P.S.

P.S. Do not go see "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" unless you have 3 hours and $9.75 to

waste. I kept thinking that we should have just rented a movie and ordered pizza with the $30

we spent on it! And the only thing that makes it ok is when Brad Pitt hits his 30-40's since he is

ok to look at, but other then that, MAYBE wait for it to come out on video. Even then though, I

don't know.

P.S. And if you do go see it, DO NOT go see a 10:05 pm showing!

Christmas Day

I hope everyone had a fun Christmas and was able to spend time with family. Ours was busy busy and we had to be up at 7am on the dot to get to Rachel and Alan's to open presents with Kaden and Jack. This is Kaden coming down the stairs. It was cute too because he was more excited to see us then open presents probably because he is still too young to really understand what is going on. Or he was just excited to see us. :)

And I just had to post this adorable picture of Jackson under the tree. He looks like my Grandpa in that picture. Or that is just a face he would always make. So cute!!

Kaden and his new tricycle from Grandma and Grandpa.


Rachel got a new phone which she wasn't expecting so nice surprise Alan!!

Kaden has this new love for Thomas the Train hence his new pajamas and about 3/4 of his presents. But he did get a new race car bed which he was so cute about. He is now a "big boy"

Kaden and his new race track. The kid has about a million little cars.

Kaden was pretty tired of opening presents by this point so I helped him out a little.

My mom got me a Kitchen Aid which I have been wanting for awhile. Whenever I go to bake or cook something, I always wish I had one, so now I do!

And don't you worry...Dallin still loves Michael Phelps. I still think he kind of looks like him so he loves that and he did get "swimmer of the year" at Mesa High, so Michael Phelps is his swimming role model.

And here are me and Danny and Dallin are at the temple Christmas Eve. It's a tradition that we always go see the lights and I just love that tradition. I just love the temple and especially around the holidays. The spirit is so sweet and I am so grateful that we live so close to the Mesa Temple. It has always been such a blessing in my life.

And Danny and Dallin.

I hope you all had a safe and Merry Christmas and that new year will be even better then the last! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

It's Official

Aren't you happy you don't have his job?

It's officially winter here in Provo! And it has been snowing non stop all week. Every time I wake up and look outside the window, everything is covered in snow. And I had to park my car on the street last night and so it was not fun having to scrape ice and snow off of my windows but oh the perks of living in Utah! But I have to say it was so pretty walking up to the library this morning. It was really quiet and everything was white and the snow is so peaceful and quiet when it falls and I really did love it. But at the same time it is also very inconvenient. You have to take 10 minutes just to bundle up to go outside, driving is a pain, it's cold, and when the snow gets dirty, it's all slushy and brown and slippery. And you have to be careful how you walk not to slip and fall on your rear end. But it's pretty. And I have to say 72 degree weather in Mesa is sounding pretty amazing right about now!

All the Single Ladies!!

We had our Ward Christmas party Saturday night at Legends and Lena did an incredible job at organizing it. The food was amazing and we had a really good turn out. And we even had a little Christmas show (hence the Avenues 111 dance to "let it snow"). I have to say that choreographing and practicing it was far more fun then performing it and McKell and I didn't have much of a choice with Lena being in charge. And I haven't done a kick line since high school so it was quite the experience. This is only half of it but when Kelli sends me hers then I will upload that one.

And then after the party, we all got a little dance happy to "All the Single Ladies" by Beyonce and please just watch Stacie in all the videos. I was dying especially when she was trying to teach me to dance. I love when Stacie is in town. It's just like a reunion for all of us even though we all live here except Stacie. It just isn't the same without her. But I was just super excited to post these videos because Stacie is so funny when she tries to dance and it just shows how we all are together. It is pure entertainment.

Merry Christmas!!

Boston, Why Not?

It is so random that I found this b/c I think in a way, I was meant to. I have a hard time doing this. I am a very logical person. I am realistic and I always expect the worst. I know that may seem pessimistic, but I just have learned to be that way. I hope to be pleasantly surprised along the way, but I rarely get my hopes up.

But I will be graduating soon and it is already stressing me out in a way. Don't get me wrong. I am excited of course but at the same time, I am realizing I really have to grow up and get a "real" job. Well at least for a year before I do graduate school. So big decisions lie ahead and I have been thinking a lot about moving back east. Possibly Boston, Maryland, Virginia or wherever the wind takes me:) I just can't stop thinking about it. What a cool and amazing experience that would be! Or I could just move to Salt Lake and work in a school district there. Logically, it makes more sense to just move to Salt Lake. It would be closer to all my friends and family. It would be less expensive. The church is extremely strong here. I could find a job closer to the University of Utah where I want to do grad school. But somewhere inside of me, yearns for a real life adventure. It makes me so excited to think about what else is out there. What kind of experiences I could have. I will have to follow my heart on this one instead of listening to what logic is trying to scream at me. But isn't that how most things are in life? Finding someone to marry(everyone has found my husband for me and I have already tried convincing myself to marry someone), choosing a major, a place to live, a job to apply for, and ect. This is an interesting stage of life b/c I feel every decision I make can be life altering which is why I just need to keep following my heart and stop listening to everyone else around me and what logic is trying to tell me. Logic is a good thing, but sometimes what our hearts and what the spirit is trying to tell us are two totally different things. Anyways, maybe I can get Kelli to move to Boston with me:)

Elder Parker

I am obviously a little blog happy right now. This is 3 posts in one day. Kind of pathetic if you think about it. Anyways, Spencer has now been gone 3 months and it feels like it has been longer then that. When I went home to Mesa, I really missed him b/c it's home and there is no Spencer and I got so emotional when I prayed for him one night as a family. It's hard but....he is exactly where he needs to be and where the Lord wants him to be. He told us he is grateful for beds since he has been sleeping on tile, AC because they don't have air conditioning in Guam and Spencer is a sweating machine so looks like he will need new church shirts soon. And he is grateful for couches and food that doesn't involve pasta. But he is doing GREAT and has really immersed himself in the work and you can tell that he is just putting his whole heart into it. Here is super cute picture of a family they are teaching.

Coldplay Videos

These are the videos from the concert. I am sorry they are blurry in some parts and I kept zooming in and out. But they are worth watching. Trust me!

Thanksgiving!

I know this isn't a very good picture of the stage, but I went to the Coldplay concert last Wednesday at the arena in Glendale and it was simply amazing. I just didn't want them to stop playing and Chris Martin sounds incredible even live. It was kind of last minute but Danny was able to talk me into going and the picture below is the pretty cool group I went with. And Danny's girlfriend Katie is just adorable. He better marry her:) I took some videos of a few songs but I will post that later. It isn't working right now for some reason but they are definetly worth posting.

Turkey day was so good and I think I consumed like 10,000 calories just in that weekend. But Stacie ran the turkey trot with me. That was also very last minute and we didn't even register. We just showed up, ran and left. And I finished the 10K in my best time so I was happy about that. And Stacie did really good too so great job Stace! There is something about running with other people. I can't let them get ahead of me. haha.
We then had dinner at my parents house and then went over to Rachel and Alan's for dessert because Rachel needed to put Kaden and Jackson down for their naps. And like always, Mom's pumpkin pie was amazing. She doesn't cease to disappoint.

We then went to Sedona to visit with my Dad's side of the family...the Evans Family! I just love them all and it is always so fun to see them. The picture above is of all us girls going out to eat after doing some shopping while all the guys went golfing. I just love them all! WE had such a fun time with them and only Dallin and I went with my parents and so Dilly and I had some quality sister/brother bonding time. haha.

And I am the first to admit that I think my nephews are just about the cutest things ever. And Kaden can say my name perfectly so he is always like, "Bekah, Bekah, Bekah" and I think it is fun for him to say. But I just love it. He has the cutest smile and Jack is so calm probably since Kaden is always bouncing off the walls. He talks non stop and even when he is speaking his jibberish, you feel like you should understand him b/c he acts so serious. It's adorable.

Here is Kaden helping my dad start the fire up at the cabin in Heber. We went up there on Saturday and Alan, Rachel and the boys met us up there and it is a super cute place. It will be fun as our family grows with more in laws and grandchildren. I am not going to lie...being the next in line, I am feeling a little pressure. My sister keeps telling me that Jack and Kaden need cousins to play with but everyone just needs to be more patient with me. haha.

So the weekend was eventful and successful and now I am back in Provo and I can feel the pressure with finals just around the corner. It is back to long nights in the library. Wish me luck!

My Friend Jake

I have a love for apples. I try and eat at least one a day if not two. It's like carrot sticks

and

bananas but I am going to focus on apples. I like Gala apples the best, but Fuji apples

are good

too. But the very best is when you find just the right looking apple and then you bite

into it and it's all you imagined. Nice and crisp and juicy and not too cold so it doesn't

hurt your teeth. But I was so mad today because right before one of my classes, I

went

and bought an apple and the look was so deceiving. It was nice and round and shiny

but not crisp at all but like soft and not very good . I was so tempted to go back and

ask for another one. Just goes to

show to never go for looks. Not just with people, but apples too! I am very

specific about my apples. I used to like the green ones growing up but not so much

anymore

because they can be pretty sour so I am back to the nice red ones. Oh I just love

apples!

And if I think I am hungry, then I eat an apple, and it takes away my hunger pains.

And the

organic ones at Costco are not all that bad, but an apple is an apple, right? Wrong!

There are lots of different kinds, colors, textures, but we won't get into that. So now I

will

introduce my friend Jake Nelson:

This is Jake. He is pretty awesome! And he is my library buddy and we are always

there pretty late. But we went on a date like 2 months ago since I guess it has been

in the works for awhile. His family is good friends with Brooke and Tammy

Mortensen

who are good friends of mine. We had such a fun time and Jake is just so

refreshing and nice and just an awesome guy. Well he knows I like apples and he lets

me keep my laptop in his locker on the 5th floor of the library and when I went to

get my laptop to study, guess what he left me. That is right...a nice Fuji apple just for

me. Almost every night in the library I say how much I could use an apple. So

thanks Jake!

I

do love apples!

Agreed!

That's All!

Thank You Mr. Locksmith Man

Today was one of those mornings where I felt like I was going a million miles an hour. My run went kind of late and long and so it was making me late to my 9am class which I had a quiz in this morning. So I didn't even take a shower after my run (I know, I know. Not the smartest thing but if you had a quiz in 15 minutes, you wouldn't have either ) so I could get there early to review the chapter for my quiz. So I have my quiz on my mind and trying to plan tomorrow and flying home with everything else and I am in such a hurry that I park, jump out of my car, lock it only then realizing that my car is not only locked but still RUNNING!!! I had locked my keys in my car with it still running. It was one of those moments where I didn't know if I should laugh, cry, scream or cuss. I would never cuss...out loud. Anyways, so I am so stunned at this point that I just have to laugh about it. I go in to try and study for my quiz while in the meantime, Lena is back at the apartment searching for my spare key. Bless her and Sifa's heart. They were really trying to help me out. So after I take my quiz, I go out to call campus police to have someone come unlock my car. And FYI, it's only $20 while a normal locksmith is anywhere from $45-60 here in Provo. So Sifa is in the process of dropping off Lena at school and bringing me my check book so I can write a check to this locksmith man. Mr. Locksmith man comes, unlocks my door so dang easily with all his cool little tools that it got me thinking I should get them. But then what if you lock your keys in your car with the tools in your trunk? Therefore POINTLESS! So anyways, me and Mr. Locksmith man are waiting for Sifa to come with my checkbook and then the most heavenly words I have ever heard:

Mr Locksmith Man: "Don't worry about paying for it. I found $10 in the glove compartment."
Me: "Are you serious?"
MLM: "Of course. It's not big deal. You have a nice day Ma'am."
Me: (hardly being able to contain myself) "You too! And you have a fantastic Monday!"

And then I proceeded to tell him that he deserves a raise.

Moral of the story: Call BYU police if you lock your keys in your car and do it really early in the morning, so the guy won't want to stand in the cold waiting for your friend to show up with money.

It's going to be a great week!

Oh and P.S., Mr. Locksmith Man's name is Justin, he is from Bountiful and majoring in International Relations. We had some time to burn.

Oreo Truffles

I have been looking for a good idea for holiday treats for home teachers, my visiting teachees, and friends and I think I found it. I want one right now...or 2, or 3!

Oreo Truffles

1 package oreo cookies (divided… use cookie including the cream center)
1 8oz. package cream cheese (softened)
white chocolate bark

1. Finely crush 7 cookies in a food processor or place them in a ziploc bag and crush into a fine consistency. Reserve for later.
2. Crush remaining cookies and stir in softened cream cheese. Use the back of a large spoon to help mash the two together.
3. Roll the mixture into 1" balls and place on wax paper covered cookie sheet.
4. Melt chocolate as directed on the package and then dip balls into chocolate, tap off extra and set aside on wax paper covered cookie sheet to dry. You can sprinkle the tops with the 7 crushed cookies for decoration. (I usually eat mine before they make it to this stage.)
5. Once dry, refrigerate and enjoy!

Makes about 36 truffles.

4 Years!!

It has taken me 4 years to be okay showing other people this picture and I speculated back and forth for like a day whether I should post it. But looks like I am. It is time to embrace my past baldness. Actually I only lost about 95% of it. Anyways, today marks my fourth anniversary of officially being declared in remission from Lymphoma. One of the greatest and happiest days of my life. My sister had this huge cookie made ( that I later threw up even though it was so good) and we shared with all my nurses and my parents it was so great. I have this picture hanging up in my room as a constant reminder of my blessings. I can't help but look at this picture and wonder who this girl is. Sometimes I don't even recognize her and I wonder how in the world I ever did it. All the treatments, the shots, taking 12 pills a day, the constant testing, the nautious feeling always in my stomach, the aches and pains, the doctors appointments. But then I remember my Heavenly Father and my Savior and their constant strength, guidance and peaceful assurance from the spirit that everything was going to be just fine. I just had to grit my teeth, force a smile, and pray like I have never prayed before but 4 years later, my hair is back, I am about to graduate from college, I have complete physical strength and the greatest life in the world. If I THINK I am having a rough day, I just picture myself it this chemo chair and everything doesn't seem so bad anymore. There is not a day that goes by that I don't thank my Heavenly Father for his mercy and power and blessings. I am so grateful for the Atonement of our Savior that heals us from not only our transgressions, sins and daily mistakes but from our illnesses and infirmities. Without it, I wouldn't be here today!

You Have Got To Be Kidding Me!!

Well you might just have to ignore my post a couple of weeks ago about my roommate Haley. She tore her ACL and MCL in her right knee at a game Friday night in Portland. When I got Melinda's text, my heart dropped and I felt sick to my stomach. I just kept thinking, "you have got to be freaking kidding me!" This is the 3rd time! And I told Melinda that I didn't even know what to say to Haley because I have said everything the first 2 times. I started having flashbacks of those stupid crutches, icing, Haley hobbling around, rubbing her knee at night, movie nights with Melinda while Haley ices her knee and is on pain killers, seeing her not dressed out on the bench, the after math of surgery and on and on. But I am proud of Haley for her determination and faith. I have never met anyone that loves something as much as she does but sometimes the Lord takes away what we love to teach us much greater lessons about ourselves, life and more importantly, Him. It breaks my heart to know that I will never see her finish out a season, take a conference championship, take mountain west player of the year (which is what would have happened) but our thoughts are not the Lord's. Our ways are most certainly not His and even though it stinks so bad, it ALWAYS works out for our best. And basketball is what got Haley here to BYU and this is where she is suppose to be. It's amazing how life never turns out the way you expect it to turn out. It never turns out the way you play it out in your head but thank goodness! I know we will look back on our lives in the next, and be so grateful. We will be so grateful that there is a God in Heaven who is in complete control and knows exactly what He is doing!

For Kelli

Kelli I am buying you these for Christmas. I know you

will make the most use out of them.

Found It!

I found my wedding dress with a few alterations! Haha.

Can you even imagine?

I think my mom would cry and I would

feel like I was wearing my

roommate's poodle.

Does it come in red?

Monday Goodness

It is dreary, cold and raining here in Provo
and I have a horrible headache. I am ready to
go home and take a 20 minute power
nap and get ready for a long
night in the library but...

I'm still smiling.

Well actually I just really liked this picture...:)

I like cereal.

Third Time's the Charm

My roommate Haley is on the women's basketball team and her first year here (2 years ago) she tore her ACL and it was a very sad and disappointing time for her. It was hard to see her miss out on the thing she loves the most, basketball. But as her roommate, I did my best to help her out when needed and just be supportive. So last year came and she was ready to go and tore it again about a month before the season was to start. I cried. It was so sad to see all her effort and hard work and time recupperating, go down the drain. But she endured well and remained postive for her future basketball career and she is finally back in action. We went to her exhibition games both Wednesday and Saturday nights and she is their starting point guard and captain and doing so good. She is so fun to watch and makes it look like a bunch of guys out there. So go Haley and we are all so proud of you. I just wish Melinda was still playing. She is so amazing and fun to watch too but at least she can sit by me at the games now.

Vintage Baby Doll Coat

All I need to do is find it on sale for less then $30. I am still dreaming...

I Can Dream

Someday my kitchen will look like this:

Or this...I will take either. But I kind of like the first one better, but beggars can't be choosers!

Only in Utah

So I had my first real experience at Costco today. I have been before with friends but I actually bought my own membership today and bought quite a few things in bulk that I use on a regular basis like healthy choice soup, ritz crackers, granola, yogurt, soap, granola bars, saltines, apples, laundry detergent, ect. I love it. Why spend so much money on small portions of things when you can just buy bulk that will last longer!

But my main reason for even going to Costco was to buy a bigger size of "bear naked" granola. So I head over to the cereal section and start looking for it but I couldn't find it. So I asked a few of the sample stand women but none of them could speak very good English and one told me it was in the clothing section. Ya well anyways, I finally find someone that looked like they would know what they are talking about and he tells me that they don't have it anymore because A LADY COMPLAINED ABOUT BEING OFFENDED HAVING "NAKED" ON A PRODUCT. SHE SAID SHE REFUSES TO COME TO COSTCO IF THEY CONTINUE TO SELL THAT PRODUCT. I about died. What in the world is that all about. I understand that the naked part is kind of strange and I even felt strange asking the man if they still had "bear naked" granola but it's granola not an underwear product or something. I couldn't believe it. So he told me to fill out a feedback card and ask them to bring the granola back. So I think I will. But the point is, I go to Costco, apply for a membership, pay $50 for a year membership, and then because of some lady who needs to step out Utah complained, I had to buy Quaker granola. Which is fine but not as good. For crying out loud people!

Creative Clipboards

How great is this! I found this off of another blog "poppytalk" and just loved the idea. I am one that has to be organized and how cute would this be to keep things organized and in their proper place like bills, church things, mail, hw, and ect. Just find decorative wall paper or even scrapbook paper and then cut with a craft knife and gluing on very carefully to the clipboard. You can find cheap clipboards at the dollar store and Honks on Freedom has cheap cheap scrap booking materials. I'm excited!

Wisdom from Larry the Cable Guy

1. A day without sunshine is like night.
2. On the other hand, you have different fingers.
3. 42.7% of all statistics are made up on the spot.
4. 99% of lawyers give the rest a bad name.
5. Remember, half the people you know are below average.
6. He who laughs last, thinks slowest.
7. Depression is merely anger without enthusiasm.
8. The early bird may get the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese in the trap.
9. Support bacteria. They're the only culture some people have.
10. Change is inevitable, except from vending machines.
11. If you think nobody cares, try missing a couple of payments.
12. How many of you believe in psycho-kinesis? Raise my hand.
13. Ok, so what's the speed of dark?
14. When everything is coming your way, you're in the wrong lane.
15. How much deeper would the ocean be without sponges?
16. Eagles may soar, but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines.
17. What happens if you get scared half to death, twice?
18. Inside every older person is a younger person wondering, "what the heck happened?"
19. Just remember--if the world didn't suck, we would all fall off.
20. Light travels faster than sound. That's why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.
21. Life isn't like a box of chocolates. It's more like a jar of jalapenos. What you do today, might burn your butt tomorrow.

3 down....

Code got married to Jon Hoopes on Friday in the Logan temple and it was a fantastic day. Here are a few pictures but Kelli has an excellent recap of the day on her blog so check it out....

http://www.kellibradshaw.blogspot.com/

Kia Kaha...

It's About Time

So I have been getting tired of my normal running routes and so I decided to switch it up a little and ran down 800 north and then turned left on Geneva and look what I found...the pathway along the Provo River. It is so pretty! A guy had told me about it but I just stumbled upon Saturday because I forgot where he told me it was. I didn't take this picture but it is really really similar to what it looks like. I love it. I am so excited so if any of you need a place to run until it gets freezing...here it is!

Code Is Getting Married!

Code is getting married on Friday so we celebrated all weekend. Friday night we played games and laughed the whole time. It's no wonder we can only play one game for so long before going on to the next one. And Dayna came down from Logan so it was fun to see her and she is having a baby in April!

For those that have seen Baby Mama you will understand what Haley and Code are doing. If you haven't seen it, you should. It's pretty funny.

We had her shower Saturday and it was so fun. Kelli, Code and I went and had facials done before the shower and it was amazing. I highly recommend it.

This picture we had to take with the timer so it was quite entertaining trying to take it. And Jolynn and Chelsey brought their babies and they are so cute. The bridal shower was a definite success and our way of sending Code on her "marry" way. Haha. We love her!

Later that night, Jon and Code set me up with their friend Zack and we all had a good time. WE went bowling and then carved pumpkins. I want you to go ahead and guess what ours is. Go ahead. I know what it is and I even have to look at it for awhile to figure it out. But it was really fun. Don't you think he looks like Heath Ledger?