Random Update on Our Life

I haven't written in forever. School has been very busy, being a mom has been busy, realizing that plans for six months from now will probably change drastically (No, we're not pregnant)
so, blogging falls by the wayside.

But life has been full of so many blessings!

Samuel continues to grow. He hasn't gained much weight recently, my milk supply has probably gone down since he has to take a bottle most days that I'm at school, but we caught it early and the doctor is helping us get a routine set up to help him get the food he needs.

I got an A on my first ASL test! Which is awesome, 'cause last semester was not quite so good. I'm also loving my English class. I LOVE the way my teacher sets everything up and forces us to work on our essays slowly by having us turn them in piece by piece, focussing on different aspects every time! It's helping my writing so much.

I have also submitted a piece to a magazine! I think I'd like to do more of that! I don't know yet if it will be published or not, but I've decided that I'd like to try to write more, and if I can get published that would be fantastic! I'm also currently working on two children's books. An illustrating major just moved into our ward, so I may have to ask if she'd like to collaborate.

Cameron is thinking of other options for grad school (we were originally planning to stay here) so that potentially puts me in a tough spot for graduating. Still totally doable, I'd just have to do online classes if we left Provo. But we're praying and counseling together and I'm sure we'll find the best solution. (I just hope it's soon so we can plan for the future!)

General conference was AWESOME. My dad was able to come out early for a business trip and spend sunday conference with us, and Cameron's mom and little sister came up for Saturday conference. It was so wonderful to see them! I also made my mom's oh-so-delicious cinnamon rolls and they were awesome! (I'll probably share the recipe on here sometime because it is SO good!)
and, of course, I absolutely loved the messages that were shared! I especially loved all the messages about being kind and courteous to others, regardless of whether we have different beliefs. I know I struggled with that a little when I was younger, and it can still be hard to respond with kindness when people are cruel or hurtful to me or others, but I have a testimony that God wants us to love each other and treat each other well. I hope that I can continue to try to become more christ-like, especially as I go back and listen to the talks from conference over again.

Sam's sleep training is going really well! (Except last night he woke up several times, but I think that he is legitimately teething this time, so we'll let it slide and hope it doesn't become the norm.) He felt so bad for keeping me up all night last night that he let me take an almost-three-hour nap with him today! It was much needed.

Thanks for letting me just blurt out random pieces of news. I am loving life! I am loving a more structured schedule for Sam, and I love the Lord!
Happy October!

(here's a sneak peak of some pictures my dad took of us over the weekend!)

#tbt

I never seem to feel nostaligic on Thursdays. I've really wanted to do a #tbt (Throw Back Thursday) Instagram or Facebook post for a long time (not sure why, to be one of the cool kids I guess) but I never think of it on Thursday. So, I propose a new list of hashtags for those of us who feel nostalgic not on a Thursday.

#mlm - Memory Lane Monday
#tbtu - Throwback Tuesday (cheating? Maybe.)
#wbw - Way Back Wednesday (or WABAC for you Mr. Peabody fans)
#fbf - Flashback Friday
#sts - SenTimental Saturday (because I felt like it needed more than 2 letters.)

Or maybe just
#nnot - Nostalgic Not On Thursday

Pregnant Olympics

I love the olympics. Especially figure skating. I was bouncing up and down in my seat when they finally showed ice dancing the other night.

I was told a few years ago that "they" were considering making ballroom dancing an olympic sport. I got really excited...and I'm still waiting for that to happen.

I was wondering about that again this olympics and it got me thinking of a few other events they should add! Basically, they need to add an entire "pregnancy and maternity" genre.

Event #1) Leg Shaving.
I know what you ladies are thinking, it's not that hard. The catch is that to compete you have to be between 8 and 9 months pregnant, or swallow a small, wiggly watermelon shortly before competition. (This way the men can compete, too!) Athletes will be judged on speed, flexibility, and ingenuity. Deductions for missed patches or cuts (including on the knees) and extra points will be awarded for lotion-ing afterwards, and not neglecting the hair on one's toes.

2) Self-given Pedicures
Again, speed and flexibility will be judged, as well as the cleanliness of the cutting, filing, and painting of the toe nails. Calluses should be buffed with a pumice stone and feet should be moisturized. Extra points will be awarded for touches like gemstones, layered colors, or cute little flowers in the polish. Stickers will result in automatic disqualification. Don't forget the cuticles!

3) Rolling over in bed. You have to be using a c-shaped body pillow and end in the same place on the bed in which you started, but facing the opposite direction. Sensors will relay how much pain you are feeling in your hips and extra points will be awarded to those who are able to adjust their technique in a way that causes minimal discomfort. Points will be deducted for falling asleep before turning completely back onto one's side or failing to replace blankets.

4) Labor.
Everyone gets a gold medal. EVERYONE. Sorry, this is a women's only event.

5) Diaper Changing
You don't have to be pregnant or swallow a watermelon for this one. You have to start with a dressed baby (or animated doll, so that the degree of difficulty can be controlled. The officials are still debating on this point.) As you get higher in the competition, the baby will get squirmier, possibly have a diaper rash that needs to be handled accordingly, and probably 'go' again while in the midst of changing. Deductions will be taken for excessive wipe usage, failure to treat a rash, or stains on either the athlete's or the baby's clothing. The competitors of course have to get the baby dressed again when it's done, and if they've had a blowout athletes will need to put a whole new outfit on them. The final round will take place late at night, and in the dark.

That's all I've thought of for now. Does anyone else have other events that need to be added? or additions or changes to the rules?

fiber

So... is anyone else's Wymount internet really slow lately? Are the Google fiber vans taking their shortcuts through our streets taunting anyone else? *sigh*

I don't mean to complain, but you'd think a university would be the first ones to jump on this bandwagon. BYU, can we please get google fiber? Pretty, pretty, please with sugar on top?

I'm not sure who one would contact about this, but I vote we make a polite request to the powers that be to get Google fiber for on-campus housing, and campus in general.

p.s. I had way too much fun yesterday making this poster/meme/thingy

It's OK to Cry

I cry a lot. Being pregnant hasn't helped that in the least. While I now get weepy over the smallest little things, I think a good cry every now and again is good. Sometimes even healthy. Crying is a natural reaction to stress, fear, anxiety, pain, and even happiness.

Don't be afraid to cry. Sometimes you just need it. Everything looks a little better when you can wash out all of the negativity and pent up emotion. Just let it out. Crying isn't a sign of weakness. Sometimes other people need you to be strong for them, but when you're alone, don't be afraid to let your feelings out. Keeping stress and emotions pent up is not healthy. It can hurt you physically.

I am so grateful that my husband can cry, and that he understands when I need to. Sometimes life just gets to be too much, so empty your emotional bucket so that you have room to catch whatever else is coming. Even if the stress you are feeling is anticipation for something wonderful, just letting everything out can so often leave one feeling refreshed and like he or she can keep going.

Men, (and women) if you're not someone who cries and you don't understand it, just know that some people need it. It is a coping mechanism. It might seem to you like someone isn't coping well if they cry, but just be supportive. Put your arm around them and just let them get it out. Especially if it is your spouse or a family member, just hold them. Let them know that you're there for them, and support them.

(If you are unhappy all of the time and crying as a result of that, find a good friend to talk to, pray, and if necessary, seek professional counseling. Depression is real, but it is not something to be ashamed of. If you think you might have depression, talk to a counselor or doctor. If you find that your sadness and stress are high enough that you can't cope with on your own, ask for help. It really is ok. And if you need someone to listen while you just get all your feelings out, I'm here for you.)

Ain't it Great to be Crazy?

Sometimes, you just need to be goofy. It helps you unwind, it helps you laugh, and it helps you feel rejuvenated! My husband and I have been battling colds all week and being tired physically made us tired emotionally. No fun. So, we tried to be goofy yesterday! I wrote Cam a love note on a piece of paper wrapped around a pencil and then unwound it and he had to figure out what it said (eventually I told him to wrap it around the pen so he wouldn't have to try to twist it by hand to line it up.) We practiced swaddling stuffed animals and put them in Baby's crib, Cameron ran down the hallway and leapt over the coffee table just to give me a hug and a kiss, and we ate pizza in a car wash. How fun is that? I never knew I wanted to do that, but pizza is awesome and car washes are awesome so eating pizza while getting a car wash is SUPER awesome! It felt great to just be silly yesterday.

On an unrelated note, Baby's room is coming together! We set up the crib on Sunday, and last Friday the carseat/jogger set we ordered came! We had a great time putting everything together. We're so excited for this baby to come! Just five more weeks!

It was a BIG box. I was really surprised when I opened the door and it came up past my bellybutton. Then I had to get it inside... that was an adventure all on it's own!

Hello first piece! It's a wheel!

Soon there's going to be a baby in this carseat!

Happy National Bacon Day!

No, the real international bacon day is not in November, it's usually in September. But for my husband and me, it falls on November 21st: the anniversary of the screaming bacon.

What is the screaming bacon, you ask? Let me tell you!

On the first morning of our honeymoon my husband and I decided to make a decadent breakfast to celebrate our first full day of marriage. We made waffles, hot cocoa, fruit, and, of course, bacon.

Cameron was making the bacon like the manly-man-husband that he is, while I was cutting up some strawberries. All of a sudden we heard an unearthly screeching noise coming from the stove. Cameron, fearing that he was about to lose his new wife, let alone a few limbs, took the bacon off of the burner, pulled me away from that side of the kitchen, and tried to shield me with his body. I was startled by his reaction, but I tried to move around him to fix the 'screaming bacon.' He threw himself in front of me again and quickly reached out and turned off the stove. The bacon kept screaming and Cameron started to panic. I'm pretty sure he was about to throw me into fireman's hold and rush out the door with me.

Then, in one last attempt to save my husband, and our beautiful breakfast, I boldly stepped forward to the stove, turned off the back burner, and moved the boiling kettle off of the heat and opened the lid so it would stop whistling. We were saved!

We had a good laugh about that. I was so in love with my husband, and I could tell he loved me. One year later, we're even more in love! Life is wonderful!

Now every time we use our kettle and it starts to whistle, we scream, "THE BACON IS EXPLODING!" and duck and cover until we manage to stop laughing. We have also declared November 21st, the day after our wedding anniversary, to be our National Bacon Day, which, by law, must be celebrated by the eating of bacon with breakfast.

Celebrate with us next Thursday, and eat some bacon!

My Wonderful Family

I love my family. They are so amazing. We may be a quirky, nerdy, silly, eclectic group, but we know how to laugh and we know how to love. I got to skype with my family today, and it was fantastic. I miss them so much, and really wish I lived closer to home. Or that they lived closer to here.

I love that we all love music and make it together. I love that my little brother is enough of a man to make up for the fact that he's the only boy out of five kids, and that he's willing to put up with the rest of our girly ways.

I love that we're such comedians. I think we inherited it from my dad... actually I'm positive. He's hilarious, and I love it. I don't think we had more than one or two conversations over Christmas break that didn't end with me crying from laughter. I love laughing, and I love being happy, and I'm so grateful for my family's ability to help me stay that way.

I love that we have so many common interests, and also so many different ones. For example, we've all played soccer, all of the girls have taken dance classes, and we all sing or play an instrument. Cameron is a PRO beatboxer. He and my sister Sarah frequently do spontaneous dubstep arrangements, and it's awesome. It drives Mary crazy, who much prefers her classical piano and flute (she's a prodigy--absolutely amazing at everything she tries), and Lizzie just goes crazy dancing and singing to any music being made or played on the computer.

My parents are wonderful. They are such hard workers, and so kind and generous to others. My dad is such an amazing example of patience and love. I've rarely seen a man look at a woman with so much love as I see on my dad's face when he comes home. I want to marry someone who looks at me that way.

Besides always being there for me to talk to, and offer advice, I love how good of a cook my mom is, and how she's taught me her magical ways in the art of perfect baking. Not only does everything that comes out of her kitchen taste good, but it looks amazing as well! She's a wizard. No lie.

I'm so grateful for the examples ALL of the members of my family set for me, and that even though I'm 2,000 miles away, I can stay in contact with them and have the promise of being with them forever.

Leaky Faucet...

I once heard that your heart is about the same size as your fist and, as pointed out to me this morning, I have really small hands. So, proportionally, I should have a small heart.

This makes sense to me. Not just because I'm a small person, but because what other people seem to be able to sit through quite neutrally often brings me to tears--especially things pertaining to the Gospel and my Father's love for me and all of his children. My little heart just can't handle all of the grandeur, wonder, and love that I feel in these situations, and so it usually comes out my eyes. I just had one of those wonderful moments in my New Testament class.

So if you happen to see me on campus with one little tear on my cheek, or maybe a lot, but I'm smiling, don't panic. I probably just had a fantastically spiritual experience and am full of love and sunshine to the point of bursting.

Things I find adorable that should probably gross me out

1. kisses from little ones that leave a sticky spot on your cheek.

2. holding tiny hands, even when they're dirty, sticky, and most likely germy.

3. baby spit-up. Yes, it smells bad, but I still find it adorable.

4. kissing in general. It's probably not the most sanitary thing, but I honestly don't care.

5. couples sharing drinks.

6. animals of almost any kind.

7. lying in the grass when it's warm

8. changing diapers. Again, not the best smell ever, but I really don't mind doing it.

9. catching snowflakes in my mouth.

10. swimming in lakes and the ocean.

Nom nom nom: not my usual kind of post

Tonight I was craving Cafe Rio, but lacking a car and having a full refrigerator of food that needs to be used by Thursday before I leave for Christmas break, I decided to stay in and try my hand at recipe inventing. Ok, I didn't completely invent it, I borrowed ideas from this blog. I really quite enjoyed it!

The change I made from my normal tacos that surprised me the most, but also was, in my opinion, one of the best additions, was putting brown sugar on the chicken along with the taco seasoning, to give it that sweet, savory flavor.

The rice was also completely different from how I normally make it (rice, water, done.) I added butter, garlic powder, and lemon juice to the water before I cooked it, and then added lemon juice and sugar after it was done. I added too much of the last two ingredients, and it was a bit too sweet, so I added a pinch of taco seasoning to tone it down, and once it was paired with the chicken and lettuce, it was sublime.

The lettuce actually muted the other flavors a bit, so that's a good thing for me to remember for the future. I also added some crumbled up tortilla chips to give it a little crunch

So, basically I'm really proud of myself and plan to add this to my repertoire. Thank you for listening to my bragging.

here are some pictures :)

My lovely creation... I'm not a food photographer. Just a not-humble-enough, very-pleased-with-herself girl.

My apron that my Grandma and I made together this summer. I quite like this as well :)

oh, ps I plan to make these after I study a little bit more. So excited!

Finals-- study break

just a few random thoughts I'm jotting down so they stop floating around in my brain while I'm trying to write. Plus trying to stay positive during the 2nd craziest week of the year (I would argue that the week before finals is actually worse because you have your normal class schedule, plus reviews, plus studying, plus excitement for break, plus end-of-the-semester fatigue)

1. "stressed" spelled backwards is "desserts," which shows that by baking when I am stressed out, I am logically doing the opposite of being stressed. I knew there was a reason :)

2. I am really glad I ran into Ashley in the library so I didn't have to eat alone when it was lunch time. plus she's just awesome.

3. I get to go home in FOUR DAYS!

4. BYU's pretty cool, minus finals

5. If I finish all of my finals by Wednesday night, I am allowed to watch psych with my friends. If not, I have to stay in the library and study. If that's not motivation, I don't know what is.

6. random observation: there's not very much snow on the mountains

7. another RO: glittery nail polish chips faster than glossy

8. The library is actually quiet here :)

9. The library and my apartment are nice and warm, even when it's cold outside.

10. I should probably go back to studying.....