1+1=3

Carly

My cousin Carly died a few years ago this Dec 21st. Her death was very unexpected and words can't really describe how much I miss her. I think about her all the time. And even though I know she's happier where she is now, I especially miss her and wish she was here during this season. I miss spending Christmas with all the cousins and singing around the piano. Everyone that knew Carly, was touched by her beauty, generosity, kindness, service, and sense of humor. She could make anyone laugh and her smile was so contagious! She was a great inspiration to those around her. She led such a Christ-like life and helped me personally through so many problems. I miss being able to just talk to Carly, but I also feel so blessed for being able to spend as much time as I did with her. I know she's happy and working hard now and I'm excited for the day that we get to see each other again!

Or...?

So yesterday morning I was having major back/left side pains that killed like no other. I was a little worried, but decided that maybe if I took a nap the pain would go away. About 5 minutes later I yell down to Tyler (well I tried to yell, it took all my effort to yell) that I was in too much pain and we need to go to my doctor. He calls the doctors office and they set up an appointment for 2 o'clock. 2 o'clock! That was an hour away. I was writhing with so much pain we just decided to leave hoping they could get us in a little early.
We walk into the office and I had to make a beeline for the restroom making it just in time to toss the cookies (the first of many). After a lot of stuff you probably don't want to hear about, a few tests, and sending me to another clinic, we come to find out I have kidney stones. Kidney stones?! Kidney stones...or? I was surprised. I'm only 23. But I was pretty relieved too that it wasn't something worse. The pain hurt sooo bad.
I do have to count my blessings, though. I had the day off work, so I was already home during all of this. Tyler had the day off work too because he unexpectedly got dropped with some PTO days that needed to be used up before the end of the year. I'm so glad he was here to help take care of me, give me a blessing with his brother, get my medicine, and just be with me through it all. Lots of other many blessings occurred yesterday because of that, and I'm really thankful!
I am doing better today, fyi. I'm still pretty weak and just taking it easy.
This is a funny scene from friends that I was reminded of:

Where's the snow??

Not to say that I'm not enjoying this fairly nice weather we're having, but it's December and I'm kind of missing the snow.

I'm excited forand
and

Though I'm sure come February I'll be wishing for more sun and less

and

But for now, I'm dreaming of a

Elf Yourself!

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

This is what Tyler and I did over the Thanksgiving break!!

Let's go to the movies. Let's go see the stars...

I finally saw the movie Twilight this weekend and I thought it was pretty good. It was better than what I was expecting. I think they kept pretty close to the book. And though most books-made-movies I see I wish would last like 4 hours long, I realize things need to be cut out and added for entertainment purposes. Yes, it had some corny and awkward scenes, but I thought it was still good and would recommend it.
**Tyler saw it with me and thought it was entertaining.**

What's Yours?

What's your favorite Thanksgiving tradition, food, or recipe (or all)??

My favorite Thanksgiving foods that I drool over a few days prior have got to be String Bean Casserole, The Pink Stuff, and pies, pies, pies. MMMMMM!!

I absolutely love String Bean Casserole and make it many times a year. I always double the recipe and that fits nicely into your normal casserole dish. You can find the recipe on the back of the Fried Onion Cans, or I just can tell you (cause I've got it memorized!)

The Pink Stuff is a family tradition. My Aunt makes it every year, even though none of her kids like it. Basically it's just me and my sister eating the bowl ourselves. No one knows exactly what it's called, so we just call it The Pink Stuff, but here's the recipe (it's super easy and may not sound the greatest, but, oh, it is:

One can of Fruit Cocktail
One tub of Cool Whip
One tub of Cottage Cheese
One box of Jello Powder (usually Strawberry)

**Drain the fruit and mix together!!

And as for Pies, you can pretty much never go wrong with them. I love all sorts....pumpkin, banana cream, chocolate.... the list goes on and on. Are you salivating with me??

Happy 80th Mickey!!

It's Mickey Mouse's 80th Birthday today. I grew up on Mickey Mouse and everything Disney and remember his birthday every year (easy enough...it's a day after my brother's). So, YAY for Mickey!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
He first appeared in Steamboat Willie in 1928. If you care to watch the full cartoon, click here (it's about 7 minutes long)

Hair Care

Maybe I'm the only one that will think this post is interesting, but I was looking through my pictures and noticed I've been through quite the many hairstyles since I've been married (which was 2 1/2-ish years ago).
Well, I thought I'd tell you the story... and stories (and posts) are always better with pictures.

5 Things

We all have many blessings in our lives and therefore have a lot to be thankful for! Even during those trials or bad days in our lives, which we all have, I know there's something we should be thankful for.
I challenge you to make a list everyday for the month of November of 5 things you're thankful for (since the month is already into we'd better get crackin'!). You can do it on your blog or in a journal, so long as you write it down (Mine's to the left). None of these 5 things can be repeated for the whole month...which knocks out family, friends, and the gospel pretty quickly.
I'm hoping we'll gain a greater appreciation for those blessings we tend to overlook.

Any one else excited...

For Christmas??!
I know, I know it's still early November and I personally think it's too early to start watching Christmas movies and decorating. But when it's raining like this, I can't help but think of the Christmas season and I feel all giddy like I'm a kid again. I'm from CA and so it rains at Christmastime.... the snow is mostly cool here in Provo, but it's still the rain that really gets me into the season. It seems every year, when going Christmas shopping in my hometown, it rains and for me that just sets the mood.
I got to tell you, I know I'm going to start listening to Christmas music soon, because once this giddiness starts, it's hard for me to let go. I can't help it. I know some of you might disapprove of starting so soon. "You gotta wait until after Thanksgiving" but I still celebrate Thanksgiving. And I think I give it appropriate attention. For the days around it, I spend my time thinking about the first Thanksgiving and what I am and should be thankful for. It's still an important holiday.
But there's a Christmas season and it seems to f l y by for me... faster and faster each year too. I've heard lots of different ideas of when the Christmas Season officially starts, ie September 1st because it's the start of the -ber months or the Sunday nearest to Nov. 30 because it's the start of Advent (maybe I have that all wrong).
For me each year it starts at different time. There is no offical start time in my head. It happens when it happens. You start noticing it within the people around you. People seem more bright and cheery. And you start to think that just maybe we're all wishing for peace on earth and goodwill toward men. (Or maybe I just get more cheesy around this time!! )
Anyway... (this is longer than I anticipated) I'm still excited for the season and really happy about the rain today!
And that I have the day off work!!

Twilight Spoof

So this video is a little silly, but it made me laugh at partsI'm really excited for the movie to come out!! Here's the original trailer

Leaves are falling all around...

Tyler and I took pictures up Provo Canyon last weekend. I think we were like a week late for all the gorgeous colors up there. (Though it still was really pretty)
Ok, so after we took this picture, I noticed tons of ants crawling ALL over me. I freaked out!! They were crawling all over my legs and past my waist before I noticed (and they were huge.) Apparently I stood on their ant hill and my heel agitated it. Eww!!Yuck...I'm getting all i t c h y thinking about it!
Tyler wanted to cross the stream to take some cool picturesHe got over just fine.It was the trying to get back over part that was tricky.He got a little wet

New Do

I got my hair cut today!
If you remember a couple posts ago, I put up my ideas and a survey for my hairdo. Doing both the dye and the cut scored the highest on the poll. So that's what I did (well... just the cut so far). My sister-in-law did a fantastic job. (She always does!)
Next step is the dye, which I'm looking forward to.(not the best before pic... but the best I could find. This pic was taken back in Aug.)

Now everyone knows what our shower curtain looks like...

It is a little bit longer than her's so I think I'll have Marie touch that up when she does the coloring too.