Going Home!!!

I am so excited! Josh and I both finished our last finals today and now we are off to California tomorrow! Although it would have been a lot of fun to go back east and be with Josh's family, I am really looking forward to warmer weather. It seemed to snow all day. I think snow can be pretty, but I really do like being warm and not stuck under 7 layers of clothes. I am not trying to be pessimistic about the snow, but it isn't fun to run in a couple of inches of snow each morning, first because running shoes were not made to be repel water, and because it is cold I have to wear 2 pairs of exercise pants, three shirts, 2 jackets (one being my snow ski jacket), and gloves just to not die while I am out. Oh but hands got so numb during my run that I wanted to cry, and I was trying to move them the whole time, but it was really hard. I need ear muffs or something too... that would be nice. this is a picture from inside our house of the backyard/ neighbor's yard. It's pretty, but COLD. these next two pictures were taken in California last Christmas break. notice we are both wearing shorts... Anyways, we are leaning tomorrow to drive to California, in separate cars, and hopefully in no snow. I would love it if it didn't snow because that would scare me a lot.

"wow. I am really impressed"

Scariest haircut experience ever.... I decided I needed my haircut, it was getting annoying, so I decided to go down the street to Paul Mitchell the school for a cheap and time consuming haircut. I have liked what I've gotten there before so I was pretty confident. Apparently I was the only one that was confident. The straight guy that cut my hair (he made sure I knew he was straight) started off by telling his instructor person what he was going to do to my hair before he even asked me what I wanted. Thank goodness he read my mind and all I wanted was a simple trim. After I told him how much to trim off he washed my hair where he continued to tell me how he was suing his old boss for a lot of money... so much money that it was taking over three years to get it. Just what I needed to know... As he started to cut my hair he kept looking around the room like he had no idea what he was doing, yah, I was not so confident at this point, I was just hoping it was going to turn out well... Luckily the cut went fine and the instructor came over again and told him how to correctly straighten hair, I never realized it was so hard, but I guess there is a correct technique to it. When he was finally done after and hour and half he looked at my hair and said, "Do you like it? I really like it. I am really impressed, and I even cut it! Yah, I really like it, wow."

I think I might have been his first haircut, luckily I am happy with the results...

Dance Aerobics

I get to teach an aerobic dance class next semester at BYU! I am way excited! It will be so fun, I'll just have to remember to brings lots of water each day so I can get through a whole class without my voice dying. YAY!!

oh snap...

I love crafts! I don't know what has been going on lately, but I always feel like I need to be doing something. I want to make cakes and clothes and quilts and treats and stuff. I never quite get to the making cakes and treats, but that's okay, probably better for my health anyways. Something I was really excited about was a book I made on snapfish with our wedding photos. I got it in the mail on Thursday I was so excited! It is so fun getting packages and letters in the mail! I tried explaining the book a couple of times to Josh, but I guess I wasn't very good at it because when he finally saw it he was suprised it to see it actually was bound like a real book.
So here is a picture of the front. I chose this picture because we look really happy, which is how I always feel when I am with my husband. I can't think of anyone I'd rather be with everyday of my life. He makes me smile and laugh and he always makes me feel good when I am having a hard day. He is absolutely wonderful and I am so blessed to be married to him for all of eternity. I love you!
p.s. Henry (my old van) is running again thanks to Josh fixing the battery.

yay!!!!

We got a table!! something that I have felt we needed, but didn't want to go out and buy until I thought we'd have room or moved into another house, or really needed it... so, the last one finally provoked our trip to the store to buy it. We have decided to cook our own Thanksgiving dinner. I am actually really excited about baking all the food, I just hope it all turns out good. We invited friends that weren't going home and it'll will be lots of fun. I was thinking some of my girl friends weren't going to have places to go, but it turns out they are all going home... so I guess it will just be me and five guys. Josh had three friends that needed a place and one is bringing his brother. So, with 6 people for dinner we thought we should get a table to sit at so we didn't have to have a picnic on the floor in the living room, although I am sure that would have been a great experience. Anyways, we just got a simple table at IKEA and had fun putting it together last night. I must say I am pretty good at following those directions...Josh starting on the table. When I took this picture he asked me if I was recording it that he made the table so that if it breaks everyone would know it was his fault... no, I just wanted to take a picture because I was happy we were getting a table...The finished product... both sides come out so it gets longer, so we can fit 6 people there. None of our chairs match, but I am not worried about that.

Also, lately I have really enjoyed having projects.
Probably because I love to sew, but anyways it has kept me busy. I am really glad that I have sisters-in-law that are having babies because I found I really like making blankets. I have made 2 so far for nieces, and I think I am getting better. Hopefully I continue to get better, but I really enjoy having my grandma Gillette close because I was able to go over to her house to get help cutting the fabric, and I got lots more ideas for stuff. It should be fun! Lastly, since I am excited for Thanksgiving, I decided to make a pumpkin roll. I have been in love with these since last year but have never made one myself. So, I finally decided to try today and it is so good!! I love pumpkin stuff...

New York!

So, Josh and I went back east right after we got married to have an open house in PA and show me around... since I had never been there. Anyways, I just found our pictures from New York and thought I'd share some...Josh having fun at the NBA store

Central Park... this is when we wre really tired and hungry, so we sat on a bench and took a little rest... but I really liked the trees with the buildings in the back... maybe that is weird but I thought it looked really cool...

Times Square

I had fun going everywhere and seeing lots of things I had always heard about but had never seen. I hope to go back soon and maybe go to a broadway play...

Gillette family photos

While my family was in Utah over halloween for my grandma's birthday we of course took family pictures! What would a family trip be without the picture? SO, anyways, I was just going to post some of them, my mom sent them to me so I thought I'd share...Everyone in green... in front of my cousins neighbor's yard... we like to do that ya know...

Yes, we are strong and we know it... especially Mckay (bottom left), I mean look at those muscles!! Huge...this was about the only serious one of Josh and I, the others we are looking in random directions, but I think we are cute...

Pray for California

I am sad about what is happening right now in my home town and state. It is hard for me to put together what I feel like saying, but I don't want my family to feel persecuted anymore. This is what they woke up to on Thursday morning...It's not right. We have a right to believe what we want. My family voted YES for prop 8. It wasn't an easy choice. We hurt family and friends because of this choice, but it is what we felt was right. We aren't taking away their rights, we love all people, no matter how they choose to live. Please, all I ask is that when you kneel down to pray tonight remember those in California and pray that they will be protected. That they will be able to go to the temple in peace and feel safe in their homes.

Yay!!

I've been pretty lame lately and haven't written anything, but I am here to tell about my past week... it was a good one.

So... my family came down on Friday and we got to hang out and shop a little. then we headed up to Alpine to hang out with more family while the kids went trick or treating. I was glad they shared their huge loads of candy with me. My favorite was when my 9 year old cousin came up to me with a pile of candy and gave it to me and said " these are the ones that I don't like" Also, I am glad that I am done with my diet change for my disease class, so now I can eat what I want again. I didn't mind not being able to eat red meat because we made lots of good food anyways, but now I can and not feel bad. Also, along with that I wanted to thank Josh for supporting me in the diet thing and for helping me. He was great and I really appreciated all the dinners he made.

On Saturday we had a huge 80th birthday party for my grandma. It was fun to be with everyone that came up. I love my family so much and I always enjoy the time I get to spend with them. After family pictures the boys and I went to a park and played kickball... I was not so good. We played college-age against high schoolers, and let me tell you, I think once you get to college you become slow and not so good at kickball. We had some minor injuries throughout the course of the game... but we played on... Overall, I was really glad that my family was able to come up, even if it was a really short trip. I love them very much!!

Now, for the not the best part of the week... well, I guess it was good and bad. And this all happened yesterday.... I woke up at 5 and got ready to go to my internship. I grabbed my athletic jacket (very thin turquoise jacket with no hood) and ran out the door. It was cold, but then again it 5:30 in the morning and no sun, so I was ok... As we were driving to Alpine, snow starts to fall, before we knew it we were stuck in a blizzard. We were running on time, but because we had to drive so slowly due to the snowy roads we were a little late. Each morning the interns have to "run flyers" this means going door to door and putting a flyer on their door... not the best part of the day, but it has been tolerable. Well, yesterday we had to do it with snow falling and in about 6-8 inches of snow. Note* running shoes don't make good snow shoes. I slipped running into a driveway just as the school bus was coming by to pick up kids... I wish that was the only time I slipped. Men were in their yards shoveling snow and looking at me like I was crazy, but after about an hour or less I was done with my 50 houses and was back in the gym. I had an evaluation since I have been there over 50 hours. It went well and they made me senior intern. there are only two, one for MWF (me) and one for TTHS. So I was feeling good about this. More responsibility, more work, and still no money... but hopefully a job someday in future.

Anyways, I fell like this was really long and perhaps boring, but hopefully next time I will have some pictures or something fun. I hope you all have a great day!

I forgot to add...

the PHILLIES are going to the WORLD SERIES!!!

Josh was much more excited than I was, particularly because it meant that they beat out my DODGERS, but I am still happy because it means Josh is way excited.

oh henry...

So, I have been planning on going to the fabric store for a while now. I got a sewing machine when we got married, but I don't have anyhting to sew yet, and I have been dying to!! So, I planned on taking out my van, named Henry, to the store while Josh was at work, so he wouldn't be bored there... Anyways, all was great. I knew what I wanted, and I was ready to go. So I got in to go, and oh wait... the battery was dead. Henry made no sound whatsoever... I was sure henry had died for good. but, jsut to make sure, I called my dad, and he assured me it was just a dead battery due to the fact that we haven't driven it much and it has been cold. Thank goodness... so hopefully by tomorrow Henry will be back up and running, for now he just gets to sit in my driveway and probably make all the neighbors wish he was gone.

Henry... I don't know why the mirror is weird...

So, since I am not at the fabric store, I decided to take the time to load pictures and post them here... I probably should do more cleaning, but that isn't as fun...Me, Shelene, and Lyssa, and thanks Russ for messing up the picture...
I love those girls!!

Kevan and Brooke Anderson, Kim and Cameron soon to be married, and Josh and I

p.s. I do have more than one sweatshirt... I just really like that one, it is from Catalina...

fun visits

Right now I am sitting on my couch/ futon eating a bowl of stir-fry vegetables. Lately, everyone of my classes has made me want to run home and eat vegetables. weird i know, but so good. I try and eat them each day now, but it is hard when my husband does not like them at all.... so, I will be provided with the protective powers of vegetables and josh will not. too bad. I guess this is what happens when I take 2 nutrition classes, a chronic disease prevention class, an aerobics class, and am an intern at a place where I am required to look like a personal trainer.

Anyways, This weekend was a lot of fun. My old roommate Shelene came up to visit. We went to the football game and had good green chili made by my other former roommate and her aunt, Alyssa. Not only did Shelene visit, but so did my first roommate Brooke and her husband Kevan. We went out to dinner with them and another of my roommates and her fiance. It was a lot of fun, and I was a little embarrassed because I feel like I ate the most, but then again it was a salad. (I had to get something without red meat because I am on a plant based diet for a month for my chronic disease prevention class. So if you know any great recipes for stuff like chicken, fish, or fruits and vegetables, let me know!!)

p.s. I'll post pictures when I remember how to put them on the computer.... I need to find hte connecting cord thing...

tolerance...?

what does it mean to be tolerant of someone, of their lifestyle? I have heard a lot of tolerance lately, and being told to be tolerant, but what does it mean?

Being from California I have heard a lot about Prop 8. The proposition that if it is passed will once again make marriage only between a man and a woman. If I vote YES on prop 8 does that mean I am being intolerant of homosexual lifestyles? No, it doesn't. I love all people. I care for all types of people. I am not judging someone because of how they choose to live their life. I have many personal experiences of dealing with people that chose to live homosexual lifestyles. One of my good friends in high school was gay and I didn't treat him any different. In fact I cared more for him than many other people I knew. I am not voting YES to hurt anyone, I am doing it because I believe it is right for me.

I think members of the LDS church are often looked down on for their beliefs and especially right now in CA for taking a stand. My parents were given bumper stickers in favor of prop 8 to put on their cars. I don't know how it may seem to others not in the situation, but it is a huge thing to do. My mom told me of two families in our ward that had their cars completely keyed because of the stickers. I can't imagine preaching to someone tolerance, and then keying their car because they happen to believe a different way. My sister is in the 4th grade and my mom works at her elementary school. Will her PE/ social studies teacher, who happens to be gay and recently married, treat her differently because my parents put a bumper sticker on their car?

I am proud to say that I believe marriage is between a man and a woman. I know that if I was told I was not allowed to married to my husband or that our marriage was no longer accepted that I would be angry and frustrated. I understand it is hard to deal with, but be tolerant of me and my beliefs, as I have been so with yours. Don't call me and my family intolerant. We are doing what we believe is right and I only expect you to do the same.

I love you and I am sorry if this is hurting you.

A little bit of relaxation

I felt like this past week was a bit crazy, so it was nice to go to aerobics today and see that we were doing a simple yoga routine... it was relaxing and much needed. Last weekend (the 27th) we were able to go to Ogden to celebrate with Josh's family at his brother Aaron's wedding. It was a lot of fun and it was great to see everyone. I was a bit tired the whole weekend because I hadn't slept much the days before. Ever since starting this internship I have been getting up real early and working out more than usual, so my body is really tired a lot. I feel bad because I am always complaining about sore muscles, but I can't remember a time when I have felt my triceps, calves, or hamstrings as much as I do now. I am really glad though that I have this internship. I am learning a lot and I get to start training my own clients on Wednesday!! I think that is really exciting because then I won't just be walking around and watching, but I will actually be able to teach and help people!
Well, this week I was also sent my pictures from the wedding, and I just really liked them, so I am posting a couple here...I couldn't find my favorite one... I don't know where on the computer it is, so maybe later...

...pictures...

ok, I just decided to post some pictures, since I haven't for awhile...
these are kinda random, but fun, at least for me....

Catalina Island... beautiful place...

the boat we took too and from Catalina

Long Beach

Josh and I in Manhattan Beach before we got married

Part of our living room... that blue rocking chair is the ONLY piece of furniture we own... but we do get to enjoy an out of tune piano for a year, so that is fun

The bed... and the wonderful duvet set that Josh bought when I was at school


I know this is random... but does anyone know any good workout music? I have some random stuff, but I need good music for my aerobics class so that when I teach it is more fun, I was just wondering if anyone had any suggestions of music. Thanks!

making memories

Yesterday was emotional... but not in a bad way at all.

First, I found out I got the internship I was trying to get. So now I will be waking up early every monday, wednesday, and friday and driving up to Alpine to intern at Alpine Fitness. It seems like a pretty fun little gym/ fitness center and I am hoping to learn a lot while there. It will give me the experience I need to go on and hopefully get a good job teaching others about how to be more fit and how important it is to exercise and stay healthy. I know this is going to make me sound weird, but I think being healthy is really fun... in one of my classes we went to mypyramid.gov and learned how to use the site. It really has great tools to help keep track of all the food you take in, granted you have to record it, but it helps because it lays it all down for you.
Anyways, the other thing that made me think was a movie Josh and I watched. It is called Hearts in Atlantis. It made us want to be kids and not go through the motions of life without feeling, but rather do what we love which is spend time with eachother and the ones we love the most. So, afterwards, we decided to do something fun. We invited some friends to go have a bonfire with us up in Provo canyon. It was great, and the sprinklers did not turn on. We had fun talking and laughing, and I think we all got the most laughs when josh was kicking a log into the stream and his shoe came off and floated down the stream and down a small waterfall...

I hope everyone can take in the moments with friends and family and remember the good times. Make your life memorable and add meaning to it.

I just wanted to say how amazing families are! They are truly a gift from our Heavenly Father.

the little things...

I have the greatest husband ever! On Wendesday he didn't have to go one of his classes, so this gave him an extra 4 hours in the day. During that 4 hours he went to the store and bought stuff so we can put our clothes away, so I could finally put my suitcase away... little stands that we can eat on since we don't have a table, and my favorite and what I was most excited about.... a comforter!!! We found one we liked at Bed Bath and Beyond, but it was a duvet, and together with the insert it was kinda pricey, but he found a better priced insert and bought the duvet and it looks perfect! I love it! I was so excited to come home and see that we actually have a bed that looks nice. Before we had nice sheets, random blankets, and my twin size quilt on top, so it looks much more together now. I was so surprised with everything and I love it all. maybe they are just small things, but I love the small things! It's the little things that are making our house a better place to live. I am so happy and I love being married!

Back at School

Josh and I are back at BYU and i am finding it is a lot better to go to school while being married. For one, I get up at the same time as Josh, which is 7, so we can be on campus at 8 for his class. I don't have class until 12, so I get a lot of time to study by myself. On tuesday and Thursday though he drops me off at school at 8 then heads to work. On those days I get to go to my favorite class.... aerobics. I am taking a methods of teaching aerobics, and part of the requirement for the class is being a TA for class, so I get to go work out with the class twice a week. It is great, except yesterday was the first day, and we started out with a little kick boxing, and my legs are a little sore. But I am excited, it should be a challenging class, and I am loving it!
another thing I love about being back at school, especially during the fall.... FOOTBALL... I love going to the games! We had our first home game last weekend and it was fun, way hot, but fun. I wish we had some sort of cable or channels on our TV so that we could watch the away games, but I guess we'll just have to go to a friends house. GO COUGARS!
Well, it is the morning, and I need to get back to studying Exercise Physiology for a quiz I have to take today. I'm not so excited about that, but I need to pass this class.

We're Married!!!

Yay!! Josh and I were sealed in the LA temple on Saturday the 16th and it was a beautiful ceremony. It was really special because his grandpa was able to seal us. The whole day was amazing. Everything was how I had imagined. I want to thank my mom for everything she did. She really put this wedding together and I could have asked for anything more. It was an absolutely beautiful day. Thank you for being patient with me and going along with my crazy ideas. We are so grateful for the wonderful family and friends that we have. They were so generous with their time and means to help us with anything we needed. Thank you!I loved my pink shoes...My sisters were too cute in their pink dresses. They looked fabulous! My new family. Josh's parents and some of his siblings were able to come out to LA to celebrate with us.

Bridal Shower

Yesterday some of the sisters from my home ward threw me a bridal shower! It was really nice and I enjoyed talking with everyone. They are all so generous and I am so grateful for their thought and kindness. We enjoyed a great desserts and great company. Thanks for everyone in supporting me and Josh as we get ready for our wedding. I can't believe it is next week!! I am so excited!

well, I have been home for about a week and a half and I have about another week and half til Josh gets here, so I thought I'd jsut update with things I've done so far...

My family attened Gen and KC's wedding up in the tower at Rice Eccles stadium. It had a beautiful view, good food, an amazing cake, dancing, and the best company-family. Congrats to Gen and KC!!
Maddy had her 9th birthday. It was a day of fun. I was able to take my sisters out to color me mine a cuple days after to ahve a fun day with the girls. They painted a "special plate" for Josh and I, and we painted a surprise spoon rest for my mom- it is what she was asking for...
This week my mom has been running around getting the girls to their summer camps. Maddy is in a soccer camp, and Mckay is in surf camp. I took this same surf camp when I was her age and loved it, so it is a lot of fun to see her out there in the waves enjoying it jsut as I did. This is a picture from her first day where she was able to get on a couple of waves and do well for having it be her first time out.
I hope everyone is enjoying their summer!!

Bear Lake Pictures

well, finally, I have some pictures. I am home now for a couple of weeks before the wedding so I am stealing these pictures from my mom's camera, since I have trouble with technology and can't seem to keep my camera working. Anyways, there are some fun ones from Bear Lake. I loved being out on the boat and spending time with my family. Tubing is really a lot harder than it looks, but it was way fun and I would love to go again soon. I feel like I should have pictures of something else, but I can't think of them now, so here are these...

I love how pretty the water is!

It was fun watching the boys being crazy.

from left to right... Jake, Spencer, Sterling, Conner, Glenn, Josh, Andy

I'm pretty sure this wasn't considered a crazy ride... but the googles were a must for my sisters
This is my mom flipping out of the tube

I'm pretty sure Maddy cried when Andy and I stood up
This is before my arms died of exhaustion and my entire body drowned in water.