my little cougars

Lots of days I forget how blessed I am to be Blake and Evelyn's mom: to get to spend each day at home with them.  It really is a blessing, one that I take for granted far too often.  I'm constantly fighting the balance of how much to get out and "do" versus just being content to stay at home and relish in days that we don't have to be anywhere. This week I'm going to try and enjoy the simple moments: to observe their little hands figure out how things work, to talk more at breakfast and lunch instead of trying to multi-task, and to hug them lots and lots. Before I know it, they'll be off at BYU (we can only hope) and I'll be wishing these simple days with them by my side were back again. 

hats off to the grad!

I got to go down to BYU today for my sister Sarah's graduation. Even though I wasn't the one graduating, I got a little emotional hearing Pomp and Circumstance playing through the Marriott Center. I guess there is something about graduations that symbolize a definitive end, but also an exciting new beginning. I thought back to when I graduated and it was a big step into the unknown...would I marry Brandon? where would I get a job? Yet, today, I reflected on all that has happened since I graduated 6 years ago and realized that somehow, life has and is still working out.

I also came away with a few new life goals. To read more enriching books. And to be a lifelong learner of all subjects.

We're so proud of Sarah (and isn't she beautiful?)  and can't wait to see what exciting things life brings her.

first time at a museum and spring at BYU

Since we try and be cultured sometimes, we took Blake and Evelyn to the Sacred Gifts exhibit that is taking place right now at BYU's Museum of Art. I'm glad we made the effort to go, because we learned that it took 12 years to get this exhibit to happen. And...we also learned that these paintings have not left Denmark since 1860 and will not likely be ever loaned out again.

BYU is where we fell in love, so had to get a pic of one of the original LOVE statues. Now look at us, 2 kids later!

They wouldn't allow photography in the exhibit, but it was amazing. Carl Bloch, Heinrich Hofmann and Frans Schwartz painted some of the most well-known paintings of Christ. Blake kept saying "ee-sus" when he would see one. It was too cute. 

We saw the original painting that President Thomas S. Monson has in his office of Christ. 

After the exhibit, we did a little exploring around campus. (My silly brain thought we had a half hour to kill before Clara's first birthday party, only to show up to the party and realize we were late. Oops!)

Spring was in full bloom. Provo really is beautiful.

showing our colors

We won't talk about last night's game too much, but we are a house united. And will ever be BYU fans.

You would never know from our measly attempt at a family photo that we were all decked out in BYU apparel.

Blake squeezed in his BYU onesie one more time.

Brandon had a deal with a Ute fan in our ward that the person's team who lost had to wear a tie representing the winning team. So today at church, Brandon sported a U tie. I think it was really hard for him. :) I wasn't quick enough to get a photo of him in the U tie, but I thought you'd all like to see the tie he made for his friend to wear had BYU won.  A lot of people said had they known this deal was on, they would have cheered harder for BYU to win just to see this tie on James at church.  Maybe in 3 years?

i am no longer a law-breaker

It all started last night. I began filling out a voter registration form that Brandon's mom kindly printed out for me. Last name, first name, you know the drill. I came to the space to fill in my driver's license number. Does anyone have theirs memorized? I don't. So I went to  my wallet, pulled out my license, and noticed it was EXPIRED! But we aren't talking for a few days or few months, but 14 MONTHS to be exact. Gulp. Have I really  been driving illegally for that long? Yes, yes I have.

I jumped online to find out where I needed to go to get it renewed. So this afternoon, I loaded the Blakester and we headed far west to the Driver's License Office. Oblivion really is bliss. Here I have been driving for over a year with no worries, and now that I know it's expired, I am a nervous wreck driving to the office.

I get there safely and of course, see a huge line as soon as I walk in. The fact that I had already filled out a form prior to getting there didn't grant me any special line-jumping privileges. I was hoping that Blake would suddenly have a huge meltdown and then people would be sympathetic and let me jump to the front of the line. But no, he was as content as could be just looking around at the new surroundings. There were some pretty unique people in line that tried to make awkward conversation. Thanks to Brandon for texting me so I could avoid the awkward talk.

After that line, I got a number for another line. Blake is starting to get fussy at this time, but I just keep singing "3 little speckled frogs" to him over and over. I finally get called and walk up with my documents in hand. The clerk asks for my documentation. SS card. Check. Old license. Check. Birth certificate. Oops. I only had a copy. But my passport sufficed. 2 forms of current address proof. Check.

And then, "Excuse me, ma'm, but one of these forms is dated from 2 years ago. It won't work." Seriously? I shuffle through my wallet for anything with my name and address on it. No such luck. I ask her to  hold my place and papers so I can run out to my car to look for something. But naturally these days, a "run" really means walk as fast as you can while you carry a huge purse and car seat with a baby. The looks I got. I scavenged through the car and found something that worked and got excited to think I was almost done with this process. "Everything looks good," she says. "However, since it has been over a year, you will have to take a written test."

That's fine. I figured I would have to. It was open book so how bad could it be? I go to the testing area and start the 25-question exam. Half-way through, Blake has the melt-down that I was hoping for earlier. I tried to quietly calm him down (since talking is not allowed in testing area). He didn't find comfort. He was sick of being in his car seat and I don't blame him. I pull him out and have him in one hand, while trying to shuffle through the exam book to find the exact distance you should leave between a fire hydrant and your car. It's 15 feet, just in case you are ever in my predicament. He is done with that place, but I have a few more questions before I'm done. I guess on a few of the remaining ones and try to find the answers in the book as quickly as I can.

Submit. Score comes back- 84%. A pass by 4 percentage points. Good enough for me!

I pay the $25 and get a drivers license. I'm legal now! And if that isn't the best part of my day, it's the fact that they automatically registered to vote for me. Yay for saving 43 cents on a postage stamp.

And as a reward for reading my whole ordeal, here are a few pics of my boys from last night's first BYU football game of the season...before I realized I was a law breaker. :)

 

The Only Good Part

of the BYU Game on Saturday was having our family come over for a pre-game BBQ.
And wow. Brandon made some amazing BBQ.


look at this cutie. she is a doll!


i must not have got the memo to wear blue. what was i thinking?? maybe that's why they lost. :(

Graduated!

Brandon and I at BYU Graduation! Yahoo! I'm finished!

Happy Pi-Day!

I planned a celebration for National Pi (3-14) Day by having everyone in the Student Alumni office bring Pie! Yummy! We had so much we didn't know what to do with it all except eat it. Here is David Luker, Chris Giovarelli, and Heather Hawkins enjoying every bite!

Inauguration Gala Dinner

Me and all of my Student Alumni Friends at the Inaugural Gala. Curtis Isaak, our advisor, Brett Bardsley, Heather Hawkins, David Luker, Joseph Nance, and Matt Daley and dates.

Inauguration Gala

Chris Giovarelli, the Student Alumni Association President asked me to attend the Inaugural Gala for and at the new Hinckley Building. It was the schmooziest event I have ever been to! Being among such prominent people was a new experience, but it was super fun to get all dressed up! The event was limited to the few hundred who were invited to attend the dedication with President Hinckley in June. There was a live band, fireworks, performers, fancy desserts, a professional photographer who took our pictures and we each got a commemerative medallion for attending.

True Blue Football

Since it will probably be my last BYU Homecoming, I tried to participate in all the activities. True Blue Football was my favorite! They spray out this thick, foamy, soapy blue stuff and let students go wild in it! 4 days later, I still had blue skin, but it was well worth it!

Light the Y

How many Kings does it take to screw in a light bulb? I helped plan the annual "Hike and Light the Y" activity for Homecoming week. After being a shuttle van driver, Sarah, Em, Jameson, Carrie and I hiked the Y. We got to screw in one of the light bulbs (one of 125 that surround the Y). And just for the record, it took all of us.

King Cousin's Dinner

 Bringing back the tradition of King Cousins' Dinner. Every third Sunday all the Provo Kings get together for some munch and mingle. Guests are welcome. :)

Front Porch Dinners

One of our favorite things about Mountainwood is our cute front porch. We love having little dinners on it!

Paid to Scoop

I have the greatest job ever! I am the "administrative vice-president" for the BYU Student Alumni Association. Em and Sarah came to our opening ice-cream social at the new Gordon B. Hinckley building (where I work). I have never been paid to party-plan or scoop ice cream. It is awesome! Our first week I also gave many tours of the new building. I feel so lucky to be working there!

Rain

Me, Em, and Alli Clements soaked after getting caught in the pouring rain after meeting our new Bishopric.