The Return of the Retainer

Last night I was sorting out the disaster inside the bathroom drawer when I came across my long-lost retainer. I have been longing for it since I lost it a few months ago because I feel like my teeth have shifted a little bit. And let me tell you, I'm not going to let 4 1/2 agonizing years of braces go to waste by not wearing it! I've been pretty much religious about it since I got them off in 9th grade (but don't worry, I only wear it at night).

I popped it in my mouth and ran to show Adam and have him share in the exciting news of its reuniting with me, but to my disappointment, he wasn't as thrilled as I was. He mocked me and told me that it kind of creeps him out that people will most likely now think he has a 14 year old wife.

A Beagle Someday?

Adam and I love dogs, and we are always talking about what kind we want to get someday and what we'll name it. After seeing the most adorable one ever at the Cherry Blossom Festival, we decided that we want a Beagle. They are so cute!

It would be so much fun to get one now, but we don't really want to deal with having one in an apartment. We would feel too bad leaving it cooped up inside all day long while we're at work and school. We'll probably wait until we have a yard and a kid or two, but we're so excited! We researched beagles on the internet a little bit and they seem like great family dogs, a nice medium size, and good natured. Hopefully we can get one within the next few years.

National Cherry Blossom Festival

This afternoon, Adam and I met up with one of his good friends Ben Jones, and his wife Lexi who are in town for the weekend. They currently live in Ithaca, NY where Ben is getting his MBA. Adam and Ben both served their missions in Reykjavik, Iceland, and Ben was Adam's trainer when he first got there.

We met them in Chinatown for lunch and then walked to the National Cherry Blossom Festival. It was ridiculously crowded, but still so much fun. We first watched the kite festival that was on the lawn of the mall and then pushed our way through the crowds to the Jefferson Memorial.


I'd never been to it before, but I absolutely loved it. It is now my favorite of all the monuments. I loved the circular shape, the dome, the inscriptions on the walls, and all of the sunlight. The Lincoln Memorial is pretty dark inside because it only has one entrance for light to come in, but the Jefferson Memorial has entrances on all sides. It stands on the edge of Tidal Basin, which is completely surrounded by cherry trees. It was so gorgeous! I think everyone was getting kind of annoyed with me because I stopped to take so many pictures, but I couldn't help it! There was a picture-perfect moment every five feet! I loved it!

Back to Real Life

I'm back from Utah all safe and sound. I had such a blast that it's been hard getting back to reality- work, school, laundry, etc. My poor husband at least has me back to cook for him. The night I got home he was complaining that he didn't feel very well, and when I asked him what he ate while I was gone, he replied "frozen burritos, toast, cereal, and Reese's peanut butter cups." He claims that is literally all he ate for an entire week, and sadly, I believe him. No wonder he didn't feel well! Some might make the assumption that he is extremely lazy when it comes to preparing food and eating well, and those people would be right! :)

Adam and I had never been apart for more than 2 nights before this trip, and I missed him like crazy! It was hard just talking on the phone. It reminded me of when we were dating and he lived in Centerville and I lived in Provo while we were in school and we were forced to talk on the phone way more than in person. It was awful! I do not miss those days. Living together and being married is WAY better!


We went on a family bike ride from our house in Bloomington to the Arts Festival. It was kind of a long ride, but super fun. We all got sunburned though!

Me and dad

Jess and I wrestled. It was hilarious! Let's just say that she MIGHT be a little stronger than me!

Rachelle and Lauren in their matching Easter shirts. We actually all got the exact same shirt in our basket from the Easter Bunny, but we failed to capture all of us in our shirts on camera. Ha ha! It's like when my mom used to dress us all matching for years when we were little.

The surgery recoverer. She's doing really well and I really enjoyed "taking care" of her (eating ice cream, watching movies, doing her shopping with her credit card). It was great!

I love you, family! See you in June!

My Week in St. George

I've been able to spend this week at home in St. George with my family. It has been so wonderful to relax, help take care of my mom, and spend time with everyone. My sisters Jessica and Rachelle just showed up from Provo today for the weekend. We had a blast tonight making Chinese food together while singing in the kitchen. It turned out really yummy!

My dad came home from his haircut today looking pretty scary. His hairdresser put gel in it before he could tell her how much he hates gel, so he decided to have her go all the way with it. He told her to give him the "American Idol look," and this is what she came up with. We all had a pretty good laugh.

He just bought a new car, a hybrid, and he's pretty proud of it. I have to admit, it is pretty sweet. The coolest thing about it is that there is no ignition for the keys. You simply leave the keys in your pocket or purse and the car can recognize that they are close by and start after you press the power button. The car also has a keyless entry. All you have to do is stand next to the door with your keys in your pocket, and the door will automatically unlock without you doing anything.

My in-laws and two of my brothers-in-law happened to also be in St. George this weekend for Nick's baseball tournament. I got to watch him play and spend sometime visiting with everyone. I've missed them so much, and it was so great to be with them for the afternoon.


Aren't they cute? I'm so lucky to have such a great in-law family!



This last picture demonstrates what we have all been trying to do a lot of this week- sleeping! I've gotten at least 9 hours every night, which has been a dream come true. I love sleep! My dad looked so cute and cuddly in his bed last night, I had to document it.

Happy 26th Addy!

Today is Adam's 26th birthday. Man, he's getting kind of old! I realized yesterday that this is his 4th birthday that we have celebrated together. Time has gone by so fast! I love my husband so much! I thank Heavenly Father every day that we get to share our lives with each other. Adam is a wonderful man. He has such a kind heart, an optimistic outlook on life, and is so full of love for everyone. He loves to serve and give himself to others. He is brilliant, humble, hilarious, and hot as heck. I love you, Addybear! Have the best year of your life!

Woman sat on toilet for 2 years

I know this news story is really sad, but I couldn't help but laugh at this article that I just read on CNN. My sister Jessica is going to be living in this state for the next 7 years. She'll probably come across some interesting people while she's there.

WICHITA, Kan. - Authorities are considering charges in the bizarre case of a woman who sat on her boyfriend's toilet for two years — so long that her body was stuck to the seat by the time the boyfriend finally called police.

Ness County Sheriff Bryan Whipple said it appeared the 35-year-old Ness City woman's skin had grown around the seat. She initially refused emergency medical services but was finally convinced by responders and her boyfriend that she needed to be checked out at a hospital.

"We pried the toilet seat off with a pry bar and the seat went with her to the hospital," Whipple said. "The hospital removed it."

Whipple said investigators planned to present their report Wednesday to the county attorney, who will determine whether any charges should be filed against the woman's 36-year-old boyfriend.

"She was not glued. She was not tied. She was just physically stuck by her body," Whipple said. "It is hard to imagine. ... I still have a hard time imagining it myself."

He told investigators he brought his girlfriend food and water, and asked her every day to come out of the bathroom.

"And her reply would be, `Maybe tomorrow,'" Whipple said. "According to him, she did not want to leave the bathroom."

The boyfriend called police on Feb. 27 to report that "there was something wrong with his girlfriend," Whipple said, adding that he never explained why it took him two years to call.

Police found the clothed woman sitting on the toilet, her sweat pants down to her mid-thigh. She was "somewhat disoriented," and her legs looked like they had atrophied, Whipple said.

"She said that she didn't need any help, that she was OK and did not want to leave," he said.

She was reported in fair condition at a hospital in Wichita, about 150 miles southeast of Ness City. Whipple said she has refused to cooperate with medical providers or law enforcement investigators.

Blogging Slump

I've been trying to think of something fun to write about for a few days but haven't been able to come up with anything. Sorry to disappoint all of my fans! I spent the weekend sleeping and trying to fight off the yucky flu/cold thing that came seemingly out of nowhere. Sleeping was difficult though because I couldn't breathe through my nose, and I absolutely hate breathing through my mouth because it gets all dry and I can't stop thinking about how dry it is. All I want to do is drink and drink, but then I worry that I'll have to get out of my warm bed to go to the bathroom, and that's the last thing I want to do. Oh, the drama of being sick.

Adam was on spring break from school last week. It was so much fun to have him around! He even got to come to work with me twice. The little girls I nanny for just love him, and we had fun together. Too bad his spring break wasn't the same week as my spring break. I'm going to visit my family in Utah next week, but he can't come because of the scheduling conflict.

How about I write a list of things that I'm especially grateful for lately?

1. My husband
2. Dayquil and Nyquil
3. Friends in our ward
4. Living in such a cool city
5. The scriptures
6. Chocolate cupcakes
7. Family
8. School
9. The nice weather

You can buy from me, I promise!

It's not my fault that I only have a 20% positive rating as a seller on Amazon.com. I couldn't help it that Hurricane Katrina hit the day after I sent the guy from New Orleans his textbook and he never got it! Adam and I were laughing at the bad luck of the situation the other night. Imagine the chances!

I realized that there was probably no chance of recovering my rating after that one so I just created a whole new account. I'm trying to sell a few more textbooks for some extra cash. Let's hope no more disasters strike.