Car rides.

We've spent a lot of time in the car since we came home to Texas. A few days before Christmas we drove to Sugar Land to visit old friends and go to Steven & Katie's wedding reception with my family. On Christmas day, after the morning festivities, all 8 of us got in the suburban to drive to Austin to spend time with my grandparents and Slade's family. On the 26th, we drove across town to visit my dad's side of the family. Later that day, we drove back to Boerne. We've also driven in and out of San Antonio a few times, including yesterday when we got stuck on the highway for 2 and a 1/2 hours behind a terrible accident.

Needless to say, we've been in the car a lot.

And tomorrow... JD and I are headed out with my cousin Haley to drive back to Utah. Yay car rides.

ONE.

Thank you sweet girls for learning with me, laughing with me, praying with me, studying with me, researching with me, processing with me, and being my friends. It was such a good last semester :)

Now. . . onto our internships!

Starting in ONE week. EEKS!

Opposites attract?

I've always thought it's strange when people use the phrase, "opposites attract." In some cases, I guess this could be the case... like if you're introverted and you want to be with someone who's a little more outgoing, or if you have no musical ability and you want to be with someone who can play the guitar, or something like that... but I'd say, more often, people want to be with people who are like them. And my psychology book backs me up. Here's what I'm studying right now:

"Why are people attracted to others who have similar attitudes, values, and lifestyles? Consensual validation is one reason. Our own attitudes and values are supported when someone else's attitudes and values are similar to ours- their attitudes and values validate ours."

"The force of similarity also operates at a physical level. We usually seek out someone at our own level of attractiveness in physical characteristics as well as social attributes we addressed previously. Research validates matching hypothesis, which states that, although we may prefer a more attractive person in the abstract, in the real world we end up choosing someone who is close to our own level of attractiveness."

Interesting stuff, huh!

Of course, I don't think you have to be exactly the same to make a marriage work. It's alright if you have different hobbies, or if you come from different states, or if you like different foods. But I think it's pretty important for you to be on the same page in terms of family ideals, ideas about how to manage and spend money, spiritual beliefs, and certain priorities.

He loves that snow and I'm loving the uncharacteristically warm Utah weather right now. . . we still get along. :)

More red and green lovin'

Jeremy and Stef.
Red lipstick!

Lovely roommates,

Rockin party.

Is it really the weekend before finals?

Because I'm sure not acting like it.

I woke up on Friday morning feeling like death. I went to work bright and early at 5:45 and worked til 2:30. I was supposed to study while I was there, but I felt so poorly that I had to use all my energy just to stand up. By the time I got off, I was so exhausted all I wanted to do was sleep. And that's exactly what I did... until 7 pm when my husband decided he should probably wake me. Then he took me out to get soup at Zupa's. Sleep and soup must be a real remedy because I felt loads better. Brad & Abby game over for game night and I didn't study one lick.

On Saturday morning, I got up early to work on my research and study a bit. I went to a review at 11 & then came home to cram with JD. We did a little laundry on the side.

Later in the evening, we stopped by at Cory & Jenessa's Christmas party. They did such a great job hosting and Cory's apartment was so bright & cheery. Love that holiday spirit!

(Note: I made that lime green button down in sewing. Whoo hoo!)

Today after church, I had a few meetings, but I spent the rest of the day doing holiday crafts. I didn't even nap! Haha, JD was a little overwhelmed with all the commotion of fabric, felt, toole, buttons, beads, glue, and [fire!] happening at the kitchen table. He made a make-shift table for us to eat dinner on.

Most of the stuff I was working on today was for other people (cough, little sisters), but here's a little project I did for us. I've been wanting to do it forever and finally found some fabric I love when I went shopping on Saturday.

Before: After:

Oh man, gotta love that pop of color! They don't look perfect because I wasn't really sure how to do them... but they sure do make my heart smile.

I don't know if it's the fact that these are my last finals ever, or if it's because I feel like I know most of the material, or if I'm just lazy, but I really haven't been studying this weekend as much as I normally do this time of year. Eeks!

Boys.

Jake rode a bus down from Idaho to spend Thanksgiving week with us. We drove to California and stayed at my old roommate Jocelyn's house. Her family was very kind and welcoming to us, making us feel right at home when we couldn't be back in Texas with the fam.

I love these cute boys.

Ps. If you notice Jake being a head taller than JD, don't mention it to him. Haha JD knows he's 7 inches shorter, but he's got 7 years on Jake, so it all evens out.

Skinny jeans: the dilemma.

We had dinner at our friends' place a few weeks ago. We like them.

(Jamie & Jeff, Emily & Phil, and us)

This doesn't have much to do with the picture, besides that I'm wearing skinny jeans in the picture, but I always feel pretty fly when I wear black tops and skinny jeans. JD's not a fan of skinnies, so I have mixed feelings when I wear them... but I still wear them and I want more. It's a dilemma, people, really.

Yesterday.

Yesterday I went to my last class as an undergrad at BYU. The very idea of this statement being real gives me goosebumps. I hear classmates all around me hoop-ing and ha-ing about finally being done, or hooray-ing about being so close, or making statements like: "You're so lucky you don't have any semesters left," "I wish I was in your place," and "I'd give anything to be done."

I don't get this. I can't relate.

In the moments over the past week or two when I've been overwhelmed with preparation for finals and finishing the research project I've stressed about all semester, I've just tried to take it all in. I remember a certain day last week... one of those I-can't-stop-to-talk-or-say-hi-to-anyone-because-I-have-so-many-things-on-my-to-do-list-today-that-if-I-get-behind-5minutes-everything-might-fall-to-pieces days...when I was rushing across campus from jazz dance to religion, sweating and panting because I have to change super fast in that 10 minute break and climb the beastly set of stairs up from the lower end of campus, and I just stopped to breathe slowly and specifically thought to myself, "You're going to miss this."

And literally, I'm not joking,

I already do.

Cozy little Christmas.

JD and I set up our baby 3 ft Christmas tree on Monday for family night. In his family, there's a tradition that everyone sleeps in the living room together on the night they set up the tree. When we visited his fam last weekend, I walked into a big front room of blankets, mattresses, and pillows. Confused, I asked what was going on and then realized they'd put up all the red & green decor the night before. Silly me, how could I forget?

Staying true to tradition, JD and I lugged our mattress into our living room the night before last. We toasted to a happy season with sparkling cider and fell asleep snuggled up tight below the twinkling lights in our window and Christmas tree.

In my family, we always get an ornament on Christmas Eve and I now have quite the collection. Last year, my mom packed all my treasures up and sent them to me so I'd have them this year. It was fun to combine two of our favorite family traditions and we're sure looking forward to our cozy little Christmas.

(Also, we've been too lazy to put the house back in order and I've quite enjoyed the bed in the living room!)

I believe.

In 1842, Joseph Smith made this statement:

"The Standard of Truth has been erected; no unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing; persecutions may rage, mobs may combine, armies may assemble, calumny may defame, but the truth of God will go forth boldly, nobly, and independent, till it has penetrated every continent, visited every clime, swept every country, and sounded in every ear, till the purposes of God shall be accomplished, and the Great Jehovah shall say the work is done."

It is exciting for me to witness the Gospel of Jesus Christ reaching people all over the world. In the last 7 months, temples were dedicated in Gila Valley, Arizona; Vancouver, British Columbia; Cebu City in the Philippines; and Kyiv, Ukraine. Recently, the prophet announced new temples to be built in Lisbon, Portugal; Indianapolis, Indiana; Urdaneta, Philippines; Hartford, Connecticut; and Tijuana, Mexico in the coming months and years. This is exciting!

I know missionaries who have served all over the world to bring the sweet message of love and truth to others. My dad served in the Phillipines; my husband served in Mexico; my grandparents served in Africa; my cousins served in France and another is currently serving in Argentina; the first boy I ever kissed served in Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia; my high school boyfriend served in Michigan; my religion professor went to Japan; one of my old roommates is in Argentina and countless others of my friends and classmates have given of their lives to help others find genuine happiness.

What an incredible witness to the words of Joseph Smith!

Thankful.

In no particular order. . . Husband. Cheese. Mexican food. California sunsets. Nail clippers. The Savior's perfect life. Temples. Warm coats. Colors. Dedicated professors. Examples. Wedding ring. Holding hands. Blender. Peanut butter. BYU. College Football. Skype. Airplanes. Cell phone. Music. Cowboy boots. Journals. Scrapbook paper. Sewing machines. Sales. Good books. Harry Potter. Poetry. Lipgloss. Socks. Yummy candles. Scriptures. Hot chocolate. TV. Mailmen. Hand-written letters. Email. Blackboard. Chalkboards. Doodles. Sharpies. Priesthood. Missionaries. Grandparents. Vacations. Hamburgers. Learning. Trials. Sacrament. Sunday school. Alphabet. Quilts. The Sandlot. Quick games of catch at the baseball fields. Board games. Cars. Lights. A full tank of gas. Peachie-Os. Babies. Brothers. Sisters. Finding a gift you know they'll love. Christmas time. Fireworks. Flowers. Mittens. Nail polish. Roommates. Trees. Magazines. Ensign. Grateful people. Helpful people. Selfless people. When the garbage gets taken out. Vacuum. Guidance from professors. Guidance from parents. Guidance from God. Prayer. Articles of Faith. Texas heat. The beach. Scriptures. Knowing I'll see people again after they die. Engagement pictures. Weddings, generally speaking. Post-its. Calendar. Alarm clock. Rugs. Turquoise mixing bowls. Utensils. Camera. Clouds. Stars. The sky. Recycling. New school supplies. Internship. Eating out. Eating in. Love. Mashed potatoes. Parables in the Bible. High school memories. A clean house. Organization. Roses. Falling asleep next to JD. Snuggling. Pedicures. Long baths. Surprises. Popcorn at the movies. Snow. Green lights. Religious art. The power of God. Cute, happy jewelry. Compliments. Courtesy. Faith. Integrity. Revelation. Plants. The zoo. History. Heroes. Everyday.

Black.

Black is better.
I love working on home projects with JD!
We did this about 4 weeks ago. . .

Reason 102 (and 103).

When JD turned 23, I made him a little book, titled "101 Reasons I'm in Love with You." We'd only been dating 4 months, and I still wasn't totally sure he was the one. It's hard to believe it's been over 2 years since I gave him that gift!

If I were to continue the list, I'd add:

102. He only complains a little bit when I want to go to a ballet performance.

(Pictures taken at the Ballet Showcase at BYU last weekend).

And as we speak...

103. He makes me dinner when I've had a rough day and all I wanna do is lay on the couch like a zombie lady.

Halloween.

JD worked in a haunted house in high school. Thus, he wanted to do this to us for Halloween:

He got Jordan in on the action.

And, somehow, convinced me too.

This is such an uncharacteristic costume for me.

But it was fun!

Thanks Jordan and Brittany for inviting us to the party.

We ate yummy beef stew out of pumpkin themed bread bowls, gave out candy to trick-or-treaters, played boys v. girls charades, battled it out at the pool table, competed in a flexibility game, and made delicious caramel apples, complete with crushed peanut butter cups, white chocolate, sprinkles, and brown sugar and cinnamon. Delish!

PS. Brittany's got a baby on the way! We are so happy for them :)

Purple nailpolish.

Cory always paints her nails pretty colors. I miss lots of things about living with her, but I particularly miss nail-painting parties. JD just doesn't get it. . . but he did let me buy some pretty purple-y, eh, more lavender-ish nail polish last week at Smith's. My collection now includes 4 shades of pink and. . .purple. Monochromatic, no? The point is my nails have been polished purple for a whole week now and they still make me smile. I'm not too hard to please.

I spent this last weekend training to be a ropes course facilitator and learning how to lead and process group treatments. I was up at CLAS Ropes all day Friday and Saturday, conquering fears, strategizing in group games, building my repertoire of initiative activities, tying knots, belaying classmates up rock walls, eating pizza, enjoying the weather, and loving my life. At a PALS retreat to a ropes course in high school, I remember thinking: "How does one go about doing this for a living? This has got to be the coolest job." Little did I know, a few years down the road, I'd stumble upon a major so perfectly matched for me I'd sometimes have to pinch myself.

Honestly? I have the best teachers- they are men of God who give selflessly to serve others and bring joy to the people they meet. They believe in the power of wholesome recreation and have taught me through their words and actions what it means to live fully and help others find meaning and satisfaction in their existence. The purpose of therapeutic recreation is to improve quality of life. Even if I never get to work as a certified TR specialist, I will be better for the time I've spent at BYU, learning at the feet of inspiring men.

During the closing session of Saturday training, the leader suggested a simple way to find happiness. He told us to note good things that have happened to us, for us, and because of us. Just wanted to jot a few of those things down.

To me: My work schedule got re-arranged and now I get to sleep in on Tuesdays and Thursdays! Yay!

For me: My cute friends from church came over to visit and brought me some yummy sugar cookies last night.

Because of me: I thought it might be helpful to some of my classmates to share our religion notes over a GoogleDoc. I typed up my notes and sent a link, inviting others to add and discuss as they pleased. A few days after I opened the Doc, I overheard a girl in the library chatting with her friend about how overwhelming things were for her and how grateful she was someone had opened a GoogleDoc in her religion class because it was a huge help. Later in the week, I recognized her in the back of the room. Made me feel good :)

Today was a stressful day, but then I looked down and my purple nails were a sweet reminder what a magnificent blessing it is just to be alive.

Words.

When I was in middle school, I wrote a lot of poems. I loved words. I compiled a book of my poems to give to my best friends as a Christmas gift (which looking back now, seems so dorky and weird. . .) I like writing. I love reading. I love quotes that move me, words that inspire me, phrases that touch me. The scriptures are particularly powerful, especially when I read with a real desire to learn.

Words are always floating around in my brain. Sentences, thoughts, memories, dreams, expectations, regrets, ideas, research, to-dos, worries, miss-yous, emotions, concern, love. Today I briefly visited a quote website I used to browse regularly. I read this:

"Stop worrying about the could haves. If it should have, it would have." - Anonymous

Wise words. Comforting words.

Now. . . be still, my sweet scatterbrain.

P is for party.

Last month we went to the Utah State Capitol for Platinum's end-of-year party. We had yummy food and listened to the same names being called over and over for awards. Sounds like a fun time, yeah?

I mean. . . whatever happened to the $1,000 cash prize for best office assistant? I kept waiting for it.

Birthday weekend.

We started JD's birthday weekend last Friday by going down to Salt Lake for dinner and a Jazz game. We ate at California Pizza Kitchen. Yum!

Then we walked around the Gateway mall for a bit and headed over to the Energy Solutions Arena for the game. It was the last pre-season game against the Sacramento Kings and they won!

(JD was really proud of this shot!)

On Saturday, we went to the BYU game and they finally won! They must've done it for JD :) We had planned a birthday barbeque at Kiwanis Park for Saturday evening. However, the weather decided not to cooperate with us and we moved the celebration into our one bedroom apartment. We fit about 20 people in our little home! JD's family came down a little bit early and Larry set up his grill right outside our door. We were nervous about people being crowded and uncomfortable, but it turned out to be such a cozy little party. I made some cute cupcakes, a happy banner, and we bought some balloons and noisemakers. JD was just so happy to see the people he loves. It was a good day :)

Abe & Holli Lucero

Jordan & Brittany Borchert

Jeff, Matt & Brigham

Tiffanie, Mikella & Tyler

Cory & Jenessa

JD blowing out the candles.

Larry & Tiffanie

The M&M game. So many laughs!

Everyone who came to celebrate with us!

JD got a video camera from his family, a football from the Luceros, and a wok, Boggle, a Jazz hat, snow cone flavoring, corn on the cob holders, candy, and beef jerkey from me. JD bought the Jazz tickets himself, but I think technically that was supposed to count as a birthday gift from me too. . . haha. Anyways, what a happy weekend!