February 23

What is that! Snow! In Magnolia! I am not worried; it will be gone tomorrow and back to 60 on Thursday. But it's still fun it see a little bit of it.

February 22

We went to Chili's in Tomball and sat in this booth. This same exact booth that Chris, Charleah, Charleah's date and I sat in over 6 years ago the night of homecoming.

This mirror scared Charleah that night. She didn't realize it was a mirror. She kept looking to her right and wondered why the person in the booth over kept staring at her. Um, it wasn't another person, it was Charleah's reflection.

That was the funniest thing that happened all night. It actually ended up being pretty horrible. Charleah's date tried to dance inappropriately with her and I ended up in the bathroom at the high school throwing up my Chicken Crispers. The vice principle thought I was drunk (don't worry, I wasn't). That was also the last time I threw up which is why I am vomit free since '03.

February 21

It wasn't me. Or Chris. Somehow, the glass in the shower door broke on Sunday. It is the weirdest thing. Earlier in the day I thought I heard something weird, like someone dropping glass. But I didn't think anything of it. Well, later Chris went into the bathroom and then called me upstairs way weirdly. He asked me to look in the bathroom to see if anything looked differently. At this time, the glass was still in in the door, but looked shattered.

We both went downstairs like little children. We promised that we didn't do anything, but something was broke upstairs. And so, the mystery of the glass door. I guess we'll have to watch the video in heaven to see it happen.

February 20

I went to our Stake Interfaith Quilting Bee to serve food to those who were actually making the quilts. The food was AMAZING! And so were the quilts. I would love to make quilts like these, but I know that I do not have the patience for it.

The cookie is the coveted Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Quilting Bee cookie. I guess people come specifically for the cookies. Luckily my mom has the recipe, so I can make them anytime I want. I shouldn't, but I could.

February 19

I went with Chris to help him to BPOs on these two houses. I have been thinking a lot lately about how I want our future house to look like. And it isn't like any of these two. The one on top was really nice inside, but can you see the garage? It sees like all houses in Texas have this huge garage that seems like part of the house instead of off to the side. I know I am being really picky and I can't expect everything I want in our first house. But I will definitely try to get one without a visible gar

February 18

I have officially decided that Oreos are the best store bought cookies. I think Sammie will agree with me.

How do you eat an oreo? I can't decide. I think they taste best all together, not separated, all dipped in milk. But, then you don't get to enjoy the same cookie twice. So I like separating them to trick myself into thinking I actually have double the cookie. I try to trick myself a lot. When I am running, I tell myself one more minute and it ends up being 2 more minutes. Or in the morning when I hit snooze, I tell myself that 7 more minutes will be good for me. Etc.

February 17

I tried to take Chris's real estate picture today. He hates taking pictures. He says that his eyes disappear when he smiles. I guess they get a little smaller, but doesn't everyone's? Try to pick which one he used.

February 16

Can you tell what that is? It's muscle. A calf muscle. That is pretty much awesome. I make sure to do calf raises a lot and they seem to be working. Look for more muscle coming soon.

February 15

Yes. My fingernails are black. It is the first time I have ever done that. And it needs to come off before Monday. It is supposed to be black with gold speckle, but the gold doesn't come through very well. The only reason I did it was because it was sitting there. We were talking around the table at Chris's parents house and I just decided to paint them. I did add some star glitter to make it less goth, but they fell off.

Also, is it weird that I post about my fingers twice in two weeks?

February 14

I am a journal writer. I write in it every Sunday. I love looking back at what I was thinking and doing, even if it was just a few months ago.

You know how there are those moments in life that whenever you think of them, you feel this pang of regret? Well, one of those moments in life for me is my first journal. I started it when I got baptized at 8. I wrote in in about twice a week for 8 years, and then I lost it. Not really, I know exactly where I left it. In draw, in a dorm room, at Trinity college after I went there for EFY in 2002. I am still so sad that I left it. It had the first time I met Chris, when we started dating, our first break up, our first kiss... ugh.

But, I am extra careful now. Since then I have filled up 2 journals and will finish this one around April. I know one thing my mom regrets is losing her journals in a flood. I wish we had them because I would've loved to read them and I hope my kids enjoy reading mine and can learn from it.

February 13

We were looking for my diploma the other day, and we found this. After prom our school had project prom, which was an all night activity at the school that last from about midnight until early morning the next day. One of the activities was a caricaturist. Luckily, Chris and I were one of the first ones in line, so we didn't have to wait long. I always wanted to have one of these done and I am so glad I got one with Chris.

I feel like I should point out, that my cheeks weren't really that chubby in real life- it was the artist's style.

February 12

Sometimes I hate my hair. Other times, I love the potential it has. I did my hair curly today, which is just putting some moose in it and blow drying it. However, I know my hair has more curly in it, I just don't know how to find it. Everytime I get my hair cut, I want to ask but I chicken out. (I know, I'm weird) Next time I am just going to tell them that I do my hair curly everyday and see if they style it that way. Because now I tell them that I usually straighten it, and that's what they do to.

February 11

I got fingerprinted today. As part of my application to become a substitute, I had to do it. I think the last time I was fingerprinted was in elementary school and then it was all about the black ink. Now, they just put your fingers on some glass, and the computer reads it. Pretty cool.

February 10

If this looks like a weird picture, that's because it is. Chris was cracking himself up. He would move Kali's tail and then she would move it back. Simple? Yes. Funny? Not really. The funniest things about this is Chris makes fun of Charleah whenever she cracks herself up with silly things like this, but he does the same thing. 

February 9

Obviously I didn't take this picture today. I went to a Relief Society activity about food storage. I have know that I always wanted to have food storage and when we buy a house, I am particularly interested in looking for lots of storage space for a place to keep that storage.

The lady who talked to us was Sister Wilkenson. She has a website, Kneadful Things which talks extensively about not having food storage, but food supply. To lots of people in the church, having 300 pounds of wheat in your garage for 30 years is enough. Well, it's not. I don't know if anything is going to happen in my lifetime where I would need long term food storage. But short term definitely. Last year when Hurricane Ike hit, people were without electricity here for weeks. And besides that, it is a commandment.

But Sis. Wilkenson talks about living off your food storage, and she does it. She has a year supply of food and then some for her family of 7. All of that food is in her house in a room that is basically a grocery store. She shops there and then replaces the food. She cans all kinds of things (even meat), waxes cheese, processes grains, etc.

I think what impressed me the most was that food storage isn't something you can expect to know what to do with when the time comes. You have to practice and get your family used to eating that food. Which is what I want to do.

February 8

Sometimes, I get really obsessed with a certain craft. Last time it was crochet, now it is felting. (I don't know if that is a real word.) This one started because Chris's little sister Megan has a birthday coming up. She really loves owls, so I decided to make her some things with owls. This was my first attempt making a felt owl. Isn't it adorable? Felt was on sale last week at Hobby Lobby, so I got a lot of it. And I love it. I was already planning to make a quiet book hopefully soon, so I got a head start on my craft buying. This week has been all about the felt. I've made quite a few things and they are all so cute.

February 7

I couldn't care less about the superbowl. I prefer college sports, but I do love the food. It is bascially a bunch of appetizers, which would be my favorite type of meal.

I am rooting for the Colts. Mostly because a former BYU player is playing for them now.

But besides that, I am here for the food and the commercials.

February 6

Chris's first primary activity. It was early in the morning, but it was still fun. Can you see how much frosting is on the cookies? It is a lot. Chris gave the kids like 2 spoonfuls each on their cookies. 

Also, our ward is lacking in girls. There are like twice as many boys. Which I am sure the girls will love once they are in YW/YM. 

We are both liking being in primary. We are still trying to learn how to make the lessons interesting enough for the kids to get them to listen, which is hard for a bunch of rowdy boys. 

February 5

Proof that Dad can be a bit of a dork. Mom loves pearls and it is basically the only jewelry that she wears. That is what he got her and he can't just give it too her. 

He comes in wearing the necklace he bought. But Mom didn't notice it. He hand her Kohl's cash for $30, so she knows he bought something. She is looking through the pockets of his jacket and still can't find anything. Finally he stands us, and she sees. And then he hands her the other box of pearls. 

They can be so cute for being married for 25 years.

February 4

Mis padres. They are not the best picture takees. They just don't open their eyes/smile at the right time.

However, today is their anniversary. 25 years! It's an important one. Although I didn't particularly enjoy it because it means that I turn 25 this year, which I am trying to stop.

Earlier in the night, a family friend dropped by a cookie cake that someone had got her for her birthday. She didn't want it all and we took some. Well, talk about coincidences! After my parents were married by the Justice of the Peace, they went out and got a cookie cake. How sweet.

They met while Dad was on his mission in Sioux City Iowa. He got off is mission in November 1984 and they were married in February 1985. 25 years and 4 more children later, here they are.

February 3

This doesn't look very appetizing, but it was very good. Potatoes and Onions--what more do you need in life? This is one of my new recipes that I tired this week. I am loving doing this. I have some free time where I can spend a bit more time trying things out and learning more about cooking and baking.

Chris and I have this horrible habit of eating out. Well, we want to break that. Me cooking better is one way to do that. Not that I was ever a horrible cook, but I want to expand my run-to recipe repertoire. So one day when we are busy and need a quick dinner, I have things I can turn to without it being boring.

February 2

We went to the library today. This is what I got. My reading styles are all over the place. I got some young adult fiction, new adult fiction, a classic, a mystery and a nonfiction. I like getting so many books so that if I don't like one, I can just pick another one to read instead of going back to the library.

Also, I have started 3 of these books already. I just didn't have time to read them all before.

Also, I LOVE reading. There is no better entertainment in the world.

February 1

Flashback day. I love this picture of the four of us. I also love the lighting. It is not photoshopped at all. I love how us girls look like we are having a conversation and Adison is looking at the camera.

January 31

Mom got a flat tire. She also has a new car which has never had a flat tire. So it was a new experience trying to figure out how to get the tire from under the card and use the jack right. It seemed much more complicated than it should have been.

This is basically what I did. Stabilized things. Chris and Brother Pope had it covered.

January 30

Me. After working out. I have finally started doing it again. It takes a bit for me to get started, but I don't let myself think about it. I just do it. And when I am done, I love how sweaty I am. It just means I worked hard. My goal is to exercise 20 times for the month of February. That's 5 times a week.

January 29

Mom and Dad are remodeling the house. That means there is a lot of scrap wood lying around. And I get it. I am so excited to try out all the wood crafts I have seen. Plus, I have a dad who is a builder/contractor who can cut the wood with a saw.

January 28

This isn't the best picture of the rain. But on Thursday night, we finally had the HUGE thunderstorm that I have been waiting for. Utah has never had a thunderstorm like this. I just love it.