I am long overdue for an update (March and April were like just like "what is LIFE?!"), but we just wrapped up a super great week SO! Here it is!
Our families were in town from Michigan for our official graduation from BYU. I didn't think I'd care all that much about walking, but it was wonderful to have a formal "goodbye" from the university that I came to love so much. Cliche and cheesy be darned, it completely changed my life!
My parents are like "yeah we are smiling lol"
Saturday, we had an early birthday celebration for Nash with everyone in the family, and it was the BEST. Poor baby has been sick and teething for a few weeks now, so he wasn't as happy as I was hoping (he didn't even try to eat his birthday cake!), but it made me so happy to watch all our parents and siblings celebrate him with us. His official birthday is a week from today, and everyone is gone now, so I'm thankful we were able to squeeze that in!
Nash only poses for birthday pictures with his best girlfriend mom of course!
THEN! Christian and I took off to St. George for 3 days as a sort of anniversary trip/celebration of graduating and surviving the first year of parenthood, etc. etc.
It.
Was.
THE BEST.
To the point of being completely delirious with happiness the whole time, obviously.
We've been terrible about having consistent dates WITHOUT Nash. It's happened maybe 6 or 7 times in the last year. Getting 3 whole days with just Christian made me realize how important it is to take time for the two of us. You'd think it would be a obvious, but it's really hard for us to find babysitters since we don't have much close family here in Utah, so we usually just end up going out to dinner and bringing our little crazy octopus along. NO MORE! I have a new found obsession with "Brooke and Christian time" and my goal for the rest of the year is a date just the two of us at least 3 times a month.
Christian and I met 6 years ago this week! (Technically yesterday, but... details.)
I can't hardly believe it! We were 18 year old babies and now we are makin babies of our own. Crazy how much time changes things.
Have I ever told you how we met? Cause I'm about to. Christian's side of it is a little different, of course. Maybe I will be able to convince him to share it. Probably not though. Anyways, I digress!
I came to BYU with my best friend in the whole world, Nicole. Guys, we were crazy. We still are, but our levels of crazy back then were unprecedented.
Not like "go out and party all night" kind of crazy... a unique crazy, that involves taping pictures of Morgan Freeman to our wall, and putting nylons on our head and chasing our other friend Kaylie around the dorms kind of crazy. This is vital information, because I was so wrapped up in being crazy with Nicole when Christian and I "first met" that I literally don't remember it.
We were in the same freshman ward, you see. And it was at our ward opening social that we were first introduced. I remember there being boys, but more than anything I remember goofing off with my girlfriends. Sounds like the theme of my teenage years. So. There's that.
I'm horrible, I know.
What I DO remember is on our first Sunday, noticing the cute boy at ward prayer (ohhh BYU) who was wearing mocs and glasses and a Jimmy Eat World shirt. A staple of cool, in my book. It didn't take long before I realized this boy was also hilarious and sharp and perfect best friend material. Obviously I was smitten, and I HAD to have him.
Somehow I convinced him to take a Book of Mormon class with me the following semester. And not only that, I also convinced him that he wanted to sit next to me every day too. It really didn't take long before I realized Christian is totally my kind of crazy, which is probably why we clicked so well then.
Long story short, I convinced him to stick around even longer, and we've been "sitting" next to each other ever since.
I've so enjoyed the time I've had at home with my Nashy boy this summer. It's been a whirlwind, and little busier than expected, but sweet nonetheless. My last semester (!!!) starts in a little over a week, and as much as I'm looking forward to a change in routine, I'm also forgetting that it means more time away from my little side kick, which I'm NOT looking forward to!
The last 4 months of motherhood have been quite the learning experience, and have changed me a lot quicker than I could have ever imagined.
I've always been a planner. Like, SERIOUS planner. I like to know what's going on in my life a week or two (or five) in advance, and I don't do well with things being thrown at me unexpectedly. It makes me frustrated and resentful and a little bit crazy. So yeah, hashtag control freak. Knowing this, you'd probably think new momhood would throw me for a loop, but I've been pleasantly surprised at how I've adjusted. I'm sure it's purely because I love my little man more than life itself, but I'm not losing my mind over the inconsistency! Sure, I know that he needs to eat about every 3 hours during the day, but that's about it. Those are the only sure things in life with him right now, and I'm totally okay with that.
What works today, probably won't work tomorrow! And just when we thought we had Nash and his routine figured out, he will do something like stop napping during the day, and all the sudden I'm like:
"Okay dude. I don't know what I'm doing and you don't know what you're doing and that's fine and we will figure it out together as we go along and pass the ice cream!"
Or something like that ;)
I'm amazed at how much love can mold a person into someone entirely new. The old Brooke is still here, obsessed with Josh Groban and animals and Zumba and other weird stuff. But a new Brooke is emerging. She's more mellow and better at rolling with the punches. She loves nothing more than baby talk and shopping for boy clothes, and she spends the better part of each day nursing, covered in spit up, and discussing the poop habits of her 4 month with her husband. It's not glamorous, it's not romantic, and it definitely isn't easy, but it's motherhood for me right now and I love it. My love for this child is all consuming and over the moon, and I'll welcome each and every change it thrusts upon me, in all its poopy glory.
Lately, I've really been enjoying the simple things about life.
Moving in to a new apartment (not exactly a simple process but it's so nice just being there)
Walking to and from the car while the weather is nice.
Sleeping in our own bed after months of not.
Anticipating a simple date, like a walk around the neighborhood.
Ice cream at Maceys.
Attending wedding festivities with my dreamboat.
Packing hospital bags.
Looking at tiny baby clothes.
Buying a new air freshener.
Living close to campus again.
A few days ago, my doctor said he would strip my membranes for me (TMI? sry!).
It caught me totally by surprise, and I told him no... but it's officially going to happen on Monday!
I'm sure I'm enjoying these simple life moments because something inside me knows how much it's all going to change starting next week, if all goes as planned of course. In many ways, life as I know it is ending with the arrival of this baby. It blows my mind when I think about how much it's all going to change.
In so many ways though, life is just beginning. And I'm sure I can't even grasp the magnitude of it all.
I can't wait to meet this sweet little boy!
7 weeks until Christian starts his long awaited internship.
6 episodes of LOST watched since Saturday.
5 weeks until baby Carter is due (!!!!!!!!)
4 diet cokes consumed in the last 7 days.
3 weeks until we move into our new apartment.
2 years of marriage basically in the books.
1 week until school's out.
I'm seriously out of breath just reading through that list, and it's not just because this babe is crushing my poor lungs ;)
I'm overwhelmed by and thrilled about everything we've got coming in the next 2 months! It's just crazy to think about how much our lives are going to change! As of next week, I only have 2 classes left before I can graduate... one of which I'm knocking out this spring. I can't believe I'm finally going to be done! My heart is so full when I think about it all, and that basically deserves a big fat post of its own. You know, "my journey at BYU", or something like that.
One day :)
Also can we just talk about how fast these last few months have gone?!
It's like one day I was 24 weeks pregnant, then I blinked and my due date is RIGHT. HERE.
In the last few days, I've heard of friends delivering 2 and 4 weeks early. It just blows my mind (slash terrifies me!)
that that could happen to me. I mean, I could legitimately have this baby in the next few weeks! AH! I'm so so excited for him to get here, but honestly I'd like to keep him cooking as long as possible.
I mean, my mom isn't slated to get here until May 14, so you know. Let's at least wait for grandma!
Life is crazy, isn't it? It's like one day everything is normal and boring and all of the sudden, these huge changes are breathing down your neck and you're like: "Where the freak did you come from?"
Yeah it's definitely crazy. But the really really good kind of crazy.
First I just have to say that I SO appreciate everything that was said in regards to my last post.
I have felt so much freedom, happiness, and gratitude over the last week as I've thought about friendships, and all you people that I love so much.
Truth be told, I think I really needed to evaluate a few friendships I was hanging on to, and after letting them go and hearing all your thoughts, I feel so refreshed and thankful that we really can CHOOSE who we let in our lives. And especially that I'm not alone in my thinking :) So thank you!
Alright enough with the heavy stuff. I've got a great story to share today from the bare-bones beginning of my relationship with Christian.
Our first picture together, and my very favorite one of us.
Totally normal and as weird as it gets about sums it up.
At the very end of our freshman year at BYU, we were slightly enamored by one another. Not enough to make anything official of course, because we were babies, but enough to stay out all night together on our last day in Provo.
Yep.
Just 19 year old me and 19 year old Christian, mobbing around BYU campus.
All. Night. Long.
What would the honor code office say?!?!
It was totally innocent and totally fun, because remember we were babies. Literally all we did was walk every single part of campus and then some, and talk and talk and talk. I remember it was the first time I found myself hoping it would go somewhere after he got home from his mission, like the giddy school girl I was.
Here's the best part of the whole thing;
It was about 4 in the morning and we were making our final descent back to the dorms, when this car drove by as and quickly flipped a U-y (???) to head back our direction. I had the fleeting thought: "Hmmmm that's pretty weird...." And all of the sudden, I was pelted in the head with a water balloon.
Those lunatics had seriously turned around specifically just to chuck a plastic sack of water at us. Can you even believe those little daredevils?
Thankfully, it ended up being really funny, even though it totally ruined my hair and made my makeup run. Which normally would have stressed me out, being in the presence of a cute boy I had a crush on and all. I think that was a sign that our relationship was really a good thing. It totally broke the ice, and I still felt comfortable and confident.... regardless of my stringy wet locks, and mascara running all down my cheeks. CUTE! Christian was pretty ticked at first, but we ended up laughing about it, and ended the night with a bang.
Or a splash rather.
The next morning, aka a few hours later, we met up and had breakfast together in the Cannon Center (ROMANCE!) and finally bid our farewells for the next 2 1/2 years...
thus beginning the sweetest relationship I've ever had the joy of experiencing.
And to think. It all kind of started with a water balloon.
I have been feeling the need to just write things, all week long. The problem is, when I sit down to actually do it, my brain turns to a puddle of useless mush, and I end up squeezing out a few lines in my journal and that's about it.
Maybe I should be grateful I don't have a lot NEEDING to get out at the moment. I think it means life has slowed down a little bit, which I'm really super thankful for. Anyways. Here's some things:
- Christian is in a dinosaurs class right now. Literally. A DINOSAURS CLASS. Unfortunately they don't just talk about Land Before Time and Jurassic Park, like we totally imagined they would. His professor is actually a bit of a nut job, and the class is a bit of a bumski. But still. It's a university class all about dinosaurs HA!
- Totally had to go to the hospital this week. It was the weirdest day ever. I woke up in so so much pain, mostly because I was majorly cramping. And if you've never done the pregnant thing before, cramping is bad when you're this far along. So I called my doc, they ran some tests, blah blah blah, turns out I have a nasty bladder infection (tmi sry!) and I HAVE TO GO TO LABOR AND DELIVERY BECAUSE THIS WILL LIKELY CAUSE PRETERM LABOR AHHHH. So I did, and after about 3 hours and being hooked up to machines, they told me I was slightly dilated (which probably wasn't good), and they put me on meds, and sent me on my way. It was so exhausting. But baby and I are fine so yay!
- I did an ACV rinse on my hair last night, and I could totally smell it on me all morning at the gym. I'm sure the people around me were like "why does this girl smell like feet and/or salad dressing?"
Sorry guys. Beauty regimens, you know?
- In the past week, I've had Old McDonald and Frere Jacques (or Are you Sleeping. Also yes I had to google that spelling. I lost the spelling bee in 6th grade for a reason...anyways) stuck in my head.
Either I'm MAJORLY preparing for this little babe, or I'm just a weirdo who gets nursery rhymes stuck in her head. It's probably both.
- So moving last week was really really tough for a lot of reasons, but so far it's proving to be a big blessing. First, we don't have to babysit which means our home environment feels 1000 times more peaceful than it has in over a year. Second, we get our weekends back, which we desperatley need with our work load right now. Funny how things like that tend to work out!
- LOVED this blog post and this blog post from the Beauty Mark Girls this week. If you've ever had questions about acne or hair volume, they're you're go-to gals!
- Last weekend we saw Captain Phillips and YOU GUYS.
It was so so so good. Tom Hanks was awesome, as usual, and it was a total nail-biter from start to finish. I highly recommend it!
Also, listen to this because it's EXACTLY what happened in real life and it's crazy.
- Also last weekend, I was able to meet up with my new gal pals/bosses Summer Bellessa and Brooke White, who were in town for ALT Summit. They are so darling. We talked babies and GWG business, and I'm definitely sold on working with them. Social media makes me crazy sometimes, but I'm super thankful for the role it played in getting me this internship... which I landed through instagram, if you can believe that!
- Elder Oaks was at my work today and I almost herniated in excitement. I'm a total General Authority fangirl, it's kind of bad. Although I conversed with President Samuelson for the SECOND TIME yesterday and I was so composed! So maybe I'm doing better. Actually,remember this? Yeah I think I've actually come a long way.
- Aaaand since it wouldn't be a regular blog post without a pregnancy update, here you go.
25 weeks. Almost into trimester three!
Baby is moving ALL THE TIME these days. I'm a little nervous that we've got a very active boy on our hands ha. Also I'm getting bigger and bigger every day, and it's so strange! My belly is starting to get in the way of things, it's getting me a LOT of stares
(This is Provo! Don't tell me you've never seen a pregnant girl before.)
and it's definitely making my wardrobe situation interesting. I can't wait to keep growing these next 3 1/2 months, because hopefully that will mean baby boy is chunking up!
Also picking a name? It's the hardest business ever. And I kind of don't like when people other than family ask me about it because A. I don't want to be judged for the names we like because Blanket is really cute! (Kidding)
B. I can't even tell you what we like because the list is like 30 names long. So... yeah.
I'm feeling pretty good, other than being super sore and tired every day but that's sort of a given and it doesn't really bother me much. I'm just truly thankful we are both healthy, and that I've got a loving husband to help me and deal with my craziness. Christian has been such a fun companion through this pregnancy, and we really have been super blessed through this so far. Hospital visits aside :)
And there you have it. Our life isn't much at the moment, but it's quiet and happy and weird and fun, and that's sort of the way I like it.
Thank you Daybook for coming up with the best way possible to describe the last two weeks of our life.
And here we go.
AWKWARD:
- I'm not going to lie, I've been digging this Enrique song for a while now. It my gym-jam! Har har.
I also have to admit that one of my favorite things to do when I listen to it is pick out the super Latin way he says a lot of his words. It's so so funny.
- Next awkward thing is that basically the rest of these are pregnancy related. Sorry it's all I talk about, it's just the reality of my life. PREGNANCY IS SORT OF AWKWARD SOMETIMES. Soooo really I'm not that sorry ;)
- Sooo the waddle I'm starting to develop. Here's the thing. Everything south of my belly button hurts ALL THE TIME. Like breath-through-the-pain-while-putting-on-my-pants kind of hurts. I'm fine with it... at least I'm not puking! But it makes walking kind of hard, for sure. Hence the glamorous waddle. Speaking of my belly button and walking....
-My belly button IS SO AWKWARD. It's stretched out enough now that it's not quite flat and not quite indented, and it looks so funny. I make Christian examine it with me every day, which is also awkward. Double whammy.
- So walking. I swear I can't go any faster than maaaybe half a mile an hour. It's embarrassing and I feel bad for people who have to trudge along behind me on campus. But I practically need a wheel chair all the time, so everyone will just have to be patient with the slow pregnant lady!
-Pregnant exercise. SO AWKWARD. I've been trying to get to the gym every day, and the more I'm there, the more I just laugh at how ridiculous I look. I think I just have to accept that a pregnant woman lifting weights/using the elliptical/doing zumba/swimming/anything else is never NOT going to look awkward.
- When the airport lost all our luggage last week, and we got stuck in Atlanta over night and almost had to sleep in the airport, AND we missed the first 3 days of classes. YOLO!
- The fact that we had to move out of our apartment this weekend.
Because our land lady sprung on us that she sold her house last week.
Um...... YEAH.
- Our awesome habit of playing plants vs. zombies almost every night before we go to bed. Add that to the animal planet show we've been watching every day this week, and you just don't get any cooler than that!
AWESOME:
- These pictures of the family dogs:
-My new internship with The Girls With Glasses.
It's packing a punch this semester so far, but I'm having fun!
- Another ultrasound for baby boy this week!
I can't wait to see his little face again!!!! Also, I had a dream about him last night in which we shared a bowl of edamame together 2 days after he way born. Apparently he had teeth that quickly, no big deal. I'm just dying to cuddle him already. An ultrasound will have to do for now!
-This song. Ohhhh JT. Killin it as usual.
- Playing scrabble with Christian for hours on end. Another one of our game obsessions, and I don't mind it one bit. We've also been attending classical concerts on campus together every week, and it's so fun doing different things like that together. Scrabble and concerts, I guess that's all we need. Like the geriatrics we are.
- The most generous friends and family. We had tons of help this weekend with our move, and I've been overwhelmed by gratitude. And when we were in Florida, the sweetest woman in my parent's ward gifted us a ton of baby boy clothes that she wasn't using anymore!
I've been reminded many times over the last few weeks that people are so good.
And on that fine note...
THE END.
Apparently I'm high on blogging this week. Also known as "my attempt to stay sane as life get's out of control as per the end of the semester", or something like that. It's fine.
I've been thinking a lot about this the last few days, so I feel like I need to share.
I may have a craptastic cold, finals are threatening to kill us (I'M LOOKING AT YOU, FINANCE), and I'm dealing with an awesome new pregnancy symptom, blessed sciatica, and we're mega sleep deprived but the blessings have been flowing this week and I'm so freaking thankful!
- We've had some pretty major car issues that have left me in tears more than once the last few weeks. I mean, who can seriously afford car repairs anyways?! So basically it's been one giant ball of stress any time we drive the stupid thing, and we were finally able to get it checked this week and GUESS THE FREAK WHAT.
A repair that normally would have cost us thousands is still covered under warranty and we are getting the whole thing fixed for free! On top of that, we are driving a great rental car that is completely stress free, and it's just been the best little Christmas gift.
- We've also been freaking out about the cost of leaving during Christmas break. Because we won't be available to babysit, it was going to cost us several hundred dollars to help pay for a substitute babysitter, which is money we ain't rollin in because hello. New semester. Baby. Doctor visits all the freaking time. Car. You get it. So when our friends Claira and Steven (also known as the champs of the world), said they'd be free to help us out, I may shed a tear or two of gratitude. I can't even tell you how much stress this alleviated!
- We got to take a mid-week break yesterday and have dinner with some dear friends. Let me tell you, nothing will warm your heart quicker than some NOM beef stew and endless conversation with friends you love. It was a much welcomed and much needed break!
- I'm super in love with my research methods class and I'm sad the semester is ending because my friends have been so wonderful! What started as a total armpit of a class has turned into something fun and inspirational, and it's made me work my tail off but I've really enjoyed it. I didn't see that one coming, but it's been awesome!
- Also, season 4 of White Collar is finally on Netflix and for reals I almost passed out from excitement when i found out. It's taking a lot of self control to not binge-watch, but we are enjoying and episode and a cuddle sesh here and there and it's such a treat.
- I definitely felt little boy move for the first official time today (!!!) and it's absolutely killing me. I was just sitting at work and all the sudden I felt my stomach twitch like crazy and I was all "weird I wonder if I'm dehydrated?" (NATURALLY). Then I stopped for a sec and payed closer attention. Then it happened again and I am 1000% sure it was him! Too precious.
And finally, here's a wonderful quote by President Hinckley to basically sum up all my feelings. I hope this touches you as much as it did me:
“Anyone who imagines that bliss is normal is going to waste a lot of time running around shouting that he’s been robbed. The fact is that most putts don’t drop, most beef is tough, most children grow up to just be people, most successful marriages require a high degree of mutual toleration, most jobs are more often dull than otherwise. Life is like an old time rail journey…delays…sidetracks, smoke, dust, cinders and jolts, interspersed only occasionally by beautiful vistas and thrilling burst of speed. The trick is to thank the Lord for letting you have the ride."
Not because of anything in particular, but you know when your schedule gets changed JUST enough to make things feel different? Yeah, that.
Anyways, last Saturday we went and saw the dance performance Thriller, which was good but also a little too macabre for my taste. Children weredancing around with knives while dressed as Chucky at one point, so yeah. Maybe that's why I wasn't the hugest fan.
BUT. I won the tickets (my very first giveaway entry and I won those dang tickets. Baller), so I couldn't be too mad because, well, free stuff.
We also carved pumpkins on Monday and they are already about 50% moldy, so I feel like another round of pumpkin carving is necessary. Also we had Halloween donuts from Krispy Kreme, so that was definitely a winning night. We've also been watching the Twilight Zone every day, so I guess we are in full-on creepy Halloween mode over here.
Then Mckay came into town on Tuesday because HE WENT INTO THE MTC THIS WEEK.
(I'm still dying over this. To me, he will always be the 5 year old boy who loved pirates and trucks and only wore camo outfits)
He is such a grown up man now, and it's so fun to talk with him and truly see how prepared he is for this mission. I'm so proud to be his sister, and truthfully... I look up to him so much!
He's the cutest, and I'm so happy we got to spend time with him this week! Brazil is so lucky to have him.
(And I have to admit, I'm a little tempted to go hang out by the MTC because I miss him that much already!)
Also let's take a moment and be proud of me because even though I cried when we said goodbye, it was a surprisingly composed cry.... which I was not expecting!
Also, this morning was the craziest.
First, I only got about 5 hours of sleep, which is bad news bears for this girl.
(Seriously I was so mad about it when I woke up that I contemplated kicking a hole in the wall. No. I'm not kidding. In case you ever wondered if I'm grouchy when I don't sleep enough, wonder no more!
And protect your walls!!)
Then, we had to babysit... which means getting 2 little rascals out the door for school at 2 different times, while simultaneously getting ready for the day, and making lunches, and other stuff. Also dropping Christian off on campus somewhere in the middle of it all.
*PHEW I'm out of breath just typing that.*
Then, I had to clean up puke for 30 straight minutes. Also, I slipped in it which seriously. The worst.
Also, I have two mammoth midterms due on Monday that are also group projects,which are simultaneously the two worst things ever. I was stressed about all this, so I bought myself Panda Express for lunch because ORANGE CHICKEN. Also, crappy chinese food just makes things better sometimes!
And one more funny note.
Remember in my last post how I mentioned the littlest midget called Pocahontas "Poke-the-hontas"?
Well things got even funnier the other day when she called it "HAUNTED-HONTAS".
One thing is for sure. We are never short on laughs over here!
And so if you haven't guessed by now, today I'm feeling a little weird and slightly worn out.
But I'm so so thrilled that it's the weekend!
They always seem to come at the perfect time, you know?
School is in session, everything on pinterest these days is Halloween related, and we've got an apple spice air freshener in our apartment.
And then I walk outside and it's still 9000 degrees.
Fall won't hurry up and summer won't leave, it won't stop raining, and it's just the strangest mash-up of seasons here in Utah right now. I guess I can't complain.
At least it's not snowing.
So speaking of school... it's been quite the eventful last few days! Christian is balancing two jobs this semester, and of course classes for both of us. Ah it never ends! We had our first official break down a few days ago, so that should mean the semester's in full swing right?
Right.
Other things:
We watched Barefoot in the Park last weekend, and I highly recommend it.....
if you're looking for a weird movie that makes you laugh about newlywed nuances and crazy people like Jane Fonda.
(I guess "crazy " and "newlywed" go hand in hand many times, amiright?)
How's this for a glimpse into marriage?!
Also can we talk about Hobby Lobby for a minute? We ventured there for the first time ever last night and I was blown away by the awesome fall and halloween decorations... Until I saw the price tags. I mean, $300 for a wreath!?! Is there anything even worth getting there?
Please fill me in, Hobby Lobby enthusiasts.
Because I WANT to love that place but I just can't stomach those prices!
Finally, we've had some great things go on for our family in the last few weeks. After a seemingly endless summer and several of the worst months in the history of ever, I have to say that this fall and winter are shaping up to be SO. VERY. AWESOME.
And basically I'm bursting to share more. Alas, it will have to wait!
Until next time!
This is going to be the last fall semester that I have a full load of classes.
It's a strange feeling. I love school so much, but there are some days when it feels like my time here at BYU will never end. And yet here we are. 2 semesters away from just that. It's wonderful and sad all at the same time, and it's given me an even greater sense of needing and wanting to soak up literally everything as much as possible, especially during fall semester, which is my most cherished time of year.
I've been making tons of lists lately.
Lists of fall activities.
Places to camp.
Foods to eat.
Halloween parties to plan
Mountains to climb.
Trips to go on.
Goals.
Wishes.
Somehow, list making and goal setting makes me feel a lot better about life. It gives me direction and order, two things I crave, especially when life gets busy. I love starting a new school year by doing just that.
And I must say, as much as I adore summer, I've decided I adore fall even more.
For me, the season feels like coming home. It's full of comfort and familiarity, which happen to be two other things I desperately crave. I know that mid-semester, I'm going to loath the constant mountain of school work hanging over mine and Christian's heads, stealing away precious time. Right now however, I'm welcoming autumn with open arms
I think I'm finally ready for September, with her lingering warmth and chilly evenings, her smell that hints at an impending change. Her football games, her ability to lure me into mellow music and hot chocolate and premature Halloween decorating.
I'm ready for October, with her crunchy leaves and brisk wind. Her thrill because "Halloween is just around the corner!", and the fact that each day of the month feels magical to me. October is my favorite.
I think I love the changing season so much because sometimes, I just crave change. And fall brings just enough of it that it leaves me feeling refreshed without simultaneously feeling the need to overhaul my whole life.
And that's just the perfect amount of change, you know?
So for those of you non-BYU readers (all one of you, but hey....) Cecil Samuelson is the current president of BYU. Past presidents include Jeffrey R. Holland and Dallin H. Oaks, so basically President Samuelson is straight up royalty on campus because we all know that one day he will be an apostle and we would all be stoked out of our minds for that.
ANYWAYS.
So I work in the Hinckley Alumni Building on campus, which el Presidente is known to frequent.
(Am I allowed to call him that?)
I've seen him several times from a distance, but today's encounter tops everything. I was riding down the elevator, and I proceed to exit on the main floor and who is standing in front of me?!
CEEEEECCCIIIIIL!
So obviously because of his celebrity status, I have a minor excitement induced-hernia, and that's when I realize he's on the phone.
So I'm like:
"Okay calm down Brooke.
Just.
Be.
COOOOL." (sidenote: not possible)
But then I'm like:
"Wait he totally knows I saw him, now I have to say hi.
Because NOT saying hi to the president of BYU would probably equal heresy
AND I'M NOT TRYING TO GET KICKED OUT OF THE UNIVERSITY AM I?!?!"
So then I'm like:
"Wait, he's on the phone!
How do I go about this?
He's not looking at me, so I can't wave....
But I also can't be all
"OH HEY PRESIDENT SAMUELSON YOU ARE THE LITERAL BEST"
at the top of my lungs.
How am I supposed to normally and un-awkwardly address this man of royalty standing before me?!?!?!"
So then, in what seemed to be the best conclusion in that split second, here is what I did:
I literally whispered "Hi President Samuelson" and then walked away as fast as an Olympic speed-walker.
This is probably the face I was making too.
Um.
Hello.
Please don't ever introduce me to a non-Mormon celebrity.
Because that had to be the literal dumbest social encounter I have ever put myself though.
- Christian and I went on a bit of a Provo food crawl this weekend, and I just HAVE to share these gems.
First is a little hole in the wall called El Salvador Restaurant. They serve a variety of food, but we went for the pupusas. They were beyond cheap
($6.50 for a hugely filling meal for both of us!)
And they were unbelievably good. This place is about as authentic, cheap and tasty as it gets.
Eating out is probably my favorite thing to do.
Obviously. Look at my face.
Maybe we also visited Blue Pablano twice this weekend....
and the Al Pastor is probably my new favorite thing. You can't ever go wrong with fruit on a taco!
Also why had I never been to Yuki before?!?!
The cucumber mint shave ice was unreal!
- BSB has a new album coming out this summer, AND a U.S. tour.
I'm seriously beside myself.
Oh AJ.
Always rockin the douche-tastic shades.
- We are going to Arizona next weekend, and
I'M.BEYOND.EXCITED.
Christian, being the darling man he is, has planned our drive and Mesa itinerary down to the minute.
(Dare I say he's more excited for this trip than I am!)
I am so thankful we live so close to such a beautiful place. Even though my family doesn't live there any more, Mesa will always hold a special place in our hearts.
- Last week, I was talking to Jack
(one of the 3 children we babysit. more on that.... at some point ha)
I was asking him if he wanted to make his mom a mothers day card, and told him he could draw some things that she likes on it.
His response:
"Yeah like zucchinis! She loves zucchinis"
Ohhhhh children.
This is why I love babysitting those hooligans and being a primary teacher. We are never short on laughs.
That's Jack on the left.
He didn't want to stand closer to Christian for the picture because they were playing monkey in the middle, and he was afraid the ball was going to be stolen.
Notice how Christian is also holding Ashton back, preventing potential aforementioned ball stealing.
I was feeling SO MUCH BETTER, which was an automatic high point.
(modern medicine is SUCH a blessing!)
We got to spend every single day reuniting with dear friends and family, including our favorite DC married friends, Christian's mission president and past companions at his mission reunion!
General Conference was exactly what I needed, as I'm sure it was for many.
I'm so thankful we can fill our spiritual cups to the brim every six months.
I've resolved to be more kind and loving, especially to the children that Christian and I are constantly interacting with.
As babysitters/pseudo parents, and primary teachers, I've realized this is something tremendously important to be working on.
Now we just need to chug through these last few weeks of school, and Christian and I will be enjoying our one year anniversary (!!!!!!!!) on the beaches in Miami, and soaking up all kinds of sun and fun with our families.
3 years after I started contemplating this possibility, changing my major 3 times,
crying countless tears and working countless hours on the dumb application...........
I MADE IT INTO THE ADVERTISING PROGRAM.
This is probably the crappiest picture of me in existence.
Post Zumba workout, with a cold and sinus infection, AND after crying for like 10 straight minutes.
BUT WHO THE FREAK CARES BECAUSE I GOT INTO THE ADVERTISING PROGRAM.
Soooo worth documenting.
I just...
I can't even....
This is a huge deal.
One day I will explain what it took to get to this point, but right now I'm just going to revel in the fact that I FINALLY know what's going to happen over the next year of my life.
And it feels so good!!!!!
I'm so unbelievably happy and thankful.
Thankful to my dear Father in Heaven, who BEYOND got me to this point.
(Now I'm crying again ha!)
And my wonderful husband and family who believed in me when I doubted myself the whole way along.
AND NOW IT'S TIME TO PARTY.
Once I can stop being an emotional baby, of course.
