Cute Giveaway!

Here is a link to a super cute giveaway from Poppy Seed Projects. An awesome calendar helping to get life organized!

http://tatertotsandjello.com/2012/10/get-organized-poppy-seed-calendar-giveaway.html#comment-191609

Well . . .

I cannot believe how fast time flies! I went to take a look at something on the blog and realized it still looked like Christmas! Oops!

Well there have been quite a few fun things that have happened in the past . . . 4 months (almost 5). Let's see, I could brag about all of the awesome things that my amazing husband got for me for Christmas.

1.  He bought my a Silhouette Cameo (a crafting machine that I wanted really really bad and I am now in love with.)

2.  He surprised me and bought me a Kindle Fire! He had been taking me to Best Buy to take a look at the tablets and apparently he was gauging my reactions to them. I just thought that he was looking at them to dream because as much as he probably wouldn't want to admit it, he's as big a window shopper as I am. I had no idea that he ever had any intention of buying one ever, let alone buying one for me! Again, another gift that I love, love, love!

I definitely felt thoroughly spoiled this year. I had been thinking and and thinking trying to come up with something to get Jared, but every time I brought it up he adamantly told me that he didn't want anything for Christmas. No matter how I phrased it or brought it up he kept telling me he didn't want anything! So come Christmas morning I still hadn't gotten him anything for Christmas. As we got ready for the day I started to cry (big baby) because I told him that I really hadn't gotten him anything. He just laughed, hugged me, and said, "That is the best Christmas present that you could have given me. I told you I didn't want anything!" Now that made me better kind of, but mostly worse. Why the heck didn't he want anything? But then as you can see, we had spent a lot of money on me apparently for Christmas so his gift was just to not spend any more money. Ha ha! 

London Raquel Giveaway

Oh my heck! There are the cutest things on here for girls! I am in love with the rompers and headbands. They are all gorgeous. Kara's Party Ideas is doing a $100 giveaway for London Raquel. Here is the link if anyone else would like the chance to grab some of this adorable stuff!

http://karaspartyideas.com/2012/04/london-raquel-100-boutique-giveaway.html/comment-page-15#comment-101442

It's My Birthday and I'll Cry if I Want to . . .

Well, my birthday week started out great! My in-laws took Jared and I out for dinner, then surprised me with cake and ice cream at their house afterwards with the whole family. My niece Savannah wrote in my birthday card this year and it was adorable! "I lov yuo - Savannah" So cute. Friday night, Jared took me out to eat at Olive Garden and our waiter was hilarious. He's probably one of the best waiters I've ever had. I wanted to get his autograph because he reminded me of Seth Rogen, but Jared wouldn't let me. Even for my birthday.

My Waiter . . . Oh wait that's Seth Rogen.

After dinner, Jared took me to go see the latest Twilight movie. Breaking Dawn (?). I had already seen it, but Jared hadn't and he knows that I like us to do weird corny things together. The first time I went to see it with my mother in law and baby sister (she's 15) and it was probably the most awkward I've ever felt . . . um ever. And just like I did the first time, during all the blood when she was giving birth I was gagging and grossed out and almost determined that I will never have children. People keep telling me it's not as bad as that but . . . we'll see. Jared also gagged and was worse than me almost so that made me feel better about it. The first time, Heidi had to almost carry me out of the theater I was so faint from all the blood. (Blood never used to bother me until I watched Daybreakers . . . it's a movie about vampires and it was fine up until a 2 minute segment at the end that's almost pure blood. I had turned white and couldn't sit up, oh man. It was bad.) This time around I think I was a little more used to the blood so Jared didn't have to carry me out or anything.

Sorry everyone. I'm team Jacob. I hate Edward. And Bella. I hate  Bella most. You know what. I'm also team Seth. He is adorable! I love him!

Saturday Jared had to spend all day at a wrestling tournament so I spent the day mostly to myself.  An awesome friend of mine took me out to lunch, then I treated myself to a little shopping at Kohl's. Then I went home and did absolutely nothing. We were hoping to be able to go to Jim Gaffigan but at the time when tickets went on sale we just didn't have the money to do it. Sad day. My mom, aunt and her three kids, my grandma, and two youngest siblings came caroling Happy Birthday to my door (is that normal?) and hung out with me for a little bit. 

Then my day turned terrible! Jared and I went to go somewhere (I don't even remember where) and I could not find my wedding ring! We looked everywhere. I cleaned the entire apartment. Jared moved big things and checked the sink. It was no where. So I cried all night long. It might sound a little silly but Jared and I said a prayer that we would be able to find it. My parents were praying for us as well as some other family who knew about it. Sunday, we still couldn't find it so I cried some more. That night Jared was trying to comfort me and told me if we really couldn't find it that we would open up an account and start putting money in it so that we could buy me another one because I'm "worth it." I know it was meant to make me feel better but I felt terrible! So I cried some more. Monday, still nothing so this whole time I've just been wearing this crappy like $5 ring from Claire's. Finally, last night I was putting some clean laundry away and lo and behold I see it sitting there on my bed underneath where I had put all of my clean clothes!

I still don't know where it came from really but I'm just so grateful that I was able to find it. I think it's just another one of those tender mercies from my Heavenly Father. P.S. - I'm never taking my ring off again.

Cherry Walls Decal

Kara's Party Ideas on Facebook/Blog is doing another giveaway. This time from Cherry Wall Shop Decal Store. You could win a $100 credit to Cherry Wall Shop!

http://www.karaspartyideas.com/2012/01/100-cherry-walls-shop-credit-giveaway.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+KarasPartyIdeas+%28Kara%27s+Party+Ideas%29

~ I Love December! ~

This season really is my favorite! I love the snow (even though we haven't had a whole lot this year), the lights (even though it seems no one has put hardly any lights up this year), spending time with our awesome families, and having a break from school and work. It gives me time to rejuvenate. It's been an especially good year for a lot of other little reasons.

One - I won two tickets to the Trans Siberian Orchestra! What!? I've been entering to win for a little while online and finally they sent me the email telling me I'd won. I was so excited! We went yesterday and it was soo so fun! Two of the girls we sat close to were kind of interesting as well. One seemed to think that she was Xena warrior princess, but they were both really nice. They even offered to share their popcorn with us. Unfortunately, they offered it to probably the only two people in the world who don't actually like popcorn. Ha ha! There were times during some of the songs where I actually felt the vibrations shaking my entire body and resonating inside my chest. I loved it! So much fun to get out and do something like that with Jared.

Two - I also won an outfit naming contest from Vanity and won this super cute outfit!

Yes, this is from their website and the name I picked out! (Tease me all you want about it. I entered about 5 or 6 names and that's the one that won!) I'll be getting everything you see pictured on the model. They did tell me they're actually out of stock on the boots so I will be getting these instead.

Am I okay with that? Yes I am. I'm pretty excited to get everything in the mail here soon!

Three - Probably one of the best of all, we got to talk to Elder Madsen on the phone! He is doing soo good and he sounds great! He had told us in his emails to make sure that we write everything down that we wanted to ask him or talk to him about. Apparently he didn't think our last phone call lasted quite long enough because no one really knew what to say. This time definitely wasn't a problem. We all had plenty to say and so did he. We each took a turn speaking with him and when we were done, my mom started to cry a little. Which started my dad crying a little bit, which made me teary eyed. He is so great! He's hit the year mark so we're on the downhill slope now. It will be good to have him home, but is doing so much good in Mexico too. I love that boy! I took a lot of video of the conversations but I'm still trying to figure out how to get that on here.

Family at Christmas time!

The best part about Christmas . . . by far being with family. Here are just a few pictures of some of my most favorite people in the world during my favorite time of year!

Jared and Emmett

Mary (Olivia) and Joseph (Savannah)

The donkey (Brett)

Jared squishing Emmett, I don't think Emmett minds.

Our little Christmas corner

The Kindle Fire that Jared spoiled me with. He had it in mind for months apparently. He was so excited for me to open it. Needless to say, I LOVE IT!

If I wasn't already spoiled enough, Jared also got me the Silhouette Cameo!!

Jared and Emmett playing with what we got him for Christmas

Wendy and Trevor

My mom and Abuelita

Everyone gathered around to talk with Elder Madsen

Me with the love of my life waiting for our turn to talk to Elder Madsen

Jared opening his secret Santa gift

Judith, me and my mommy with our new crock pots!

My parents opening up the gift Jared and I got them (from On the Avenue)

Temple Square

As always, we made it a point to go to Salt Lake to Temple Square this year to see the lights. It's one of my favorite Christmas traditions. Four years ago was the first time I went with Jared and it was the first time I met his family. I love this tradition. We invited two of my friends from my program and their families to come with us this year. It's great being able to share it with people I care about. We spent about two, two and a half hours showing them around and we still didn't get to see everything. There's just so much to see!

Gateway Mall Christmas Tree and warming fire

Jared at Temple Square

The Tabernacle

Salt Lake Temple

The Nativity in the Reflecting Pool

Christmas Crafts

I wish I could say I made all these, but I didn't. I did make some of them though! Christmas is by far my most favorite holiday to decorate for.

I made this for Christmas gifts

Hm . . . what are we watching?

Christmas Countdown (On the Avenue)

Believe (On the Avenue)

Rachelle made these for me last Christmas!

Christmas Trees (On the Avenue)

I made these for me! Christmas and Thanksgiving.

I got this mantle for Christmas! (On the Avenue)

And finally, I learned how to make bows. I will never buy bows again!

Grad School is . . .

I am done with my first semester of graduate school. What!? I cannot believe how fast it went by. Good thing because if it was dragging along I'm pretty sure I would give up and die. I remember in the summer the second year students were telling us how hard it was but after the first couple weeks I didn't understand what they were talking about. Then about a month in I realized . . . yeah it's hard. Especially when waking up at 5 am every morning so that I could get my hours in at work. I actually think if it wasn't for that it wouldn't be as hard because at least I wouldn't be as tired all the time. 

We'll see how next semester goes because I'll actually be teaching an online class on top of everything else that I'll still be doing. Man. What was I thinking? I just have to keep in mind that in the end, it will all be worth it. For one of my classes I actually had to go and shadow a school psychologist and for the past two or so years I've been so worried that maybe I'm not going to like it. That I've wasted all this time, money, effort, and I've picked something I'm going to hate. Thank goodness for that shadow because of that's what school psychology is . . . bring it on! I loved it! So yes, in the end . . . it will definitely be worth it.

One semester down. 5 more to go!

Forgotten Carols

Jared and I went on a double date to the Forgotten Carols 20th anniversary show at Kent Concert Hall. We went with a friend of mine in my grad school program, Emilee and her date Mike. The Forgotten Carols is one of my very most favorite Christmas cd's so I was really stoked about going. It was a lot of fun! The live show doesn't sound as good to me as the cd, but it's still fun to go and see the show live. 

Halloween

We got to do a few fun things for Halloween this year. More than usual since Halloween is definitely not my favorite holiday. At all. 

We got to go to Thriller at the Kent Concert Hall with Shane and Rachelle, and we set Brett up on a date with Kakoli. We ate at Frederico's beforehand but since we got there late we didn't exactly have enough time to eat a whole lot before heading to the show.

Brett and Kakoli

I'd been to Thriller once before for a class that I had to take my freshman year of college but I couldn't really remember it very well. It was a lot of fun and I think everyone else had a good time too. Jared's favorite part was the werewolves. My favorite part was having Rachelle about jump out of her skin when a zombie came to say hello. I wish I could have recorded that. 

Shane and Rachelle

Shane and Zombie

Jared and Me

Werewolves

Another night we decided to have a Halloween movie night at our apartment with Shane and Rachelle of course, and Dan, Mandy, and Kara. We ate taco soup and watched The Silence of the Lambs (which I love!) and The Shining (which I hated!). Neither of them are scary but definitely creepy. Anthony Hopkins is awesome! And Jack Nicholson is just a creeper in real life so it wasn't a big stretch for the Shining. Maybe one of these Halloweens we can watch a movie that's actually scary.  :)  

Silence of the Lambs

Heeeere's Johnny!