[Saturday] Scribblings

Yes, I said "Scribblings"

I need to dance more.

I have to usher a concert today that I'm actually really excited about.

I have to go to a dance concert tonight that I'm excited about...

But I'm not excited about the critique paper I have to write about it. 

Yuck.

I'm wanting to read/listen to a talk every day. I fee like I need it; feasting upon the words of latter-day prophets and apostles. Do you have any recommendations or favorites? Ensign, General Conference, New Era, The Friend... Don't matter to me! (Excuse my awful English).

I'm watching FRIENDS from the beginning

And I love it

I'm addicted to Once Upon A Time. It's bad.

My sister goes back to Alaska at the end of the month. It makes me a little sad.

My brother and his wife had their cute little baby girl 2 weeks ago! She's so beautiful!

We found out that a close friend of ours is expecting.

I'm excited, but I won't lie, I cried a little. Not the good kind.

I want a baby so bad...

Oh, you know...

So, my blog has been neglected a lot lately (if you haven't noticed).

But I had this idea... it's just getting the gall to do it. I'm so lame.

I want to get off Facebook for a while. I think it might help me get more focused on other things--like my blog! And my Instagram (I'm a little obsessed with it).

What do YOU think?

Anyway, holy cow life is grand! Can I just say that? 

I REPEAT:  LIFE. IS. GRAND.

Of course there are things that make me fall apart (which seems to happen a lot), but I'm finding that I just need to think about my blessings. 

When people have been asking me lately about school and work, I've been trying to focus more on the good things rather than turning into that crazy complaining lady that you just roll your eyes at and want to stuff a pair of dirty socks in her mouth. I don't know any of those... **shifty eyes**

Anyway, it's been really good. I won't say "amazing" because I'm still struggling with a lot of things.

But all in all, I'm finding that God is near me. And I feel it.

I'll tell you more about that later.

TTFN. :)

An Interesting Place

I'm going to be very real for the next few paragraphs.

When Bryan and I got married almost 2.5 years ago, I was in a really good place. Mentally I was sound, spiritually I was focused, physically I was fit, and emotionally I was balanced. But it began to fade a little after the end of year one.
I stopped going to school.
My scriptures became dusty.
Working out became a scarcity and random.
Crying turned into an almost daily occasion.

I've gotten back to school. I don't cry as much, and only when it is healthy. But my body is tired and I'm losing all capacity to keep it healthy. God is becoming a stranger and my scriptures are still neglected.

That scares me.

I like to think of myself as an "athletic" person.
I love to dance.
I don't mind running.
I like playing sports.
But I have lost all desire to do those things.
Bryan is constantly asking me if I'm going to go to the gym with him, to keep him company and help him with weights when he needs it. I find myself not even considering or wagering. My response has been for the last little while a straightforward NO.
Where does this come from?
When we were dating, I'd go. The same when we were engaged. When we got married, I told him that I didn't like going to the gym, but I still danced regularly. We even got me some Zumba DVD's for those days when I didn't have time or the capacity to come up with my own workout.

But now... Nothing.

I have faith.
I feel the Spirit.
I try to remember that all things come from God--and thank Him for those things.
I keep a prayer in my heart.
I listen to uplifting music.
But how often do I get on my knees? A number that I am ashamed of.
How often do I read my scriptures? Not enough, for certain.
Our ward is doing a Book of Mormon Reading Challenge:  2 chapters or 4 pages a day from Sept 1st-Dec 31st. How far have I gotten since day 1? 1 Nephi Chapter 8. That's maybe 20 pages in. I've got a lot of catching up to do and a lot of changing to do if I want to make this part of my life.

I want to feast on life again. My sister-in-law wrote about me on her blog right after Bryan and I got engaged about how excited I was about life and how I loved the Gospel. Do I have that anymore? I like think that I do...

This isn't a bad place that I'm in. I know I'm blessed, more than I deserve. God is a gracious God for blessing someone as imperfect and lazy as I am.

I'm just in an interesting place.

Thank you, Mr. Disney

Today is my birthday.

Disneyland's facebook page was nice enough to post this for me.

Thank you, Mr. Disney.

Okay, I needed another laugh

I dare you NOT to smile, giggle, or anything else that entails happiness while watching this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RP4abiHdQpc&feature=youtube_gdata_player

[Thursday] Things .... On Friday

Well, just a few things on my mind today. Hopefully I can sum up the week, considering I haven't posted in a while... Don't worry! I have a funny waiting at the end for you :)

- My manager is back from vacation and I've found my brain again! It's been quite lovely

- I'm starting to get used to the fact that our car no longer has air conditioning. As much as I don't like t, I'm getting used to it

- I need to find a good Alfredo Chicken pizza recipe. Or try ad make one up myself. I can't afford to go to CPK or Pizza Pie Cafe every time I want one...

- I've come to the realization that I am NOT a morning person. Heaven help me when I have children someday...

- I still have to post a pic of my new hair... I'll get to that

- I found out on Wednesday (?) that my 2nd oldest sister and her cute family are going to be here this weekend! Woot woot!!!

- Last night we saw The Dark Knight Rises as midnight... All in all, a little disappointing. I enjoyed it, it was entertaining. But just a little disappointing

- I get to see Wicked in Saturday with my 3rd oldest sister!!! I'M SO EXITED, I COULD DIE!!!!!!!

Anyway, happy Friday. Go find your hilarious friend to be with this weekend :)

[Friday] Funnies

Well, it's Friday.
The one half-day I get at work this week
The day Bryan and I go to the temple
The day that might cause me to rip my hair out a little

BUT! I must remember the little things and just laugh.

Happy Friday! :)

[Thursday] Things

Today is a day that I need to take some time and just vent about some things... Or be grateful. It's going to be a little bit of both.

- I'm grateful for my job, but it's driving me a little bit crazy this week. Tomorrow I only work a half day so that will basically save me.

- We're going to the temple tomorrow. Thank goodness.

- I'll be done with most of my big jobs at work by tomorrow afternoon, which is comforting

- I got my financial aid awards for school. Grateful, but not totally happy. I'm wondering if getting my bachelors is going to be worth all this someday

- I dyed my hair this last weekend. I love it :) pictures to come, I promise!

[Tuesday] Tunes

The music video is hilarious, but the song is kinda how I'm feeling right now.

Thank you Zac Brown Band and Jimmy Buffet for singing my feelings.

I'm addicted to Instagram

1. Nerd glasses
2. Nostalgia
3. My big old' earrings (my newest love)
4. The new favorite "not so Christmas-y" Christmas song
5. Legit
6. Over-achiever
7. The best advice-givers
8. My favorite <3

Accomplished!

Today was my first day off that was a weekday...

EVER!

It was kind of amazing. I feel so accomplished today!

Bryan and I got Costco cards. Yep, we're adults. :)

I took Bryan to work.

Went grocery shopping (and the sun was out! I don't think I've gone to the store before 9 PM in like a year!)

Cleaned the apartment.

Picked up Bryan from work.

Got new cups for my kitchen.

And now, I'm relaxing at home. And it's awesome. So awesome, I'm blogging.

How 'bout a Mailbag to end the week?

Dear School,
I'm honestly kinda missing you. Although, I am very appreciative of the break, I am getting so antsy to find out my final grades and what the jurors said during my jury. You can understand why I feel like I'm getting an ulcer due to stress.
Sincerely,
Ready for Winter Semester

Dear Christmas,
Thank you for being "The Most Wonderful Time of the Year." I needed to watch The Muppet Christmas Carol the other day. It made me quite happy.
Yours,
Kelsey

Dear Work,
I don't know what to say with you.
Sincerely,
On my last leaf

Dear Presents-under-the-tree,
There are so many this year! I'm so excited to give/receive you! Really, I think I did good this year for Bryan.
Love,
Kelsey

Dear Mom and Dad,
I miss you.
Love,
Your Daughter

Dear Michael McLean,
Thank you for writing The Forgotten Carols. They make the Christmas season that much more for us. Truly.
Love,
Bryan and Kelsey
ps. I love my new plaque
http://www.forgottencarols.com/latest-products/decorative-wooden-plaques/

Dear Hunger Games,
I'm sorry we haven't met until recently. I'm glad we're friends.
Love,
can't-get-my-mind-off

Our Christmas letter

Hello Family and Friends!

We decided to keep things simple this year and just give you the highlights of what was our 2011:

1. We took our first Family Picture! (Of course, this is a highlight mostly for Kelsey, but it's going to stay on here anyway)
2. Instead of doing something normal, we spent a morning in the air for our first anniversary. Yep, we went hot air ballooning!
3. The wedding of the year! We were the Best Man and Bride's Matron to Bryan's brother, Matthew, and his wonderful bride, Leah. What an honor it was! We love them so much!
4. Kelsey joined the community theatre scene and was a featured dancer in the SCERA Shell Theatre’s production of Aida.
5. As much as we loved Wymount, we needed a change of scenery. So, we moved to Orem.
6. Bryan spent a whole night filming the Gethsemane scene for our Church's New Testament Project. Poor soul, his life is so hard.
7. Battlescars, camo, and a new gun later, we have become paintball enthusiasts.
8. Kelsey got her Associate's degree in the summer and is now on campus at Utah Valley University. She's loving being able to sing again. . . And not taking online courses!
9. We went to Yellowstone for the T. Family Reunion. This being Kelsey’s first time at the National Park, it became quite the event. Not to mention the great company!
10. Thanksgiving was spent in sandals, shorts, and 75 degree weather. Arizona treated us well while we ate, sang songs, watched movies, and shot some guns with Kelsey’s family.

As many things highlight our year, there is one thing that will always highlight our lives: Our Savior, Jesus Christ. We wish you all a wonderful holiday and pray for the best of the New Year!

Love,

Bryan and Kelsey

The Proudest Moment of My Life... Thus far

This is me unloading an AK.

So, this has never happened before!

You know that giveaway I talked about? The post just below this one?

Yeah.

I TOTALLY WON!!!

The color of the font--yeah. The color of my Undertease shirt.
For freeeeeee!
My shirt should be here any day now and I am so excited I CAN HARDLY HANDLE IT!!!

Also, I lovelovelove Ashley from i believe in unicorns.
She's just so awesome.

Is it creepy that I'm saying stuff like this about a person that I haven't met in real life???....
I feel like a creeper.
Just a little...

I think I may have a serious problem.

I entered another giveaway.
These Undertease shirts are just so awesome!
And you can never go wrong with a layering shirt!

And in other news...

I made it!

I did it. I tried out for community theater and I made the cast of AIDA!

Rehearsals started this last week and lemme tell ya... They're kickin' my TRASH! Our choreographer is a freakin' genius and he's having us do some amazing stuff. But I haven't danced like this in almost 3 years. Let's just say, I've been limping and been sore a lot!

I'll have to post about Bryan and I's anniversary trip some other time because I should really be doing homework.

Ooops! I did it again!

Not like Britney Spears.

But, I entered another giveaway on i believe in unicorns.

I couldn't help it!

If you know me, you know that I love me some BOWS!!!
And she's giving away a DANG CUTE ONE!
If I don't win it, I think I may turn around and try and make some of these myself
because they're so freaking gorgeous!
And a little bit pricey :/
Anyway, happy Tuesday!

Brain Function

It's totally at an all-time LOW right now.
Which isn't good.
I have a mid-term that I have to do before Thursday.
Why Thursday? You might ask. Aren't things due Saturday at midnight for your online courses?
Yes. They are.

I want to be done Thursday because on FRIDAY.

Bryan and I will be here:

The Waldorf Astoria Hotel in Park City, UT!

Isn't it gorgeous????? Ohmygosh, I'm sooooo super excited! I can hardly contain it!!!

But then, I come back to my little dilemma.

I am now down to approx. 48 hours to get all my homework done, take a midterm, and make sure that work is in a spot where those boys (and now McCale) can function without me.

I wonder how they'll do...

I'm in love...

With Oakhurst Apartments :) lol

But really. Bryan and I have been apartment hunting for a little while, seeing as we live in BYU student housing currently and soon enough, we won't be BYU students anymore so we can't live here much longer....
We found a couple that we like. We saw one on Tuesday and their prices shot WAAYYYYY up. Yeah.
No bueno.
And all their fees and deposits and what-not are NON-REFUNDABLE!
Whaaaa?? Yeah.
L. A. M. E.

So... about $500 down the drain was pretty much out of the question.

When we first got to Oakhurst this morning, I wasn't too sure about it. But then she brought us to the "model home" apartment... And... I'm in love :)
It comes with storage, a porch, washer/dryer hookups, a HUGE bathroom, and a really good sized master bedroom. The second bedroom is pretty good sized as well, which means we may be getting another futon or a nice blow-up mattress for when people stay with us, that way they don't have to sleep in the living room. YE-YEAH!

Anyway. I am excited.
But, we're still considering just buying a condo.
I'll keep you posted.