BYU love

I rag on football a lot, but Michael will be the first to admit that it's definitely growing on me. And now, I'm admitting that I'm 85% a fan. The 15% is for those Saturdays when I just want to snuggle and watch a good flick with my man, but then I remember. The game is on. And I really love him. Football it is.

So this week I got a good dose of chick flicks to satisfying my craving, and I was therefore amped and ready for a win. **FYI we watched Father of the Bride 1 and 2 in 2 days. I cried. A little.**

Go cougs! I'll miss ya when I graduate, but I'll always be true blue. And just like Natasha Hayes says:

God is a cougar

Thank You Thursday

I'm thankful for a Pingree in Provo!

Highlight of my week, semester, year... was when I was reunited with Claire Pingree last Saturday. It only seemed fitting that our reunion included a morning run, coordinating outfits (unplanned) and laughing over a bowl of cereal and bananas. So sad Jess B couldn't join us.

If you didn't know, Claire has kept me running for quite a while now. A year, no two years! ago we ran the a half marathon together, and have been hitting the pavement ever since. In Provo. In England. In Scotland. Where next?

Moab half marathon finish line 2010


Rocking the sweatshirts around the waist. And girl in front not looking so hot. Keep going #3514!!

Aftermath. Ahhhhhhh

**For those of you who don't know, Claire had to leave the MTC for a bit to take care of her little cheek. And after a successful surgery, things are looking good for her to jump back into missionary mode soon enough.**

birthdays keep me sane

This week has been a slow one. There is nothing worse than thinking its Friday everyday, and realizing everyday that its not. So, these couple birthday bashes have kept me going.

Mom and dad came to town this weekend (without little Ace. she's such a dang busy senior). We decided to celebrate our favorite October birthdays in September. A little premature, but who doesn't like a surprise birthday the month before the actual day? no one!

The happy birthday couple.

We got Indian food at Ali Baba's in Salt Lake and had the whole place to ourselves. It may have been a little hole in the wall, but it was delicious. And cheap. Best combo ever.

**Haha. A couple faces in this picture are questionable. Kai? Dad?**

second celebration...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO CHRISTIE! (for real. today is the day)

I love Christie. She's so fun, chill, loves ice cream and cereal (hear hear) and she's a great GREAT sister in law.

**Groupon at Sammy's = burgers, fries and shakes all around!**

 

More weird faces...


Ahh. Thats more like it.


Thank you family members for being born and giving me a reason to eat great food.

winter weddings

 

 Shannon Smoot is getting married people!! To Mr. Kyle Warr.

We met when I moved to San Diego, and although I couldn't get over her weirdly small ears at first, we became such great friends. Ha. That's a lie. We were friends instantly. And since then, Shannon always keeps me fun. I'm the cautious, non-spontaneous person who says "that's against the rules." I'm annoying, yes. But Shannon is fearless, faithful and a great example of a loyal friend.

Shannon is going to kill me for even doing this post, but I don't care. She's getting married, I get excited about these things and I'm in the wedding mode. So just humor me a little, ok? Plus, these vintage winter styles peaked my interest.

*All you married women who keep looking at wedding blogs or pins on pinterest know what I mean*

**Shannon would look amazing in that dress.**

I love how these are totally Christmas colors, but they don't look like the Macey's day parade. (which I know is in Thanksgiving, but lets face it. It's Christmas propaganda).

It's your turn Shannon. I give you my blessing. duh.

To-Do's

Bucket List 

1. hit up provo's farmers market
2. four wheeling or camping
3. bbq at our park across the street
4. make an apple pie
(I'm obsessed with apple season and anything apples. ask anyone. gum and apples are my vice -- oh wait and ice cream, cookies, bread... dang)
5. bike ride up the canyon
6. go to a byu football game (maybe we'll win?)
7. paint my room like this. (no crib involved)
8. design my first rug

**I give you my word people. At least half of these will be completed**

Anna and I off to the Farmer's Market on twin day 2009 (whoa. so long ago)

memory lane

if i could just go in, i swear i'd leave. wont take nothing but a memory


I've been obsessed with this song for a while now. Maybe its because I have homes all over the world and each one has its own memories. Maybe its because my own family and home is growing. But I think we all have that itch to relive home, whether we're nomads or home-grown.

A whole summer ago I stopped by Paris with the lovely Claire and Megan. I had two goals: buy a painting of the arc de triomphe off the street and go back to my house in Le Visenet.

*check and check*

seeing my house was the best feeling in the world!! (next to marrying michael) It was one of those dreams where "if I die and don't do this, my life will not be complete." I almost cried when I saw my moms geraniums still in their flower pots on the windows

Do you know what makes my little nephew Ryan so cute?

No, it's not the handsome man holding him, although I do believe he will have beautiful children. Uh huh! * It's his darling parents Lisa and Brett. They are so patient, loving, kind and do so much with their two little boys.

Lisa started a blog on her little moments of motherhood, and I LOVE IT!!  I almost started crying yesterday when I was reading this story.  I am looking forward to moments like those.

I don't know about you, but sometimes I look at these "mommy blogs" and I say, "wait. how do you have so much time to be PERFECT?"

She doesn't pretend like she has all the time in the world to be crafty. She will be the first to admit that running clothes can be workout wear and day-wear. She is a great example to me of a mom who can laugh at the spills, the thrills, the ups and downs and all the tears of mama-hood.

* Give it a read *

My New Nephews?

First Kai got Jack, then Cade and Kass got Duke, now Michael and I are the odd ones out and are thinking, is it about time we get a dog too?

So we googled it, took an online test for our "perfect dog" and found out the dog for us is a schnoodle. That was a sign that we weren't supposed to get a dog. A schnoodle? No thanks.

  

My Grandma Anna has been struggling with Alzheimer's for over a year now, and you'd be surprised how she's still got her spunk. Michael and I stayed with her for a week before we could move into our new apartment, and I'll never forget moments of tucking her in at night and seeing her smile because she knew we loved her. One night we just chatted in bed for a while, and I could've sworn I saw my grandma as a seventeen-year-old at a sleep over. Just gabbing and laughing and being so silly. I've learned a lot from that lady and will always respect her zeal for life.

**Are you loving my instagram-style, 1960's photos? If you don't have an iphone, you don't need one! Eat that apple. Ya right. I'm lying through my teeth. I'm obsessed and want one sooooo bad. **

Finally Fall

Miss Rhode Island always said that April 25th was the perfect day "because it's not too hot and it's not too cold. All you need is a light jacket."  - Miss Congeniality.

What she forgot is how freaking awesome fall is!

It's that apple-pickin, boot-wearin, sweat-shirt sportin time of year, ya'll. 

The air is getting cooler, the days are getting shorter and I am ripe and ready for harvest time! To prepare for fall I made these on Sunday. 

I've never made cinnamon rolls by myself, let alone without a mixer, but did you know that food processors can knead bread perfectly?! Thank you Cuisinart. Recipe found at ourbestbites.com. If you haven't visited their site, do it and do it now! You'll thank me later.

On a sentimental note: I felt my grandma with me the whole day I was making these. She was the queen of baking and I've always felt I inherited a little bit of her passion (I'm just no queen yet).

Faith Renewed

Although remembering 9/11 will always bring back memories of pain, trials and even confusion, today I was able to remember that good prevails. My faith was renewed by two main things today:

1. The Washington Post asked some of the world's most influential world religious leaders what have we learned about religions in the last 10 years and what was the spiritual impact of 9/11. Pres. Monson's response was uplifting, but motivating.

Sadly, it seems that much of that renewal of faith has waned in the years that have followed. Healing has come with time, but so has indifference. 

THIS IS MY FAVORITE...MUST READ!

If there is a spiritual lesson to be learned from our experience of that fateful day, it may be that we owe to God the same faithfulness that He gives to us. We should strive for steadiness, and for a commitment to God that does not ebb and flow with the years or the crises of our lives. It should not require tragedy for us to remember Him, and we should not be compelled to humility before giving Him our faith and trust. We too should be with Him in every season.

2. The Music and the Spoken Word was so heartfelt, patriotic and full of the Spirit. Michael was still taking his nap and was unconscious (basically) when I came in to tell him it was on, so I ended up watching it and crying by myself on our little green couch. (You better watch it next Sunday on KBYU at 8:30 if you missed it)

They sang this song for all the children who would grow up through 9/11 and need to remember that families, like lullabyes, never really die.

My dad and I danced to this song at my wedding. It will always remind me of him and the fact that he always rocked me to sleep to Billy Joel.

I'm grateful that faith can pull us through anything, and that families are forever.

Bomb threat?

I think the most memorable thing that happened to me on the first day of school was when my best friend and I showed up for our senior year wearing the same thing. Embarrassing then and embarrassing now that I still remember that, but no where near as dramatic as this one.

Text from sister on wednesday:

ummm so first day of school right... Bomb threat. Stuck in football stadium. 100 degrees. No food no water... I wanna die :'(

-- be careful what you wish for Ace.

Text from dad on thursday:

We are without power. 1.4 million customers in san diego and south orange county. You can only reach us by cell and text. It has been an interesting back to school week.

Text from mom on thursday night:

Check out our romantic evening without electricity. (sends a picture). Your wedding candles are actually coming in handy.

Well, as usual these Carters are pulling through with a great attitude. And as a PR student, I think it's great that they've made the national papers and almost every news channel. The photos will take you to the stories.

Best line in the story - "We thought we were going to die from heat, not a bomb."

*Take Care Carters - and the other 1.4 million*

Weekend inspirations: Brian McKnight

Weekend is approaching, and I'm getting nervous!


What if I never do anything cool? What if I don't have a thing to share except "Michael and I watched Jimmy Fallon" (which I love) as my weekend highlight at work?  Or the most dreaded of all... football.


But weekends like this one give me hope that we can stumble upon unexpected weekend highlights.

Ever heard this song?

In Utah fans don't just sing along. They sing harmony.

The last time I went to the SCERA Shell Outdoor Theater, I was six or seven performing in The Music Man. Ask me to sing a song from that show, and you'll regret it. I know every word.

 

Two weekends ago, however, Michael and I stumbled upon the SCERA for a stunning show under the stars. Mr. Brian McKnight. Singer. Song-writer. Entertainer. Black. He's got it all.

See those smiles? True McKnight fans. Not. We came cause we knew one song. ** see video **

Give it up for the MTC

Rumor has it - the MTC is a bittersweet place.

Hearts are humbled, minds are stretched, testimonies are strengthened, and those boys' girlfriends are gone forever. And, I would have to agree considering bittersweet  is exactly the way I felt when I dropped off my missionaries. 

However, tonight we had an MTC dinner for all the applicant rating team, and truth be told, the MTC is just plain sweet. It was so great to see how much these guys love their job, the people they work with and the message they share. I used to be curious when Michael walked in the door all amped about work, but now I get it.

Gospel's true people. Go forth and preach. 

If you don't believe the cliche that life is a rollercoaster, allow me to prove you wrong. For the past three weeks we have been packing, moving, entering law school, dropping out of law school, traveling, vacationing, homeless, jobless, driving some more, living with grandma, not homeless, employed, and now at peace with our new life and lovely home in Provo.

Over the course of those three crazy weeks, I have cooked, eh, maybe twice? Tonight was cooking night number three and it's pretty nice to be back to the chopping block.

Chunky Sweet Potato Soup: the soup that reconverted me to cooking.

Go here for the recipe.

* Note: I added some pork to make it a little more "meaty" for the man in the house.*