Remembering & Anticipating

2011

January: 

My brother went to Japan to serve a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Pretty much the defining moment of my month - saying goodbye to him for two years. It was super hard.

February: 

I turned 21 and spent my birthday with my best friends & family. We went to Ephraim and played on a pirate ship and saw a show. It was great. The end.

March: 

Best Friend and I got engaged. It was very super much happiness. Still is, in fact.

April: 

Finished school. And moved back to Vernal for the summer. Which was not so happy but turned out really good.

May: 

  

Spent two and a half weeks in Texas meeting all of Best Friend's family. It was a blast and I absolutely loved it. It was great to be able to meet all the people that have had such a huge impact on Best Friend and getting to know him so much better. I loved it. Plus, getting these pictures with Best Friend's mom. It was inspired. Seriously.

June: 

We found an apartment. And we love it. Well, we love it now that it is decorated. It wasn't in June, and since this picture is what our kitchen looked like in June, I figured this was the best picture to post.

July: 

Spent the Fourth of July in Vernal having a grand old time and playing with fireworks. Ridiculously happy. Plus, I went through the temple for the first time. Which was even more ridiculously happy. No joke.

 August:

Got married to Best Friend. Best day of my life. Hands down. The end.

September:

School started and I was in a fashion show with my sisters. It was more fun than I thought it would be.

October: 

Got a happy picture of us. (The one above.) And saw "Real Steel". I'm telling you guys: Best Movie Ever. Have you seen it yet? You need to.

November: 

Did a lot of driving to and from Ephraim for the Forgotten Carols.

December: 

Was in the Nutcracker (in Sandy), saw the Nutcracker (in Vernal), and spent our first Christmas together in Vernal. Loved December. Truly loved it. Plus I managed to get awesomely good grades in my classes. Oh yeah.

2012

I would say the thing I'm looking forward to most in 2012 is growth. This next semester is a big one for me because it is my last. This is the semester where I learn the "Big Stuff" and start practicing what I've been taught. I'm sure it will bring about tons of new challenges and experiences, and I'm really excited. The best part is that I have Best Friend with me and I couldn't have asked for anything better. 2012 is going to be incredible. I can feel it. I can't wait.

Oreos

In my opinion, there are few things better than chocolate. One of those things is chocolate with frosting in the middle. It's true. Husband and I ate way too many of these when we made them. But you'll understand - they were just so delicious!

Oreos

Recipe from Mom Pearson

INGREDIENTS:

1 Devils food cake mix
1/2 cup oil or shortening or margarine
2 eggs

PREPARATION:

Mix together by hand, will be sticky and greasy. Form into small 1-inch balls and bake on ungreased cookie sheet for 5-8 minutes at 350. Let sit for a couple minutes to settle, then take off and cool.

FROSTING:
2 cups powdered sugar
4-oz cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup margarine
1/2 tsp vanilla

Mix together and frost cookies. Frost one cookie then place another on top. Refrigerate leftovers.


The cookie batter will be really thick and if you're like me - you'll get frustrated because it won't seem to be mixing. Just keep going. Once it's all the same consistency, you're done. It won't get creamy like some other cookies will, it will stay pretty thick and clumpy. But it's oh so good and looks much more normal when baked.

Then just be sure to have some milk around. You will want it. Trust me.

Some days it just feels like a lot.

You know the days I'm talking about? When you're looking ahead to what is coming and all you can see is a speeding train rushing right at you? Those days that you thought you had the motivation to get something done, but got overwhelmed alarmingly fast and so quit? Those days you wish you could just lay in bed and never get up?

You know. Those are the days when it feels like a lot. Although, 'it' is different for everyone.

For me it is school. Yup. This week I am increasingly overwhelmed by school. How is that possible?! I'm not even in school at this moment. It is a break. I should be relaxing. Oh how true.

Unfortunately, mid-January I have a 12 page application due. It is my application to do an internship next fall. It is big and heavy and there is a lot of little print with very specific directions. It is terrifying. I know if I don't start it now then I won't have it done on time. And that is even more terrifying. PS Anyone know why Adobe won't let me save the info I type into a document sent to me by the authorities (aka I can't save the info I type on my application, Adobe says it's not allowed. any clues?)

A lot to do. Not a lot of time. It feels like a lot. A whole stinkin' lot. Bleh.

I don't like un-happy posts. So I will add something that makes me smile:

This little girl. You know, she was kind of a surprise baby. Not really, but sort of. And I am so so glad she came. She is hilarious and happy and loves life. I learn a lot from her. She is not afraid of anything - including wearing two different types of leopard print in the mall (one on her pants and one on her shirt). Man oh man.

I want to be like her someday.
Minus the leopard print.

Lovely Snowy Mountains

     

Christmas Morning

After waking up ridiculously early and having a grand time opening presents with the family, we got ready to go to church. While I didn't document the events of the morning (it would have been too scary for anyone else to see, though I love it more than anything), I knew that I absolutely had to get a picture of me and Best Friend on our first Christmas together. And I must say, I think I got a good one.

Sledding

 

 

  

   

We went sledding with the kids and my dad on Christmas Eve. It was so much fun. We had to go up in the mountains to find a decent amount of snow, but it was definitely worth it. The best part of the whole trip was watching my littlest sister purposely fall over into the snow - whether walking or tipping the sled - and then just laughing hysterically about it. I loved it. It was a marvelous time.