!!! It is so great to be home now though. So great to be back with my hubby and a little break from my family. Well that is it! Oh by the way-way to go Obama! I believe he will be a great president. Either president would have done a good job. It doesn't matter who we believe will be best because he is now our president and I am proud of him. No matter what I have pride for my country and I will love my president. YAY America for freedom of speech and for this great country that we live in.

Tagged:

Ok I was tagged by Krista so here are 7 weird/random facts about me:
1-I met my husband in Institute of course.
2-My best friend from high school is gay but I still love him!
3-I now have 14 brothers and sisters and inlaws and 11 nieces and nephews.
4-I am studying family and consumer sciences education and half of the people in my classes aren't even going to work after they are done. It is a mom degree but I will use it!
5-my dream car is an Audi A4 and I hope to get one one day.
6-I am in California for my 20 year old cousins birthday this weekend!
7-I love my cute 400-500 sf apartment. I really don't know how big but close to that I am sure.
Ok, I'm only Tagging Abby and Cecily

Interior Design and Architecture

So I am taking an interior design and architecture class that I have just loved! I have noticed my world so differently. I thought I would show a couple of things that I love about architecture and design.

Here is one of my favorite styles of home. It is called a craftsman home. I love especially the new ones. It has an old country feel but so cute! You can see tons of these older ones especially in Provo.

I love those homes but I thought I would just add some other funky pictures that I found!

Walt Disney Concert Hall...man they make everything cool...Disneyland, Epcot, this!

Some funky place I can't remember the name though!

This is seriously a house in Japan! Even the crazy slug bug to go with it!

Well that is it just thought I would put on some fun pics!

See ya later!

Moab Trip with the Family

So we just got back last night from Moab. It was such a great trip. There is something about going on vacation where you just get away from life. We were still there with all of our family and a lot of things but it is just nice to get away. I love being home and going to school and work but it is so great to go on vacation. So about our trip we went Jeeping for 2 days and came back late, late on Saturday. We stayed at a way nice campground called Ken's lake. Some of the highlights were when we had some bikers that were watching us. They were from Canada and decided that they had to take pictures of everything. They wanted their picture by the Jeep and of all of us. It was really funny. Well that is about all! Just a little highlight from my weekend!

Our Wedding Scrapbook!

Just a couple thoughts from my weekend

This weekend was such a treat! We went up to the cabin where we had way too much food and tons of relaxing. It is so great to be home though. Going to the cabin is one of my favorite things but just being home is such a great thing. So from this weekend it was conference and I just wanted to say a few things I have been thinking about.

The boys got home from Priesthood session and we all asked what they talked about. They said of course to be better and to treat your wives better. We then had a conversation about how men always get chastised and women get praised and they tell us to feel better about our accomplishments...which Uchtdorf did say just the week before at women's conference, I believe his whole talk was on it. This got me to thinking why do the prophets and apostles say these things and treat us so kindly and the men so harshly...to be honest I think it is because they can take it. Why can't we? Why are we always so hard on ourselves? Why do the little things bother us when our husbands could care less? Not to say that men are heartless but that we care too much! This drives me crazy but why do we still do it?! We still strive for perfection when we know it is not achieveable.

After a talk in my class today about this subject I realized what we need to do...not why because there really is no need to be so hard on ourselves. In a lot of the talks over this conference there was a theme of despair, not so much how life is so sad and too bad but a sense that we all have hard stuff we go through, but like the Young Women's President said with God, all things are possible. From this conference I don't know if I learned anything more valuable as hope. Life is hard that is just how it is but we need to enjoy it and realize that there is hope and these experiences are to make us happier and stronger. This is a hard concept I think that is why I still struggle but really from this day on I will find that strength and know that I am great as a woman and that these experiences really are to bring joy. I think maybe there will be brighter days ahead!

What if...

So today was so just a little crazy. Started school at 8:30 and went until 7:00 tonight because I had a review session. Oh I can't wait to be done with school for good. Don't get me wrong I do like it but it just seems like you are going anywhere. I did find out this wee that my program got shortened by about 15 credits so that was great. Only 2 more years or so. So the major thing that I have been thinking about these last couple of days and how the economy has really been a little crazy. So I have been thinking what if everything goes horribly wrong and most of us lost our jobs and hardly had anything. It would be so hard and we would be scrounging for every penny we could find. Then I came to think that it would be hard but we are all talking about how we don't have enough time for our families but yet we want our money more than our families sometime. So if we were all so poor we would be spending a lot more time with our family. Wouldn't that be the craziest thing if we had to make time for work instead. It would completely take us back half a century and we would have more time to be home with the family and to talk to people..actually talk to people! Not just a quick text or phone call while we are working or driving because we wouldn't want to waste our spare time. Just something to think about. Of course I don't want to be in a depression but having some time with my husband wouldn't be too bad! I think we should live more, laugh more often, and definitely love more!

Thoughts from my Sunday...crazy Sunday!

Oh my goodness it was one crazy Sunday but it has now calmed down. So we went to 3 hours of church and then after we stay for about another hour for our ward missionary meeting. Then the ward mission leader asked Jake to go to the bishopric council because he couldn't make it. I went visiting teaching an hour after that and so I didn't see Jake until later so Jake had 6 hours of church after only 3 weeks from his surgery! Holy cow! It can be a little frustrating because our lives are so full of great things but it is hard when all the great things are bunched together in one day! It calmed down and we had a little bit of time which was really nice and then went to Aunt Karen's house and just chatted with Cassandra for 2 1/2 hours. It was really nice.

So on the note of church it really was a great day though. The lesson was a little crazy but one thing that really struck me was when the Lord says "this is my work and my glory to bring the immortality and eternal life of man." The question was asked how this affects how we view our lives and I really thought for a minute. Then I really thought that this is his mission statement to bring us back to him. Everything he does is to help us to get back to him. Then you think of all the hard things that you go through and all your struggles and it is not just happenstance that we go through these but they are specific to us to get us back home to him. That was just some food for thought. Tell me what you think!

I figured out how to do a background

YAY! I finally figured out how to do my background if any of you have cute websites with templates let me know!

Okay I am going to get serious now...well at least try :)

So I am really going to try on this whole blogging thing. So about my week it has been so crazy. I am absolutely loving school but it is so busy with work and my crippled husband(I can say that and not be rude because we all know he is the doctor even said so) but he is getting so much better. He is still in pain but it is all shaping up. So this morning Jake said to me "you really aren't home much". I felt so bad because last night I tried so hard I clean the whole place...all 500 sf of it and made a nice dinner and then Brother Hadley from our ward called and said the English teachers didn't show up to could I come right away and have Jake come help translate for the Korean man in our ward who was getting the priesthood. I love teaching English and I was so happy I went but I had to laugh because when Jake got home he probably thought I was crazy. The rug and his chair were on the sofa and half the carpet had vacuum lines in it. I had to turn off the oven and go right away. We got home after and we ate our hard food because it just sat for a bit and it was rice. We had to laugh or else I would probably cry...women and their emotions! So that was my day. Now I have class until 7 and a meeting until 8. Now my husband will never see me! At least we have breaks so we talk a lot. This weekend will be great not too much going on just us and our cute little apartment! I found this super funny picture I thought you might like!

I have a blog!

Okay everyone I have a blog now we will see how well this turns out...sorry if it is boring. So I am just at school right now. I have a four hour break on Tuesdays and Thursdays so that gives me a lot of free time to be on here and doing my homework...which I am avoiding. I am really loving my classes this semester though. It really is entertaining because it deals with everyday life. I have a really interesting statistic I learned yesterday. So you know how there has been a lot of talk about so many LDS families getting divorces and the numbers are as high as the rest of the US well our rate is at 50% all together for the church but the divorce rate for temple marriages are 25-30% so that is a little bit better. Then the rate for active members married in the temple is only 7%. I know there are some cases where it is not one persons fault and people do just get divorces but the chances of that happening when you are living the gospel and doing all you can is a lot less. I thought that was really amazing. Oh and I have a funny website about people being obsessed with birthdays and outdoing the jones'. Hope you like it. http://www.birthdayswithoutpressure.org/quotes.html