A+L Chronology

Things.

2012-01-25T09:06:00.000-07:00

The holidays were just fantastic. We were thankful and merry and all that.

We completed our first semester's of graduate school. We both thought we might die, but when we didn't we were that much more pleased with the accomplishment.

We are both now chest deep in semester #2. Adam comes home saying how much fun his classes are. I am more interested in eating brownies and sitting then discussing mine.

Adam had a sibling (Kelsey) get married! It was so lovely, and we are thrilled to have another Welker sibling finally good and married.

GO Jazz! #JazzNation

Cessy is doing fine. He keeps up a rigorous schedule of chasing pop bottle lids and sleeping in his recliner. Thanks for asking.

Adam has now applied to a handful of PhD programs around the country, and we hope to start hearing from them spring-ish. Most days I am very excited by the prospect of a big move. Then on others, I decide that I will just move back in with my Mommy and Daddy while he goes off and gets a doctorate. Then my Momma can paint my toenails and feed me.

Oh yes, and we have that little baby boy coming. He is now 26 weeks cooked:

Nope. In here:

So, how are things with you?

A little/big update.

2011-11-04T11:47:00.005-06:00

I get a lot of flack when I don't post for awhile, but the lack of posts is just because things have been quite normal and routine around here, leaving me to feel less than inclined to put up anything. It's just lots of school, lots of work, etc., etc.

However, this is REALLY something, so I guess I don't have any excuses anymore:

Ya baby!

That's a little Welker right there, and we couldn't be happier about it.
I'm 14 weeks, finally starting to feel great, and that precious little thing comes into the world May 3.

We are thrilled.

I like my life so much....

2011-09-15T08:45:00.001-06:00

...and that is mostly because 4 years ago today I got myself married

to one of the most wonderful people on the planet.

I am so lucky.

I love you Adam Michael Welker.

Being your wife is the greatest thing ever.

oxoxo/Liz

Read this Summer...

2011-08-31T16:00:00.000-06:00

My goal this summer was to read only classics. Then I got the end of my 5th one and I was so mad at Leo Tolstoy for breaking my heart that I decided that was plenty. These things happen. You may judge me.

Here are the 5 I read, along with the rest:

Jane Eyre

Charlotte Bronte

Yes, I graduated with a degree in English and NEVER read this. Which I am sort of grateful for because it allowed me to love it all on my own without a teacher or classmates around to taint it. And yes, I did love it. Jane is my hero, and I plan to hang out with every Bronte sister I can in heaven.

O Pioneers!
Willa Cather

I think Cather is a genius. I read this in 2 days.
Gorgeous scenic detail, great characters, totally worth reading.

Mrs. Dalloway
Virginia Woolf

Stylistically this is so good, but it was kinda tough to me, and I would only recommend reading it if you can give it your full attention.

East of Eden

John Steinbeck

Thank you Alexis for recommending this to me! I have always loved Steinbeck but never committed to reading this one. Like Jane Eyre, the timing was really good for me on this one. I felt like I was chewing on it the whole time (in a good way) and it was good stuff.

Anna Karenina

Leo, you heartbreaker.

One Day

David Nicholls

So maybe I read this after I saw the preview for the movie. I like to hurry and read books that are becoming movies before they come out just in case I am interested in seeing it {It's a really round about screening process. Wikipedia would probably be a lot easier. I'll never learn.} However, after reading, I have zero interest in seeing the movie. Nicholls is a gifted writer, but the story has pretty much no morals. No thanks.

It's Kind of a Funny Story

Liked the story, but there were some adult themes that I didn't need. I think I recommend reading it, because I think parts of it are pretty important, especially if you know anyone with depression. That said, proceed with caution.

Graceling

What's the best way to cleanse your classics palette? Mediocre young adult fiction, I say! This was a creative story, with okay writing, not my favorite, but a fun enough read. And fun enough to read the sequel...which I did...and I'm not ashamed.

Fire

This is the sequel to Graceling. I liked it a little better. I will pry read the 3rd of the series when it comes out in a couple months. The end.

The Book Thief

Markus Zusak is one of my favorite writers right now. His writing is so inspiring and unique and EVERYONE should read this. Everyone. Then go read his other one, I am the Messenger. SO. GOOD.

What did you read this summer?
I wanna hear!!

{see my other book lists here.}

I'm goin to Jackson, I'm gonna mess around.

2011-08-29T11:52:00.008-06:00

Last week my whole family spent the entire week together in Jackson Hole, WY. It was beyond fun. Today I am both thankful for, and cursing that blissful week since school starts today and the harsh reality of real life is more than I want to deal with. However, I think I am mostly thankful, because it was a dream.

Wanna see about 50 million pics from the week? I thought you would.

Notice that someone pretty important is missing from every picture? It's true, Adam could not come with us. He ended up having a 2-week math bootcamp he had to go to for his Master's program. BUMMER. But selfless as he is, he let me go without him. Plus, one of us has gotta work hard in order to give me the lifestyle to which I have become accustomed, ya know? Adam is a lucky duck, isn't he?

Thank you family for being so fun.

Thank you Adam for letting me go.

Thank you Jackson for being funner than I ever expected.

Thank you summer for being one of the best ever.

Some of Adam's Pictures From Island Park.

2011-08-16T10:17:00.005-06:00

Pretty right?

So sad the summer is ending.

Birthday Party at the Gateway.

2011-08-08T12:53:00.012-06:00

1/3 of this family has their birthday in July, {and yes, I had to google that fraction. Not a math major, people. Judge me.} so a couple of weekends ago we had to have a big birthday party for Mom, Dev, and Ad. There was good food, and shopping, and treats. It was so fun I almost felt like it was my birthday. But then I didn't get any presents, and everyone knows they BETTER be giving me presents on my birthday. Good ones.

Happy birthday Momma, Dev, and Ad!

A few days in Island Park.

2011-07-30T09:03:00.010-06:00

I love nature. I like getting out in it on my bike, or while hiking, or on a run. I like trees, and water, and birds, and all of that. It's beautiful. It's green. I get it.

What I don't get is why people who have perfectly good comfy, fluffy beds inside of houses with heat and walls, voluntarily choose to forgo said fluffy bed and sleep outside on the ground in a nylon dome that keeps out neither bear, nor bug, nor cold.

Yes, it is camping I am referring to. And although I may not understand it, I do it for the people I love, because I am just that charitable. And we did some serious camping last week with Adam's family in lovely Island Park because I love them, and they love camping.

And you know what? While the sleeping part still wasn't my fav until I wised up and medicated myself with a hearty dose of nyquil, we had the most fabulous time. In nature. Sleeping there and everything.

One morning at breakfast {Liz, Nyla, Kelsey, Brandon, Kristina, Kelly}

Poor Brandon broke his leg the day before we left in a tubing accident at Lava Hot Springs. He was such a trooper and came camping anyways!

I LIVE for hotdogs over the fire. Live. For. Them.

Dave is the ULTIMATE camping expert. He had an oven, a huge battery for blow dryers and he fashioned this:

A shower. With hot water. Seriously. Bless you Dave.

My favorite part? The rafting!

Nyla, Ad, and I on the dock at our campground.

See, nature is pretty.

Almost makes it worth the bug bites and the sleeping on the ground. Almost.

Thank you Welker's for the funnest trip!
We love love loved it. And I really mean it.

Adam Turned 26...

2011-07-28T12:48:00.005-06:00

...so of course we had to have a fun pool party with friends,

family, food, presents, and wild water games.

{All pictures by Adam's Dad. Thanks Dave!}

Happy Birthday Ad!
Thanks for being born in July so we can have fun pool parties.
They are my favorite, and so are you.

I'm about to kill you with cuteness...

2011-07-13T09:36:00.007-06:00

Meet my new niece, Poppy:

She is Devin and Christi's new baby and I looooove her.

I think she loves me best too, I can see it in her eyes.

Did she kill you dead? Feeling the urge to hug your computer?

I warned you. She is freaking cute.

{all pics by Ad}

Things I really like...

2011-07-08T12:51:00.010-06:00

1. The 4th of July
2. My family. And not just the immediate ones. All of them.
3. Food. Preferably cooked on a grill and eaten on paper plates outside.
4. Sunsets on my Grandpa's farm.
5. Water. And playing in/on large bodies of it.
6. Parades. Ones with kids on bikes and lots of horses.
7. Fireworks. Big ones in the sky and small ones in the driveway.
8. Outdoor movies with all the people in #2. And homemade popcorn.
9. Sunshine.
10. All these things together.

In other words, on the 4th of July weekend my head pretty much exploded.
And here are a couple of pictures:

Sam and I with my cousin's precious twins, Raleigh and Emry

Family!

Sam, Cousin Kara and I out at the river

Movie night on the river

Sam, Grandma, and I in the dresses Grandma made us at the farm

Fireworks in the driveway

Yep. I love America. A lot.

Sigh...

2011-07-05T12:57:00.007-06:00

Today I am back at work after nearly 2 weeks of vacation. I am feeling reeeaaally bad for myself here. Having to put on real clothes and not a swimsuit today was more painful than the sunburn I have acquired from all of the time I have spent lately near large bodies of water. I even considered showing up in the swimsuit just so my boss would send me home. Times are tough around here. Real tough.

Luckily, there are pictures to help to take the edge off the fun hangover. First up, our trip to La Jolla to visit our friends Robbie and Lauren. Adam has been friends with Robbie for years, and he and Lauren just moved into the most adorable beach house in La Jolla so we had to come visit. You are gonna want to go visit them too when you see the view from their front room:

They were wonderful hosts and we had the most fun with them.

Especially Ad and Robbie who act like kids when they get together.

Case in point, a picture taken in Old Town San Diego:

We had the best time on the beach, seeing the city,

and just hanging out with those two:

And it was Robbie's birthday while we are there so we celebrated with a barbecue with some of their friends, and I took blurry pictures:

And Ad and I had a great time relaxing and exploring too:

It was bliss. Now do you see why I am suffering so much today? Seriously.

Thank you Robbie and Lauren! SO glad we are friends.

Brandi & Ray.

2011-07-01T10:43:00.007-06:00

Sam, Ad, and I met up with my dearest friend Sarah for the Brandi Carlile and Ray LaMontagne concert a couple of weekends ago in SLC. It was glorious. Ad and I were beyond thrilled that they were actually touring TOGETHER. I consider the two of them to be some of the most talented musicians on the planet and they did not let us down.

Note to Sarah: We love you SOOO much. Serious.

Oh, you haven't heard of them? Allow me to introduce you:

Here is Brandi singing an AMAZING new song from her new unreleased album:

And here is Ray singing my FAVORITE song from his latest album:

You can thank me later.

I accept baked goods in all forms.

My Dad Runs.

2011-06-29T09:09:00.010-06:00

A couple of weekends ago my Dad ran the Bear Lake 1/2 Marathon for the second time. While he ran the rest of us had a delicious breakfast with lots of butter at the Bear Lake Lodge. Going to the race has become one of my favorite summer traditions because I think my Dad is amazing and because of all the butter.

That little sucker is a hearty 54 years old and smoked most of

his younger counterparts with a new personal best of 1 hour and 49 minutes.

He is fast, and I am proud of him.

Thanks for being such a freak of nature Dad!

I wanna be just like you.

PS. Sam and I have started writing another blog that is starting to gain a little following. It is girly and we do it mostly anonymously. If you want to read it just leave a comment or email me at lizwelker@gmail.com and I will send you the link. ox.

I love weekends. Serious.

2011-06-27T20:45:00.015-06:00

I have a loooot of posting to do this week and I like that because it means we have things to post about, which means we are having fun, which we REALLY are. More than we deserve.

First up, one of my favorite weekends of the year: Family temple day.

My favorite. So thankful for the temple, and my family, who I think are really attractive and freaking fun.

California is lucky.

2011-06-13T12:53:00.007-06:00

Adam's little sister Kristin is leaving for the MTC in just over a week to serve in the San Fernando California mission!

Last week we got to go through the temple with her and that was somethin special, since the temple is my favorite place in the world and it's even better when you get to be there with some of your favorite people in the world.

Dave, Kelly, Lynette, Grandma Bonnie, Grandma Nyla, Kristin, Kelsey, Me, Ad

Ad's lovely twin sisters, Kristin and Kelsey

I'm gonna cry a lot because I love Kristin a lot, but then I think about how lucky California is to have her and I feel better about it. I guess I will just have to drown my sorrows in some retail therapy and Diet Coke. Life is hard.

We love you Kristin! So proud of you.

Things lately in phone pictures...

2011-06-06T10:17:00.015-06:00

1. If you live anywhere but Logan this time of year you are just plain missing out.

2. Cessy likes it too.

3. Handsome boys on Easter Sunday. {Yes, I am behind on my posts, sue me.}

4. I love Samantha.

5. Dying Easter eggs at the Welkers

6. One of the pretty eggs

7. Dave and Kristin suited up for some bee time!

8. Bee time

9. Dad and I slaving over chocolate covered strawberries

10. They were DELISH

11. Nyla and Ad

12. Our sweet little garden

Life is good.

We are big kids now.

2011-05-17T12:25:00.004-06:00

It's true. It REALLY happened. Miracle of miracles, we graduated. It was the funnest day! And we got to hold hands through the whole ceremony, big perk of the dual graduation.

That last semester made us VERY mad a lot of the time, so we could not be happier to be done, or more thankful for the blessing of having degrees, and master's programs to begin in the fall {Ad: Masters of Economics, Liz: Masters of English} and most of all, amazing families to support us.

Next up: SUMMER.

Adam goes to DC.

2011-05-16T09:32:00.011-06:00

Adam flew out to DC for a little business trip a few weeks ago,
and of course he took some pretty pictures since he is real good at that.

Here are just a few:

While the cherry blossoms were in bloom and everything! Lucky.

Like I aways say...

2011-03-30T13:04:00.009-06:00

...if being a couple of yards away from David Beckham is in your weekend plans, you can be pretty certain it's going to be a good one. And in our case this past weekend, the old adage could not have been more true.

1. Graduation for Ad's friend Tosh with all his BFF's.
2. Boy side of the table at dinner with my BFF Emmy and her latin lover, Brian.
3. Blurry girl side of the table
4. Frozen Ad and I at the REAL game where we saw Mr. Beckham
5. REAL Stadium
6. Paige and Jer at the game
7. Paige, Jer, Ad, and I at the Chocolate eating post-game treats

Honorable mentions from the weekend not documented in film:
-David Beckham's girly headband which I found to be weird but the boys totally defended because even men have crushes on him.
-Fabulous dinner and Kinect party with the extended Welker family.
-Seeing Jimmer {my archenemy} at the REAL game when I thought he was out of my life forever! Seriously.
-Amazing peach cobbler party at Sam and Al's
-Fabulous "Evening in Brazil" concert with the most amazing musicians and singers.

I love the weekend. I'll even take one without David Beckham if I have to.
Please Friday, come again soon.

I have a thing or two to tell you....

2011-03-25T14:07:00.008-06:00

{Flowers by our front door this morning. They have the crazy idea that it is spring or something. However, the snow falling today is going to break their little hearts real quick.)

1. No, I'm not here to tell you I'm pregnant. (Sorry Nyla.)

2. Today marks day 5 of no pop for me. And day 12 of no caffeine. None. Many of you know this a great feat for me, the person who wakes up for a Diet Coke. I am proud. And also plan to celebrate by having a pop today. I have to. My Redder heritage requires some soda to be running through your veins from time to time in order to remain living. I mean it. Even ask my Mom.

3. I am so glad to not have to hear the name Jimmer again for awhile. There, I said it. (Sorry Dad, Kelsey, and entire Nef posterity.)

4. Have I mentioned Ad and I graduate in 5.5 weeks? Well sorry, it's just that it can't come soon enough. Especially for Ad I think, since he has lived a dinner-less existence the last few months as a result of my poor wifely duties. I plan to cook like a banshee in May though. Mark my words!! And the mention of graduation in #4 leads me to #5:

5. I got accepted to graduate school this week! I will be getting my Master's in English with a technical writing emphasis at USU starting in the fall. I am excited. And very scared. And probably won't cook much then either. Why did Ad marry me again??

I have now blogged twice in a week! I think I'm getting my groove back.

Happy Friday!!

Pictures from Lately.

2011-03-23T09:39:00.008-06:00

1. My boys relaxing
2. Me in my dress that my fabulously talented Grandmother made me
3. At dinner for Valentines day/Brian Regan with Sam and Al
4. Sam and Al at dinner with us for Valentines day/Brian Regan
5. The ridiculously funny Brian Regan
6. Cessy watching the snow falling
7. Homemade Pao de Quejio (thanks Dani!)
8. Weekend in Provo with blurry Dev/Christi/Jer
9. Christi and I with my niece, the bunny 2Pac

So maybe I haven't lived up to my vow from my last post to be a better blogger, but things are looking up! Only 5 1/2 weeks until graduation, and after that I am going to play my freaking brains out and blog about every single second.

In the meantime, we are accepting dinners from visitors. Pizza is preferred.

Remember when I used to blog? Those were the days...

2011-02-22T14:08:00.013-07:00

Oh hi, my name is Liz and this is me and my husband, Adam:

Remember us? If you don't, I don't blame you. We have been MIA for awhile.

Feel free to scroll back through our posts to refresh your memory.

Anyways, I just wanted to let you know that I'm really going to try to climb out from the depths of my bottomless homework pit and do some blogging again soon. I mean it.

In the meantime, you should know that we are still here, we still like each other,

it is very snowy around these parts, we are still eating a lot of

Indian Food and reading a lot of books, and our cat is still alive.

That pretty much covers it. Talk to you soon.

Blogger's Block.

2011-01-23T18:08:00.004-07:00

I got asked like 20 times today by like 20 different people if I was tired.

Then Adam asked why I haven't blogged this week and I said it's because our life could not be less blog-worthy if we tried, resulting in major blogger's block. Because, really, what we do is go to work, then we go to class, then we come home and he goes in one room to study and I go in another and then we meet up for a huddle around 10:30 then the cycle begins again around 6:30 the next morning.

It's no Disneyland over here, people.

But remember that time when we lived in Brazil and it was warm and sunny and there were lots of pretty things to see and a lot less studying and a lot more fun? I do. And at times like these I am thankful for memories of times like that. And for my cell phone camera that took these pictures that I totally forgot about until today:

A pretty house in our neighborhood

Fancy cakes at the bakery on our street

Us on the top of Edificio Italia, the tallest building in Sao Paulo

Sunset from the roof of our flat

My fav Brazilian staple, the delicious Bauru

Ad relaxing on our roof

Ah, memories...

Someday I hope to make more. The kind that don't involve textbooks.
All in good time.

FYI.

2011-01-16T21:01:00.015-07:00

I tried making cookies again tonight.

It was a matter of redemption.

Because following the harrowing baking experience from my last post it was a matter

of pride to try again. And because Sam thinks she is so special and makes

these kinds of cookies homemade with frosting and everything. And because

I think my Mom was starting to be concerned for the state of my domestication skills.

Also, I still just really wanted to eat cookies.

It wasn't easy returning to the scene of my last tragic cookie attempt,

but sometimes you've gotta buck up and show the oven what you are made of.

So maybe I used pre-made dough {it was just the safe thing to do}...
what's really important is that they were good, not burned, and looked like cookies when I pulled them out of the oven.

See Mom? I can bake!

Baking closure feels good.
Happy Sunday.

Tonight I ruined some cookies...

2011-01-13T21:30:00.001-07:00

...and here's how it all happened.

You see, this week has been busy. REAL busy.

We are definitely having a difficult time coming to terms with the

idea that we will both be married to school until May.

It is sad. REAL sad.

But tonight I was very happy because I found out that I passed the M.A.T {!!!}

and my night class got out early so Ad and I could actually have a night together.

I decided I would make cookies from scratch which I haven't done in forever and then we would have them with hot chocolate and we would have a precious evening together.

So I started to mix things and it was going really well.
Just look how happy and naive I was:

I mixed everything up, stuck those suckers in the oven and waited.

They were only in the oven for like 5 minutes when all of a sudden Adam yelled

that something was smoking. So I looked in the oven and what did I see?

You guessed it:

How about a closer look at the carnage:

How someone could mess up a very basic cookie recipe THAT BAD is not just pathetic,

it means that someone needs to take an extended hiatus from the oven and/or stove

so they can think about what they did.

What I'm trying to say is that I am grounding myself from baking for awhile.

At least the kind that doesn't come premade.

Luckily, Ad was there and he danced for me for awhile
like the IPod people so I felt better...

...so funny.
Oh man, I love him.

Happy Monday.

2011-01-10T08:57:00.009-07:00

When I got to work with frozen hands and feet very early this morning, I realized I'm going to need to compile a happy list and FAST to start feeling good about this Monday business.

So...the things that make me happy today are:

1. Today is my last first day of school! It's miraculous. In fact, maybe it is more than miraculous, I never thought it would really happen. I am very thankful. Now it is all about survival.

2. The. Bachelor. Tonight. I love it. I am shameless. Judge me. Sam and I have parties if you would like to join.

3. Adam cleaned out a bunch of old boxes that his mom gave him of his stuff from when he was a kid. It was hilarious. There were collections of football cards, pogs {remember those? so cool}, and books. Our favorite is Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark. Those were soooo creepy when I was little, I could barely open them. Now that we are very mature we lay in bed and read them to each other and laugh so hard. Maybe I will share one with you sometime. Spooooky.

4. A desk big enough that no one can see me with my boots off and my feet on the space heater when they walk by my office.

5. My space heater

6. America! Seriously, I love it. I can't say it enough. And I have been reading this surpisingly fascinating memoir which makes me even more thankful for America, and democracy and freedom {and American shopping and food. SOOO good}.

7. Adam's Beatles obsession. Have I told you about this? The Beatles have taken over our lives as of late. He listens to them, plays them on his guitar, rents their movies, etc. It's a good obsession to have, I think. It definitely makes me happy. We discovered the white album this weekend. SO quirky.

8. Hot pink tights

9. Calls from my Dad on Sunday nights

10.These pictures my dear friend Jen sent me from the holiday party with my girls:

Me, Nay, Danika, Candice, Emmy, Jen, LP, Laura

I feel better now.
Ok, stupid Monday, bring it on!

We had a real good time bringing in 2011.

2011-01-05T14:37:00.008-07:00

We spent the weekend in Park City with Sam and Al

and it was FUN and COOOOLD and there was X-box playing

and puzzling and good food and GOOD shopping.

2011 is workin out really well so far.

I think the only thing I would change is maybe a temperature that is above freezing. That's really all.

Happy New You.

2011-01-02T18:39:00.018-07:00

One night when we were in Brazil we were invited to go dancing at a Forro club.

I will preface my remarks by saying I do not dance. I have never taken a dance class, not in my whole 26 years. Not even one of those where all the 6 year olds stand in a line and twirl.

And even though I don't dance, we had to go, so the whole thing went sorta like this:

Did you ever see that really, really bad/awesome sequel to Dirty Dancing with that pasty, blonde, American girl who goes to Cuba and goes to a dance club and everyone has rhythm and is shakin it with their sexy, sweaty partners, and she can barely clap on the beat but she is pretty mesmerized by the whole thing, and luckily she falls in love with a Cuban kid who happens to be the best dancer in all of Cuba {also, she is rich and he is a servant at her mansion. I bet you could have guessed that on your own given the ingenious pieces I have already given you to this inspired puzzle, but I thought I'd mention it just in case}, and he teaches her to dance, and she is suddenly really good, and they win some kind of Cuban dance contest together, and it is super magical and they live happily ever after?

Now, the parts of that story which apply to my story would be:

1. The pasty American girl{me}who doesn't just not have rhythm, she can't even really spell the word {I just googled it to make sure the spelling was correct, that is how disconnected that word and I are}.

2. The strange foreign dance club where everyone just happens to be beautiful-Amazon-looking-model-types who all spin around each other like professionals even though they probably aren't, they are just South Americans who happen to be born gorgeous and good at dancing.

3. The idea that even though I have never taken a dance class, having seen Dirty Dancing, Havana Nights, I was pretty sure that I would be good at Forro dancing since that other girl had done it in Cuba in the movie, and I have seen that movie more times than I want to admit, so, of course I can dance since, from my experience, if you watch it enough on TV that means you can pretty much do it.

So, when we get to the club I become really lucky because Adam turns into some sort of dancing expert because he is cool, and has traveled a lot, and has danced Forro before, so, he attempts to try to teach me.

First, he tried to show me the steps, but by the time it was my turn to show him that I was paying attention and can totally step-touch-step-touch I had already forgotten because, holy cow, that guy in the tank top and gold chains is spinning two girls and I think he also just made out with both of them while still dancing.

Then he tried counting in my ear so I would know when to step, you know, like a 6 year old learning how to tap dance? That didn't really work either since all the counting and the beat and the stepping and the long Brazilian hair whipping around and the accordion players were really causing me some focusing issues.

So, by the end of the night I had done a couple of things that maybe a few people might consider dancing {a very few}, my husband was made painfully aware in front of a large number of Brazilians that he had married a rhythmless nutcase, and we had laughed so much in our attempt to dance like Brazilians that my face hurt.

What I'm trying to say is, while in 2010 I didn't win any dance competitions in any sweaty foreign dance clubs or really fulfill any of my Dirty Dancing dreams, I did do some stuff that I never, ever thought I would do. And while I don't really make new year’s resolutions, I love the sense of renewal a new year gives us, the possibility it brings, and how everyone thinks about being better in the new year. That is a good thing to think about, I think.

So, while in 2011 I have no plans to become a better dancer,
I do plan to become a better me, and I feel pretty good about that.

Photo by Adam from a shop window in Sao Paulo.

Happy New Year!

Headboard.

2010-12-30T20:10:00.008-07:00

Holy cow it is cold and wintery out there.

I just threw a major fit with my husband when he told me we had to go out and run errands because it is so freaking cold, and because I almost died 3 times on the ice while driving to Sam's house this afternoon, which is only a few blocks away from my house.

Seriously, leaving the house should be against the law when it is that cold and that snowy outside. I think I will pen a letter to my state representative as soon as I publish this post to get the ball rolling on making it illegal.

Do I have your support?

Luckily, I have not had to work a whole lot this week because of the holidays, so, since I have no desire to leave the house and freeze my body parts off out there, I have been able to do a lot of stuff at our house. Once I got to the bottom of the piles of Christmas presents that needed to be put away, and luggage that still needed unpacked {sure, we've been home about 2 weeks now, you may judge}, I got to finish the headboard I have been making for our bedroom.

Since we are students, some of our slip-covered, hand-me-down furniture leaves much to be desired and sometimes we gotta make our own pretty things until we can buy the real thing one day. Thus, our new button-tufted headboard for under $25 was born.

I used a couple of 2-inch thick foam posterboards, wooden buttons, a couple of yards of batting {or in this case, the fake snow stuff from the Christmas clearance aisle at Joann's that works just as great and was $.50 for 15 yards!}, a couple of yards of pretty fabric, a glue gun, and a couple of nails.

Here's what I did:
{My apologies for the poor photo quality. My camera didn't survive the trip home from Brazil
so the cell phone is our temporary method of documentation.}

Stuff I used {try not to be jealous of our fab shag carpeting}...

Glue 3 layers of batting on the boards, pulling it over the edges and gluing to the back to give a roundedness {word?...you know what I mean}...

Keep gluing....

Cover the wood buttons with fabric...

Cover the board and batting with fabric...

Measure where you want the buttons, drill holes, thread the buttons through...

You are done!

Before

After

Wish you could see how cute the button tufts are in the pictures, but you can't.

I guess that means you will just have to come over and visit so you can see how cute it is in person.

That is...until my new no-leaving-the-house-when-it-is-a-freezer-outside legislation passes.
Which means you better hurry over while you can...I'm thinkin it's gonna spread like wildfire.

Christmas is tiring...

2010-12-28T10:31:00.017-07:00

...and we don't even have kids to wake up at 5am for on Christmas morning.

However, from Christmas Eve through Christmas day we run back and forth non-stop to and from different family functions pretty much every hour on the hour.

It's a harder job than one might suspect it would be to have really fun families.

When I woke up this morning I was still feeling pretty Christmasy and trying to keep basking in the afterglow of a lovely Christmas weekend. That is, until I went to scrape my car and was greeted by a thick layer of ice coated on both the outside and inside of my car that had to be scraped.

The scraping took a long time. My hands almost broke off from frostbite which quickly disintegrated any lingering Christmas spirit I may have had. My feet are still de-thawing and I have been at work for awhile, so I'm afraid I may have lost them forever. I'll be sad if I lose my toes, especially since I just painted them with the cutest nail polish that my Mom gave me in my stocking.

Anyways...like I was saying. I liked Christmas.

Our families are the funnest.

Matching jammies!

Matching slippers!

More matching slippers!

Cessy!

Then when we got home from all of the Christmas festivities I cooked my first dinner in 4 months. It was my Grandma's homemade mac and cheese and it was so delicious. It kinda makes you feel like Christmas inside all the time. Maybe I will give you the recipe sometime.

Now, bring on that new year!

Read in Brazil...

2010-12-22T12:03:00.009-07:00

I loved the bookstores in Sao Paulo.

They were huge and modern and comforting because they smelled just like bookstores here at home. And even though I am very spoiled with my Kindle and don't buy book-books anymore, we spent a lot of time in bookstores while in Brazil because we are kinda lame and really like them.

I read some really good stuff and some not so good stuff while in Brazil.

Here is the list:

Little Bee, Chris Cleave
Might have been a big bestseller, and is an interesting story,

but the language and much of the content was ick. No thanks.

The Wednesday Wars, Gary D. Schmidt
Loved. So clever, so funny, made me smile for like an hour after the last page.

Hold Me Closer Necromancer, Lish McBride
Kindle told me this was "the next Hunger Games," but it is not not not. Ok story, written for teenagers, sorta creative but not my fav. And certainly no Hunger Games.

I Am the Messenger, Markus Zusak
Loved. This. Book.

If you have read any Markus Zusak before you know how GOOD he is.

I love him. I love this book.

The Count of Monte Cristo, Alexandre Dumas
I can't believe it has taken me this long to read this. Loved. Freaking awesome.

The Kite Runner, Khaled Hosseini
I realize I am like, a couple years behind on this,

especially since my husband is obsessed with it, but holy cow what an amazing book.

The Death and Life of Charlie St. Cloud, Ben Sherwood
Cheesy, light, predictable, Nicholas Sparks-eque book. And since Zac Efron is in the movie I should have known what I was getting, but I read anyway. Sue me.

Never Let Me Go, Kazuo Ishiguro
Have you heard of this? Whoa. I got much more than I bargained for on this one.

Storyline consists of children being breeded to be organ harvesters.

Wacky. Not sure if I would recommend, but quite fascinating.

The Devil in the White City, Erik Larson
This is the coolest book ever. And kinda scary. And I learned a lot. Loved it.

The Bridges of Madison County, Robert James Waller
I seriously laughed out loud regularly while reading this. Seriously.

So gooey and SO 1996 that it is awesome.

Let the Great World Spin, Colum McCann
Just finishing up this one. Not really sure what is happening...kinda dark, kinda sad, kinda interesting...I will let you know.

Now, please give me your book recommendations.

I would like a complete list from you by the end of the day. Go.

You can see my other book lists here.

Things...

2010-12-21T09:29:00.003-07:00

There is a whole lot of stuff I've got on my list to tell you about.

Such as the move from South America to North complete with me frantically flying solo with THREE connecting flights {while inebriated via a hefty dose of valium} and a grand total of 16 hours of flight time, the reunion with family, Cessy, and the blessed American grocery stores, my eratic bouts of talking to strangers everywhere I go because speaking English is the funnest thing ever, getting to wear my wedding ring again, adjusting to the freezing cold, eating at chik-fil-a lots of times because American fast food is so delicious, remembering how to unload a dishwasher again, etc.

But right now I just feel really happy that it is almost Christmas, that I am back in America {a really good place to live}, and that I've got lots of really great people that I love around me.

There's really not that much more you need to be happy is there?

Here are some pictures from lately:

Adam came home a couple of days after me and had these cuties with signs

and everything waiting for him at baggage claim

Jer, Mom, Sam, and I at the magical Mo-tab concert with Davey Archuleta.

Our family Christmas party over the weekend.

My family is so fun.

Also, my talented husband is now putting his fancy pictures on a blog
because he takes good ones, so he can do that. You can see it here.

Merry Christmas Eve x 3!

Goodbye, Brazil.

2010-12-14T12:59:00.017-07:00

I am leaving for home tonight and Adam will be leaving at the end of the week!

I have experienced so many emotions knowing that we are leaving and returning home, but mostly I just feel extremely blessed by the opportunity. The time spent with Adam far, far away from everything we are used to, the times when I was super uncomfortable, the fears I had to forget about, the great things we have done, the amazing people we have met, and the experience itself has been something really special.

Adam has about 50 rolls of film he has to take home to get developed so there will be more pictures to come, but for now, this is our last post from Brazil!

Thank for your support and love while we have been away! It has meant a lot to us.

{Ad and I on my first day here.}

Goodbye Brazil!

We love your gracious people, your delicious food, your insane beauty,
your tall buildings, your gorgeous beaches, your nasaly language,
your forro dance clubs, your crazy soccer games, your green mountains,
your colorful favelas, your funny cultural quirks, your amazing cities,
and just about everything else about you.

Santos.

2010-12-12T13:21:00.004-07:00

It was our last time going to church in Sao Paulo today. Plenty of tears were shed and we were so sad to say goodbye. We've attended going away parties and goodbye dinners, and are frantically craming to get everything in we want to do before we leave this week.

It is crazy to be getting ready to go home, but life moves forward, and so we are going to move forward with it, even if that does mean leaving paradise and returning to life in the tundra.

{I said life moves forward, not that it was fair! Boo.}

Our last hoorah while here in Brazil was a weekend getaway with friends to Santos,

a gorgeous town on the coast.

Camilla, Danielle, Giovanna, and Liz

Remember my mention of Brazilian swimwear? Well if you didn't believe that people of all sizes are encouraged to wear small swimsuits here, then you will when you see the chunky manikins they use to market them:

Brazilians are really something else, don't you think?

We will miss them!

Sé.

2010-12-10T16:14:00.003-07:00

Sé is the old downtown of Sao Paulo.

It is where the financial district and the stock exchange are and it is always insanely busy. We like going there to watch all the crazy people and look at the amazing buildings, like the Catedral da Sé {below}.

Pretty neat.

Feliz Natal.

2010-12-07T08:09:00.014-07:00

Listening to Christmas music while living in Brazil is kinda weird.

Bing Crosby singing about a white Christmas just doesn't have the same feel when you are sweating it out in 90 degree weather and insane amounts of humidity. And while I am definitely not complaining about the warm weather, Christmas feels different here than it does in the snow-covered tundra of Utah.

Nevertheless, while Brazil may be lacking the major components of a winter wonderland,

they more than make up for it by making the city look pretty magical at Christmastime.

And even though it might not seem as festive, it's surprising how much more Christmas spirit you have when you can actually feel your toes and fingers when venturing out to see the lights.

{Temple Square, eat your heart out.}

Igrejas.

2010-12-03T08:08:00.016-07:00

Along with its delicious bakeries and "lanchonetes," on every couple of

blocks in Sao Paulo you can find beautiful churches and cathedrals.

In fact, we have one right down the street from us

nestled right in between a couple of skyscrapers.

Whenever we see one we always go in because we know we will be amazed.

So pretty.

In other news, we have just finished our second-to-last full week as Brazilians!

We are sad one minute, and happy the next to be heading home.

The idea of being cold scares us, but being with our families

for Christmas, having a home again, and seeing our kitty makes us excited.

Happy December!

Dia de Ação de Graças.

2010-11-28T14:14:00.025-07:00

Turns out Thanksgiving isn't really a thing in Brazil.

Nor are any of the ingredients to make a Thanksgiving dinner if you were, say, a couple of turkey-loving kids from Utah who wanted to at least make a pumpkin something to celebrate.

And, since it's not a thing here you can't find pumpkin. You can't find stuffing. You can't even find people who are grateful on the fourth Thursday of November in Brazil! {Ok, so maybe you can, I didn't really ask anyone, but I sure didn't see anybody looking very thankful.}

So, Thanksgiving in Brazil started out really sad. I was blue. I called my Mom and cried. I emailed my husband while he worked long hours on Thanksgiving day and cried. I could not have felt more sorry for myself.

And then something happened.

When Adam got home we went to dinner with the missionaries and the other intern who works with Ad. I was sitting there with a bunch of boys I hardly knew and I ordered a lasagna that turned out to be made with lunchmeat and it was really gross. There was no turkey or pies or family around.

It was right then when I least expected it that I suddenly felt so thankful.

I felt thankful for missionaries who leave home, and go live in far away strange countries, and are homesick for their families on holidays, but love the gospel so they do it anyways.

I felt thankful to have faith in the message those missionaries are in Sao Paulo to share.

I felt thankful for the opportunity to spend time in weird, amazing, beautiful Brazil, where the people love you even when you mispronounce their words, and it can't be denied that this place is so beautiful because it was created by God.

I felt thankful to be an American and know that people were gathered around each other thousands of miles away from us being thankful to be Americans too, and to have family and freedoms. We are so lucky to live in the U.S.

I felt thankful to have a family that I missed so bad on Thanksgiving that I cried and cried over those rascals.

I felt thankful for an adventurous, smart, loving husband who didn't think I was crazy when I suffered a small emotional combustion over missing Thanksgiving. And who brought me to Brazil and never doubted that I would be ok here, even though I wasn't sure if I would be at all. And who took me out after the said disgusting lasagna fiasco and ordered me a piece of chocolate cake, a chocolate mousse, and some truffles to make me feel better.

So listen, what I'm trying to say is that our Thanksgiving wasn't perfect, but now I think it was actually pretty special. And I am starting to think it is the less than perfect ones that make you appreciate the really perfect ones, so I'm thankful for that too.

Also...did I mention it's really, really, hot here, there are no blizzards, and we live by the beach?

Ok, so we have lots to be thankful for.

Liberdade.

2010-11-21T14:55:00.005-07:00

Liberdade is Sao Paulo's Chinatown.

We love it there and have visited it multiple times since living in Sao Paulo.

It has the coolest artisan market on the weekends, amazing food,

and is one of our favorite parts of the city.

Eating at Liberdade with our friends the Furutas.

I love you Liberdade.

You are so fun and your food is so good.

Boo.

2010-11-19T00:00:00.002-07:00

Sometimes your best friend finds the love of her life
and you couldn't be happier.

Then, you end up living in Brazil and you really
couldn't be happier about that either.

And things are all going really great, that is, until your best friend's
wedding to the love of her life happens while you are in Brazil.

Freak.

What I'm trying to say is that Emily and Brian are getting married today.
Aren't they pretty?

I love them. I'm so sad to be missing it,
but so happy for my dearest darling friend and her lovely latin lover.

Luckily, me and Ad are heading off for the weekend to Santos, a really neat beach town on the coast.

I'll try my best to drown my sorrows while drinking a diet coke on the beach.

It won't be easy because I really love Emmy, but I'll try my best.

Congratulations Brian and Em!

Lately...

2010-11-16T14:25:00.008-07:00

We visited the fab Museum of Art Sao Paulo, which has some amazing stuff like orginals by Picasso, Rembrandt, and Van Gogh. Like this painting of Van Gogh's The School Boy:

We experienced the famous Brazilian hotdog which has chopped tomatoes, chopped onions, french fried onions, corn, mashed potatoes and lots of cheese:

Sinful.

I liked it. I'm not ashamed.

And we went to the enormous Sao Paulo Zoo.

We love Sao Paulo.

Ronaldo e a Banda de Loucos.

2010-11-14T14:09:00.017-07:00

Re·li·gion [ri-lij-uhn] –noun; something one believes in and follows devotedly; a point or matter of ethics or conscience.

Brazil is 73.8% Roman Catholic, 15.4% Protestant, and 1.33% Spiritist. Buddhism, Judaism, and the LDS Church are also fairly prominent in some parts of the country. However, everyone that has been to Brazil knows that the real religion here is SOCCER (Futebol). Usually, games are on Sunday or during the week at unusual times. But last night, the stars aligned and Liz and I were finally able to attend a game. It was by far the coolest thing we've done here in São Paulo.

In São Paulo, there are four main sects- I mean, teams. And the rivalry is very heated. Especially now since there are only a few more games left in the national tournament. The fans for our team, the Corinthians (yes, like the Corinthians from the Bible. Actually the team was named after an old English team, but I'm telling you, the religious parallels are startling) are well known for being loud, crazy, and more intense than any other fans of any sport team on Earth. The stadium was just a 10 minute walk from our apartment, and as we walked along the winding, inclined roads that led down to the stadium, we realized that this would not be like attending any "religious" event that we were accustomed to. The streets became more crowded and full of Corinthians fans, and with that came the loud chanting of the team song which everyone joined in while hoisting their beer cans and cigarettes to the sky. We passed visions of the Corinthians symbol shaved into heads, permanently etched into skin as tattoos, and of course not ONE PERSON was without some sort of Corinthians apparel. By "apparel," I refer to anything from a t-shirt, to a jersey, to a flag draped around the body. There is truth behind the reason that these fans are referred to as the "Banda de Loucos" (The band of crazies).

(Please note that in any other circumstance I probably would have been fearing for the safety of my petite little American wife at this point, but since we were wearing our own Corinthians apparel, we were nothing less than members of the team family.)

The coolest thing about our team is that Ronaldo (yes, THE Ronaldo) now plays for the team as the star striker. Given, he's not as slim and spry as he used to be (in fact the fans often heckle him for being too fat and slow), but he still puts on a good show. Lucky for us, last night he did not let us down. We had good seats, but I don't know why they even bothered installing seats into the stadium since I did not see one person sit down for the entire hour and a half. The score remained at 0-0 for 87 minutes, but despite the lack of goals, the crowd's loud chanting, screaming, and swearing at the other team persisted (it's a good thing we are not fluent in portuguese curse words). Finally, with three minutes left, Ronaldo was fouled in the box, earning him a penalty shot. He nailed it. The crowd burst into sheer... well, adoration.

Here's some visual documentation of the event:

Liz excited before the game.

Liz snuck a picture of me when we got there.

Us in anticipation of the game (that small group of people roped off into the small square space across the stadium is the only space the other team's fans were allowed; they had to be surrounded by security at all time for their own physical safety).

Corinthians vs Cruzeiro

Ronaldo and his goal that sent the crowd into a frenzy. (Watch at 1:26 as the kid in the background crosses himself. Still think I am taking the "religion" thing too far? We saw multiple people do that.)

Sheer ecstasy.

Brotherly love (What else could cause grown, straight men to show this kind of affection?)

These guys in front of us seemed to be having a truly spiritual experience. And THAT's what it means when they say that soccer IS the religion of Brazil. For them, and for me, and I hope for you too, the 2014 World Cup in Rio couldn't come soon enough.

-AW

Praça Serzedeio Correia.

2010-11-10T09:19:00.008-07:00

On our last day in Rio we got to go to the cool weekend market at Praça Serzedeio Correia.

The food there was amazing, and kinda weird. We loved it.

I wish we could buy things this way year-round in Utah.
Then go to the beach after, like we did in Rio. And eat stuffed churros.

Actually, if I'm wishing for stuff, I just want to move to Rio, and bring everyone I love too, and sell flowers at the market, and drink out of coconuts all day.

The end.

Copacabana.

2010-11-07T15:16:00.028-07:00

While in Rio we stayed right on Copacabana beach, which we now regard

as one of the most heavenly places on earth. Amazing food, amazing people, and SO gorgeous.

We loved every single thing about it and dream already of the day we can go back.

And while we had a magical time there, I feel it necessary, while discussing our time at one of the most

well-known Brazilian beaches, to take a moment to remark on the topic of Brazilian swimwear.

I didn't want to have to do it, but I feel strongly that in order to paint you

an accurate portrait of our Rio experience, this subject cannot be skipped over.

So, I'll tell you, and I really only need to do it with one word:

Small.

Ok, maybe 2 words: SOOOOO small.

Ok, maybe a few more than 2: So freaking small that what they wear to swim could also be found in the same category as the laces on your shoes, the thread you use to tie a baby blanket, etc.

And guess what?

The small swimsuits of Brazil do not discriminate. That's right! Whether you are small, large, male, female, young, or so old your TINY swimsuit is older than the beach itself, you can be a couple of centimeters of lycra away from being totally naked and no one even gives you a second glance.

Unless, of course, you are a couple of little pasty's from Utah who can't not look because holy cow those Grandparents are wearing dental floss as a swimsuit!

{The slang for this scenario being, 'That Grandma is totally flossing.'}

Seeing the world is really something.

And seeing A LOT more of the people of the world than

you ever wanted to see is something else.

It was awesome.

Here is the photographic evidence we had a great time at Copacabana, small swimwear and all:

Corcovado.

2010-11-03T13:54:00.007-06:00

The statue of Christ the Redeemer on Corcovado is what Rio de Janeiro is known for,

maybe even all of Brazil is known for it.

And I will tell you what...it is not overrated.

Seeing it in person was astonishing to say the least.

It was inspiring and huge and beautiful:

To get there you drive through some switch backs up a stunning mountain,

and then climb a bunch of stairs to get to the top...

We took LOTS of pictures...

The views from the statue were unbelievable...

Yes, we totally bought our own statue...

Us...

Amazing.

Rio de Janeiro.

2010-11-01T18:47:00.005-06:00

I never thought I would ever go to Rio de Janeiro.

I always wanted to and so did Adam, but it seemed to be one of

those out-there destinations that people don't really just go to.

So, when we went last week we were awe-struck the entire time. We went to bed really late and woke up really early every day that we were there because we couldn't sleep out of excitement over the place.

It was amazing.

And we took about a trillion pictures so there will be lots of beautiful Rio to come.
Here is a little taste:

Pão de Queijo.

2010-10-26T16:26:00.017-06:00

So it turns out there hasn't been a single thing I have eaten in Brazil that I haven't loved.

Seriously.

However, it should be noted that I am living in a country that is known for its meat, fruit, and chocolate, so I should've known that letting go of any and all self discipline would just have to come with the territory.

And guess what?

It is hard to live in a place with a bakery on every corner, including the corner right next to our flat

{I can tell you are feeling very sympathetic right now}, but Ad keeps

saying we are only going to be living in Sao Paulo once so we have to live it up, and so,
when it comes to our baked good consumption, no one can say we aren't really living.

Because listen, we are REALLY living.

Now, that being said, let me tell you about a little baked dream called pão de queijo.

It is heaven.

It is literally translated as bread of cheese, and with a name like that there is no way for it not to be amazing. It is gooey and cheesy and my bbff {best brazilian friend forever}.

Pão de queijo is a traditional food here and you can find it everywhere,
which means I am eating A LOT of it. And I don't care.

Like I said, I am only planning to live here once, so it wouldn't be right not to eat enough pão de queijo to sustain me for years to come once I return to the U.S. {I am also employing this mentality with chocolate, pastries, guarana soda, etc.... it just wouldn't be right if I didn't}.

YUM.

I love you pão de queijo.

Our Sunday walks don't look like they used to...

2010-10-19T12:14:00.003-06:00

...now we see monkey's made of Havaianas...

...parks that look like the jungle...

...or that are surrounded by big buildings...

...and lots of people and concrete...

...and we really like it.

Praça Benedito Calixto.

2010-10-17T15:39:00.007-06:00

For some reason people are nice enough to be our friends here in Sao Paulo,

and we have been blessed to make a lot of really great ones, who also speak really great English.

People here are SO nice. We are trying to get it to rub off on us.

This weekend we were so spoiled by our friends, first being taken to a lovely brunch and

to the enormous Ibirapuera Park (Sao Paulo's version of Central Park) by one group of friends, and then picked up by another group and taken to the flea market at Praça Benedito Calixto.

We are lucky. And we had a great time.

Hope you are having a great weekend too!

Riviera de Sao Lourenco.

2010-10-14T07:00:00.005-06:00

Tuesday was a national holiday in Brazil and everything was closed,

so we went driving through the stunning mountains of Sao Paulo

to get to the even more stunning Riviera beach where we spent the day.

Adam's local friend Marcelo brought us there to teach him,

and our friend Justin (another intern) how to surf.

And then we drank out of coconuts because we

were in paradise and that is what you do.

That is what I would call one heavenly day.

Sao Paulo Temple.

2010-10-10T17:42:00.011-06:00

Just like with every other new thing I have done since I came to Brazil,
I had reservations about going to the temple here.

How will I communicate?
How in the heck will I know where to go?
A WHOLE session in Portuguese? Can I bring a snack and something to color?

But guess what? It was wonderful.

Because the gospel is pretty wonderful, and people love you and take care of you no matter what language you speak, and the whole thing made me feel really grateful.

{also FYI, I wore an English headset,

so my ADD was in check, I understood everything,

and there were no coloring books necessary}

Here we are at Templo de Sao Paulo:

...where we had such a lovely time.

.....

Afterwards we went to an authentic Rodizio,

but I couldn't take pictures because I was in a food coma.

I'm sure you understand.

I. Am. So. Spoiled.

2010-10-06T16:11:00.000-06:00

Spent a chunk of my day on the roof. By the pool. In Sao Paulo.

Coke. Kindle. SUN.

You would have done the same thing if it was the first day you'd

seen the sun since you moved to a strange land too.

Don't judge me.

Week 1...

2010-10-03T18:00:00.015-06:00

This past week when I looked out my window or walked down the street,

sometimes I would just start to laugh.

Seriously.

I do this for a few reasons:

Maybe because I am a small, very white, very American girl amidst towering buildings,

block after block of concrete, and a bazillion Brazilians...

Or because I have no freaking clue what I am doing here, or how to tell people I have no freaking clue what I am doing here because I can't speak their language...

Or because I am having so much fun.

Whatever the reason, I think it is good to get scared and uncomfortable sometimes

{which I have been for a good chunk of this week},

and I have found that because it is one of the few things I can do that is universal,

I laugh.

So here we are in Brazil, where it is pretty, and weird, and big, and scary, and awesome:

Also, it should be noted, that my husband is hilarious,

and would literally do anything to make me happy.

Like do this for me:

SO. Funny.

I made it...

2010-09-27T07:04:00.010-06:00

Flight: There may have been some tears shed while sitting at the terminal(s), but I got on.

People were so nice. And the "special bravery prescription" my Dr. gave me worked

like a charm. 14 hours later I made it.

Seeing Ad again: Heaven.

City: Absolutey INSANE. Enormous, fascinating, ENORMOUS.

Church: All. In. Portuguese. However, some things are universal, like hymns and speakers saying things like "I promised myself I wouldn't cry" and its awesome. I love the gospel.

Food: I want to eat everything. And I do. It's going to be a problem.

People: So nice. It drives me crazy that I can't talk to them, but hopefully I can learn. Also, they kiss each other hello and goodbye...so there's that.

Here is a little view out my window this morning:

Much more Brazil to come!

-L

Obituary for a real special Grandpa...

2010-09-22T21:25:00.006-06:00

Keenan J. Redder

BURLEY - Keenan J. "Ken" Redder, age 79, of Burley, passed away Monday, Sept. 20, 2010, at Highland Estates Assisted Living in Burley.

Ken was born June 11, 1931, in Muskegon, Mich., the son of Nicholas and Marion (Robinson) Redder. He received his education in Fremont, Mich., and graduated from Fremont High School, where he played football. He married Mary Nancy Lea on Feb. 28, 1953, in Crestwood, Ky. Together, they raised five children, Karen, Guy, Nicki, Scott and Nancy. Their marriage was later solemnized in the Mesa Arizona LDS Temple.

Ken worked in sales throughout his life. He and Nancy moved their family to the Mini-Cassia area in 1967. A few years after their arrival, Ken began his business career as an owner of the Rupert Showkase Place and then partnered with his son, Guy, at Redder's Showkase in Burley. He enjoyed serving the community and made lifelong friendships through his association with his patrons.

Following the death of his beloved Nancy on Feb. 4, 1997, Ken began a short courtship with Marie Larson Wood. They were married in December of 1997 and have spent the past 13 wonderful years together.

Ken was a convert to the LDS Church and served faithfully throughout his life. He had served as an Elder's Quorum president, Young Men's president, on a stake high council, in a branch presidency, and as bishop of the Rupert 9th Ward and the Burley 8th Ward. One of his choicest blessings was being able to serve with his wife, Marie, as temple workers for nine years in the Logan Temple.

In his younger years, Ken enjoyed horses and snow skiing. He then took up the game of golf and spent countless hours with family and friends enjoying the outdoors. He liked watching college football and especially loved traveling. He is fondly remembered for his love of chocolate, Dr. Pepper, shopping and a good laugh. He had a wonderful sense of humor.

He is survived by his wife, Marie of Burley; his children, Karen (Brent) Mitchell of Rupert, Guy (Karen) Redder of Burley, Nicki (Kent) Nef of Layton, Utah, Scott (Korena) Redder of Declo and Nancy (Daren) Christensen of Royal City, Wash.; one sister, Mary Ann (Harry) Sandgren of Lancaster, Mich.; 22 grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren. In addition to his first wife, Nancy, he was preceded in death by his parents.

The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Sept. 24, at the Burley LDS Stake Center, 2050 Normal Ave., with Bishop Larry Kloepfer officiating. Burial will be in the Pleasant View Cemetery. Friends may call from 6 until 8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 23, at the Rasmussen Funeral Home, 1350 E. 16th St. in Burley, and from 10 until 10:45 a.m. Friday at the church.
The family expresses their sincere appreciation to the staff at Highland Estates and to Intermountain Hospice for the tender and loving care given to Ken.

If you're wondering...

2010-09-20T23:37:00.002-06:00

...why I haven't posted anything about my first weekend in Brazil, it's because I decided to postpone the trip a week to spend some time in Idaho and say goodbye to my sweet Grandpa:

{Summer 2010}

...and I'm SO glad I did.

Love you Grandpa Redder. You are precious to me.
So happy you can now have peace.

Marriage...

2010-09-15T07:22:00.014-06:00

How I miss being married!
I can't wait to have a husband again very soon.

Especially since today we have been married 3 years.

I love that Adam. I love being married to him.

He is just perfect for me.

Happy 3 years!

{Also, P.S. to Ad: After I get to Brazil let's never be apart again, ok? Ok.}

Photo by Alisha

Sometimes your life is weird....

2010-09-11T23:11:00.018-06:00

...like mine is, for instance, as of late.

I had a birthday this week and turned 26. I feel good about the age, I like an even numbered birthday better for some reason, and I'm pretty sure 26 is my year. However, what I didn't have on my birthday was a husband, which I didn't like, and I'll say it: I miss him SOOO bad.

Luckily, I leave for Brazil in less than a week, but I am scared. I am a HORRIBLE flier. Even the hefty stash of narcotic-type drugs I was given by my doctor to 'take the edge off' and the fear of flying hypnotherapy podcasts I have subscribed to are not easing the vicious cycle of the stupid scene of the plane crash in LOST that plays in my head allll day {although I think I'd be okay with Jack Shephard being assigned the seat next to me}. Any advice? All suggestions are welcomed.

That said, did I mention I will be flying a total of 14 hours? Thats like going to church 4+ times in a day or watching 7 movies in a row or almost 2 work days. It's forever.

To illustrate the depth of my dilema, picture this:
You know when you were a kid, let's say 8 years old, and you flew to your Grandma's house for the first time alone and there was that escort, a nice lady with a slicked back bun and a navy blazer who helped you to get on and off the plane and took care of you during the flight?

I WANT one of those.

So naturally I gave Korean Air a call {who I will be flying with for 12 of the 14 hours} to see how I can get me one of those, you know, escorts for children (did I mention I turned 26 this week? Just wanted to make sure you caught that). I told the lady on the phone I wanted an escort, that I would pay her whatever I had to, that it was a matter of LIFE and DEATH. She asked me a few questions such as how old I was (26 26 26!!!) and other questions like whether or not I had a disability, {I said no although CLEARLY in light of this scenario, I should have asked for her definition of what a disability actually is) then she kindly responded that sorry, that don't have escorts for 26 year old wackos.

So, like I said, any loooong flight advice is welcomed so pleeease, give it up.

And, while life is weird when preparing to live in Brazil and do everything without a husband, I have to admit that my last few weeks as an American have been FUN. I love my friends, I love my family, they have all made sure to take good care of me in my lonely state.

Like these kids for example:

Or Adam's Mom, Kelly, his Grandma, Nyla, and his sisters, Kristin and Kelsey, who invited me to come along on their yearly girls trip to Park City last weekend, or all the people who spoiled me on my birthday, or my dear girlfriends who all went to the temple today and then out for a farewell dinner.

So, I get it: I. Am. So. Blessed.

And while it may be weird, life is definitely good, and there are big adventures to come! {If I can get there.}

Family, Family....

2010-09-05T23:38:00.009-06:00

It was Al and Dad's birthdays last week

and we celebrated with lots of good food and presents:

And then I spent a heavenly couple of days in Park City with Adam's Mom, Grandma, and sisters,

and now Dev and Christi and in town and we are having fun!

Families make the best friends don't you think?
Hope you are having a great labor day weekend too!
ox

LP Weds...

2010-08-31T09:21:00.004-06:00

My dear darling friend since Jr. High {LP} was married this weekend.
She was one of the most stunning brides EVER. See for yourself...

Wedding days with my friends are some of my most favorite days...

I laugh SO much with them and couldn't live without them.

Congratulations beautiful LP and new husband Dan.

You are cute!

Good Weekend...

2010-08-30T12:41:00.019-06:00

Ok, so I recognize I have been doing A LOT of complaining lately with Adam being far, far, far away,

but I am now going to buck up and deliver a post with no complaints, because I am a big girl,

and because I really don't have anything to be complaining about since last weekend was sooo good.

Photographic evidence:

Delish molcajete ventana's at dinner with the parents

Temple and ice cream day with Emmy

{Notice the varying sizes of cones here...while it may seem that someone has a

problem with self control, in my defense, it was spumoni.}

And...these little cuties were were married

{More on this soon}.

So good! AND no complaints!

Hope yours was good {and complaint-less} too.

Oh Joy....

2010-08-23T21:38:00.041-06:00

Sometimes when your husband resides in an exotic foreign country and you still live in a city that is known for its sprawling dairy farms and Gossner's cheese factory {I'm not complaining. I love that strawberry milk}, you have to find ways to take your mind off the sadness, loss of interest,
urges to watch Nicholas Sparks movies to fill the void, etc.

My latest long-lost-Brazilian-husband-anti-depressant?

Home. Made. Almond. Joys.

Adam has been gone 2 weeks. I have made them multiple times since he left.

And guess what, there is a reason they are called Almond Joy.

Recipe:
14 ounces sweetened coconut flakes
1 can sweetened condensed milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 extra-large egg whites
Whole Almonds
1 bag of chocolate chips

Adjust your oven racks so one is in the center of the oven. Preheat the oven to 325F degrees.

Line cookie sheets with parchment paper or silicone liners.
In a large bowl, combine the coconut, condensed milk, and vanilla until well blended.
In a medium bowl, beat the egg whites and salt on high speed with an electric mixer until stiff peaks form.
Gently stir/fold the egg whites into the coconut mixture, being careful not to deflate the egg whites.

Form coconut mixture into balls and stick almonds inside.

Put balls on lined cookie sheet.
Bake for 22 to 28 minutes, or until golden brown.
Remove from the oven and let cool for a few minutes then

transfer the cookies to a wire rack with a thin metal spatula to cool completely.

Lastly, dip in melted chocolate chips and return to cookie sheet to cool.

Your roomie will feel joy, you will feel joy,
and if that still doesn't take the edge off, there is always Dairy Queen.

Stats...

2010-08-15T18:25:00.021-06:00

So listen, Adam has only been gone one week,

and guess what...all hell sort of broke loose:

This week:

1 radiator broken/replaced

1 movie viewed alone in a theater

2 Xanax taken when I could've sworn someone was in the basement

1 wild 50 hour work week

2 dead car batteries needed jumped

1 dead car battery replaced

30 pages of non-fiction prose {aka bore alert} needed written/handed in

3 finals taken

1 transmission broken/fixed

---

Luckily there are some good stats too:

2 dates allowed to be crashed by kind family/friends

who pity my predicament {and are just good people}

Lots of calls of concern from friends and fams

Lots of online chats with the Brazilian husband

who is so happy and doing super cool things

Oh yes...and one new roommate {Jer moved in with me and is starting USU this year!}

to protect me/keep me sane {and there's Cessy too, of course}:

1 week down...4 more until I join...aaaand lots of deep breaths and diet cokes to come.

It's. Just. Great.

By the way...

2010-08-09T20:28:00.010-06:00

Adam left for Brazil this weekend!

We literally had 12 hours notice between the time we found out he was leaving and the moment he stepped on the plane, and I am still trying to figure out what the heck happened and what to do now!

{Lots of ice cream coupled with lots of family/friend time has helped.}

He had his first official day of work today and it went great.

Everytime we talk I feel better and better. And he has sent a lot of pretty pictures...

\

More updates to come...

Kyle Part II...

2010-07-28T09:15:00.002-06:00

Remember Kyle, our miracle friend?

We got to spend some time with him the other day and he is looking good...

AND, he is famous {you would be too if you had your scull removed and lived to tell the tale}.

Read the amazing story here in yesterday's Standard Examiner.

Summer Reading....

2010-07-26T09:19:00.000-06:00

Read so far this summer....

Every single person I know who has read this has adored it. So did I.

This is one of the most surprising books I have ever read.

Loved loved loved.

So. Insanely. Good.

I can't believe I waited this long to read this. I would like to recommend it to everyone on the planet.

Ick. Loved the concept, hated the execution. So sad about how much I hated this one.

Loved this one from the first page.

Pretty story, pretty writing, good light beachy book.

Great story, but does contain some unnecessary risque-ness.

Luckily, I was warned of where to stear clear prior to reading, so
check with me before you read, and I will tell you the
pages to pass by so that you can still enjoy the story and get to the Celestial Kingdom.

What are you reading this summer?

I want to hear!

This one's for Sam, Ad, and Sarah...

2010-07-21T16:51:00.017-06:00

...and YOU if you love Brandi as much as I do.

{If you don't, your life is just not as full as it should be. Let me help you!}

To help pass my long work-week afternoon, I have been watching videos of her concert

in SLC that I missed a couple of weekends ago, and oh man...this is too good not to post.

LOVE.

Ad had a birthday...

2010-07-20T08:51:00.014-06:00

...and here is what happened.

You see, Sam and I had concocted the weekend of my 11-year-old-self's dreams. We were going to camp at Cherry Hill {sure, its 7 minutes from my parents house}, and go down all of the waterslides at Cherry Hill, and most importantly, eat pie at the pie pantry at Cherry Hill, All. Weekend. Long.

However, when we went to check-in to our campsite, it was like an exodus of people fleeing from all corners of the globe had left their homes and decided to settle at Cherry Hill, which apparently was the only place in the Northern Hemisphere where they could seek refuge.

What I am saying is, it was crowded, and I didn't want that guy who spends so much time in his RV at Cherry Hill that he is actually growing tomato's on the back to be up in my business all weekend.

So we left, with our Cherry Hill dreams shattered, and did what I'm sure you would do...we set up our tents in my parents backyard, and it was funner than Cherry Hill, so there.

And also, like I was saying, it was Ad's birthday and we did eat cake multiple times during the weekend, so you know, win some/lose some.

Ad opened presents and got his neat new instax mini camera,
whose pictures will make many appearances on this blog in the future.

Of course, we also celebrated with Adam's family,

especially since it was also Aunt Deb and Grandma Nyla's birthday.

As you can see, that candle had it comin, and Nyla was going to let it have it.

Ad and I on his birthday, via the new mini.

Love fun weekends

and happy birthdays....

July 18th is one of my favorite days...

2010-07-18T11:06:00.006-06:00

...since Adam was born on this day some years ago,
and he is really something special.

Happy Birthday Ad!
Love you more every year.

Birthday Week...

2010-07-14T16:06:00.019-06:00

I am so glad you found us!

I do ernestly apologize for switching online homes on you like that, but I am an anxiety-ridden product of my raising, and take to heart each news story I hear about online freakshows, and felt, after recieving an extremely colorful message from one highly questionable individual concerning the blog {guys, seriously, it was ICK}, that perhaps a more ambiguous online presence might be the best thing to do next to blocking out the world and going private so...here we are.

I am very sad to say that one unfortunate result of the move was the deletion of every comment anyone has ever made on this blog, but I will try to find the will to go on, and look forward to what you all have to say for yourselves from here on out.

Change is hard when you are an e-narcissist, isn't it?

And so, as I struggle with the loss of your past-blog-post-validation, I am happy to report that there is one thing that has made it worth getting out of bed this week: Birthdays.

Two of my favorite people on the planet earth's birthdays to be exact.
Nyla's was yesterday, and THE Adam W's is on Sunday.

Last night we kicked off the celebration with party #1:
Dinner with Ad's family at a fancy restaurant in town.
{I've said it before, and I'll say it again, a birthday is a WEEK-long event, people. If you only celebrate for one day you are seriously picked on, and need to find new friends and/or a new family. Just saying.}

Happy Birthday Celebration #1 Nyla and Ad.
I am so very happy you were both born this week.

Animals...

2010-07-12T16:26:00.024-06:00

...that is how one would characterize my Mother and I, don't you think? We are wild.

Well, at least we were both wearing animal clothes at lunch today.
I thought it should be documented.

Also, I have some brown hairs now {all the better to look Brazilian with} and so does she,

so I would like to think that we are twins.

I think becoming more like my Mom is a really good thing...and I will take it:

brown hair, animal clothes, and anything else I can get.

She is cute, and I love her.

The end.

{FYI: I also really like my blonde-haired sister who I also look like, who I also had fun with today,
but who was sans animal clothes, and alas, was left to take the picture.
Take note: Its all about theme dressing if you want to be on the blog.}

I think I have a fun hangover...

2010-07-06T13:45:00.012-06:00

...getting out of bed today was like trying to get that Jake and Vienna some common sense, meaning, pretty close to impossible {yes, I watched and ooooh, it wasn't pretty}.

I am sore, I have a headache, I am exhausted, but my goodness it was fun to celebrate America properly with all of my family together for a few days of wakeboarding, bbq's, fireworks, waterslides, volleyball, card games, movies, and more fireworks.

God bless you America for your freedoms,
and your three day weekends.

I really wish today involved staying in bed all day with a good book and a bag of pretzel m&m's...

2010-06-30T09:29:00.039-06:00

{Pic of me by Adam}

...and even though it doesn't,

life is still really good, don't you think?

I do. Here are today's examples:

Kyle. We talked to him on the phone last night. He sounded just like himself which seems unexciting,

but in his case, is the biggest blessing there could ever be. Such a miracle.

Eclipse. Right when I get off work today Sam and I will be shamelessly ingesting all of the cheesy goodness. And guess what? I've been looking forward to it since I woke up. Get over it.

4th of July. The river, all of my brothers and sisters in my backyard grilling,

and lighting cheap fireworks in the street. I. am. so. excited.

Learning Portugese phrases with Adam to get ready for Brazil.

He says them over and over and I never learn anything, but I laugh a lot.

His excitement is infectious.

It's true, life is good.

{also, have you tried those pretzel m&m's? Wicked.}

I like it when...

2010-06-25T09:52:00.020-06:00

I get to see my Grandma & Grandpa.

Like last weekend when they came up to Logan and

took us all to dinner and brought us potatoes from their garden.

{Marla, Ad, Liz, Grandparents, Sam, Al, Mariana, Jer}

They are the most special people.

I like it when it's Friday and I have nothing planned for the weekend.

And while unfortunately, that is not the case with this weekend,

I plan to make the most of it regardless.

I plan to put on a swimsuit and get out in the sun whether it means

I have to have my Principles of Linguistics textbook on my lap or not.

Which reminds me...I like it when I find a great non-textbook-book,

like this recommendation by Kotie, my literature soul sister.

Also, I like my yellow nail polish even if a student told me yesterday that it looks

like the color of dandelions, which I thought was a compliment,

until he said that dandelions are the ugliest and worst plants on earth. Whatev.

Anyways, what I'm trying to say is that I like it when it's the weekend and summertime.

And I hope you like it too.

The end.

My Family is Cute...

2010-06-22T09:24:00.007-06:00

Just a couple of the fun and funny pictures

taken by the talented Jared this weekend...

Roller Coaster....

2010-06-18T12:00:00.050-06:00

What. A. Morning.

Ad and I just returned from our first meeting about our upcoming trip to Brazil. I apologize for leaving you in such suspense following my previous, somewhat cryptic post, but I have now obtained more tangible information and the proper mental state to answer the question we have all asked ourselves:

What the HECK are we going to Brazil for?

Ad applied for an internship at Itau Unibanco in Sao Paulo. From what Ad and the big shots in this meeting have told me, it is the bank in South America and is working hard on being involved in some kind of global expansion. Only 2 interns are picked a semester for the internship and Ad is one of them.

I'm sure each and every one of your hearts are now swelling

with overwhelming pride for my sharp husband.

Ad will be leaving in just over a month, and the timing of when I will follow is pending. I have been blessed with a fab employer who is allowing me to keep my job and work from Sao Paulo, so as soon as we can work out the kinks of me working abroad, off to Brazil I will go. We will then return back to lovely Utah a week or so before Christmas.

{This is the building we will live in...tall.}

My thought process since Ad received notice of his acceptance has gone something like this:

WHAT?
Thank heaven for Xanax.
Do I need to die my hair brown?
Do they make good Diet Coke there or should I ship it prior to my trip?
I will miss my sister.
WHAT??
How far are we from a beach?
Ooooh, I'm excited.
Adam better plan to buy me some good Brazilian presents.
I hope when I come home I look like Gisele Bundchen.
WHAT???
I need Portuguese for Dummies NOW.
Right. Like I will ever really read that, BORING.
Ooooh, I'm scared.
Ok wait. Hang on a sec. How long is the flight?
Ok wait. Hang on a sec. Can my mom come too?
THANK. HEAVEN. FOR. XANAX.
WHAAAAAAT???

As of right this moment we are excited, scared, overwhelmed and thankful for the opportunity.

It's going to be great and hard and wild and scary and fun. I can't wait to tell you all about it.

Happy weekend!
Thanks for all of your support....

OX

Yep...

2010-06-15T15:00:00.004-06:00

Ad is smart.

He is ambitious.

He speaks fluent spanish and some portugese.

He loves Central and South America.

He has a constant and unyielding case of wanderlust.

I should've known that if I got myself all tangled up with him that
this sort of thing would happen to me.

Perhaps I didn't want to accept it.

OR perhaps subconsciously I wanted some of it to rub off on me
so I allowed the tangling to occur.

Either way, what I am getting at is this...

We are moving here for a few months:

I will now proceed with being beside myself.

I hope Brazil likes me!

More later....

Sometimes your Dad runs like a maniac...

2010-06-14T11:00:00.003-06:00

...and people say that they think he is crazy because he runs SO freaking much,

but really they are just jealous because he is a MACHINE.

That's what I think at least,

because I am real proud of him.

This weekend he ran the Bear Lake Half Marathon...

...he was so fast that he could only be captured as a blur...

...and we all came and supported him by eating delicious french toast and hot chocolate at a diner in Bear Lake while he ran in the pouring rain, and then came and cheered him on at the finish line.

It was fun, and he is awesome.

Also, in my defense, I had plans to run as well, but the late entry fee was $40 and guess what?

I would rather spend that at Chili's then on suffering. Judge me.

The rest of our weekend continued to only be more and more delightful since Jer stayed

with us and we watched soccer and movies, and ate gooood food.

I love weekends...

Last Week...

2010-06-10T10:00:00.008-06:00

You know that feeling you get the night before a vacation?
Packing, running to Walmart again, and again,

getting a pile of books and magazines together, picking out swimsuits?

I love it.

You know that feeling when you have been done with a vacation for a few days

and the 4 walls of your office are a deep, dark, sad {oh so sad}, place?

I hate it.

That is when I am thankful for family and husbands who diligently took pictures

of the heaven that was last week so that I could relive it again and again...

Care to join me? It was lovely....

We spent the week doing only fun things in St. George with Adam's wonderful family...

Hiking...

More hiking...

Seeing pretty things...

Attending the temple...

Laying at the pool...

Laughing...

Playing outside...

And having the first fun of the summer all together...

Thank you, thank you, Welkers for the fun.
It was bliss...

Kyle...

2010-06-08T11:18:00.008-06:00

Please keep Ad's BFF Kyle in your thoughts/prayers/hearts if you have room.
We love him a lot and he could really use it.

Ad's boys: Mikey, Kyle, and Skylar

Read about Kyle here.

Welkers...

2010-06-07T10:30:00.002-06:00

We have lots to talk about.
Summer might just be here, babies are being born,

vacations are being had and planned, and we have been having fun.

I'll try to contain myself.

First item of business:

Two weekends ago each and every Welker was together on the same lawn having a great time.

It needed to be documented, and here they all are...every wonderful one of them:

Have I mentioned how I love being a Welker?

Well, I do.

That'll be all for now. Have a lovely Monday.

That was REALLY somethin...

2010-05-31T18:06:00.017-06:00

This weekend meant a lot to me.
So many great things happened that I wanted to just push pause and sit back and watch it all.

One of those things I wish I could've paused was Saturday, when Mom, Dad, Devin, Christi,

Liz, Adam, Sam, Alex, and Jeremy were all in the Salt Lake Temple together.

That makes everyone, and that made it more than special.

Just the perfect day...

And did you know that families are forever?

Well they are, and thank goodness for that.

Did you see that?

2010-05-26T08:48:00.014-06:00

Yesterday it really seemed like it was May.
We played outside and the sky was blue blue blue...

Maybe someday soon the weather will remember that that is how May should be every day.
And it will be warm enough to play tennis and get frozen yogurt from Maverick and wear swimsuits.

At least it will be June in 6 days and then it is like, a law that there be sunshine, right?
I'm pretty sure it is...

................................................

In other news, my fabric wallpaper is over on tip junkie today,

so thanks to them for the thinking of me!

You can see it here.

You can also see it here on design sponge.

More Jeremy...

2010-05-23T20:24:00.006-06:00

Ad captured these minutes after seeing Jer, and minutes before he was no longer Elder Nef.
They make me so full of joy and a little heartbroken for him all at once...

...just looking at those red eyes gets me everytime I look at this,

but somehow I kind of like it because it reminds me just how much his two years meant to him,

and just how hard it is for him to let them go.

Coming home has been an adjustment for this boy, but he is being resilient.

He is still the same Jeremy: funny, magnetic, sassy,

but now he seems a little more wise and a lot more aware of himself and his purpose.

And while he is still hesitating to delve into normal life, we did talk him

into going to a movie this weekend and he actually liked it!

Having him back is like all of the pieces are back together. Love him.

Family is everything.

Heaven...

2010-05-20T09:06:00.001-06:00

...that is how I would describe my day yesterday.

Have I Mentioned?

2010-05-18T08:48:00.014-06:00

Jeremy comes home TOMORROW

Saying goodbye, 2008

Serving in San Fran 2009

My family is beside themselves.

We CANNOT wait.

And while you and I may not be members of the same religion and may not believe the same things,

the fact cannot be disputed that those who are willing to give up years of their extremely young lives,

put their own educational and vocational goals on hold, and temporarily live their lives in the service of others in an attempt to bring peace to a world in such desperate need of it are making this world a better place.

That is what Jeremy did, and that is what LDS missionaries do.

And despite slander, misreprentation, and confusion about what many believe we stand for,

that is what the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is all about:

spreading a message of peace to a world in turmoil, so that we have no reason to fear the future,

we can even have HOPE in what is to come.

So, welcome home Elder Nef.

I am SO proud to be your sister.

Sam Graduates...

2010-05-12T11:55:00.014-06:00

Samantha graduated from USU on Saturday and everyone was so proud...

Here she is greeting her fans...

Here is a shaky video of her making it official...

Here she is with her proud parents...

And here she is with her even prouder sister...

Congratulations also to my AMAZING cousins who also graduated from USU:

Kotie {who received her Masters} and Jess {who received her Bachelors}.

I am proud to be related!

Also, in case you are counting {and you should be} Jeremy will be home a week from TODAY!

Here's to accomplishments,
and cool siblings,
and another semester finished...

S'go Aggies....

2010-05-10T08:49:00.005-06:00

Samantha graduated over the weekend from USU and it was the greatest day. I was especially excited because I have been working on a quilt for her out of her stacks of USU t-shirts to give her for a graduation present. Aside from the fact that I was still feverlishly sewing the binding on it the night before, it was a success and Sam was happy.

Here it is in all of its Aggie glory:

Miss Graduate and quilt:

Congratulations Samantha Faye.
{pictures of caps and gowns to come.}

Let's Pretend...

2010-04-28T08:52:00.008-06:00

That it is Spring outside {like in everywhere but Utah, for instance},

and that there isn't an inch or two of new snow on the ground {on April 28th},

and that there isn't going to be more snow coming through the weekend,

and that it is actually sunny and gorgeous out there,

and we don't have on coats or boots,

and we are out there getting sunburned right now,

and there is a diet coke next to us,

and the grass is green,

and the tulips aren't covered in white,

and we are having so much fun,

and cessy is too:

I think it is working...
If I just turn up my office space heater and not look out the window...

Say it with me: It's Spring, It's Spring, It's Spring
{maybe if we keep saying it, someday it might come true! Like by July, perhaps?}

Finished...

2010-04-27T08:00:00.020-06:00

I just finished the last of my required texts of the semester and am more than thrilled to
be freed from my gilded literature cage and now be able to read whatever I want all summer.

{Sometimes studying English is for suckers...}

However, there were some gems I got assigned to stick my nose
in this semester that you bookworms who scan the blog may enjoy.
Here are just a few:

In the Wilderness, Kim Barnes
Coming of age in the Idaho wilderness, girl power, weirdly interesting

The Road, Cormac McCarthy
Sad, beautiful, post-apocalyptic scariness, Pulitzer Prize winner

Storyteller, Leslie Marmon Silko
The wackiest autobiography you will ever read.
{I want to write one just like it}

Cities of the Plain, Cormac McCarthy
Ever wonder what happened to Matt Damon after
he had his heartbroken by Penelope Cruz?
Better read this.

The Automatic Millionaire, David Bach
Not for an English class, but changed my thoughts on money.
I am now going to be a millionaire someday...

The Crossing, Cormac McCarthy
I don't know how to describe it...

Into the Wild, Jon Krakauer
Gave me weird nightmares about Chris McCandless,
one of the most frustrating and fascinating stories ever

Blood Meridian, Cormac McCarthy
So messed up, bloody, twisted, but you can't stop reading...

Hope is the Thing with Feathers, Christopher Cokinos
Puzzling story of extinction, gave me moral issues which prompted a class riot...
I guess that is a sign of a good book

All the Pretty Horses, Cormac McCarthy
My favorite McCarthy novel EVER

In other happy end of the semester news, congratulations to my pretty little Sammy for getting
accepted into the Master's program of her dreams! I am proud to be related...and I knew you could do it.

Happy Spring reading!

This Weekend....

2010-04-26T08:21:00.000-06:00

...was heaven.

Hope yours was lovely too...

We ♥ Logan {part II}...

2010-04-14T08:31:00.010-06:00

...even with all of its confusion in knowing what season it should be in
it manages to be perpetually beautiful.

{All pictures via Adam}

Countdown...

2010-04-11T19:53:00.013-06:00

This weekend while I should have been doing house/school/some kind of work, or just being
remotely productive in any medium, I spent a good chunk of time day-dreaming about summer,
and the end of the semester, and Jeremy coming home, and everything except real life.

And...after letting my thoughts drift...drift...drift...for long enough,
what else was I to do but extend my procrastination into a 1st grade style project that glorified it:

Behold...

The Jeremy-comes-home-last-day-of-school paper chain:

I love it. I can't wait to rip off every one of those suckers.
And...if you're counting too: 26 till end of class/38 till I hug that Jeremy.

Easter Eggs...

2010-04-06T13:04:00.007-06:00

One of my favorite parts about being a Welker is getting to try
all of the fun German traditions that they picked up while living there.

Case in point-
This is how Welker's dye eggs (and it's WAY neat):

Pick pretty flowers and leaves from the yard and wrap them around your egg with string:

Once they are all wrapped, boil them in an onion skin and beet concoction,

Then look at how pretty they turn out:

There was also traditional American dying going on:

And everyone focuses hard. It's pretty serious business...

Such fun.
Easter is my favorite.

Dear Mother {freaking} Nature...

2010-04-01T08:50:00.015-06:00

Lovely image of the carnage captured this morning at approximately 7:50 am

I'm sure you find yourself amusing with the 4 feet of snow you so lovingly submerged our little town in last night.
It is April Fool's day and all, and it is SUPPOSED to be spring now, so I applaud your efforts. REAL funny.

Nevertheless...PLEASE MAKE IT STOP! I beg of you...have mercy on Utah.

Sincerely, Mary Elizabeth.

PS...Note to Mother/Mother in Law: You have the snow to thank for consuming my thoughts
and draining my energy to post my April Fools prego announcement.
Just so you know, it would have been awesome, and hysteria would have ensued.

Again, Mother {freaking} Nature, I hope you're happy.

Oh Baby {part II}...

2010-03-29T09:53:00.004-06:00

One beautiful {and very early} baby came into the world last week...

Miss Katelyn Elizabeth Frisby

We met her...

We love her...

Her Momma is amazing...

We are friends already...
Congrats Renee + Tom. Love you and new baby.

Park City...

2010-03-23T09:00:00.011-06:00

Although it was spring break, PC didn't seem to get the springy message since it snowed and snowed while we were there. Nevertheless, we refused to let it hinder our spring break happiness and had such a great few days there.

We did Main Street strolling...

We visited lots of lovely books stores and art galleries...

We petted the kitty that lives in the book store...
{Her name is Dolly, I am a crazy cat lady, naturally I learned her name and took a picture of her.}

We saw a bobsledding competition at Olympic plaza...

Somewhat pathetic 12-second video of said competition

We saw lots of snow...

We had fun fun fun.

Now there are only 6 weeks left of the semester and although the snowstorm outside my office window this morning may be trying its best to stomp on my warm-weather dreams, I foresee only sunny warm spring-ness ahead.
{Hey, its all about positive self affirmation even if it is bordering delusion...
when you live in Northern Utah in March you need all you can get.}

Happy first week of Spring!

Oh Baby....

2010-03-22T08:48:00.017-06:00

A couple weekends ago the friends had a shower for my dear Renee who is having a little baby girl in just a few weeks.
My friends are the BEST moms, it is inspiring to watch them in action.
Between them there are now 6 children and 2 on the way, meaning that we have more than enough children to start my band with the offspring. Unfortunately, I am having difficulty getting the mother's consent.

Must be a mom thing.

Did you know that I am scared of babies?
If you didn't, the fear in my eyes and awkwardness in this picture should convince you.

Love my girls and I can wait to spank that new baby Frisby's little butt.

Today....

2010-03-18T10:38:00.008-06:00

I am now fancy.

My wallpaper post was featured on the FAB design blog Design*Sponge!
I am thrilled, you will be too when you see it here.
Thanks to them and thanks to you for reading and for all of your kind words.

We are off to Park City today...turns out my subtle {loud whines}
hints {screaming at adam that we have to GET OUT OF HERE} must have worked.

There will be pictures, I will tell you all about it.
Until then you can picture me strolling down main street eating one of these:

Have a great weekend!