Pocatello, MG's, Weddings, and Family - OH MY!

We had a great weekend! It started out on Friday - both of us had it off of work and we drove up to Pocatello to check some things out. We hung out on campus, checking out housing and financial aid and the bookstore. We also check out a few apartments - all of them were a no go. But we did have a good time spending some extra time together that we normally do not have.

Friday night was also a girls night with the MG's. We all met up at Natalie's house and then went out to eat. I forget what the restaurant was called... But it was awful. Well, the food was really good (soups and sandwiches) but we waited for an hour for our food! It does not take that long to make a sandwich. Then we had to wait forever for our checks, and then we had to wait forever for them to get back to us... Ugh. Oh well. Then we went back to Nat's and just chatted for hours like we always do! We took some great group pictures as well. Love my MG's.

Adrianne, me, Bonnie, Natali, Leanna, Lindsay, Jamilyn, Stephanie, Natalie, and Annika

Saturday was my old roommate Nadia's wedding. Her and Trent were sealed in the Bountiful Temple and it was a beautiful day. I'm so happy for her! Bishop Hart came to the sealing and it was so good to see him. He was our single's ward bishop and we love him. He has a special place in my heart - he was one of the witnesses at our sealing. His whole family is amazing, and so, like I said, it was so good to see him! In between the sealing and the reception we went to get their wedding present, and we also went and saw Cars 2. It was a pretty cute movie, not as good as the first one (or other Pixar movies) but we still liked it. We drove back to the reception, ate some delicious food (they had Jamba Juice!) and then drove back down to Orem where we stopped by my friend Danny's reception. Danny and I were in the same ward our junior year of high school and we also hung out in the same group of friends. He's a great guy and I'm so happy for him! His wife seems like a sweetheart. While we were there we chatted with Braden, Brad and his wife, and Missy and Jordan. It was great to see them all!

Bishop Hart with me and Kyle

Me and Kim! She was mine and Nadia's other roommate.

K and I 

Trent and Nadia, so happy!

Hugging the beautiful bride. 

I love her!

Yesterday Kyle didn't work (yes!) so we were able to go to church together. After church we drove up to Nathan and Mel's for family dinner. We ate, talked, played some Wii, and played with the kiddos.

Cute Baby A

I have dang cute nieces. This is the baby.

So there you go - we had a great weekend. A lot of driving was involved... But it was all worth it :)

Chari's Birthday

My baby sister turned 8 yesterday (or rather the 16th, since I'm so late posting this), and we had a lot of fun spending the day together.
K, Chari, my mom and I went bowling at Fat Cats.
Then we went home, and ate homemade pizza and homemade ice cream.

Charity has been really into Star Wars lately, and we got her a lightsaber for her birthday. It was a big hit. She wouldn't put it down the whole day! And because of her love for Star Wars, we watched Star Wars episodes 4, 5, and the last little bit of 6.

Chari is going to be baptized on the 2nd, and I am so excited for her! 

Random Thoughts

* We're testing a new program at work and I am totally over it already. We just switched systems in January, and spent the months leading up to it testing. Now we're adding a new program, and are testing that. Testing programs is not fun. Plus I'll be leaving and I won't have to deal with the live program ever, so I just don't care. That being said... I'm still testing. Because I'm a good employee like that.

* My Pell Grant for summer term has still not come through yet, which means K and I will have to pay tuition. Thanks a lot, BYU Financial Aid office.

* I really want to find an apartment in Pocatello. Those of you who know me know that I am a planner. Things need to be organized, and ready to go. If they're not, I freak. We're going to Pocatello on Friday which will hopefully lower my stress level. I've also sent two emails about two different apartments and have not heard anything back. Gah.

* K and I have no working phones right now. We ordered our new ones, but according to the fed ex tracking number they're been in Indianapolis since Sunday. Get here already! I'm going crazy without a phone. Of course we don't have phones the week that all sorts of crazy things are going on. (But I am grateful for new phones and cutting our bill in half. I just want them now.)

* My Family Finance class is going to be a beast. And it's taught by an old man. And it's in the classroom where my very first class at BYU was held. That's really precious.

* My Marriage Enhancement class is going to be awesome. I'm so excited.

* June is the month that we resolved (again) to save more money, but then it became the month of a lot of necessary expenses. Isn't that how it always works?

* I'm going to need to find a job in Pocatello. A grown up job. This is scary, and daunting, and weird.


Whew.... I feel a lot better having vented here on my blog. Thanks, blog, for being my outlet.

6/20/11

Today is my last first day of school, what?!

In a short 8 weeks I will be a college graduate.

During my journey through college there were some days I didn't think I would make it. 

But here I am.

Living proof that B's and C's get degrees :)

I'm going to be taking Family Finance and Marriage Enhancement, so it should be a good term. 

K and I are also switching our phone service this week. 

We'll be switching from T-Mobile to Virgin Mobile.

We'll be cutting our phone bill in half, adding unlimited data/web, and we'll be the proud owners of these beauties. We'll have officially joined the smart phone crowd.

Kyle didn't have to work Friday or Saturday, so we had a fun time together.

We went to dinner on Friday night at Sizzler's. Neither of us had been for a long time, and it was delicious. Did you know you can add an all you can eat salad bar for $3? And that salad bar includes pasta, salad, and dessert? Amazing. And the steaks aren't too bad either :)

We also watched the  Social Network. 

We didn't love it. The idea is kind of interesting... But the movie was pretty boring.

Saturday I went to the Farmer's Market with Sarah and Abby, and then Kyle and I went to my friend Sarah's birthday party for her and her little boy. I haven't seen her for a long time, so it was fun to catch up!

Afterwards we went and saw Super 8. I actually liked it quite a bit.

Then we went up to Strawberry Days and walked around and ate strawberries and cream of course.

And.... I brought my camera, and then left it in the car. 

So no pictures :(

I definitely need to get better at taking pictures. 

So that was our fun weekend. 

This next one will be fun too! We're headed up to Pocatello on Friday, MG night Friday night, Nadia's sealing and reception on Saturday, and my friend  Danny's reception Saturday night.

Love being busy.

2 Years!

I have a hubs/lover/best friend and his name is Kyle.

Two years ago I made the (best. ever.) decision to date him.

(Back story: 3 days before, K and I had had a talk where he basically confessed to me that he liked me and that he wanted to date me. After this confession, I freaked out, told him I liked him to but didn't know what I wanted. K said it was ok, I could think about it, and even if I didn't want to date him we could still be best friends. Yes. He's the best.)

Our conversation went something like this:

Me: So, um, Kyle, you know how you said you wanted to date me a few days ago?

Kyle: Yeah.

Me: Well... Um, I think, I mean, well, I want to date. Is that still ok? 

Kyle (smiling): Yeah, that sounds great.

Me: Ok, well, great. Ok, bye.

Yeah, I'm a real awkward person.

After that conversation, we fell in love, and decided to get married within two months.

And then we waited 9 months to get married, but that's ok.

Time is a funny thing, and I can't believe that we've known each other for almost 3 years, have been best friends about that long, have been together 2 years, and have been married over a year.

Crazy.

We're so happy :)

(Taken March 2010)

Random Thoughts at 4:20 in the Morning

Lets see how coherently I can write this late. Or should I say early? I always have things I want to get done when I work graveyards but they never seem to happen. I have a hard time being productive in the middle of the night even if doing the things I'm supposed to would probably help pass the time.

I don't know how Britt is going to be able to go another month waiting for Harry Potter. I think he kind of took over the blog. It's ok I'm not jealous. Besides we all know HP is the real "chosen one" not LeBron. LeBron should get that tattoo removed. Loser.

I'm ready to quit my job, but I like money and earning more of it before going into debt for graduate school seems like a good idea. I need almost every Saturday off from now until we leave for Pocatello so having weekends off will definitely help survive a couple more months here. Between the MTC and this treatment center I have worked almost every Friday and Saturday since I have been home from my mission. I'm pretty sure I can count the weekends I have had off in the last 4 years on my fingers. I'm thinking its time to change that.

I ran 7.5 miles yesterday. My legs are a little sore right now but not too bad. I'm serious about running the Pioneer day marathon next month. I'm going to run a half marathon on the 9th and we will see how that goes. I don't like running all that much but I like doing hard things and running 26.2 miles sounds hard. I like challenges and I like to push myself.

I read a book by Dr. Laura this week. I always thought of her as kind of a nut with a radio show. You know Sleepless in Seattle.... but the lady has a lot of interesting things to say and I like how direct she is. Someday I'm going to write some good books on marriage and family therapy. After I write some kids books (Britt found a Dr. Seuss biography for me to read at the library! Thanks babe!) and after I write my book on missionary work that is, well..... still being written. It's more than a few pages now though.

I guess it is time to watch a movie on Netflix before I try and drive home without falling asleep! Wish me luck! And whoever you are that is reading this I hope you have a great day! This paragraph has a lot of exclamation marks!!

In Honor of Harry Potter

Source: pour-la-victoire.tumblr.com via Britt on Pinterest

Source: southern-cinderella.tumblr.com via Britt on Pinterest

Source: ravelry.com via Britt on Pinterest

Source: None via Britt on Pinterest

Source: thereadables.tumblr.com via Britt on Pinterest

Source: weheartit.com via Britt on Pinterest

Source: hpstuffs.tumblr.com via Britt on Pinterest

Everybody Loves the Weekend

This weekend was a blast.

Started off with a girl's night with my friend Milanne on Friday night.

We went to Zupa's, and chatted, and made some S'more cookie bars.

Saturday was my good friend/old roommate Nadia's bridal shower, which was a blast! It was so fun to see her, and talk about her and Trent. They're getting married in less than two weeks, and Kyle and I are so excited to go to their sealing and reception!

Then, Sarah, Ginger and I went to Orem Summerfest! Oh, I love Summerfest. We met up with my mom and Charity, and some family friends for the parade. Then we walked around, met up with Ayisha, Landon, and Jordan and got some food at Cafe Paesan (that place was delicious!). Then we parted ways with A, L, and J and started walking  back to the car. The fireworks started before we made it back to the car, so the three of us sat down on the curb and watched. After the fireworks were over we went to Spoon It Up and just hung out and chatted. Love you girls!

Sunday was a great day too.
I was visit taught, we went to church, then we went on a picnic for dinner and read aloud the Ensign and Book of Mormon to each other. Then we went over to Jill and Garyn's for some delicious dessert, and watched the Finals. We came back and watched LOST while folding laundry.

So, we had a great weekend... Well, maybe me more so than Kyle since Kyle worked a lot. 

IT ALL ENDS 7.15

Why yes I bought my HP tickets on Saturday.

12:05 am, baby.

I am freaking out.

June is a Busy Month

June is practically booked up already, and it's only the 9th! 

So far I've gone to a bridal shower and spent a whole day with my  mom and sister, I've hung out with friends, we've gone to the Temple, and helped someone move.

This weekend is more friend time, another bridal shower.

Next week is my sister's birthday, a friend's party, and Strawberry Days!

Then it's Father's Day, and summer classes start, and we visit Pocatello, and it's MG night, and Trent and Nadia's wedding, and my friend Danny's reception, and then June is over.

That all on top of work. 

Wow. What a month.

Good thing we like being social :)

On EFY

I walked to work today by way of Helaman Halls.

And what did I see? A billion and one EFY kids.

Without fail I always have 3 thoughts pop into my head.


1) Oh my heck, they are so annoying. Get them off my campus. They're babies and they don't belong here. Stop  making so much noise. Go away.
2) Oh, my goodness. I loved the year I went to EFY. Best week ever. Now these kids are having the same experience. That's so great.
3) I was going to be an EFY counselor one time. But I was too young. And then I got married. Bummer, I think I really missed out. (But could I really have handled those kids?!)


Clearly I have mixed emotions regarding these kids.
I mean.... Teenagers.


But... What I really want to share with you is my own experience of EFY.
I went to EFY summer of 2006, the summer before my senior year of high school. I went with my good friend, Shirley, from my ward.
It was a great week.
Yes, there was drama as only drama can happen when you get teenagers together, but my testimony really was strengthened so much that week. I can recall two specific experiences where my love for the Savior and our Father in Heaven intensified, and I knew without a doubt that They love me.


The first was when we were doing our daily scripture study in the morning. I was studying D&C, section 6.
Verse 20 really stuck out to me, especially the part which reads:
Be faithful and diligent in keeping the commandments of God, and I will encircle thee in the arms of my love.
And in verse 34 He calls us His "little flock."
That entire section is marked up in my scriptures. I felt that it was speaking directly to me at that time.
I knew that He really loves us, and would encircle us in His arms.


The other time was when we were at a devotional of some sort... The really big one at the end of the week? And we all stood up and sang the EFY Medley together.
So cheesy, I know, but I felt the Spirit so strongly.
As we sang the words 
"We are daughters of our Heavenly Father who loves us and we love Him. Yes, we love Him" 
my heart was full and I felt the Savior standing close to me. I looked over at Shirley, and we both had tears streaming down our faces. 
I may have been a little 16 year old, but I knew with every fiber of my being that the Church was true and that God loves me and all His children.
I had never felt that so strongly before, and it was amazing, and life changing, and testimony strengthening.
Whenever life got hard the next year or two, I could also go back to those two experiences I had while at EFY and draw on the feelings that I had felt.


So, while those little EFY-ers may annoy me to no end in the summer, deep down I am so grateful that they are at EFY, either by their own choice or their parents', and I hope that they are able to have a similar faith building experience while they are here, because everyone needs at least one. 

Some Thoughts

:: Pinterest is awesome and addicting. If you want an invite, just leave your email address in the comments!

:: I bought myself some black skinny jeans a couple of weeks ago. I love them.

:: I "decided" on my style. I was telling Sarah, it's like, I start getting ready and I have a really cute ensemble in mind and I'd look awesome... But half way through I get bored, or impatient, so I leave the house looking half-way put together. Yep. I'm great.

:: I really love Forever 21. Cheap shirts, cheap tanks, cheap jewelry, cheap hair accessories. Yes, please.

:: This was a great week for friends. Dinner with Kyla, running into Britt, going to a concert with Sarah, Adrianne and Lindsay, and going to a bridal shower with my mom and sister. I love being social.

:: I'm getting so excited to move to Pocatello. (Like I don't mention that every post.)

: I love reading.

:: 4 years ago I graduated from high school. Thought I was on top of the world. Oh baby B, how wrong you were.

:: I want a catchy blog title.... Ideas are welcome.

:: I really need to start taking more pictures. And posting them. I will, I will!

I'm Going to Publish this Post....

I've got a couple of drafts sitting here... But I don't really want to publish them. I feel like my life's been pretty boring recently. Not bad boring. Just regular life-is-the-same boring. Which is fine. But that doesn't give me much to blog about. 

So, I'll just say - we had a great Memorial Day weekend. Mom and Dad Hanson were in town, like I mentioned before, and we spent time with them, and Nate and Mel and the kiddos, and Alan and Jess. We also spent a day down in Price with Grandma and other extended family. We finished off the weekend with a BBQ at Ayisha's, followed by watching the Sandlot. 

I start summer classes in 2 1/2 weeks, and then 8 weeks later I'll be a college graduate, and we'll be off to Pocatello! I'm so excited. K and I also planned out the rest of the summer last night, and we've got some fun things to do! Strawberry Days, Lake Powell, Arches, a few weddings, Charity's birthday and baptism, and the Stadium of Fire... Yep, it's gonna be busy, but also great.

Other news? 

I've found a new love/obsession in pinterest.com. It's been going around for awhile now, but I just joined up yesterday. Seriously, it's the best thing since sliced bread. Now if only I had my own house.... Someday :)

That's about all I've got. Nothing too interesting, but life is still great.