I'm so glad Aaron is persuasive....

He convinced the doctor to do another ultrasound, and we're having a









BOY!

Insert your own creative title

My brother-in-law Tyler called me a wenas.

I'm not sure what that means, it sounds like weiner, and if that's what he meant, bad karma shall flow his way (after he gets back from his mission of course and loses protection of the Spirit).

On Thursday, Aaron got back from work and told me that he had good and bad news. Turns out, the company he works for, Sydney Financial Group, has been having some financial problems (like everyone else) and his boss had to let him go. I was proud of myself for staying rather calm, mostly because I knew there was good news coming. About 20 minutes later, his boss called him back into his office and said that he had a really bad feeling about letting Aaron go, and rehired him.

But...

Because the company is not doing well, I want him to look for another job. One with more security. He is still currently employed, but we are actively looking for something else.

Saturday, we went up to the Draper temple and did a session. I figured, since we live so close to so many different temples, we should go to as many as we can. It's a beautiful temple, and I always enjoy going to do a session. Going to the temple is sometimes like exercising--it's not always the easiest thing to do, but you're always so glad that you did when you're done.



After the temple, we went up to Kaysville and participated in our yearly Christmas making candy extravaganza. All I have to say is, we know how to do it. Lots and lots of chocolate. Over everything. Artistically drizzled, of course. We made fudge (one with walnuts, one with toasted coconut, and one with marshmallows), Heavenly Hash, chocolate covered pretzels, nut clusters (peanut & almond), white-chocolate drizzled popcorn, Oreo bark, Almond Roca, and some peanut butter candy dipped in chocolate.

As for the amount? Let's just say that after each of us filled 3 plates, Corinne was still begging us to take more.

And finally, baby update. I'm almost 21 weeks (on Wednesday). Most of you know that we had our ultrasound at 18 weeks, and that little stinker did not cooperate at all. The doctor wasn't even able to guess. I've been feeling really good, seeing as I'm at the happy stage of pregnancy. Aaron was finally able to feel the baby move yesterday, and I'm still in my regular clothes--so, no baby bump, which means no pictures.

But at least you get an update :D

Sibling Rivalry

Have you ever gotten the feeling that sometimes you and your husband act just like brother & sister?

Or is it just us?


(obviously not all the things we do are appropriate for siblings)

Partly Cloudy

I love that Pixar does these little short films at the beginning of their movies. I wish I could be this clever.

jack o lantern

Yesterday we went up to Salt Lake to be with Aaron's family for a birthday dinner for Aaron, Kristo (my brother-in-law) and me. Aaron's parents were nice enough to donate the pumpkin, and Lizz was nice enough to donate the pattern (yes, unfortunately, I had to use a pattern) but I was pretty proud of the way it turned out. Now hopefully our kitty doesn't shrivel by Halloween. He did suffer an unfortunate accident and one of his whiskers had to be amputated, but he lived, and glows just the same with only 3.

14 weeks

Wow, I remember when I had like 253 days left to go, thinking "It's going to take FOR-EVER (think kid from Sandlot) for this baby to get here" and now I'm down to 182 days.

I had a doctor's appointment yesterday, and we got to hear the heartbeat. At my last appointment, I was 9 weeks and 6 days, and the doctor said the baby was probably too small to hear anything but that he would try. He tried, and thought he heard something, but I was not convinced. But this time, I actually did hear it. There is really something growing inside of me (except now, I want to hear it again for reassurance).

I have been so blessed to not be sick sick sick. I can't imagine trying to work, take 14 credit hours, and be a sick person all at the same time. But, happily, certain foods have lost a lot of appeal, mainly sweet things (and I am NOT complaining). The prenatal vitamin still causes issues, and I have to go to bed RIGHT after I take it, or off to the toilet I go, but other than that, I know I've had it pretty good.

No belly yet, which is kind of disappointing. Aaron told me that I shouldn't complain because as soon as I do start to show, I'm going to complain about showing. He's right. When I was in middle school, and all of my friends were starting their periods, and really needing to wear bras, I remember being so JEALOUS. And then I started. And wished for menopause.

The ultrasound is scheduled for November 18, exactly 4 weeks from now, and that's when we'll see if the baby will put on a show for us. I'm really hoping the baby cooperates, because the ultrasound tech told me that it helps to see the baby if you have a full bladder, and if I'm not going to pee for the whole day then I want it to be worth something.

I still haven't gained any weight, I've actually lost about 12 lbs (which is exciting) and does that mean that I don't have to count weight gain until after I've gained back the 12 lbs I lost? I'm thinking I might do that.

Leaving the baby stuff....

Aaron and I went up to Zion National Park last Friday to go canyoneering and hiking with Glade (Aaron's dad) and a couple of Glade's friends. I didn't do the canyoneering, but I am proud to say that I conquered Angels Landing (a 5 mile hike up a mountain and back). It was kind of embarrassing having this 51 year old guy asking me if I was okay, and it was definitely pride that kept me from stopping. Glade and Aaron thought I was slow because I was pregnant, haha, we'll let them keep thinking that.

I got to spend Saturday with my mom in St. George, and we went Christmas shopping and got caught up on all the things that you miss out on when you live 350 miles away. That evening, Aaron & I drove the rest of the way down to Overton and spent Sunday with my family before driving back up to Provo. Kim & Gary were there too, because Gary's little sister Cali was getting married in Mesquite, so it was a nice family reunion.

I'm so proud

Okay, pictures that I promised. Obviously not up tonight, but a couple of days late. That's okay though.

I'm kind of a nerd, but it's so exciting to have little decorations to put up in your house. I had some left over wedding reception things that I'd bought at Michaels, and used the extra money to make a centerpiece for our coffee table. The wire pumpkin arrangement I did with things that I got at Gardner Village. I'm slightly proud, not going to lie.





The wire pumpkins were on sale. I got the leaves for free, they were the little leftover scraps, and they told me that I could take them. The pears added the right amount of color and fallness, and the family plaque was just cute.

I love fall.

Found a Peanut, Found a Peanut

Last Friday, I got to ditch my physics lab and go to Gardener Village with my mother-in-law, Corinne, and my sisters-in-law, Lizz and Ashley. It's a tradition in their family that all the girls go every year, and one that I definitely approve of. Maybe, I shall inspire them to my family's tradition of shopping the day after Thanksgiving. We'll see.

I got a lot of cute stuff, and some of it was free! But since I'm at work, pictures will come later tonight. Yes, you did hear that right, there will be pictures.

Since my birthday is coming up, Corinne brought my present with her. I love drawn out birthdays. It's like having 12 days of Christmas, but better, because you're the only one who gets presents.

I reached into the bag, and the very first thing I pulled out was this....


Well, not this exactly but you get the idea.

Yes.

I will be needing this. In April, actually.

We are really excited. I'm not scared yet, because I still don't look pregnant. I kind of wish I did, because I think maybe it would help me believe that I really am. I still think I just might have imagined those two pink lines, and I wish I hadn't thrown away the pregnancy test so that I could reassure myself.

It was really important though to me and Aaron, for me to finish school. I'm so close to finishing, that if I didn't, it would be really sad. This baby is due right in the middle of finals of my last semester. But, since pregnant people at BYU aren't such an oddity, I'm pretty sure that my professors will be willing to work with me and hopefully let me take the finals early.

P.S. the blue baby toy means nothing. I actually think it's going to be a girl, but the toy Corinne picked out was blue and I was trying to be realistic.

Books! Mountains of books!

"Always read something that will make you look good if you die in the middle of it"

I want a new book.

Correction, I want LOTS of new books. I could easily spend hundreds of dollars on books and not even blink.

The problem is, how do I spend hundreds of dollars without Aaron noticing? Hmmm....

I know that there's libraries and stuff, those are nice, but I like to OWN my books. That way, they're nice and fresh and the pages aren't bent and the spine isn't wrinkled. And I can just love them the way they deserve to be loved.

But for now, I'll just content myself with wishlists and such.

A Rumbly in my Tumbly

Okay, so sometimes I'm like Winnie the Pooh....

Not the whole obsess over honey thing, but the exercise so that I can eat whatever I want thing.

It's Official...

I am a sicko.

This realization came to me just as I was finishing breakfast.

You see, I love ketchup.

This may be an understatement. I could eat a whole bottle by myself in a month, easy. I'm the kid who, when you're at a picnic or BBQ, grabs a burger and squirts a normal amount of ketchup on my burger. Then I look around to make sure no one's watching. If they are, then I move on the mustard and I'm sad. But if they're not...globs of it get smothered. It drips out the sides and I have to make sure I'm always watching the edges while I'm eating or else those little dribbles will give me away.

I realized just how bad it was when this morning I made hashbrowns for breakfast, just so that I could eat ketchup. And then...

I licked my plate.

What the Heck

Okay...I confess, this post is just to get rid of that annoying one with the font. But I can't just write that, so I'll leave you with a little ABC quiz.

A - Age: 21
B - Bed size: Queen
C - Chore you hate: taking out the trash--especially the bathroom stuff, when floss falls out and used Q-tips (gross)
D - Dog: I once asked for a dog...my parents got me a porcelin figurine. If I could get one, it would be a Yorkshire terrier
E - Essential start your day item: cream of wheat or oatmeal
F - Favorite color(s): green & brown
G - Gold or Silver: white gold? Is this cheating?
H - Height: 5'9"
I - Instruments you play: piano, violin, trumpet
J- Job: Petition's Office front desk person
K - Kids: not yet
L - Living arrangements: we rent a lovely 2 bedroom apartment
M - Mom's name: Joyce
N - Nicknames: Shell, Shelli, RJ, Rush, Shelli Ellie, Shelli Belly, Roach...
O - Overnight hospital stay other than birth: nope
P - Pet Peeve: sneezing more than once
Q - Quote from a movie: "Sea monkey stole my wallet" [Finding Nemo]
R - Right or left handed: Left
S - Siblings: 4 sisters and 1 brother
T - Time you wake up: 7am to 8am
U - Underwear: G's
V - Vegetable you dislike: asparagus and any kind of beans (except jelly beans, and even then, only jelly bellys)
W - Workout style: running, walking, swimming, crunches
X - X-rays you've had: lungs and teeth
Y - Yesterday's best moment: going running and only seeing a couple people. I HATE when people see me workout. I feel like a sweaty dork and I always think that they're expecting me to be faster and more in shape than I am.
Z - Zoo favorite: baby penguins

White Shirt

It must be a curse

I can NEVER wear a white shirt without spilling something on it.

Note: I'm wearing a white shirt today.

But...

SURPRISE

I spilled on my pants this time.

I looked down and saw some lovely streaks of chocolate and thought "Oh gosh, how long has that been there?"

The shirt still looks good though.



For your viewing pleasure :D

I smelled like a smoker

Saturday night Aaron and I went up Provo Canyon to go camping--minus the tent and sleeping. We camped until about midnight and then went home to our bed and shower. I honestly think that's the way to go. You get the campfire, hobo dinners, and s'mores without waking up fifty times in the middle of the night and being scared to go to the bathroom even though you really have to, because who knows what could be outside?

--I'm sorry there are no pictures. There are people who never go anywhere without their camera, I am one of those people who never goes anywhere WITH my camera (even my own honeymoon. Yes, it's true. We have one picture taken from my camera on my phone.)

We had gone up to this park before in December, while we were engaged, and loved it. There was NO ONE there (which, now that I think about it, makes sense since it was the winter time).

There was a family reunion this time.

But we were not to be deterred. We found this trail that wound through the trees and made our own little campsite. It was perfect, but the aura of camping was somewhat ruined because we could hear all the cars driving up the canyon.

The bugs decided that our hobo dinners smelled too good to be left alone. I held the flashlight in my teeth so that I could see the bugs that drowned in my ketchup.

I still smell like smoke. It could be my desire to have the fire as big as possible--but we'll say that it's because I'm trying to keep mosquitoes away.

It didn't quite work. I have a HUGE mosquito bite on my cheek, that looks just like a zit, but it's not! I want to wear a sign that informs people of this fact, that way, no one thinks that I'm disgusting enough to sprout a zit the size of a nickel on my face.

Sigh...life is still hard

I just had one of those days where you feel like you can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel, the one where the trial might actually have an end

I can finally breathe again

Until you find out that you're still in the tunnel

Sigh...

Sometimes life is hard.

The end.

Drain-O!

We've been experiencing small floods every morning (at least in the shower)

For the past couple of days, the drain has been really slow. You were literally in water up to your ankles by the time your shower was finished.

Now, how to unclog it, and more importantly, WHO?

I tried (sort of). I used a paper clip and some floral wire and made a little scoop. I came up with a couple hairs and wanted to gag. I'm done.

Yesterday, Aaron came home from work with the big boy. Oh yes, he went to Lowes, and got a state of the art drain auger complete with spiral on the end.

After pulling out one giant clog that sent me squealing from the bathroom with "OH EW GROSS!" Aaron tried to see if the drain was draining better. No such luck. I was called back in for my plumbing expertise.

I did not look at the dead gloopy rat looking thing in the bag.

We figured out that our pipe first goes straight down, then bends to the right, and then goes down again. It took some work, but Aaron finally got the big one. I stayed outside the bathroom and listened to him tell me how the goo and hair was oozing up the drain cover, the clog was so big.

Why is hair okay when it's on someone's head, but becomes disgusting the instant it falls off?

Walking funny

I've decided that my right leg is longer than my left. Whenever I am wearing shorts, my garments always stick out of my right leg but not my left.

Maybe that's why people always told me I walked like my dad.

Playing Primary and Pillow Talk

I've been the Primary pianist since January and I've LOVED it. It's so nice to get to play the piano (and miss Sunday School, and half of Relief Society) and then hear all these cute sayings by the little kids.

Our Primary consists of two little girls who are from Brazil, but speak perfect English. Sofia is 5 and Nicole is 3. Because they recently moved into the ward, Aaron (who is the Elder's Quorum secretary) and the Elder's Quorum president went over to their house to visit the family.

Tiago (who is Sofia and Nicole's dad) started talking about how much his daughters love Primary. And then he mentioned that they just love Sister McCombs and that when they play Primary, one of them is Sister McCombs and the other is Sister Bird (the old 2nd Counselor). Their little sister, Clara gets to be Sister Robertson (our Primary President). That just made me smile.

Then Aaron told me another story...this one, not so good.

Aaron's old zone leader from his mission in Japan lives in the apartment right below us. And Ben just couldn't resist telling Aaron that when he and his wife were outside they could hear and Aaron and I talking in our apartment. He yelled something in Japanese but apparently we didn't hear him.

Later that night, Aaron and I were in our room, just chattin and then I noticed the window was open. You know that panicky feeling when you realize that your conversation was probably overheard and you're trying to remember everything you said and see if it was embarrassing our not? Yeah, I felt that.

We've decided to whisper from now on.

College Woes

Who doesn't have them?

My major (molecular biology, yes I know, NERD but it's okay) requires me to take a mentored research class for a total of 3 credits for two semesters. The name of the class is MMBIO 494R, meaning that you should take it as a senior for your last two semesters. I started talking to some professors to find out if I could work with them in their lab, and found out they want sophomores, which I am not.

I went home after meeting with a couple of professors and wanted to cry. I was 27 credits away from graduating and it looked like it wasn't going to happen because I wasn't a sophomore.

I started looking at different majors, one that wouldn't require me to have a professor say yes so that I could graduate, and decided on exercise science and I only have 24 credits to go with that one. I have to tweak the major a little bit to still let me graduate in April but it should work, and I will have my degree (which is all I really care about).

Our apartment doesn't have air conditioning. It's been okay, but now that we've hit July, it's gotten a little toasty. Aaron and I looked on craigslist and found one for 150 that would cool our entire apartment. Our only requirement was to not look like white trash with an a/c sticking out of our window. He had to be at work when the people dropped it off, so I just checked to make sure it would fit in our window. Silly me didn't notice that it's designed for a window that closes up and down, not side to side like our window does. I felt awful. $150 is our grocery budget for the month. But we went down to Lowes and we were able to get a mount for the a/c to fit on and some plexi glass to make our own window, and I'm not going to lie but it looks pretty good.

We had a family reuinon on June 28-29 in Lehi/Provo area. It was my great grandpa Elwin Ewing Bushman (man I'm glad our option of names has improved) and all of his descendants, all 199 of them. I only went to see my family, like I know any of these other people. It was nice getting to see them and have them feed us for free. My aunt, Nancy, (my mom's sister) is mentally retarded because she caught spinal meningitis when she was a baby, and has the mentality of a 5 year old. But she still thinks boys are cute, and freaked out everytime Aaron got near her or talked to her. She would start blushing and squealing. I have to admit, I provoked her because I thought it was funny.

P.S. Sorry about the weird font sizes things. I'm not sure how to fix it. It's going to bug me though, I know it.

Proof

So, my last post was apparently not the worst thing that could happen

Knock on wood

Someone stole our laundry today. All of it. It's all gone.

Murphy's Law

Anything that can go wrong, will...

Before I got married, I had to go in for a lovely premarital exam. It was the usual awkward situation (at least I'm assuming it's usually awkward for most people), but after I talked to my mom I found out that all male doctors are required by law to have a female nurse in with them when they are examining a female patient. Mine didn't.

I was scarred for life.

So when it came time for me go see my favorite kind of doctor again, I made sure I got a girl. No way was I going through that again.

I was sitting in the waiting room, after the nurse had taken my pulse, blood pressure, and weighed me with my clothes and shoes on (which is a great self-esteem booster...) and another nurse walked in. She asked if I was Rachelle, and then informed me that Dr. Blackwell had had a family emergency and had to leave. My heart sank. I had seen the list of doctors available, and most were men.

One of the men on that list was my old family doctor from Overton. I graduated with one of his daughters and played soccer with her. He knows me. He had moved to Provo a couple of years ago, and apparently now works at the BYU Health Center.

Some 6th sense told me I was going to get him.

And in he walked.

Just my luck. The girl doctor I wanted, her mother has a stroke, and now, I have to see Dr. Nielsen and talk to him about stuff and let him see things and go through that whole thing and he KNOWS me. Personally. I've been to his house.

But, the experience was much better than my last one. He had a female technician in with him, and told me exactly what he was going to be doing. I was very relieved, even though I got really panicky when I saw him walk in.

Oh and another thing...

I had met Dr. Nielsen's wife at my work yesterday. She came wanting a transcript.

Coincidence?

Puzzles and PopTarts

I have an addiction...

No joke

Aaron and I have finished 2, 1,000 piece puzzles in 4 days. Pathetic you say? Probably (And today we'll also be learning about the letter P)

I was sick on Tuesday and the only thing that would keep my mind off my stomach, was my puzzle that my friend Kendra got me for my birthday. When Aaron came home, he gave in to my pleadings (there we go again) to help me and watch Beauty and the Beast. He's a trooper. Even though he did make fun of the part at the end where the Beast turns back into a human (supposedly his name is Prince Adam, I prefer Beast) I still like him.

CHANGE BACK!

Our hometeachers came over last night and saw our puzzles in all their glory. One of them was finished and lying on the floor and the other one was about 3/4 of the way. After they saw that, all hopes of them thinking we were cool were gone.

We got this one at DI for $1.50, and no pieces were missing.

Now to my other problem...PopTarts

We buy them so that when Aaron is running late for school he can just grab one and go. Mr. I'm 25, 6'1", and weigh 145 wet and with clothes on needs all the help he can get (I'm so jealous).

At least that's why I say we buy them.

We really buy them for me. I hear them calling to me from the cupboard. They are so so so bad for you but so so so good. Especially blueberry and s'more. Yum.

Recipes

Yesterday we drove up to Kaysville for a family dinner. After a Cafe Rio inspired dinner, and a game of killer bunnies and chocolate bundt cake (thanks Lizz!) Aaron started showing his dad a new financial software system. I stayed with Corinne and she offered to let me look through her recipe book.

I know...I'm lame. I was more excited about these recipes than I should have been. It kept me awake just thinking about having new things to try...seriously.

I know I am not the first person to come up with this idea, but I've started another blog with some of the recipes that I've gotten from my mom, mother-in-law, Young Women's leaders, roommates, cookbooks, the internet, and some that I've made up myself.

It was more for my own personal enjoyment, and to kill a couple of hours at work that I started this, and I can't promise I'll add new ones, but if you're interested at looking at what I've got, just click here.

Bon appetit.

Horse Crap, Manure, & Such

This weekend while I was down visiting my family I heard the strangest phone call. My dad called one of our neighbors (who I'll call Bob to protect the innocent) and asked

Dad: "Bob, can I have your horse crap?"

Bob: "Sure, I'll bring it right over on my 4-wheeler."

In no time at all, Dad and Bob are out in the backyard shoveling horse poop off of Bob's 4-wheeler, into a pile in our yard.

Later, Bob comes back into our yard, looking very spiffy and squeaky clean. My Mom looked out the window and saw Bob digging through the poop WITH HIS HANDS.

Mom: Can I get you a shovel?

Bob: I just lost my cell phone. I've looked everywhere for it and I can't find it. Do you mind calling it for me?

ring ring ring

Bob: I hear it!

Bob reached into the manure, pulled out his cell phone, wiped it off on his pants and walked away.

Have a happy day.

See Through Underwear

The last couple weeks of May have been/will be busy with wedding stuff. Another one of my friends, Chanell, from high school is getting married the same day as Kim is (May 30th) in the Las Vegas temple. My mom, Kim, and little sister Emilie (who is 6) went to Chanell's bridal shower. I was invited but couldn't go because of work and school and living in a different state.

We all know what everyone gets at a bridal shower. My mom told me later she didn't know what she was thinking bringing my 6 year old sister along. Chanell opened up a present from her mom and held up a rather risque, see-through piece of lingerie.

Chanell: "MOM!! It's see through!!"

An embarrassed silence followed.

Emilie: "I think it's cute. You will just need to put a shirt under it."

Tee Hee

Sorry Cher fans, but I couldn't resist.

Indoor camping under a concrete sky

Yesterday was a special day for us...a day with no homework. None at all.

This called for something special. Aaron has been begging and begging for a chance to build a fort. He told me all about the time he and Tyler (his younger brother) built a fort and played Halo all night. (Note: This was last year)

I made the s'mores, in the microwave, and Aaron built the fort. We used our printer, camp chairs, paper clips, and anything else we could find to make our fort taller. I was scared to go inside. I'm always afraid I'm going to pull on the blanket and all those huge books are going to come crashing down on top of me. But I survived and got yummy chocolate marshmallow all over my face: the joys of eating a s'more.

Florida

So, I've been back for almost a week and I'm finally getting around to talking about my vacation. And I only have a few pictures to put up, sorry, Aaron and I are both horrible at picture taking. It's quite sad actually.

Our first couple days we stayed in Orlando. I knew it was going to be interesting when Aaron and I were walking around and we saw a sign informing us not to swim in the water because alligators were present. We actually saw one sunning himself on the golf course. I think it's kind of weird when you know that something is dangerous, it just makes you want to touch it more. At least, I do.

I don't have any pictures from our first couple of days in Orlando, so sorry, no swim suit shots, because we spent one of the days in Blizzard Beach, which I highly recommend. I also recommend vacationing in April. There were hardly any crowds, and the weather was bee-yoot-ee-full (that's my pathetic attempt of trying to special beautiful phonetically).

We drove to Ft. Lauderdale, and not even kidding were right across the street from the beach. I could look out my window and see the beach (thanks Lizz and Nick for the great hotels, and thank you Marriott). Aaron and I spent every night on the beach, I know, so sweet and romantic and slightly cheesy.

Ft. Lauderdale also gave us the chance to take our very first pictures! We took an airboat out on the Everglades. I thought we were only going to see a couple of alligators, but we saw tons! Plus, the tour that we went on had a little restaurant next to it, that served gator tail and frog legs (I felt like the ultimate hick there). And then, I was informed by a man from Boston that frog legs taste better than chicken and gator tail tastes like pork. After which, he holds up a little frog skeleton with the meat picked clean off the little legs. As if that's going to convince me to eat it.

We drove back to Orlando to finish out the vacation and Aaron & I headed to Sea World. On a sidenote: Don't go and see Shamu, unless you want to feel like you're worshipping a killer whale and are stuffed full of cheese. But the dolphin show was cool, even if it did emphasize too much that anyone can achieve their dreams.

Sorry about the crink in your neck. I can't figure out how to rotate the picture. But Aaron gives great massages! This was taken right after a ride on Sea World, that's why I look terrible. I'm wet.

My favorite was the penguins, especially the baby ones. I always want one. The manatees were HUGE! I had no idea they were so fat. Dolphins were cool. I was proud of myself for touching one, but I couldn't get myself to touch a stingray. Or feed them. Gross. And who's going to pay $7.00 for 5 sardines? What a rip-off.See! You want one too

I failed?

Last night, I was checking to see if my grades had posted from last Winter semester. This last semester was the last semester that I had to worry about keeping my grades up for my scholarship and so I took some generals to try and boost my GPA and make the semester a little easier.

My stomach dropped when the page loaded and I saw an E next to my general chemistry class (FYI, in BYU language, an E means you failed, it's an F).

I FAILED?

I had attended every single day (okay, maybe ditched a couple), taken all the tests, done all the homework, and had a pretty decent grade. There was no way that I could have failed.

But the computer said I had.

I was freaking out. Failing would mean that I would lose my scholarship and that Aaron and I would have to pay another $5,000 in tuition for next year and it would mean that I had failed and would have to take the class again. I e-mailed my professor and stalked gmail all night trying to see if he would e-mail me back. That morning I was e-mailing my TA, my professor (again), and the scholarships office.

But...

The next time I had logged on, my grade had been changed from an E to a B+. Oh my goodness. Instant relief. The pit in my stomach was gone and everything was good again. The only thing I can think of is that because I changed my name in the middle of the semester, my professor had me listed under my maiden name, but the university and all of my assignments were turned in under my married name. I'm just glad it's all sorted out.

I PASSED!

Quirky moi

When I was little...

1. I used to think that cartoons were real people.
2. I used to put banana peels on my head because that's what Mowgoli did on the Jungle Book.
3. I thought I was becoming a Lamanite when I started tanning, and cried.
4. I used to drink A1 sauce straight from the bottle.
5. I would tell my parents that the trees would babysit me, and that I didn't need anyone to watch me.

Now...
1. Everytime I wash the dishes I want to eat jello
2. I love clean out Aaron's ears. It's makes me excited when I see stuff in them (gross, I know, but true)
3. I would rather clean 1,000 toilets (mens toilets) than take out the trash
4. I love to watch the History & Discovery channels
5. Fish scare me...a lot. Sometimes I have nightmares that there are fish in my bed, and I wake Aaron up because I'm trying to climb on top of him to get away from them.

Paper coming out my ears and I think I would bleed graphite

Oh man, we're winding down to the end of the semester, which in college talk means let's cram as much as we can into two weeks because "OH MY GOODNESS WE HAVEN'T GOTTEN TO EVERYTHING YET!"

Crap

Pressure

Is it just me, or does anyone else feel pressure to make sure their blog is good enough that people will read and leave comments? There's so much pressure to be funny, cute, or have a good story, and with no kids, that's kind of hard. No way can Aaron and I compete with forearm rolls and cute phrases.



(Behold the competition)

Unless...I totally embarrass the heck out of myself

I'm seriously debating doing it. Aaron would die if he knew that I was thinking of telling you this, because I've sworn him to secrecy, and he's going to be sad that he's not going to get to tell you, but there is some safety in telling it on the internet, because I'll either rarely see you, or (for those of you who I will see) it will be WAY too awkward to bring up in normal conversation (I hope.)

I think I've rambled enough...

So, I'm a morning person and Aaron is a night person. I'm tired at like 10:30 and he's still going strong, so I sleep on the couch while he does his homework because I hate going to bed by myself, it's dark and cold. But first, we need some background to the story...

When we were engaged, I was staying at Aaron's house right before Christmas. Aaron had to finish up working at UPS (he finished December 22nd) and our apartment contracts expired on December 20th, so I stayed with him until he finished and then we drove down to Overton on the 23rd (I promise this does have a point) While we were getting ready for bed, Aaron decided to tell me about when he went to Moab with a bunch of his friends last May. He mentioned that all the married guys started talking about when they first farted in front of their wives (lucky us). Aaron then proceeds to fart and then tries to fart on me. Yes, it's true. BEFORE we were married. Then he starts complaining that he's never heard any girl fart. I found that kind of hard to believe.

"Not even your sisters?"

"NO! I've never heard them (WAY TO GO Lizz & Ashley!)."

Talk about pressure. As much as I would like him to think I never do, I do.

Back to the couch. I was sleeping and Aaron woke me up and asked me if I was ready to go to bed. He then got this little smile on his face and told me thanks for helping him stay awake while he was doing homework. At first I thought he was being sarcastic and then he started laughing. And then the embarrassment came. Apparently, when you're asleep, you lose control over your butt muscles, and gas just comes. And he heard it all. And laughed. And laughed. And laughed.

That's it. That's my story. I fart in my sleep.

I can't believe I just told you.

Personality Test

Today in my religion class we talked about communication. Since my professor is a family therapist, it's kind of cool because he can bring in actual stories about problems that other couples have. He told us, that most of the time, the problems in communication arise because they're just different personalities and they don't know how to adapt their personality to fit the other. I really liked that about him. I think that's one of the biggest problems is that you try to change/fix your spouse instead of trying to adapt to what made you love them in the first place. Sister Wendy Watson Nelson (Russell M. Nelson's wife) came and talked to us for an Enrichment Activity and one of the things that she told us was "Imagine that the thing which irritates you the most, is the one way that your husband has of showing you how much he loves you." It makes it easier to deal with something that's irritating when you just tell yourself, this is him trying to tell me that he loves me.

Anywho, personality test. He put up 4 different personalities and described each one of them. I wasn't really able to decide which one sounded most like me, but I think it's kind of interesting to think about and learn about.

Dominant

• concerned about the bottom line
• task-oriented
• gets things done
• will tell you, rather than ask you
• time is very important to them
• usually offend easily, but offense is unintended
• best way to deal with a dominant personality is to take them seriously but not personally

Expressive

• energetic
• fast thinkers and fast talkers
• use their hands to express themselves. Ask an expressive to clasp their hands in front while talking, and they'll have a hard time talking
• relationships are very important
• want everyone to like them
• can't say no, tend to over-commit themselves
• usually thinks out loud
• physical touch is very important
  
• creative

Analytical

• think about everything
• ask lots of questions to understand
• can't leave things undone and it must be perfect the first time
• get really excited about a deal
• need a lot of information before they can make a decision
• have a checklist-but not so much excited about getting it done, as they are about checking something off

Amiable

• nice
• like working in a group, team oriented
• one of their biggest motivations is making other people happy, even if it makes them unhappy or suffer
• need to be asked, rather than told
• uncomfortable with touch, prefer some distance
• get sidetracked from their list
• don't get upset often
• will avoid conflict at all cost

Have fun with deciding which one you are. There's also another personality test that I've taken a couple of times called the color test. It assigns specific personalities different colors according to their motivations. I took it, and found out that I'm 47.5% Red, which is kind of depressing because among the famous people that he names who are red, are some dictators.

Congratulations you are a RED.

Reds are motivated by Power. They seek productivity and need to look good to others. Simply stated, reds want their own way. They like to be in the driver's seat and willingly pay the price to be in a leadership role. Reds value whatever gets them ahead in life, whether it be in their careers, school endeavors, or personal life. What reds value, they get done. They are often workaholics. They will, however, resist doing anything that doesn't interest them.

Not the most flattering thing, so thankfully, I'm not even half that. Promise. If you're interested, you can take the test at http://www.colorcode.com/personality_test/ Enjoy.

Ew ew ew ew: Tales of chocolate sauerkraut and sushi

I'm sitting at work and overhear someone talking about chocolate sauerkraut. Is that even possible? Should those two things ever be spoken in the same sentence? Hmm, chocolate and fermented cabbage. Sick.

Then I remembered when we were on our cruise, Aaron and I saw chocolate sushi. Oh my gosh. Poor chocolate. Having to touch things it was never intended to touch. Now it has to be next to oozing fish juice and kelp. Smothered on top of it. With little chocolate sprinkles.

Top that.

I don't think Gary is going to marry you

This weekend Aaron and I got to go down to Overton. We had talked about going down in February to visit and somehow Mitchell (my little brother) heard us talking about it and was so excited for Aaron to come so that he could play the Playstation with him. So we really didn't have a choice. It was a short visit but fun and exciting and complete with lots of cute sayings and funny stories.

We left at 10:00pm (UT time) and didn't get to Nevada until 2:00am (NV time) so 3:00am for us. We walked in the door and Kim bounced over to say hi along with my mom. I started noticing the Valentine's Day flowers on the table and went over to smell them and look at them. Kim seemed kind of antsy and finally stuck her left hand under my nose (right in the middle of my gerber daisy sniffing).

Me-"OH MY GOSH, YOU'RE ENGAGED"

Kim-I tried to call you twice, and then I tried Aaron's phone but his phone was rejecting my calls.

Kim then started to tell me about how it had all happened. Apparently Gary had talked to my dad the last weekend they were down and had gone with his mom to pick out the ring. Then on Friday night, he sent Stephanie outside with some rose petals to scatter on the sidewalk. When she got back, Gary told Kim that he was tired and asked her to walk him out to the car.

(On the sidewalk by Gary's car)

Gary-You know, it was 8 months exactly today that I asked you out for the first time. Best decision I ever made, and it was right here that I kissed you for the first time. What's that on the sidewalk?

Kim (looking down)-Oh it's just leaves (POOR GARY!)

Gary-Are you sure? I kind of think it's rose petals

Kim-No, they're leaves

Gary-Kim, I'm pretty sure they're rose petals. Feel them.

He then dropped on one knee and asked her to marry him. Now here's the kicker, just that day Emilie (my little sister, she's 5) told Kim "Kim, I don't think Gary is going to marry you. I think he's going to marry me. I think he likes me more because he's always talking to me and wanting to sit by me..." So it's finally official. They're thinking May 30th in the Las Vegas temple, which would mean that they get married exactly 5 months after me. My poor parents...my poor dad.


Mitchell invited Aaron and I to his Parks & Rec basketball game on Saturday morning, so even though we got home at 2 and didn't get to bed until 3 after the engagement excitement died down, we got up at 7 and made it to his 8 o'clock basketball game. He and Emilie are on the same team. It was cute to watch and Mitch made 3 baskets. It helps that he's the tallest kid on the team.

Feminine and Gay

I guess it's time for some updates. I'm really bad at blogging. I'm glad other people aren't though because it's interesting to read about their lives. Every conference when they talk about journal writing I feel really guilty because I know I should be doing it...but I don't.

Yesterday was so nice. Aaron and I went to church and then decided that all we ever do anymore is homework and work. So, we vegged. He worked on his car model (a Nissan Skyline) and I cross stitched. I'm excited to have it done so I can frame it and then start working on another. Aaron's also into flatland biking. His last bike was stolen last semester so we just got a new one. He broke it in yesterday. We drove down to a big parking lot and he practiced his tricks while I sat in the car and stayed warm and watched. I wish I wasn't such a big chicken. I'm too scared to get hurt to try stuff like that. But after I get hurt, I realize that it wasn't that bad. That's probably why I suck at ice skating. I'm too afraid of falling on my butt. So I instead cling to the wall and look like an idiot that way.

My anthropology professor has the coolest accent. I can't place it, but he sounds just like a professor and he wears argyle sweaters. One day we were talking about how different cultures interpret different things. Our professor scanned the audience and asked one of the boys to come up and sit on the piano in front of the class (a class of about 300) the way he was sitting in his seat. This guy got up and sat on the piano and then crossed his legs-the way a girl would. Aaron looked at me and pulled a face. I thought, "Wouldn't that be uncomfortable?" Then the professor, in his accent (which Aaron imitates very well, if you ever see him, ask him to do it for you) said

"You fellows, what would you think if you were a seventh grade lad and you saw one of your classmates sit like that?"

A long pause

"Exactly...feminine and gay."

It was so funny. Poor guy though, in front of everyone. Well, I guess he learned his lesson.


The cross stitch I'm working on. I'm way excited to finish it.

I could cry

Yesterday was the 30th, which meant it was time for Aaron's ring to come in. I called Samuels (they didn't call me :D) and they told me that the ring was in. After Aaron got off of work we hurried over to go and get his ring. He was so excited.

We got to the mall and walked straight to Samuels. Since it was closing, they only had two salesmen and we had to wait for a little while until they could help us. While we were waiting we were messing around and trying on the ring sizing rings that they have. Aaron was trying on the 7 1/2 and it was falling off his finger. I started to get kind of worried because I remembered that being the size that the girl told Aaron he needed.

When the salesman was finally able to help us he went and pulled out the ring that we've been waiting 2 months for and Aaron tried it on. It fell off his finger. I wanted to cry, I was so sick to my stomach. We'd waited 2 months and it was too big.

The salesman told us it would be another month before a new size could come in. Aaron was a little frustrated and I just wanted to cry. I wandered around the store looking at the rings while he talked to the guy because I knew if I was up there I would have burst into tears and I didn't want that.

After we left the mall, I was so frustrated and upset. It was just so sad to have him get his ring and then have it be too big and now we had to wait another month. That would mean we would have been married for two months before he got his ring. And the guy didn't even say sorry. I think that's what's bothered me the most about this whole ordeal. I have never been apologized to. They just pass the blame off on someone else. I really don't care who's fault it is. I just want someone to try to make it better, to go out of their way to try to make me happy, or grovel...something. Their indifference KILLS me.

This morning Aaron and I decided to look on the internet for a ring like his best friend Spencer told him to do. Well guess what. We found the exact same ring, for 160 dollars cheaper, and with a lifetime warranty, and lifetime resizing. I guess tungsten rings can't be resized so if you shrink or expand you have to get a new one. So we ordered it and it should be coming in a week. It was really nice calling Samuels and telling them we wanted to cancel our order. It made me feel better anyway, and we got a much better deal than we had with them.

I feel better

Rants, Raves, and Rings

So, a long time ago in December, December 6th to be exact, Aaron and I went to the mall to get his wedding band. While we were looking, Aaron pointed at one of the rings and told me that it was made of carbon fiber. All I could think of was

Me: "Wow, he knows a lot about rings."

Obviously Aaron had some explaining to do. His response was obviously masculine, so worries were quickly quenched.

Aaron: "They use carbon fiber in cars, and engines."

Me: "Oh..."

Anyways, the ring was perfect. It was tungsten and carbon fiber and he'd really wanted a tungsten ring. We picked it out, paid for it, and was told that we would get the ring in about a week and they would call us when it came in. Since we were getting married December 30, there was plenty of time and we weren't worried.

FAST FORWARD 10 DAYS

Aaron kept asking if they'd called about my ring yet. I finally called Samuels Jewelers and asked about the ring. The girl told me that those type of rings usually don't come in for 3 to 4 weeks. I did some quick mental math and figured out that 3 weeks would put us at December 27th. I was slightly annoyed but figured that some prayer could help us get the ring in time for the wedding.

FLASH-FORWARD TO DECEMBER 30TH

We're sitting in the temple and Aaron is still ringless. I felt so bad when the sealer asked if we were going to exchange rings and I had to say no, because Aaron didn't have his ring yet. He'd been wearing his CTR ring but it's too big and he's always having it fall off his finger.

JANUARY 6TH

Driving home from Las Vegas, I checked my phone to see if Samuels had called. They hadn't so Aaron called (since I had no voice).

Aaron: Hi, I'm calling regarding an order for Rachelle Lyon about a men's wedding band that was placed December 6

Samuels: What order?

My mouth almost dropped. I had the receipt and everything!

Samuels: We'll work on locating the order and then call you back

AN HOUR AND A HALF LATER

Me: I don't think they're calling back

Aaron: I'll call them back.

Aaron: Hi, I'm calling about Rachelle Lyon's order

Samuels: Um, we're not quite sure what's going on with the order. We sent a fax to our company and it didn't go through. We'll send it again and call you back about what's going on

JANUARY 10th

I had gotten my voice back somewhat and figured that waiting 4 days for them to call us back was slightly ridiculous.

Samuels: Hi, this is Micah, what can I do for you?

Me: Hi, I'm calling about an order I made on December 6th for a men's wedding band. I was just wondering what's going on

Samuels: Well it looks like your order was placed January 7th, which doesn't make any sense because I have your receipt and it looks like you paid for it on December 6th. Tell you what, I'm going to call our distribution center and find out what's going on and I'll call you back

Me (in my head): Yeah right

I was getting ready for our open house while I was waiting for them to call back and told my mother-in-law Corinne that if Samuels hadn't called back by 5:00pm (which would have given them an hour and a half) I was going to call and ask for their manager to complain.

5:00PM

Me: Can I speak with your manager please. It's regarding an order

Manager: Hi this is Micah (yes the very same guy I'd talked to before!)

I basically told this guy that we had been told so many different things and I didn't even know if my ring was ordered and every time I had called I was told that I would be called back and I never was. He then offers this lame excuse that they got really busy and so he wasn't able to call me back. I'm thinking, a hour and a half and you can't find it in you to make a 5 minute phone call that you promised to make?

He then went on to say that he had no idea what was up with the ring but that if I gave him until 11:30am Monday morning he would call me and tell me what was happening. And if he didn't call me by 11:30am Monday morning, he gave me permission to call him...

12:00pm Monday, JANUARY 12th

I'm looking at my phone and notice that Samuels Jewelers is calling. I can't answer because I'm in class but am so happy that they're finally calling me back once, even if it is later than they said they would. I listen to the message after class and it's Micah, telling me that the ring will be in on Friday

SATURDAY, JANUARY 17th

Aaron and I are at Maceys buying stuff for a salad that we were taking to a family dinner and I call Samuels again because guess what...I haven't been called telling me that the ring is in

Me: I'm calling about the status of my ring

Samuels: It's scheduled to come in on January 30th. We've been having problems with our tungsten rings

Me: What? Why did the manager tell me that it would be in on Friday? I don't really care if it's coming in late because of problems with your orders, what bothers me is that your manager lied straight to my face when obviously you knew that it was supposed to come in on the 30th

Samuels: I don't know why he'd do that. If your husband wants a titanium ring, we can have that in a week or so

I'm thinking, I don't want a titanium ring, I want the ring that Aaron picked out and has been so excited to get and I'm so sad for him that we've been married for 3 weeks and he still doesn't have a ring and we've been lied to everytime we talk to this stupid company. I am NEVER going to Samuels again. So now we're waiting until January 30th...If another blog post appears on January 31st with an angry title, you'll know why :)

Wedding Pictures

Blogging and work...is it legal?

I'm at work right now, bored...I don't think anyone is ever thrilled all the time to be at work. The days when it's just so slow I want to scream. There's only so many times I can check my email and facebook before I have almost everything memorized. Thankfully though because it's the beginning of the semester, the Records office at BYU has been really busy with people wanting transcripts, and to change their names and marital status. So to keep people happy in the long lines, they play Disney movies. I've gotten to watch them too and it's kept me happy, except for the one day when they played the Jungle Book over and over and over and over (I could keep going, but I disgress)

Aaron got a job a couple of days ago. It was so exciting. He's been looking for over a month, and with the economy as bad as it's been he hasn't had any luck. Last week though, he had three job offers in two days. It was definitely an answer to prayers. He's working for Sydney Financial Group. From what I understand, if you have a loan, they help you pay off your 30 year mortgage in 10 years. He's really excited about working there and has already told me that when we build our house we are using Sydney Financial. I don't really understand how it all works but he tries to explain it to me during dinner.

Cough cough...hack

Oh I have been so sick lately. A couple days before our wedding, I decided that puking my guts out in the toilet all night sounded really good. For the next few days I didn't eat anything because I was so scared of it coming back up again. I almost passed out in the temple when I was going through for my endowments because it was so hot and I hadn't eaten anything.

Thankfully Heavenly Father loves me and my wedding day I was just fine. It was a beautiful day and I loved every minute of it. The reception was a little long, but it was beautiful I was so happy to have all my friends see and meet Aaron.

Then it was off to the honeymoon and time for Rachelle to get sick again. I only went on one ride at Disneyland because I was so tired and my head hurt and my throat was sore. Aaron was so good about it. We went back to the hotel and slept and then spent New Years Eve at iHop because neither one of us had eaten all day. It's actually fun to eat pancakes and kiss over them with fireworks from Disneyland going off in the distance. I recommend it.

Then we went on our cruise. Again, poor Aaron. All I did was sleep and cough, and on top of that I got seasick as well. He took such good care of me and thankfully was sleepy too. Our cruise ended up being a time of sleeping and eating (which I guess is what they normally are). I did find it in my to totally kick his butt in Monopoly though :)

And now we're back. I've been trying to get us moved into our apartment and go to school and work all without a voice and a cough. This morning I woke up and threw up again and Aaron told me that we needed to go to the doctor. So we went this afternoon and after lots of tests, X-rays, and blood work they told me that I have a congestion in my throat. I'm on antibiotics to make sure it doesn't turn in pneumonia, I have a decongestant to try and break up the mucus, and some nasty cough syrup so that I can sleep at night. Hopefully this works. I am so tired of being sick. The doctor did tell me that if I'm not better by Monday I have to come in again. So cross your fingers and your toes (maybe your eyes too)