Nature Just Hates Me

Robert is the type of student that has to be on time.

He hates walking into the classroom late, all eyes on him, everyone knowing that he was the late one.

I really dont blame him though, I hate that feeling too.

Its almost like you have to give the whole class an explanation so they wont just think you are the flaky one.

Every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday he has a class that starts at 9am.

Early classes are not a hard thing for us..

In fact, the past billion of semesters he has had a class starting at 7:45am, so with the later hour we thought we were catching a break.

Wrong.

I start work at 9am.

We have only one car.

You can see how things can get a bit complicated.

So instead of just jumping in the car at 7:30am in my pajamas, getting to come home and fully get ready for my day.. I have to be completely ready before we take him, and we have to be a smidge early so that I am not late too.

I know its my fault. 

I have no problem taking the blame either.

Its just, for some reason or another, I cannot seem to make it out the door at the time we should.

And it really isn't even that hard.

I just seem to have a problem with it.. And everyone drives slow here..

So rather than just one of us being late, it ends up being both of us. 

And its always by slight mins.. Barely barely anything.. 

But still.. Late is late. 

And it drives Robert crazy. 

So I have been trying really hard to make sure this late thing doesnt define me anymore.

He challenged me to this, today being the tester... The first day on trial.

As soon as the alarm went off, I only layed in bed for a couple mins. instead of a lot of mins.

I took a shower last night, so that I would not have to this morning..

Essentially, allowing me more time to focus on my face to make sure people didnt know I didnt shower.

Robert even got to take a shower himself, without me hogging the bathroom continuously.

Everything was going perfectly.

I even knew what I was going to wear so that even that would cut back on time.

But no....

Nothing can ever go perfectly.

Especially on trial day.

See that red dot?

Yeah.. the thing that looks like the size of a pen head or something.

Apparently its a blood vessel.

The surface kind.

Fair skined people are prone to getting them and they usually just look like red freckles that sometimes are there and sometimes go away.

Honestly, they have never caused any problems for me.

This one in particular comes and goes at various times of the year, and I never thought twice about it.

Until last night..

I was minding my own business, taking my nightly shower, and decided I needed a good exfoliation.

The tiny crushed almonds have only ever improved my face, but last night, I might have scrubbed too hard?

I really have no idea.

Next thing I know, there is a dark something under my eye, and then blood was on my finger after wipping it away.

I just stepped out, held some toilet paper to it, and it went away pretty fast.

By morning, there was a slight scab over it, so I thought the worst was over.

I moisturized my face, bent over to get my makeup bag, and blood was dripping on the floor.

It literally was like I had a geiser of blood dripping down my face and onto the floor.

And though I do like to embellish my stories a bit.. This is definitely not one of those times.

I would hold toilet paper to my face and it would just completely soak through.

You would pull the tissue away for a second and it was like you had never had a tissue there in the first place.

It just kept coming and coming and coming.

It got all over my garmets, the tile, my arm, my hands, the sink... You should see the amount of tissue in the trash..

It was absolutely ridiculous.

And poor Robert.

Here he is, just taking his relaxing morning shower, when all the sudden I'm panicking.

He thought I needed stiches or something.

He started saying how we needed to go to the doctor, the Emergency Room.. something..

By this point, honestly all I cared about was getting him to school on time.

I refused to be late.

Especially on trial day.

But my face just wouldnt stop.

Rob held extreme pressure on it.. like really extreme..

And I called the medicine woman.

My Mother.

She suggested some salt mixture thingy..

I put that on, and with the combination of the pressure and the salt..

Miraculously it stopped.

And miraculously...

Rob was only like 4 mins. late.

So, I tried.

I really did try hard to make it on time today.

I just think nature is against Robert getting to school on time.

Maybe nature just wants him to overcome his fear of everyone starring..

Or maybe nature just hates me.

Yeah, thats gotta be it.

Nature just hates me.

The Strangest Things

This is Almond Roca. 

I don't know why, but it reminds me of Christmas. 

My mother never made it.. We never had it around the holidays.. But for some reason it just reminds me of Christmas.

I honestly couldn't tell you the last time I even had Almond Roca, so please don't think this is a normal occurrence for me. 

I haven't had many pregnancy cravings during this whole thing. 

Sometimes things just don't sound good, or certain things do sound good.. 

But that gut wrenching, make your mouth water with even the thought, cannot concentrate on anything until you get whatever it is you want into that mouth of yours.. 

Yeah.. That has only happened maybe twice. 

Ok, so now three times. 

Here I cannot even remember the last time I had Almond Roca, I have no idea what brought it into my brain in the first place, but yesterday it came into my head.. And I honestly could not think about anything else until I got some. 

And just some. 

Thats really all I needed. 

I bought this thing of Almond Roca today to get my poor mouth to stop getting so obsessive, I have only eaten 3, and now I am done. 

Thats it. 

My mouth waters for two days straight and then I just need 3?

Strangest thing in the world to me. 

I honestly don't think I will ever understand pregnancy cravings and how they work.. 

Just like I don't think I will ever understand why Almond Roca reminds me of Christmas.

The strangest things.

If Only

We couldn't help ourselves.. We had to purchase something with an R. 

It's like his trademark.

I know, I know.. You are probably still wondering what the heck the R stands for.. 

I just feel like his announcement into this world needs to be a bigger deal.. rather than people knowing who he is already.. we have to make the transition something great. 

If his name is already plastered everywhere, it's not as exciting. 

At least.. This is my recent theory. 

But these are his first booties. 

I think they are rather big for booties, to be honest. 

Booties, to me, mean super tiny and cute... So I am putting them in the wash tonight to see if any shrinkage will happen. 

His feet just seem like they will be much smaller than this.. 

We also meandered our way into Gymboree a couple nights ago, and it really is their fault that we came out with a little snugly outfit for our little one.

Sales are so hard to pass up.

The closer this little guy is getting to coming here, the more I realize we need to get our home in baby order. 

I know babies aren't supposed to require much, but when you have nothing baby to your name, it can be rather overwhelming. 

Even just the basics, like baby soap.. We don't even have baby soap. 

Our baby cannot come into this home without baby soap. 

I honestly don't know what his baths would be like without it..

And diapers. 

And even just blankets.

We literally don't have anything.

I read these blogs of women sewing their bedding, and sewing some blankets.. 

Sewing, sewing, sewing.. 

I just don't have time.

So I am slowly trying to calm myself down. 

I am slowly trying to reassure myself that we will have everything we need by the time he is here.. 

But while I watch our bank account, I am having a hard time not getting anxious about this whole thing. 

Babies might not require much, but everything they do require, requires money.. 

And there we have it, the proof to my theory that every conversation in the entire world can somehow revolve around money. 

I start with booties. 

I end with money. 

Or lack of. 

If only babies could just supply things themselves.

Like.. you could special order things to come along with them.. 

I will take one baby boy, with the crib, car-seat, winter clothes, and that bathing tub thingy... 

Too bad life doesn't work like that.

If only.

I Love Feeling Good

I am officially back on the World's Gym Train.

We had memberships.. we didn't have memberships.. we have memberships.. 

We are so wishy washy when it comes to these things. 

Rob got his back a month ago, I on the other hand, was a little slower to decide.. 

But after researching the amount of swelling that can happen if my blood isn't circulating like it should.. 

And after reading and reading about how low impact things won't put stress on my baby.. 

I decided it would be a good thing to just go ahead and do.

I didn't get the Doctors note that the majority of the gym seemed to want me to show them, but 40 mins. of good healthy cardio can only do the body good.

I guess it also didn't help that today was a day of body image issues.

Call me vain, but I just didn't feel pretty. 

I just felt completely out of place, too overweight, and just needed to go back to bed..

The endorphins tonight were extremely helpful.

I kept my heart rate in a decent range, went faster than I thought I would be able to, had to slow down a couple times because little baby was moving like crazy..

But it felt soo good.

Better than I remember it ever feeling..

I felt strong, and capable, and completely confident in myself... 

Feelings that were hard to come by since opening my eyes this morning. 

So I have made it a goal to start going every day. 

Every single day. 

Because I like to feel good.

I like to feel pretty and confident and completely capable.. 

And it certainly did wonders compared to any shopping binge.. 

So here's to good circulation, feeling on top of the world, and an easier labor..

Judge me all you want.. 

But, I love feeling good. 

The Brantinghams Are Moving In

This little sucker has created some problems in the Brantingham Home.

Although - I guess it all depends on your definition of problems. 

Rob loves sports. 

Football especially. 

He doesn't watch sports as much as some fans most likely do, but he likes to know his stats, he likes to know what's going on, without having it on every second of the day.

My kind of sport lover.

There is a company that my office works with, and for an incentive to get us to send them business, they like doing competitions. 

Lately it has been all about College Football... Something Rob drools over.

I brought a sheet home one day and he helped me pick out the teams he felt would win.. 

I brought it home the next week and I mentioned something about prizes being offered... 

Bad idea. 

Well, good idea.. 

Again, I guess its all in how you look at it.

Next thing I know, Robert is on every site imaginable, trying to make sure his picks were the right ones.

We actually won first place that week.

First place being a $50 gift card to Applebee's. 

He was only just starting... 

The next week, he made sure to carefully pick every team, more so than the week before.

Not only did he now know there were prizes, but now he knew they were actually good ones. 

All weekend he has had the games on, yelling and chanting, saying how much more fun they are to watch when you are practically gambling their chances away.. 

So yes, we really strive for good morals in this home. 

We just found out today that we got third place.. 

Another $25 dollars to Applebee's. 

So yes.. I love that my Husband loves sports as much as he does. 

I love that sports were on the entire weekend.. the competitive style coming out full force in Mr. Robert.

I also love anything free.

But wow... What the heck are we going to do with this much Applebee's?

And the competition isn't over.. 

Every week we pick our teams, and every week Rob is just getting more and more motivated to win..

Most likely hoping there is some grand prize for his continuous dedication.

So I guess Applebee's better get ready...

The Brantinghams are moving in. 

Don't You Just Love Halloween?

Rob and I love having people over. 

With our school schedules lately, however, it hasn't been able to happen as much as we would like. 

But Halloween was certainly not something we were going to miss out on.. 

So we decided to throw a Pumpkin Party.

Everything had to be orange.

I made Taco Soup with this herbal bread... It was delicious. 

But you can't have a party without dessert..

And yes, those had to be festive too. 

Of course, you also cannot have a party without guests.. And you cannot have a pumpkin party without pumpkins.

We ate, we talked, we enjoyed each others company, and then the carving began.. 

And when things get messy, you know everyone enjoyed themselves... 

One of my favorite Pumpkins of the night.. The Bennions.. 

We thought the lipstick was the perfect touch.

And here is our little family... Baby included..

All in all, it was really nice to have people over. 

Makes me miss my family and the loudness and the excitement.. It is just always fun to have big crowds. 

Thank you for sharing in our Pumpkin Evening Shirleys, Smiths, and Bennions.. 

It was fun getting to spend time with you, and your pumpkin carving skills are devine. 

Don't you just love Halloween?

Perfect Little Buddies

This little guy loves his Daddy.

From the moment we found out I was pregnant, Rob has been nothing but excited.

Laying in bed a couple nights ago, almost about to sleep, he randomly announced, "I'm so excited to be a Dad. I've never loved something like I love him." 

And he is really excited.. 

He really, really is.  

Every night he makes sure we read about our baby's progress, making sure that we congratulate the little guy on what he will be accomplishing that week.

And yes, we have to tell the baby we are so proud.

He makes sure I take my vitamins every day, he makes sure I get my protein, and that I am always comfortable.

He even talks to his little buddy, tells him about his day, making sure that he knows his voice, and that we always include him in our prayers.

I know Dads most likely feel a bit left out of the whole process, so I try to tell Rob every time that he moves so that we can both be excited and connected to this little life inside me.

It seems as if every time Rob puts his hand on my belly, our little baby kicks right at it, nudges his body against it, and will not stop moving.

Last night, he hadn't moved in a couple hours, a lot of hours actually, and the min. Rob's voice came anywhere near my belly, he started it all up again.

I truly believe he knows it's his Daddy.

And I truly believe he wants nothing more than to be near that Daddy of his.

I can't wait to see these two in action.

Perfect little buddies.

Miracle Worker

I have never considered myself to be an emotional eater. 

This little sucker has recently proved me wrong... 

I was having a bad afternoon earlier this week...

Next thing I know I am in the driveway of Dairy Queen.

A couple mins. after the last bite, my bad afternoon seemed to not be so bad. 

Call me crazy, but the mini-blizzard is a miracle worker.

Just the perfect size, just the right amount of reese's in every bite... 

And completely takes away bad days.

They should add that into the advertisement, it would get them more business.

Whether or not I was an emotional eater before, I certainly believe in emotional eating now.

Why have bad days when you have mini-blizzards?

Try one. 

Miracle worker.

Wish Me Luck

I've been pretty proud of myself lately.

Here I am, blogging every day (well mostly) like I am some sort of professional with a following or something.

I actually feel pretty cool, which is sad.. But I like it.

My Sister-In-Law will always have me beat though.

Her blog, 3 Four and Under, is one of those professional ones, with themes for every day, and major followers, and crafts and cooking galore.

Unfortunately, I don't have the time for the crafts, and I don't ever take pictures of meals until its too late and in my belly, so instead, you just get me.

I guess you can't say I didn't warn you.

While reading her blog the other day, however, I got a little shout-out!

I felt like I had just officially entered the blogging world (and no, don't squash this for me by reminding me that she's family and has to shout-out to me every once in awhile).

In the blogging world, because I am now a part of it, they would officially say that I have..

Been Tagged.

How it works?

I am to answer the following questions so you can get to know me better, and therefore read this blog more..

Then I tag blogs, and you are to answer my questions on your blogs.. and then the cycle just keeps going.

And yes, I will be checking your blogs frequently to make sure you are playing my game.

Pressures on.

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1.  What is your favorite restaurant?

Well... With these pregnancy cravings taking over my whole entire palette, I don't think I can really answer this one. Lately all I have been craving is Pick up Stix's, and is there one anywhere near me at the moment? Of course there isn't, meaning the craving gets worse every day.

Non-prego... CPK.

2.  What is your favorite book?

It has been a long time since I have read a book that doesn't involve school... But the one book that has completely captivated me, even months and years after reading, The Alchemist. The most touching, beautiful, simply written story, with so much insight and wonderful one line quotes. I think the world would be a better place if every 12 year old on the planet were required to read it. Not saying that it is a lower-reading level sort of book, but just that there are so many life lessons to be learned within it.

Humor, like an author who makes me laugh and cry all in one sentence... Marissa De Los Santos.

I want to be just like her.


She's that good.

3.  What is one thing that you can't live without?

I know I should probably say something gospel oriented here to make me seem like the perfect Christian, but the first thing that came to mind was face wash, shampoo, and my mascara.

I know, thats 3 things, but I cannot live without them.

I break out without my face stuff, and I am vain enough to admit that I like perfect pores.

My hair gets greasy in one day if I do not wash it, and yes, I am also vain enough to admit that I have to have beautiful hair.

And I look like a ghost without mascara. It is the curse of the redhead with blond lashes.

So if you want me to be nice, and look alive and well and wholesome, you'll just let me have the 3 things instead of one.

4.  What do you love most about blogging?

I love that I can just write.

I love getting on here and just writing whatever comes to mind about my day, without really ever worrying about grammar and spelling and the perfect fabricated sentence.

In this crazy season of my life, with schooling and church and work completely taking over, it is nice to have this little "retreat" for myself, and that is exactly what I consider writting to be; my "retreat."

5. Where is the last place that you went on vacation?

A Mexican Riviera Cruise! (Thank you Family!)

6.  What are 3 of your favorite blogs?

- C Jane in the Kitchen

- See Jane Run

- The Nester

7.  What is something about you not many people know?

I am extremely "tender hearted," as my husband would say.

I have this outer "just laugh and always be happy" shell, but deep down, words and actions can affect me more than I care to admit.

8.  What is your favorite food?

Lately, cereal. I am growing a child, so therefore I am reverting back to childhood.

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Who's Next?

Marie and Cason Green

Drew and Elise Capener

Jeff and Lori Shirley

Devin and Becca Crandall

And the Questions...

1. When you were little, what did you always want to be when you "grew up," and how close are you to making sure that happens?

2. What is your favorite thing about your mom?

3. In 5 years, where do you see yourself? And do you really think you'll get there?

4. When you have free-time (yes, i know, what the heck does that mean?) what do you like to do?

5. Name three adjectives your Husband would use to describe you.

6. What is the strangest thing you've ever done?

7. What are you listening to right now?

8. Why do you blog?

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So, yes... I feel pretty official.

And yes, I do hope you guys continue this "chain," in a sense, because I honestly would like to get to know you better, and sometimes it is just fun to read.

Off to bigger and better things Blogging world..

Like homework.

And yes, one of these days you will see the picture of my diploma on here and you all better tell me how wonderful I am... because wow, has it been a long road coming.

Wish Me Luck.

Someone Is Playing One Mean Joke

I really need to quit my day job and just become a model. 

I'm seriously way too good at this.

Or - maybe I could just start having Rob take pictures for me..

You know, so then you actually can get real belly shots.

This is as good as it gets people. 

And man, I can hardly roll over in bed, my back hurts.. I'm soo uncomfortable lately.. My belly button is seconds from popping out.. and these pictures still don't do this thing justice.. 

I swear.. Either my camera on this computer is distorted.. 

Or someone is playing one mean joke. 

Silly Little Brother

This iPod has probably been in my car for over a year.

And that's not a joke.

It's been sitting in this dashboard thingy that tends to accumulate only pens and numerous receipts. 

I remember finally wondering awhile back where the heck it came from, not really knowing myself, because it certainly wasn't mine. 

My brother Carson admitted to it being his one day when I was driving him somewhere. 

He explained that it was broken, a no-good iPod, and soon the conversation led somewhere else.. Still leaving the iPod in my car.

I didn't really question what was wrong, or what we could do to fix it, because quite frankly, it completely skipped my mind. 

Rob doesn't have an iPod.

Rob desperately wants an iPod.

The other night he wanted to go to the gym, complained that it was boring without music, so I went in search of my iPod shuffle. 

I know he doesn't like my music, but it was better than nothing. 

Searched the house high and low and could not find it anywhere, but of course I will leave the part out where I found it a couple days later... I really did think I searched everywhere. 

In the process of the hunt, I thought maybe it was in that dashboard thingy in my car, so I asked Rob to go check. 

He came back with Carson's iPod, the mysterious no-good iPod that has been sitting there for ages.

I honestly had forgotten about it.

With no luck in the shuffle hunt, I just decided to charge the no-good iPod of Carson's.. Not really expecting anything to happen.

About 15 min later... 

And the stupid thing works just fine. 

It has been sitting there for ages, me thinking it was no-good, and yet all it needed was a charge. 

Sure, the menu button doesn't work like it should if it were brand new, there are some scratches from sitting in that poor car for so long... but man.

So thank you Carson. 

Rob still has his eye on the new Nano's, hoping Santa will have mercy on him, but Rob is loving the fact that he actually has an iPod to his name, and he greatly appreciates the work and effort you put in to making sure there were over 600 songs on there. 

Though, we will try not to tease you about the fact that the Jonas Brothers were among that 600. 

Oh, and Aly and AJ.

I wouldn't be surprised if you also added a little Aaron's Party in there too.

Classics. 

Thankfully Carson is a straight A student, a super star athlete, and just a good-looking guy... 

Because the street smarts just aren't all there most the time. 

Next time he tells me something doesn't work, I will try charging it first. 

Silly Little Brother. 

There Is Pure Bliss In Simplicity

Today is the day of my birth. 

You would think I would be super excited, need nothing but attention, and expect the entire world to revolve around me... 

These are actually just typical things I require, so the fact that it is my birthday didn't make it any different. 

But seriously, Birthdays are just Birthdays for me. 

I honestly was over birthdays after my Sweet 16. 

My parents went all out, I ate the entire thing up..

It was quite the party. 

The only other party to top that one would have to be our Wedding. 

Now, that was quite the party.

And I know many people are nodding their heads right now in agreement. 

It seriously was the best party. 

Today.. Today I just wanted to do whatever I wanted. 

I originally planned to be doing homework from sun-up to sun-down, which is exactly what Rob has been doing actually.. 

But then this morning I just didn't want to, and because it was my birthday I decided that that was OK to not want to. 

So what did I chose to do?

Clean. 

Yes, my idea of the perfect day was "de-stressing" my life. 

Just the smell of the cleaning products, and the feeling of "de-stressment" relaxed me more than anything else. 

I stayed in my pajamas for most of the day, took my time scrubbing baseboards and everything else in sight, and now, sitting in my clean home.. Wow, do I feel so much better. 

Between working full-time, being Relief Society President, being Pregnant, and frantically trying to finish my last 21 units for my bachelors... 

Let's just say that I have ignored every household duty known to man. 

I just had to chose, and unfortunately my home got the brunt end. 

Robert is fantastic at making sure dishes are done, and that his clothes are put away, trash is out, and things like that... But I am pretty particular with how I like my home to smell and look..

I honestly love to clean. 

So yes Mom, I guess my whole "dirty room always" phase is phased out. 

Here is just a smidge of what I have been up to... Pictures cannot give off the beautiful smells or really capture the mess fully.. But you'll get an idea. 

Before:

Yes, those were all by my bed, just waiting for their turn on a hanger.

Poor things.

After:

I even ironed the Duvet - How cool am I?

Before:

After:

Ok, so maybe nothing really changed with that pile. 

I can't do everything wonderfully. 

And no Mom, my hate for Ironing hasn't changed one bit.

We are just lucky I ironed the duvet. That was enough for one day.

Before:

After:

So maybe this one isn't incredibly different either, but most of that is Robert's.. I couldn't just throw it all away like I was somewhat tempted to do.. 

Before:

After:

I cut out the fact that the dishes are still not done. 

I have to leave some things for Robert.

And.. This is what happens to your laundry.. 

Thankfully I took this once I was already through with the Whites. 

So there you have it. 

I love to clean. 

I might neglect it to ensure that we both are still in school.. But wow did today feel good. 

I honestly feel rejuvenated, like I can now fully function. 

That might seem a little bit overdramatic to you, but I honestly feel more in control. 

And don't worry.. We did end up going down to Idaho Falls for Dinner and a little Birthday shopping.

Just so my parents know.. This is what you got me.. You are way too kind.  

I am trying to buy clothes that will be both prego and non-prego.. so I am sticking to cardigans and things, with cute belts and such.. 

But these shoes! 

These are my favorite types of shoes - the ones that go with everything. 

They are adorable! It also doesn't hurt that they are JCrew, for $12. 

I know, I am an incredible deal finder. 

So thank you wonderful Parents. 

I got two staples, long sleeve shirts, an adorable jacket and Cardigan, the funky skinny belt, and two new pairs of shoes. 

I'm feeling pretty hot, so it was most certainly the best birthday gift.

And Grandma and Grandpa, you really shouldn't have - More Lush products will be coming in the mail shortly! How'd you know Lush was my favorite?

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So, no, today was nothing extravagant. It was simple and lazy and productive. I had nowhere to rush to or be.. Nothing to plan or worry about.. 

It was the perfect day.

A much needed perfect day.

All children would look at the day and think it was the worst birthday ever.. 

But welcome to grown-up birthdays. 

There is pure bliss in simplicity.

Tonight Certainly Makes Up For It

I'm obsessed. 

Like, completely, head over heels, my Husband worries he will be replaced, obsessed.

Rob asked what I wanted for my birthday (Saturday), and literally all I could think about was Lush. 

My package came today. 

He tried to get me to wait until Saturday to open it, but wow, wow would that just be stupid. 

Waiting is just a bad idea.

I hate waiting. 

So now I am showered, I lathered in the most delicious smelling soap in the world, washed with the most incredible face wash ever, finished by masking my face to calm all the "catastrophes"...

And now I am sitting, in my pajamas, watching my favorite show cycle of the week. 

Thank you for Thursdays. 

And thank you for wonderful Husbands who let you fall victim to wonderful cleansing products. 

Today has been a great day. 

Well.. maybe not the best.. 

But tonight certainly makes up for it.

They Make It All Worth It

You are probably getting sick of hearing all the excitement about this time of year. 

I know that is really all people are talking about right now. 

Just the fact that we are even talking about this time of year, and living in this time of year, is killing me. 

I seriously feel like we were just doing this. 

Again, I know I am not the only one saying that. 

But seriously, weren't we just doing this? 

I think what also scares me, is the fact that the holidays coming so quickly means that my baby will be here sooner than I know it. 

As much as I want to meet him and hold him... It scares me. 

There is one thing I have been thinking a lot about lately, something that always makes this time of year perfect.. 

We most likely won't be home in time for this.. We are planning on going to California around the middle of December. Knowing my Mom, she will have this all done pretty close to the day after Thanksgiving.. 

But this will always be one of my favorite memories. 

It is always something that makes this time of year feel just like it should. 

This is the time to be around family, to be creating traditions or carrying on ones that have seen generations. 

This is the time for gratitude and love and appreciation for that family, and then we try and show it as best we can. 

I love my family. 

I really love my family so much, and it is times like these.. With a little guy of my own coming.. That my love and appreciation for them grows even deeper. 

So no, I most likely will not be decorating a tree this year.

I am so busy thinking about my schoolwork, that my gifts most likely won't be that creative. 

And I am just getting bigger every day.. The thought of being in the car for billions of hours on that drive home is starting to settle in. 

But regardless, I am so grateful that we have two wonderful families to share this all with. 

I mean, what would the purpose in life be if we didn't have our families?

They make it all worth it.

An Evening Of Fall

Thank you to those of you who played nice in my little experiment!

It is so fun to hear from you, and just the fact that you are even reading this makes me happy.

There were new faces I haven't met before, and some old "blasts from the past" that I enjoyed hearing from!

And I know there are still those shy ones in the audience, not wanting to show themselves! 

Nonetheless - I am grateful for all of you.  

I don't ever try to be brilliant, and most the time I just ramble about things on my mind, so the fact that even some of it interests you.. Now, that means a lot.

I was going to wait it out a little longer and see if anyone else wanted to share their location with us, but if I let it go too long, I know I might lose some followers and certainly have too much to talk about.

I will keep it simple for this one.

Yesterday Rob and I took a drive.

It has been so beautiful lately with the fall weather and the leaves and the coldness that is creeping in.

I actually have been busting out those winter sweaters I love so much.

And yes, they are still fitting...

Barely.

I didn't have my good camera with me, and with the car moving fast, you have to forgive me.

Although, no, I haven't professed to be any sort of photo master-mind.. so I shouldn't be asking for the forgiveness in the first place.

Welcome to an evening drive of fall in Rexburg, ID

Where In The World Are You?

I want to do an experiment.. 

I have this little map at the bottom of this blog that tracks where my readers are coming from in the world. 

Little tickers are put near the places you live, and sometimes I am just amazed at some of the locations. 

I am not going to assume you are all looking at this blog purposely - though... It's ok, you can admit it if you are.. I promise I won't let it go to my head.. 

But - even if you are just clicking through.. It amazes me that the internet can connect so many people from so many different places and time-zones. 

I don't think I will ever not be amazed by that one. 

So... My experiment.. 

It involves YOU

I want to see where you are in the world.. I want to hear from each and every one of you.. Even if it takes a few days.. 

So leave a comment, just stating where you live.. You can add something about how you love me or think I am great.. But it is not mandatory.. 

I just want to hear from you..

Where in the world are you?

Tell us!

Pretty Please

I Love That Heart Of His

Our Saturday was filled with A LOT of this... 

We are seriously getting to the point where we cannot bare the thought of homework. 

But we shall press on... And attend the library often.

Very often. 

There we are, well I am, forced to be quiet.

Robert is really good at being studious and serious and silent.. I for one cannot stand it. 

Like, I literally cannot stand it. 

I am also forced to not have the TV on "in the background," even though we all know thats a load of crap and I just like watching it and pretending to do homework...

Well, and it is noise.. Gosh, I love noise. 

I am also not tempted to blog there because then people might look over at my computer screen.. And the thought of people looking at the screen and not seeing intellectual thoughts, now that makes me feel like a loser. 

In the library you have to be intellectual.

Bloggers aren't taken seriously there unless its a political blog or some newspaper musings... This is just a theory I have recently come up with because the majority of the attendees in the library seem to always be wearing glasses. 

Intellectual people must wear glasses.

Anyways... We love school. 

We really do. 

Well, Rob really does.

I, on the other hand, just cannot wait to get this stupid diploma in my hands so I can just be done. 

But Rob, he really loves school. 

It was actually really cute... Today he has been researching Egypt like crazy. I know, Turkey one week, Egypt the next, the class must be on some world tour or something. So he was looking through books and trying to grasp the topic he wanted.. I guess he must have found something really intriguing because he whispered loudly to me at one point, saying something like.. "Babe - I am going to write a great paper." He was so excited and smiling, getting out his highlighter at the same time and putting his nose back into the book. I just couldn't help but think how wonderful it is that he loves learning as much as he does. It is such a great quality.

And he, he is such a smart guy... Sometimes he honestly takes me off guard with the knowledge he has in that brain of his... Just like his Dad.

He tries so hard, he is so dedicated, and he produces incredible papers. I edit them for him, and his recent one on Turkey... I was incredibly impressed. 

One of those moments where his smarts took me off guard.

I love that he loves to learn. 

And I love that he puts his whole heart into it. 

I just love that heart of his.

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On a side note.. more like a P.S or something.. 

Look at our door! 

On sale at Wal-Mart.. I couldn't help myself.. We have to be festive somehow!