Happy Anniversary to Us

August 16th was our 4 year anniversary! Crazy! In some ways it's gone by so fast; and then when we count how many times we've moved it's just depressing. We've had major heartbreak in 4 years with losing 2 babies; or moving to Texas because that's what WE wanted and then quickly finding out that it SO wasn't what the Lord wanted for us. But we've had a TON of fun and joy packed into 4 years too! Our marriage and relationship mean everything to us!

We did some serious celebrating this year! Scott surprised me earlier in the year with tickets to see Josh Groban! The concert was amazing - despite the ESA's horrible acoustics. Our seats were actually pretty good too. The camera on my iPhone really stinks so the below video is blurry and you can't see him, but you can hear his angelic voice!

And dearest Scott has had a cold all week and never said a word of complaint. What a trooper! After the concert we went to the Anniversary Inn and stayed in the Palace Suite. It was really cool. I have to say the waterfall jetted tub was the highlight.

Then on Tuesday, the actual day of our anniversary, we went out to the Cheesecake Factory. Mmmmm! I grossed poor Scott out with my salmon and shrimp, to which he was grateful for his plugged up nose so he couldn't smell it.

In other news, we've decided to move ahead with the adoption process. We went to an orientation last year at LDS Family Services and felt that we weren't there yet. While doing sealings in the temple a few months back, the word "adoption" just kept coming to my head and wouldn't stop. I was surprised to say the least. I was so worried to bring it up to Scott because I knew he just wasn't there yet. We talked about it and both decided we didn't know when, but we'd look into it further. Little did we know our calling as teachers to 5 squirrely 5 year old boys would have such an impact on our decision! We can't believe how much we've grown to love those little squirrels. Those boys have had more to do with Scott's decision to adopt than anything.

So we're going to move forward and see what happens. We're going to have a benefit boutique/garage sale on October 8th that y'all are invited to! We've had a huge response and feel so blessed at all the wonderful people that are willing to donate things to sell.

Wish us luck!!! We're excited to see what this year brings!

Day 7: Your Best Friend

This is an easy post because I get to talk (ok, brag) about my best friend, Frederick Scott Shoell!

Let me tell you why he's my best friend. Aside from loving me unconditionally and being a total sweetheart, he is lot of fun. That comes as a surprise to most people because he can come off as a "fuddy-duddy", but it's because he's shy. When he's around close friends and family, he's a riot. I mean, seriously, I almost wet myself the other day when he started singing and dancing to Katy Perry. He's always breaking out into song at random and it's so entertaining to me.

He has the funniest quirks. For example, when we first got married I was always putting his shoes in the closet, and sure enough he'd line them up by the bed again. Because of his feet he just feels more comfortable having them out. I just laugh about it now. Another example, I rarely bother making the bed because he's way OCD about it and will remake it before getting into bed - usually with me already in it. So funny. Although in the winter it's annoying when the sheets have gotten warm and then he moves them and they're cold again.

Scott is very nerdy. He's a Treker, which I am not, but I've learned to at least appreciate it...a little. But we're both huge Star Wars fans which was a must for me in a husband ;) We can throw out movie quotes on a regular basis and be totally entertained by ourselves. We have so much fun together. We've been accused of being a bit anti-social but it's because we love being together! With Scott being in school full time and working full time our time together feels precious. We can be totally contented to curl up on the couch and watch episodes of "The Big Bang Theory" or a movie we've already seen one hundred times.

I could go on and on, but I won't. I'll just end by saying how grateful I am for him. He's fun, handsome, a good person, a righteous Priesthood holder that I can always count on, and he's MINE ALL MINE!

Day 6: My Day

The only reason I decided to do this post today was because I made a yummy dinner and wanted to share the recipe. I came up with it myself :) As for the rest of my day, just same old. Went to work...you know. Exciting stuff.

Garlic Lemon Chicken

3 to 4 lb whole organic chicken (Leave skin on for cooking; you can peel it off after)

1 large lemon

1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

2 yams (or other potatoes if you don't like yams)

6 garlic cloves

4 Tbsp Paprika

1 Tbsp Chili Powder

Sea salt

pepper

Oven Bag

Preheat oven to 350. In the Oven bag, combine olive oil, garlic, paprika, chili powder. Shave zest from lemon, add into bag. Slice potatoes, keeping slices rather thick. Rinse chicken thoroughly, salt and pepper to taste; also sprinkle with more paprika. Slice up lemon and stuff it in the chicken. You know, in the hole. Gizzard? I don't know what it's called I'm not a professional chef :) Anyway, add potatoes and chicken to bag and pop in the oven for about hour and a half or until meat thermometer reaches 180.

Day 4 & 5

(I'm going to try to get back to my blog challenge!)

Day 4 is : What I ate today.

Well that's easy. I've only eaten breakfast so far. It was a Fiber One Bar. Don't believe those commercials that say they taste great - they don't. They're totally cardboard-ish. But I hate wasting stuff so I'll finish out the box.

Day 5: Your Definition of Love

I think "Moulin Rouge" said it best: "Love is like Oxygen! Love is a many splendid thing; love lifts us up where we belong; all you need is love!!! "

My other definition would be the above picture of Scott and Chewy. Pathetic, I know. But seriously. You've never known true love until you've been owned by a Dachshund :)

And Scott; what can I say? I don't know how I got so lucky to have him for my very own. He is the most thoughtful, funny, nerdy, loving man. He's always making sure I'm okay and that I know how much he loves me. He's working his little behind off working full time and 9 credits of school but still makes time for me. His patience with me knows no bounds (of course, I haven't fully tested it ) with all my projects, my neurosis, and that when I get clean bath towels I always forget to hang one up for him. Or when I don't pick up Chewy's toys and they're all over for him to trip over (sorry honey. We should train Chewy to pick them up). Or when I make something healthy for dinner and he's trying to suppress gags but smiles and eats it anyway. Or when he wants to kills himself while teaching me to golf, etc.

Honestly, I don't know what I'd do without him.

I LOVE FREDERICK SCOTT SHOELL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You'll Want Some Chocolate

When one reads something sensational one should have some chocolate. Don't you think?

I'll wait while you go find goodies to chew on while you're reading.

Go ahead, I'll wait.

On my new favorite TV show, "Breaking In", the crew goes back to high school briefly to help a kid with a bully. So classic. But it really got me thinking! Then the Brad Paisley song "Letter to Me" came to my mind, and I thought: I'm going to write a letter to me. Now, I can't say I'd really like to go back to high school, but at the same time, if I knew what I know now it would be a much better experience. So here it goes:

Oh! P.S. this might include stuff you just don't want to know about me. You've been warned!

Dear Younger Self,

Here's some clues and tips into your life. I know you - you probably won't listen because you're a proud, insecure and snobby little thing. But really - if you take some notice your life might be just a bit easier! Here's a list of things I'd like us, err, me to know:

Ok, you've lost a bunch of weight; good girl! But seriously, don't do the bulimic thing. It ruins your stomach for life.

While you make some great friends this summer before high school, don't waste your time with Chadd. Seriously. I know he's a senior and so dreamy and all that, but once you're 16 and no longer "off limits" he'll drop you faster than a hot potato. But hang on to the rest of the group. They're good friends.

You need help. Please, for our sake, don't wait until you're a senior to get on Zoloft. You're miserably tired all the time and so unhappy because you're depressed. Now, I realize these were the days that being depressed was very taboo and people didn't think it was a real thing. You know, eat a carrot and you'll feel better. But it IS real and nothing to be ashamed of. It is what it is so for the sake of our grades, come on! Go to the Dr.

Towards the middle of your sophomore year you're going to blow out your knee and need surgery. Just so you know, your stupid biology teacher is going to flunk you because you miss some class. DON'T let him get away with it! You'll find your senior year that if you'd talked to a school counselor about it the situation could have been handled without you having to do BYU independent studies and almost NOT GRADUATING!! Just a head's up.

Oh - and for heaven's sake buy something for us when you go to Europe. You remember how we didn't buy any kind of a souvenir for ourselves when you went to Italy? Dummy. Don't buy anything for Greg because you're going to break up with him soon afterwards anyway.

And while we're on the subject of boys, I know that a particular boyfriend becomes a big part of your life, but please PLEASE don't date the same dude through most of high school. I can't tell you how much FUN we have once he leaves on his mission. And if you'd followed the previous advice about Zoloft you probably wouldn't do it anyway!!

You REALLY need to not worry about what people think of you. Why are you so insecure? You've got a great little size 6 body. Trust me (us?) when you're trying on your wedding dresses several years from now you're going to talk to yourself in the mirror and say, "Wow. I thought I was fat back then. Yeah...I'm an idiot." You also have a great singing voice, and our hair is so long and thick!!! Enjoy it while you've got it because we can no longer grow out our hair because it's so thin :( At the time of writing this letter I've probably got another 8 or so years, if we're lucky, before we're wearing a wig. No, I'm not joking. DON'T chop it off!!!!!!! You'll regret it and the only reason you cut it in the first place is because someone who is a so-called-friend makes a stupid comment. Ignore them. Oh - and ignore the idiot boys in Chamber Choir your Junior year. Choir is your happy place and you can't let what's-their-names (see how unimportant they are? I really can't remember their names!) ruin your experience because they say mean things. Stick to your friends in choir (including Trish/Mrs. Garrett) and just enjoy yourself! Trust me, you'll miss choir.

And speaking of singing, try out for the other school musicals. That's what you LOVE to do and won't ever have the body or the voice for it again so take advantage. You know that so-called friend that made the stupid comment about your hair? She'll make stupid comments about you liking to do plays too. Seriously - IGNORE her. You want to do the plays, you like it. Yes, some of the people are a little extreme but you get along with a lot of them and have a lot in common.

FYI : George Lucas is going to make prequels to the "Star Wars" series. You'll get to go to the midnight showing of Episode I, so take a NAP before you go so we don't miss half of the film because we're falling asleep. Oh, and take one of your guy friends that really wants to go and not whats-his-name who doesn't really care.

And while we're on the nerd subject, embrace your inner nerd. Seriously. Once you do you're a lot happier so you might as well get on with it. Remember: who cares what other people think!! Do your thing. You'll find those friends that love and accept you embrace the nerd-side too!

For the love of everything that's holy, take more concurrent enrollment classes. And while you're at it, don't drop math class in H.S. just because you can. Your college self will hate you.

Oh - and let's be smarter with our money, shall we? Good plan. You want more than anything to move out and be independent, so DO IT! Take the leap. You're stronger than you think you are. You can still go ahead and buy that car (I know right? We buy our own car after high school!) but don't open a bunch of store charges just because you can. That makes the apartment thing go out the window and your awesome credit score go bye-bye.

Some notes to my post-high school self:

DO NOT DO NOT DO NOT let Dr. Lawrence give you Depo-Provera injections. That's what starts the weight gain vortex.

DON'T quit writing!! You LOVE it and just because one stupid professor doesn't like your style, remember all the others that love your style??? Just sing that as-yet-unreleased Silo song, "and I'm like forget yoooou" to Professor whats-his-name. Trust me. We have two unfinished, potentially cool, novels.

You're going to go on an adventure through 10 foot snow drifts to meet actor Sean Bean. When you finally do get to meet him (yeah, you read that right. You meet him face-to-face!!) don't stand there like a cod fish with your mouth open!!! Say something charming and funny and ask him for a picture!!! Your camera is right there. In your purse. And you'll never get another shot at it so ask Stef (your friend that's with you. I know, it's confusing, her name is Stefani too.) to take a picture of the two of you. And who knows? If you're charming enough maybe you'll have yourself a secret love-child with him....errr.....never mind.

Oh - and get a prescription of Busperone before you go on your mission. (Yes, you go. Crazy right?) You'll be able to stay out a lot longer if you're properly medicated.

And when you get home, DO NOT date a manipulative little twirp named Tyson. RUN AWAY AS FAST AS YOU CAN!!!! And don't push away your bestest friends because you're embarrassed for being sent home from your mission. It's that depression thing again! You'd think we'd have learned by now!

Love,

Me.

P.S. When the Timpanogos Singles Branch is organized, you'll notice a particular tall, dark haired, skinny guy with a GORGEOUS smile but don't make a move. Trust me, make the move when you first notice him. It'll save you both a lot of heartache and time. This good-looking skinny nerd of a guy will be the best thing that'll ever happen to you and you'll spend the rest of your life wondering how you got so blessed and lucky to have him.

The Damn Cancer

Thanks to my dear friends the Tolman's for giving the name "the damn cancer". Yeah - my dad has kidney cancer. As if he didn't have enough problems! He goes in for surgery tomorrow to remove the infected kidney. For an ooooooold guy the Dr's say his other kidney is in amazing shape so he'll be fine that way. It's just the principle of being diagnosed with the evil "c" word. My mom feels fairly calm about the whole thing and actually so does Dad, so here's hoping!
Love ya Old Man.

Happy Birthday Chewy!!

We got Chewy one year ago today. Thank you, Chewy, for making this otherwise sucky year better!! Posted below are a few of my favorite pics of him. Above: Taking Scott's pillow after Scott got up.
Below: Playing Choo Choo (He was feeling left out so he jumped up on the chair!)

Below: Cheeto thief.

Below: Snuggles with Scott. He's my shadow until Scott comes home. Then I might as well not be around!