The Good, The Bad, and The Sunny/Funny

Good news. Michael had a job interview with Wells Fargo last week and has made it into the second round of interviews. That will be tomorrow. We're really excited about it for multiple reasons. 1) Extra money for the summer! 2) Great benefits 3) THEY PAY TUITION. Mostly, Michael is a fantastic people person and kind of a pro at interviews, so I have 100% confidence in him and we're definately crossing our fingers that he'll get that job. And, if he doesn't, luckily he already has a job, so that will be okay too.

Bad news. We no longer get to move into that house :(. The couple that is currently living there has decided that they need another year who in Provo. Who would want an extra year in Provo? Anyway, Michael is trying to help me not to be bitter, and I'm slowly getting over it. But I was so in love with that house as you probably could tell. Michael and I have begun the search for something just as cool or cooler, but my sights are set pretty high. Good thing I'm happy in our little apartment currently, so I'll survive.

Sunny/Funny news. It has been beautiful here lately and we have been trying to take full advantage before it hits the 90's and I become a baby who thinks that is too hot to play outside. (I MISS OREGON TEMPERATURES). We went to the park with the Lances to play some frisbee and have a picnic. Michael wanted to fly our sweet kite. Sounds fun, right? Well, the problem is, there was ZERO wind. hahahahahahaha! Enjoy these pictures and I'm sure you'll have a good idea of how the kite flying went. Michael is truly a child at heart, which I love, and when he gets a fun idea, there's no getting it out of his head, even if there's no wind and the park is covered in trees and power lines.

The 180th Annual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

When I was younger, I loved conference weekend because I got to sleep in and only had to go to 2 hours of church. Now, I love conference weekend because I get to watch 8 hours of church, and I live close enough to actually attend. What a fantastic experience. For those of you who have never attended a session of conference in the conference center, please do. When the prophet walks in the room, and everyone stands up, there is no denying the feelings that you get when you see him walk in. I don't feel that way when I see joe schmoe walk in the room. I feel that way about Thomas S. Monson because he is a prophet of God.

My thoughts on this conference:

- Technology is an amazing blessing. President Monson is a prophet, just like Moses, or Joseph Smith, but unlike those old days, we are lucky enough to be able to hear and see him speak!

-The world is definaltey trying to bring down the family, and church leadership is aware of it, and I felt so much peace by their words of comfort on how we can raise a family in this crazy world.

- Heavenly Father loves us SO much. The words spoken, the unity we feel as we all gather together as members of the church and believers in Jesus Christ, the boost of happiness, they are all examples.

I hope I don't sound preachy or anything! Totally not my intention. I just was very spiritually fed this weekend and hope you all were too!

Busy, Happy Life

We've been busy lately and it's been wonderful! Our life has been full of great suprises, visits, and family!

First of all, My mom came to town! It was so wonderful to have her here. I really miss my mom out here, so it was just what I needed to have her around for a while. I didn't want her to leave!! She came to our funny married ward, we went to Michael and I's favorite breakfast spot, and then we headed down to BEAVER! Oh it was so great to be there again. Grandma's house is just like she left it and I loved all of the memories. I told mom that I really wanted the "beaver" experience, so she took me to the local diner which I'm certain has not been redecorated since 1950. We went into a drug store, and the lady had a big beehive hair-do. I seriously felt like I had fallen into another century. I loved it!

Emily, Easton, Carly, Marc, Connie, Kellen, and Caleb came to meet up with us too. Even though it as a very short visit, I needed a fix of my babies and my siblings and it was wonderful!! I hate saying goodbye though. We also got to see cousins Andrea, Valorie, and Stephanie- SO FUN!

I came home from Beaver to celebrate Steph's 23rd birthday!! WAHOO! We had another great gathering with the Lances and I was happy to be with her. It's great to be together on our birthdays and I feel SO lucky to have her as a neighbor again!

Lastly, a fabulous opportunity has fallen into Michael and I's lap. My friend and co-worker Loriol's parents own a house here in Provo. It is split into an upstairs and downstairs apartment. Loriol found out for me that it will be available in April. So, Michael and I went to check it out. 2 bedrooms, backyard, garden, covered parking, furniture, less than what we're already paying, hallelujah! WE LOVE IT! So, we will be moving in, in 1 month! YAY! We're so excited! It's really a cute little joint and I can't wait to live there.

That's us lately :). We're very happy and are just feeling so thankful lately for how well life has treated us since we've been married.

Lauren's married off!

Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. DeVard! Look how happy they are! For those of you who don't know, this is my dear friend Lauren Rasmussen (now DeVard) and her new husband Josh. Lauren and I met my first semester at BYUI and she introduced me to my Michael :). Her and I have been very close ever since. I cannot really even express how absolutely delighted I am for these 2. Lauren has the biggest heart, and BEST personality, and is so beautiful and I always knew that I would be critical of whoever she married because he better be good! And yep- Josh fits the profile perfectly. He is a true stand up, good, good guy. And want to know something funny? She was a sister on temple square and Josh was the security guard :). DON'T WORRY- they didn't have a romance or really even meet until after her mission. But it's still just a great story!

Look at this gorgeous bride and groom! Her dress was SO flattering and beautiful on her. And the flowers turned out excellent as well. It was snowy, but it didn't damper anyone's spirits. We were all so happy to be there and see them glowing. The reception was a BLAST! Michael's old friends from Texas were there along with alot of my old friends. Michael and I are pretty big socialites, so we had a a grand time dancing the night away!
I love this one. It really makes my heart smile to see Lauren so happy.

Roomies and friends with the Bride.
1st year of college roomies! Reunited for a temple wedding of our friend. How truly special.

And P.S- michael and I got to have lunch and shop around with our own Loni Nock :) Loni is another very special person in our lives and we were elated to spend time with her again. We love you, lon don!

23

Remember when we used to play MASH when we were little? I would always choose to be married at like 20, and have 3 kids by the time I was 23, and live in a mansion, and drive sweet cars and all of that. hahahaha. So laughable now.

I turned 23 on Monday. Really?! It's so weird. I mean, I know that 23 is not old. But I really still feel 18! It's crazy. I'm happy to be 23, I think it'll be a great year. It's just weird. And I'll tell you one thing. My birthday was made absolutely FANTASTIC by all of the people that love me. THANK YOU to everyone for the thoughtful cards, gifts, texts, phone calls, messages. All of it, I honestly felt so special all day and it was so appreciated. It was so great to chat with my siblings, parents, nieces & nephews, friends, all on one day! Birthdays rock!

My parents have always done a great job of making my birthday fun growing up, and Michael took over wonderfully this year. He took me to get a massage, we went to dinner and to see Dear John (loved it), AND, my birthday actual birthday present was my rings being fused together. YAY! I'm so happy with them. They are 1 now and I love it. They're not clinking into each other all of the time anymore. Do I have a thoughtful husband OR WHAT? I had mentioned that to him before, he remembered, and had it done. stud. I can't stop looking at it.
Stephanie made my favorite birthday cake and we had a celebration with the Lances. We felt like our parents. Eating cake and chatting all night on a birthday :). It's a great tradition to continue. Jarom even got the frosting I like. Thank you guys!
And now, a moment of silence for Sarah.........thank you. My friend Sarah took me out to lunch on my birthday, sweet much? I know! This was a very happy time. We love catching up and such. Why the moment of silence you ask? Sarah is no longer my co-worker :(. She found a new freaking sweet job and I'm thrilled for her. But she is missed!
Basically, March 8th was wonderful this year. I felt so special. And I'm truly SO thankful for all of you in my life that have the ability of making me feel so loved. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your happy thoughts and words on my bday :).

The anticipation is killing us!

I think by now that most everyone knows that Michael has applied to the accounting program here at BYU. That is why we are here. It is the best in the country and he's always wanted to give it at shot. He turned in his application at the very beginning of January and was told it would be 30-60 days until he heard a response. He has been anxiously awaiting as the days climb into the high 50s. FINALLY- 2 days ago, he excitedly sat me down in front of the computer to see a screen that said "a decision has been made on your application, click here to see". AHHHH!!! CLICK IT CLICK IT!!! So, he did, and this is what it said.... "because many applicants are finishing their pre-reqs this spring semester, we will re-review your application on July 12th". AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! Do they even understand how tortorous that is? We have lives to plan people! If he doesn't get in, he needs to apply for another program, or we might be in China, or go back to Rexburg. There are so many options and we need to know!

But, Michael being the incredible optimist that he is says to me,"this is great news, I didn't get rejected right off the bat!" :) He's right. That is a very good news. We truly hope that Michael gets in. He wants this really bad. And even though I by no means LOVE Utah, it's dry weather, and BYU-Idaho hating students, we have had some great opportunities open up for us here, so it would be great to stick in one place for a while. But, he assures me that if he doesn't, life will go on, and there are many other options open to him. And I know that's true. He's worked really hard to make sure he has other paths he could take. Anyway... that's the status!

Also, last weekend Lindsey and Anessa came to town. PARTAY! So we had the whole gang over for some home-made pizza and we had a blast! Lindsey and Anessa stayed with us and trust me, we love having sleep overs so it was great fun. Brookie bear, Steph, and Jarom were a part of the fun too and really it is SO fun to have all of these people together. If only we could talk Anessa into moving down here, we'd definately do this more often. someday!

That's life recently :) We're loving it and very happy as usual.

P.S- 2 antibiotics and 1 doctors visit down, and I'm feeling MUCH better. thanks :)

My Valentine

My Valentine was so wonderful to me. I should have known. He always sent me great packages from Taiwan on American AND Taiwanese Valentine's Day. He really is a romantic. First, he brought me flowers and chocolate. That right there would have been enough for me. It made me so happy that he was so thoughtful. Then, he took me to see Valentine's Day which I have been talking about for weeks! THEN- he took me to a local Mexican restaurant that I've been dying to try. And THEN- he took me to a comedy show on campus. What a day!! We had so much fun. We were just so happy and enjoying each other. It's was wonderful!

Then, on actually Valentine's Day, I left some suprises for him around the house and cooked him a delicous dinner and peach cobler. His fav, not mine. haha. It's days like these that make me EVEN more grateful for Michael. He really tries so hard to make me happy, and it works! And what is with all the Valentine's haters in the world? I never hated it! Even if you don't have a valentine, I am always all about a reason to celebrate and eat candy!

On Monday, Kelly and Tyler were in town so we had another get together with them and the Hiltons and Dad and Heather and Brooke. Talk about fun! It's so great to catch up with everyone. And Tiffy and Kelly's babies are seriously perfectly adorable and I could just gobble them up!! It was hard to go back to work after that long, wonderful weekend. But, it turned out to be a good week, as it always does! Now, we're excited for this weekend because Anessa is in town and we get to have a gathering with her, Brooke, Lindsey, and the Lances! REUNION!

...unfortunately, last night at 3:30 AM nature hit me with it's WORST illness. You terrible UTI, I will not let you ruin my weekend. But seriously, I found myself all last night wondering why this particular infection has to even exist. TMI?? sorry. But I figure it you're reading my blog, we're probably tight and you know I'm blunt anyway.

BRING ON SPRING!