Easter & Zombies & Dinner?

Happy Easter
I woke up on easter morning & found... SNOW?
Dave got a chocolate bunny & was so excited to eat it. Then he did something that surprised us all: he microwaved it! ha ha!

These two hardly pay any attention to Conference when they are together.


So I have started reading a hilarious book: Pride & Prejudice & Zombies. O my goodness, who could have thought such classic literature could be adapted like this? I will let you know what I think, but thus far I kind of enjoy a head strong, sword yielding, zombie beheading version of Elizabeth Bennet.

Tonight, Jon & I made an amazing dinner! Well, Jon made an amazing dinner. It was Honey Maple Pork Chops with a Nectarine Glaze. We also had a Mushroom Cream Orzo with Spinach, and Quartered Red Potatoes... Fried! It was so good. I really loved frying the potatoes. Pretty much frying anything. Like when I fried our chicken for the sesame chicken a couple weeks ago. There is something so nice about that sizzle of oil. I'm sure my thighs are appreciating my fascination with food cooked in oil.
This is my husband... I know you ladies are jealous.

The Alchemist

The best book I ever read was "The Alchemist" by Paulo Coelho. It inspired me, calmed me, and made me remember why books are a blessing. Just a few of the quotes that moved me....



The secret is here in the present. If you pay attention to the present, you can improve upon it. And, if you improve on the present, what comes later will also be better. Forget about the future, and live each day according to the teachings, confident that God loves his children. Each day, in itself, brings with it an eternity.


The future belongs to God, and it is only he who reveals it, under extraordinary circumstances.


Everything has been written by the same hand.


When a person really desires something, all the universe conspires to help that person to realize his dream.


Remember that wherever your heart is, there you will find your treasure. You've got to find the treasure, so that everything you have learned along the way can make sense.


One is loved because one is loved. No reason is needed for loving.


The wise men understood that this natural world is only an image and a copy of paradise. The existence of this world is simply a guarantee that there exists a world that is perfect. God created the world so that, through its visible objects, men could understand his spiritual teachings and the marvels of this wisdom.


All people who are happy have God within them.




I think the reason I was moved the most was his simplicity in explaining that our existence was for our learning, enjoyment, and to ultimately get us closer to God. How beautiful to find a piece of literature which invites us to search for the Lord & believe in ourselves, so we can endure the hard things, because we know that eternity is waiting.
Please share some of the books & quotes that move you

Sunday - Tuesday

Sunday:
We met Lola, the cutest little lab puppy ever. Only 7 weeks & a total tub. Gotta love that face though. Jon was especially sweet with her, he cuddled up next to her under the table. Say cheese honey!

Monday:
Happy 25th Birthday Michael!
We went laser tagging at LAZER ASSAULT next to the grocery store with Michael & some of his friends. It was a blast (haha, no pun intended) except that my gun would only hit somebody if I was right up on them. Lame. O well.
We bought Michael 4 lovely steaks for his grilling & devouring pleasure. My brother is actually pretty easy to buy for: food or blue ray dvds or remote control toy. Really not to complex.

Tuesday:
We've had to move our special dinner nights to Tuesdays for a while, but thats ok. Tonight we made...
A Cumin Seared Salmon with Garlic Potatoes & Carrots. It was amazing! I don't even really like fish & I loved the way my husbino made this one!

Friday & Saturday

What a horrible blogger I am. And what an eventful past couple of days to update you on:

Friday:
Jon & I had an "Office" marathon with our cousins Dan & Aubrey. Lots of candy, chips & salsa, root beer floats, the works. And, I laughed like crazy! I think because I work in a call center, above a warehouse that deals with paper (we make paper products, like books, cards, & posters) I can often really relate to the show. However, I think my office is full of a lot more normal people, who I enjoy working with (unlike Creed & that red-headed lady, they're weird & the show could lose both of them & I wouldn't care).

Saturday:

This is a day to remember! Its a Hindu celebration of some sort where all they sing is 3 words: "Hare Krishna Rama." Everybody throws colored & perfumed corn starch on each other after the bonfire is lit. I don't even really think I need to comment on it either. The pictures pretty much say it all.

Wednesday Dinner!

Last night we made this amazing almond chicken & ham friend rice! Jon made a marinade for the chicken to soak in for 1/2 an hour, while I made the batter & the sweet & sour sauce. The sauce was basically honey, sugar, ketchup, & vinegar. (Who thinks of that kind of combo?) The chicken was cut into smaller peices, then dunked in the batter, then we boiled that in oil.

I felt so amazing. I have NEVER really felt like a cook, my handsome husband is going to culinary school & he has always been the chef between us. But last night I helped make something truly beautiful & tasty. Its weird, but I felt so accomplished making the chicken, watching it brown in the oil, pulling it out, coating it in warm honey sauce I'd made, and then as I ate it think to myself "this is better than my favorite Chinese Buffet."


Am I a chef? No... I don't think so, but I really enjoy food. I mean I really enjoy it. Its beautiful, its satisfying, and I appreciate those who work so hard to make it for others. Am I a chef? No, but I am an amazing recipe follower! And not to shabby of a "su chef" (I don't know if that's how you spell it) for my husband.

Disney Dinners!

Taking note from the film Julie & Julia... Jon & I have set some cooking goals! Jon received this cookbook last year for his birthday, filled with recipes from Disneyland, Disney World, & the Disney Cruises. So, once a week we're going to be creating one of their recipes.
Yesterday, we made the famous White Cheddar Soup. It had onions, celery, bacon, beer, white cheddar, flour, chicken broth, Tabasco sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and milk. It was delicious, but we've modified it a bit so next time it will be even better (no Tabasco or beer).
I was really excited to buy the beer, having just turned 21 this past Sunday I was really excited to have someone ID me, the newly legal girl. Sadly though, no one checked my ID, apparently Jon's bald & bearded took away all inklings that we were under 21.

Weekend with Disneyland!

This is the man who let me listen to Disney music to my hearts content, stood in line with me for 45 minutes to ride Peter Pan, and took me to dinner at the Blue Bayou: resulting in the most wonderful birthday weekend ever!


I love how it allows you to be like kids


And makes you feel little again


But sometimes I worry what we are teaching our children?


Return of CAPTAIN EO! Michael Jackson you live on in our hearts! Exactly as it appeared in 1986!

"Hold onto your hats & glasses folks... cuz this here's the WILDEST RIDE IN THE WILDERNESS!"


Brandon learned the hard way that the one in the front seat gets soaked... and everyone else remains mostly dry, minus their shoes & socks.


Yo ho Yo ho A Pirates Life For Me!
*Fun Fact: It was on Pirates of the Caribbean that Jon asked me to marry him*


The Siblings!


"Snakes. Why did it have to be snakes?"


I love Disneyland! So very much!

Happy Birthday To Me!

So this Sunday is my birthday! And in celebration Jon & I are going to join Mike & Brit for their Disneyland Day tradition! (Every year Mike & Brit are going to Disneyland on the second weekend of March with their family & anyone who wants to is invited) So we're going! And last night Jon gave me my present early!!!!!!!

A beautiful, compact, RED camera!

He gave it to me early so that I could practice my digital photo taking skills before we get to Disneyland. I have the most thoughtful husband in the world! I was cranky last night, complaining about the T-shirts I had made for Mike, Brit, Jon & I. I've put Wall.e on Michael's, Eve on Brit's, Scar on Jon's, and Maleficent for me. You see I made them and didn't account for the size of my breasts and (because I wasn't thinking) placed Maleficent right over my left boob. When I put it on I about screamed at my stupidity. Jon said it didn't look so bad from his angle, but I don't want anybody looking at me there from any angle! So I was angry at the world, and that meant my husband got most of it. And instead of getting angry he said that the shirts were still beautiful and I should take a picture of them for my blog. Angrily I said "no way!" So he sweetly pulled out my little camera!

Why are husbands so amazing? Instantly I realized I was being childish & cranky and realized I had someone who loved me more than a stinkin villain shirt with the character over my chest. Thank you Jon!

I will keep you all posted on our Disneyland adventures!

Heritage Makers

So I work for & LOVE heritagemakers.com! I work in Customer Support & love talking to people all day & helping them create these amazing scrapbooks, canvases, & posters. In fact, I make lots myself. I don't necessarily print them, but I have a blast creating them. This week I created two 8x8 canvases. I think they would look adorable as a "His & Hers" artwork in someones home. Or even as like bathroom mounts for Mens & Womens. However, I cannot print them. Maybe some other month when I have more monies :)

Here they are:
His
http://www.heritagemakers.com/projectBrowserStandAlone.cfm?projectID=1247908&productId=38
Hers
http://www.heritagemakers.com/projectBrowserStandAlone.cfm?projectID=1238186&productId=38

Friday's With Dave!!!!!!

I don't know what Jon & I are going to do? We only have one more chapter left of our game! How are we going to bond if we don't have to kick any mercenaries butts?

I guess we'll just have to find a new addiction.

In separate more important news.... Dave is spending the night! Jon & I are so excited! We always seem to let loose & have more fun when Dave is around. And besides, that means tonight we're going to have mexican food at Beto's & play Stacker! That is Dave's all time favorite arcade game. Its going to be one crazy night that is for sure!

Movie Night

I love going to the movie theaters! I mean I really love it! But my husband posed the question: whats so great about them?

Its true they're sticky & noisy. And sometimes you happen to sit in front of that guy who is 7 feet tall. And still, sometimes you end up in a group of people who laugh at all the right places, and the entire theater smells like fresh popcorn, and the chairs are the comfy reclining kind, and who can forget the brand new exciting previews you can't see anywhere else?

Unfortunately newly married couples do not often have the luxury of going to the movies (unless they are treated by friends & family) and Jon & I are no different.

But last night was monumental! Jon had purchased a "movie kit" complete with Root Beer Bottles & Candy & popcorn. And we pulled our chairs up close to the TV & watched our first Blue Ray DVD, Harry Potter & the Half Blood Prince! And let me tell you, it was amazing. It was the first time I had that theater excitement in my own home! Everything was there (minus the previews & laughing people)but those are things that can easily be replaced but the warmth of your home and the comfort of the pause button & the bathroom being so assessable.

I can't say that I will never want to go to the theater again, but knowing that I can feel that movie feeling at home makes life seem much more bearable!



Thank you husband!

What A Wonderful Weekend...

Because I colored my hair & consequently look like snow white...
Because Jon & I bought "Army of Two: 40th Day" for our PS3 and I kicked some mercenary butts...
Because I bought the liquid liner I've been wishing for...
Because I played a game of tournament golf with Dave & he won...
Because I saw Planet 51 and laughed till I cried...
Because I ordered the newest Harry Potter on Blue Ray from Netflix & it's coming Monday...
Because I had pizza delivered from Papa Johns...
Because I slept in...
Because my skinny jeans stretched out enough for me to wear them...
Because my husband loves me...

...is why I had a wonderful weekend.

Romantic Glowsticks

Tonight I had the most wonderful surprise when I came home. My husband, Jon, had set up our table with glowsticks (rather than candles) and prepared steaks for us! It was the sweetest and most wonderful surprise. Then, after that he got hot water and lotion and massaged my hands & feet. And to top it all off, he had rented the chick flick "P.S. I Love You" for us to watch. Complete with a movie kit: Coke, popcorn, chocolate covered raisins & snow caps (my favorite candy to have with movies & popcorn). I had mentioned just yesterday to Jon that it had been a while since we had had a romantic evening to ourselves. He is so thoughtful, always remembering what I say.

The greatest thing
You'll ever learn
Is just to love
And be loved in return

-Moulin Rouge

Yes... I love technology

So today Jon got to trade in his crap computer (which they've tried to fix 4 times) and trade it for... drum roll please... a MAC! Life is good, o yes, life is good. And, last week we received our tax return and... drum roll please... we got a PS3! Happy early Valentines day!

Last night Jon & I played a demo of a game called "Army of TWO" and I don't really like playing games very often but this one... I liked it! Surprised? So was I! So was Jon! The reason I liked it is because it forces Jon & I to work as a team. I hate when we play against each other because I never win. Never. We have to watch each others backs and take people out for each other. AND the best part is that we can switch the difficulty levels to suit each of us, which means I get to be on the easiest level! I never knew I had such a knack for shooting. Haha.

I am just so happy today. Life is good: my husband loves me, I have a great job, my apartment is clean, and Valentines day is this weekend! I love you honey!

Longest Week

I don't know if I'll be able to remember how many days I've missed and keep count, life has been too crazy for counting lately. I think I'm going to change the direction of this blog. I'm still going to take pictures every day and I'm still going to document my life, but I'm going to think less about how I need to do it. My life has spiraled into a new rhythm, and while I might not yet know how to handle it... its all going to work out in the end. It will.

Family is amazing. On what seemed like the longest hardest week of my life I was shown so much love from those around me. Acts of love & service were some of the most uplifting reminders that I have a Father in Heaven who loves me enough to put these people in my life. Thank you Mike & Brit for that fun normal night we needed so desperately, thank you Aubrey for one of the most heart felt gifts I've ever received, and thank you to all the family who has called just to say that they love us. I am so grateful to have all of you.

I am amazingly blessed. Truly blessed. The Lord loves me, and on hard long weeks you might be able to feel it more because you need it more. I have so much, a loving family, a wonderful full time job that supports us, an apartment that we can afford, there is just so much to be thankful for.

DAY 14: Wednesday

Today was Mike, Jon's Dad's Birthday! Well officially it is on Saturday the 23rd, but we wanted to celebrate as a family. A few weeks ago, when Jon & I were in Disneyland, we saw a statue and knew it would be the perfect present for Mike. It was a bronze replica of the statue in front of Sleeping Beauty's castle. The one of Walt holding Mickeys hand and gazing over the park. We called up all of Jon's siblings and asked if they wouldn't mind pitching in so we could get it for him.

Wednesday night came and I excitedly wrapped the gift thinking what great gift givers we are! Little did I know how much Mike would appreciate this gift from his children. Isabel & Evan were there, and helping grandpa open each of his birthday presents. When ours came, they happily tore at the paper. Mike saw the image of the statue on the outside of the box and slowly his mouth turned down, and his eyes began watering. Isabel & Evan knew it was time to let grandpa finish unwrapping. He held the statue gentle in his hands and shed silent tears, saying "thank you" over and over.



The greatest part about birthdays, holidays, & presents are the ones that really mean something to the receiver. How grateful I was that day, to have been part of those that gave.

Day 13

I woke up this morning to the most beautiful sight! A clean beautiful bedroom. The sun was dimly lighting our room, so I was able to see just how nice it looked in here. I can't tell you what a difference it makes in your life.

Shelby went in for an emergency surgery today. My phone has not been receiving text messages or calls or voicemail lately, so I didn't even know until Brit came to work to let me know. She had a cyst on her ovary and had to get it removed. All day I was trying to think of ways to see her, to get to California and be with her, even if she was too drugged to notice me. Luckily, she is ok. But I am feeling really restless, like I really want to see her soon. I just know that if the roles were changed it would feel really wonderful to have my sister there with me. It was strange, but just yesterday I was thinking about her. Everybody thinks about their family, but I actually thought, I should call Shelby, but I didn't. Now I wish I had.

I was thinking about a couple of months ago when she and I saw New Moon together, and we'd been gabbing about what we'd thought about the movie and almost walked into the boys room instead of the girls. This nice man turned around right before we entered and said politely "I don't know if you ladies realize this, but you're about to walk into the men's room." We gasped, giggled and ran to the opposite side with the woman on the door. Yesterday I almost did the same thing in Costco, and it made me think to call her.

Tonight Jon made Mike, Brit, & I the most amazing meal with all Veggies! Ok, technically tomatoes are fruit, but still. It was so good! He made an Apple Caprese Salad, Asparagus with a Lemon Glaze, & Peeled Peppers in a Balsamic Reduction Sauce. It was so amazing! This is a picture from tonight. I forgot to get a picture of the food before we devoured it, so I just got one of Mike & Brit.

DAYS 11 & 12

Day 11
Sunday dinner's with Jon's family. We had some amazing spaghetti and meatballs. Honestly, I don't crave that very often, but smelling that while Derin was cooking was absolutely divine. I wanted nothing else by the time dinner came around.
Dave wanted a special desert and only had it off of his iphone, it was a Betty Crocker recipe for "chocooooolat dream bars." Derin could't figure out his phone, so Dave had to read it to her step by step. Thus ensued the most hilarious recipe reading in history. Dave would start back at step one each time and say "did you do that mom?" O my goodness it was driving her crazy. Jon and I just thought it was funny and couldn't stop laughing. Finally tho, the recipe was read and the dream bars were baked, cooled, & devoured.

Day 12
Jon and I had Monday off of work. It was so nice to sleep in until noon, my job doesn't give me that luxury very often. We ate our casual lunch at McDonald's of McDoubles for $1. Yes, that is 5 whole McDoubles Jon has.
When we came home we cleaned up our bedroom. I wish I could show you the before, instead of just the after, because that would show you what an improvement this is. Basically, our bedroom had become the storage space. Everything that didn't fit in other areas of the apartment were sent to our room. The result was basically chaos, and although I didn't realize it at first, I was becoming increasingly grumpy due to the clutter. But now just look at it!

Day 10

Day 10 - Saturday

Jon worked today, but we were able to go out to Lon's Cook Shack! We had never been before. They had this amazing BBQ sauce. I had the pulled pork sandwich and Jon had the beef brisket. Boy that was yummi! (Jon despises that word) They have this spicy competition coming, and if you're able to eat this item in a time limit, you get your face put on the wall! Jon & I aren't doing it, but I'm thinking we should get Michael to do it, he has a knack for spicy things. Ok, Michael just has a knack for eating things in general.



Later we went out and Jon got two games for the PS2, someday I'll get him the PS3, but not today. I would like you to look closely at those eyes of my husbands... look very close. Notice anything? Can You see how his eyes are slightly ascew? He thinks its hilarious to do that in every picture we take. So I've decided to let the world see his "adorable" face. If I sounds bitter its only because it is frustrating to take a picture and have ... that.




I know I am very sarcastic, but in reality, I am so happy to be living! I have a great job, we live in a beautiful apartment right down the road from my brother, we're able to see Jon's family every week, and on top of all this, I want for nothing. For example, today I got my acrylic nails filled. I'm just so lucky.

My husband is so wonderful. I'm kind of a sleepy head and usually go to bed before he does. When he comes in he always hugs me, tells me how much he loves me, and then cuddles with me for the rest of the night. And in the morning when I leave for work, he smiles sleepily and kisses me. Whenever he can he always picks me up from work for lunch and we go to McDonald's and get McDoubles for $1. Whenever I get ready to go anywhere, he always tells me how beautiful I look. Always, even if I don't agree. And he loves to make me meals, and they're thoughtful meals. The other night I mentioned that I was in the mood for soup, offhandedly, and the next night he made me this amazing creamy turkey noodle soup. Honestly, I don't believe I have anything to complain about.

DAY 8 & 9

So, I'm supposed to write in here every day... but as you can see, I stinketh at it. I am trying tho! Ok, lets start from Day 8 shall we?

Day 8 - Thursday

Jon & I watched the movie: House Bunny. My favorite quotes are:

"Do you know where the crapper is? I'm about to do a very mysterious thing (drop some timber.)"
"Kindness is just love with its work boots on"
"The eyes are the nipples of the face"


Day 9 - Friday

We went bowling with DAVE! I bowled (drum roll please) a 101!!!! I only hit the bumpers twice. Dave couldn't help but say the whole time that we needed to go bowling more often. He really loves it. We went bowling with him back in December and he got a turkey, 3 consecutive strikes! I haven't ever seen him that happy except on Christmas when he got a giant stuffed Mickey Mouse! We had such an amazing time because you could see how happy Dave was to have us there.