Christmas Eve in Minnesota!

Well, we are partway through our travels for the Christmas break! After finishing finals last Friday night, we left our apartment at 8:30 on Saturday morning for the airport! We got off to a rocky start - I left my cell phone on the shuttle to the airport, and Jake tripped getting off the shuttle (while trying not to trip over the small children from the family we shared the shuttle with). But we made it there! We got through security about 3 hours before our fligh left, so we had some breakfast, watched a TV and played a game together on the laptop. We had a layover in Denver, but it was a short one. We basically just played on the computer again. But this time we had some internet access, so we spent a lot of it checking grades (I got a B- in Anatomy!). We arrived safely in Minnesota around dinner time.

Since then, we've been having alot of fun doing things with Jake's family (all five of his siblings and their families are in town for the holidays this year). We had a "party" on Sunday for Mike's birthday. Jake and I got him some of his favorite soda and candy bar, but wrapped them and put them inside a box... which we wrapped and put inside ANOTHER box, etc etc. The kids loved it! They thought it was the funniest thing ever!! Yesterday was spent finishing up some last minute Christmas shopping.

We've had a big snowstorm come through. It started yesterday evening and last I heard we'd gotten about 5-6 inches of snow. It's gorgeous and really helps to set the holiday mood, but we're hoping that it stops by tomorrow, as Jake and I are supposed to fly down to Nebraska around 1 PM.

Here's hoping the airport doesn't close!!

Trip #1 to the Airport, and End of Finals

Thursday evening, we drove up to the Salt Lake Airport to meet Jake's cousin as he flew in from Jerusalem. Josh has spent the semester at BYU's Jerusalem Center, so he has spent the last three and a half months on the other side of the world! We decided that his return merited the car ride! So Jake, Carsey, and I all piled into Sasha to start the journey around 9:15 PM (Josh's flight arrived around 10:30 PM). Bear in mind that it is the middle of December... and Sasha's defroster doesn't work... or at least not unless we drive over a big bump. So the car fogs up effortlessly, requiring that we drive with the window rolled down. This gave Carsey and I NUMEROUS opportunities to snuggle in the backseat while Jake drove!

While we waited in the airport for Josh's flight to arrive, we were vending machine browsing! We found one that served warm meal things! Pizza, buffalo wings, grilled cheese sandwiches, etc. Now... you must understand that I LOVE pizza! And I had just finished a Microbiology final before we left, so I hadn't eaten dinner yet. We weren't expecting Josh to arrive for another 40 minutes, so Jake allowed me to buy a pizza from the amazing machine!

I was so excited to take it out!!

It was the most ADORABLE pizza EVER!!!

I finished my pizza right as we found out that Josh and his parents were at the baggage carousels. We met up with them and then drove to Saratoga Springs and hung out at Jake and Josh's grandparents house. There, we were fed even MORE pizza and stayed until around 2:30 AM chatting and catching up.

After sleeping in today (for me at least, Jake got up to help his home teaching companion and his wife move. But he brought me donuts. So it was good), today was the last day of finals!

Jake and I are both officially done with the semester! We are still waiting on our official final grades. I have a few classes that - as far as I can calculate - are right on the border between letter grades. So crossing my fingers and praying for the higher one! There may be some emails to professors to see if persuasions can be made.

Anyways... We are leaving tomorrow morning at 8:30 for the airport and should arrive in Minnesota by around 6:30 PM! Hooray for Christmas break!!

The Start of Finals Week!!

Finals week has begun! It is a time of such contradictions... Caring so much and yet so little... So much stress and also so much relaxation... Late nights, early nights, early mornings, and early nights... Procrastination and Responsibility... No wonder so many people get sick after they finish this week!

Jake and I have such different schedules for our finals this semester!

Jake has four finals to take this week. One of them is available all week through the testing center, and three of them are at specific scheduled times. Unfortunately those scheduled times are all between the hours of 7 AM and 7 PM on Tuesday! So that will DEFINITELY be a stressful day for him. But, he is likely to be done with his finals by Tuesday or Wednesday depending on when he takes his Physics Exam.

At the beginning of finals week, I had already taken 2. (Both my anatomy and microbiology lab classes have already administered their finals). That left me with four finals to take during the official finals week. My Chemistry exam was at 11 AM this morning. So I'm already halfway done! Three down and three to go! My Anatomy and Human Development finals are available all week. And my Microbiology exam is scheduled for Thursday evening. So I plan on spreading my exams out throughout the whole week and dealing with just one at a time.

So... for this finals week... Jake is the sprinter and I'm the marathoner. :-)

The report so far on my Finals?

Anatomy Lab: I did 20% better than on my midterm. AWESOME improvement!

Microbiology Lab: I got a B on the final, which gave me an overall grade of an A for the class!

Chemistry: Was a lot easier than I expected based on her study guide. Waiting on the grade.

Good luck to everyone else who is studying and taking exams these next few weeks! And to those of you who are all grown up and don't have to do this anymore... Congratulations!

Reading Day!!

Between the last day of class and finals, BYU gives us what they call "Reading Days". Instead of having a whole dead week - like most universities - we get a Friday off. (They also call Saturday a Reading Day... but I refuse to acknowledge that one. Because in my opinion, Saturday was always my day, and not the university's to give to me).

So anyways... this is how we are spending our reading day. :-) First, we slept in. Right now, we just finished eating green french toast and sausage... while wearing footie pajamas!

Jake enjoyed a break with the Wii while I cooked breakfast!

Here's our green french toast! I was originally going to make it blue for Jake... But blue food coloring + yellow eggs = green. So I just went with it!

Cooking cooking cooking!!

And the grand finale..... *drumroll*..... the last of our sausage links! We each got 3 1/2.

Yesterday was our last day of classes. And was also a good day! It was the one year anniversary of Jake's proposal. And we had lots of good things happen! Jake got a good grade on his last Organic Chemistry Exam and I found out that I'd gotten an A for my final grade in my Microbiology Lab!

Our Christmas Kickoff FHE

This week our FHE is in preparation for Christmas!! We are finally getting around to sending out the Christmas letters.... unfortunately I accidentally deleted it... So we had to wait a little bit until I rewrote it. But we have almost all of them printed, enveloped, and ready to go! Most of them will mail out tomorrow. So look for yours in the mail! (Or, facebook me your address if you want one and I don't have your address.)

While I was getting the next batch of envelopes ready, Jake made me dinner! Because he's an amazing husband. We had hamburger... err... Turkey Helper. And he dressed it up with some green onions, red peppers, and yummy toppings.

Now, while we are eating we are watching one of my most favorite Christmas movies of all time- The Year Without a Santa Claus. Jake has never seen it and I am all kinds of excited to share it with him!

Snow!!

We finally got some snow! Just as I was wishing!! This is what we woke up to today!

I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas...

Christmas is coming! We only have 5 more days of class left! Then finals. I've already put up our Christmas decorations. We put Christmas chocolates in our candy jar. I'm listening to Christmas carols every chance I get. It's even cold enough that I wear scarves and gloves... But it doesn't seem like Christmas still. BECAUSE THERE'S NO SNOW!! I realize that Utah Christmases are not as snowy as those in Nebraska and Minnesota... but I'm ready for at least a little snow!

Hospice Training

I completed my training today to become a Hospice Volunteer! I'll just be doing some little group stuff this month until my background check is completed - delivering Christmas goodies and caroling and such. Then, when we get back from Christmas break, I'll be assigned to specific patients that I'll visit on a regular basis.

I'm kind of nervous and scared about starting my visits. But... also excited. I'm sure it'll be a great experience and that I'm going to learn a lot from it.

200 Days!

Today, Jake and I have been married for 200 days! It sounds like a lot longer than it feels!!

Pumpkin Pies!!

Because I had to work on Thanksgiving, I didn't have time to eat any pumpkin pie. But since it is my FAVORITE food of the holidays, I made some on Sunday night for Jake and I. When we were growing up, sometimes mom would let us use cookie cutters to make shapes out of the extra dough. Then we should sometimes float them on the pumpkin. I decided to carry on the tradition!

Here's the first one that I baked...

... and here's the second pie! (Before I baked it).

They are YUMMY! We've already eaten the M+J pie and are about to start working our way through the heart one.

Temples

Jake and I are the ward greeters for our ward. In this ward... that also includes many other duties, one of which is putting together the program for Sacrament Meeting every week. Each week on the cover of the program, we put a picture of a different temple. So that we can keep track of what temples we've already done, we have been going through the temples chronologically. We started with Nauvoo (which was dedicated in 1846) and so far we've made it to Ogden. The Ogden temple was dedicated in 1972, but it was only the 16th temple (if you include Nauvoo the first time and still count Kirtland, otherwise it is 14th). I knew that there has been a "temple explosion" during the last few decades. But I had no idea how few temples there were before! What a great blessing that there have been so many more built. Including my personal favorite- Winter Quarters - which was dedicated in 2001.

Preparing for Christmas

Jake and I put up our Christmas decorations yesterday! They aren't too extensive. But they make our apartment seem so much cheerier! And are definitely helping get me in the Christmas mood! And did I mention that I am LOVING the Christmas music!

Enjoy the Happy Holidays video I made tonight at work!!

Month of Thanks - Day 24

Today, I'm thankful that we live so close to a Chick-fil-a. And for coupons that give you free chicken sandwiches. And for the fun evening I got to spend walking around the mall with Jake.

Month of Thanks - Day 23

BOTH Jake and I are thankful for my job, as it is currently our only source of income. :-)

Month of Thanks - Day 22

I'm thankful for finding pumpkin chocolate chip cookies on sale at Smith's!!

Month of Thanks - Day 21

Today I'm thankful for this cheap food group we joined. I heard about it from a co-worker, and so Jake and I decided to try it out. So, for $23 dollars and the promise of 2 hours of community service, we got a pound of ground beef, 2 lb chicken drumsticks, some beef chuck roast, diced pork cubes, a loaf of bread, some rice, six oranges, 5 pears, 4 apples, 1 branch of broccoli, 3 bell peppers, 4 tomatoes, a thing of mushrooms, and a five pound bag of potatoes. Best deal ever!! Anyone who wants information:

https://foodco-op.net/

Month of Thanks - Day 20

Today I am thankful for the BYU Testing Center. I think its a logical, efficient way to administer exams. But mainly I'm just thankful that I have no more tests to take there until finals. :-)

Month of Thanks - Day 19

Today I'm thankful for showers! After trying to help and clean up after a patient who was vomiting for over two hours last night, the first thing I did when I got home was take the longest most refreshing shower of my life (or at least of the last few months) and scrub myself all over multiple time. I felt so much better afterwards!! Yay for showers.

Month of Thanks - Day 18

I'm thankful for online banking. So easy! Also, I'm thankful for direct deposit paychecks. And for Patrick at the BYU Wells Fargo. He's immensely competent and helpful. :-)

Month of Thanks - Day 17

Today I'm thankful for my laptop. It has had its quirks and emergencies and near death experiences. But I've had it since 2006 and its still working for me! There is no way I would be able to get through school without it. :-)

I'm also grateful for all the help Mike has given us in trying to extend it's life.

Chemistry Failures

I interrupt this station's normal holiday broadcasting to bring you this special message.....

CHEMISTRY FAILURES!

I went to a review tonight that was led by one of the TAs (or teaching assistants) meant to prepare us for our upcoming midterm exam.

FAILURE #1

A girl came up to the board to work out a sample problem. In the course of this, she had to add 0.25 and 0.5, which one might assume would lead her to answer 0.75. FALSE. What did she write?

0.25 + 0.5 = 0.3

FAILURE #2

Our TA gave us an example of a reaction taking place in deionized water. A girl raised her hand and looking quite concerned said "Can you drink that? Isn't it dangerous?"

Fail. Deionized water is just normal water that has had all of the mineral ions remove (sodium, calcium, iron, etc).

Month of Thanks - Day 16

Today I'm thankful for frozen juice concentrate!! I love juice. And these are cheaper and take up less space than actually buying a jug of juice! I made some fruit punch this morning!

Also, today Jake and I have been married for six months! I'm thankful for that too. But its a little trickier to find a picture for that.

Month of Thanks - Day 15

Today I'm thankful for Hamburger Helper. Or rather - "Turkey Helper" since we usually use ground turkey instead of ground beef (its healthier for you... but mainly its cheaper).

They have so many awesome flavors, they're easy to make and cheap, and its relatively simple to dress them up a bit by throwing in some green onions, or grated cheese, or bell peppers, or anything!

And they're definitely yummy!! Usually some of the best meals we have!

Month of Thanks - Day 14

Today I'm thankful for Tucano's! And especially for coupons for Tucano's! Yum Yum Yum!

Month of Thanks - Day 13

Today I'm thankful for our little car, Sasha. She has her... quirks and disabilities. But she gets me to work and back and basically everywhere else we need to go!

Month of Thanks - Day 12

Today I'm thankful for my friend Heidi. She was my roommate for my first three semesters of college and we went through a lot together. Even today, she comes through for me when I need her the most. My life has definitely been blessed by her presence.

Month of Thanks - Day 11

Today is Veteran's Day and I am thankful for all the men and women who had served this country in its armed forces and for all of the sacrifices they made and all that they represent.

Month of Thanks- Day 10

Today I'm grateful for water!! Quite literally, the source of all life. Our bodies need it to function, it keeps our skin nice, helps plants grow! All sorts of awesome things!

AND... we have access to it all over! Thank goodness for modern plumbing and purification!

Month of Thanks - Day 9

I am grateful for getting A's on Anatomy midterms! :-) Even if I have to study my butt off first!

Month of Thanks - Day 8

I'm grateful for cake mix! And brownie mixes and cookie mixes and muffin mixes, etc, etc, etc. They make making yummy things (i.e. my birthday cake) so much easier and quicker!

Month of Thanks - Day 7

I'm thankful for the awesome 21st birthday I had!! After sleeping in, we were roused from bed by a knock upon the door. It was a delivery man wanting to bring us these!

They are purple, white, and yellow daisies!! And daisies are my favorite! After a few hours we finally decided to get dressed and open presents!

Then we went to the Botany Pond and fed the ducks! I love feeding ducks!

For dinner we went to Pirate Island Pizza! We had a coupon for 50% off of "The Kraken" - their 24 inch pizza!

Needless to say, we didn't finish it. So the joy and pizza of my birthday can last for several days to come!

Right now, we are working on the finishing touch to any birthday - the birthday cake! :-)

Month of Thanks - Day 6

I'm thankful for Laura! It's her birthday today! She just turned 16 and I'm way excited for her! :-)

Month of Thanks - Day 5

This might be a little more on the shallow side... But I'm thankful for hulu. :-) I get to watch tv shows that I like whenever I want to, and without as many commercials!

Month of Thanks - Day 4

I'm thankful for Josh and Carsey!! I love all the fun time we've spent with them (either together or separately). Its been neat to see their relationship grow and I'm excited for next semester when we'll all be together again!! :-)

Month of Thanks - Day 3

Just as I am thankful for my parents, I'm also thankful for Jake's parents! They even sent me birthday presents! And I'm thankful that his parents get along so well with my parents! We're also excited to visit THEM for Christmas!

Month of Thanks - Day 2

I'm very thankful for my parents. For all of the support and help they've given me/us... particularly the over the last year. :-) I'm very excited to get to visit over Christmas.

Month of Thanks - Day 1

The number one thing I'm thankful for at this point in life is Jake. :-) On my birthday we will have been married for 175 days. And they've been great!

Month of Thanks

So I'm stealing from Karen Herrington a wonderful idea about getting into the right spirit of Thanksgiving. Everyday for the month of November, she is writing about one thing she is thankful for. I'm a little behind- seeing as how it is already the fifth. So I will try to catch up. :-)

Beautiful November!

November has been beautiful so far! Beautiful weather in the upper fifties into the sixties! Sunny! Leaves changing! Wonderful!

Jake and I sat out on the balcony this afternoon and studied together!

BIRTHDAY TIME!

My birthday is on Saturday!! :-) I'll be turning the big 2-1!

This is the inspiration for the new birthday layout!

Our First Halloween!

Last post about Halloween! I promise!!

We went to the costume contest at my work and won second place! We lost to a man riding an inflatable ostrich. Which was only fair. :-)

Me and my ribbon!

Jake and his ribbon, reading the book we won!

We did most of our Halloween celebrations on Friday the 30th. We went to a lecture about scary movies and then an old vampire movie at the International Cinema. Then we stood in line outside for a while to go through the Haunted Laboratory set up in the Clyde Building. It was indeed bigger than last year! The only problem was that we were in the first group to go through... so it very much felt like a dress rehearsal.

Saturday, I worked from 7 AM -7 PM. So we didn't go out to do anything. We stayed in and watched a scary movie.

All in all, our first Halloween was a smashing success!

Congratulations to Jake for getting an A on his Physics Exam today!

The Night of the Living Pins

We have been doing AWESOME at FHE lately! Tonight, we went bowling. The bowling alley on campus had a special tonight. It was The Night of the Living Pins - $1 a game if you come in costume! So, we went in costumes!

Ginny Weasley and Harry Potter!!

We played two games. Both of us did better on our first game. I even broke 100!!