Butterflies

This evening when we were at the library I was people watching. There are always a million people at the library, so the chances that you run into the same person is pretty slim. However, when you go at the same time to the same area, you get to know those around you. Not a personal one on one but they have their seats and we have ours. Tonight as I was sitting there I saw a study group sitting at a table that normally would seat 4. There was one guy on the end who I could tell wasn't participating in this group but was there with someone. I didn't think twice about this until he reached over and held this girls hand. The quick glance back at him made me realize that this either A) hasn't ever happened or B) doesn't happen to often. They weren't being obvious to the other people in the group. It was almost being done in secret. There hands were blocked by lap tops, purses, books, and drinks to everyone else. From my angle I could see what was happening clear as day. I began remembering back when Jake and I first started dating and the simplest things like holding hands (in public especially), him holding the door open for me, and even kisses at the door would give me butterflies. It's hard to pin point the last time I felt that but I know it hasn't been too long. I always wonder why that exact feeling passes with time. Something so powerful, something so moving is so short lived. Lastly, when you've been married for 10, 20, or even 50 years what gives you those butterfly feelings?

this week in a nutshell

So many fun things have been happening. Dad Brashear sent me flowers on Valentine's Day that were very pretty! Thanks again! 

Jake and I are pretty lame when it comes to holidays. Maybe it will get better when we are both out of school and aren't on such a budget. This Valentine's I gave him a Lotto Love Ticket. It had three options to scratch off for each "What, Where, and When" category. He scratched off "Movie (Comedy), Rent It, and After a Dinner Out" Easy enough! He made me dinner that evening. It wasn't much of an evening for us because I got home around 5:30 p.m. and had to leave at 6:15 p.m. for class. It was nice to be able to relax before I headed back out into traffic. Baby Asher was sealed to Ammon and Shanae on Saturday! I forgot my camera so I'm waiting to steal some pictures off of their site! Tommy's 30th birthday was Friday and we celebrated on Sunday! Last month I made a dog bed for the dogs, of course. Now they can fit on one bed!

And finally, in between all of the homework and long nights at the library, 

I finally downloaded pictures from my camera. My camera is on the fritz. I can only download pictures from the internal memory and not off of the card! So I'll have to grab the card reader at work to get all of my photos. But, I found pictures of our ghetto bed sheets! We have a Cal King bed and buying sheets can get pretty pricey. So I put it off for so long! In fact it got to the point where I "patched" them so they would last longer! I finally broke down and bought some on Overstock.com after Christmas! Out with the old and in with the new! These are pictures of the "patch" and the new sheets underneath the down comforter. 

  

Today is President's Day and I don't have to work! Yeah! I've actually been able to catch up on sleep this last weekend. The only plan for today is that we'll be heading off to the library and we'll be there until it closes at 9:00 p.m. Our next big adventure to look forward to is the family Vacation in July! It's less then 5 months away!!  

What a week...

Where to start? Last week my mom and I went to an EMERGENCY Preparedness Fair that my ward put on. It was really fun and motivating to start getting prepared! Jake and I already had a 24 hour kit, a 72 hour kit, and plenty of food in storage, but I just didn't know what to do with any of it. This was a very informative fair. Now I just sit and wait for an emergency. After, mom bought us a new dehydrator and we made more beef jerky and dried apples and bananas. All of which is gone already! We’ve now moved on to the next batch. Our weekdays consist of work and school. All other time is spent at the library. My classes are really awesome this semester. I’m in an amazing Forensic Science class. Lots of nasty pictures of death! (Side note: I still can’t bring myself to watch CSI, due to the fact that it is purely false and 99% is done illegally.)

Friday, we went to KA a Circus Du Soleil show at the MGM. Our seats were amazing, up front and a little off to the left and we really enjoyed the show. Lots of funny parts, amazing talent, and nice bodies! A must see if you are visiting Las Vegas anytime soon. Saturday we watched President Hinckley’s funeral services and then went to the library. Sunday was church, the SUPER BOWL (yeah New York!), and back to the library. Jake and I usually don’t study on Sunday, but after the funeral services (and documentary) we got to the library so late and it closed so early! Excuses, excuses, I know. Now the dragging day of Monday!

President Hinckley

Jake and I sat and watched a couple of videos last night on the life of President Hinckley. There's not much more to say then, "He's a person to strive to be like". I read his book Go Forward with Faith a couple of years back and thoroughly enjoyed it. It gave me insight about how prophets are men too. They have faults and trials just like everyone else. I love learning about their history. I also like to see transition in the church from one bishop to another or when a new Relief Society President is called. It is interesting to see how the world reacted to the Pope's death and then to watch their reaction of the Prophet's death. There wasn't much media attention on the issue especially compared to the Pope. I remember the long waiting period between the death of the Pope and finding out who the new one was going to be. I enjoy knowing that our transition is swift and smooth. There isn't much guessing on when someone will be chosen to lead the church. I couldn't say it better then my sister-in-law did. Check out her blog (Brian & Paige link from my site) - she's an amazing blogger!

4 Years!

Yesterday Jake and I celebrated our 4th year of being married! According to the "Universal Timeline" within 5 years we should have:

1) bought a house

2) had two kids

3) both graduated and be well established in a career

4) be debt free and investing

5) be driving luxury vehicles

what we really have done is:

1) realized that we don't want to live in Las Vegas much longer and we're grateful we didn't buy a house

2) have been going through the process of trying to have kids - I have to make an appointment still & the chance of being put on drugs and having twins is greater. (That will catch us up on that statistic!)

3) I'm graduating in the summer & Jake has settled into his major

4) We're on our way to being debt free!

5) A Honda Civic is much more luxurious then a beater car!

I'm not really sure the "Universal Timeline" is anywhere near accurate but it's fun to see where we "should" stand. Actually I think we got a bigger kick out of it then anything else. On the flip side we have learned a lot about each other and how to make it work. We've experienced a lot through friends and family drama. And I'm pretty sure we would have split if we didn't have the gospel in our lives. Being sealed for all time and eternity puts everything into perspective. As long as we are continually progressing in this life it will make the next life much easier. Of all the arguments and discussions that we have had, I'm pretty lucky to have a wonderful husband.

Night Tubing

The problem with night tubing is that you can't take pictures! To say the least...not many turned out. Some of the ones that did are here! We had a blast! We ate, drank hot chocolate, and tubed. It was pretty freaky going down at night not being able to see.


Self portraits!! Yikes!

Cheryl grilling up some mean
burgers & yes she is wearing
a sanitary glove

This is the hill. The little light
at the top is a torch. We had
one at the bottom and one at
the top.

Me!

Sean, Cheryl, and Harry getting ready to go!

Deer Jerky Time!

This is the begining stage. We had to cut all of the tendons off first. Then we were able to slice it into pieces. We seperated out stew meat and jerky meat.



There was a big slab of meat that was pretty bloody!

After the meat was cut Jake and I took it home and marinated it over night. When we woke up the house smelt gross!! We put it on the dehydrator early that morning and by time I got home from work it was done and waiting to be eaten! It turned out really good! Poppy's Famous Jerky is a keeper!