Jordan and Laura

New Blog

2011-10-26T12:37:00.001-07:00

Hello! Jordan and I have switched to a new blog called Jordan-Laura.blogspot.com.

Say goodbye to this blog and we'll see you at our new one!

2nd trip to Moab

2011-10-12T22:51:00.000-07:00

We are starting to love this place too much. Here are some photos from our fun trip!

Hey Jordan!

A very nice foreign guy took this for us

harder than it looks...

ta-da!

hikin husband

prettiest place

how does this look so cool?

we love driving!

working the camera

we love Moab

free hotel room? ok.

railroad

crouching tiger...

a hole in the wall

great echoing goes on here

We don't wanna go home!

Jordan and I both each drove a van down. We left at 6 AM and it got a little snowy up in the canyon, but we made it! We ate at yummy restaurants (eat at Pasta J's!), visited the shops in town, and just enjoyed the perfect weather. Hiking to Corona Arch was the highlight of the weekend for sure. Very fun place. If you've never been there, go! It's a different planet down there.

Tests and coldness

2011-10-07T08:41:00.001-07:00

Sorry about the hiatus. Life is happening. Here are some updates!

It was 75 degrees on Tuesday. I almost went hiking. Then I remembered I had to study.
It is 33 degrees right now. The mountains are covered in snow. So long, summer.
Jordan and I have been married almost 1/3 of a year! We still can't believe that.
I get to eat lunch every single Thursday with a lovely (21 year old!!) Lisa Hepfinger. Happy golden birthday, girlfriend. Even when it's snowing and blustery, we meet up and revel in the greatness of life at BYU.
Boulder is awesome

My parents are in town soon!! I can't wait to see them. I'm making them my dad's famous chili.
Last weekend Jordan, Katie, Cj and I drove down to St George to see Rachel run in the MARATHON!! She did even better than her time last year. That's right. She's run it twice. She's inspired us and we are all running it next year. Even Mama and Papa Wade are running it!!

Jordan and I have started training for a half ironman that will be in June in Idaho.
This week I have taken 6 tests and 3 quizzes. And worked 22 hours. And gone to 13 hours of classes. I have no life. Hallelujah we are leaving this town tomorrow for MOAB!! We each may be driving a 15 passenger van down there.. more to come later.
In a drastic turn of events, the testing center scored one of my tests incorrectly and instead of getting a 57.3%, I actually got an A! I went from sad to straight up thrilled.
Yesterday was one of the coldest days of my life because I was under-dressed for unexpectedly chilly weather.
We got a grant. Why didn't I know about these sooner??
My dad sent us a huge case of soups and peanuts from Amazon. BEST DAD EVER!!!
But seriously, he's the best dad ever. Never in my 21 years have I heard him complain about a single thing, or even raise his voice with anyone. He always had time to go on a bike ride with me. He made sure, with the help of my mom, that we went to church every Sunday. He does his best for his family and for God. He's the man. I love you dad!
We eat crepes every day. Jordan puts healthy stuff like fruit in his. I put in choco-chips.
I miss my fam-jam, but the good news is we are going home for Christmas!!! Tickets have been purchased and Im already packing my bags.

There are a bazillion other things going on, but I feel like writing about why this is my favorite time of year. Tis the season of our meetiversary! Jordan and I met at Lisa's birthday party in September of 2009. Here is a photo from that night:

Note: I am neither of those girls. Stacey and Joanna, back off my man. I wish we had a photo from this night!

And this is us at Lisa's birthday this year:

Our 2 year meetiversary!

We started dating in October of 2009. OCTOBER!! I love this month. I feel like we just started dating all over again. Have a happy weekend!

School and fun

2011-09-10T08:27:00.000-07:00

School and work are in full-swing! Life is busy, but we're still having fun. I went to a work retreat and had to leave Jordan for a few days. It was our first time apart since we got married and it was saaaad. But we both still managed to have fun! He worked and spent time with friends while I rode a slip-n-slide, played shuffleboard, put-put golfed, hiked at night, and learned rules of intramurals.

hiking to the timp waterfall

We went to St George the next weekend. We hung out with Jordan's awesome family and enjoyed the nice weather.

Three things we always do in St. George: 1. eat Mexican food 2. swim 3. see a movie. We saw the Help with Jordan's parents and we all loved it! We swam with little Lexi and ate Mexican food at Durangos. But something we did something we've never done together! We went BOATING! And we camped in the honeycomb rocks. It was a great trip!

On the way home from St George, we stopped in Lynndyl for a little family get-together with most of my cousins and aunts and uncles on the Nielson side. It had been a long time since we've all been together, so it was nice to catch up and see everyone again. We played super-uno and had a barbecue in Grandma and Grandpa's yard.

Last weekend we went to Moab and it was UNREAL!! I just about died when we drove into Arches Park and saw the amazing red rock walls everywhere around us. We hiked, Jordan RAN up some steep rocks, and we overall had the time of our lives. The best part was that it was an all-expenses paid trip! His boss needed him to work a few hours in Moab, so we enjoyed a night in a cute hotel and dragged main in Enterprise cars. It was a dreamy weekend. It was hard to come back to reality! We stopped in Price, Utah on our way home and ate at the only diner in town. Ahh we had so much fun on our trip!
This weekend we are in Provo, for once. Jordan woke me up with breakfast in bed this morning since my throat's been bothering me. How sweet is he?? He's at work right now, and I am going to Costco soon to get some medicine. Plus it's Saturday. Free samples. Then Jordan has a flag football game this afternoon.

We are thrilled with marriage! We've had many cheap trips to Jdawgs and have made lots of yummy dinners together. We had a picnic the other day in the park.

On Labor Day we went to Jordan's grandparents house in Salt Lake and enjoyed a huge family get-together. His grandpa told stories and his grandma looked around at everyone with a smile so big, you could literally touch the love emanating from her heart. She is so cute. Jordan and I feel very lucky to have all four sets of grandparents that give us advice, make us laugh, and give us so much love! His grandparents sent us home with 12 ears of corn from their mini cornfield.

Tomorrow is a very important day to remember. It's hard to believe ten years have passed since that terrible act of terrorism. I'll never forget the things I saw, the heartache I felt for those who lost loved ones, and the way it brought our country together, strengthening us when we felt so weak.

Tomorrow is also Jeff and Nathan's birthday, and I hope they have a happy one! Jeff is at the BYU game today and I hope he brings them good luck! I love you guys!

Have a great weekend and LET'S GO COUGARS!

Jordan running up a huge rock in Moab

Backpacking Timp

2011-08-15T09:29:00.000-07:00

If you find yourself trapped in the middle of the woods without electricity, running water, or a car you would likely describe that situation as a “nightmare” or “a worse case scenario like after plane crash or something.” White people refer to it as “camping.” - Stuff White People Like

Jordan doing a trail mix ad

Our packs were pretty heavy and I am definitely sore today, but I forgot all about my pack when we came to our first snow glacier-- who knew I was going to be so terrified of them? Who knew there was so much snow on Timp in August? Who knew that bringing a hiking pole would have been extremely helpful?

Jordan started walking across the glacier, very carefully, but not too nervously. I couldn’t even put one foot on that slippery, steep mass of white ice. I kept thinking about how steep the slope was and I knew that if I were to slip with my backpack on, I’d slide to the bottom of the mountain. And die. And it would have been so dramatic and sad! Eventually Jordan coerced me into making the first few steps. I was so nervous that it was hard for me to breathe, let alone make strides. Jordan said a joke that made me laugh so hard and calm my nerves a little tiny bit. I finally crossed the first glacier and was really proud of myself, but shaking in my boots. Literally, because I was wearing boots. Then came the next glacier. This one about 3 times longer than the first one. We dug our fingers into the snow and took about 4 inch steps, facing the mountain. It was horrible. Just thinking about it makes my muscles tense. I swear I pulled 6 muscles every time I crossed a glacier. There were 6 glaciers. The last one we crossed was the longest one, at about 40 yards.

I hyperventilated.

Jordan probably thought I was the biggest wimp ever, but he helped me make it across. I was living in constant fear of crossing glaciers until we finally stopped for the night at (frozen) Emerald Lake. We breathed a sigh of relief to be done for the day, but that’s when the real fun started.

We brought a mini-stove/pocket rocket with us to cook some MREs for dinner. When we couldn’t get it to light, we knew something was wrong. When it started getting really windy, we knew something was really wrong. Then the rain came. We hadn’t set up our tent yet. It was very dark. One gust of wind came that almost blew all of our stuff off the mountain and I accidentally screamed. I bet other campers thought I had fallen off the mountain. We scrambled to set up the tent while praying out loud that everything would calm down. Suddenly we had about 15 minutes of great tent-setting-up weather. We finally got into our damp little tent and tried to get our stove lit again. Still nothing. We (Jordan) tried making a fire (possibly against the wilderness rules, but we were desperate for anything warm) and nothing would light because there was no dry wood. Finally, we lit our stove with a match and we got to eat hot dinners at 10380 feet! It was such a comical night and it only got better when Jordan tried to sleep for 6 hours in a woman’s sleeping bag while I was snoozing all night in a huge, luxurious men’s mummy bag. I was seriously swimming in it, and Jordan’s barely covered his belly-button. He didn’t want to wake me up and ask to switch, the sweet guy! At about 6 am he asked me if we could switch and once we did, he was suddenly out like a light. We got these sleeping bags as a wedding gift and had no idea there was a man's bag and a woman's bag. Poor Jordan. Now we know! I think I got about 9 hours of sleep that night and he maybe got 3. The rain didn’t stop until about 9:30 in the morning.

We finally saw what our tent looked like in the morning. no pillows. lots of rocks.

When we both woke up we both agreed that we heard footsteps around our tent all night. We got out of our tent and there was tons of pooh and we looked around and spotted 12 huge mountain goats climbing on the mountainside. We realized that we were sleeping on the goats’ turf! Sorry, goats! Thanks for not goring us in the night!

do you spy 8 goats in this photo?amazed at how cool our campground was

about to start hiking again

The hike back down the mountain went so much faster than coming up. We saw another goat, but this time really up-close. They are huge and really muscular!

our faces...

when we saw...

the big goat!

Having already crossed the glaciers, I wasn’t as nervous coming down. Even though it sounds like a potentially miserable time, we had so much fun and kept a really positive attitude about the silly situations we kept getting into. We certainly had a very memorable time and we look forward to backpacking in St George next weekend!

Hope you kept your feet clean over the weekend!

For Grandma.

2011-08-11T15:04:00.000-07:00

The person I know for sure will read this. I love you Grandma! I hope you are feeling much better :)

The past week according to photos:

mmmm yum

During his lunch break, Jordan wanted to go to a pizza buffet. My health's worst nightmare, but in my heart, a dream come true. While we were there, Jordan spotted his favorite game from an arcade in St. George. I didn't know that was a real pastime! There are dorks actually dorky enough to go spend an afternoon putting quarters in a machine to play a few minutes of 1980's animated video games? And one of those dorks is my husband? At least he doesn't play Halo. Unless he's with my brother Tom. Seriously though, Jordan was so cute-- he didn't know I was taking these photos, but I had to capture how intense he was about the whole thing.

making change for a $1 bill

We had the Wade's come stay with us for 2 nights while Eli was playing in a soccer tournament in Park City. I don't have any photos from their visit or from the tournament :( I wasn't the best sport at the game, because unfortunately I do no love soccer. But Eli's really good so it was entertaining! After the game, Jordan and I went to Olympic Park since I had never been there. We went to the skiing museum and looked at the pretty scenery in Park City.

Yes this happened. ^

Eli's friend Jonathan was also here for the tournament and it was his birthday during their stay with us so I made him a cake and we partied all night.
Partying all night at our house=playing bananagrams until about 9 when we want to fall asleep. Marriage=so much more sleep. More sleep=so much more energy. With all that energy, this morning Jordan and I got up at 5:30 and ran 4 miles together! It was heart warming.

Today according to photos:

When I got home from work this morning, Jordan came home for lunch. We ate ice cream afterward. He said our bowls were mama and papa bear servings:

When he left, I started on dinner. I know, what a house-wife! I had to get an early start to get these in the oven. They have to cook for 2 hours! The house smells really good right now...
I'm making a recipe you can find here, with the addition of chicken. When I opened the hot oven, my glasses fogged up for the first time in years. I forgot how funny that is to me. Think about it, whether it happens to you or somebody else, it's funny.

Anna Hayes in London, circa 2010

Speaking of glasses- I got mine adjusted to fit my face today! Want to see how blind I am? Notice the thickness of the lenses. Then notice the corner of the couch in real life. Then look through my lenses and see the difference! I shouldn't be allowed to drive...

Despite being blind, I couldn't help but notice this ladder being propped up against our house.

Ironically, this is the second day in a row that a ladder has been next to our window. Back-story: Yesterday I locked myself out of our house and, since he was at work, Jordan's friends came over with a huge ladder to try to break in through the windows. It was a no-go because I deadbolt everything that has a lock, which includes our windows. When I saw and heard this ladder today, I thought it was Jordan's friends again, playing a prank or something. But when I heard foul language, which I dislike more than soccer, I opened my window and yelled, "excuse me!?"?!?! A construction worker was climbing up the ladder and almost fell right off when I scared him with my exclamation. He is installing new shutters on our windows right now, which I think is unnecessary, and I definitely thought the noise and language was unnecessary, so I told him so. It's gotten much quieter after that, besides the drilling.

On Saturday we are going to backpack Mount Timpanogos and camp by Lake Emerald- elevation 3210'. Apparently it's really cold up there, so we'll pack lots of warm clothes. And hope we make it to the top (4580') and back in one piece!

our hiking supplies

Now go have a fun weekend! Summer doesn't last forever! Try to enjoy it as much as Jordan enjoys this game:

2 bucks and 1 hour

2011-07-29T14:18:00.001-07:00

My after-work treat to myself: making these coasters! And eating a York peppermint patty.

I cut squares from fabric I already owned and modge-podged tiles that cost $0.16 each at Lowes. I added some felt to the back of each to keep them from scratching the table.

Go do a craft! It's fun.

As of Late

2011-07-24T16:10:00.001-07:00

Jordan's 24th birthday was on Tuesday. After a little mix-up that involved him inviting his friends to dinner, Katie and I threw him a surprise party where his friends really were. We ate at JCW's and afterwards invited his friends to dessert at our new apartment. He had a happy happy birthday. It's so cool that we always get to celebrate birthdays together for the rest of forever! Here are pictures from his surprise party and from his birthday dinner at Olive Garden.

Jordan plays softball for his Enterprise team. I go support him, but mostly I people watch. You see, he plays in Taylorsville which is apparently where the 40 year old, boob-jobbed, party-going, bimbos (that also happen to be grandmothers) spend a lot of time. I hear a lot about their shenanigans from the night before at their wild parties. TMI? Yes.

We just saw Harry Potter on Thursday night and I haven't stopped thinking about it since.

I'm watching Harry Potter 3 right now. Then Harry Potter 4. ABCFamily.

Friday night we went camping with our ward in Hobble Creek Canyon. We ate a ton of yummy food and played a trivia game around the campfire with other young couples. It occurred to me how short this time in our lives will be, however long it feels like it may last right now. Before we know it, we'll have little kiddies yanking our pant-legs asking where to find the camp-ground potty, or which tree is best to tinkle on. Who am I kidding though, I wasn't a camper until high school, so our kids may not even want to come camping with us. All I know is that I really like camping as a couple. It's something I've already started to cherish. Anyway, before we went to bed, Megan and Blake came into our tent to play cards with us. I'm atrocious at all card games besides phase 10. I don't think I have ever laughed so much while camping. The only time that rivals how fun this camping trip was would have to be girls camp with Anna in high school when most nights we giggled ourselves to sleep.

I'm very distracted right now by our humming oven. It sounds like an egg timer on ecstasy. The humming/buzzing usually is worst when the oven is on. But low and behold, I haven't used the oven since Tuesday. Ugh.

Yesterday when Jordan came home, he walked in the door, his hands behind his back. He turned around so his back faced me and I could see that he was holding a bouquet of roses and some chocolate covered oreos! The man knows me so well!! Chocolate is the way to my (and any sweet-toothed girl's) heart. It was absolutely the sweetest 1 month anniversary surprise. He gets all bashful and smiley when he has a surprise or secret. I love it.

Yesterday I found Jordan's camera memory card from his mission. We got Los 3 Amigos for lunch when he got off work (anniversary lunch/the Provo skweez) and I surprised him with the pictures in my camera. He hadn't looked at them since his mission and it was great to watch his eyes light up as he looked through the pictures from as long as 5 years ago.

We went swimming and then grabbed sno-cones on the way home. They were huge and so sugary that I could barely make it up the steps when we came home.
Tonight Tom is making us lasagna for dinner! Now I'm gonna go pick up Anna from the airport :)

Mr. and Mrs. Wade

2011-07-24T13:28:00.001-07:00

Hello!

I am Laura Wade. I am LDS. I go to BYU. I am a happy happy girl. I am a partner in scripture study every night. I run. I am a Bed Bath and Beyond shopper (with gift cards only). I am cooking every day. I am happier than I have ever been. I was engaged for 4 months and 19 days. Now, I am a wife. I am married to the best man in the world!

This is Jordan.

This is me.

This is us on the happiest day of our life.

We were sealed in the DC temple on June 24 and we have been living the dream ever since.
Seriously, sometimes I think I'm dreaming. I tend not to go all mushy on my blog, but I'm so deeply in love with my sweet husband. Like goo-goo ga-ga. We are so glad to be together and we're not sure how life could get any better. And then the next day comes and we realize that day was even better than before. It's a crazy thing, marriage! I like Jordan more than I like chocolate.

Both of our families spent so much time, effort and money to make everything as perfect as it was. I wore my grandmother's pearls and was married in a dress that my other grandma bought me. That was a really neat thing for me. From the flowers to the cake to the food to the dance party at the end of the reception, the whole day was perfect. Our friends made the whole experience even more special. We even got to run off to our honeymoon in a tunnel of sparklers! I can't even express how grateful we are for everything our families did to make such an unforgettable time in our lives such a happy memory. It's odd that the wedding is now a memory and not something to count down to. Hmm. I haven't thought about that until now.

But what a memory it was!

Baltimore was our first big stop the day after the wedding, so we went to the Baltimore Aquarium. It was so crowded but we saw a lot of pretty fish and icky sharks. Then we wandered around the harbor, which is really trendy and fun. The next day we left on a cruise to the Bahamas for our honeymoon. There, we learned that tourism is the number one economy in the Bahamas.. Each of our 3 bus drivers liked to list "the top economies" and then asked for a tip on top of the cost of the cruise excursion. That aside, I'd definitely recommend a cruise to all honeymooners. Snorkeling was our favorite day-trip, but we also spent an afternoon at the Atlantis Resort and another day at Cocoa Beach. I wish so badly I had an underwater camera for the snorkeling because we saw hundreds of colorful fish so up close. We also swam with 3 sting rays! We exercised in the ship's gym every day to make up for the hourly meals and late-night hot chocolate trips. The best vacation ever.

We had an open house in St George on Saturday that was stunning. Jordan's mom has worked her tail off the get the back yard to look pristine for the open house and, dang, was it ever. Before the open house, we all went hiking in a slot canyon. My first time doing a slot canyon and it was awesome! Also awesome- my whole family was together for the first time ever! Mikey, Stephanie and Krista weren't able to be there for the DC portion, but everyone made it to Utah. I'm not going to post all of the photos because I put many of them on Facebook.

The professional pictures were all taken by an awesome photographer and friend, Justin Stubbs. I recommend him to everyone looking for a photographer! He mostly shoots in Utah, but we brought him out to DC, too.

Now we're settled into our first home. We like it. See for yourself!

Did I mention I am learning to cook?

Did I mention that Kello Togashi gave us the coolest wedding gift ever? All of these boxes of my favorite cereal! Thanks Kelly!!
I made a little afternoon project of replacing knobs in this bland entertainment set.

Here it is, all spiced up!
In London, I collected a lot of knobs on Portobello Road. My mom also bought me a couple from Anthropologie for Christmas.

Life is good. Jordan says hi!

Arrival of the Laptop!

2011-07-20T12:49:00.001-07:00

My mom sent a package in the mail to our new house today. We haven't opened it since Jordan and I are both at work right now. But when I get home, expect the return of my blog on your dashboard! The box is full of birthday goodies for Jordan and a few things I forgot at home during the wedding- most importantly, my laptop. Thanks for sending it mom!

Love,

Laura

Going Home

2011-06-17T07:15:00.001-07:00

I'm at work right now.

Before you think, "get back to work, slacker," let me assure you that nothing happens in the intramural office between spring and summer term. I'm pretty sure no one on campus is aware that the office is open.

...lonely...

There are no windows. Someone please tell me what's going on in the world because I have no idea until I leave work and see the light of day.

No one else comes to work. Not even the director or the assistant director. I make it sound really bad, but I love my job, especially when school is in session and people come in all the time. It's nice to get paid to hang out here between semesters! In fact I got paid this morning, and every time I get paid on a Friday I instantly think of this song and can't believe it's real. Thanks for all of those Nsync concerts, Mom.

So here I sit, beautifying the office and twiddling my thumbs, listening to early 2000s pop until I get to fly home.

I said goodbye to Jordan last night until he gets to Virginia for our wedding. Even though I was sad to say goodbye, HOW COOL IS THAT! The next time I see him in person we will be getting ready for the biggest day of our lives. For our last night together, he took me on a "Provo memories" date and we did things that we have loved doing in Provo since we started dating in 2009. It was the best way to end our run as single people in this college town.

After work today I can throw out my temporary nameplate, "Laura Nielson," and when we get back from the Bahamas I can put up my real nameplate, "Laura Wade"!!!!

mmm mmm mmm life is good.

life is goo ooo ooo ood.

You know what else is good? Family. Especially my parents. Today they are celebrating their 30th anniversary! By celebrating, I mean my dad is going camping with Mikey while my mom picks me up at the airport with MK. Such romantics.

Despite them not being together very much on this special day, my dad will still spoil my mom. He is the master of buying flowers. I bet you 10 bucks there was a big bouquet of flowers waiting for my mom when she woke up this morning. He's just good like that.

They're also going to my favorite restaurant for lunch, Coastal Flats. Live it up lovebirds!

MK and I will keep my mom company by staying up all night giggling. I love my parents so much and I'm so glad to have such a great example of a happy and healthy marriage, especially as I'm taking the same big step in my life. Mom and Dad, you are the best. I love you guys!!

I can't wait to go home and be one step closer to marrying Jordan! He is amazing man and I couldn't be any more excited to be his WIFE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

loves

xoxo

smooches

hugz n kissez

SEE YOU AT THE WEDDING!

The final countdown.

2011-06-12T11:08:00.000-07:00

The countdown is coming to an end. 12 days from right now I'll be a married woman! I can't wait to be Mrs. Laura Wade.

Jordan and I had a little practice run last night when we took bridals together. Our photographer, Justin Stubbs, was so energizing and Anna was the best hairstylist/hair-fixer/lip gloss applier/reflector screen holder! We had a blast. Some of the photos were taken in a little orchard by the mental hospital. Creepy? I know. The others were taken at Utah Lake for sunset. We may have been a little late for sunset, and the wind may have been 40 mph, and the water lake have flooded the whole entire park, but hey, we had fun and we can't wait to see the pictures!

Here's my hair in progress while Anna was getting me ready.
I'm not kidding, Anna really got me ready for bridals like a mom gets a little kid ready for school. She seriously knows her stuff. I just chilled while she worked away doing my hair, putting my dress on me, helping me with makeup, etc. The only thing I had to do was brush my teeth! Even when I got a little teary-eyed when Jordan and I first saw each other and he was so dang handsome (it's true, I'm a cry-baby), she touched up my makeup. Anna, if you decide you don't like teaching, you should consider going into professionally dolling people up for photos. I luh you dough.

On Friday Jordan, Heidi and I went to a beautiful reception for a very dear friend of mine, Jenny Hanson. She is one of the sweetest girls I've ever known in my life, so it was amazing to see her in her stunning wedding dress, so happily married to a great guy. I was so thrilled the whole night. I'm not sure if it was the adorable pink decorations, the fun music and dancing, a sugar high from all of the candy, or the sparklers at the end, but it was just an incredible night!

we're neeeext!

My last chance to participate in a bouquet toss
Ahh so pretty! She had her dress made and it was perfect.

Scuse my immodesty...

Jordan's softball team lost in the championship game. It was sad. It was a fun season for a ton of best friends. Lots of these guys are coming out to the wedding, which we're so excited about!

I wish I had photos from this, but I'll write about it anyway. Jordan's mom and he sisters threw me a really fun bridal shower in Salt Lake. What a generous family! I got all kinds of fun stuff and really thoughtful and meaningful gifts. His mom made us a beautiful quilt, which is what my mom gave me at my bridal shower at home. Great moms think alike! My Grandma Nielson and some cousins were there. We had a ball. I rode to the shower and back to Provo with Katie, who I'm so excited to call one of my new sister-in-laws in less than 2 weeks! She made me and Jordan the yummiest dinner the other night at 11pm. I'm not kidding, she's that nice. And Rachel is working on a wedding video for me and Jordan. You probably get it. His sisters are the bomb. I haven't said that since 7th grade. Okay, fine, I say it a lot.

Big news- ShaneCo is the best jeweler in the world. Yeah, yeah they sell all kinds of great rings, including both mine and Jordan's, but more importantly:

They have a Hot Chocolate machine. If you can't tell by the look on my face here, I'm completely jazzed about it.

Little news- Jordan's car got fixed, so we had to return the Lincoln MKZ to Enterprise. We got in an accident that ended up being the best thing because we rode in luxury for free since the other guy's insurance covered the damage and a rental. Sad day when we had to take it back in. We were too spoiled in that car. Seat warmers AND seat coolers, aka heaven.

We already miss you, car.

Grandma and Grandpa Nielson had us stay with them last weekend.

We went four-wheeling. Only after Grandpa put Jordan to work, fixing air pressure in all of the bikes. They truly bonded over that boring manly stuff. When we were riding, there were 4 horses that ran across the trail right in front of us and we can't think of a better word to describe how cool it was besides majestic. They ran right in front of my grandpa and he somehow didn't see them. Should it worry me that a 70 something year old is riding around like a maniac on a four wheeler and didn't notice 4 large animals passing 20 feet in front of him? He's great. I love being in Lynndyl with the people I love most!

Grandpa, happy Sevier River is so high.

A few weekends ago we went to St George and jumped into a waterfall, ate lots of yummy food, went swimming, saw Thor, laid in the grass with Jordan's family, learned (almost) how to rip stick, and celebrated Memorial Day. It was a perfect weekend. It always seems to be anytime we're there.

Weather in Provo has finally understood that it's spring, so it's been nice to go on walks and to swim anytime we're not at work or I'm not at school (which for right now is really never). Once we're married, I'm not in classes in the summer so I'll be seeing a lot more of the outdoors!! This excites me very much.

Other stuff that's going on...

1. Jordan and I ding-dong-ditched cookies at his aunt and uncle's house and we miscommunicated our getaway plan and we ended up in a situation that caused me to laugh for a very long time. The same aunt and uncle had Jordan, Katie and me over for dinner a few nights later.

2. I had a stalker/creeper moment on my way to class a few weeks ago and the surveillance camera captured the creep in action who followed me from the library to my classroom in the RB. For those who don't go to BYU, that's a long way! He asked me if he could touch my hair. After begging me to take my hair down, he reached for it, and I went into my classroom, scared and mad that people are allowed to be that weird.

3. I love Jordan, but I love Jimmer Fredette second. We brushed shoulders the other day. I literally touched him. And then I saw him on TV that night! As Mary Kate would say, I'M FAMOUS!

4. My Nielson Grandparents bought me and Jordan all of the clothes we'll need for our wedding, which was very sweet of them.

5. My Dougherty grandparents have been married FOREVER! Really though, 57 years is a long time. They are still such lovebirds. Congrats, you beauties!

6. Jordan and I love Braza Express. We keep that place in business.

Wish me luck on my finals, papers, projects, presentations, cleaning checks, attaining a marriage license, getting interviews, finalizing our cruise, packing up my whole life, and running around like a chicken with my head cut off for the next few days before I go home.

Life is too good to us. We are happy as can be! I can't wait to see my family in 5 days!!

It's June?

2011-06-08T23:29:00.000-07:00

When did it suddenly become June? School and work are crazy right now. Not to mention our wedding's in 2 weeks and 2 days! And I go home in 9 days. So much to do before then! I'll put up a nice pictury post soon, promise! For now, this will have to do:

Our first picture together, November 2009. I love him! And I am so grateful for hair clippers.

Happy 100 days!

2011-05-17T23:12:00.001-07:00

Tonight Jordan and I celebrated our 100th day of being engaged. We made a pizza with 100 pieces of toppings on it. We also ate the whole thing by ourselves. Then we started watching Casablanca, but work comes early so we decided to turn it off about a half hour in. Before we celebrated, we got in a little car accident :( Jordan's car is out of order for the time being, but neither of us got injured and the guy that hit us was apologetic and nice.

I picked up my wedding dress yesterday with some of my sweet friends. It is DONE! No more alterations- it is all mine. I would post pictures, but a certain someone is not allowed to see my dress until we take bridals next Saturday.

Last weekend I went home to have a bridal shower with the women in my ward and women who influenced my growing up years. Rachel Barker was even there because she's interning in DC! We also sent out invitations, planned lots for the wedding, picked out my wedding shoes, and best of all I got to spend time with my awesome family. It was so fun! The weekend flew by too fast, but it was very productive. I had a really bad delay in DC that caused me to miss my layover in Chicago so I spent the night in a hotel in a city I've never been in. It was not planned, so it really stressed me out, but it ended up being fine! I just wanted to be back with Jordan. I already miss home but I'll be back in 30 days, and this time, to marry Jordan!

speaking of countdowns... only 37 days!

Now for some photos :)

Thank goodness for April showers.

2011-05-08T21:50:00.000-07:00

They've brought May flowers! It was 85 degrees this weekend. HALLELUJAH! We took advantage of the heat by going to the tulip festival at Thanksgiving Point on Saturday. That same morning Jordan and I ran in the Provo City Half marathon. It was the best running weather. For the first time in any of the races we've done together, we ran together from the starting line through the finish line! Jordan's knee is not 100% better yet, so he took it easy and ran with me :)

Anna Melinda Goode is back in town!!!! She's returned to us from an adventure in New Zealand and I feel bad that she came from paradise to... well, Provo. I guess it could be worse. Either way, it's so good to have her back here.
Melissa is engaged. She wasn't yet when this photo was taken. She gets married the week after me! I'm so excited for her and I still need to meet her man! Mckenna got her mission call and is currently in Florida for an exercise internship before she leaves for her New York Spanish speaking mission!

I started working at the BYU Intramural office a few weeks ago and I'm not quite used to everything yet so I feel like an idiot bugging the rest of the office staff with silly questions. I got my first really angry caller last week and it was not as bad as I thought it would be. He didn't know we had caller ID and got a red card for the language he used on the phone with me and couldn't play in his games that week. The good news about my job is that I get my official nameplate soon with the name "Laura Wade" printed on it. This makes me very happy. And yes, I have been practicing my new signature...

Jordan graduated from BYU last month!
Now he's working at Enterprise in Orem and we are both so busy that we don't see each other half as much as we'd like to. When we are together though, we play Bananagrams. It's the best game and I'd highly recommend it to anyone who likes word games. We bought a Scrabble board and use that for the game instead of actually getting the real game. He is playing on an intramural softball team so it's been fun to go watch him play. His team consists of a ton of goofy guys that are mostly mediocre, but sometimes surprise the fans with great plays.

School this term is keeping me very busy because I'm taking 9 credits. Why did I think it would be a good idea to start a new job and take the maximum credits I can take in the term leading up to my marriage? Oh yeah, because I'm taking forever to graduate. The classes I'm taking are really amazing though. One is called Mind/Body Health and another is Drug and Substance Abuse. I feel like I'm going through some kind of rehab program with the things I learn in both of these classes, but I love it. The other class I'm taking is Doctrine and Covenants. My teachers are all great and one of them is Jordan's Stake President who will be interviewing us right before we get married!

Last weekend we went to St George to go to a wedding reception for one of Jordan's best friends from home. It was a fun weekend full of yummy Mexican food (a Wade specialty) and of course, hiking.
Our ward had a fun tailgating party before the BYU baseball game the other day. I live in a great ward. We're tight enough that we play twister together.

Wedding stuff is great. My mom got centerpieces worked out this weekend and when I go home on Wednesday (for the first time since before New Years!) we'll be sending out invitations and doing all kinds of fun planning. My dress will be completely finished on that same Wednesday. Lisa and Jessica were so sweet to throw me a really fun bridal shower in April that got me even more excited for the wedding.
These days when people ask, "When's the big day?" my response no longer makes them say, "Oh man, you've got a long way to go!" Instead people say, "Oh! That's coming up!" This is wonderful news. Only 46 days!

My Mother

2011-04-11T10:10:00.001-07:00

"I don't want to drive up to the pearly gates in a shiny sports car, wearing beautifully, tailored clothes, my hair expertly coiffed, and with long, perfectly manicured fingernails.

I want to drive up in a station wagon that has mud on the wheels from taking kids to scout camp. I want to be there with a smudge of peanut butter on my shirt from making sandwiches for a sick neighbors children. I want to be there with a little dirt under my fingernails from helping to weed someone's garden. I want to be there with children's sticky kisses on my cheeks and the tears of a friend on my shoulder. I want the Lord to know I was really here and that I really lived."

— Marjorie Pay Hinckley

This quote really reminds me of my mom. Especially the part about the station wagon.

Happy Mother's Day Mom!! I love you so much!

April

2011-04-06T23:46:00.000-07:00

This is one of the best months of the year. Mostly because of April Fool's day, which I didn't take advantage of this year. We took engagements on April 1st and I wanted to put on tons of eye makeup and then pour water on my face and tell Jordan right before we took pictures that I called off the wedding. I decided this would actually not be funny, and would potentially ruin the photos, so I didn't do it. Another really great thing about April is the shift from freezingness to manageable coolness. It has officially taken place. No more wearing coats on my walk up to campus. I refuse to wear them from now until winter, even on days when it does dip into the 30's. Yahoo for April!

Here's what's been going on lately.

We played croquet at the Provo Beach Resort with Courtney and Mike. This place is sweeeet. It's like a grown-up Chuck-E-Cheese. It's obviously very sophisticated too, considering the croquet course. I didn't know what this was until recently. Any sport that requires players to swing a mallet between their legs seems way too dangerous to me.

Does something look out of place here? Maybe a knee cap? Jordan busted his knee the other day, but don't worry, it wasn't while playing croquet. It happened playing basketball 24 hours after we both signed up for a half marathon that takes place in a month. If it's still so swollen and sore by then, maybe he'll be my biggest fan on race day? I seriously hope he gets better by May 7 so we can race together!

Rachel, Mary and I went to dinner with CJ's mom and told our favorite CJ stories. The common themes in all of the stories about her are that she was often lost in a big city or getting in trouble, whether it was Spanish guards pointing guns at her for taking photos of government buildings or when we giggled so hard we almost got kicked out of a violin concert. And now she's on a mission probably making every person she meets in Colorado laugh til they cry.

I got a job. A great job. A job that I plan to keep for the rest of my days in Provo. There are many many days left. Approximately 730 happy days.

Many trips to JCW's to celebrate new jobs and birthdays. This is the best burger restaurant to grace Provo with its presence, ever.

I saw Lisa dance last week and will be watching her dance again tomorrow! Go to the RB room 166 at 7 tomorrow night. The best part: Admission's free!

Took 2 dance tests myself.

Skyped with Anna. I'm missing this chica but she's loved her study abroad and will be back and we'll be living under the same roof in no time!!

Mom tasted wedding cakes with MK and picked what will be served at our reception! Lucky ducks.

Picked out bridesmaid fabric with Denise, Rachel and her friend Caitlin.

Ate at Durangos with Broc and Erin.

Hiked in a beautiful canyon.

Hung out with Jordan's family aka my future in-laws over conference weekend. They are wonderful people and I always love an opportunity to go down to St. George. The fact that it was 88 degrees and we swam in the pool all weekend didn't hurt one bit.

Watched Tangled a billion times.

I signed up for fall semester classes. I have 57 credits left before I can graduate. And 200 internship hours. Cool! Provo= awesome life.

Got a slap watch from my mom, like the bracelet everyone had in kindergarten. I love it and have been wearing it like it's my job. Man, I wish I could get paid to wear watches. My consistent accessories are my hook bracelet, my engagement ring, and a watch. I became addicted to wearing a watch in London when I was phoneless and needed some kind of time-telling gadget. Now that I have a phone again, I look at the time on my phone and then compare it to the time on my watch. I always prefer the time on my watch because it gets me places earlier.

We book our honeymoon cruise this weekend!

Only 3 days of classes left and then l start training as BYU's newest intramural secretary during the reading days!

Life is good. I love being in love.

They've got more bounce in California

2011-03-25T14:48:00.000-07:00

A week ago today, I was in California with my fiance and some awesome friends. Katie and I shared a room together in Jordan Tanner's beautiful house in Yorba Linda. We

went to the beach (the first time Jordan and I have ever been to the beach together!)

played in the sand- I revelled in the idea that it would be months before I could actually wear a swimsuit in Provo
ate on the roof of Ruby's on the pier
hot tubbed, ate homemade treats and watched a movie at Spencer's

went to a wedding
attended a lovely luncheon

wandered around Hollywood which terrified me for the most part, but I got cool sunglasses
ate and danced at an amazing reception! Jordan's band, Straight Monday, played at the reception and everybody got down
drove to and from California in Marcus' mom's Escalade eating all kinds of car food, including all of the Costco food Sister Tanner loaded us up with while we were staying at her house

our car collectively ate 3 packages of peach rings
The whole weekend was a whirlwind of fun and happiness. Now, a week later, It's snowing in Provo and I go to classes all the time. Thank goodness Blake and Megan got married and gave us an excuse to create our own spring break!

BIG NEWS THAT TRUMPS THE CRAPPINESS OF SNOW: Jordan found out yesterday that he got a job that we'd been hoping and waiting on since early February!! Now we know that I'll be able to finish school at BYU and we'll be around here for a while longer :) Things have been falling into place like crazy lately. We're very blessed. We celebrated by going to JCW's. My awesome brother Tom treated us to delicious shakes and we ended the night by watching Godfather II. Life is good to us.

Two weeks ago, Nathan and Stephanie were visiting for their spring break. It was great to have them here for a few days!

My mom is doing all kinds of fun planning for the wedding in VA, and I'm bummed that I'm missing out on stuff such as cake tasting and picking out flowers. I'm just glad that if anybody gets to do it besides me, it's my mom. She's the best. She surprised me by sending me an awesome book today that I had mentioned sounds good. And she knows that I love stationery and instinctively replenishes my stock just as I'm getting low. Even 2,000 miles away, she knows me almost as well as I know myself. I love you ma!

Stand a Little Taller

2011-03-25T14:43:00.000-07:00

A Noble Society

He hath brought to pass the redemption of the world, whereby he that is found guiltless before him at the judgment day hath it given until him to dwell in the presence of God in his kingdom, . . . in a state of happiness which hath no end. Therefore . . . lay hold upon the gospel of Christ.

-- Mormon 7:7-8

"What a marvelous thing it is to belong to a society whose purposes are noble, whose accomplishments are tremendous, whose work is uplifting, even heroic. . . This is your church. You have embraced its gospel. You have taken upon yourselves a covenant in the waters of baptism. Be proud of your membership in this great cause and kingdom which He has restored to earth in this, the last dispensation of the fulness of times. Why? To bring you happiness."

-- Gordon B. Hinckley

It looks like London outside

2011-03-14T14:32:00.001-07:00

Today the sun isn't completely out and it's been drizzling a little bit. Instead of being in a bummer mood because it's yucky weather, this just brings back good memories from a year ago:

Twin day with a complete stranger

home sweet home

castle

Harry Potter maze

I also miss Sister CJ Gilson. She is serving a mission Colorado Springs right now. She's amazing and I think of her all the time-- especially when I'm cold and I have to remember that she's knocking doors in the 20 degree weather.

It's one day closer to summer. And 102 days until June 24. But who's counting?

200th post

2011-03-07T02:10:00.000-08:00

This little bloggie started in Spring of 2009 when I had just come home from Provo for my first summer post-college. Since then my blog has been in London, Denmark, Paris, back to Virginia, California, and Utah. And now my blog is taking you to Bed, Bath and Beyond...

Before we went to register

showcasing the bathroom stuff

Jordan just freshening up

Who knew this place could be so fun? It is STUFFED with everything a newwed couple could ever dream of and so so so much more. They should change the name to Infinity and Beyond. The best part of the day was that we saw a bed spread and both said that we loved it in unison! Registering with Jordan was a dream, not only because he's colorblind and leaves all color choices up to me, but also because we get to imagine one day, not too far off, when we're actually going to be using all of the stuff we are picking out! It's crazy and exciting to compile such a huge wish-list. We're not expecting to get most of the stuff we're registering for, but it's fun to dream.

Today we went to my grandparent's in Lynndyl and I forgot to bring my memory card, hence the lack of pictures. Siiiigh. We had a fun day taking it easy in a small town. We walked around the railroad tracks and explored creepy abandoned houses. Grandpa talked about rocks and Grandma forced us to eat a lot of food and sent us home with some. In the end, we didn't complain. They are the best and it's amazing to have them so close by.

Now it's back to school for the week until we jet off to Blake and Megan's wedding in California! It would be nice to actually take a jet, but road trips are far more memorable. So here's to making some memories this weekend! I just need to get a nutrition test out of the way and mentally prepare myself for the fact that I will be on a beach in less than 6 days. This seems far too good to be true.

Happy new week!

Jimmer-mania

2011-03-07T01:39:00.000-08:00

The last home game was on Saturday afternoon. Rachel saved us good seats because she had been in line since the night before, bless her heart. It's funny to think that while she was camping out at the Marriott Center, Jordan was carrying me up the mountain. It was the best game I've been to this season. So fun and our team looked gooood. Since we won the conference championship, there was tons of confetti flying at the end and they players and coaches got to cut down the net. During a timeout, everyone in the crowd did THIS. Because it was senior night, Jimmer said a few words and everyone worshiped him. It was the best.

On the way home we made a pit stop at Jdawgs.

That night we went over to Courtney and Mike Kelly's to make pizza. The plan was to eat and then head to the dollars to see Megamind, but we were having so much fun that we just stayed at their place the whole night.

mmmm
cutest marrieds award goes to the Kellys

Today was stake conference. It was so good. It was all about being engaged, and there was some awesome counsel and advice that we are taking to heart. Life is so good. I am happy as a clam! Have a good week, readers!

Love,

Laura

Jordan can't cross his eyes.

Haunted House

2011-03-05T01:51:00.000-08:00

What was I thinking?

Some people love haunted houses, and others not so much. Haunted houses that cost 10 bucks where a masked dark figure follows your around breathing loudly in your ear, the kind that end with a chainsaw man chasing after you? I can deal with those. In fact, I usually like them because you know you're allowed and expected to scream and be all jumpy. But the free, real-life, mysterious, dark, damp and creaky floor-boards haunted houses? They terrify me.

Jordan and I went on a group date tonight after we made our favorite dinner of shrimp tacos. The plan was to go to a haunted house. The last one we both went to was a chainsaw kind on our first date in October of 2009. I was excitedly telling him on the way, "How fun! A haunted house, just like our first date!" We drove down to the middle of nowhere in Mapleton, Utah, got out of the warm car and into the freezing cold wind, and started walking. This is when the "what was I thinking" mentality started. It was an uphill hike in the kind of snow that doesn't look too deep, but then you step on it and sink a foot. I was wearing Toms, which I can now officially declare are the worst shoes for snowy hikes up the side of the mountain. Jordan offered a piggy-back ride, but I thought there was no way I would put him through the torture of carrying me up such a steep slope in deep snow. Less than 2 seconds later and after a few sinking steps that soaked my Toms, I took him up on the offer.

You know how old people feel like young people live in a world far more luxurious than theirs? Ten miles to school, barefoot, in the snow, uphill both ways. Well, my world remains luxurious. But Jordan...

He carried me all the way up. What a MAN! All of the guys were saying that his vertical jump is going to be even better now for dunking. Stab at my weight? Fat joke? Even so, I was amazed. I kept asking him if he wanted to stop for a second to catch his breath but he just kept plowing through the snow until we got to the house.

I hate real-life scary things. I have known this since I went to an abandoned house with some friends in high school and saw a lot of weird stuff that I won't describe in this blog. Why did I think I would be gung-ho about going into another abandoned house on the side of a mountain? Jordan forced me in. I guess I deserved it since he carried me up the mountain.

We went in.

The ceiling was dripping, the floor was caving in all over, graffiti, holes in the wall, creepy noises, all the wonderful and welcoming abandoned house stuff that you'd expect. I hated every second of it. Some of the other girls were laughing and having a good time. I was glued to Jordan and not breathing. The worst part was the basement. I dislike basements in a normal house, so why would I enjoy a smelly and creepy as crap basement? We went on the roof to tell scary stories and that was my favorite part because we weren't inside the house and we had a cool view.

What was I thinking #1. Now Jordan knows what he's getting himself into: a marriage where I'll choose bad footwear on purpose because I expect to be carried. Everywhere.

What was I thinking #2. I hate haunted houses.

What was I thinking #3. I didn't bring a camera.

Going back down the mountain was a little quicker for Jordan to piggy-back me, but I still can't believe he did that. We need to take a re-enactment picture and post it.

The poor guy. . . but he said he still wants to marry me anyway!

ipod photos

2011-03-04T14:35:00.001-08:00

I just realized I could put pictures from my ipod onto my blog! How fun! I'll describe each photo with 1 word.

yoohoo

engaged

car

sunset

neon-tree

cowboys

Kitty

torture

"Thomas!"

Lucille Ball

butt-part

Christmas

engagements

...

Grandma's

Lunch

femme

superhero

chefs

marrieds

slab

New Zealand

favorite

normal

Grad school

2011-03-01T17:15:00.000-08:00

No, I did not get accepted to grad school. I didn't even apply, silly people!

Today it was warm outside, almost hot in the sun. I sat at my kitchen table and felt like I was getting a sunburn through the windows. I went running and, for the first time in months, sought shade at the stop lights so I could cool off. I ran into lots of people that I love on campus today. Tom treated me and Jordan to JDawgs for lunch where we finalized plans with our photographer to fly out to DC. We are booking our 7-day cruise honeymoon to the Bahamas... I think you get the picture. Today was the best. But it only gets better:

CONGRATULATIONS KATIE WADE!!

You see that envelope she's holding? She got accepted to BYU for grad school today. This girl rocks! We jumped up and down screaming and decided that we're all going out for celebratory shakes tonight. Only after I go to my first official wedding dress fitting and then enjoy half-off sushi with some London loves. I told you today was a good day!

TGIF

2011-02-25T15:58:00.001-08:00

I LOVE WEEKENDS!

Last night Jordan took me to see Chronicles of Narnia. Being a bit more money-wise lately, we of course saw it at the dollar theaters. Jordan has read all of the books and we both really liked the movie and were pleasantly surprised at how blatantly Christian the theme was. It was really cool!

It was snowing when we were leaving the theater! Some days it's 60 degrees and others we get 5 inches of snow. Provo's the best.

Today we wandered Costco for awhile looking at all the cool food and stuff they have there and we imagined one day when we'll be able to buy all kinds of things that look good. But for now, we're just sticking to the essentials. The best part about Costco- free samples. And the awesome lunch date- even though Jordan's hot dog made him sick...

This is what I ate for my afternoon snack. I cut up the peppers and the orange, washed the carrot, and plated it all before I realized how orange it all was:

Am I colorblind?

I bought my dress today!!

2011-02-21T20:49:00.001-08:00

Jordan and I celebrated the dress purchase and his return back to Provo from Idaho by going to get lunch at Tucanos. I'm still full. That place is the devil. But I love it! We made brownies à la mode, watched Dodgeball with a few friends and called it a day. A perfect day.

Wedding inspiration board

2011-02-20T15:13:00.001-08:00

Dresses: I've tried many on and these are the top 3My favorite part of 3rd grade was the section on mummification.

We're both very patriotic! It's true, but this last dress...

It's won me over! I've always noticed that brides just sparkle on their wedding day, so I want to guarantee that this will happen for me. This is the one! I won't let Jordan see it until the wedding day, so he better not read my blog!!!!

Cakes: We want ours to really represent us as a couple.

We're thinking maybe Hello Kitty? Jordan and I are both really into that stuff.

Keeping our guests in mind, maybe something really yummy and easy to eat, like a cake made of balloon streamers? Hey Mickey!

Redneck cake? Little Debbie has a special place in both of our hearts.

We could be a little showy and display how loaded we are with the number of $1 bills we have (all 9 of them).

Or maybe even a replica of my hand? Sentimental.

Ahh, a replica of myself! That's it! And I'll look way happier about it than this chick!

Oh yeah! The only things we have picked out for sure are the rings and my shoes:

no words. just love.

I know it'll be in June but... I just can't resist these cute shoes!

I love planning!!!!!

ENGAGED!

2011-02-07T16:22:00.000-08:00

The day: June 24th, 2011

Where: Washington, DC Temple.

To whom: Jordan Michael Wade

We can't contain our excitement!

For those interested and prepared for a lengthy read, here's how it happened.

On Saturday morning, Jordan's good friend, Blake Hansen came to my door all dressed up with a rose and a note. Jordan wrote:

Ms. Laura Kae Nielson

You are cordially invited to dine with me this evening at eight p.m. Formal Attire is requested.

Sincerely,

Jordan M. Wade

It was in really fancy (but still boy) handwriting. I was so excited and anxious because my dad called me the second after Jordan had asked for his permission just the night before (like me and Jordan, my family members have a hard time containing excitement). I had to do something to keep me busy and expell some of my excited energy, so what did I do?

Study for my physiology test?

Do service?

Spend my time wisely in any way?

No. The only thing I could do to get out all of my energy was work out. I ran... actually sprinted 5 miles on the Smith Field House short track, which is quite the feat for me because I usually get bored after 2 laps on any track. I saw Jordan while he was working at BYU intramurals. Neither of us said much about the date that night, mostly because neither of us really knew what to say. He didn't want to give anything away and I didn't want to ask questions. SO I came home and showered, picked out options for my outfit, paced around my apartment for an hour, looked at my outfit choices again, paced again, filed my nails, narrowed down outfit choices, painted my nails while pacing, picked an outfit (of course it ended up being the most basic thing I own), and got ready. This was a 3 hour process. Then I was ready 2 hours early. Those who know me well know that I rarely get ready for anything at all. Sometimes I shower for dates, and sometimes I put on mascara or cute shoes while running out the door. But not this night. This night was big. I could feel it.

I'm also not usually this dramatic in blog posts. It's fun.

Jordan picked me up and said we were going to "Le Restaurant Marcist". I knew right away that this meant we were going to his house where his roommate Marcus would be our waiter. When we got there, not only were Marcus and his other roommate Casey dressed up and speaking in French/Russian/Italian accents, but the apartment was really clean with white lights and flowers around a nicely set table. I was so awkward and nervous the whole night because the setting was perfect for a proposal and we all knew it. Casey and Marcus left after serving us the food that Jordan had made. It was just me and Jordan sitting in his front room. He was making small talk while eating slowly and I swallowed all of his delicious homemade food in one bite and sat twiddling my thumbs for an hour while he finished calmly eating. He kept making movements that looked like he was about to get on his knee and pop the question but NO! Nothing happened. He said he thought he was getting a pretty bad cold and had to wake up early for meetings the next morning and wanted to take me home. This was the first hint that something was up. It seemed odd that he wanted to go home so early. Then one of his friends bolted in the door as we were leaving and awkwardly ran to the back room, visibly embarrassed, and stayed there until we left. Hint 2. We drove to my house and had to park really far away because there were no visitor parking spots, or any spots on the street for over a 1/4 mile. Another hint that something fishy was going on. We walked to my house and opened the door...

The apartment was dimly lit by more white lights and I saw the ring in an open box on a rose petaled table. I started crying. He got down on not one, but both knees and asked me to marry him. I said YES!

We partied.

We're engaged.

And so in love!

sick

2011-01-31T21:10:00.001-08:00

Last night Jordan came home from his weekend in San Fransisco where he visited his aunt and uncle. He came bearing gifts and medicine! I love him.

I went to school today, which wasn't a good idea because it's likely the only thing I accomplished was spreading germs. I don't remember much about any of my classes because I was sneezing and blowing my nose so much. Yuck.

Tonight Sister Wade was in town for a funeral (sad) and she took us out to dinner at Kneaders (awesome)!

Happy FHE night!

The Lower Lights

2011-01-30T19:53:00.000-08:00

Rachel and I went out to lunch this weekend with CJ's mom. We laughed, we cried, but we mostly laughed. We miss that girl! She's an awesome missionary in Colorado. This is a classic CJ style pic. And her mom looks exactly like her!

Listened to this music all day... I love it

Thanks for recommending it Rachel!

Goodnight bloggers!

Thankful

2011-01-28T22:45:00.001-08:00

This is my Grandma Dougherty, the drag of the week in 1952. My grandpa got lucky. She is one of the most beautiful people I know!

This is my Grandma Nielson. She has the quickest wit and the best cooking skills west of the Mississippi.

This is my mom. She is also beautiful loves her kids more than any mom in America. There's a newspaper article to prove it. Mom, you know the one I'm talking about!

These are my sisters. They are both great examples to me in their own individual ways.

I am so grateful for these women and I love them with all of my heart.

Jordan's 1/2 birthday, Jimmer night and Peter Pan

2011-01-28T00:16:00.000-08:00

St. George 1/2 Marathon

2011-01-27T23:36:00.001-08:00

30 degrees warmer than Provo and always sunny, St George was the place to be last weekend. Jordan and I went down to run in the St. George half marathon. Don't worry, there were tons of really flattering photos taken by professional photographers during the race and when we were crossing the finish line. Can't wait to purchase some of those...

Here are some actually decent photos from the weekend.

Jordan and Eli

Pre-race dinner at Benja's- my new favorite restaurant in St. George

I'm bald in this photo. but isn't that a cool horse?

Before the race

After
How different do we look??

home from the race

he wanted to run a full marathon

My feet were annihilated... blood blisters and all. But it was my fastest 1/2 marathon ever (1:52:42)!

ewwww!

hiking on petrified sand dunes
we also went into a cave that was formed by an air bubble formed in lava

Eli's life= Fifa. Cat's life=hating everyone besides Eli

Jordan playing piano... me wishing I could play the piano

Check out that black eye. He learned not to mess with me after that! Just kidding... he got hit in the face playing basketball :(

After 5 days, I'm finally not sore anymore! Provo half-marathon... look out because here we come!

2 Things I've loved lately

2011-01-14T10:34:00.000-08:00

Condoleezza Rice and recipes.

She came to speak at BYU yesterday and it was incredible. She taught how people from the humblest of circumstances can do some of the most amazing things. She said to be optimistic and don't become discouraged, especially with all of the opportunities around us on this campus and all over the world.

I also love love LOVE recipes. Give me your all-time favorite. I'm making a collection.

Famous Grannies

2011-01-08T13:03:00.000-08:00

This should have been posted in December...

Both of my grandmas are famous. One won the showcase showdown on The Price is Right in the 80's. The other was on TV once for making over a hundred gingerbread houses. Every year, Tom, Anna, a cousin or two, and I go for Thanksgiving dinner and right after we eat, we get started on our houses!

Me and Anna this past Thanksgiving on my grandpa's stargazing platform right before starting our houses

These are some of the gingerbread houses we've made in the past 2 years:

I've got some pretty awesome grandmas! Here's a video from 2008 when Anna and I punked my grandma while making gingerbread houses. Much like my grandmothers, this video never gets old.

Ray Ray

2011-01-08T12:35:00.000-08:00

Rachel Barker...

I love you! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

bye 2010

2011-01-01T19:30:00.001-08:00

2010 was a happy year. The best 2010 I could have imagined. And now we're all going to face that problem of still writing 2010 on all of our papers. That's the worst! And now I have to start filing all of my documents on my computer into a folder that reads 2011?? Crazy. I feel like I've time traveled into the future because I feel closer to 2001 than I do to 2011. Anyway, enough babbling, here are some things that happened in a happy happy year. I:

had the time of my life in the real Harry Potter Land, London

picked a major that I love
have had a job since coming home from my study abroad. That unfortunately ends now. But this is a list of good things from 2010, so it counts!
had a cool bedroom everywhere I lived- London (dorm 4 divas), Vienna (Mary Kate), BYU (my awesome roommates and Anna's life-size Jacob cut-out)

went to Paris

saw Band of Horses live. twice

went to Denmark, the land of my ancestors

went to Northern England

didn't go to the doctor's
spent the summer with my family

ate lots of yummy foods, mostly purchased and/or made by Tom

raced in a triathlon and the dirty dash

spent time with some of the greatest friends I could ask for
got a new sister-in-law

took anatomy, my favorite class so far at BYU
had an owl perch on my hand

saw a few girlfriends get married to some lucky fellas

went camping
had the craziest trip of my life on the way home from Europe
raised tadpoles into frogs with MK

visited more temples this year than I have in the rest of my life combined

made frienemies with Ralph Nader

sent off a missionary

was jazzed about life
turned 21
biked a lot with my dad
hung out with all of my grandparents
made lots of new friends
started dating my hottie boyfriend

had the best Christmas break of my life. Until it came time to say goodbye to Anna and Heidi who are leaving for New Zealand. Anna and I go wayyyy back. And Heidi is one of the sweetest girls I've met at BYU. I'll miss those girls! Don't worry, they're both getting blogs for their awesome trip.

circa 2005

I'm a happy girl and I can't believe 2010, one of the best years of my life, has come and gone, but 2011 can hopefully be just as good with resolutions made and kept. Happy New Year to everyone!

Jordan's DC trip

2010-12-23T12:05:00.000-08:00

Jordan came to DC for the beginning of Christmas break because, believe it or not, he had never met my parents! Plus, we knew it would be very fun if he came. So here are some pictures!
On Sunday we went to church and then to the temple that night with Jessica and Mark to see Jenny Oaks Baker perform at the visitors' center.
On Monday we went to DC to see all the sights! My dad spoiled us and took us all out to lunch and to get cupcakes at Hello Cupcake.
Later that night we went to see some of our favorite lights in the area with the family. And of course we had to stop at Krispy Kreme on the way home!On Tuesday we went to Clarendon for lunch at East West Grill.
At night we played games, Jordan played the piano, went to MK's basketball game and chorus concert, and watched movies.
Jordan went home on Wednesday afternoon :( but before he left we went to Fosters and met up with some old friends.my biggest competition for Jordan is Mary Kate. She loves him. We were sad to see him go!
This may be my last post before Christmas, so have a very merry one!

Cool things about Christmastime

2010-12-13T10:36:00.000-08:00

White Elephants

Thanks for the wallet Rach!
Fuzzy socksCards from home

Onesies and amazing roommatesSurprise burger birthday parties

The Salt Lake City Temple lit up at night Embarrassing Tara at her bridal shower

Slab with Missy and Tom

One of my first homemade dinners at BYU (in 3 years. embarrassing?) Thanks for the recipe Mom!Coupon books

London ReunionsUgly Sweaters

Christina Jane Gilson entering the MTC on Wednesday

The day CJ and I became friends. She ate a huge chunk of butter thinking it was cheese.

CJ had her farewell yesterday in Salt Lake. She gave an incredibly moving talk on how she came to the decision to serve a mission. She loves people and people obviously love her- the chapel's overflow was overflowing! I am going to miss this girl. She has changed my life and she's about to go change so many more.

Baby Houdini

2010-12-09T13:26:00.000-08:00

I've given up on the 30 day describe yourself thing and I'm back to normal blogging.

I feel so bad for my mother. I can only hope my someday kids will be less limber and dare-devilish than I was.

I was a torturous child when it came to being strapped into stuff. Whether it was my high-chair, stroller, crib, even the diaper changing table, I was not a force to be reckoned with. Whatever it took -- back-hand springs, loosening some tape, crawling out, unsnapping buttons, untying ties --I would configure an escape route of some kind, pretty much anything to rub my mama the wrong way. I > all child-safety devices.

Yes, my mom put up with a lot. BUT WAIT A MINUTE. The real reason I feel bad for her is because she has the eternal guilt of knocking out my two front teeth, and so very violently.

I was sitting in my car seat, a sweet innocent little 3 year old. As I routinely came loose from my seat while she was driving, my mother abruptly put on the breaks and I flew forward into the passenger seat in front of me and my two front teeth became a thing of the past as they joined the bloody mess on the floor.

So that's the story.

I went from this sweet little angel with teeth

to this vampirish, loose-necked-moon-turtleneck-wearing, freak child.

And those bangs?? Well, I guess they could be worse

After a few minutes when I came to and my sobbing mom realized I wasn't dead, with a gap-toothed grin I sang to her, "Don't Worry, Be Happy."

Mom, even though you've obviously scarred me for life, I forgive you.

A picture of something I hate

2010-12-06T08:23:00.000-08:00

There are few things I hate. WRISTS WIN. Especially in the first picture.

I'm donating blood today. The one time I tried to do this in high school, the woman pricked my finger, I got really light-headed, fainted, and woke up to a stream of apple juice being aimed at my mouth, but really poured all over my face. This was before I even got the needle in my arm. At least I missed some class and got free cookies after the fact!

Today I'm going to be strong. I'm not going to freak out! Wish me luck.

After 9 days of being Amish, I now have internet and my phone is working! And tons of studying to do for finals.

Happy Monday!

No internet

2010-12-01T08:06:00.001-08:00

I write this on campus. I have no internet at my apartment. No blog posts for that reason. Anatomy Final today. WISH ME LUCK!

Laura

A picture of something I love

2010-11-25T22:19:00.000-08:00

celebrity crush

2010-11-24T21:34:00.000-08:00

ever since Matilda

A picture of someone you see yourself marrying/being with in the future

2010-11-23T09:17:00.000-08:00

Today's theme is extremely awkward. But I'll go with Bret McKenzie. This is me with him at the park.

He is from Flight of the Conchords, Grandma. It's a funny show. He's also from The Lord of the Rings.

A picture of someone who has gotten you through the most

2010-11-22T22:10:00.001-08:00

He has me through everything.

A picture that makes you laugh

2010-11-22T01:27:00.000-08:00

St. George

2010-11-22T00:45:00.000-08:00

Jordan and I drove down to St. George on Friday afternoon. We listened to great tuneskis in the car and were accompanied by Mary Tuscano who brought many treats! We made it to St. George in under 4 hours! We went to Jordan's cousin Erin's wedding dinner that night. She married a boy named Broc and they are a great couple. On Saturday after the sealing, we ate lunch at an awesome restaurant called Twentyfive Main. It was YUMMY! They had great cupcakes. Then BYU stomped New Mexico in the football game that afternoon. That night we went to the wedding reception to eat, see the happy bride and groom, and dance. The reception and Erin were both beautiful.

One of the best parts of the weekend was being spoiled by the Wades. I got the best bed in the house AND freshly picked flowers in my room! How lucky am I? Jordan and I were also very well-fed the entire weekend. After church this morning, we ate a quick dinner and then Katie, Rachel, Jessica Marshall and I started our long journey back to Provo.

We left St. George this afternoon at 4:30. It's almost 2 am and I just walked in the door. How did it take 9 hours to get from there to Provo? Well...

We fishtailed in Cedar City going 20 miles an hour on the freeway. Semi trucks were surrounding us 80 percent of the time. The other 20 percent of the time the semis were passing us in very close proximity. Snow was pouring. A big pick-up truck was overturned on the side of the road. Jessica Marshall was driving and stayed extreeeemely calm even though we were all terrified. We had to stop in Beaver because all roads shut down. That's right, there is a town here called BEAVER. We ate at a diner called Arshel's. A church in Beaver opened its doors to travelers stuck there, so we sat in the cultural hall drinking chocolate milk provided by ward members in the area. Finally the roads opened again and we could continue driving!

9 hours later, here I am. It was a funny funny day. All to get back in time for my English class tomorrow morning at 8!

On Friday at midnight, CJ and I went to see Harry Potter 7.1. IT WAS GREAT! I was Professor Mcgonagall, who wasn't even in the movie. Buzz kill. I guess I would have known that if I'd read the book. CJ was Bellatrix Lestrange. And Anna was Mrs. Weesley. She had the best costume of all!

Anna, don't kill me for putting that picture of you up.

Someone who has had the biggest impact on me

2010-11-19T09:15:00.000-08:00

Lil Wayne Freedom Festival and other updates

2010-11-18T01:06:00.000-08:00

This isn't part of my 26 day thing. But I want to post pictures of stuff that's been going on lately.

Rachel, Jake and I were really excited for Lil Wayne's recent freedom, so we listened to some Lil Wayne songs, which was a first for me, and celebrated by going to get cupcakes at Cocoa Bean. Rachel ordered a "Better Than Whatever" cupcake. Nice disguising of the dirty word, Utah! When the woman behind the counter didn't give Rachel her cupcake and someone else snatched it, she announced, "I'm mad. I'm taking my business elsewhere." She was kind of joking, but mostly serious.

A few minutes later, the cashier came to our table and handed Rachel a mysterious box. She said, "I found this. Please eat it. Don't pay me. It's free." She then backed away slowly, watching us. I helped Rachel eat it. We should have known by the sketchiness of the situation that this cupcake really was better than "whatever," and we are convinced that that particular cupcake was laced with more than frosting... We were acting like fools for the rest of the night.

I hiked the Y with some friends. Even though it was pretty cold, we managed to have a grand old time. That's Tim. And that's Spencer's butt. And Casey was Ariel.

Tom celebrated his birthday at Texas Road House last night. It was really fun and he got to ride the birthday saddle. He is 23!! Happy birthday big bro.

I joined these people at the hospital tonight to catch up on the latest and greatest.

SURPRISE! I am dating this handsome and wonderful man and haven't been so happy in a long long time.

Life is good!

My True Self

2010-11-17T11:56:00.000-08:00

Me with Mary Kate and Nutella, circa Winter 2005.

Dad's true self:
The only thing missing is a bag of chips perched between the binoculars and the clicker.

A picture of somewhere I've been

2010-11-14T01:39:00.001-08:00

atop a castle

A bad habit

2010-11-14T01:36:00.000-08:00

I have a bad habit of relying on my calendar. I would be much more spontaneous if I could just live life and not worry about what I told myself to do in my schedule. There are definitely benefits to having every day planned out, but when I have to check my schedule 6 times a day, I'm relying far too much on plans and not enough on what's actually important that day, which may be something completely different than what I had planned two weeks previous to the said day. Things come up. This week I want to try not to look at my schedule and just LIVE.

*I love Stephanie Nielson. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE SWEET GIFTS!

3: A picture of you and your craziest friend

2010-11-14T01:33:00.000-08:00

Easily.

A Really Good Memory

2010-11-14T00:55:00.000-08:00

Day 2: A really good memory? I, unfortunately, have a terrible memory! But I do have very fond memories of a place.

My Grandma and Grandpa Dougherty lived in Orlando, Florida until I was about eight. I have a vivid memory of their house there. I remember the front yard and driveway. The screened in pool. Lizards crawling all over the screen. Baby Mary Kate swimming around in her baby tube. The nasty taste of the Florida tap water. I remember Grandpa's distinct smell. The "cheese melted on bread" that Grandma would make us in the oven. Their nice black cat, Herschel. When I was six or seven, I realized that my grandparents were my mom's parents. That blew me away! I remember getting a remote controlled race car stuck in my hair at Christmas and getting it cut out by my mom. When Mikey learned "the really bad word" from one of our cousins and ran around yelling it until mom made him eat soap. I remember when a helicopter was spotlighting and hovering by the house so my parents told Tom that a murderer was on the loose, which very well may have been the case, and he was terrified beyond consoling.

Tom and me swimming at Grandma's

It was always such an exciting thing to go to Orlando. We went to Disney World eight times (I think)! Looking back though, I don't remember a thing about Disney World. What I remember is the love I felt in my grandparents' home. I'm so blessed to have such amazing grandparents and I'm glad they live even closer to my family now! I look forward to Christmas when I get to see them and my family again.

So this is a shout-out to you, Grandma and Grandpa. Thanks for supporting me and loving me. I think of you always!

Love,

Laura

Better Blogger

2010-11-13T09:29:00.000-08:00

To become better at keeping this blog, I'm copying my friend Caitlin who copied her friend, who probably copied someone else:

Day 01 - A recent photo of you and 15 interesting facts about yourself

Day 02 - A really good memory.

Day 03 - A picture of you and your craziest friend

Day 04 - A habit that you wish you didn't have

Day 05 - A picture of somewhere you've been

Day 06 - A picture that shows your true self

Day 07 - A picture of someone/something that has the biggest impact on you

Day 08 - A picture that makes you laugh

Day 09 - A picture of the person who has gotten you through the most

Day 10 - A picture of someone you see yourself marrying/being with in the future

Day 11 - Your celebrity crush

Day 12 - A picture of something you love

Day 13 - A picture of something you hate

Day 14 - Picture of someone you could never imagine your life without

Day 15 - A picture of something you want to do before you die

Day 16 - Someone you would want to switch lives w/ for one day and why

Day 17 - Your favorite song

Day 18 - A picture of the cast of your favorite show.

Day 19 - A picture of someone you miss

Day 20 - A picture of somewhere you'd love to travel

Day 21 - A picture of something that makes you happy

Day 22 - A picture that confuses you

Day 23 - A picture of you and the person you have been closest with the longest

Day 24- A picture of yourself and a family member

Day 25 - Something you need to forgive someone for

Day 26 - A picture of something that means a lot to you.

Day 27 - A picture of something your afraid of

Day 28 - A picture of you last year and now, how have you changed since then?

Day 29 - A picture that can always make you smile

Day 30 - Who are you?

Today is day 1. Recent picture. This is me on my birthday.

Interesting facts:

1. I crave canned peas every day.

2. I am neither crafty nor a good cook, but somehow still a female student at BYU.

3. All four of my grandparents are living.

4. I love Five Guys, Indian food, and spinach.

5. I haven't thrown up since 1998.

6. Cream of wheat mixed with baby food is my comfort food.

7. I got perfect attendance at early morning seminary in high school (nerd).

8. I haven't even a French fry in a long time. Fry free since '03.

9. Instead of walking, I would run everywhere if it was socially acceptable.

10. Even in the summertime, my toes and fingers are usually very, very cold.

11. In a perfect world, chocolate would constantly be spooned into my mouth by Milton Hershey himself.

12. I love grammar and spelling tests.

13. I can turn my feet backwards while the rest of me is facing forward.

14. I have a fear of 1. Eating fresh apples because I always imagine them rotting in my stomach. 2. Beards.

15. I'm the fifth of seven kids.

Party pics!

2010-11-12T19:56:00.001-08:00

Thanks to Tom's unique photography and Anna's camera, these are the pictures that we have from the party. CJ has some on her camera too. What a fun night!

Twenty-one!

2010-11-09T07:32:00.000-08:00

I had a great weekend to ring in the beginning of my 22nd year of life.

Lunch with Brennerb Friday
Basketball game that night
My roommate Caroline performed in the ballet on Saturday, so we went to support her and she danced beautifully!
CJ and I went shopping for party supplies
PFChangs for dinner that night... mmm mmm mmmmmmm in my belly and so fun to be with friends!
We had a combined birthday party at my apartment. The theme was "wild" and also "green." No correlation. We promised guests that Justin Bieber would be there, and we try not to disappoint, so he was posted on the front door in poster-form right underneath the birthday mistletoe. It was a very fun night (pictures to come)!

On Sunday, which was my actual birthday, Lisa, Anna, Tom and I went to my grandparents' house in Lynndyl. I just love that town and I especially love my Grandma and Grandpa. Grandma pulled out all the stops- mashed potatoes, steak, stuffing, corn, banana coleslaw (?) and of course my two favorites: shrimp cocktail and seven layer dip. All this on top of the 20 gingerbread houses she's already baked for when we come at Thanksgiving. She had us laughing the entire time. She's Wonderwoman. It was a wonderful birthday!

"And Normal Wooten!"
my lovely granny

posing like Grandpa

Anna and I wandered Lynndyl right before we had to head back to Provo and snapped a few shots in an abandoned house.

such a comfy bed

I'm only posting this because of the uncanny resemblance. I'm not racist.

On Monday I got 3rd place in a BYU-wide ugly foot contest and then studied literally the entire day for an anatomy test.

You know how some days just don't go your way? Today was definitely one of those days :( When something had the opportunity to go wrong, it did. And to top it off, the heat won't turn on in our apartment. It snowed today. I'm typing this under a blanket in a ski jacket, 2 pairs of sweatpants, 2 pairs of socks and fuzzy slippers. My pillow is getting frosty.

But even when the darkest clouds wanted to hover over my head today, I got this very sweet and true reminder from CJ:
"I love you AND the church is still true."
All I need is love and the gospel, right? No need to get down! There is always tomorrow. Have a happy night, world!

Call me Professor

2010-10-29T12:50:00.000-07:00

This post is all over the place, but read if you desire.

This week I taught a class about Greek and Roman Mythology. My favorite professor of all time, Roger MacFarlane, is in Finland all week so we TAs had to pick up where he left off each take a day to teach lecture. It was surprisingly fun and I was a lot more confident than I had expected myself to be in front of 150 college students teaching a subject I don't know a ton about.

Now I'm grading grading grading papers all day.

I've been on a workout kick lately. I've also been on an "eat every sweet/edible in sight" kick. There are lots of sweets at Halloween time. This is not a wonderful thing, but it is good timing for the workout kick.

You know what is beautiful? Park City! I went last weekend with my friend Pat. We made chocolate covered strawberries and went to a yummy restaurant on Main Street.

Tom, Melissa and I love Slab Pizza. If you haven't been, go. Get the buffalo wing pizza. Thank me later.

IT SNOWED this week in Provo. What happened to fall? We went from warm pool weather to STRAIGHT UP SNOW! Unbelievable, Utah. Unbelievable.

My roommates and I are having so much fun this semester! We watch a lot of Disney movies on the weekends, go to the temple, have girls' days out and just sit and talk in the kitchen at night. I will miss these days. ESPECIALLY when Anna Melinda leaves for New Zealand in January. What is that all about?! Wha'm I suppo ta do widout my bff?

Lisa and Heidi are following in Anna's footsteps and starting to make really nice homemade dinners, practicing for the future when they will have to make homemade meals every day. I often just so happen to be the recipient of these practice meals, for which I am highly grateful because they are soooo scrumptious. The other night Mckenna and I went running and came home to a warm meal of maple and raspberry glazed pork roast with cheesy potatoes on the side. Who comes up with this stuff? Oh yeah, my amazing roommates. I hope my kids are down with eating spinach and lean cuisines. That may be as good as I can do, at least currently. Good thing I don't have kids! Especially because I'm not married.

It's Halloween weekend. Which means next week is my birthday weekend. Which means Thanksgiving is just around the corner. And then CHRISTMAS. And Tara's wedding!

I've signed up for winter semester classes and let's just say, come January I will be taking the heaviest course load I've ever done at BYU. Although it may be stressful, I'm excited to finally be taking classes all geared towards my major. How am I already more than half way done with college?

I JUST GOT HERE!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Jeffrey R. Holland

2010-10-21T13:57:00.000-07:00

This week has been a little crazy with midterms among everything else going on in life right now. At times I've been stressed out of my mind, sometimes a little lonely, and other moments I feel pulled in a million different directions. Just in time, my anatomy professor sent me this video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u5bUKNYgRi8

and life just makes so much more sense. Sometimes all it takes is a little reminder of how blessedI really am!

Watch the video. It could make your week just like it made mine.

Is this illegal?

2010-10-16T13:16:00.000-07:00

Taking pictures in the girls' bathroom?

Well don't turn me in. It's for a school project. I know that's what people say as an excuse for doing something really weird, but it's the truth! How sweet/gross is it that we have sleeping couches next to the toilets?

My mom and dad came into town this week. It was SO fun to have them here, even though it was for 20 hours. We went to my favorite restaurant in Provo, The Bombay House, then to Little Italy, and the next day to J-Dawgs and Cocoa Bean. My family associates a good time with good food. It's the higher love. I miss them already! Ahhh they are so funny. They've been all over the country this week, but they are now on their last stop in Arizona.

I played with the sweetest baby and got spoiled with a breakfast from his cute mama yesterday.

Have you ever seen such a beautiful and happy mom?? So sweet.

Things I love, or am grateful for, or both:
seeing the Provo Temple every day.
the Gospel.
my family.
BYU.
crashing a NuSkin party in Salt Lake.
corn-mazes and haunted houses.
crunchy leaves under my feet and car tires.
grandparents.
roommates.
friends.
weekend.
anatomy.
marriage preparation class.
TARA'S ENGAGED.
music.
my home.
having a healthy body.
sitting by the pool in mid-October.
having my wonderful brother Tom here with me.

I love being alive. I think it's illegal to be so happy.

Fall festivities

2010-09-27T23:47:00.001-07:00

Oh dear, oh dear. So much to say!
Hannah Loumeau got married this weekend. CRAZY! I couldn't make it out to her wedding, but we did go to her bridal shower was last weekend. She is gorgeous and her bridal shower was so funny that my abs hurt from laughing.

Lisa turned 20 last week and it was her happiest birthday on record! We ate at the Old Spaghetti Factory and had a cupcake party. She was glowing with happiness the whole day and has been ever since. Twenty is a good year!

One of my favorite Sunday (Sundee) activities is driving up into the canyon, which at this time of year is stunning. The trees are all changing colors.

We sat in the canyon making PP&Js, enjoying the nature as well as Casey's brother's 1976 VW. We then decided it was one of the best days of fall semester.

This is Kenny and me when we drove the Alpine Loop this Sunday. We also went to the circus this week! Now I understand why some people are afraid of clowns.

Friday night was my friend Jessica's Katy Perry Day Party. She loves Katy Perry. We both dressed up and a wonderful cover band played there.

Saturday morning was the DIRTY DASH! Lovely Londoners and our friend Matt ran in the most challenging 10K Utah has to offer. There were walls to climb, bails of hay to jump, snow blowers that caused us to almost pass out, and miles of straight up muddy obstacles. We overcame them, sang the bed intruder song, and triumphantly finished, covered in brown goop. IT WAS AWESOME.

On Saturday night during the full moon, I went on a fun date with my friend Nico up the ski lift at Sundance. It's the cool thing to do, so we did it. It was freezing!! And the moon was pretty. Turns out neither of us are werewolves.

Last night after a very church-filled day, our apartment joined forces with the boys' apartment about 50 yards across the parking lot to make a tin-can-phone. It is up and running and fully functioning. We yell secrets into it!

I GOT A NEW IPOD THIS WEEK! And a lovesac (thanks to Jeff and Tom)!! And tomorrow I'm seeing Band of Horses in Salt Lake thanks to Arthur!!! And I have several midterms and lots of papers to grade!!!! Wait, that last sentence isn't so exciting. But hey, life is good.

Happy Tuesday!

Missin my little MK

2010-09-26T07:23:00.000-07:00

Who could deny a face like this?

She is constantly cheerful. She hates loud noises. She always wants to play Rockband and gets so excited if I agree to play with her for 5 minutes. She should also compete at the international level for Rockband drums and guitar. Girl can jam! She can be found at all hours of the day/night playing outside on rollerblades or a trampoline like a 6 year old. She listens to my weird music and loves it, or at least pretends to. She is enthusiastic about life. She is always down for a nice snuggle. She obsesses over tadpoles. She is made of sugar. She is easily the most huggable kid I know. She is growing up (in high school?!) and I miss her every day. See you at Christmas, sweet thang!

my coloRADo missionary

2010-09-22T11:40:00.000-07:00

Colorado just got really lucky. Christina Jane has changed my life so much and she's about to go ROCK her mission in Colorado Springs. The raddest baddest (the cool kind of bad) missionary there will ever be! I have mixed feelings about this. I'm so so happy she is going on a mission because it's been her life goal, she is going to be a phenomenal missionary, she is an amazing teacher and listener, and I am so excited for her BUT my selfish side is sad that she's leaving me for 18 months. I am going to hit pause on my life until she gets back. That's not weird, right? I love you CJ!

Yuba Lake Triathlon and a birthday

2010-09-11T23:47:00.001-07:00

What a fun day!

We went camping last night by the lake. Tin foil dinners, s'mores and sleeping under the stars. Yes, it was so cold that we woke up covered in frost... but there were SO many shooting stars that it was worth it.

Jordan and I rented wet-suits from Outdoors Unlimited and CJ so sweetly offered me her bike and all of her gear. We were set for the triathlon! We were both terrified at the prospects of jumping into a lake when it was 50 degrees outside, but once we started swimming, there was no stopping. Swimming was the most fun, biking was the easiest (even though I couldn't feel my feet at all the whole time) and running was the most physically draining. I thought I got third, but I ended up getting second place in my age division! Our friends were cheering us on at all of the transitions. Thank you guys so much!! It was the perfect day.

To Boff and Gus, HAPPY 26TH! You guys and Tom are the best older brothers that I have.

Wednesday is OVER!

2010-09-08T06:34:00.000-07:00

Every Wednesday of this semester is a 13 hour day for me. Now that Wednesday is done until next week, I have a second to breathe and write in my journal!

Today in weight training, I recognized a boy in my class and after a minute we made the connection that he served his mission in the ward I was attending in London! Small world. Today I also learned the names of all of the holes in the skull along with every bone above the tail-bone. I also realized that I've been sitting next to BYU's wide receiver in my public speaking class. There are 4 football players and 2 baseball players in that class. Tonight i gave a speech about my fear of beards. Pogonophobia.

But that's enough about Wednesday. I want to write about my weekend which may have been what caused me to get sick this week, but it was worth it.

It all began on Friday. Mckenna and I ran to Utah Lake. She is an incredible person. It was hot but we talked the whole way and time flew right by. That night I went to dinner with my friend Jake at Guru's. Could that place be any tastier? Then CJ and I went to Midway to tear up the town. 15 year old boys hit on us when we got lost and accidentally parked in front of a teeny-bopper party... They leaned onto the side of CJ's jeep and were heavily laying on the flirt. One of the boys asked if I was 14 and then guessed that CJ was 27? Tough life. Anywho, we drove off after getting directions and about a half hour later the same 4 boys showed up at the cabin we were staying at. THEY FOLLOWED US! Walking! They can't even drive! Shenanigans! We quickly vacated the area. After that saga, we scootered to the Midway hot-pots and roasted our legs in that stinky pit for a while. I rode on the back of CJ's friend's scooter while CJ screamed out war-cries the whole way back to the cabin on her own scoot-scoot. It was a good old fashioned fun night. We stayed up late watching a movie and we left very early in the morning.

Saturday was spent mostly in Salt Lake with Rachel. She is the bomb. We did a little shopping at Gateway, but most importantly we got some Ben's Cookies. The football game that night was hot-hot-hot! And we won! I am sitting in Jordan's group and we have great seats. After the game I went to a delicious sushi place called Happy Sumo with a guy in my ward named Matt.

Sunday= church, food and friends. I love my ward here and I feel very blessed to be at BYU where church is so easily accessible. J-Dawgs had a little pot-luck that night at the park so I went with Tara and Melissa and devoured a yummy dinner outside.

What is Labor Day without a nice barbecue? Anna, Lisa and I planned a little get together at Kiwanis park and had some friends come BBQ with us. After a rousing game of kickball and delicious burgers, we three girls plus Caroline and Natalie hiked Bridal Veil Falls with Ethan and Jeff from the ward. Even though I felt pretty sick, it was still a fun hike and an incredible view.

School is going really well, but it's always good to be done with Wednesday. I have the best roommates and I am a very lucky girl to be here learning a ton and having lots of fun. Happy Thursday!

A week in Provo

2010-08-29T12:13:00.000-07:00

I moved in a week ago today.

Jordan picked me up at the airport and the first stop in Utah was Cafe Rio. Then the Raintree pool.
My condo is really spacious and my roommate is awesome. She loves Bob Marley and therefore loves everyone and is really easy to get along with.
I've gone on a few really fun dates
CJ has officially moved to Provo! We went to Jdawgs and then got frozen yogurt. Those are the two food staples of this college town. We went to Walmart where she convinced me to buy a Justin Bieber poster which now hangs over my bed. We hit the town with Anna and then had companion study before we went to bed. She is working on her mission papers!! AHHHH!
New ward, new faces, new names
met a sweet little baby named Dustin and caught up with Ruth
I see London friends on campus and my heart skips a beat with excitement
played baseball in the mud the other night at FHE

Then school started yesterday.

Today was my first day of anatomy. Lisa and I are obsessed.
I'm a TA for an evening section mythology class
After growing up taking dance classes, I'm starting all over and taking ballet for beginners
Stay up late (11 pm. we're getting old) with my awesome roommates reading "interesting fact" books and giggling
Anna made an awesome dinner tonight that was ready when I walked in the door from school. It felt like a surprise birthday party!
Been running outside every day and swimming in the RB.
Should be getting my ward calling tomorrow night! and there's a football game this weekend!

I LOVE BYU!!

Happy (super-late) Anniversary!

2010-08-25T23:34:00.000-07:00

This adorable couple got married 2 years ago.
How sweet!!! I miss them because they were my Provo Parents. And great cooks for family dinners. And they are just so darn cute. Happy 2 years!

Denver Colorado

2010-08-24T09:34:00.000-07:00

What a cool airport! They even have free wifi.. it's a sign that I have to blog. Even if it's lots of random stuff off the top of my head.

Today is Jessica's birthday. She is the best. I mean it! I hope you have a great day Jess!

I didn't say bye to MK because I hate saying bye to her so I just kissed her on the forehead when I left this morning at 4:30. So this is my official goodbye to MK til Christmas!

And Grandma, Grandma, Grandma. I will do as you demand and attempt to write something in this blog at least once a week while I'm at school. I hope you are feeling much better!

Just purchased Eat Pray Love at the airport newsstand place.

The Hepfingers took Lisa, Anna, Nate and I out to the Melting Pot last night. It was SO COOL!! I don't know how I missed out on that restaurant for the past almost 21 years. We had a ton of fun just laughing at funny things Lisa's little brother, Eric, was saying. What a man.

Can I just say that this summer flew by?! I thought it was going to crawl, but low and behold, here I sit on my way to the Salt Lake Airport.

I LOVE BYU!!! Especially the fall. So here I go! Wish me luck! So long! Farewell! Auf Wiedersehen, adieu. To you and you and you.

Thanks for everything Mom and Dad!

2010-08-11T04:54:00.000-07:00

Sam Nelson is my friend from freshman year at BYU who is now serving his mission. Watch this video about him and his brother! He's a pretty amazing guy.

the breakfast of champions

2010-08-07T09:33:00.000-07:00

chocolate frosted mini-wheats little bites.

I could eat 4 boxes a day, but instead I control myself and eat only 2-3 bowls of it in the morning. Today I ate some and went running. Guess how far? 13 miles!! All because of this cereal!! I'm going to write Kelloggs a letter of appreciation.

Currently listening to: Blue Beard by Band of Horses

I LOVE HARRY POTTER!

2010-08-05T19:27:00.001-07:00

and I've BEEN to the great hall!!!

I just started reading the books this summer (a little late on that one) and, gosh, they are so good! I want to read all of them before the last movie comes out. But can I?!

Arrin is in DC this week so we met up today to get s'mores at Cosi! Tom is such a gentleman and paid for both of us.

My dad took me and Tom out to lunch this afternoon at a yummy Italian place called Otello. We went to his office to avoid the pouring rain and I discovered that these pictures were some of the most recently framed decorations in his office.

Check out Jeff's face.

Our house lost power for 6 hours today due to a wild thunderstorm.

My great childhood friend Allie came to visit and I taught her how to pump gas. Silly New Jersey for not letting people do it on their own! It was so good to see her for the first time in 6 years!

There is a document saved on my desktop called "junior year" and it has a list of all of the things I hope to do before April of 2011. Is skydiving too crazy?

Both of my sisters-in-law have recently gotten jobs in their new towns. Way to support your husbands and my brothers, ladies!

My dad and I bike so much. It is the best bonding time. Even though we don't talk for the majority of the time we are riding, we are together and that's what I love about it. He almost keeled over on our last ride because he ate 723948 pounds of food at IHOP right before we did 30 miles.... we learned a good lesson.

Someone filled the pool across the street from my house with 2,000 bouncy balls the other night. HOOLIGANS!

I am pet-sitting this week. What a weird job.

We went to VA beach from Sunday-Tuesday of this week. It went by way too fast and one of the days was straight up rained out, but it was a great vacation. I love my family.

I had a week off from work and tomorrow my mom and I are taking the girls I nanny on a field trip. They are sweet peas.

Tom took me and MK out to a Pakistani restaurant yesterday in Clarendon called East West Grill. The greatest hole-in-the-wall on the east coast. I promise.

I watch way too much So You Think You Can Dance (GO LAUREN), Glee, Cupcake Wars, I Shouldn't Be Alive, and Shark Week.

I talked to my roommate Lisa on the phone last night for a long time and I felt like I was already back in Provo. I got excited to the point of disorientation.

Purchased an all-sports pass while I was at the beach... I could not be more excited about BYU SPORTS!!

London girls want to run a crazy run called the DIRTY DASH next month in Utah. All signed up!

This blog is so boring, but I mostly update it for my awesome grandparents. I KNOW, my grandparents are so hip and with-it to understand how to read a blog!

Currently listening to: The Crane Wife 1 & 2 - The Decemberists

Tara and Melissa

2010-07-29T22:25:00.001-07:00

These two girls

They are incredible. The Cooksons, Cafe Rio and summertime... I can't imagine a better scenario! They turn 20 today. HAPPY BIRTHDAY TWINS!

I wish we could celebrate by going to Chili's. Oh wait, we do that for every birthday. Maybe it's good to switch it up and be on opposite sides of the country this year. LOVE YOU GIRLS!

Life right now =

2010-07-29T20:21:00.000-07:00

I have become a blog-failure. Never fear, I am still alive and well! Lots of summer fun.

Ruth had her baby!

biking with Josh

swimming
lemonade stands on really hot days (record breaking heat in DC this summer)

visiting with Grandma and Grandpa

On this particular day, Grandma was wearing a dish towel so she wouldn't spill any food. Grandpa accidentally dyed his hair pink. They are the best.

Old Testament
Bikram Yoga
Frankie Valli at Wolftrap. Completely random but fun concert

nannying perfect children 50 hours a week

fresh tomatoes from dad's garden
Institute
getting lunch with Mom
depositing money into the bank instead of withdrawing!
bike trail
holding babies
discovering all kinds of new music
visiting with friends

sun-kissed skin (so hot, we'll melt your popsicle)
running
animal planet
checking off books from my looong summer reading-list
loving my brothers and sisters
cake baking

thunderstorms and coloring on rainy days

dancing with MK
deciding on a new major for the 5th time since entering college
oh so very much love

Anna comes home tomorrow and Tom comes home on Saturday. I couldn't be happier!