So Bill and I and his sister Hillary are heading down to Las Vegas for the weekend. I'm very excited about it! They're from Henderson, so we're headed down so they can vote, and then just to play for a couple days. It'll be nice. I haven't had the chance up to this point to go home with him, so it should be lots of fun.
When I was a little kid I walked in front of a wooden porch swing full of kids and got my teeth smashed in. Remarkably, there's very little visible damage, except that one of my front 4 teeth never grew in all the way. It's always kind of bugged me, and I've wanted to get a cap on it for years. Well, Bill's dad just happens to be a dentist and is going to do it for me while we're there this weekend. What a great guy! And it was all Bill's idea, so what a great guy he is too!
So I'm just really happy to get away for a weekend. My job is really generous with the vacation time, but this year I took a week-long trip in both January and April (which were both amazing trips, mind you), so since then I've been really tight on vacation days since I had to plan for Christmas time off. Let me tell you, I am ready for a break! I'm really starting to believe what people have always said, that if you take a break from your work every once in awhile, you will be a much more productive and happy individual. Generally speaking, I'm outdoors hiking or climbing or doing any number of interesting activities on a regular basis. This Summer/Fall hasn't worked out quite like that and I'm really feeling it. What with some definite trials and hiccups along the way this last 6 months, it's been hard to put forth the effort it takes to be outdoors and doing fun things. It's really hit me how important this is for my own happiness and sanity, and consequently for Bill's as well, since he's much the same as me in this regard or at least has to deal with me if he's not. :) I feel like I'm struggling to find enjoyment in life, from big or little things. It's definitely been frustrating, and I'm trying to get out of the slump and get back to where I love life and all the parts of it. Anyone have any advice on how to find enjoyment in life, particularly when it's hard? I'd love to hear it, as I'm working through all this.
Needless to say, a weekend in Vegas is very welcome. :) I'm so excited!
|
My wedding ring is currently in process of being made. Well, almost. It'll start being made this week hopefully. In the meantime, I have a $5 band from Kohl's that happens to be rather pretty. I was at the grocery store today and the cashier complemented me on how beautiful my ring is. I thanked her for the complement and just smiled to myself. I guess we don't need to get expensive, gorgeous ring anymore, Bill. Apparently Kohl's has it won with their $5 special. :)
|
We're engaged! We went hiking tonight and ended up on the top of a peak overlooking Provo and watched the sunset. It was beautiful! The hike was made even better when Bill got down on one knee and proposed. Yay for getting married! We've been making plans for a few weeks, but now it's all official. January 17th is the date in the Salt Lake Temple. We're super excited.
The ring is in process still. I'll definitely post pictures when he gives it to me. I did get my wedding dress today. I'm so excited about that! I'd post pictures, but then Bill would see it, and that's just not going to work. :) I guess you'll just have to come to our reception to see it. Fun times!
|
We were just curious about how this would work. I think there's potential.
http://www.vw.com/vwhype/babymaker/en/us/?mId=28371650Votes, anyone?
|
My cute coworker posted a great quote on her
blog that I really liked and it got me to thinking about other quotes that have made a difference to me and make me think. For years I've had a habit of collecting quotes that I like and looking through them every now and again when I need a boost or just want to laugh or feel good or something like that. I find it doesn't matter who says them, they can be good regardless of the source. Here's a few that I've found lately that have made a difference to me:
"If you always look for a reason not to be with someone, then you will always find a reason. Sometimes you just have to let your heart go and that's where you'll find true love."
--Luke, One Tree Hill
"The happiest people seem to be those who have no particular reason for being so except that they are so."
--William Ralph Inge
"I promise you that you can experience the fulfillment of your desire for eternal love, if you really want it, so long as you don't want anything else more. I pray that you will do the work required to fulfill your family dream. The longing of the heart for this fullness is a central vision of the gospel. It is also a source of great power, especially on those cloudy days, or years, when your dreams seem impossible. Even when love wounds you, that's because love matters so much. The deep hurt is the mirror image of the deep joy that still awaits you. Your longing to belong forever to a loving family comes from God, and He has promised its fulfillment, if you are faithful: "For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness" (Ps. 107:9). I know His promise is sure."
--Bruce C. Hafen
"He who takes offense when no offense is intended is a fool. He who takes offense wen offense IS intended is an even bigger fool."
--Brigham Young
"Dancing is just a conversation between 2 people...talk to me."
--Hope Floats
"No misfortune is so bad that whining about it won't make it worse."
--Elder Holland's maxim for life
"Ever morning in Africa a gazelle wakes up. It knows it must run faster than the fastest lion or it will be killed. Every morning a lion wakes up. It knows it must outrun the slowest gazelle or it will starve to death. It doesn't matter if you're a lion or gazelle--when the sun comes up you had better be running."
|
My little but not so baby sister tagged me today. This is the one where you post the 4th picture in the 4th album in your pictures and tell the story.
So this is my best friend Kirsten and her husband Ryan. Though it's a little hard to tell, she's like 7 months pregnant in this picture. Apparently she's still pretty feisty despite the little one inside. :)
I tag Becca, Alyssa, and Merry. Have fun!
|
I took the GRE on Saturday. I'm so glad to be finished! The test went fantastically well. I got a better score on both parts than I've gotten on any of my practice tests, so I'm so excited! I've been looking to take this test for probably 18 months. It had gotten to the point that I never thought I was actually going to get it done, so to finally be able to check it off my list is pretty much the most amazing feeling ever. :) Now it's time to actually start my grad school applications. Woohoo! I seriously thought I'd be in grad school the year after I finished my undergrad. Yeah, that was 2 1/2 years ago. Now's a much better time, that's for sure. I'm so jazzed about it all!
|
I have been an ordinance worker at the Provo Temple since last May, but I took the last 3 months off to study for the GRE and generally just deal with life better. Today was my first day back and it was so amazing! I felt the Spirit so strongly as it re-witnessed to me the truthfulness of the gospel and the power and joy that comes from the temple covenants. It was wonderful! It has been quite a trying last 3-6 months for me, so this is a truly a joy to be back on top of things, feeling the Spirit and loving life and this world and the gospel. Yay!!!
|
I'm taking the GRE on Saturday afternoon. Wish me luck! I've been studying my heart out of late, but it really comes down to what test I actually get when I take it this Saturday. Some of my practice tests I've done really well on and others just haven't turned out so nicely. I have far too many other things to do in the next few months to take it again, not to mention the exorbitant fee for the test, so I REALLY want to only take it once.
This test has been probably a year and a half in the coming. I remember when I first graduated from BYU, I had dreams to work for a year and be back in grad school the next Fall. 2 1/2 years later I'm just now taking the GRE and will apply for my program after that. It's funny how life takes different twists and turns than we expect. I am in a much better position to be going back to school next Fall if this all falls into like I hope than I would have been if I had gone last year or even this year. I have a better idea what I want to do, or at least a lot of experience in things I don't care for too much, so I know what to steer clear of. :) Potentially I might even be able to pay for it now, although that's still a big if.
All I can say now is, bring on the test! I'm as ready as I'm going to be, so let's have at it! If it goes as I'm hoping, then that will be one HUGE check mark off my ever-growing list of very important things to do in the next few months. Yay!!!
|
