Snuggling on the Couch

These are the kings of our couches lately.

Chad has been forced to lay down a lot lately due to his back injury from the car crash.

and Oliver...

well, Oliver is there for moral support.

Oliver will also provide any snuggling, face licking and comforting looks that we might need when we don't feel good.

For a small fee of dog treats and belly rubs of course.

He also doesn't mind the occasional cat to chase or neighbor to bark at...if the treats and belly rubs aren't available that is.

It is my opinion that pets know when you are sick or feeling blue. It is also my opinion that Heavenly Father gave them that ability and that one of their purposes is to make us feel better.

That of course is simply my opinion. All I know is that Oliver is a really fun, loving dog who makes our house a little happier.

The finish line is in sight

Finished my last class...Check

Ordered my cap and gown... Check.

Ordered and recieved my graduation announcements...Check.

(Will be sending those out soon.)

Journey to Utah on May 7th planned...Check.

Now May 7th just needs to hurry up and get here so I can graduate!

I think my graduation date being so soon seems so surreal because I have had a few months in between finishing my last class and the actual ceremony.

A few times I have almost forgotten that I am done.

I think walking the stage and getting my diploma will help seal the deal and make it less surreal.

I would have a hard time NOT walking and still feel like I am done.

Have any of you not walked?

How did you ever feel like you were done?

So I am getting excited counting down the days until I can see these faces(obviously I am not excited about seeing my own face but rather the two beautiful faces pictured next to me):

And I guess I should say, since this is what the post is about, I am also excited to see this(view of the University of Utah):

Because that view holds this building. And this building may not look like much but it is the place I will be walking the stage (in the $60 graduation attire I will only wear once to recieve a piece of paper that says I am a college graduate). So really it is an important building and deserves to be pictured.

So let's see if I can wait a month more to do something I have been waiting 4 years to do.

I think I can, I think I can, I think I can.

That's what I'll keep telling myself.

Isn't Spring wonderful?

I LOVE spring. It really makes me happy.

I love being able to open the door and leave just the screen closed.

I love all of the beautiful flowers just blooming.

I love the feel of sunshine on my skin(finally after the long months of winter!).

And this Spring I have loved making my gardening dreams come true!

(Can you tell I am a tad obsessed with my garden? 3 posts in a month's time. I think so)

I thought I would post a little update on my baby garden.

Look there is finally green in the boxes!

The netting is to keep the pesty cats from digging in my beautiful beds.
The sticks are to remind me what I planted where. Ask Chad, I am one of the most forgetful people you will ever meet. I know the sticks are very fancy. I took a lot of time to stencil and write perfectly what is growing in each row. (by the way, that says carrot. I obviosuly forgot to make this one perfect.)

The Swiss Chard looked a little droopy when I first planted it, but it is lookimg much better now.

This little guy will surely grow into a big strong tomato plant within the coming weeks. I am not a huge fan of tomatoes but I am definitely going to be cooking with them more now that I have homegrown tomatoes. Who doesn't love homemade spaghetti sauce?

Mark my words: this garden is puny now but will soon be great. So here is my before and the after will have to wait a few months.

Now onto other topics of life:

Such as parenthood.

Have you heard of it?

No we're not pregnant.

I'm talking about the TV show.

It's genious, really.

Hilarious.

If you haven't watched it, you need to.
The cast is really amazing. Most of them I don't recognize from anything really big. But I think that no namers usually make a TV show better than say Brad Pitt would.

The one actress that I did recognize and was one of the main reasons I started watching is Lauren Graham. I followed her career through Gilmore Girls and always loved her. My dad on the other hand flat out refused to watch Gilmore Girls. He HATED, i repeat, HATED, how they talked so fast. haha
But she is really great in this new TV show.

The whole cast is witty without being annoying and colorful without being disturbing. The series follows a family of brothers, sisters, parents and all of their children ranging from young to teenagers. The family is normal and deals with all of the "perks" of parenthood.

Go watch it, promise you won't be disappointed. (And a thank you should go to my sister Nichole for insisting I watch it!)

And lastly let me explain my feelings on Wuthering Heights. I was browsing through Barnes and Nobles on Saturday with my mom looking for a cat book for my little's sister Easter basket when we came across a secion of classics. They are special editions of many classic books that Barnes and Nobles sells for really cheap. So while I wanted to buy 40 of them, I restrained my book buying urge and only bought one. I have always wanted to read Wuthering Heights but have never gotten around to it.

So I decided it was finally time.

I started reading it on Sunday and am about halway through now. It's...different...from what I've been reading lately. It's not really easy reading, not at all. I think I have been reading too many books written for pre-teens lately and I had forgotten how much I love books written in the 1800's. The feel of the book is so raw and so not fluid. It is the tale of Cathy and Heathcliff, both of which are terribly flawed and dark.

But so far I love it. I can always tell why a book is a classic. Not because it is a can't-put-it-down kind of book. Not because the story line is thrilling. Not even because it is a sappy romance (which this definitely is not).

It is a classic because it is different. Every component of the book is compelling and as a whole they make a realyl terrific book. It is so interesting to be transported back to the 1800's. Back to London's countryside and back to the "dark" ages if you will.

This book is definitely dark, but not in a bad way. More in a I-feel-bad-for-the-characters way. They did not have the gospel on the earth yet and their life was rather bleak. But again, that's what makes it so good. Their days are filled with nothing very exciting and yet the story is still compelling.

Emily Bronte only wrote one novel but that was really enough in my opinion because she did it well. Thank you Emily Bronte for your wonderful "classic."

And really I recommend going to your nearest Barnes and Nobles and picking up a couple of classics today. They are classics for a reason.

Easter Sunday

Today was Easter.

But no Easter baskets, fake green grass or dyed eggs were found in our apartment this morning. That's not to say that we haven't done those things in the past and won't do them again in the future.

I think once we have children of our own the Easter bunny will be a more important member of our household on Easter Sunday.

But for today he wasn't.

What we did do was sleep in and fix breakfast together. Eggs, bacon (that Chad thought tasted funny so we gave a piece or two to Oliver), strawberries and burnt toast (woops).

Then we turned on the first session of Conference and listened to the leaders of our church talk about THE LEADER of our church: Christ.

I always look foreward to General Conference, but especially the early spring session. I think the talks on Christ resonate a little more with me during this session because I know this was the mornnig of his glorious resurrection.

I think we, as in we LDS members, hear others tell us quite often that we aren't Christians, that we don't act like the "normal" Christians, that we don't believe in Christ. All I have to say to that is sit in for two hours during one session of General Conference and it will be pretty hard to say that we aren't Christians.

I would dare say that EVERY talk given today had some mention of Christ, while a majority of them are specifically about Christ.

And while I treasure every talk given (ok I fell asleep during a few, i won't lie), I appreciated President Monson's talk during the morning session today the most. He simply but lovingly talked about Christ. He retold a story we have heard so many times: Christ's life.

He told of Christ's baptism by John the Baptist in the River Jordan.

And how he called the twelve apostles.

President Monson told of how he blessed the sick,

caused the lame to walk,

the blnd to see,

the deaf to hear,

and even how he raised the dead to life.

President Monson reminded us that Christ taught

and testified

and he provided a perfect example for us to follow.

And then, and then President Monson told us that the mortal mission of the Savior of the world drew to it's close.

Ahead lay Gethsemane and Calvary's cross.

But then, then, Christ was resurrected.

He fought death and lived again.

President Monson told us that "The darkness of death can always be dispelled by the light of revealed truth."

And Christ told us "I am the resurrection and the light."

Christ teaches us how to dispell the darkness of death.

He has taught us that we all must die but that we all will be able to rise again.

So we didn't dye eggs and we didn't even leave our house today.

Instead, we celebrated Christ and his resurrection.

Because isn't that really what Easter's about?

Christ is my Savior and my king.

He is my elder brother who loves me.

He is the perfect example I look to every day.

He is the one that I try to be like.

I fall short, every day and every minute.

But then I am reminded by my church leaders that it's ok.

I am not perfect and I am not expected to be.

But I am expected to try to live like Christ did so that someday I can be like him.

So that someday after I die I can be resurrected and live with Him.

Today was a perfect Easter.

I was with the man I love and I was celebrating Christ.

We treated this sabbath with extra care because it is an important Sunday.

It's the day that Christ left the tomb and showed us what we have to look foreward to someday.

Life after death, resurrection.

Ways to spend my days

According to my title I can rhyme. Cute, I know.

I had a lot of 'things', for lack of a better word, on my mind today.

Activites, if you will.

Ways I like to spend my time.

"Things" that happened the last couple days.
What I think about certain holidays, ahem...today.
You know, that kind of stuff.
Let me enlighten you.

1) American Idol...I was getting bored with this season and almost decided to stop watching...until last night. I don't know if everyone decided to take exciting pills instead of boring pills but there were actually some good performances for a change.

Lee DeWyze was my favotire of the night. Actually my favorite since the beginning really. He is the only one I look forward to every week. And he blew me away last night. I think I got goose bumps and I have developed a little bit of a TV crush (shhh don't tell Chad. But really TV crushes are ok, just ask my sister. She has a TV cruch on Damon from Vampire Diares. So I don't feel guilty.)

I also really like Crystal Bowersox. She has talent. You can't deny it. Last night wasn't her best, but was still good.

And finally Andrew Garcia had good performance. It was about time. I love that he take a popular song and transforms it into something that you can totally get into.

Casey James and Michael Lynche also pleasantly surprised me. I have never been on their bandwagon before last night.

The others, eh.

Tim Urban annoys the crap out of me and I hope he goes home.

I want to like Didi but she is getting worse.

Katie Stevens tries to hard and and I don't think she will last much longer.

Oh and Aaron Kelly. He is pinch your cheeks cute. And last night's performance wasn't great but I think he does have a good voice and his innocence is refreshing. I would want him to win just for that reason.

Oh and can't forget Siobhan Magnus. I really like her, maybe because she is so weird. Very entertaining. But she really does rely on the screaming and she was off last night.

So there you go. I'm sure you really don't care about what I think about American Idol.

I really just wanted to predict who would win (Lee or Crystal) and then say I told you so when they do!!

2) My reading list- I am ALWAYS on the lookout for the "next book" in my life. I started compiling this list of books to read and I figured I would post it in hopes that you might be able to give me a go or a no go on the books so I don't waste my time on anything that isn't worth reading.

I have been very into fiction/fantasy lately and I actually just started the Harry Potter series over agin. I have only read the books once. So far I have gotten 2 chapters into the first book. ha I love the last 3 books but I am slightly neurotic about starting a series in the middle. So I will read the slightly less interesting first book to appease myself.

So here is my long reading list (help me narrow it or prioritize it if you can)(Oh and some books on here I have already read):

• Graceling by Kristin Cashore
• Fire by Kristin Cashore
• Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card
• Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
• The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
• Annie Freeman's Fabulous Traveling Funeral by Kris Radish
• The Friday Night Knitting Club by Kate Jacobs
• The Goose Girl by Shannon Hale
• Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd
• The Five People you Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom
• The Confessions of a Shapaholic series
• The Wedding by Nicholas Sparks
• The Last Song by Nicholas Sparks
• The Lord of the Rings Series by JRR Tolkien
• Harry Potter by JK Rowling
• The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery (that is quite a name!)
• Dead Men's Hearts by Aaron Elkins
• Murder int eh Queen's Armes by Aaron Elkins
• Make No Bones by Aaron Elkins
• The Restaurant at the End of the Universe by Douglas Adams
• Timeline by Michael Crichton
• The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde
• Lost in a Good Book by Japer Fforde
• The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger
• The Guernsey Literary and Potato Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows
• The Lonely Herts Club by Elizabeth Eulberg
• The Undaunted: The Miracle of the hole-in-the-rock Pioneers by Gerald Lund
• Leverage Point by Gerald Lund
• Freedom Factor by Gerald Lund
• The Alliance by Gerald Lund
• Seven Miracles That Saved America: Why They Matter and Why We Should Have Hope by Christ Stewart
• The God of War by Chris Stewart
• The Fourth War by Chris Stewart
• Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte
• Great Gatsby by F Scott Fitsgerald
• 1984 by George Orwell
• The Catcher in the Rye by JD Salinger
• The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde
• Brave New World by Aldous Huxley
• Call of the Wild by Jack London
• Catch-22 by Joseph Heller
• Lord of the flies by William Golding
• Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery

This list is ever changing becaues, well, my book mood is every changing! So I gladly accept any suggestions.

3) Car Crashes: This is no April fools joke. I swear. In the midst of this post (yesterday), Chad called me to tell me he had just been rear ended on Sylvan. The woman who hit him was going about 45 and just didn't see traffic slowing. Good news: We drive a lifted Jeep Wrangler so the only visible damage to our vehicle is some scratche on the bumper. However, the bumper is basically steel which is attached to directly to the chassis. So if the chassis is damaged or bent then we could have a big problem on our hands. So Chad is taking it to get looked at today.Chad is having some back and neck issues. What with the whiplash and all. He was hit pretty hard. So we took him into the chiropractor right away. So he is being taken care of but is still really sore today.

4) I NEVER thought I wuld almost admit to not hating a lady Ga Ga song. I am still in no way saying I like her song Telephone, I am just saying it is catchy and not completely gross. Still, I don't like her. I just thought that I would admit that I can see why she is so popular. I still think her music is gross and vulgar but her latest song doesn't quite get an my nerves as much. (Can you tell I am really avoiding saying I like her still? Cause I am).

5) Oh and I have decided I REALLY don't like April Fool's. I think that people go way overboard and it just get's to the point where enough is enough. I think that it is fun when the jokes are harmless. But when I hear people saying they told their parents they were kidnapped or they told their boss they were quiting, etc. it's just too much. So let's try this instead... from now on April 1st will be honest day. Don't you think that would be healthier for our country?

Ok I am done. I am not getting off of my soap box.

So to recap...I like American Idol & Reading.

I DON'T like car crashes and April Fool's day.

I still don't like Lady GaGa even though her new song is catchy.

Got it?

Hope so.

Not so young anymore

My little sister turned 11 on Friday.

It's weird...that she's 11.

I was old enough to remember her being born.

I was old enough to watch her walk around in diapers and even change a few of those diapers.

She really changed a lot in the 3 years Chad and I lived in Utah.

So I really didn't see her mature from kid to almost teenager.

So her being 11 is a little surreal for me.

So she has a few friends over on Friday for a sleepover.

It was hilarious listening to what 11 year old girls talk about.
I kept trying to remember if that's how I acted when I was 11...probably.

Ariana is a tad obssessed with Cats right now. So all of her presents involved cats somehow.

All of her friends drew her cat pictures as a part of their presents, which I thought was very cute.

I bought her a sparkly cat T-shirt and an art set because she loves to draw cats.

And my parents took her to get her ears pierced for her birthday present!
And what's a birthday party without a cake?I made the cake and it was my first time decorating a cake really. I don't know how I have lived 21 years and have never decorated a cake.

You know the saying less is more?

Well I think I should have taken that advice. I went a little decorating crazy and it looked a little funny. But at least it tasted good. (I give you permission to laugh at my funny looking cake. Believe me, I did!)

So happy Birthday to my wondrful little sister. You are getting so mature and beautiful. However, you are still silly and I wouldn't have it any other way.

Digging in the Dirt

So I naivly expected to finish our garden project in one day, the day we started, which was Saturday.

I was wrong.

Turns out it's A LOT of work.

And a lot of time, money and sweat is involved in creating a garden.

So we started Saturday, did a little more Monday night and FINALLY finished last night!

Our boxes turned out really good. Then we just had to fill them with dirt. We used a mix of existing dirt from my mom's back yard, manure we bought and potting soil we bought.

I managed to snap a few pictures of the strawberries (below) which I planted on Saturday.

And the Watermelon mounds.

Here is a close up of the finished boxes. I am just so excited with how they turned out.

And doesn't that dirt look so pretty?

Yeah...I get excited about fresh dirt. There really is something wonderful about planting.

Getting your fingers in the dirt and feeling it between your toes.

I'm pretty sure I found another lifelong hobby.

Again, we had a few helpers. Tracy was very helpful in filling the boxes. He probably did most of that himself. Thanks!

Also Ariana and Oliver helped...well maybe they didn't really help us. But Ariana helped keep Oliver entertained and Oliver helped keep Ariana entertained.

Oliver also helped dig the dirt. Except he mostly just dug a big hole. Then we would refill it and he would dig it again. He also would jump up in the boxed once and a while and try to dig there.

Then someone would scoop him up and return him to digging his big hole.

We also bought a few pre-made smaller planter boxed to put some flowers in. I really wanted to plant some flowers and keep them on our balcony. We bough Gerber Daisey's (my favorite!), Snap Dragons and Pansy's. And we purchased 3 different colored cactuses for fun.

All in all, this gardenign experience was really good. I wasn't able to take pictures of the boxes all planted because we literally worked until dark. But I will snap a few later this week and post them.

And don't worry I will be posting about my garden A LOT this summer. So much you will probably be sick of it. I just can't help it, I'm so excited.

So here's to a great summer full of delicious fruits and veggies!