YAY!!!!!!!!!!

We finally got approved for insurance!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Quick Update

I just realized that aside from the birthday updates, it's been quite a while since I've updated on other goings on. Life is pretty much the same. I'm loving my job. Robert is loving work/school. We are both still loving our calling in the Primary, and are looking forward to our first (and hopefully last) snowy fall and winter together. But that's basically it, no super exciting news, so I will update about about some not so exciting news and hope that you will enjoy it anyway :)

New Couch Covers

Before: Old burgundy velvety couch covers that liked to collect lint and wouldn't stay tucked in for more than five minutes. (Please note that I took this picture 2 days after I moved up here, so I was still unpacking and putting stuff up on the walls. Our apartment doesn't normally look this messy I promise)

After: Gorgeous, blue denim covers that are like new that we purchased on Craigslist for $40!! And they are 2-piece covers (one for the couch, one for the cushions) so they always stay tucked in. They are Target brand, and I looked them up online and new for both of them it would have cost $270. These even came with all of the original packaging and everything. They change the look of the whole room. I love them!!!

My Cooking Skills
Some of you know that I haven't always been the greatest cook in the world and might toss and turn every night wondering if I have improved at all. Well...

TOSS AND TURN NO MORE!! This is a new recipe I tried called Chicken Pepper Pie. It was scrumptious!!! I have yet to completely ruin a recipe, and I am enjoying more and more finding and trying new recipes, especially when both Robert and I love them :)

Robert's Goatee
At BYU it is against school dress code to have any facial hair other than a mustache. So during Robert's 2 week break between summer semester and fall semester he grew out his facial hair. It only grows in the goatee area, not the full beard area. Unfortunately and very sadly, instead of loading the pictures we took of it with the camera onto the computer, I accidentally deleted them :( So once again we are limited to a cell phone camera picture, but you can see it well enough.

And that's basically it for us. We can't wait to go down to Arizona this weekend for my family reunion and to see one of Robert's adopted cousins be sealed to his parents. It should be a FANTABULOUS weekend!!

I Had A Birthday Shout HOORAY!!!

Okay, so if you read the previous post you already know what's going on. If not, read it so that I don't have to explain again :)

Day 6: 6 talks on CD by Troy Dunn

Day 5: Racquetball Glove (5 fingers)

Day 4: 4 quarts of chocolate milk

Day 3: 3 tulips (in AUGUST! Basically, that's almost impossible, unless you are cool like Robert :)

Day 2: He got 2 of my music books spiral bound.

Day 1: Robert wrote me a song :) I was expecting some cheesy romantic love song. But this one is just full of fun memories :)



Here are the lyrics if you don't want to listen to the whole thing:

I know where I belong.
It’s just right here beside you.
So I made up this song.
Cuz’ I’ve no home without you
In this song I tried to fit
As many memories as I could
I hope you really really like it
I hope it’s really really good.

We’ve come a long way from hiding by a water fountain pioneer day last year.
A 5 year break a divine computer crash and wha-la we made a pair.
At your birthday party I was smooth, I caught the snitch with ease.
Those starry nights we hid from dogs or frolicked in the fields.
We had some time to think about it while I was gone away.
You better know I thought about you every single day.
Sometimes it felt those phone calls didn’t seem enough.
To see your face, to hold your hand, I wanted it so much.

So we took a plane or a train or an automobile, to see you was so nice.
A diamond ring at stake conference, you were so surprised.
We danced in the snow and cuddled up close and we talked about our plans.
I didn’t know then how much I’d love being your main man.
So you dressed in white and you took my hand – that day was the best.
I can’t forget how gorgeous you were in that dress.
This marks the beginning, not the end of the song.
You’ll notice there’s more lyrics, I hope it’s not too long.

Cuz then we went to Disneyland, you tripped skipping in, and I hit on a gay guy.
I remember our first night there, sandwiches by candlelight.
At first we were rich and then we were poor, but having fun all the time.
Our primary class, thanks to us, is reverent sublime.
So to end this song for now. I’d just like to say,
I hope you liked it and that you have a happy birthday.

So many fun memories. If you want the story behind any of these lyrics let me know :)

Anyway, my birthday was fabulous. Robert made me breakfast in bed. I got off work early. And a big group of us went to the Nickelcade and then to Tucanos Brazilian Grill, including Aaron and Kaci who came up from Arizona. I LOVE TUCANOS! I eat more there than I eat at Thanksgiving and it's SOOOO GOOD!!

Afterwards we all played games together. It was such a fun day! And a fun 2 weeks leading up to it, thanks to Robert :) Anything and everything that I mentioned that I wanted, even if I mentioned it just once, I got it in the 12 days of my birthday. I have the best husband and the greatest friends!! And all of my family and more friends were calling, texting, and/or emailing me all day long wishing me a happy birthday. I'm so blessed! THANKS EVERYONE!!!!

12 Days of My Birthday :)

On the 12th day of my birthday my true love gave to me...
A watch that is really pret-ty. (12 hours)

On 11th day of my birthday my true love gave to me...


2 fishing poles (He taped them to the back of the door to look like an 11. We'll be trying the new poles out this Tuesday :)

On the 10th day of my birthday my true love gave to me...


A gift card for a pedicure (10 toes. He's been really creative with the presentation of the presents :)

On the 9th day of my birthday my true love gave to me...
Dinner at Chuck-A-Rama (Where I was allowed to eat no more or less than 9 courses)

On the 8th day of my birthday my true love gave to me...
8 EE-AR RINGS!!!

On the 7th day of my birthday my true love gave to me...
Tetris on my cell phone (There are 7 different Tetris shapes)....

To be continued :)

So that's been a fun thing that has been happening all last week and will continue to happen all of this week until my birthday this Saturday. Pretty much I have the best husband ever. And 2 of my best friends, Kaci and Aaron, are coming up for a visit on my birthday, and we will be going to Tucano's (an AMAZING brazilian restaurant) with them, and a few other friends. Aaron's, Ty's, and my birthday are all in August so we all get buy one meal get one free coupons :) I'm so excited!!!
Robert and I both had a free day this past Tuesday, so we decided to take a day trip to Temple Square and do a session at the Salt Lake Temple.


2 Utah temples down, 18 to go!! It was a great day and a great week.

Camping Adventures

Robert and I decided a while ago that we want to be a camping famliy. We both love camping, and we want to get in the habit of it early. So, we have been trying to go camping for a few months now, and this past week we finally were able to go!!


On our way to the Mt. Timpanogas Campground.


We couldn't pass up stopping at Borders on the way to see if the new X-Men comic was in yet. It wasn't so we'll check again next week :)


This was what part of the drive looked like. I was in heaven! I LOVE ASPEN!!!


Our little campground. It wasn't exactly roughing it. There was even a flushing toilet really close by and we still had cell phone service, but it was fun :)


This is our tent, it was really easy to set up compared to the 10 man tent I'm used to setting up for my family.


This is my MAN doing MANLY things like tending to the fire.


My very first dutch oven apple crisp to go with our foil dinners. It turned out very good. Please ignore the ash spill on it.


It rained for a bit so we were confined to playing cards in our tent.


We played Nertz. I would mention that I beat Robert in 4 rounds 120 to to 70, but that might embarrass him so I won't say anything ;)


We woke up to a BEAUTIFUL morning. I love the woods!


This is what happens when you are getting the fire ready for breakfast and you get an itch on your face. Robert thought it was hilarious.


I made scrambled eggs in the lid of the dutch oven. And of course we brought some happiness (Chocolate Milk) to have with our breakfast.


We were able to roast marshmallows for real this time instead of just over our stove.


First camping trip...DONE! And I can't wait to do so many more!

Robert had a craving

Yesterday morning just after we wake up Robert says, "I have a huge craving for something. I'm going to run to the store and get it really quick." And this is what he came home with...


SPAM!!!! And he made eggs and put the Spam on top of it. SPAM!! Of all things. I don't understand it. This is a new side of Robert that I will have to get used to ;)

Living the good life...

Life is good!!! I've been so busy lately with work and what not that I haven't really had time to think, breathe, or clean the apartment :\ But the other day I all of the sudden had the thought, "I am so happy right now!" Let me list a few reasons why while catching up on our life at the same time.

1. We are debt free and financially stable!!! We finally got our federal grant money and used it to get me health insurance, pay our rent, phone bill and electric bill, pay off our credit card, and a hefty chunk of money we owed Robert's dad (THANKS DAD!!!!) We still have a little left over and with my job and Robert's research we will finally be able to stay ahead of the bills instead of being behind and actually start saving money too!! It's the first time in a very VERY long time that I haven't had to worry about money and it is a liberating feeling. Once kids, buying a new house and/or car happens in the future we will go into debt again, but I think if we play it smart right now while we do have extra, we will be okay when that time comes.

2. I love my job!! My coworkers are great. It's a fun store. And I just love being busy again. I THRIVE on being busy. It makes me feel like I have a purpose. And on top of everything I also LOVE getting paid!!! :) It helps me feel like I am really helping, or being "equally yoked" with, Robert. I got my first check this past Tuesday. It was a really small one because it was from my first 2 weeks that I was training and only working about 12 hours a week. Robert let me spend the whole thing on myself!! My wardrobe for the most part was all at least 2 years old and had seen better days. So I bought a lot of cute new stuff. Here's a picture of me doing a cheesy pose in one of my new outfits.


I've felt as cute as a button the past few days :) Oh, and I dyed my own hair too. Robert helped. Here's a picture from when we did it.


3. Provo is starting to grow on me. There are 2 different types of people in Provo, Regulars and Students. The majority of the area we live in are students. Take all the students out and you have a very small amount of people. I think because of this, Provo has a very small town feel. People that come into my store know that I am new and find out where I am from and what not, and then they will come in a few days later and remember everything I told them and ask how Robert is doing in his school work, etc. They actually care! It is so fun. On top of that the weather is beautiful! The high yesterday was 70`. Compared to the 100 or so degrees it is in Mesa right now, I choose Provo. Don't worry family, by no means am I wanting to become a permanent Utah resident, but for now I am happy and loving Provo.

4. I have an AMAZING family! All growing up while I would watch my older siblings get married and the in-laws they would end up with, I always wondered what my in-laws would be like. Not just my husband, but his family too. I got so lucky!! Robert is more than I could ever ask for, and he has an awesome family too. At the end of July we went down to Mesa for Robert's youngest sister, Kylee's baptism. Robert baptized her, and his Dad confirmed her.


While we were at the baptism surrounded by grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, siblings, and parents, I had kind of a funny thought. I thought, "We are going to have SOOOOO many people at our babies' blessings!!" All of my huge family is close with one another and firm in the church, and all of Robert's family is close with one another and firm in the church including most of both of our extended families. And then I thought more of how much of a blessing that is. I never have to worry about what influence either family will have on my kids. If something were to happen to Robert or me physically or financially, we have a HUGE eternal support system. I LOVE my in-laws!!! Our biggest worry is how in the world we will spend as much time as we want to with both of the families on holidays ;)

So, yeah. That's our life right now. I still have a voice in my head saying "I can't wait until we have a baby, or I can't wait until Robert graduates, or I can't wait until we live in Mesa again, or I can't wait until we have a house" But every time I do I think of something my Uncle Paul would say over and over when he was my Sunday School teacher years ago. "Happiness is a journey, not a destination. Don't wish your life away!" So right now I am enjoying the journey.

I am happy!!!

Pioneer Day FHE

I'm a little late on these, but I still wanted to post them, so I am :)
We have a bunch of friends from high school that are now married that we get together with once a month or so and have family home evening together. In July I volunteered to host it and since it was so close to Pioneer Day, I made it pioneer themed. I gave a short lesson on the handcart pioneers and then we built handcarts... sort of.

This is the handcart Robert made by himself the night before to test our supplies...


And this is the one we made together on the night of FHE. I think it looks much less... sad. We're better as a team :)


And this is Ryan and Tricia's. They even made a cute little ma, pa, and baby.


And here is Steve and Andelyn's... chariot??


What can I say, Steve likes to be creative. Anyway, it was a fun night, and Robert and I have been snacking on the leftover building supplies ever since :)

What Robert does for work

So I figured I'd take a small post to tell people about my work right now because I think it's lots of fun. Well I'm in a research group right now called IMPACT and we are funded by a grant from the National Science Foundation. For the past month or so we have been getting training from the university professors and getting experience in different fields of research. So we have been working on different research assignments of problems that have already been solved in order to learn how to solve other problems. Let me tell you what I've done.

I've helped save the whales by discovering that there is a 95% probability that a bowhead whale gestation period is between 441 and 464 days. I've discovered that the policies implemented in a Philadelphia coal mine in 1899 decreased the yearly rate of deaths in order to use those policies in other coal mines. I've found that decreasing the amount of prey by 30% in a city with a predator-prey crisis will decrease both the amount of predators and prey to a manageable amount. We've also worked with DNA sequence analysis to be able to identify matching DNA strands and similar stuff for matching fingerprints. For a TV station I've created a model for predicting the amount of shares a viewing of a movie will generate based on the amount of shares it's premier viewing will get. I have disproven the hot hands theory of basketball (though I still believe it). And most importantly I have found the optimal wing and body length of these paper helicopters in order to maximize hang time.



If these projects don't sound like fun I don't know what does. So basically I'm enjoying it a lot and enjoy being paid to learn. In a week I'll be assigned to a specific professor and a specific unsolved research project which I will be working on for the next year. Then it will be the real deal. If the research turns out to be interesting or new then I can publish it and present at conferences and stuff. It's lots of fun.

Thanks for letting me talk about my job. I love it.

A NEW ADDITION TO THE FAMILY!!!

Yes, we got a new entertainment center. Well, at least it's new to us. We bought it from our land lord, and we are very excited about it. Now our house is a lot more organized. That's a steal for forty dollars!!

A Red Letter Week!!

This week has been one GREAT week. Starting with the 4th of July. Provo goes all out for the 4th. The main part of Center Street in downtown was closed off for 3 days and lined with booths and carnival rides and what not. There was a big parade on the 4th and people setup camp the day before on the side of the street and camped out all night so that they would have a good seat to watch it. It was fun to watch all of the chaos. For the 4th I made red, white, and blue pancakes and we watched the parade in the morning.


That night we watched Independence Day then walked outside and watched the fireworks that were going off at BYU. I missed my family and the normal celebration I have with them, but we had a good day nonetheless.

Monday, we found out that Robert got a 10 out of 10 on his second actuarial exam. I would go into a long explanation, but to save time I will just say that that is a BIG deal, and will make his chances of him getting a job when we are back in Arizona that much easier. He takes his next exam in November, and I am sure he will do amazing on that one too.

Thursday, I GOT A JOB!!!!!


I'll be working at Taylor Maid. We sell costumes and theatrical make up, salon products, and have a small full service salon. I will be working as a sales associate, but they want me trained and working as a manager by mid-August. I am SOOOOO excited to be working again!!! I try not to think about it too much because then I start to worry that I won't be good enough and I start to freak myself out.

Friday was Robert's birthday. We had planned on going camping but decided that we didn't have the money for it right now. So instead we roasted hot dogs and marshmallows over our stove at home.



And for Robert's birthday I got him Nerf Guns. We have had a few battles with them and I think that I am the better shot :) His favorite thing to do with them is shoot them at the people on the T.V. I think he will always have a little boy in him :)



And on Saturday we got tickets from a friend for the Harry Potter midnight showing!!! I was bummed because we weren't going to be able to go because we didn't have the extra money, but now we are and our friend said we could pay him back later! YIPPEE!!!

Overall it was a great week! This Friday, after Robert gets paid, we have decided that we are going to go someplace nice to celebrate everything :) I can't wait!

My Tribute to President Hinckley

So this is a project that I started a year and a half ago and just now FINALLY finished. After President Hinckley passed and I had watched several tributes people had made to him on YouTube, I decided to make one of my own. I decided what better than the memories of kids. So these are all my nieces and nephews (at least all of the ones that can talk and would get in front of the camera) saying what they remember about President Hinckley.

Happy Birthday Robert!!!

Who knew that this...


would turn into this...


Happy 22nd birthday Robert!!!

This is the title for this post

This post was made by Robert by the way.

Finals week for the summer semester was June 15-19. When I realized I could finish them all by the 17th leaving a four day weekend, we decided to go to Arizona. We made arrangements with our Richardson family (there's no his, her, or mine, just ours) to crash the party they were having. They had access to a resort in Scottsdale that needed to be used up soon so we tagged along with them. We made AWESOME tie-dye t-shirts that we'll have to post pictures of later. We had a western barbecue where I won a cactus buddy and we got put in jail.




And on Friday we all went to Out Of Africa and saw a ton of cool animals.



This camel gave our guide a big slobbery kiss.




These guys kill lions!!




The legend of the unicorn is said to come from these antelopish things.




Turns out zebras really aren't as friendly as some of the other animals. And the truth about their stripes is that they are black with black and white stripes.




This 'eland' ate from Heidi's hand. It's large snout came right into the bus.




But definitely the highlight of the animals was the snake. It is a 18-foot 100-lb python and it scared the heebie-jeebies out of some people. We weren't scared so we hung around with it for a while and let it slither all over us. Then they needed to put it back in its pen, so the guide told all the kids to help lift. I was right near the tail end, but there was a smaller kid there who looked excited to help, so I let him pick it up. Good thing too. The snake started to poo. Yes he poos once every other week and we were lucky enough to see. I won't give any details, but it was awesome!!




When we decided to go down we also decided not to tell our Wilcken family. So we totally surprised them. That was even better than seeing the snake poop. We walked into to their house and mom was standing behind the counter in the kitchen talking with dad and Mike and Katie (Mike and Katie knew we were coming). Mom looked and started to continue her thought and then realized who it was and stopped cold with a very surprised look. It was a lot of fun. Aubrie got home and saw the car in the driveway, and I'm sure she was quite confused. She was excited to see us too. Breanna wasn't home so we decided to go to her work. Mom and Dad went with us and went in to Ocean Blue first. They distracted her and turned her back towards the door. We walked in and Dad looked up and said 'Oh no.' She turned around and screamed (for joy of course). Everyone else in the store turned their head to see what was going on.

It was a great trip!!