January 27

Today was the day. Day 1 of  730. It still hasn't hit me quite yet. I had some mint chocolate chip ice cream. I thought to myself that I would eat some of it and then save the rest for Adison. And then I realized that I can't.

I am so glad that I got to spend the last month living here with Adison. I am going to miss him so much. I am sure over the next few months, I'll cry when I realize that Adison won't be here for this or that. However, I know that he is on the Lord's errand and he will change the lives of the people he serves for the better.

Adison is the type of person that people gravitate to. It will be something that will come in handy when he shares the gospel.

January 26

Adison's last full day at home before his mission. We went to eat at Rancho Grande and played some Super Mario Borthers for the Wii.

Then Adison got set apart by the Stake President. He is now known as Elder McClellan. The Stake President asked us family to give one simple piece of advice to Adison. He was told to be obedient, share his testimony, remember it's the Lord's work and love the people you serve among. (Charleah and Sammie-tell me what you told him).  I cried for the first time and it will not be the last.

Now for the pictures. We took our last pictures dressed up with Adison. So there's Mom, Dad and Adison.

A long time ago, we noticed that Adison would tuck in his shirt into his pajama pants. We tried to figure out why he did it and he wouldn't tell us. Eventually he told us that when his shirt was tucked in, it meant he was ready for bed. He was ready for bed last night. But he stayed up late enough for me to show him what happens when you save Toad on Super Mario Brothers. Even though it took me forever.

Finally, the matching ties. Chris and Adison got the same tie for Christmas. They swore they would never wear them together. I guess it is embarrassing for guys to wear the same clothing, even though they are both wearing white shirts. I noticed that Chris was wearing this orange tie, so I told Adison I wanted to pick out his tie. When they noticed, it was not pretty. At least I got them to pose for this picture before Adison changed.

January 25

This was the picture on Monday. Adison starting to pack for his mission. Luckily that wasn't his only suitcase he brought. Unluckily, that suitcase broke on day 1 of his mission. That teaches us all that when Chris says to buy something of better quality, do it.

The tears hadn't come as of Monday.

Also, say goodbye to that mattress. It is going in the trash.

January 24

Today was Adison's farewall. He leaves so soon. I am so excited for him and I know that he is going to change people's life for the better, but I will still miss him. There is no brother greater than he is.

He is one of the funniest people that I know. He can always make me laugh.

One of my favorite memories of him was a few years back. He was making a glass of milk for himself and someone else. He filled up the glasses too high so he had to walk very slowly so it wouldn't spill. Then his pants started to fall down. His hands were full so he couldn't pull them up, so he need to walk quickly. But if he walked quickly, milk would spill everywhere. It was a classic moral dilemma. To solve it, he started walking with his legs further apart. Every step, he was getting closer and closer to doing the splits to prevent his pants from falling down and the milk from spilling.

Eventually he reached his destination and we all laughed. I still giggle thinking about it.

Another time we were swimming and Adison had told us to watch him do some trick under the water. When he came up he said "Did you see me down there?" with a lisp. It is one of those line we repeat over and over again.

January 23

The biggest hobby in my life right now is Scrapbooking. I have tons of stuff that I got from warehouse sales in Utah and I really really love it. It is so fun. I also think that I am getting better at it. I still have to look at other people's pages sometimes and scraplift. (Which Charleah makes fun of me for). But now I am mostly looking at people's page for inspiration. I would really like to someday work for a scrapbook company or something which is why I spend a lot of time practicing.

January 22

Queso. From Rancho Grande. I think it came directly from Heaven. It is the best ever. I really, really, really, want to know how to make it. I can't guarantee that we will always live near a Rancho Grande and I've got to know!

January 21

Adison doesn't really like me taking pictures of him. But Thursday, I went with him as he finished some last minute pre-mission errands. He got everything he needed and got two shots. After we went shopping, we met Mom, Dad and Chris at Ihop. They are currently having unlimited pancakes.

Afterwards, Chris joined us and they both got some shots. Chris voluntarily got the H1N1 vaccine. Thinking about that needle makes me sick to my stomach, so I will stop now.

January 20

I didn't take a picture today. I am cheating again. I didn't do much today, but I made some plans for my future.

Texas is changing their test for general subjects-basically for teaching elementary school. Before I could take a test for either EC-4 or 4-8 grades. But now, the test is changing to testing for EC-6 grades. Now I don't have to choose. I suppose I could've taken both tests, but that would have cost double. Now I am 100% positive, that I will be teaching in August. Maybe even by the end of the year. Which is what I did  on today.

January 19

Chris and I spent the day with Megan, Chris's little sister. I have know her for 8 years, so its been a while. We went to see the Lovely Bones, and then to lunch. It was a lot of fun. One of the pluses of living in Texas is getting to live nearer to all our family, including Megan, and getting to know everyone much better.

Yes this picture is old. But I forgot my camera. It's from Megan's High School graduation in May 2009.

January 18

This is a giant cupcake. I got Chris and giant cupcake pan for Christmas and it is pretty cool. One day I'll put ice cream in between the layers.

January 17

I actually took another photo for this day, but then we were talking to Charleah on Skype and she just started laughing for seemingly no reason. I took a screenshot. I am sure she will love looking at this.

It turns out she was laughing about something Chris was doing behind us in the kitchen, stuffing his face with cake or something like that. But it is not out of Charleah's character to just start laughing at whatever she is thinking about. Mostly things that have happened in the past. We can mostly make her laugh all the time and I love her for it.

January 16

This is me on a roof. It only one story, but a roof nonetheless. It is a good thing I am not scared of heights. I was, however, scared to get down. I ended up going through that window in the back instead of down the non-stable ladder.

Today I got to help Dad and Adison put siding on that wall I am measuring. It took me a bit to understand what Dad was telling me to do. He kept saying things like, "make sure that's flush with the side." Um, what does that mean? (Flush can also mean to make level, which I eventually figured out.)

Also, being on the roof and helping made me realize how much I didn't like geometry, which is used a lot in construction. Mostly right angles and stuff like that.

I am going to start couponing again. I stopped when we moved into our last apartment because I got lazy. But we can't really afford to by lazy anymore.

This group of food does not beat my record of saving $120 in one transaction. But I got all of this (and by I, I mean my mom), for less than $10. And some of it has already been eaten, so it was really more.

The thing I am most proud of is the turkey, that stuff is expensive.

It has been rainy and gloomy all week long. I love this weather. It make some people sad, but not me. I do like the sunshine, but sometimes I also like a break from it for a gray, rainy day.

I also love how everything looks so green here. All those evergreens means fewer bare trees during the winter.

This is Cali. I don't know what breed she is, some kind of lab. She is our dog. Really, she is Sammie's dog. But Sammie is at college, so everyone else is left to care for her.

In her mouth, is her toy. I bought it for her a little before Christmas. I threw it out yesterday because this is what she does. Apparently, when she is done with a toy, she chews it up until she gets a new one. Doesn't she look guilty?

She chews a lot. When she was still a puppy, I came home for the summer after my freshman year. She chewed my Bible. Sammie says that is wasn't her. But unless it was another animal we had living in the house, I am still sure she was Cali. She has learned now not to chew on things unless it is hers.

She is a smart dog, sometimes. She knows exactly where her toy is when she leaves it somewhere. She knows what it means to go to bed. When I take her on a walk, I don't have to use a leash. She will stay near enough to me and run back as soon as I call.

Bottom line: I love dogs. I always want to have one. I love living with one again.

Can you tell that this picture was taken early morning? Because that's the point. Chris is tired.

Today was Chris and my last day to sub for early morning seminary. Um, I don't ever want to have to wake up at 5am ever again. But I am still young and I'm sure it will happen again.

Even though the time was early, I still had fun subbing. And I also decided on another new year's resolution. I want to learn all the old scripture mastery (when it was 50 verses per year instead of 25). If I do one verse a week, I'll finish in 4 years.

I am also amazed by all the seminary students who wake up everyday to go to early morning seminary. I did it for four years and I really don't know how I did it.

Although, as my dad tells, we didn't have it as bad as he did. His seminary started at 5am and he had to deliver papers before that. There's his walk to school uphill in the snow both ways story.

Chris and I went on our first date of the year. First we saw Avatar (which was the LONGEST movie ever) and then we went to the Cheesecake Factory. We went to The Woodlands which has changed so much since we we've been here. We didn't really explore it all that much. I would like to ride the boat down there, but they'll have to something about the smell or Chris will never get on.

Being around family has been great, but Chris and I need to work harder at taking some time out for just the two of us. We've spent basically every night for the last 2 1/2 years without any family obligations and we've lived all by ourselves. It was easy to plan time together. Now we have to make conscious decisions to do it. It will help us prepare for when we have children.

Our car is a Texas resident. I am still kind of bugged that we just had to register our car again in Utah last month and then we had to pay to register it again this month.

However, at least it's like we never left Texas.

We went to the temple today. The goal is to go more this year than we did last year. I really do love this place and I get somethings out of it every time. Today I listened for something that I wanted to work on this week. We are promised blessings in the temple, but I figure that I don't have a reason to not try harder to earn them.

What goes on in this temple and temples throughout the world is beautiful and sacred. To me, the work tells me that Heavenly Father loves all his children and we will all have a chance to hear the gospel and have the ordinances preformed for us.

These are a few quotes about the temple:

"In the ordinances of the temple, the foundations of the eternal family are sealed in place." Howard W Hunter

"As the prophets have said, the temple is a place of beauty; it is a place of revelation; it is a place of peace. It is the house of the Lord. It is holy unto the Lord. It must be holy and important to us.” Howard W Hunter

"Let us truly be a temple-attending and a temple-loving people." Howard W. Hunter

"No work is more of a protection to this church than temple work and the genealogical research that supports it. No work is more spiritually refining. No work we do gives us more power. No work requires a higher standard of righteousness." Boyd K Packer

"Within the hallowed walls of the temples, there is no preference of position, wealth, status, race, or education. All dress in white. All receive the same instruction. All make the same covenants and promises. All receive the same transcendent, eternal blessings if they live worthy to claim them. All are equal before their Creator. Those who are single through no fault of their own, if worthy, will be given the blessings, if they wish, of an eternal family relationship." James E Faust

"A temple is a place in which those whom He has chosen are endowed with power from on high—a power which enables us to use our gifts and capabilities with greater intelligence and increased effectiveness in order to bring to pass our Heavenly Father’s purposes in our own lives and the lives of those we love." David B Haight

"The temple is the house of the Lord. The basis for every temple ordinance and covenant—the heart of the plan of salvation—is the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Every activity, every lesson, all we do in the Church, point to the Lord and His holy house." Russell M Nelson

Yes. We got snuggies. And they are awesome and warm. Especially in our house right now. My parents are remodeling and the downstairs doesn't have all the insulation yet, and since it is so freaking cold in Texas right now, we freeze. But not with our snuggies! The blanket with sleeves.

We tried to get them before Christmas, but they were sold out everywhere. Which is kind of surprising, because they are really dorky. We finally found them at Walgreens.

But, if you are worried that we didn't get our special TV offer, don't. We got free booklights with our purchase.

This is a real live Texas Longhorn which Chris's great-uncle owns. I knew as soon as I saw it today, that it would be my in picture of the day.

I am starting to realize that I don't think I am a city girl, especially after San Fransico. I am not exactly a country girl either, but I do love it. I think the quietness and openness is calming. I don't think I could live more than 20 minutes away from a craft store, but I do love taking some time away from it all.

This is a great thing about Texas. There is plenty of open space. But there is also big cities. And medium sized suburbs, which is where I belong.

This is Chris and I love him. This picture wasn't actually taken on January 6th, but I wanted to share it. At our company Christmas party, there was a mechanical bull. It was the competition I signed up for (and didn't win) but afterwards, Chris also wanted to give him a try.

Which is a reason why I love him. He is more adventurous than me and gets me to step outside of my box more than I would without him.

Here are some other reasons.

1. He has a strong testimony.
2. He holds the priesthood and honors it.
3. He supports me and all my goals.
4. He sings in the shower.
5. He is the smartest person I know.
6. He has his own opinions.
7. He will come with me to the craft store.
8. He is good at EVERYTHING he does.
9. He accepts people for who they are.
10. He doesn't expect me to be the perfect wife.
11. He loves and respects me.
12. Everybody who meets him, loves him.
13. He can't stay mad at me or lie to me.
14. He has chubby cheeks.
15. He will be the most wonderful father. There will be none greater.

This is seriously the last time this type of picture will appear for at least two years. And I know I sound like a broken record with the whole "last time in 2 years" bit. But it is true and I am one who needs things to not change. And change seems the be the title of my life right now.

But this is my family. I love them.

There are several things I have learned about family by being a part of this one.

• It is possible for siblings to be best friends, before we're all grown with kids. 
• Families that pray together, read scriptures together, and have family home evening last.
• It isn't always necessary to talk to have fun together.
• Families should laugh together. And we laugh a lot.
• Even while doing chores that wouldn't be fun. Doing them together is fun.
• You should always save some for your father.
• There will always be one person in the family who shirks doing the chores. 
• Moms can never know too much about her children's bodily functions. (Not Me)

This is our last night as a family watching movies for the next two years. The one we chose was Star Trek, because we knew it would make Mom happy.

This is what we like to do together. All get around the TV and watch the latest blockbuster new release. Some of us end up falling asleep.

Here, Charleah, Adison and I are squished onto a loveseat. I was hoping that with three of us we would be warmer, but as cold as the house is now, it was not the case.

I love the moments we have together. We really don't even need to be talking but just being together is worth it. I will miss those moments with Adison, but he will be back before we know it. And by then we'll be able to use Dad's media room that he is building to fit more husbands, wives and grandchildren.

Oh Adison.

This month there will be several pictures of Adison, since I won't be seeing him for 2 years.

He is such a joy. He is for sure spoiled with love by the women in his life. He is the apple of Mom's eye, and all us girls just love him to death.

In this picture, he was trying to prove to me that he would fit in a toddler's hat I made. And he was wrong.

Currently, he is in a phase where he says "______ is my middle name." Like when Mom says, "Adison drive carefully!" Adison responds, "Mom, careful is my middle name."

We have been trying to take this picture ever since Adison got his letterman jacket, but some people didn't want to until they lost weight (me). However, Adison leaves in less than a month for a 2 year mission, we really couldn't hold off anymore.

I do have the most awesome siblings ever. We have gotten along for so long. Of course we kind of fought when we were little, but not for the past few years, not seriously anyway. We will always be best friends. I know that each one of us would do anything for each other.

Adding Chris into the picture hasn't been weird. We will always be "us four" but now we have another brother (/husband). Everyone gets along with him, and treats him so much like a brother already. I am excited to add three more siblings to the group. Hopefully they already fit in with us. And to do that, all you have to do is be able to laugh and understand why we are laughing. Or just understand that sometimes, Charleah laughs for reasons not apparent to anyone else.

This picture was actually taken on July 4, but I didn't get a good fireworks picture on New Year's. I am already cheating on day 1, but I am okay with that. January 1 is a day of new resoltions, and these are mine.

1. Write in a scripture journal everyday

2. Exercise 4 times a week

3. Cook a new recipe every week

4. Read or listen to 40 books

5. Make some presents for next Christmas

6. Buy a house

7. Play a piano solo in sacrament

8. Get better at photography and elements

9. Lose xx pounds

10. Cook dinner 5 times a week

11. Get a job with benefits (or have Chris get one)

12. Make a quilt

13. Go to a craft fair and sell some of the things I have made

14. Make a recipe book

15. Go to the temple once a month

16. Floss everyday

17. Make a huge dent in our current debt. 

But the number one goal of the year is to get pregnant. It has been hard that I am not yet after months of trying, but I know it will happen. It has been a humbling experience to truly accept Heavenly Father's will for me. Instead of constantly stressing about it, I am going to work on those resolutions above.