I'm sorry, but I can't wait...I'M SO EXCITED TO SEE THIS MOVIE! Lame, I know, but I don't care.

Let's just hope I can stay awake during the whole movie (I don't think I've ever been to a midnight movie, so this could be interesting :)

God Bless America

"I'm proud to be an American, where at least I know I'm free..."

I just voted early and I am so proud of myself! I'm ashamed to admit that this is the first year that I have ever voted. In fact, I wasn't even registered to vote until after I got married (it was an easy box to check on my new driver's license application). I have often contemplated whether or not my vote would actually matter, and have had some inner conflict with the issue. After much consideration, I decided it wasn't as much a matter of who I voted for; rather, a matter of acting upon my freedom as an American citizen.

I am grateful to live in a country that recognizes the rights and privileges of its citizens. I may not fully understand politics, but I do know that my right to vote--especially as a woman--is something that others have fought for, and continue to fight for. I know that there will never be a perfect politician, but I know that I will always have the freedom to decide for myself.

I truly believe that we are "one nation, under God, indivisible" and that there is "liberty and justice for all."

I won!

I just won my first bid on eBay today! I have been looking for a certain item for awhile now, and after bidding on several ones, I finally won today. Who knew you could get such a rush from winning a bid on the internet?! It totally made my day :)

Oh, and I can't tell you what I won because it's a Christmas gift for Christopher. I'm not willing to spoil the surprise in the off chance that he would read this post. Sorry!

Police Beat

I love reading the Police Beat section of BYU's school newspaper. It always provides a moment of laughter and pure enjoyment. Here's one of the better entries in today's paper:

"Oct. 18: A female resident of Wymount Terrace called in a suspicious phone call in which a man made statements with the intent of hypnotizing the student. The student said she does not remember most of the conversation, but remembers she called him her master. Police say it is virtually impossible to hyptnotize someone over the phone."

Are you kidding me, people?! Seriously!

Happy 90th Birthday!

We celebrated my Great-Grandma's 90th birthday a few weeks ago, and I'm just now getting around to the post. I finally got the pictures uploaded onto our computer, and for once, I'm actually posting at home (I usually do it when I'm bored at work:)

Below are some pics from the party. Happy birthday, Grandma Thomas!

Red Mango

One word: De-lish! I've been waiting anxiously to try the all-natural, fat free, and healthy frozen treat from Red Mango for months now. And since I was in charge of Family Home Evening last night, I made sure we went.

It is super light and very refreshing. Unlike other frozen yogurt, this actually tastes like yogurt. And it's one of three brands of yogurt that has natural and active cultures. It's not too sweet, and somewhat tart. So, if you're not a fan of regular yogurt, you probably won't like this frozen treat.

My first experience consisted of the original yogurt with strawberries and dark chocolate chips. And my next experience will consist of raspberries and fresh granola. Mmmmm, yummy! I can't wait to go back.

The Miracle of Life...In Our Basement

Yesterday, I decided to make some cookies to take to our neighbors to thank them for letting us borrow some of their syrup. So while I was doing the dishes, I sent Chris downstairs to return the syrup and deliver the cookies.

The next thing I know, he's yelling at me to come down. I turn off the water and set the dish towel on the counter and walk down the stairs into our backyard. As soon as I got into the neighbor's doorway, I saw what all the fuss was about...A NEW BABY GIRL!

Our neighbors decided to have their baby at home with a midwife (needless to say, I've been a nervous wreck since I found out a few months ago). She went into labor late Saturday night and had the baby around 3:30 a.m. The craziest part is that we didn't hear a thing! We were sure that we'd hear the poor girl screaming in pain, or the husband screaming for help, yet we slept right through it (even though she did confess to screaming a little bit).

The baby is beautiful and the parents are so excited. Here's to my brave neighbor who is Superwoman!

In Case of a Fashion Emergency

As many of you may know, I have worked in an office setting for quite some time (11 years to be exact!). Over the years, I have had the opportunity to become familiar with various office supplies, and have definitely learned that the use of such supplies extends to more than just their intended function. Quite honestly, the possibilities are endless.

To prove my point, I would like to share ways in which I have utilized office supplies for fashion emergencies.

1. Glue Sticks: a run in your nylons. If you don't have any clear nail polish handy, just rub a little glue on the run, and it should hold for several hours. I suggest, however, that you use the glue stick in an inconspicuous place, because the glue will dry and leave a pasty residue behind.

2. Pens/Pencils: a bad hair day. Heaven knows I've had my fair share of bad hair days and haven't had access to a clip or a tie. Therefore, just pull your hair back, wrap the pen/pencil around and tuck tightly. Voila--instant updo!

3. Tape/Paperclips/Staples: fabric mishaps. I have used tape and paperclips on more than one occasion to remedy a loose hem. There's nothing worse than realizing that your pant cuff has come undone and one of your pant legs is longer than the other. Also, I suggest using a stapler to secure loose fabric, as well. Just make sure you don't staple the fabric to your skin. Ouch!

4. Permanent Markers: scuffed shoes. If you happen to scuff the toes of your shoes, just whip out a Sharpie. This works wonders on shoes of odd color, such as red. My red shoes look as good as new after a quick swipe of the Sharpie.

So, what fashion emergencies have you solved with random supplies?

"Rise and shout, the Cougars are out..."

BYU vs. Northern Iowa, 41-17








"Rah, rah, rah, rah, rah
Rah, rah, rah, rah, rah
Rah, rah, rah, rah ,rah

GOOOOOOOOOOOOO, Cougars!"

"I see where they're going with this..."

Who ever thought pop tarts could be so funny?! Brian Regan, apparently. And I'm sure glad he did--along with everything else he thinks is funny.

It's safe to say that Lindsy and I had a fabulous time at the show last night! I laughed so hard that my cheeks hurt and it was a riot to be surrounded by people that were having as much fun as we were. I'm a simple person--give me a cheeseburger, a milkshake and Brian Regan and I'm good to go!

Thanks for the laughs, Brian. I look forward to your next trip to Utah :)

My New Obsession

Just when I thought cleaning couldn't get any better, I go and buy a steam cleaner, and discover a whole new level of cleaning satisfaction! Suffice it to say, I have found a new obsession--my Euro-Pro Shark Super Steamer!

I've always loved watching the infomercials that demonstrate the power and effectiveness of steam cleaning (I'm such a sucker for infomercials). So when Chris and I were shopping at BB&B with our wedding gift cards, I decided to splurge and buy something that I wouldn't normally buy. And I'll tell you what, my friends, that was the best purchase I've made in a long time.

I have been wanting to use my steamer for quite awhile, but I've never found the right time to do so. Our walls and baseboards have been in dire need of cleaning ever since we moved in, especially because our apartment was previously occupied by a family with 2 year-old triplets. I bet you can imagine the grit and grime that are present in the nooks and crannies of our home.

Well, in preparation for our ice cream celebration this weekend, I decided now was as good a time as any. After work last night, while Chris and I were enjoying a romantic dinner at home (okay, not really romantic), I told him of my plans for busting out the steam cleaner. Instead of sharing in my enthusiasm and excitement for cleaning, however, he decided to go camping with his buddy. Typical.

After doing the dishes, paying the bills, and switching the laundry, I decided it was time to pull out the steamer. I was a little apprehensive, mostly because I wasn't really sure what to expect and I didn't want to be disappointed if my results weren't as great as the ones they portrayed on TV. Honestly, I couldn't have been more pleased.

I am proud to say that I successfully steamed and cleaned the door and all of the baseboards in my bathroom (which, by the way, were the absolute worst). And to my joy and satisfaction, they are cleaner than I ever thought possible. It was like I had reached a new cleaning high! I am convinced that with a little steam and a quick swipe of a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser, just about any surface can and will be completely transformed.

I awoke this morning with a new outlook on cleaning, and smiled to myself each time I admired my work. I just can't wait to go home and do some more. I'm afraid Chris is in for a rude awakening when he realizes what I want to do all weekend :)

Personal Rejuvination

I wish I could share this incredible experience that I've had recently with personal rejuvination, but instead, I am going to plead for some ideas on how to obtain it. Now, before I go any further, let me just clarify that I'm a happy person and I enjoy most aspects of my life most of the time :)

To say that I'm exhausted is an understatement! I have reached a point in my life where I feel like I am quickly losing control. I have so many obligations to fulfill and simply not enough time to do them all. Between work, household chores/projects, Young Womens, babysitting, couple time, family time, social time, errands, etc., I am completely spent (and I don't even have kids yet!). There are very few days when I feel like I've completed all that needed to be done, and more often than not, I start off my day feeling overwhelmed.

Like I said before, I am a happy person and I am very pleased with this stage in my life. But I've also realized that I have allowed my life to control me, instead of me controlling my life. I feel like I have given up on many things I like to do, so that I have enough time/energy to do the things I need to do. Case in point: I haven't had a day off work (excluding holidays) since our wedding. And quite honestly, that wasn't much of a vacation. So really, it's been a year since I went to Florida last summer, and that was the last real "vacation" I've had. I was finally able to convince Chris that we needed to get away for the weekend, so we are going to St. George in August. Other than that, my friends, I have nothing to look forward to. How sad!

So, it is with deep sincerity that I plead for your help. I need some ideas of how to find and spend more time for myself, without having to jeopardize any of my obligations, or feeling guilty about it. And I would love to say that I'll just give up on everything else for a few days, but you all know that I could never do that (my OCD would kick in before I was able to enjoy anything!).

Feel free to leave your suggestions and comments. I would love to hear how you cope with the various stages of your lives.

LDSP + Provo River = FUN

Vision Conference

I have had the wonderful opportunity of starting my new job this week. And while I still don't feel totally at home yet, I would like to express my sincere gratitude for the wonderful opportunity that I have been given to work for the Church.

I was hired just in time to attend the annual "Vision Conference," wherein I was able to meet and associate with some of the best people that I have ever worked with. As you may or may not know, in order to work for the church, you have to hold a current temple recommend, or be temple recommend worthy. Consequently, you can probably already the caliber and character of people that I now work with.

During the last two days, I was blessed to be in the presence of many great leaders: Pres. Samuelson (BYU), Pres. Clark (BYU-I), Pres. Woodhouse (LDS Bus. College), Elder Kerr (former Commissioner of CES and current President of the Logan UT Temple), Bishop Edgely (of the Presiding Bishopric), and countless others, including directors, team members and staff associates of LDS Philanthropies. It is quite obvious to me that the Lord has called these specific men and women to serve in these capacities for a reason.

I also know that I have been hired for a very specific reason. I was told by the HR Director on my first day that I was an answer to prayer. She told me that each and every employee with the Church is there for a reason, whatever it may be, and that the Lord has control over it all. I will admit, I'm not quite sure why I was hired; but it has become my personal mission to figure out why--whether it is for my own growth and benefit, or for the growth and benefit of others. And after having spent an incredible two days being uplifted and spiritually strengthened, I am even more determined to make the most of this experience.

I also wanted to publicly share my testimony with all of you. I know that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is true. I know Jesus Christ came to this earth, that He served, He loved, He sacrificed, and He died for us. I know that the Plan of Salvation is ordained of God, and that by keeping the commandments, being faithful, and honoring my covenants, I will one day be in the presence of my Heavenly Father again.

I am so grateful for the wonderful insight and strength I was able to receive this week. I know that the power of the Lord is evident in my life, and I have a newfound desire to be a little better each day.

Thank you all for your love and support. I truly have been blessed with a wonderful family and exceptional friends.

Introducing Baby Haisley!

Just wanted to announce the exciting arrival of Haisley Hoen! She is the new daughter of my cousin, Melissa, and her husband, Brad. Missy was scheduled for a C-Section on June 2nd, but Haisley apparently had plans of her own. She was born at 10:03 this morning and weighs 6lb. and 15oz. (tiny, little thing!). If she's anything like her big sister, Halle, she's going to be one of the cutest baby girls I know!

Congrats, Hoen family!

Tennessee Tot

As I've mentioned before, I am completely and utterly obsessed with my nephew! Sadly, his parents decided to move to Tennessee for the summer...and they took him with them. Can you believe it?! Luckily, we have plenty of pics to enjoy while they're gone. Here are some of my new favorites:

1st Haircut

1st Easter

1st Swim

Good-bye, Jacobsen

As of May 30, 2008, I will no longer be working for Jacobsen Construction Company, Inc. That's right...I got a new job! Hooray!!! I will be working for LDS Philanthropies. I will have the luxury of working on BYU campus, which is less than 15 minutes from my house. And besides the gas money that I'll be saving, I'll also be getting a raise. Chris and I are both very excited and feel incredibly blessed that I have been given this wonderful opportunity to not only work closer to home, but also to work for a great organization, such as the Church.

I have greatly enjoyed working for Jacobsen, and will miss many of the people here. I have made life-long friends, and will always appreciate the time that I've had to work here. But, as many of you know, I just can't handle the commute any longer. Chris and I, along with my parents, are very happy that I won't have to drive on freeway every day. And as nervous as I am to leave and start over, I am so excited for the change!

Wedding Pics...Finally!

I spent about 4 hours yesterday sorting through our pictures, trying to find ones to include in the slideshow. After selecting about 85 (from over 1500), I was totally disappointed to see that not all of the pics uploaded. And even worse, some of the pics in the slideshow aren't the ones that I wanted; but quite honestly, I don't care at this point. I am so sick of looking at wedding pictures right now, so what you see is what you get. Also, I have included some of my favorites on the right column, under the blog link list. At some point, I'll fix the slideshow; but until then...ENJOY!

Drug Bust at the Helmantoler House

Just when I thought life was settling down, we have neighbors move in that not only create lots of drama, but a little bit of entertainment, as well. Just so you know, this post will probably be fairly long, but it'll be totally worth it because it is a fabulous story!

Disclaimer: Chris and I live in a duplex that has two apartments--an upstairs and a downstairs. We live upstairs and another couple with their baby moved into the basement about 4 weeks ago. Even though the apartments are completely separate, we still share the same walls. Unfortunately, we hear and know a little more about our neighbors than we would like to :)

Last Friday, Chris and I took our nephew Stallone to a Utah Flash basketball game at the McKay Events Center. For added spectator enjoyment, we invited a bunch of our friends (Jason & Sasha, Shawn & Erica, Jeff & Leslie, Tom & Danni, Sean) to go with us. After a boring first half, the Flash came back within a few points, but still lost the game. Afterwards, we all headed back to our house for treats.

The second we walked in the door, we were hit with an awful, rank smell! Every one of us noticed the smell and the sheer potency of it. Without much hesitation, it was decided that the smell was marijuana (this would normally be a surprise to most people, but because of what Chris and I have heard over the last couple of weeks, we weren't too shocked). This fact alone gave most of the guys something to chat and laugh about, while the girls expressed their worry and concern with each other.

Before long, our dear friend, Sasha, decided to call the police. She mentioned to them that we could smell pot coming from the downstairs apartment, and that we needed someone to come and check it out. Within minutes, Orem PD pulled up in front of our house. Being the nervous-nilly that I am, I asked Chris to go out and meet the officer and explain the situation before letting him around back (the downstairs entrance is in our backyard). The cop then explained that if he could smell anything when he went back there, it would be reason enough for him to press charges.

Keep in mind that all 11 of us were so excited for the abnormal action on a fairly normal Friday night. We quickly turned out all the lights and took up posts at each window in the house. With everyone on the look-out, we had a pretty good idea of what was going on the whole time--it was hilarious!

While the cop was downstairs, the neighbor's buddy pulled up to the house (he is always there so we immediately recognized his truck). Well, because we had so many of our friends over, there was limited parking in front of the house. After asking us to move one of the cars, the guys headed around back--except for the neighbor. He must've seen the cop car parked up the street, because he took off on foot (unfortunately, we didn't realize it was the neighbor until later, so no one paid much attention to him when he walked away).

After several minutes, back-up showed up and they proceeded to arrest two of the neighbor's underage buddies (suckers!). Along with the idiots, the cops found and took a large bag of drugs, paraphenalia, alcohol, etc. from the apartment. At this point, the excitement levels inside our aparment were almost too much to handle. The guys were going off about this, that and the other, and the girls were discussing their rapid heart rates and increasing stomach butterflies (I know--we're such wimps!).

As soon as the perpetrators were hauled away in the back-up squad car, the officer came back to talk to Chris. He told him that the idiots would be charged with use and possession of illegal drugs/paraphenalia. He also stated that because the neighbor let them in, he will be charged with possession of illegal drugs/paraphenalia, as well as distributing to a minor. Due to the charges, he will be evicted--if not by the landlord, then by the city. However, in order to press criminal charges, he'll have to catch the neighbor, so he told Chris to call him if the neighbor came home.

Seeing as our neighbor is a complete idiot anyway, he probably didn't realize that it was a bad idea to go home as soon as the cop left. After spotting him walk down the staircase in the backyard, we realized that the neighbor was the same guy that took off when the truck pulled up. So, not only was he having a drug party at his house while his wife was out of town, but he got all of his buddies in trouble while he saved himself! Seriously, this guy is a piece of work. Anyway, we called the cop back and told him that the neighbor had come home. The cop came back, but after knocking on the door for 15 minutes without any result, he left--but not before assuring all of us that he would follow-up on the charges.

With all of the excitement, I didn't have much time to be nervous about the situation. I figured that everything had been handled and that everything would be okay. We didn't hear much from the neighbors on Saturday, even though we noticed that the wife had come home. I thought for sure there would be yelling and fighting because that's quite normal for them; however, it was quite calm--until yesterday. The dude proceeded to yell at and threaten his wife yesterday. I was especially bugged because he woke me up during my Sunday nap! So, being the nosy neighbor that I am, I peeked out the window when I heard them leaving. To my surprise, the dude saw me, and yelled at me, "Can I help you?" Needless to say, I wanted to crawl in a hole! If I would've been brave, I probably would've yelled something back, but it's probably good I didn't.

Fast forward to Monday: Chris has his shotgun and shells under our bed, I am carrying pepper spray everywhere I go, and we have contacted the landlord. And as of today, the neighbors have been issued an eviction notice! Hooray! It would be an understatement to say that I'm a little nervous being at my house. I told Chris that I didn't want to be there without him, so until the neighbors leave, that's the way it'll be.

We just wanted to give a shout-out to all of our supportive friends who made what could've been a scary situation, not so scary. And to Officer Adams--thanks for regulating the law with the idiots downstairs. Here's hoping we get some great new neighbors before the month is over :)

My Dilemma

To eat ice cream, or not to eat ice cream...that is the question!

As many of you are probably aware, I have an obsession for ice cream. It is an understatement to say that I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE ice cream! I love it in all forms; I love it in all flavors (well, mostly); and I love it at any time of any day. Until recently, I have never even thought twice about eating ice cream. Quite frankly, I have enjoyed many moments with family/friends/roommates who share my afinity for the frozen treat, and have looked forward to such occasions. Unfortunately, times have changed.

During our courtship, engagement, and marriage, I have been able to share lots of things with Chris--including my love of ice cream. He quickly came to know that I ALWAYS have ice cream in my freezer, and that it's quite common for me to want to go out and get ice cream. For the most part, he has been very accomodating--until now!

Don't get me wrong...he's not prohibiting me from eating ice cream, he's just refusing to eat it with me. Honestly, half the fun of eating ice cream is eating it with other people (at least I think so). Chris is on a huge health kick right now because he would like to shed a few pounds (and no, he hasn't gained weight since we've been married--it's just weight that he's had for awhile and doesn't want anymore). And one way he has decided to work towards that goal is to not eat as many sweets--including ice cream. Therefore, I have had to eat ice cream twice this week by myself.

So here's the dilemma: do I continue to eat ice cream as I normally would, even though I feel like a fatty eating in front of my husband who is trying to be more health-conscious; or do I accept that he is trying to be more healthy, and join him in his endeavors? I'm seriously having issues with this--especially because he made a special trip to Wendy's last night, just because I wanted a Frosty. How embarassing!

Wedding Pics

Our wedding pics are coming soon to a blog near you! We have had several requests for the pics lately, so I figured it was time for an explanation. We received our discs from our photographer a few weeks ago, but we have yet to look through all of them. Between the temple, the luncheon, and the reception, we have over 1200 pictures! And because there are so many files on each disc, we have had a hard time viewing all of them (we are having quite a few technical difficulties). However, I promise that I will have some ready to post by next week. I'm hoping to spend some time sorting through the pics during General Conference, so hang tight for a few more days. You won't be disappointed, I promise :)

I am so excited for all of you to see them! The ones I've seen are beautiful, and I'm so excited to share them with everyone.

I would've DIED!

I'm sure that we've all done extremely embarassing things before. Some of which are worth sharing with others, and others which are taken to the grave. Seeing as I was able to escape an embarassing moment just a few moments ago, I consider it safe enough to share with all of you.

I had just gone to the bathroom at work, and I was washing and drying my hands in front of the vanity mirrors. I just happened to turn to the side to check my butt (you know you do it, too), and I realized that the bottom of my skirt was tucked into the waistband! There, for everyone to see, was my garment-covered butt and thighs--just out in the open. I quickly threw the paper towel into the garbage and tugged at my skirt until it was back into place.

Can you just imagine what it would've been like for me to walk through the halls of my office (which, by the way, is full of men) with my butt hanging out?! Oh my gosh--I WOULD'VE DIED! The worst part is that I didn't feel anything different. You would expect to feel a draft, or at least a bulge where the fabric was bunched up...but I didn't feel anything!

My advice to you: always check your butt before leaving the bathroom :)

My Biggest Pet Peeve

I'll admit it...I have become a "Utah" driver (sorry, Shelly!). You know, the kind that tailgates other cars, drives faster than the speed limit, and swithces lanes with reckless abandon. I'm not proud of this, nor am I afraid to admit it. Truth be told, I'm quite proud of my driving abilities. However, I have noticed recently that my driving habits are beginning to affect other areas of my life. Let me explain.

For the last 2 years and 10 months, I have been communting to Salt Lake City from Orem. Even though this commute is quite mild compared to those of larger metropolitan cities around the country, it has still taken its toll on me. In the beginning, I carpooled with my fabulous cousin, Heather, and a couple other girls that she worked with. By having four different drivers, the actual driving time for each person was cut down to one, possibly two, days a week. And the best part is that we used a portable DVD player during the commute (we successfully watched 10 seasons of "Friends", 2 seasons of "Lost", six seasons of "Alias", and countless movies.) It probably wasn't the safest thing to do, but it sure was entertaining.

Over time, the other girls have moved or had babies--leaving me a lone man on the freeway. Since last September, I have been driving to and from work by myself everyday. I have tried a few things to ease the burden, such as listening to books on tape, and purchasing an Express Lane decal (it allows me to drive in the carpool lane without any other passengers). And even though these measures have lessened my despair, I still find myself getting more and more aggressive as the days go by.

For example, my biggest pet peeve has become the drivers using the carpool lane that aren't driving as fast as I want them to. It is SO aggravating having to drive behind a slow vehicle when there are no other cars in front of them, and I have no opportunities to pass them. I have quickly memorized all of the entrance/exit points for the carpool lane, and I frequently make lane changes in order to pass slow drivers. Unfortunately, my driving motto has become: "If you don't want to drive as fast as I want to...GET OUT OF MY WAY!" Sad, huh?!

Like I said before, this attitude has filtered its way into other areas of my life. For instance, I am usually in a bad mood when I first get to work. I constantly feel anxious and frustrated, and it can take awhile for me to get over it. Likewise, I feel the same way after driving home. I try not to let it affect my time with Chris, but it doesn't always work that way. Plus, Chris doesn't really like to drive with me anymore. He thinks I'm too impatient and that I yell at the other cars too much (it's true!).

With that being said, I should also mention that I am currently looking for another job--one that is MUCH closer to home. I hope to be rid of this anxiety and frustration before long, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed!

I did it!

As many of you may know, I love American Idol! I wouldn't say that I'm a die-hard fan, but I certainly enjoy watching it, and am thoroughly entertained by it. We usually have to record it because we're not home to watch it live, but last night was an exception. And even though it was nice to watch it live, I almost didn't like it as much--mostly because I couldn't fast forward through the commercials. However, I came to realize one of the greatest perks of watching the show live: VOTING!

I know, I know--you're thinking that I'm quite silly for voting for a reality competition show, but I'm not ashamed. Chris laughed at me when I first told him I was going to, but that certainly didn't stop me. In fact, I voted and then continued to vote again and again (about 15 times!). But compared to the die-hard fans, my few votes probably don't mean much. For example, I work with a darling 64 year-old lady that votes AT LEAST 100 times a week! Now that's dedication.

By now, I'm sure you're wondering who I voted for. Must you really ask? Of course I voted for David Archuleta! Isn't he just precious?!

The latest & greatest!

I just thought I would share the latest pictures of my darling nephew, McKay (affectionately known as the Mac-Daddy, or Mac-Dizzle). He is the cutest thing in this world, and I could just eat him up! He is the happiest baby and loves to laugh and play. Don't you just want to kiss his chubby, little cheeks?! Oh, man--I love this little boy!

There's always a first for everything

I had the opportunity of experiencing something for the first time today, which I'm sure many of you have previously experienced...EYE DILATION! And I'll tell you what--it's been quite the experience! First of all, I had no idea what the process entailed, nor did I know what the after effects would be like. And since I consider it to be an interesting experience, I'm going to share it with you.

First of all, I like to make any and all appointments first thing in the morning (it's a lot easier for me to go into work late, than to leave early). So, I went to my scheduled eye exam appointment at 8:15 this morning. After a quick and fairly routine exam, the doctor was happy that my eyes hadn't changed much and was pleased that I was enjoying my contacts. He mentioned that unless I had any problems, I wouldn't need to come in again for another year--which is quite standard. And then, out of nowhere, he suggests that I have my eyes dilated at some point. He said it didn't matter when I did it, but that it should be done in the near future. He then proceeded to ask me where I was going afterwards, and what I would be doing for the rest of the day. I told him the truth, and nothing but the truth: I would be driving to Salt Lake and going to work as an administrative assistant for a construction company, and sitting in front of a computer all day (of course, I didn't say it quite like that, but all those details came out in the course of our conversation). He figured that was a good enough answer, so he gave the go-ahead for the procedure. He said that besides being a little blurry for awhile, I should be fine. And that, my friends, was an understatement!

I left the doctor's office and remembered that I needed to get some gas before I got on the freeway. I knew I was in trouble when I couldn't read the gas pump--at all! I guessed at which way to slide my debit card, and squinted really hard when selecting the gas grade. I figured it would get better as time went on, so I continued on my way to work. I'll admit--the road signs were a little difficult to read, and my spedomoter was even worse! Keep in mind that I had my sunglasses on this whole time, because the light was too bright.

Forty-five minutes later, I got to work, but not much had changed. I tried to take off my sunglasses, but my eyes instinctively shut and started to water. I figured I would risk looking like a fool and wear my sunglasses in the office. I wasn't sure what, if anything, I would be able to do, especially because I couldn't see anything, let alone read anything. Luckily, I know where most things are on my desktop, and I was able to make out a few things in various Excel files. I was able to get a few things accomplished, and I was able to avoid major mistakes.
Fast forward to now: 3:30 pm. I have removed my sunglasses (even though the light is still really bright) and I can actually read most things--including this blog post :) I have a bit of a headache, but I'm sure I will live. I am looking forward to the drive home because I know it can't be any worse than my drive to work was.

The best part of this whole experience was hearing what people said to me. Several people commented on my diva-like glasses, and figured I was starting a new trend. Many others had experienced eye dilation themselves, so they sympathized with me. I actually had one guy ask me if I had a shiner--true story! I thought to myself, "I'm so sure. I've only been married a month, and my husband is already beating me. And in order hide my shame and/or embarassment, I decided to wear sunglasses to work, in hopes that no one would notice." It was hysterical!

All in all, this has been a very interesting day. And I would have to say that eye dilation is more of an annoyance than anything else. I'm just glad I don't have to it again anytime soon.

Hello, DJ!

I just wanted to welcome David James West into the world! My cousin, Keri, delivered him by emergency C-section last night at 11:32 pm. Even though he was born two weeks early, he is doing very well. He weighed in at 6lb. 15oz. and was 19in. long. We are so happy for Keri and James, and can't wait to meet little D.J. Hooray for new babies!

The truth hurts!

So, I've been told by my loving cousin that I'm a bad blogger (thanks Amber!). And even though I know it's true, it's still a low blow :) In my defense, I'm still new to the blogging world and still trying to figure everything out. Speaking of which, I need some help with the cuteness factor of our blog. I've taken several suggestions and looked up various websites for blog backgrounds, but I'm still at a loss--I just can't figure out how you all have such cute backgrounds, and mine is still lame. If you have any suggestions, please pass them on.
Also, I've been waiting to post until I had more pictures. I, myself, love all of your posts that include pictures, so I think it's only fair that I return the favor. And let's be honest--blogs with pics are just more fun! So, I told myself that I wasn't going to post again until I had some pics to post, hoping that would motivate me to get my pics in order. The only problem is that I usually post to the blog while I'm at work, and I don't have any access to my pics on my work computer. Truth be told, most of our pics are still on the camera, waiting to be uploaded onto Chris's laptop. And even though I've had the best of intentions of working on the blog during the last couple of weekends, it just hasn't happened. Chris and I have been spending so much time getting our house (and lives, for that matter) in order, we haven't had much time for anything else.
Needless, to say, I haven't put the time or the effort into maintaining an entertaining blog, and for that, I'm sorry. From here on out, I promise to be a better blogger!

Wedding of My Dreams

I'm happy to report that our wedding was absolutley SPECTACULAR! It was everything that I wanted it to be--from the gorgeous winter weather to the emotional temple sealing, and from the yummy and relaxed luncheon to the party that was our reception--it was just how I had planned. Everything fell exactly into place, even though we had a few minor mishaps. It was an incredible day and I am so happy to be Mrs. Courtney Helmantoler.

We started the day off bright and early, and did our best to make sure we looked fabulous. Cassidy did a great job with my hair, and Chris looked dashing in his new brown suit. We arrived at the temple with great anticipation and excitement, only to be totally shocked and surprised to find out that my parents' temple recommends had expired. My mom quickly began to cry, and was comforted by the kind temple workers as Chris and I were whisked away. I, myself, began to cry at the thought of my poor mother frantically calling my dad and their Bishop. I panicked for a brief moment, thinking that my parents weren't going to make it to my temple sealing. However, with a few phone calls, everything was taken care of and my mom was still able to help me get dressed.

The temple ceremony was absolutley beauiful! I started to get emotional before we walked in, and was totally crying by the time I saw all my friends and family in the sealing room. It was such a wonderful experience to be sealed for eternity to my best friend, and to know that we will be together forever!

Afterwards, we met our friends and family outside the temple for pictures. Even though it had snowed just the night before, the sky was blue and the temperature was quite nice. We spent quite a bit of time taking pictures, all the while trudging through several feet of snow--just to get the perfect shot (oh, the things I do for Christopher)! By the time we were done, my poor feet were completely numb, but I'm positive we'll have some great pictures.

Our luncheon was next, and we were able to enjoy some great food and great company. Roughly 100 of our closest friends and family were in attendance, and it was a wonderful way to celebrate with them. A photo montage video was shown to all the guests, and several people took the opportunity to say very nice things about me and Chris. It was so touching!

After the luncheon, we had a couple hours to kill, so Chris blindfolded me and drove to the Bed & Breakfast that we were going to stay in that night. Little did I know that Chris's sisters had already been there setting things up for us, so when we arrived, the room was equipped with all sorts of goodies. It ended up being a great way to kill some extra time!

And lastly, the reception was super fun! We ended up standing in a line for several hours (we must be really popular :), and were able to see and talk to many of our friends and neighbors. The decorations were incredible, the food was amazing, and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves. My only regret is that we didn't get to enjoy more of it with them. We were so glad that so many people showed up, and even more excited to know that they were there because they loved and supported us!

We are still waiting for our pictures to come back, so I'll post them as soon as I get them. Until then, just imagine a beautiful, blushing bride with her handsome, hunky husband :)

10 Days and Counting

In case you haven't realized, we're getting married next Friday. Yahoo! And if you can't tell, I'm totally excited. The stress level has dropped--just a little--and we have most things under control at this point. We have a few last minute items to take care of, but other than that, we are done with the wedding plans (and that may be the best news of all). And, we were able to get the parentals off on their Hawaiian getaway. So, while they're sipping coconut milk and hula dancing, I'm home finishing the last of the wedding planning . I just hope they don't come back too tan--I don't want them to to look better than me on my wedding day :)

In other good news, we have moved all of our stuff into our new apartment. In fact, Chris is living there as of last week. We were able to get all of our furniture and all of Chris's personal belongings moved in, so now all we have to do is move my clothes and personal stuff, and we'll be set. It's so fun to have our own place, but it's also a little weird. Sometimes it's hard for me to really grasp the fact that we're going to get married and that we're going to live with each other. I've been living the single life for so long now, I almost don't believe that things are going to change. But, that doesn't mean that I'm not totally stoked to do so. I can't wait to have Chris as my roommate (and my husband, of course)!

Here's hoping that the next 10 days fly by!

I'm EXHAUSTED!

I'm sitting at work, wishing I could be home in bed. As I'm sure most of you know, dating doesn't allow for many nights of restful sleep. Because we are so madly in love with each other, we just can't stand to be apart--not for even one second :) And seeing as I have to get up at the crack of dawn, in order to be to work at a decent hour, I'm at a loss for some much needed sleep.
To make matters worse, the wedding planning process is quite draining. Between making decisions, meeting deadlines, and trying to please everyone, I'm worn out! Chris constantly reminds me that I'm making the process more difficult than it needs to be; but gosh darnit, I'm going to have the wedding of my dreams--even if it kills me!
With all of this being said, I CAN'T WAIT until we are married and we get to go to bed whenever we want! No more late-night episodes of CSI: Miami, Intervention or Man vs. Wild to keep us awake; no more "Just ten more minutes;" and definitely no more drowsy drives home. I'm so excited to be a well-slept newlywed!