185 days

it's november 1st and i'm sad to see all the halloween festivities over with. i've come to like halloween more and more as i've gotten older. maybe that's because i like halloween decorations. i don't usually go all out with costumes, but i do like all the pumpkin carving, the haunted houses, and the scary movies. on monday we were able to go to the pumpkin walk with some friends from the ward. i know what many of you are thinking, the pumpkin walk on family night?! are you crazy? the answer is yes. however, we were fortunate enough to have our friends (mike and michelle) wait in the massively long line so we didn't even have to wait in line for a second. any of you who aren't familiar with the pumpkin walk are missing out. it's a logan tradition and i love it! basically there is a theme every year and different groups of people use pumpkins and other types of squash to come up with a creative display. they set them up in the park and everyone and their dog comes to see what fun ideas people came up with for the year. i am impressed with the creativity of the people in this valley... there were some cute displays!

i thought this one was cute... it was a little league soccer team. i loved how they were able to capture the moment so perfectly... right down to the goalie putting grass in her shirt.

this was one of my favorite displays of the night... noah's ark. it's probably hard to see, but i loved the detail they used to add character to all the animals. i especially loved the elephant bums and the bow on the female's behind
this one was cute because it was done by a preschool class. i couldn't help taking a picture

this was an operating room. the pumpkin on the operating table had its guts (all its seeds and goop) pulled out and spread around him. very creative
the sword and the stone. i loved this movie when i was young!
hansel and gretel. super cute with the lollipops made out of squash

so, anyone who lives in logan has come across brent at least once. he is a guy who rides around on his bike and honks and waves at everyone. you could be having the worst day ever walking around campus and just one beep of his horn and a wave and a smile from him can turn your mood around. i love how the theme this year was heroes and one group came up with this. well done!

josh and krissey. like i said, mike and michelle came with us but for some strange reason, i didn't get their picture!

wednesday was a day josh has been looking forward to since may. it was the season opener for the utah jazz. last season, josh and i got addicted. yes, i'll admit it. we watched every single game, even if we weren't together (nights i was working at the cheesecake factory, i always swapped to work in the bar area so i could keep one eye on my tables and the other on the game. i was also fortunate enough to serve the jazz players after many of their games... that was a highlight!) anyway... wed was the first game and josh was stoaked. i got home from school late that night but the second i walked in the door, josh made me put on my jazz shirt (kyle korver's number, of course). he was already in jazz shirt and shorts. we ordered pizza and watched the jazz win their first game of the season. (i am currently watching the jazz play the clippers. let's hope by the end of the night we are 2-0)so i had to work all day on halloween. it was fun to see all the cute kids dressed up in their costumes. it makes me so excited to have kids one day so i can put them in oversized costumes, paint their faces, and have people gawk at them all day long. it will be fabulous. we were supposed to dress up for work but i didn't really have any costume that i wanted to wear that i wouldn't mind getting dirty (us servers have a difficult time keeping ourselves clean). so i didn't dress up during the day shift and definitely got crap for it. so, during my break, i decided i'd borrow some of josh's coveralls and dress like he does everyday for work. i made sure to add some grease (it was actually smeared pencil) all over my face, neck, and arms. just what josh looks like after a rough day at work. i was sad that i had to work and missed out on all the fun parties our friends had for the night, but it's ok... we'll just plan on attending next year with some killer costumes.

the sabor gang all dressed up
this is my boss's daughter, london. she was dressed up as boo from monster's inc. her costume was adorable (i don't think she liked it very much though, the hat kept bonking her in the face) and my boss and his wife actually made it all for her. see what i mean... halloween is fun when you have kids to dress up!

the last news of the week is that josh and i have officially hit the 6 month mark. that's right, 185 days of pure marital bliss. the mini-anniversary was on thurs but i had to work that night, so we celebrated it today. we slept in, got some breakfast, and headed up to bear lake. the drive was beautiful! when we returned to logan we decided to eat at blackstone because we've never tried it. it was alright, not too much to say about it. i'd probably take a salad from sabor next time for half the price but whatever. anyway, it was a great day and i was happy to spend it with my hunny. it's crazy how fast time flies, but then again, i feel like we've been together forever!!

another homecoming week

josh and i have had yet another busy week.  last weekend we made a random trip down to murray to see the families.  it's always nice that we can hit both families in one trip.  very convenient.  we were able to hit up the mall and get some necessities (pumpkin cheesecake from the cheesecake factory and a new shirt for me) and of course i was able to have laura do my nails.  we were also able to go to dinner with jon and aubree which was fun because i think it has been almost a year since we've actually hung out with them without a huge group of people.  as usual, we didn't leave murray until after midnight which made for a very long drive home and a lack of planning as far as alarm setting goes for church the next morning.  that can't happen again.

this week was homecoming week at usu.  in past years i've been in charge of some of the festivities- street painting, t-shirt designing, float making, parade walking.  this year i had no responsibilities but felt the need to support my classmates.  so late monday night all of us audiology students (and spouses) met in front of our building to participate in a fav usu tradition- street painting.  basically every club gets a spot to paint on the street and it's a contest of some sort to see which club comes up with the best design.  we pretty much came up with the design when we got there, so it wasn't the most creative,  but it's always fun to hang out with your classmates when studying is not involved. our club's name is nafda (national association of future doctors of audiology) and basically we painted a huge version of the nafda logo (i'm still confused as to why the logo is what it is) and painted our names all around it.  it's always interesting to see throughout the following weeks what parts of the paint get worn away by traffic and which parts stay.  sometimes we have paint that has lasted a year and we just paint over it again.  anyway, our club is pretty sweet and we're planning some cool stuff.  we're going on a humanitarian mission in may to either the dominican republic or mexico to do hearing tests on children and fit them with hearing aids.  i'm excited because it's my first humanitarian mission.  josh is getting excited to go as well to help out.  we're trying to raise money for our trip by selling custom made ear plugs.  people who need shooters plugs, swimmers plugs, ipod plugs, musician plugs, sleeping plugs... you name it... if it plugs your ear, we can make it for you.  if anyone's interested, let me know.  we get to sell them at a discounted price and get to keep a chunk of the profits to put toward our trip so it's for a good cause and it's cheaper for you!.  it's a good idea for christmas presents too.  i hear the musician plugs are pretty sweet and usually cost around $200 but we can get them for $100.  just throwing it out there.

 tues night i hosted my jewelry/clothes party. it was definitely a success!  thanks to layla and sierra for all the fun stuff they brought and thanks also to all the girls that showed up.  we all had fun shopping for cute jewelry, hats, and sunglasses plus much more.  the party ended up being such a success that i've decided to do another one for those who weren't able to come, and those who came but asked for more!  we're going to do it during december so it'll be a great place to get some christmas presents.  just a reminder- there was juicy couture and tiffany's jewelry  (necklaces, bracelets, earrings, etc), chanel sunglasses, ed hardy and christian audigier shirts and hats, juicy couture tracksuits, other cute fashion jewelry, hats, and more.  hopefully those of you interested in coming to my next party will be able to make it!

sat was the big usu homecoming parade and football game.  josh had to work that day but i was able to walk in the parade with my classmates as we handed out candy and fliers with info about our hearing clinic.  it's so funny how ghetto that parade can be, but how many people love it and show up for it.  we had a fun time and it's good to get the word out to everyone to get their hearing checked!!!  after the parade was the big game.  as most of you know, usu has a dreadful football team so i wasn't interested in going to the game (esp since josh was working).  however, i turned the game on in the last 5 mins and realized that usu wasn't playing as poorly as they usually do and actually took the lead by one with less than a min left in the game.  everyone was going nuts with the thought that we might actually win a game!  and our homecoming game at that!  but, alas, it was too good to be true and fresno state managed to run the ball down to the 58 yard line and had the chance to kick a field goal at that length with 2 seconds left... and made it.  talk about a heart breaker.  i thought the entire usu coaching staff was going to fall to their knees and sob.  it was pretty sad.  oh well, maybe next year (i'm sure...)

that pretty much sums up the week.  we've got a few halloween activities planned for this week so hopefully i'll remember to snap a few pictures. i have to work on halloween which is lame.  i don't even have costumes for me and josh because i figure what's the point?  especially since i told josh i really really really wanted to be a ghostbuster and have him be slimer and he said there was no way on earth he'd ever be caught dead as slimer.  it pretty much crushed my dreams and i haven't thought of anything else creative for the two of us to be.  

time to party

ok girlies (and this means all of you reading this, especially the girlies from my ward)... you're all invited to a clothing/jewelry/accessories party i'm hosting!  my friend layla is into cute, fashionable jewelry and clothes and while she was living in NY this past summer she made some great connections with some vendors back there and brought a ton of stuff back here to utah to sell at house parties!!  how awesome is that?!  she has designer stuff like ed hardy, christian audigier, juicy couture, chanel, and tiffanys at super low prices (like 50-75% off retail price).  also, she has fashion jewelry, hats, sunglasses, etc for low prices too!!  the party is tues, october 21st (one week from today) at my place and it's openhouse style from 7-9 pm.  if you're interested in coming, leave a message, call or text me.  i can give you my address (i just don't want to be posting it on here... you never know what kind of crazy stalkers i have).   i promise to make some halloween treats (and for those of you who know me, know that is quite a challenge due to my lack of love for baking) and i promise they'll taste yummy.  even if you're not sure you'd want to buy anything, you should definitely stop by and check it out and hang out with the girlies.  invite friends to come with you- the more girls the merrier!  let me know if you have any questions and i hope to see many of you there!

my little punkin

so it has been yet another crazy busy week... sometimes it's hard for josh and i to find time to do anything fun together.  so this week when i got inspired to do a little halloween decorating, i decided to include him in the adventure.  i've always wanted one of those cute front porches with the straw and everything during the fall...and now i have a porch so i was excited to spruce it up harvest style.  after school one night i roped josh into going on a search with me for straw bales.  we found some for sale out in hyde park but they were huge and we only had josh's little car.  we decided to go for it anyway and packed 2 of them into his trunk and backseat.  his car was a complete mess, but i kept telling him it would be totally worth the cleanup and expense.  he just rolled his eyes. on the way back from picking up the straw bales, we found a pumpkin patch on the side of the road.  i made josh stop immediately because a) my porch needed plenty of pumpkins and b) i had never picked out my own pumpkin at a pumpkin patch.  i always get mine at the grocery store.  josh has been to plenty of pumpkin patches but i was running around and skipping through the vines having a hay-day.  we found some great pumpkins, deposited our money in the lock box, and went on our way.  i was so surprised at how trusting people are with letting people take their straw and pumpkins.  at the straw house, there was a tupperware chillin by their front porch that said "straw" on the lid.  you could have easily just taken the straw and walked away, or you could have even taken the entire tupperware and made money off of it.  pretty trusting people.  good thing josh and i are honest. 

the finished product

so katrina inspired me to make a cute halloween wreath. it's not as good as hers (though i tried to copy hers the best i could... hers is fabulous) but it still has some fixing to do.  maybe next year.  
as i mentioned before, it was josh's birthday on friday.  we had a great day.  he got off early and i had no school that day.  we went to cafe sabor for lunch and stuffed our faces with chips, smoothies, and fried ice cream.  yum.  then we headed to ogden to meet up with a bunch of our friends for dinner and a haunted hallow.  it was fabulous to have so many make the trek up to ogden and it really did make josh feel special to see everyone on his birthday.... there were 20 of us and josh told me later he didn't think he even had 20 friends. we ate at texas roadhouse (which was a fabulous choice on josh's part) and i loved that they made him sit on a saddle to wish him happy birthday.  the more we can do to embarrass the ones we love, the better.  the  haunted hallow was great too... there were a few parts where we were walking around in pitch black and it was a great scare.  of course, during this part josh let go of my hand to try to scare me.  i ended up grabbing onto lindsey's hand and josh mills' shirt instead.  as we continued walking through the darkness, cameron (lindsey's hubby behind her) grabbed the top of my head.  it scared me so much that i dropped to the ground and ended up clinging to josh mills' butt.  sorry about that (emily & josh)... i couldn't help myself, i was a little too freaked out.  josh wasn't too thrilled about me grabbing someone else's tushy, but i explained to him it was all his fault for letting go of me.  he agreed and we all had a good laugh from it.  we really do have the best friends ever and are so grateful for all the love and support they have shown us through the years.  we are sad we can't see them as often as we'd like, but we sure do like to play and have fun when we are together.  

happy birthday to my favorite boy

today is josh's birthday and sadly enough, he's at work while i'm sitting at home enjoying my day off.  but he's getting off early and we have some fun things plan for the day.  he's so lame and hates opening presents and refused to let me wrap up any of his gifts.  how could anyone hate surprises as much as he does?  i just don't get it.  anyway, his birthday was a more practical one this year (unlike last years which was a trip to costa rica)... he got lots of clothes- pants, shirts, sweatshirts, and a nice coat he can wear at work.  i'm getting this boy ready for his first logan winter and i would really like it if he survived the bitter cold.  

josh is fabulous and i don't know what i would do without him.  he has been my best friend for over 8 years and i couldn't imagine spending eternity with anyone other than him.  he gets me and he puts up with me, which i'm sure can be hard to do sometimes.  he has been my steady support while making big decisions about school and work, and has been willing to move just to be with me as i do the things that i love. i admire him so much for his constant strength and optimism. i call him my "trooper" because he has been through so much this past year physically and mentally but he has had such a great attitude and is determined to get over this whole cancer deal.  i have been so amazed at the way he has handled the situation and it makes me love and appreciate him so much more everyday.   have been strengthened so much by him mentally and spiritually and i feel that now, after every trial we have been put through (and i know there are plenty more to come), i truly understand the importance of eternal marriage in our lives.

happy birthday to my homeboy!  xoxo

pick a purse

so jessica showed this website for free purse give-a-ways... i'm always up for winning a free purse.  so go check it out if you love purses and handbags as much as i do.  :)

www.handbagplanet.com

smorgeshborg of tags

i have been tagged by quite a few people lately so i just combined a few of them...

I am: a wife, a sister, a daughter, a friend, a doctoral student, a waitress, an optimist
I think: about my school work all the time
I know: that families are forever
I want: a house and a puppy to go along with it
I wish: i could travel all over the world
I hate: when people chew with their mouths open
I miss: my family and friends in murray
I fear: cancer
I feel: bad josh has to work today and i'm sitting in my bed, in my pj's, eating cereal, and watching conference
I hear: the rain outside
I smell: the rain outside
I crave: smoothies, all the time!
I search: the internet constantly for cute clothes, new styles, celeb gossip
I wonder: where we will be living in 5 years
I regret: not spending more time hanging out with my little sisters when we were growing up
I love: to do crafts and flower arrangements

I care: about my family and friends

I always: have my cell phone with me
I am not: a fan of doing dishes, josh has to do them after i cook him dinner
I believe: in the gospel
I dance: to embarass josh
I sing: rarely, not even in the shower
I don’t always: wear my seatbelt... it's terrible and i really need to work on that
I write: my journal on my blog.  my other journal has been neglected lately.
I win: nothing... never... ever
I lose: my mind when i study too long
I never: stop telling josh how much i want to go to greece
I listen: to the radio every morning when i'm getting ready
I can usually be found: at school or studying
I am scared: of ocean animals... have you seen those giant squid, sharks, and freak fish?!
I need: a vacation!
I am happy about: my life... i really am blessed

*8 TV shows that I love to watch....

1. the hills

2. gossip girl

3. beverly hills 90210 (the original one)

4. jon & kate + 8

5. grey's anatomy

6. the oc

7. the bachelorette/bachelor

8. tabitha's salon takeover

*8 Places that I love to eat......

1. cheesecake factory

2. cafe sabor

3. olive garden

4. our parent's houses

5. cafe rio

6. aristo's

7. texas roadhouse

8. fairs/carnivals

*8 things that happened this past week.....

1. studied... a lot

2.worked

3. bought some cute rainboots

4. shopped for josh's birthday presents

5. blogged

6. bbq'd with my fabulous friends

7. watched usu lose yet another football game

8. tutored my sister with her math over the phone

*8 Places I have traveled to...

1. Costa Rica

2. Juneau, Alaska

3. Puerto Rico

4. New York

5. Florida

6. Eastern & Western sides of Mexico

7. Tennessee

8. St Thomas (US Virgin Islands)

*8 things that I look am looking forward to...

1. finally graduating from school

2. josh graduating from school

3. christmas!

4. buying a house

5. being a mom

6. traveling to greece

7. getting a new car

8. being estabished

*8 things I love about Fall....

1. cute sweaters

2. changing leaves

3. drives through the canyons

4. Halloween decorations

5. hot chocolate while snuggling up watching a movie

6. Halloween treats

7. Thanksgiving dinner

8. pumpkin carving

*8 things I can't live without....

1. josh

2. our families

3. the gospel

4. my phone

5. my computer

6. my day planner

7. my fabulous friends

8. my amazingly comfortable bed

*i tag anyone who wants to kill some time, or anyone who hasn't done a tag lately!*