Something arrived...

...these BOXES! 

I know what you are thinking... "Wow boxes... how exciting... or not."  But the arrival of these practically made me giddy because they mean I really get to start packing and we really are getting close to the next step- TOGETHER in California!

Aren't they beautiful? (Okay saying they're beautiful might be going a little too far.)

The arrival of the boxes also brought a moment of stress- I realized that they mean I really HAVE to start packing... and I REALLY don't have that much time!  Suddenly I feel like we have WAY too much stuff!  My moms helped relieve me of this stress by both offering to come to Provo and help me start packing.  Thanks to both of you and I look forward to seeing you!


I've realized Tim and I mostly post about our trips.  Those times are THE most important and the most fun to share.  Now some of you may be wondering what we doing between flights from SLC to OAK... or maybe you haven't, but I'm going to share a snippet anyway.

For me there has been WAY too many of these:

and these:

(my favorite Easter candy that will be gone all too soon...)

Too much of this:

and this:

and this: 

And A LOT of this:

I think that gives you a pretty good picture.
Well I better go... after all there is packing to do (well maybe not tonight).

Ben and Elaine's Spring Break

Ben and Elaine and Lorna and Ethan decided to spend their Spring Break down in sunny California. Margo also came down and spent most of the week as well. It was great. These are pictures of their room at the Todd House. They're not intended to make you jealous, just to cause you to check your schedule and book a trip soon! Notice the Temple outside the window.

Early on in the week Ben and Elaine got to visit the beach at Point Reyes National Seashore and experience some whale watching. They also spent some time with us in Alameda, seeing an apartment we hope to rent, as well as eating dinner at Ole's Waffle Shop. The main activities involving Margo and I kicked off Wednesday with going to see the play WICKED at the Orpheum Theater in San Francisco. Once again, it was spectacular.

Next up, on Thursday, was a full day of activities in San Francisco. First, a stop by Lombard Street, the curviest section of road in the United States.

We then took one of the old-fashioned cable cars from the wharf over to china town. I wasn't terribly excited about the cable car, but it actually was pretty cool. The best part is you feel like a movie star because everyone is taking pictures of you (or the cable car) as you go down the street.

China Town was definitely like walking into China or at least another world. We wanted to try some food so we chose a restaurant. The waiters and waitresses were really pushy (definitely authentic) and the food was really good.

We stopped at Ghirardelli Square for free chocolate samples and bought some ice cream. Definitely a high point for Lorna.We then walked down along the wharf, stopping to see interesting street vendors, on our way to Pier 39.

Lorna loved the carousel on the pier. There were also some good views from the end of the pier. You can see Alcatraz Island in the background.

We had to stop for sourdough bread. The Boudin bakery is amazing, selling all types of bread. Ben and I agreed it's the closest bread to bakeries in Eastern Europe that we've had. In addition to the taste, they also had all sorts of shapes.

As evening approached, we headed over to Golden Gate National Park, which is located along the wharf just below the bridge. Beautiful views to be had all around.

Margo and I enjoyed some parks around the Temple on Friday. The area is so beautiful and so many great places are nearby.

It was a great week with Ben, Elaine, Lorna and Ethan.

Ben's Birthday

We got to celebrate Ben's birthday while I was home for an extended weekend for Valentine's. Great to see the little guy Ethan. He likes me a lot, despite the fact he make look a little freaked out in some of these pictures.

This last picture is a pretty happy Tim and Margo. At the end of the weekend, Margo dropped me off at the Airport on Monday evening. I walked in to check into my flight and found out it had been delayed 4 hours. BEST DELAY EVER! So I ran back out and caught Margo and we got another 4 hours together. Pretty awesome.

Are you ready?

You know you are ready to be done with school when...

You go to study for/take an EXAM and...

This is your first time in the library all semester...

You  don't have any paper.

You don't have a pencil to take the test.

In fact you don't have ANY writing utensils.

You consider not taking the exam and...

Instead of studying... you blog about studying.

I am READY!

 (Mom and Dad will be happy to know I'm not "done enough" that I actually wouldn't take my exam.)

One Week!

My Love- I'll be with you in a one week!

Waiting anxiously,
Me

Fauxhawk... or maybe not

Okay some back tracking... because I never get around to downloading pictures.

Back in January I enjoyed a visit from Megan and Little P. Oh how I love them and loved spending time with them! Parker is such a cool little guy and is always a joy to have around! One morning while Megs was getting ready I decided to dress Parker and do his hair… I thought oh a fauxhawk would be fun...
Let’s just sat there was NO faux in this hawk!

Yep it’s the real deal!

And we had a party going on in the back!

Really quite the rocking style!

Party in the front and back!

Even if I am biased everyone has to agree this little guy is the cutest thing!

He is so sweet, smart, handsome, and funny. I sure do love Parker P.

Megs and Perry- Thanks for sharing your little guy with me! I love you all and can hardly wait to see you again. Come play with me... we’ll go bowling at Fat Cats… or better yet we’ll get a bite at Spark!

Missing

I miss this face.

and this one too...

I'M MISSING HIM!

He's there,

I'm here,

and we don't like it.

Yes, it stinks. No, the phone is not the same or as good as sitting on the couch together. Yes, there is such a thing as video chat... and it does help, but it is also not the same and could never be as good. No, weekends are not as fun, exciting, relaxing, or worthwhile without him. Yes, I love him and want to be with him. Yes, I'm counting the days until I see him again... Yes, I'm trying not to count the days until April 20th- when I will be with him and
never part again.

And...
Yes, we are learning and growing from this. Yes, we are blessed. Yes, we talk to each other every day. Yes, he supports me beyond my own strength. Yes, I couldn't do this without him... because he is still there for me. No, we don't want to do this again. No, we're not going to give up. Yes, we watch movies and Lost together. Yes, it's going to be okay... and YES it is going to end!