One of those weeks...

Do you ever have one of those days where you feel like you're the but of some ridiculously unfunny, cosmic joke? This, unfortuanately, has been one of those weeks. Here are some of the highlights....

This is the crack that appeared on our windsheild while we were gone, and continues to grow larger every evening that it freezes.

This is Bri's face, when she found out that she is now required to take the NATIONAL cueing exam before March 31st or they revoke her permit.

This is Grant's bags all packed to go to Saint George with Vocal Point for the whole weekend, separating the happy couple for the first time since their marriage last August.

This is the Bri's broken cell phone, which has not turned on since Tuesday, for some unapparent reason.

This is the pipe that burst and flooded our pantry closet (those icky black things are HUGE, dead spiders).

This is Bri using Hannah's phone to call Grant while he is away, until they remembered that he left his phone charger in Provo.

This is the happy couple, finally, reunited on Sunday evening after a very busy, tense first two weeks back in Provo.

Amazingly, after all the stress of the past week, we find ourselves counting our blessings and laughing at our crazy hectic week.  We've done the very best we can with what we've been given and knowing that brings some measure of peace.  A close friend said that it was his testimony that when the Lord gives us trials, it's a way of showing His trust in us.  We feel very much like we are where we are supposed to be, doing what we should be doing.  We're blessed to be at a University that serves as a school for secular and religious teachings, and where we can feel the spirit in every class.  We are blessed to be surrounded by love and support on every side.  We are blessed to have the light of the gospel and the peace and comfort of the spirit in our home. I'm continually blessed by my sweet husband and his worthiness to hold the Preisthood and bless me with it.  We're blessed especially by the service and love of one another.  I'm so grateful to have my sweet husband back in my arms. Thank you for all your support and prayers!

Guess who I love...?

My wife!!












Love you Bri!

My Two Best Friends...

There they are... the two greatest people ever, enjoying a favorite breakfast of cheap doughnuts (a liking I will never understand... They like Twizlers too... it's like eating plastic. Ick!)

Peek-a-boo Hannah!

Here they both are... hard at work!

This is how they're giving tours around BYU nowadays.

Just look at that handsome Provider.

He protects too!!
... see?

And Hannah giving some love to the "Love Cow"

Sisters...

AND best friends... by CHOICE! :D

What a lucky guy!

Hannah's so cute!


That's all folks!

How to make Pumpkin Pie

From a REAL pumpkin!!...

Start with a "cooking pumpkin" (who knew there was even such a thing?!)

Did you know that pumpkins float?!

And the things are ridiculously hard to cut! (Where's my husband?)

I've got mad blending skills... it's true.

Pumpkin goop... yum yum!

Bri's famous pie crust


Last step... bake and devour the delicious pie. (It was so good, we forgot to take a picture of it before we chowed down.) :D

Full of Thanks (and Turkey)

We sure had a lot to be thankful for this Thanksgiving!

The week previous, Mona-super mom arrived to take care of all of us, which was very well-timed, as the day previous to her arrival, Bri was diagnosed with a terrible bug known as the Epstein-Barr virus which unfortunately has developed into Mononucleosis. (Jokes about newlyweds, kissing, or the Y are not appreciated.)

The week of Thanksgiving, Bri's wonderful sister, Kristi traveled down from BYU-I to help take care of things, while Bri was still unwell. We were very happy, because Kristi is a fantastic cook!

Just look at her! Hard at play... I mean... work.

and Bri's handsome prince carving their first Thanksgiving turkey!

Here's the spread... and Grant and Bri (who's been blurred for your viewing pleasure or her vanity... you decide).

We're very thankful for all the loving family who gave of their time, support, and love to us this holiday season! Happy Thanksgiving!!! gobble boggle... whoops! Bri's still a tad loopy.

Owies and Healings

Hey Everyone! I'm healed!!!

For those who didn't know, I've had mono for the last MONTH, which is a VERY long time for someone to be sick, especially someone who's rarely been sick for more than two days in a row her whole life! I've gained quite a lot of empathy for people who do get sick, especially during the holidays. Now to put it to good use! :D

I want to tell you all a story about my wonderful husband Grant. Yesterday, we had just got home from a wonderful dinner out. When he came around to let me out of the car (because he's the most delightful gentleman), the door didn't close all the way. So, he went to slam it shut, but my finger got in the way! :( It was very painful, and I burst into tears. My pain was nothing next to Grant's though.

When he realized what had happened, he turned as pale as a ghost and rushed me inside to doctor it. I was trying so hard to stem the flow of feminine tears because my sweet husband was going to go into hysterics. When he came over with the bag of ice and saw how purple it was, he too started crying. He felt terrible, even though I assured him that it was not his fault in the least, and I'd had much worse, and it didn't hurt at all anymore, and this kind of thing happens to clutzs like me very frequently, and I loved him more than anything in the world. The fact that my pain caused him so much pain was the sweetest testament to his love for me!

I cannot believe how incredibly blessed I am to be loved by the most handsome, charming prince in all the kingdoms in all the world. He works so hard for my happiness. I'd do anything for him. I adore him. I wanted all to know. :)

Grant's Vocal Point Vocal Percussion Solo 2008

This is my fantastic husband performing the most ridiculously amazing vocal percussion solo that BYU has very seen at the Vocal Point concert on Thursday night in the DeJong Concert Hall. The crowd ate him up... unbiased as I am... :)