Yahtzee Champion!

My scores are the higher ones. That 5th game, I let him win.....

Date Night with My Handsome

1 - walk around the BYU Museum of Art and explore the newest exhibits
2 - quick visit to see the Harrop family (Morgan is so cute!)
3 - Larsen Elementary School Carnival! Loved, Loved, Loved it!
4 - dinner at Barry's which turned into a spontaneous double with a friend
5 - watch Flash Forward

How would I describe the evening?
"Practically perfect in every way."
I love you my handsome Todd!

Life Cereal - Make it Cinnamon

This picture just makes me smile and laugh.
I loved all the wonderful comments I received from my last post. Thank you for your sincere thoughts and advice. I just needed a little upliftment. Just hearing advice makes me feel better, especially from friends and family whom I can feel their love just by reading their thoughts or hearing their voices.
Ever since school began, I haven't had time to take a breath. I leave for school at 7:30 each morning and return around 4:00 PM. During school, I'm lucky if I can use an hour's worth of preparation time. I've taken over the basic routines of the classroom so far, and I'm beginning a math unit tomorrow. I also have a Social Studies unit to start next Monday, and a Legends unit for writing to start on Monday. Teaching, planning, collaborating. That's half of my work day. I also have to be on top of my Teacher Work Sample - a project that I must pass in order to graduate and receive my teaching license. The TWS is a compilation of assignments that require much time, thought, research, and sweat. The cherry on top of my life - Children's Literature Independent Study. I have to read at least 10 books a week if I am to get it done in time. Although, I can't allow myself to complain about that extra burden. First of all, I was dumb enough to procrastinate the class until 2 weeks before student teaching starts. Second, I really enjoy the books. In a way, they are my outlet. They are my escape from the stressful thoughts and tired feelings I acquire so easily these days.
When I'm not doing my lesson plans, TWS, or Children's Lit, I am trying to keep up our apartment. I didn't have much time before school started to get everything in order the way I would've liked, so of course now that school has started, there's always something that needs to be done around the apartment.
I am so looking forward to that oh so close adventure that awaits Todd and I in China. I also look forward to graduating from BYU. My dad is sure proud. He's the one I owe my education to. Most semesters were funded by him. Sure I did what I could, but it certainly wouldn't have been enough to support myself.
I love my husband so much. He does his best to support me in my school work. I gave him a long, fierce kiss the other day when I came home to a beautiful, clean apartment. It is certainly true that your environment affects your mood and clarity of thought. Todd pried me away from my books last night to take me to the dollar movies. We saw "Up". It was delightful!! I admit though, a couple times my thoughts wandered and knots developed in my stomach because I knew so much needed to be done. But the story was incredibly inspiring and in between the knots were definitely feel-good-feelings.
I love my dear friends and my dear family. I was born into an incredible family who might not be perfect, but my most favorite and happiest memories involve them. And there's no doubt I have been greatly blessed because I married into another family who makes me laugh and keeps me going. I am loved. Life may be hard and it will probably get harder, but I know I am loved and blessed.

Ah the joys of Marriage.....................

I need some marriage advice. Anybody care to share? I know it's hard to give advice to somebody without knowing the information on what you're giving the advice about, but I'm just asking for general marriage advice. What's something you had to overcome and how did you overcome it?

Isn't it Ironic?

I got pulled over this morning for running a red light. Here's the story....
I chose to stay in the straightforward lane, but Todd commented that since the left turn signal was green I should go ahead and move over to turn left and we would take an alternative route that could get him to work a little faster. I moved over to the far left lane. I didn't speed to try to make the light because I truly thought the yellow would be a little longer. The car beside in the "right left turning lane" was probably only a few feet ahead of me. Really, I mean his front tires were only a few feet ahead of my front tires so we were pretty much next to each other. So if I really did run that red light, it must have been by a split second since the car next to me made it. Also, it was a busy intersection with traffic cameras, so I also thought I was safe because no flash went off. Hmmmm. But alas, a motorcycle was right behind me (I didn't see him until his lights started flashing). He pulled me over and gave me the ticket. He asked me why I ran the red light and I told I honestly wouldn't have run it if I had known the yellow light would be so short. So now I get to do Defensive Driving Traffic School. I guess online?
HERE'S THE IRONIC PART:
I dropped Todd off at work and headed back. I wanted to gas up the car at the QT down the road. I needed to turn left at the upcoming light which turned yellow and it was a very obvious "stop". I had time to come to a complete stop, 2 full seconds passed, and a truck in the straightforward lane whizzed by.....very very obviously running a true red light. No traffic cameras. No cops. Just me witnessing it right after I got pulled over. Isn't it ironic?

Talk on Sunday

Todd and I spoke as a married couple for the first time yesterday. I spoke first, then a missionary who is leaving for Santiago Chile, then a woman sang "Abide With Me Tis Eventide", and then Todd spoke. Everything was very well timed and a good spirit was present. Here's some key points to my talk.....
-lyrics of "Live Like You Believe"
-ask yourself what you do believe
-review the 13 Articles of Faith and ponder their meanings
-when you say you believe something, ask yourself "Therefore, what?"
-"Faith without works is dead"
-"Tomorrow is always fresh with no mistakes in it." - Miss Stacy in Anne of Green Gables
-Strengthen home and family by participating and contributing with a cheerful heart
-Serve the Lord and His children
-“Think about the covenants you've taken upon yourself and ask yourself if you are
demonstrating the reality of them.” - Sister Barbara Thompson

I learned alot through my study and I'm grateful I was asked to speak.

Romantic Quotes

"I love you. Those three words have my life in them."
~ Alexandria to Nicholas III ~

"Other men said they have seen angels,
But I have seen thee
And thou art enough."
~ by G. Moore ~

"When you love someone, all your saved-up wishes start coming out."
~ by Elizabeth Bowen (1899-1973) ~

"Soul meets soul on lover's lips."
~ by Percy Bysshe Shelly ~

Song Written Just For Me

Isn't it funny how certain songs speak to you in such a personal way? It's almost as if the writer knows you and wrote the lyrics for you. This song is so beautiful and has such a powerful message. It really is the song written just for me.

"Live Like You Believe"
Jenny Phillips
EFY 2006 - The Greatest Gift

You have felt the warmth of the fire.
You have seen a glimmer of light.
It's something that you have been missing inside.
Something that you have been longing to find.
Hold on to the yearning, and wherever you are on the journey.....

Live like you believe.
Live like you know.
It's one sure way
your faith will grow.
Listen to your heart.
Search in your soul.
And you'll find the strength that you need -
His light, the gift of His peace -
when you live like you believe.

There are things you have to let go.
You might feel you're just hanging on.
When you find yourself alone and afraid
Questioning all the choices you've made
Hold on to the burning.
He's leading you on through the journey.

Live like you believe.
Live like you know.
It's one sure way
your faith will grow.
Listen to your heart.
Search in your soul.
And you'll find the strength that you need-
His light, the gift of His peace -
when you live like you believe.

Hold on to the yearning,
And wherever you are on the journey.....

Live like you believe.
Live like you know.
It's one sure way
your faith will grow.
Listen to your heart.
Search in your soul.
And you'll find the strength that you need -
His light, the gift of His peace -
when you live like you believe.

California Sisters Trip

My sisters and I had a blast together in San Diego. The only bummer was the weather. Overcast and 65 the whole time. I was hoping to come home with a nice tan, but I brought back more shopping bags instead - can't complain too much about that one. On Sunday morning before we left, we drove to the beach anyway and stuck our feet in the water. It was freezing!

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Motivation

Todd has told me before that when I set my mind on something, I become very focused and motivated to do it. I agree with him. When I have a plan, when I have the desire, when I have the confidence, I can really accomplish some incredible things. But for some reason, I've been struggling to get to that state of mind. Once I'm there, I move forward with full speed. But I feel like I've been holding myself back because I'm lacking either the plan or the desire or the confidence I need. I've just been wondering why that is and how I can be that person again.

Dr. Pepper

Honeymoon Pics

I realize my honeymoon was like 4 months ago but whatever. We went to San Diego and had a super fun time!

Moving But Not Really But Really

So, Todd and I found a really nice couple who are going to stay at our apartment just for 2 months of the summer. We'll be able to move right back in when school starts again! This means we can leave most of our furnishings and things here. Super sweet deal right? Well, I've been using the last 2 days to clean and decide what to pack. It's almost harder to pick and choose what to box rather than having to box everything!
We're excited to spend time with the Hardy relatives down in AZ for the summer. Bring on the heat waves!

My 23rd Birthday

My amazingly handsome husband lives to make me happy. No, seriously. He's said it countless times, and I'll never get sick of hearing it. He knows how easily amused I am and therefore I'm pretty easy to please. Something simple and sweet and thoughtful. The morning of my birthday, I got up early to drive out to Riverton for a free cut and style. Nothing too dramatic - just some bangs and layers. I even got a free manicure! On my drive home, my sweet little niece, Maeli, called and I heard her say very softly "Happy Birfday Auntie K!" From a 2 year old girl, those words can melt your heart! I arrived home - looking like a model who should be doing movies - and was greeted by the foxiest man I've ever seen in a white shirt and tie, face shaven, and hair gelled. "You better leave before I fall madly in love with you. I'm married ya know." Well, he tried to convince me that HE was, in fact, my husband. I kissed him and decided it was true. The kitchen table was embellished with a stunning bouquet of 3 white calla lilies and in the living room another bright arrangement graced me with its presence. Todd actually bought that one because the vase almost exactly matches my "Domestic Diva" apron! He was very eager that I make that connection so he decided to relocate the apron from its rightful place in the kitchen to a most unusual dwelling - his iron gym. Yeah, that's Todd.
The day itself felt pretty normal aside from the birthday calls. I babysat Lily. I dropped Todd off at school. I went to work that night. Todd did, however, end the night with very nice birthday surprise. His gift to me was a $100 shopping spree!
I really like birthdays. Maybe I'll have another one next year!

Wedding Pictures

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These pictures were taken the Monday before we got married. We thought it was going to rain on our wedding day, but it turned out that it rained on the day we took our pictures and there was sunshine for our wedding. I'm glad it turned out that way!