Kinda wishin' it would be finals week right now. This might be a looooong semester! But it'll be great. We officially got through the first week of classes! I ended up registering for another class (online) so now I have 17 credits. The extra class is physical science 100, and I'm going to the testing center next week to see if I can do well enough on the exemption exam to not have to take the class but still get credit! That'd be amazing. I had a job interview yesterday for what seems like the perfect job... pick me pick me! But I probably won't find out until next week sometime, so I'm still applying for other jobs in the meantime.
On Monday night we had Garrett, Mitchell, and Adam over. Everyone had just returned from home and we were glad to have them back! We played some Wii games, including one that G, M, and AJ gave us- Glee karaoke. It was seriously amazing. I have a very talented and entertaining new family! :) We had them over again on Wednesday night, this time including Abby, for Modern Family, brownies, and Perudo. I love that our closest friends also happen to be family! I think that's how it should be.
Tyler is a genius and came up with an awesome spreadsheet for documenting our goal-accomplishing this year! It's so satisfying checking off the little boxes he made each day. We've decided to reward ourselves at the end of the year if we accomplish all of our goals... pretty motivating! Haven't decided on a reward yet, so I just fantasize about stuff. Very effective. :) I'm keeping the system the same as last year, where I have a few goals for the whole year, but more goals set for just January. I just get too ambitious at the beginning of a year and set tons of goals that might sound great at the time, but as the year passes and schedules and motivations change, they're not always as practical as they could be. So, with that being said, I'm going to stick with my goal to make goals. :) But I have some good ones for January:
-The kitchen must be clean when I go to bed every night (holy cow. I love this goal. It makes me ultra-clean everywhere)
-Write one thank you card per week
-Find a job
-Practice the piano one hour per week
And a few others. I also want to be better about writing our missionaries this year. So there's lots to do! I have a feeling (nay, a hope) that this year will be a quick and a good one!
p.s. We're going to our first b-ball game of the season today. I love my brother-in-law, but that doesn't change my hope (or prediction??) that we stomp all over Air Force! :) GO COUGS
Saturday, January 8, 2011
Thursday, January 6, 2011
From the mouth of a 22 year old
Thanks to Nicole for helping me fix my blog. I think it did have something to do with the pictures. I tried messing around with the width and different templates even, but in the end I just deleted the Christmas post and the survey post. So, sorry to anyone who missed those posts. Apparently they were just too awesome for blogger to handle! :)
SO, I'm 22 now! We had a fun New Year's. New Year's Eve was spent with Austin and Giselle! We had a semi-progressive dinner. It was supposed to be with more than just us 2 couples, but we ended up just doing dinner here at our place and dessert at theirs! We had a great time though. I made stirfry and we played Wii and Perudo at our house, then had dessert, snacks, and PlayStation Move at their house. We slept in the next morning and left around noon for Grandpa's house! All the Backus side was there, and it was great. We had lunch and then busted out the 4-wheelers and sleds. It was pretty cold, but luckily the sun was out. I wish I had pictures of the day, but we really only took videos! We got home around dinner-time. The plan was to go to Texas Roadhouse, but the wait was over 90 minutes. No thank you! So we went to Chili's instead. Yum. We came home and watched Charlie St. Cloud while I made a gooey cake for myself. :) I pretty much ate it by myself too, unfortunately. That's kinda what happens when there's gooey cake around me.
Can't quite believe it's 2011! Here's a look back at our 2010:
January: Recovered from our eventful Christmas. Full of work for me, school for Tyler, and sledding.
February: Mom came to visit for Kellie and Ryan's wedding, I started baking bread like crazy, more work, even more school for Tyler.
March: Started experimenting with cooking, Austin and Giselle's wedding! Papa Kurt came for that and we had a great time.
April: End of the Jr. Core for Tyler (thank goodness!), beginning of warm weather. Finally.
May: Tyler and I spent as much time together as possible, trying to savor every moment before he left for his internship in Houston. We took two trips to Park City, where we shopped and did the Olympic zipline with Randall and Crystal! I also trained for and ran a 10k in May.
June: Tyler left for his internship. Also, I went to my first Juergens Reunion!! Then was my family's reunion. Then, I came back here and Tyler stayed. That was the not fun half of the month.
July: Good month. Tyler came to visit for the 4th of July, along with my family. Tim stayed with me for a few days after everyone else left, and we went to 7 Peaks and had a fun time together. I think I hiked the Y 5 times this month. Once with Tim, once with Tyler and his family, and 3 times by myself. I also ran a half marathon with Aubrey this month! Didn't train for it, so was happy just to finish. Then, at the end of the month, Tyler came home for good!
August: Celebrated our first anniversary! We took a trip to Zion's National Park and St. George. Went to the Manti Temple with Ryan, Kellie, and our grandparents. Hiked Stewart Falls, went to the zoo, took an emergency trip to Vegas for baby Dean's birth. Finished working for AMP! Busy month!
September: School started! That pretty much dominated our lives. We bought "the pass of all passes" over Labor Day weekend... best dating expense choice ever!
October: School, dates at Trafalga, drives up the canyon. Started experimenting with crocheting a bit more. Went through my first haunted corn maze!
November: Went to a BYU Hockey game and went ice skating with Adam and Aubrey, all in one weekend. Spent Thanksgiving break with Tyler's family, had our best Black Friday ever, and loved seeing Savior of the World! We also Jump{ed} On It, saw Unstoppable, and started listening to Christmas music.
December: Finished fall semester, had a great Christmas break! Went to Vegas and loved spending time with family.
2010 was so good to us! We can't wait to see what 2011 brings.
SO, I'm 22 now! We had a fun New Year's. New Year's Eve was spent with Austin and Giselle! We had a semi-progressive dinner. It was supposed to be with more than just us 2 couples, but we ended up just doing dinner here at our place and dessert at theirs! We had a great time though. I made stirfry and we played Wii and Perudo at our house, then had dessert, snacks, and PlayStation Move at their house. We slept in the next morning and left around noon for Grandpa's house! All the Backus side was there, and it was great. We had lunch and then busted out the 4-wheelers and sleds. It was pretty cold, but luckily the sun was out. I wish I had pictures of the day, but we really only took videos! We got home around dinner-time. The plan was to go to Texas Roadhouse, but the wait was over 90 minutes. No thank you! So we went to Chili's instead. Yum. We came home and watched Charlie St. Cloud while I made a gooey cake for myself. :) I pretty much ate it by myself too, unfortunately. That's kinda what happens when there's gooey cake around me.
Can't quite believe it's 2011! Here's a look back at our 2010:
January: Recovered from our eventful Christmas. Full of work for me, school for Tyler, and sledding.
February: Mom came to visit for Kellie and Ryan's wedding, I started baking bread like crazy, more work, even more school for Tyler.
March: Started experimenting with cooking, Austin and Giselle's wedding! Papa Kurt came for that and we had a great time.
April: End of the Jr. Core for Tyler (thank goodness!), beginning of warm weather. Finally.
May: Tyler and I spent as much time together as possible, trying to savor every moment before he left for his internship in Houston. We took two trips to Park City, where we shopped and did the Olympic zipline with Randall and Crystal! I also trained for and ran a 10k in May.
June: Tyler left for his internship. Also, I went to my first Juergens Reunion!! Then was my family's reunion. Then, I came back here and Tyler stayed. That was the not fun half of the month.
July: Good month. Tyler came to visit for the 4th of July, along with my family. Tim stayed with me for a few days after everyone else left, and we went to 7 Peaks and had a fun time together. I think I hiked the Y 5 times this month. Once with Tim, once with Tyler and his family, and 3 times by myself. I also ran a half marathon with Aubrey this month! Didn't train for it, so was happy just to finish. Then, at the end of the month, Tyler came home for good!
August: Celebrated our first anniversary! We took a trip to Zion's National Park and St. George. Went to the Manti Temple with Ryan, Kellie, and our grandparents. Hiked Stewart Falls, went to the zoo, took an emergency trip to Vegas for baby Dean's birth. Finished working for AMP! Busy month!
September: School started! That pretty much dominated our lives. We bought "the pass of all passes" over Labor Day weekend... best dating expense choice ever!
October: School, dates at Trafalga, drives up the canyon. Started experimenting with crocheting a bit more. Went through my first haunted corn maze!
November: Went to a BYU Hockey game and went ice skating with Adam and Aubrey, all in one weekend. Spent Thanksgiving break with Tyler's family, had our best Black Friday ever, and loved seeing Savior of the World! We also Jump{ed} On It, saw Unstoppable, and started listening to Christmas music.
December: Finished fall semester, had a great Christmas break! Went to Vegas and loved spending time with family.
2010 was so good to us! We can't wait to see what 2011 brings.
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Sorry Michelle!
Michelle tagged me in this survey about a month ago... and I have taken a long time to do it! My apologies. Here goes.
1)When is your "marriage" anniversary? "engagement" anniversary?
Engagement: March 5, 2009. Wedding: August 8, 2009
2) Where/how did you meet your spouse for the first time?
I have known OF Tyler for a long time. My family has moved in and out of the area that his family lives in near Houston for years. But my first memory of us actually meeting was when he came over to our house in Utah on Easter Sunday with his dad. I was 13, I think. He was good friends with my sister and was actually there to see her, but I'm not gonna lie, I thought he was cute even then!
3) How long have you known your spouse:
I guess you could say 9 years? Or 2.5ish, from when we started dating.
4) How long did you date/court before you were engaged?
Dated for about 7 months before engagement, another 5 before marriage.
5) Do you have any children:
Not yet
Engagement: March 5, 2009. Wedding: August 8, 2009
2) Where/how did you meet your spouse for the first time?
I have known OF Tyler for a long time. My family has moved in and out of the area that his family lives in near Houston for years. But my first memory of us actually meeting was when he came over to our house in Utah on Easter Sunday with his dad. I was 13, I think. He was good friends with my sister and was actually there to see her, but I'm not gonna lie, I thought he was cute even then!
3) How long have you known your spouse:
I guess you could say 9 years? Or 2.5ish, from when we started dating.
4) How long did you date/court before you were engaged?
Dated for about 7 months before engagement, another 5 before marriage.
5) Do you have any children:
Not yet
6) Do you have any house pets:
Nope! Can't in this apartment. Not sure what we would have if we could anyway...
7) What are some of your favorite activities together:
Nope! Can't in this apartment. Not sure what we would have if we could anyway...
7) What are some of your favorite activities together:
Well, our first dates involved tennis, and we still love to play all the time. In fact, we played yesterday! Other than tennis, we like to play board games, watch movies, and read books together.
8) Do you have a favorite vacation spot:
Me, or us? The only vacations we've been on have been our honeymoon (cruise to Mexico) and trips to Houston and to Vegas to visit family. We say all the time how much we'd like to go on another cruise though!
8) Do you have a favorite vacation spot:
Me, or us? The only vacations we've been on have been our honeymoon (cruise to Mexico) and trips to Houston and to Vegas to visit family. We say all the time how much we'd like to go on another cruise though!
9) Where was your first date?
July 24, 2008. Yes, Pioneer day. :) We met at Institute (finally serving its purpose!) and then attempted to play tennis at some nearby courts afterward. I say attempted because we couldn't get the lights on! So we went to TCBY and got ice cream and talked for a few hours. Maybe he rigged the lights- that made it easy for him to plan a 2nd date for the next night!
10) When did you first kiss?
July 24, 2008. Yes, Pioneer day. :) We met at Institute (finally serving its purpose!) and then attempted to play tennis at some nearby courts afterward. I say attempted because we couldn't get the lights on! So we went to TCBY and got ice cream and talked for a few hours. Maybe he rigged the lights- that made it easy for him to plan a 2nd date for the next night!
10) When did you first kiss?
11)Who said I Love you First?
Tyler did, I said it right back. Actually, I said "You do?" first so I made sure I hadn't heard him wrong! :)
12) Did you get married in a church?
No we got married in the Mt. Timpanogos Temple.
13) Where did you go on your honeymoon:
Cruise to Catalina Island and Ensanada, Mexico. It was the best.
14) How long did you know each other before you started dating?
As previously explained, probably about 7 years.
15)What do you call each other most of the time?
I try to avoid "babe" because of Jan and Michael on the Office... did that annoy anyone else? I used to joke and call him honeymuffin, but it kinda stuck... now I say honeymuff or just muff! It's pretty funny. Let's see, Tyler will usually call me hun or sweetie or Cam.
16)Where do you each work or go to school?
We both attend BYU, Tyler works in the Accounting Dept. at Pinnacle. I'm currently looking for a job.
17) Which situation is the hardest on you as a couple?
Anytime we have to make a seemingly easy decision- like what movie to watch! Kind of kidding. Other than that, neither of us are very good at confrontation- especially with other people. Like yesterday, for example. We had reserved a tennis court at BYU, and there were people on it. At the time our reservation was supposed to be, we went to them and said we had reserved it. The guy we were talking to said that he had reserved it for another hour. So we called the office and they had lied about reserving it! WHY??
18) Did you go to the same school?
Nope- not until college.
19) Are you from the same home town?
Yeah, I guess you could say we're both from Houston! I like that we're both Texans.
20) Who is smarter?
We both have different areas of smarts... but I really think my hubby is one of the smartest men ever.
21) Who is more sensitive?
Uh... not sure how to answer this. I'm lucky to have married a man who is sensitive (and will watch chick flicks with me!), but I'm not sure who is more.
22)Where do you eat out most as a couple?
We don't eat out tons... but we like Cafe Rio, Olive Garden, and (recently discovered) Chili's. Their 2 for $20 deal is killer!
23) What attracted you to him first?
Well, when I was 13, it was his insane good looks. I mean, look at that face! I had no idea way back then that I would have a chance to know him better later! But when we started dating, I knew right away that we could get married. He is so good that I had no doubts, from very early on.
24) Who is more social?
Depends on how you define "social." We both really like to have people over and be with people, I'd say equal amounts. I'm louder in groups though. Maybe more they should change this question to ask who is more obnoxious?
25) Who is the neat-freak?
Depends on the day! We both have our moments.
26) What are HIS favorite things and HER favorite things?
His: chocolate milk, new computer programs, basketball, being with his wifey, family, etc. Obviously not in that order.
Hers: desserts, tennis, reading, music, and being with the hubster. Again, not that order.
We both have different areas of smarts... but I really think my hubby is one of the smartest men ever.
21) Who is more sensitive?
Uh... not sure how to answer this. I'm lucky to have married a man who is sensitive (and will watch chick flicks with me!), but I'm not sure who is more.
22)Where do you eat out most as a couple?
We don't eat out tons... but we like Cafe Rio, Olive Garden, and (recently discovered) Chili's. Their 2 for $20 deal is killer!
23) What attracted you to him first?
Well, when I was 13, it was his insane good looks. I mean, look at that face! I had no idea way back then that I would have a chance to know him better later! But when we started dating, I knew right away that we could get married. He is so good that I had no doubts, from very early on.
24) Who is more social?
Depends on how you define "social." We both really like to have people over and be with people, I'd say equal amounts. I'm louder in groups though. Maybe more they should change this question to ask who is more obnoxious?
25) Who is the neat-freak?
Depends on the day! We both have our moments.
26) What are HIS favorite things and HER favorite things?
His: chocolate milk, new computer programs, basketball, being with his wifey, family, etc. Obviously not in that order.
Hers: desserts, tennis, reading, music, and being with the hubster. Again, not that order.
I tag you, if you want to do it.
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Christmas blues
Long time, no blog! The rush of Christmas is over I suppose. It's really very sad. So much excitement and then it's over in just a few short days. I was sitting with my family two days ago and a thought came to my mind: I don't really remember what my normal life is like! But I'm remembering now. We have had such a wonderful break so far (despite a minor car accident), and this week will be great as well! I want to do a full post with lots of pictures, which I don't have right now. So this is basically a check-in post. We're here, we're alive. Kind of wishing all of our friends would come back into town! Hurry home!
Things I'm looking for:
-A new smell. Out of perfume!
-Some good goals for 2011
-Good book recommendations
-A JOB
Over and out.
Things I'm looking for:
-A new smell. Out of perfume!
-Some good goals for 2011
-Good book recommendations
-A JOB
Over and out.
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Now, since that's out of the way...
We can move on from finals to better things, like Christmas!! I finished my last final around noon today, and it's been a celebration ever since (well, for me). Tyler and I got Panda on the way home from campus, then I let him continue studying. Poor guy still has one test left. While he worked, I went to the store and got some fabric and other things. I just completed my first sewing project in a long time! Credit for this goes to Gretchen, my generous mother-in-law, for letting me borrow her sewing machine. Also, to makeit-loveit.com, for providing the idea for this project: stockings! Finally, we have something to hang by the _________ with care (still haven't figured out where to put them)!
Something masculine for him
And a little ruffle for me
These are made out of burlap on bottom, cotton on top. I really like the texture of the burlap. Well, not to feel, but to look at! There are just way too many Christmas crafts that I could use to decorate... trying really hard to control myself! Doesn't seem to be working, huh?
Something masculine for him
And a little ruffle for me
These are made out of burlap on bottom, cotton on top. I really like the texture of the burlap. Well, not to feel, but to look at! There are just way too many Christmas crafts that I could use to decorate... trying really hard to control myself! Doesn't seem to be working, huh?
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Monday, December 13, 2010
Preparing
*Yes, those flash cards are all written on. All for one stinkin' class. Guess which one??A guide for preparing for final exams at BYU:
-Keep your Pandora station on "Holiday Instrumental." Helps to keep me calm, collected, and focused on the end goal (which is, finishing so I can get on with Christmas!!)
-Have the Testing Center website open. They update the site with a picture of the current line to take tests- optimal for taking advantage of rare short lines
-Wash all of your sweats and comfy clothes the weekend before, so you don't have to worry about deciding what to wear when you're focusing on things like subtractive synthesis of sound and striations of skeletal and smooth muscle.
-Stock your freezer and fridge with quick and easy meals for the week. Let the holiday weight-gain begin a little early this year! :)
This week is so exciting! Mostly because it will happen, and then it will be done. And then my life will be all about family, food, and fun. Bring it!
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Winding down and gearing up
Last day of classes for the semester! I can't believe how quickly these last few months have passed. We are having a strange warm spell, and there's no snow on the ground! Which I guess is helping me not get so distracted with Christmas excitement- but it better start dumping after next week! :) Snow gets me in the holiday spirit. We're getting ready to take finals- I love it! It gives me such a sense of completion and accomplishment to study all the information I've been cramming into my brain and then spit it all out on a scantron. I'm still trying to decide which strategy I'm going to use- take all the hard ones first, get the easy ones out of the way, do multiple finals a day, or spread them out over the whole week. I know anatomy will be one of the first ones I take, if not the first, but the rest are a mystery.
Anyway- enough about school. On to the only other thing I've been doing with my life lately- crocheting! I feel like it is dominating my spare time. This wouldn't be a problem if my projects would turn out right! Every headband I make lately is either too long or too wide. That's a ton of time lost re-doing stuff. No bueno. However, I'm a little obsessed with baby-wear (see below)... seems to be all I can successfully crochet these days!
Also, I've discovered something awesome about my laptop. My friend recently showed me how to change the display so that my background picture changes every 5 minutes and it's amazing! Brings up so many great memories. You should try it.
Anyway- enough about school. On to the only other thing I've been doing with my life lately- crocheting! I feel like it is dominating my spare time. This wouldn't be a problem if my projects would turn out right! Every headband I make lately is either too long or too wide. That's a ton of time lost re-doing stuff. No bueno. However, I'm a little obsessed with baby-wear (see below)... seems to be all I can successfully crochet these days!
Also, I've discovered something awesome about my laptop. My friend recently showed me how to change the display so that my background picture changes every 5 minutes and it's amazing! Brings up so many great memories. You should try it.
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Sugar, spice, and everything nice
That's what my new little niece is made of! Little Madison Lynn was born early Sunday morning. My theory is: she saw me crocheting from heaven on Saturday night and had to come down so she could wear these:
Congratulations, Kenny and Lindsay!
Congratulations, Kenny and Lindsay!
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Another Christmas craft project
Christmas decorating can be, well, super-expensive. I saw a wreath like this and decided I could probably make it... so I did! Thanks to the dollar store for supplying the ornaments for this wreath for less than $10. Awesome.
There's lots of ways to make this wreath, but I chose hot-gluing. I used a 12" foam wreath, then wrapped it with gold tinsel garland, gluing periodically. Then you don't see the nasty barf-green color when there's random space in the wreath. Make sure you tie a wire around for hanging before you start gluing on ornament balls, it would be tough after that. I used 4 different sizes of balls- some glittery, one striped, some solid. Now our front door is merry and bright too!
There's lots of ways to make this wreath, but I chose hot-gluing. I used a 12" foam wreath, then wrapped it with gold tinsel garland, gluing periodically. Then you don't see the nasty barf-green color when there's random space in the wreath. Make sure you tie a wire around for hanging before you start gluing on ornament balls, it would be tough after that. I used 4 different sizes of balls- some glittery, one striped, some solid. Now our front door is merry and bright too!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)