Little Bare Family

October

2012-01-17T15:55:00.000-08:00

October 1st: Nick and I went to watch Em and Ed perform at dance routine at Bonneville High School. They had spent the morning learning a few numbers and were able to show off their moves that afternoon. We showed up just in time and were elated to see them work it. Em was super into the kicks and jumps and Ed was adorable when it came to the arm moves. I just love dancing and I couldn’t help but hope I get a little dancer in the future. Nick presented each of the girls with a flower.

October 11th: In the middle of the night I woke up to a sharp pain in my stomach. It felt like what I image a stab would be like. The pain wouldn’t stop and I let out a cry. Nick woke and insisted we head to the emergency room. I was hesitant, not wanting to go in for nothing, but he insisted. He helped me get dressed, grabbed a bowl in case I got sick, and headed out the door. Before we even reached the stairs I collapsed and got sick in the bowl. I knelt there until I knew I was done and cried. I was so tired, scared, and confused. When Nick helped me up the pain in my side was gone and I assumed I had just needed to get sick. We went back to bed agreeing that if the pain returned we would go straight to the ER, no questions asked.
I woke up at 6am to find I was lying in a small puddle of blood. Terrified I woke Nick up, changed, and drove to the ER. I was only thinking the worst. When the nurse was asking me questions I was unable to answer them. Thankfully Nick stepped in, gave her my basic information, allergies, and my insurance card (how he had the presence of mind to grab that I will never know). I was so grateful to have him there with me. I was taken back to a room, asked to change, and then put in a bed. A Dr came in and was worried about my hydration and nutrition. I had lost 15 pounds by this point and I wasn’t large to start with. He had nurses give me an IV with lots of vitamins in it. The liquid flowing into my body felt cool and refreshing. It was crazy feeling is spread. We were told we would have to wait until 8am for the ultrasound tech to be in to see if it was in fact a miscarriage. Nick did his best to calm me and ensure that either way he loved me and was proud of everything I had done. No words can help an expectant mom when she is in a situation like that, but it was enough to allow me to drift in and out of sleep.

When the ultrasound tech came in I instantly wanted him to go away. A kind man, with fantastic glasses, was about to take away my ignorance. Though ignorance was not bliss, it seemed better than the dreadful reality that he might bring me into. I was only 3 months along but I loved that little baby and I didn’t want his words to say I couldn’t have it. Nick coxed me into the wheel chair and blankets were wrapped around me. I stared steadily at Nick, rolling my IV along, as we headed down the hall to the ultrasound room. I was helped on the bed and as he squirted the gel onto my stomach (a first time experience for me) he asked if this was our first baby. I began crying and said yes. He explained that he wouldn’t turn the monitor on incase there wasn’t movement, that we would first listen to the heart beat. When he turned the volume on the room was filled with the constant patter of the little heart inside me. The tech said “sounds like a really strong heartbeat”. The tears came swiftly and the look on Nick’s face said it all: pure relief, love, and gratitude. It was a moment that I will not forget. The screen was flipped on and we were able to see our little one moving around like crazy. At that point I couldn’t feel any movement but technology was allowing me to watch my baby squirm like crazy. The tech was surprised by how active it was and said that that may have caused some of the bleeding. After consulting with the doctor they agreed that the bleeding had been caused by a hemorrhage and the baby and I would be fine as long as I took things really easy and tried to stay hydrated and nourished. I was given another IV full of vitamins as well as medicine to help me keep things down for the day. I was released.

I had a Dr’s appointment scheduled for later that morning and called to update them. They wanted to see me and asked that the ER send the results to them. We picked up a Jamba (which I was actually able to drink thanks to the medicine running through my vanes) and drove to Idaho Falls. My doctor listened to the heart beat and asked me lots of questions. I felt as though the appointment was a rerun but I was grateful to have the opportunity to get to know my midwife a lot better. She was able to help me feel calm and get excited about the next part of my pregnancy.

The day was terrifying and I hope to never experience anything like it again; however, I am so grateful for the love and support that Nick showed the entire time. Throughout the first 3 months of pregnancy he was a rock. He never complained about my sleeping, getting sick, hatred of smells, or emotional ups and downs. Overall I was just tired, my body didn’t have any more to give, and he was willing to make up the difference at home and give me the strength to get to work in the morning.

October 28th: Halloween is a big celebration as Melaleuca, the company that I work for. Emily G, a coworker and friend, helped me buy decorations for the HR department. We all dressed up like witches and the night before created a spooky haunted house theme. The guys in our department wore shirts that said “I work with a bunch of witches” on the front, and the back said “On Halloween of course”. It was hilarious! Families of Melaleuca employees were able to come into the corporate office and see a variety of departments all decked out with different themes. There were many that were impressive, including marketing (Robin Hood) and sales (Scooby-Doo). I think it is an awesome way for kids to see mom or dad’s work and create lasting memories. I was glad to be a part of it.

October 31st: Nick flew out to Minneapolis for an interview and I was left to spend Halloween alone. My ward had a party but I was tired and didn’t feel like going without him. I planned on eating dinner, taking a bath, and then snuggling up in bed for the night. I was rudely interrupted multiple times by the doorbell and each time was irritated to find college students standing outside my door asking for candy. Grow up people! My comment of “you do realize all of you are older than me?” didn’t thrill many of them and the fact that I wasn’t handing out candy apparently was not impressive either. After the 4th time I wrote a sign and put it on the door that read “Sh! Baby Sleeping. Happy Halloween”. That did the trick! There weren’t any more knocks or bells. I figure it wasn’t totally a lie… I was being a baby about it because I was carrying a baby.

September 2011 Continued

2012-01-17T10:48:00.000-08:00

September 21st: We drove home to Washington to celebrate Matt coming home from his mission in Brazil as well as tell the families that we were expecting a baby. This time we took Abby with us, who was a great little passenger! She helped me make a really cute sign that will come into play later in our story.

September 22nd: Tons of Nick’s family arrived at the airport to welcome Matt home. We barely made it in time for the pain to land. When he walked into the terminal he looked SO happy and everyone was filled with emotion. I had only met Matt twice before he left so it was a fun experience getting to know him better. There were tons of balloons and signs waiting for him. We waited until all the hugs had been given before we opened our sign that said “Welcome home Uncle Matt! Love, Baby Bare”. The reaction was not as instantaneous as we had imagined. It took a minute for the clue to kick in. Lorry was the first to understand and let out a cheer/gasp, Amber was next, and with the help of her pointing to the “Baby Bare” everyone else caught on. There was lots of love and support shown. Lorry’s tears got me all choked up and overall it was a wonderful experience. Unfortunately, Nick’s dad didn’t make it in time. When we were standing around waiting for the luggage he came in, welcomed his son home, and we proceeded to unravel the poster. His reaction was priceless: pure joy.

September 23rd: My brother Cameron had a football game in Wenatchee and Nick’s brother Luke had a game in Tri-Cities. We were torn. I ended up driving myself to Moses Lake to meet up with my family and continue the ride with them. Nick stayed to watch Luke play in Kennewick. The drive to Moses was terrible! During that part of the pregnancy I was very sick! Adding motion sickness to the equation was detrimental. I had to text my family multiple times to tell them I was on my way but was “car sick”. When I got there my Dad stated that he didn’t know how anyone gets themselves car sick while they are driving. A fantastic point but I didn’t want to ruin the surprise. When I arrived in Moses we immediately took off to Wenatchee. The drive there wasn’t pretty but I held it together. Upon arriving I told my parents to go into the stadium without me as I knew it was only moments before the nausea got the better of me. When I had finished I joined my mom in the bleachers while my dad was in “the nest” filming all of Cameron’s sweet moves. I did my best to stay involved in the game but the overpowering smell of chili, popcorn, hotdogs, and cotton candy perfume was too much to handle. For a good portion of the 2nd quarter I spent my time watching the game as I walked around the field. Movement was better than sitting in that vat of aromas. Cameron played really well! I was so proud of him and was thrilled to be able to see him in action, it has been years. Unfortunately the sickness overcame me and I ended up getting sick and then heading to the car to sleep. I awoke to a couple of sad fans and one somber stinky football player. Wenatchee has kicked the chiefs’ butts. Before my Dad could put the car into drive I grabbed a little gift bag and handed it to Cameron. When he opened it he found a tiny white onesie with “BARE 1” on the back, hand stitched in like it a football uniform in Maroon and Gold. He got a huge smile, and turned it so that my parents could see. My dad asked “Is this an announcement?” with a big smile. I said yes and told them how far along I was etc. The drive home was hard but Cameron was a great pal, letting me lay on his lap with a pillow. I heard my dad’s voice multiple times saying “A grandkid” in disbelief. It was a great experience.

September 24th: I woke up and told Jaimyn the news the same way that I had announced to the rest of my family the night previous. She was thrilled. When Sheldon was awake I did the same for him, it took him a while to get it but eventually he did with some helpful hints from Cameron. I then walked down to Grandma and Grandpa Law’s holding the bag. I told Grandpa it was a present for his birthday. They were thrilled for me. Grandma said it explained why I looked “too thin” and immediately started offering me food to eat. I explained that it was useless but thank you. I ended up taking home a bag full of rolls. I was so grateful for them; they were all I could keep down on my drive back to Rexburg. I left Moses in the afternoon and headed back to Kennewick where I joined Nick and his family for a BBQ. Extended family was there and we announced again that we were pregnant. I was thrilled that we had waited till I was 12 weeks. It just seemed like the safest choice emotionally.

September 25th: I thought that we had made it clear that we only wanted family to know that we were pregnant. Because I had been so sick my Drs worried that I would be a high risk pregnancy. At that point I had lost 13 pounds. Apparently we didn’t make our wishes very clear. At church on Sunday I was shocked when I heard family members announcing to everyone, including new members of the ward, that another grandchild was on the way. I was even more taken back when I was announced in Relief Society as Nick’s wife, who is expecting a baby. Our secret was out, but I was determined that it should stay in Kennewick and not leak to Rexburg or Moses. I didn’t want to have to explain if anything went wrong.

September 2011

2011-12-04T15:58:00.000-08:00

For Labor Day weekend we went to Jann's cabin with Amber's family to relax and get away from everything. Amber and I spent time making hair bows while the boys played in the great outdoors. At this point we weren't telling anyone that we were pregnant because it was so new. Everyone was asking and I was either avoiding the question or just flat out lying. Love you all - I'm sure you understand. I had a really hard time staying awake or away from the bathroom. I was fooling no one but I tried. Thanks to everyone there for being so loving and embracing us into your family.

On the 6th we had our first Dr's appointment. I was really excited to know exactly how far along I was and make sure that the baby was okay. I was really nervous about the urine sample I knew I would have to give. It just seems so nasty! When I was little I went to the Dr's office and when they asked me to give a sample I filled the cup up with water out of the sink, thinking I was SO sneaky. Don't worry, this time I was a big girl and just did it. The ultrasound was amazing. It was great to know our due date: April 17th and learn that the baby looked healthy. They took my blood, which was a process! The nurse didn't seem to know what she was doing and the bruise that lasted a month proved it. Nick thinks she made scrambled eggs out of my blood vessels.

"Baby Mogan"turned 19 on September 7th. It is crazy to think that she is now the same age that I was when I got married. What can I say about Morgan? She has been my best friend, comforter, partner in crime, giggling buddy, backup... etc. for as long as I can remember. Many days were spent playing doll house together, running through sprinklers, mastering the easy-bake oven, and playing 4 squire in the basement. I love you Mo. Actually from July to September Morgan lived with us while she was looking for a job in the Rexburg area. Before she came I was really nervous but she turned out to be an excellent house guest! She always was helping with the cleaning, baking something delicious, and kept Nick company while I was working. Since I was so newly pregnant and VERY sick I appreciated her help more than she could ever know.

Gigi brought Abby to school the weekend of the 8th. It was great to see them! We had dinner at Texas Roadhouse (usually my favorite place to eat, but being newly pregnant and not having told anyone...) and got to chat it up. It was there that I learned Em's "interesting" way to eat a hotdog... She peals it! Haha. Its a good thing she is so dang cute.

Nick and I made the voyage to Chuck and Jo's in Utah for Kevin's farewell on the 10th and 11th. It was great to be around family. Meredith showed off her wedding dress and I was smitten with how stunning she looked. Her ring was beautiful as well and it was so fun to share just a bit of the wedding planning bug with them. Kevin's talk was superb and I couldn't help but giggle when he reference Lord of the Rings from the pulpit. As Cameron would say, "what a stud".

On Sept 19th I made a terrible decision! I had my hair died DARK brown. My only explanation for this action is this: I was feeling really down. I was always getting sick, feeling miserable, and didn't have control over anything... but I could decide what to do with my hair. Bad idea. NEVER, I repeat, NEVER make a big decision while pregnant, especially when it come to your looks. The girl who did it did a fantastic job! It was exactly what I asked for. The bad part was when my naturally blonde hair started growing in... it looked as though my hair was gray! Yuck.

August 2011

2011-11-23T16:02:00.001-08:00

Nick and I celebrated our 2 year anniversary on August 7th. We took a trip to Utah for the weekend and had a great time. We decided to go to Lagoon and ride some rides. We got a great deal on tickets through Melaleuca which I was grateful for. We found after some time of riding the rides that the thing that was most entertaining was simply people watching. It was a hot muggy day and I loved snacking on cookies and cream dip-n-dots. Yum! David, I thought of you.
10th was the Miss Idaho Falls Pageant. I have never been around pageants but Amber got me signed up to help with this one. She explained that it was everything that I loved: fashion, hair, makeup, interviews, and dance. I was sold. I was a “pageant mom” to Mikyla. She was the youngest in the competition but I instantly fell in love with her energy and charm. She was captivating on stage, beautiful, poised during interview, and an exceptional ballerina. She took 2nd runner up overall. I was very proud of her! The experience is something that I will always remember and look forward to participating in again in the future.

15th was Melaleuca Chuckers night (baseball). I went out to dinner with Nick and Morgan, who was living with us at the time. We over filled our bellies at Olive Garden and then cheered on the players at Melaleuca Field. Em and Ed were obsessed with Morgan, but Will was more interested in the games that she had on her phone. It was fun to get out and be around friends and family.

On the 17th we found out that we were pregnant! I hadn’t been feeling good at work and decided to take it easy for lunch and go to a friend’s apartment instead of going out. She insisted that I take a pregnancy test while I was there. I gave in. When I came out of the bathroom holding it, looking shocked I’m sure, I blurted out that I was pregnant. She didn’t believe me because the results came so fast. Once she realized I was serious we both started crying.

All day I looked up ways to tell your husband you are pregnant but none of them seemed just right. I came up with an idea and executed it as soon as we were home. I created a sign, written in crayon that said “Daddy, I can’t wait to follow in your footsteps. Love, Baby Bare”. Next to it I placed a pair of black sparkly dress shoes and a pair of tiny working boots. I asked Nick to come into our room to help me with something. When he did he saw the display, got a huge smile on his face, and then said “we are?” and wrapped me in a huge hug when I nodded. It was a great moment; One that I will never forget.

I taught relief society on the 21st, as I do each 3rd Sunday. I have really appreciated this calling. It has helped me realize how much teachers need participation! I try to do all that I can to ensure that I have additional material, not just the scriptures and quotes that are given in the manual. I feel that those who have prepared appreciate it. Those who don’t, I am just grateful for the moments when they raise their hand to share a thought that popped into their head. I will admit though that I do avoid calling on certain people when the subject is touchy. Some people just have a knack for sharing WAY too much information. Haha. Overall though the calling has been fantastic, I love being in front of people, I love learning from other’s insights, and I adore teaching.

July 2011

2011-11-23T15:36:00.000-08:00

1st – 4th David, Lorry, and Katelyn came to see us for the holiday weekend again this year. We had big plans to go to “Rexburg Rapids” the new water-park that was put in across the street but it was full to capacity. Amber and I ran to Walmart and picked up lots of fun water toys, a slip-n-slide, treats, and a kiddy pool. We had a great time with everyone messing around in the yard. Will was a “super slider” and Cam gave him a run for his money. Watching the fireworks was fun as usual. I found out this year that I really am not interested in the “boom” but more the opportunity to snuggle on the blanket with Nick surrounded by family and friends. Melaleuca’s freedom celebration was as amazing as ever though. Em fell asleep on my lap, which melted me.

July 4th wouldn’t be the same without mentioning my darling cousin Amie, the birthday girl. Amie and I have been close since we were little. She was kind enough to let me tag along and eat grandma’s strawberries, teach me new songs, and then share her boy drama. When I had boy drama of my own she was there with advice and a safe place to run to. I love her to pieces and hope that she had a wonderful birthday.

15th – 19th was the Law Family Reunion. We celebrated in Boise this year which totally shook things up. I was thrilled with how it turned out. It was so nice to see family and catch up with everyone. Some of my favorite things that we did this year were: The talent show. I loved seeing the variety of talent that is in my family. I loved Sarah’s rendition of Somewhere Over the Rainbow. I have never heard it sung that way before and it really touched me. I learned that Seth is an incredible pianist! I also got a good laugh out of the Bob Law children’s Nacho routine. We also went to a great water-park! I cant believe that they talked me into going on some of the slides but I had a great time hanging out with my cousins and aunts. Thanks for making the day so memorable!

22nd-23rd Nick graduated from BYU-Idaho with a Bachelor’s in Construction Management with a minor in Business. He finished with a fantastic GPA! His parents, Luke, and Lorry came to celebrate with him along with my parents. It was so rewarding to see him receive recognition for all that he has accomplished. He is one of the most dedicated students I have witnessed and I am so proud to be his wife.

26th-28th We ventured off to Hell, Hell’s Canyon that is, to join Bruce and Amie for a rafting trip. I adore going to Hell’s and was excited to share the experience with Nick. There are very few hobbies that we have in common so it was nice to have the opportunity to raft together. As always Bruce and Amie were so much fun to spend time with. I couldn’t help but smile every time I heard phrases like “Jimminy Christmas”, “Buddy I tell ya what…”, “it’ll eat your lunch”, “pucker up”.. etc. Bruce- you are the best. Amie and I have a few phrases as well but we won’t put those here. We ate like kings, and spent time in some of the most uniquely beautiful scenery imaginable. Thanks for inviting us!

JUNE 2011

2011-09-08T17:33:00.001-07:00

Morgan (my sister) and Abby (Nick’s sister) both graduated from high school! “My little babies all grown up and… saving China… you got a tissue?” I am so proud of them both. Morgan graduated from high school with her Associates Degree from Big Bend Community College. I was thrilled that I was able to go back and watch her receive recognition for her accomplishments.

Nick and I were also able to go to the Zoo! My favorite part of the Zoo is always the otters and the penguins. I have always felt bad for the bigger animals because they just don’t ever seem to have enough room. That couldn’t be truer at the Idaho Falls Zoo. Mom and Dad, I think we should use some of that grass for a few giraffes, they looked crammed.

I also competed in the Melaleuca Softball Tournament for work. Nick can attest to the fact that I was a nervous wreck! It has always been my policy to avoid anything that I am not amazing at, thus avoiding any embarrassing situation. When I agreed to play I assumed that I would be put in right field. A few days before I was told I would be playing second base. Second Base! I was terrified. What if I missed a crucial out? What if I fell over? Any number of embarrassing things could happen. After a great pep talk from my co-worker, Emily G, I got in my uniform and went. Guess what? I was good! I was able to make some pretty impressive catches. I got the nickname wheels because apparently I am speedy. And I never struck out! Yay me! It really was a great time and I was sad that it was just a one day thing. This will sound silly but I honestly learned a lot from the experience and have been more willing to try new things. Thank you Hits and Runs for signing me up and being such a great team to play with.

My last hair appointment with Liz was also in June. Why am I mentioning this? Because Liz Swick is the best hair dresser that I have ever had and she deserves some public recognition. She was able to give me some serious platinum for a while, and then back to my natural dark blonde, then some highlights, then lowlights... Liz I miss you, my hair misses you, and I have not yet had my hair done :S It has been too long. I think I will need to go to Arizona soon so we can play.

MAY 2011

2011-09-08T17:32:00.002-07:00

Our dear friends Heidi and Steve Cannon moved away from Rexburg. They are such a fun couple, we were sad to see them go. Steve will forever be quoted among our friends for funny sayings during games. Heidi, one of the sweetest girls I know, we miss you! It was the first realization that we would all be moving on.

It’s also funny enough to note our obsession with bowling parties around this time. We (our group of friends) would all get coupons in the mail and show up to the bowling alley ready for an inexpensive good time. We found out the hard way that other groups weren’t keen on sitting close to us. There was a lot of yelling (Jen), scary frustrated faces (Grady), competitive disappointments (Justin), and dancing (Liz) coming from our area. We always had a great time though!

APRIL 2011

2011-09-08T17:32:00.001-07:00

I graduated with my BS in Communication with a minor in English. I had so many great experiences at BYU-Idaho and I am grateful to all the teachers who shared their knowledge with me. I would be doing an injustice if I did not mention Brother Rod Keller, a phenomenal man, who taught me so much about literature, writing technique, and rhetoric. Thank you for the many hours of discussion and guidance. I am also forever indebted to Brother Ross Baron whose passion for logic surpasses anyone I have ever met. Thank you for the debates and thought provoking questions. And finally to Sister Hansen, thank you for sharing your vast experience and knowledge with each student lucky enough to take your course. You rekindled my love for public speaking, the power of persuasion, and a drive to make a difference in the world. I truly have learned a great deal and will cherish the time I spent there. About two weeks before graduating I realized how much I would miss learning. I have been considering the idea of a master’s program; I need to decide which emphasis will take me in the direction I want to go.

Catchin up

2011-09-08T17:31:00.000-07:00

The periods of time that pass between each of these blog posts is pathetic. To those of you wondering if we are still alive the answer is a resounding YES! There have been so many things going on this summer that this blog got put on the back burner. Time to catch you up on our adventures!

For your enjoyment

2011-03-22T07:04:00.000-07:00

This poem was written for one of my classes this semester. We were asked to think of someone in our lives that has made an impact and explain how they have changed us. I couldnt decide who to write on or how I would go about it. I thought of how much Courtney Earl (my friend I have been the closeset with since we were just tots) would dislike this assignment as she hates poetry. The irony was too much to pass up. As I continued writing this peice I became so grateful for all the wonderful memories and laughter we have shared. Here is the finished product for your enjoyment.

You are: I am

You are: The piddle paddle of toddler feet running down a hallway,
Fighting over cheese and crackers while singing popcorn popping,
The girl in a matching outfit balancing the teeter totter,
Giggling with big bangs while sitting at neighboring desks,
Rocking baby dolls and running from vicious bees.

You are: dancing with Barbie while gorging on otterpops,
Squealing when jumping off diving boards and singing on a swing,
Frozen adventures in swimwear and performing Annie,
Flying through the air on tubes and drinking grape juice,
Singing campfire songs and being a bedside nurse.

You are: late night snacks and watching Disney movies,
Cramming for tests and laughing about cooking experiments,
Sitting through Sunday school lessons and making funny faces,
Numerous school projects and taking goofy pictures,
Rolling with laughter at homemade music videos.

You are: searching together for prince charming and cheering the other on,
Driving golf carts around the yard till nightfall,
Helping with chores and putting on makeup,
Camping in Teepees year after year,
And the click clack of high-heel shoes walking next to me.

I am: a determined young lady with hope for the future,
Caring and have an understanding of self worth,
Motivated to better myself and serve those around me,
A lover of music, junk-food, and sleeping in,
Lighthearted with a knowledge of what it means to have fun.

Why? Because from the piddle paddle of toddler feet to the
Click clack of high heeled shoes,
You have always been next to me.

You are: My Best Friend

Snacks

2011-02-24T10:50:00.000-08:00

I have a confession to make... I have fallen in love with Triscuit crackers and strawberries. Unfortunately Nick has not joined in this adventure with me. I thinks that they taste like shredded wheat except salt has been substituted for frosting. This might be true but I just think that they are fantastic. I ate these items the whole way home from WA and had them again for breakfast this morning. Mostly they dont make my tummy hurt. :)

Start of the 30 day challenge

2011-02-24T10:45:00.000-08:00

So there is a 30 day challenge that is going around facebook. Each day you post a picture about a certain topic that lets people know a little more about you. I have decided that this a good way for me to be held accountable to post on my blog so I will be doing it here.

Day 1 - A picture of yourself and 15 fact about you.

1. My birthday is March 19th
2. I like anything BBQ'd
3. I love wearing high heels
4. I have recently fallen in love with Triscuits
5. I have been married for a year and a half
6. I adore my best friends
7. I love Mr. Bubble bubble baths
8. I work for Melaleuca in the HR department
9. I just love babies
10. I am the only person in my family who cant tan
11. I will be graduating in April with my BS in Communication and a minor in English
12. I still haven't seen some of my brother and sister in laws and their kids
13. My favorite icecream is Rocky-Road
14. I am allergic to nuts so I cant even eat my favorite icecream :(
15. My family means the world to me.

Better Late Than Never

2011-02-16T20:34:00.000-08:00

I am officially not a great blogger as it has been forever since I last wrote. However, I am going to do my best to get better at this. Because I don’t have time to catch up I am just going to start from where we are now.

Nick and I are both attending school this semester at Brigham Young University Idaho. This is my last semester, meaning I will graduate in April with a BS majoring in Communication with a minor in English. Nick has one more semester and will be walking in July with a BS in Construction Management and a minor in Business. Yay for us! We are excited to move on to the next stage in our lives. Right now we are trying to focus on finishing this semester strong, we are at the midterm hump and can’t wait to be done.

Currently I am working for Melaleuca Inc. which is an international wellness company. I am working in the Human Resources department which is very exciting due to the fact that I am already working in my field of choice. I am surrounded by great co-workers and I have already learned so much. Nick continues to do maintenance at the apartment complex that we are living at. He continually amazes me with the endless things he is capable of fixing. It is good to know that our house will be in ship-shape in the future, not to mention the lawn immaculate. Working for a lawn care company when he was a teenager has made him VERY particular about the way a lawn is taken care of. Fine by me! I have done my fair share of mowing in my day…

As for our relationship -Things are going great. We have been married over a year and a half now and think we have most of each other’s quirks figured out:

I like my sandwiches cut into triangles, his are in squares.
If the kitchen is not cleaned he gets stressed out and I can’t function unless the bathroom is clean.
We both drink A LOT of milk, which can be expensive, but hey we have strong bones.
When watching a video online he likes the screen big and I like it little.
We both get grumpy if the house starts to clutter up or we are hungry.
I am a “nonstop hugger”.
If I didn’t get a dishcloth out myself that day I feel it is dirty and put it in the laundry, he smells them to check (yuck).
Nick is very particular about the fluffiness of his pancakes (luckily we found that Winco’s bulk pancake batter is awesome).
Nick has a “get it done” mode that isn’t worth interrupting and sometimes I just start crying for no reason other than Lybbert genes.
The idea of anyone using his toothbrush gives Nick the heeby-jeebies.
We both like playing games, he is passive and humorous while I am competitive.

Things that I have learned lately:

I never turn my blinker on before I want to lane change, just when I see that there is an open space (He reminds me of this often).
I really don’t like snow and ice! I have always known that we didn’t get along but this year I have already fallen 9 TIMES. Spare me your tricks for staying vertical, I have tried them all, it is just that the ice here has it out for me. At some other time I will have to do a post about each fall’s comical effect for others.
I adore reading! I knew this but this semester has really allowed me to read a lot of really interesting things that have broadened my view. Thank you Brother Keller for assigning fantastic works.
Nick is a really good basketball player! I knew that he liked it but this semester has given me lots of opportunity to watch him play (he is taking a basketball class and is on a team with the school). During his last game he made 7 3’s, 6 of which were in a row!
I am out of shape! My friends took me to the Gym and it was embarrassing… Time to get back on that band-wagon.
Long hair is a fantastic thing! I don’t understand women who say that short hair is easier. With long you can: get it all up and out of the way if you are working on something or exercising, throw it in a cute bun if you don’t have time, and do SO many more cute things…etc. Big thanks to Liz Swick, my hairdresser, who does wonders for me. Love you.

There hasn’t been too much happening around here lately. Valentine’s Day was great. We went to Texas Roadhouse for dinner where Nick stuffed himself with the roles and cinnamon butter. I didn’t mind though as we were sharing a plate of bbq chicken, stake, a baked potato, and baked beans… more for me! I found out after dinner that Nick doesn’t even like baked beans! He just keeps ordering them because he knows I love them; sweet, but makes me feel bad. After dinner we went to the mall where we got my ring cleaned. We finished off the night by going to the theater and seeing Tangled. SO GOOD! If you haven’t seen it yet you really need to. It is an instant Disney classic and I not only want the movie but the soundtrack.

That is all for today. I will try to post some pictures soon.

Love,
Christine

Characters of my Childhood

2010-02-05T12:07:00.000-08:00

My parents did an amazing job limiting the amount of TV i watched as a child; However, I still had my favorite cartoons:

The Oddities Never Cease to Exist

2010-02-04T11:06:00.001-08:00

Washintonian for Life
The only accurate information upon my photo ID is: “Christine Marie” “DOB 03/19/1990” “EYE CLR BLU”. No longer do I live with my parents in Moses Lake, I do not have blonde hair, and my Last name isn’t Law. The biggest discrepancy however is that I have not lived in Washington for ten months; however, my driver’s license would tell you differently. You might be thinking “Just get a new license in Idaho,” this is not such a simple task. The written test is not what worries me, I have read “Idaho’s driving manual” cover to cover. I am not embarrassed to get another horizontal license because of my age. I have a phobia of being an Idahoian. Thus far I have maintained correct grammar, detest for camo, and love of Washington potatoes. I will forever be a Wahintonian at heart… Even if it means my name can’t be on our checking account.

Just a Phone Call Away
Whether Nick is at school, work, or hunting it is nice to know that he is just a phone call away. Not only does it allow me to contact him when I want to chat, it is my way to reach him if I am in need. However these things seem minimal in comparison to the reassurance it gives me that he is alright. He has stated multiple times that just because he doesn't answer his phone it does not mean that he is hurt, angry, or dead... This doesn't stop the worry which eats at me. I'm trying my best to keep a positive outlook in these situations.

And This Too Shall Pass

2010-02-03T12:08:00.000-08:00

North? South? East? West?: During our drives in Idaho Falls, ID I have been given the responsibility of driving. This annoying job was given after one particular incident: While Nick was hacking away at his elk (yuck) I decided to take a quick trip to Idaho Falls to do some birthday shopping. Nick had given me directions and I was confident that it would be smooth sailing. Morgan called me, we were having a nice chat when I realized I had been driving for quite a while… looking around I only saw fields, a few barns, and one spooky looking old home. Terrified I hung up with Mo and called Nick. He was asking which way I had been going, I was clueless. Finally I found a street sign and he was able to direct me back to the house. He was annoyed and worried, as any husband would be. Myself- I was embarrassed, scared, and frustrated. Because Nick’s terror of me continually getting lost outweighs his fear of my driving habits I am now required occasionally to drive. During these adventures Nick takes it upon himself to pester me with lane changes, backseat driving, cardinal direction quizzes, and Idaho Falls driving trivia. This has been a test of patience to say the least for both of us.

In Reply to Your Questions

2010-01-29T21:58:00.000-08:00

Nick and I have not had any problem with the toothpaste. We have finished one tube and are currently working on our second. We both are good about putting a little on our brush, closing the lid, and returning it to its proper place before we begin brushing. If the lid gets a little dirty we wash it off. Both of us hate the idea of a crusty toothpaste tube. As for where we squeeze it: middle until it gets low, then from the bottom up.

We did have a bit of a problem with the toilet paper roll which got blown out of proportion on both sides; however, we have come to a consensus that whoever uses the last bit will replace it immediately. It does not matter if the sheets come from the back or front, we are adults and can figure it out either way. And yes, we do use the dispenser.

Thankfully our cute little apartment has not been under attack from spiders, I do not remember ever seeing one actually. The day one sneaks in will be comical I’m sure: If nick finds it he will gasp and declare how much he hates them, give himself an internal pep-talk and then take care of the problem.

As for our favorite dishes:
Dinner- I enjoy a steak with Montreal Steak Seasoning, hot corn on the cob, a baked potato (with butter, sour cream, and fresh chives), a roll, and asparagus, all washed down with a cold glass of homemade grape juice. When questioned on his favorite meal Nick could not give me a solid answer, he finally concluded that he loves anything I put in front of him except for pickled asparagus.
Dessert- Nick loves a good apple pie or blackberry cobbler with vanilla ice cream. Personally a chewy brownie with vanilla icecream and caramel syrup hits the spot every time.
I have been instructed to include this note: “I have been lied to by the Law family. They told me that Christine loved steak, this is false. She simply loves Montreal Steak Seasoning and the meat is merely and excuse to get some.” –Nick

Lets Dance!

2010-01-22T12:00:00.000-08:00

In addition to my studies and job I have taken the position of co-coach for the BYU-Idaho Dance team. When the offer was presented I was hesitant; however, Nick encouraged me to snatch it up. I'm so glad he did! My love of dance and interacting with other people have been fulfilled through this activity. As a team we perform at half time games each Friday night. Currently I'm working on strengthening my technique and increasing my flexibility. We held tryouts this week and have a team of 8, hoping to gain a few more as we go along.

"In the land where palm trees sway!"

2010-01-22T10:55:00.000-08:00

Mama and Papa Law are in Hawaii right now! I am very jealous, but more than that excited for them! I know that so far they have enjoyed the beach, Pearl Harbor, and a flee market. If anyone deserved a good vacation it was these two. They were absolute troopers during the wedding planning process and did all they could to make sure that I had a beautiful day to remember.

Winter Semester 2010

2010-01-20T08:36:00.000-08:00

As we come closer and closer to February it causes me to reflect on how quickly life can blow by you. Nick and I have been married for 5 1/2 months! How I wish I had been better about updating you all on our adventures. I vow to do better in the future.

Funny quirks that we are both learning to put up with:

Kitchen Takeover: I am a good cook, and I truly love to be in the kitchen whipping something up. The last few months I have been wrestling with the idea of sharing this space. Like a small child Nick is constantly wanting to help whenever I am making a tasty treat - This I don't mind; however, being a lot bigger and stronger this little boy tends to unintentionally push me out of the way and complete the task on his own. How rude! We always have yummy food around our house, I'm just getting used to the thought that a boy can cook just as well as I can.

To Bleach or Not to Bleach: It has nearly turned into a contest! Whoever does the white load gets to determine if Bleach will be included in the cleaning process. Nick is convinced that Bleach makes clothes yellow and smell terrible. I'm sure that the clothes are not clean until they smell like a swimming pool. Who is right - it matters not... The race for the quarters and detergent will continue.

Dishwasher Madness: Our silverware holder has a compartment for knives, spoons, big spoons, little forks, forks, steak knives, and other... The manufacturer did not come up with this idea- Nick did. The bowls are to be placed with an open spot in between each to allow adequate space for cleaning - Also Nick's philosophy. When doing hand washing it is appropriate to place scrubbed and rinsed dishes in the empty dishwasher to dry. A little bit unique and OCD but I love him and I'm glad he is willing to help keep our kitchen tidy.