Ah the delima of the blog... when I have no time to write, I have all sorts of things I want to say... when I have time to write... I don't quite know what to write about... So I am forced to bore you with yet another "update" in the life of these two love birds down here...

Spring semester is well underway with the third week finishing up here. I've already turned in three assignments, taken a quiz, and look forward to another quiz and two tests as soon as I can get studied up for them. :) I am taking two classes right now. Nutrition and Human Development. Both are very interesting classes and I am learning a TON. I have actually really enjoyed the spring semester. Everything is less... busy.... than usual and the professors are a little more laid back (minus the requirements on that dang paper...) The campus is very much prettier in the spring than in the winter... or even fall. There are flowers in the beds, with lots of colors and beautiful bird songs in the trees... (mmmm... spring)

Don't you just love the crisp, clean feeling of walking outside after a good rain? As much as I love the sunshine... I absolutely love the fresh air of a good clean rain. It makes walking to and from campus that much more enjoyable. :) (plus, it makes for an interesting walk, debating whether or not I'll get rained on...)

Bryce got an internship at the company he's been looking at. It looks to be a great opportunity for him to get his foot in the door there. Its is a good company, he already likes some of the people he has met, and his old mission companion used to do the internship and is working there too! We laugh because Dad and Bryce will be passing each other to go to work... but it will be a good experience for Bryce and he's excited. He'll start that in the middle of June.

We are undergoing a major spring clean in my little house. I am determined to organize all that stuff we shoved into the other bedroom. I'm tired of not being able to find things... We found a great deal on some large storage bins, and I have had some fun putting things into them. :) I know, I'm weird, but what can I say? It helps keep me at low stress levels...

Summer is just around the corner and we are super excited (although I can't go to Disney this year... *sniff*)! We are going to my roomie's wedding in July and we're hoping to make a few other smaller vacations around. We'll see. :) Anyone got any fun plans for the summer?

Anyway. Sorry its a boring post today... I don't really have any fun pictures... oh yes I do!
I took this with my phone as I was walking home from school the other day. I just thought it presented a great inspiration... I don't know why. But enjoy! Til next time! :)

*sigh* My heart doth flutter with the thought...

One of my more labor intensive classes this semester (and reason for most of my homework and tests) is the "fun" one I chose to take this semester. Yes, it does fulfill a requirement, and it is possibly on of my favorite classes I have taken. History of Apparel. *sigh* For any who know me, the name of the class alone speaks volumes about my personality.

How can a class be get any better than the professors introduction that she love to re-enact? Upon discovering the re-enacting in your past, we instantly found a connection... she is currently getting me the information of the group she re-enacts with and I am rather excited. Another plus is that there are only 15 girls in the class... which makes for a fun time...

Just when you thought it couldn't get better... it does.. (I know you are all sitting at the edge of your seats!) We spend lecture going over slides and pictures so that we can understand the history behind fashions, and memorize the endless terms for different parts of clothing. Sounds fun, no?

We spent one lecture while studying ancient middle eastern fashions of wrapping (Egypt, Mesopotamian, Greek, and Roman) with bed sheets. We were practicing the different wrapping techniques of these great ancient civilizations... then we had a mini fashion show... did you know the roman togas wrapped in a way to create two pockets?! I didn't until it was on me... :)


I am totally loving this "pumpkin" brays look... :)

We have made it through the middle ages of Europe when it is considered that fashion really started... and now through the American Revolution... which brings us to my personal favorite period... the 19th century! *girlish giggle* With each picture I want a new dress... the Romantic era is to die for... the Crinoline period is the one I have lived in... and we are about to enter into the bustle period next week. :D

During the very first class our professor told us about the historical clothing collection that BYU has. Its basically made up of historical originals for the students to study the construction and techniques used historically. She told us that one day this semester we might be able to go down there... (she also mentioned that there is an original Union jacket and cap from the Civil War... which of course made me weak in the knees)



Now for my favorite parts... The other day she brought up one of the original dresses that dated back to the 1840s. I washed my hands and was able to touch the fabric and look at the lining, stitching, and... everything. It was absolutely plain but the fabric was extremely light and airy... much more so than today's cotton... I now more fully understand the need for multiple petticoats as their dresses were rather see-through...

Then, to make things even better, she brought her copies of the Godey's Lady's Book (1842), and Peterson's Lady's magazine (1865)... original fashion magazines of the time... their pages so fragile, the fashion plates still in tact... the stories worded so eloquently... I was tempted, oh so tempted, to just... borrow it for a while to read all the way through it... but alas, my conscious won out.

So there you go, a positively excited post regarding my most passionate subject in life...

Do you ever feel...

Mad? Not like, "angry" mad... but like... this...

Yep... definitely crazy mad...


So I need to write but don't really know what to write about... I guess an update wouldn't be too far out of the question seeing as my posts lately have been terribly short...

Life has been rather crazy the last... since school started. I began the semester full of enthusiasm for the semester ahead. Excited about all that I would learn and maybe have something to apply to my life! *gasp* (Is that possible?!) About three weeks into the semester I was hit with the first challenge... 3 tests and a project due. Not too bad, I can handle a little stress...

As the snow fell through the end of January and all through February so did the tests. Since the semester has started I have taken 17 tests averaging about 3 per week. I have also printed about $20 worth of paper to turn into various classes...With the sunshine this week I began to see the light at the end, unfortunately the snow came back and with it... 4 tests next week and three projects due. (I have about 10 more tests to take before finals begin...)I haven't even begun to work on my large projects... I've not had any time... But all will be finished in due time...

Despite the workload that has fallen on me this semester, I am enjoying life. (ok not the snow so much anymore) They Olympics were fun to keep track of, I followed Noelle Pikus-Pace rather closely... and LOST has been my weekly break from my computer and books... My husband is amazing and very patient with me as I struggle through these dang nutrition classes. And he doesn't mind me spouting off what I learned that day in Old Testament or the trivia I learn in History... (which can be a lot sometimes). We've been taking some much needed breaks from studies to go on a few random adventures.

In fact this weekend Bryce is taking me to see Vocal Point (BYU's best a Capella group) and his sister is performing with her singing group in Roosevelt this Saturday. So it looks like another snowy trip over the mountain. :) I am excited to see her perform. She has one of the most amazingly delicious voices you will ever hear. I swear I get goosebumps every time she starts singing! (I'm getting goosebumps now just thinking about it!) The wedding is coming up on the 12th! Just a week away and I am so happy for the most adorable couple and am so very proud of their choice to start of right. :)

Our little house is turning green (not with envy but with holiday Spirit) and I will find the time to throw a little green feast on the 17th. I am looking forward to spring. (less than a month before my birthday!) Well, this post is long and boring enough... Being this busy I am beginning to go a little mad...

Speaking of mad... is anyone besides me excited for the movie coming out this weekend?

Today's post is brought to you by the letter...

for Valentine, Very busy, vegetable, vain, volume, virtue, vitamin, vest, vacation, vase, view, venture, vanilla, vowel, voice, verb, video... there's a long list and I'm sure you can think of a few more...

Its been a Very long time since the last life update. So much has happened that its hard to determine just how much to reveal. For the most part life has been centered around school. I've had 9 tests in the last three weeks. 4 major projects in those same weeks, as well as 50 5pg papers to grade, a surprise party (for my hubby) to plan, LOST to record, the SuperBowl, Valentines Day to celebrate, and Presidents Day full of activity. That was just the stuff that doesn't count normal homework, quizzes to take online, FHE, and the laundry and dishes that were piling up to the point of suffocation.

But I made it to live this week. I've caught up basically on the laundry and dishes(with the help of my wonderful husband) and I even managed to enjoy a few of the days the past few weeks.

Bryce's surprise party rocked! He had no idea what I was planning until after work that night. (and for him, that is hard to do) I had him pick me up after class and head over to the Texas Roadhouse for dinner. Then we stopped at Kohls to get him a jacket for his birthday and headed home for a (what he thought) romantic night that I had set up for him. I was amazed at how silent 20 people could be. When we got home it was like no one was there and the surprise was rather loud. (almost like the movies!) He wasn't prepared for the second surprise I had waiting for him in the bedroom (don't worry its not what you are thinking).

For quite some time now we've had a running joke about getting a puppy. Both of would really like one (me more than him right now) but we are not allowed to have pets at the house we live in right now. One night Bryce exclaimed that at the rate I was going with this, I would be getting him a dog for his birthday. Thus my devious plan was born. I continued to play it as a joke, but was also partly serious. I contacted his Aunt who had a little Yorkie that she let me borrow for a day. We brought her home to surprise him at his party. He didn't think I would follow through, but I can be devious when I want to be. :)

Valentine's Day this year was dragged over three days... so that was kinda nice. It is our first Valentine's day together (married). On Saturday we made an appearance at the stake dance that was put on by our BYU Married stake. There was a live band, delicious refreshments, and a photo booth with fun props to take our pictures with. We danced around until the place was so packed you could really only wiggle. We went home and Bryce chose to watch Enchanted (a real sacrifice for me). Sunday we spent with my family. Bryce and Dad made meatballs and marinara sauce from scratch. Ben made bread sticks. Mom and I were in charge of desert, so we made individual chocolate and raspberry trifles for everyone. It was all so delicious and it was fun to have Grandma and Linda there to celebrate with us too! If you are interested in pictures/ recipes for this delicious dinner, click here.

Monday was a rather fun day. I had to get up early to finish grading papers, but at 10:30 we went to see the Lightning Thief with my family. I really enjoyed the movie (although I still really like the book). We went home to get a little more done, we dressed up and headed for Park City. Our plan was to meet Bryce's brother and his wife up at the Stein Erickson lodge for dinner (we had both received a gift card to there for Christmas). It was easily one of the nicest restaurants that I've ever been to. I can now say that I have had quail, grilled pear, Mediterranean sea bass (with a butter caviar sauce... interesting), and chocolate nibs. :) Bryce had lamb, there was duck, veal, black forest cake... and it was all delicious! Thanks mom and dad LeBaron for a wonderful time!

Anyway, life is still on the fast track with school and work, but we are enjoying our time together and are loving married life. Its always an adventure when you have someone you love to be with. (I know, my posts are a little mushy lately, I'll try to fix that...)

Major Changes

January started with a bang... that is, the bang of an imaginary track gun... and now I feel as though I'm in a race against... everything... the winner's prize? My time. With a busy semester schedule of 15 credit hours and a 3 hour lab, a job as a TA, a husband, and a house to clean... this race is a fast paced one and I'm not sure I was ready when the gun went off... regardless, I'm in for the win and don't intend to lag behind.

Last semester I was faced with some very difficult decisions while choosing classes. I had hit a major road block with the Social Sciences major and wasn't confident that its what I want to do with my life. After prayer and consideration, some discussion with my other half (Ica) and my better half (Bryce) (I know... complicated) it was decided that I was going to change my major... again. Strange how I thought that I would never change my mind, and I never thought I would differ as drastically as I have... I am officially a FACS ED (Family and Consumer Science Education) major and an undeclared minor of History Teaching. Meaning I will be able to teach sewing, cooking, nutrition, human development, finance,and marriage and family with a possibility of history teaching! I only have one class left to complete the minor... but as far as the "home ec" teacher path... its got a way to go. On the bright side, I am interested in learning the things included in just about every class! I am so excited to have the broad range of classes/experiences required.

This semester my class schedule is loaded with classes that complete requirements for my major. And so far I am learning so much and loving every class. However, my goal of taking a 'fun' class for a bit of a break fell through... so technically my 'fun' class is the 2nd half of the Old Testament (1 Kings- Malachi) with Sister Strathearn. I know, doesn't sound too fun, but if you knew the professor like I do (this is my 4th semester... in a row... with her) you would have planned your schedule around this class (this is not saying anything about how I did...)

Besides Old Testament, I am taking Nutrition 100 (focusing on nutrition), Nutrition 250/251 (focusing on the food science of nutrition), History of Apparel, and Introduction to Family Processes. All of my classes are incredible. I am already applying a lot of what I have learned into my life and am excited and eager to learn more (honestly, I've not been this excited about going to school since... elementary school...)

Well this post is already really long, so I will have to expound on my classes as I get into the semester a little. (and make a few more laps...) But thanks for reading and supporting me in what I do! Happy New year!

Mighty Miracles

This semester has blown in with the end of the last winter storm. The brisk chill stings my cheeks as I bustle around campus on my way to accomplish another errand before my next class. Winter semester is here and whether or not I like it, it's coming fast! I have a fairly full load this semester with classes, my TA job, and being a wife, but my excitement for the semester ahead has not been deterred. On the contrary, it has escalated.

The other evening as I stood in the parking lot I had the chance to just stop. Weird, I know, but in that moment I looked up to see the beautiful mountain ranges that I've lived near all my life standing so majestically, covered in snow. It took my breath away. I realized just how far this mountain range reaches in my little bubble valley here... I can look both ways and see mountains fade into the light fog hovering on the hills... What a wonderful, beautiful miracle I can witness everyday! And how wonderfully sad it is that I have not noticed until now!

Finals?!

This semester has been an interesting one for me. I was so busy at the beginning of school that I barely had time to breath. But after the wedding I found a whole boatload of time that I didn't quite know what to do with... Have no fear, I have been productive. :)

The load I took on hasn't been too bad in the finals department this semester and I am so grateful. There really is a lot to do, class schedules to plan for next semester, dinner to make, a house to clean, and Christmas traditions! Not to mention the secret project I have undertaken... ;) *shhhh*

All in all its been a wonderful semester and I have learned so much! I now have a lifetime skill of understanding flowers and how they work... and how to arrange them. :) Think of all the dance money saved for those future children... :) I have learned so much in the Old Testament... who knew Leviticus and Deuteronomy were so enlightening! And I have enjoyed my Marriage and Family class and all that has been brought to my attention there... I wish I could say I enjoyed Geography as much as the other classes... but lets face it, I made it through and don't have to go to class again! :)

On other news, I actually secured a job as a TA for my Marriage and Family professor and am so excited to work with him! He's a really nice guy! I already went through his schedule for next year to make sure all was correct and sensible... *girly squeal* I am happy. :)

Ben's surgery went well and all came out fine. Ben is happy that he will get to play in battle of the bands in January and mom is happy that the surgery is over. We began with a few nerves about the new doctor, but he proved that med school did teach him something. ;) Plus, Ben has this really festive cast... ;)

Sorry no pictures just now, we're in the process of transferring data to a different computer... but I send my love and best holiday wishes to y'all! xoxox Merry Christmas!!!

BYU: ranked 9th (from 20) Oaklahoma: not in the top 10 anymore!

Can you believe that I am one month away from getting married?! I am having a hard time believing it myself! My check list is getting longer and more urgent... not because there's more to do, its just more specific now. We are moving past the general plans and focusing on (my favorite part) the details! Yay!!! Our announcements are in the process of the final edit, and will hopefully be ordered today or tomorrow, to be mailed out by next week... so *cross fingers* I hope you like them! :) (in case you wanted to see my engagements, check out Crystal's Blog.)

Life for me is crazy but I am enjoying it! How could I not be totally stoked to start my life with Bryce?! But its more than that, I just started school again and I am so excited for the semester ahead! Because of the nature of my life right now, I had a difficult time choosing a class load that I felt I could stay on top of, while planning a wedding, and missing a week in the middle of October. Ica and I had been planning on a couple of classes together that I wasn't sure I wanted to miss out on so I didn't want to defer... Finally, I have the best class schedule I could have come up with... but I admit, it wasn't all me... It just fits together so nicely that I know there was some divine help. Already, a week into the semester I have learned so much I can barely contain my excitement!

SFL100: Strengthening Marriage and Family.
This class focuses on and studies in depth The Family: a Proclamation to the World. I am absolutely loving this class so far and can't wait to dig in deeper. My professor's motto is "Get it off the wall and into your lives." And I fully intend to apply what I learn into my circumstances in life. Yesterday we discussed the great plan of happiness and how learning the stories of the Creation and the Fall, the Atonement really help us to better understand our divine potential. We talked about how important our bodies are and what a blessing we have. We should be grateful for the one we have and take care of it b/c we love Heavenly Father and want to show him that we are thankful. Worth and worthiness are not the same things... our worth never changes. God loves us no matter what. But our worthiness is dependent on our agency and how we use it.

RELA 312: Old Testament (GEN-2Samuel)
My favorite professor here at the Y is Sis. Strathern. This is the third class I have taken from her. I know I have posted about her before. Luckily I discovered that she is teaching one class of Old Testament this semester. Naturally, Ica and I signed up for this class first! Her classes are intensive in reading and recording. She expects us to think and reason intelligently in class and always pushes us to see if we can come up with something profound. Right now we are discussing the Creation and the Fall. Yesterday we discussed the great plan of happiness and how it was started, and moved along through the choice of Adam. Did you know that "Adam" in Hebrew means "Mankind"? there is no gender specific. So in other words, mankind made the choice to leave the garden and come into a mortal life. ... cool...
We also talked about how the Garden of Eden is a temple. In every temple, Egyptian, Hebrew, Muslim, Hindu, LDS there is one major purpose for it... That purpose is to be in the presence of God. Everything else is a means to get to that ultimate goal. In every temple there is a Tree of Life. The Garden of Eden had one but we compared it to the one in Lehi's dream... they are the same tree. Because we have both accounts we can better understand both a little better. Ica and I were giddy coming out of class discussing this fact. Cherubim was placed there to keep Adam and Eve from eating the fruit and becoming immortal in a fallen state. But Lehi and his family had proven their obedience by holding to the rod and making the journey to the tree... they were in a redeemed state and so were invited to partake of the fruit... wow... there's so much!!! I invite all to try reading both accounts (Gen. 3, Moses 4, 1Nephi 8, 11, and 15) then try to compare and contrast... you will be amazed!

Geography: need I say more?
Actually it was interesting to see. I have been so excited that my two above classes were tying in together so nicely. Both were giving me great insights from different perspectives. I admit I am not terribly excited about this class as I am about the others... but it is important that I take it. Last night however, we began to talk about (yes, you guessed it) the creation of the world. It was fascinating in the light of what I have been learning to get a whole new perspective on the "periods" of the creation. My professor read to us from a General Conference talk explaining an LDS standpoint on the scientific theories of the forming of life here on earth. God must really want me to get it... because I have now been hit with the same information three different ways in three of my classes... I guess I should really take it to heart!

PWS112: Floral Design
A general education requirement filler and possibly the best class ever! In this class we learn flower and plant names, how to design floral arrangements in a variety of different styles. We are going to learn confidence in our own style, and have a skill that we can use for the rest of our lives. Today she went through our ID quiz list and she showed us each flower that will be on it. I got to bring home a teddy bear sunflower... a special, dyed variety of sunflower that looks pretty cool. It makes me happy... :D


Our football team created a huge upset in the ranks this last weekend. Before playing the 3rd best team at the Dallas Cowboys stadium we were ranked 20. Now? We are ranked 9th! Oklahoma is no longer in the top ten... :) Thousands of BYU fans were partying at the Lavell Edwards Stadium on Saturday night... wish I had known... ;) My SFL 100 Professor missed class last week because he went to the game in Texas... and the ranking was announced in the middle of my floral design class... :) so... GO BYU!!!!!

Anyway, that's life for me so far... a new update soon!!!

Finals, spring fever, and some change

Finals are over and with their demise so went another semester... Time sure does fly... My tests this semester didn't finish me off... I live to fight again! I got a 91% on my New Testament final!!! After I finished I checked my score on the little monitor screen they have displaying them and next to my score was a little "Way to go!" *giggle* Its possibly the first "good job" comment I've gotten here at the Y... I am just a terrible test taker...

Anyway, Bryce graduated with his BS in Business Management (emphasis in Organizational Behavior and Human Resources)... wow that's a mouthful... We went to commencement and convocation this past weekend. Commencement was really interesting and I am glad I went. President Uchtdorf was given an honorable doctorate and he and Elder Nelson spoke along with a couple other pretty good messages. The convocation was the next day (the 24th) and just for the Marriott Business school. Still, It started at 5:00 and lasted until 8:00. Bryce's younger sister, Lindsey and I had the opportunity to sit and chat for a while though... :D It was great to be with his family and support my boy. Plus, he is pretty attractive in that gown of his... ;}

My darling Ica left me on Saturday for another... She left me for some Walt Disney character... *sigh*... She'll be back, she has to. I still have most of her clothes! :D That being said, there are only 4 in our apartment right now. I have two new roommates. Annie is pretty nice and very patient. She is from Provo and likes to run and ride her bike anywhere. She has randomly gone for a ride up the canyon the past couple of days since the sun has started shining...

Our other new roommate and I are the two sharing the room. Her name? yep I'm sure you guessed it... Jessica. :) And I am not kidding... I really like her. She is really nice, rather quiet but we've enjoyed some late-night chats once or twice. Jessica is from Washington, Seattle area as I understand and has a brother about to get married here in the next couple of months. She served her mission in Tulsa, Texas and just got home. She's kinda missing it but we're breaking her in! ;)

Just a quick update on the goings-on down here in Provo! Hope life is going great for ya'll!

Major Decisions and the Final Answer

As a student one is faced with all sorts of challenging decisions each and every day... What will I wear today? Will this be on a test? Will the slides be posted online or do I need to copy them word for word? What shall I eat? Can I afford that? Will I do my homework tonight?... The list can go on and on. It is amazing that we don't fall over with exhaustion by mid-day... (this usually happens around... mid-night...)

One of the biggest challenges for me has been what to do with my life. I have wanted to be a high school history teacher since I was a sophomore in high school... and when I got to BYU I immediately declared a history teaching major. I quickly ran into some obstacles in the advisement center and I couldn't figure out what I needed to do. Then one fateful day I sorta stumbled across another major that will encompass more things and will make me more marketable as a teacher looking for a job... it is a composite major meaning I get to taste a little bit of a lot of different things. Teaching Social Sciences means that I will be able to teach not only history but government and citizenship, sociology, psychology, and geography. I was very excited about the news and have worked these past two semesters to catch up on the classes I need to apply for the program. This semester especially...

I have now, as of today, officially changed majors. According to the university now I am a pre-teaching social sciences major (as I have not been accepted into the program yet...) it was very exciting. I filled out this little card and then she put into a box... yeah... I know, how can I stand the excitement? :) I am now on a track toward a composite teaching degree. There still stands the question, what happens if I am not accepted? there are two options... spend another year getting other classes out of the way or change the major once again... this is something that I am not taking lightly... but I know that Heavenly Father is watching out for me and has my best interests and the interests of my future loved ones at heart.

The semester draws to a close in just a few short days and I prepare to take the dreaded finals... My fingers are crossed and my prayers are sent to heaven for a successful finals week. I hope to pull of some fairly decent grades this time... I am a horrible test taker and the testing center doesn't help... I have 5 tests this semester and 3 of these are scheduled from 11:00-2:00. At least they are all on separate days... but they will be long ones! But as my New Testament professor says, "you don't need luck, you need knowledge."

The best of knowledge to all y'all that have tests to work on as well. And for those who don't... please keep us students in your prayers... they would be greatly appreciated!!! Here's to a great end of the school year!!!

Quick Update!

A short (hopefully!) update on how life is going right now.

I made it through my week of death... I had 4 of 5 tests to take and three papers due by Thursday. But I am alive and well. Right now in school I am just getting to class and holding on for the last leg of the semester before finals in mid-April. The sunshine helps a lot with the spirits and college adventures. That snow is a little cold... but I think it leaves the mountains looking quite lovely!

I have a job set up for the summer! I will be working at This is the Place in Salt Lake City again! So if anyone wants to come up and visit, I can work out a deal with the park! ;) I am very excited. I had so much fun doing it last summer and hope to have some good stories to share with ya'll this year too! :D I also have living arrangements made for the summer. Good news, I am not moving! yay! and my roommates are (well... most of them) will be staying/ coming back in the fall. I am very excited. I have enjoyed the ward and my roommates this past year here and moving is just a hassle anyway... (PS. I will miss Ica terribly this summer but wish her a safe and wonderful time!)

Yesterday was the day for missionary news apparently. I received three emails and two letters from all over the world. I will say, it was kinda fun! :) I have close to 30 friends serving all over the world right now. I call them "my missionaries". They are all at various stages in their full-time missions and are all working very hard. It is fun for me to see them all growing in their lives and in their testimonies. They can bear their testimony on anything, at any time, and I love to read them. They are so sweet and simple and wonderful. If you ever get the chance, its a good pick-me-up to get a letter... send one to someone sometime. Its great fun to correspond the "old fashioned" way. :)

Thats it for now! Thanks for reading! Hope you have a fantastic day!