Good To Be Home

WELL. It has just been far to long since I posted on this thing-I never wanted to become one of those 'blog once in a blue moon' people, but I suppose I am. But now that we are home for a few weeks hopefully that will change!

The last week of school was insanely hectic. While Lester dealt with his massive amounts of finals [the longest of which was up to 8 hours might I add..] I attempted to finish my own finals while packing us up both to go home and move into our new apartment in the fall, and also getting things ready for when my family came to visit. Amidst that though we did make time for a few fun things. The Sunday before we left we had a bunch of friends over for Lester's bday. I got him a soccer ball and a football, which he and a few other friends immediately put to good use. Meanwhile, the rest of us played everything from Monopoly Deal to Ticket To Ride [Lester's new favorite game.] It was a fun chill night and we finished it up with angel food cake, strawberries and whipped cream. Then on Monday we had our last ward party. It was a blast, and again Lester played with a bunch of dudes from the ward, while we all enjoyed the sunshine and BBQ aspect of things. They even sent us home with a TON of leftover G's dairy ice cream which was perfect with my family arriving and not used to the heat of summer Rexburg!

On Wednesday, my Mom, Luke and Sam rolled into town and I was ecstatic!We immediately ate the pizza I made, laughed, talked planned our week, played games and went on a short tour of campus. The next morning we finished the tour, including where my Mom used to live, shopped at the bookstore and then headed to Rexburg Rapids [a small, new water park]. I, of course got fried [remember that as your looking at my red, shiny graduation pics!]. When we got home we played Disney Scene It, visited some more, and then saw Kung Fu Panda 2 at the dollar theatre.

The next day was Friday, and my college graduation. Ya, I know I can't believe it either! It was so bittersweet thinking about all the good times I've had, things I've learned, crazy memories and wonderful people I've met. I feel like for so long I've been focused on 'lets finish this thing!' that now that it is here I wish it wasn't. College is the best. My graduation started in the I-Center, and ended in the Barrus Concert Hall. When I walked across the stage, I though how funny is it that in just a few short steps I go from college student to college graduate. It was great. The members of my family who were able to be there made it all the more special, and I'm so grateful for their efforts to be there. After the commencement ended, my parents treated us to dinner at Winger's and afterwards we went home, played some more games, smothered me in aloe, and went to bed.

Saturday was our last day in Rexburg-while my family finished up their vacation at other places, Lester and I cleaned and packed ALL day. Again, a little bittersweet-our first apartment all empty. But it was a great place to start our life and we will miss it; what a great year it has been there.

The next day we headed on the LONG drive home. We caravaned as far as Battle Mountain Nevada where my family stayed for the night and we kept on truckin, as we wanted to spend lots of time with Lester's family who was visiting from Australia, whom he hasn't seen in 10 years.

I have LOTS more to blog about regarding that fun stuff, but since this is already so long, I'm going to hopefully save that post for when I have pictures of our visit with his Aussie family.

But seriously-it is GOOD to be home.

Memo to Self

Look before you eat.

this will help you when your so excited to see a stray chocolate chip on the counter you pop it in your mouth before you realize its a magnet and gag....

or your mom saves grease in the fridge for whatever reason in a juice container, and you drink it thinking its-go figure-juice....

or you eat something that you are morally opposed to like sick watermelon or chewy octopus or blood pudding.....

again, all these things will be resolved for you, and others, if you simply....

LOOK BEFORE YOU EAT.

That is all.

Playing Catch Up!

OK, I have two excuses for not blogging lately-first is that I have been really stinking busy! This business has consisted of both boring things and really fun things, so that's good. But my second excuse is that I am the worst at remembering to take pictures, and I know that I like it when people post pictures. So ya-but don't worry-this blog post has both, thanks to many awesome friends and family!

As stated in the last post, I went home for about a week. It was SO great being there, with the crazy, loud awesome family that I call my own, and I miss them more then words can say. Especially my sweet baby Cali-we are now bffs! But in that time there were a million fun things that happened-to many to list. So I will just do the highlights

On Thursday, Hillary went to get her endowments [or special blessings] from the temple. Because of traffic, some of us were a bit late, but it was still great to be there waiting for her in the temple. I'm so glad families are forever and that I can be a part of the family I was raised in, and be an important part in the family Lester and I have made. It is such a beautiful thing to have. Later that night Auntie Kathy brought dinner that Uncle Gil made, and let me tell you-it was so much better then the stuff we get here-and I'm even a good cook haha!

Then on Friday, we all went to the church for the whole day. It was actually really fun to be on this side of things, as a helper and bridesmaid haha! I got to help Andrew's Aunt Darla with making some of the cake stuff, and then helped cook-well-everything. We ironed table clothes, sang, dance, decorated the ceilings, put up the centerpieces, made the bouquets and a million other things. It was actually a lot fun! All of Andrew's family were there to help, plus my own of course, the Paredes's, Angie, and the Lualemagas and Auntie Kathy and Kyle. Fesuluai and I took a few breaks to practice our dance moves, and let me tell you-that kid is a trip-he put my dancing to shame! I also got to bond with Kyle a bit more-I still can't believe how adultish he is, and yet still little Kyle. It was really fun. Then that night, my amazing husband finally got there. Have I said lately how much I love him? Its funny bc I think we were both looking forward to getting a little break from each other, but after about a few hours, we missed each other so much it hurt. I know corny, but whatever, we just love each other. Anywho, we got back and just got ready for the next day, laughing and having fun.

The next morning, we all got up to the temple in no time. Watching Hillary and Andrew be sealed to each other was beautiful-I'm not gonna lie, a little bittersweet, bc now we are all scattered and grown up-but they are a family now, making us all a family even more. It also reminded me of almost a year ago, when we were in their shoes, covenanting and vowing these promises to each other. Best decision I ever made-ever.

The reception was beautiful-very Hillary, and we danced, and ate and laughed and cried like there was no tomorrow. But unfortunately, there was, and it took us back to Rexburg and school. But that's life, and at least it was together.

Since being back, we have been CRAZY busy as it is the last four weeks of school [and the I graduate crazy!] and we have a lot to do. But we have made time for some fun-we went to our friend Emil's bday dance party and it was a BLAST. Then next night we got to go to our friend Josh's surprise party, which had bowling, pizza, drinks, cake, mini golf and balladium. Sorry Lester-there wives are way more creative then yours is! haha-but I'll think of something!

So that is what we have been up to lately-again, I will try to be better about posting pictures and blogging, but I imagine it will really be picking up once school is over! Until then love you all and hope all is well with you! PAYCE!

PS: Most of these pictures are courtesy of other people-namely Jordan, Catherine, and Emil. So thanks-you guys are great!

Community Care can DIE

Ya. Thats right. I said it. I hate them! Do you know what they did? They lied to me and cost me an extra two stinkin weeks of recovery from this stinkin ankle!

Yesterday morning I was laying in bed, when some sweet old mormon lady calls from community care-I think they chose her to be the messenger b/c her voice is so nice they think that nobody would could get mad at such a Saint. They were almost right! Anywho, so she says, "We noticed that you came in about two weeks ago. Our radiologist was looking at your x-rays again, and saw something he didn't notice before. So we need you to come back in as soon as you can." To which I replied, I am in CA, for one thing, secondly I feel so much better-in fact I'm limping on it with no problems. So were good right? And she said no, we really need you to come in-if your in CA we will fax over the x-rays today, or as soon as you get an appointment. So today I went to Kaiser and they said that I did indeed tear a few tendons, and that although I may think this is pointless since it doesnt hurt, I have to wear this huge, ugly black brace thing that is twice the size of my old one. He said that the reason is because this way, I can walk on it which makes it stronger, but at the same time it is keeping everything in place so it is healing properly and in the right places which it won't do without it. He said it also will prevent the several more ankle sprains I may have if I dont wear this thing. So over all, I have to wear this thing for three weeks and then a smaller thingy for the next three weeks after that. He also mentioned that if Community Care had caught this at my first appointment, it would have shaved two weeks off this recovery. Boo. And I had all these great outfits planned. Haho no seriously I know it is a small price to pay for my ankle to heal, it really just comes down to the fact that I don't want to be the eyesore at Hillary's wedding this Saturday, or at my graduation-but by then it should be almost completely healed. I think I am just going to keep it off on Saturday for the wedding and reception only and that is all-no big deal.

The good thing is, when I talked to Lester, and I asked him if he would still stand next to me at the wedding haha, he said that not only would he be happy to, but he also said that it is perfect because they are learning some of the science behind this stuff in his classes right now. So, science project or not, my man loves me and thinks I'm hot! At least, thats what I'm telling myself-and what I'm gonna tell community care when I sue there butts! Haha jk-I can't afford a lawyer.

*Note: This post was written before the wedding and festivities. I will blog about that greatness later.

Back In The Bay

So I'm home now-after the long, long but fun drive with the Morco's from Rexburg to Tracy, then from Tracy to Livermore [to visit with the Lualemaga's and the Bennings for a bit] and then finally here to my house. and you know what?

I'M LOVING IT! The only thing that could make it better is my handsome hubby being here too-newlywed or not, I miss him terribly. So on Friday I will be on cloud 9 since he is joining us, and then I will have all the things I love-cookies, family, friends and fun! Until then I will just laugh, dance, help clean, cook, watch movies, and cuddle with my new bestie and cutie pie Cali! Life is so good!

The Haps

WELL it has been far to long since I updated this thing! But life has been so crazy, and surprisingly, this has fallen to the list of 'do later...' But here we are now, and I I will catch you up on whats been going on with us.

We have been busy! School wise, we are just doin our best to keep our heads above water. In the beginning of the semester, I thought I was going to be spending all my time reading for my classes. But in reality, I feel like I spend all my time doing math! For those of you who know us Hanaike girls, you know is not our strong suit-but its paying off-I'm doing pretty well in the class, and in fact, all my classes are going well. Lester pester poo is also doing well. He had a rough start, what with the massive amounts of stuff he had to do, but now that he is starting to get a balance things are working out.

Which brings us to our next point. The other day, Lester came home a little bit stressed out, saying he had to get 25 people to let him check their vital signs for his para medicine class. Luckily, he married social me, and I had more then enough people who were willing to let him check everything from heart respiration rate to their blood pressure. After we made most of the rounds, we were in the home stretch and walking up the stairs to our friends Alana and Bobby's. On our way up, I heard her open her door and to come out and meet me, and I got SO excited that I sailed right the platform, not noticing this random step down, and sprained my ankle. SO embarrassing, and painful. Within 5 minutes it was about 3 times the size, so for about 2 days we iced and elevated it, to no avail. We hit up the doctors, and they said that we were doing everything we should and that I shouldn't walk on it for about a week, so we left with an ankle brace and crutches, and some good old pain meds. Needless to say, I have been spending a lot of time on the couch.

But again, thank goodness I have such great friends, because they have come to visit me and what not. Catherine and I talked and laughed like the good old days, and she brought me Tangled to watch an some popcorn. Steph and Emil have come over a few time, for visits and what not. We had the Constantine's over for games Sunday night which was a blast, and ended outside on the sunny grass. They also loaned me the old Star Wars on DVD which has made all this couch time SO much better! But Lester has also been the sweetest in taking care of me, and making sure I feel loved and that I don't get cabin fever-which has been great.

We have gotten to do some fun things though-Lester found the perfect date for us at the drive-in theatre to see the new Origins X Men. It was AWESOME-we both loved the other ones, but this one gave them a run for their money. It explained so many things. We highly recommend it. We also got to go to a bonfire the Lennard's put on the other night, and it was just so chill and beautiful-the sky seemed endless and you could see every star. We've had several picnics and game nights with friends as well-both old ones [like roomies] and new ones. Gosh, it really has been a while...but ya, that's the fun stuff we've been up to lately.

I've also been experimenting some more in cooking/baking and its been real fun! I made a red velvet sheet cake from scratch the other day with homemade icing, strawberries on top drizzled with ganache, and it was good. Tonight I made some Thai food from scratch, and although I was so worried it would be a mess, it was so yummy! And then I made french bread for the first time for the healthy sandwiches Lester and I have been eating [I usually just do white, so this was a change..]. Yup! So that's the haps!

I would post pictures, but to be perfectly honest, I have either forgotten my camera or felt to gross and injuredish to take any lately-but good news I leave on Friday for the week for CALIFORNIA! YAAAY! And I am sure there will be LOADs of pictures then...I can't wait for the sunshine, beaches, family, food, and for my ankle to be 100% so my hot hubby and I can break it down at Hillary's wedding! Until then...PAYCE!

Better Then Alright!

Its true what they say about the sunshine and rainbows-after the storm, they come, and in the long run, you remember and cherish the good times ten times more then the bad ones. Life is good. Testimonies grow. People surprise you, often in good ways. And I guess we just have to take things with a grain of salt.

As I said in my last post, we have just signed a new contract to a new apartment. It came after a lot of thought and research-ultimately, this new place is a lot bigger, with a lot of advantages we need. For example, although there are only two of us, I rarely get to see Lester because there is no room for both of us to do the things we need, like homework, cooking and cleaning in our current apartment. Now that we will have two bedrooms, he can have an office of sorts, and we can also have room to put guests when they come. The kitchens are AMAZING in our new place-brand new with I think granite countertops and nicely tiled floors. We will no longer have to deal with ppl having to go through our bedroom to get to the bathroom, and get this-all the floors are heated, and the walls are insulated to be soundproof. This is something that anyone who has ever lived in University Courtyard will tell you is a major thing haha. Apart from all these things, they are cheaper monthly. The only downside is that they are a bit farther [but now that we have a car that is really a big deal..] and they are unfurnished. After doing the math, we realized that even with the initial investment in getting furniture, it will be cheaper for us to move to this new place and buy our own stuff as opposed to staying here. Plus, our lives are pretty fluid for the next several years, so we can bring our furniture with us.

After making this decision, my parents told us that they had gotten some new hand-me-down furniture so we can have their old couch. My dad has a business trip in Boise next weekend as well, and if he has room, he is going to try to get it up here for us. Isn’t that awesome? I have to admit, all of my friends seem to have the ability to see there parents fairly often-I don’t and so regardless of whether or not he can bring the furniture, I can’t wait to see him. It’s funny to think about when I was a teen and my Dad and I were constantly butting heads-but now when we talk on the phone, we laugh constantly, and I realize how much the same we are. I honestly cried a teeny bit our of excitement when he said he was coming. Like I said, its been hard here and this is the longest I’ve been away, and I feel like this is Heavenly Father sending me just a little tender mercy of getting to be with my Dad-even if its only for a few hours-to tide me through till we are all together again. Lester is pretty excited to.

Anyways, back to furniture-we already have picked out our new table and gotten a new mattress that was on a HUGE sale and our backs our thanking us already! That night, we got hang out with some friends, and we met with our new Bishop to get our new callings-he is great and we are excited. Lester and I have switched places in that I have a small calling [RS Primary Specialist] and he has a bigger one in the Sunday school presidency. Of course, I told the bishop if he needed help with anything to let me know, and I was immediately put in charge of the ice cream social/ward temple trip that was tuesday. as in this tuesday. It was a lot of work, but you know what-it allowed me to get to know some people, and lets face it, sometimes its nice to be needed. After church on Sunday, we had even more fun with our friends Bobby and Alana who we’ve been wanting to hang out with for quite a while. The weather has been gorgeous, so we had a picnic lunch, and then played a ton of games. It was so fun! Then we got even more social time and played a few games with the Morco’s. Monday night our Bishop had us over for an AWESOME steak and fish dinner-let’s be honest, I can cook pretty well, but we don’t usually get to eat quality meat let alone grill it. He even caught the fish himself! He is truly awesome and I look forward to our short time in this ward. Tonight was the ward temple trip and we had an awesome turn out-I had passed out flyers and gotten stuff for both banana splits and brownie sundaes, but I was still nervous. But a total of 26 couples showed! I was so happy! And guess what? My math class for tomorrow has been canceled!

So, sorry this post is so long-but hey, I think this is more therapeutic for me then anyone who actually sits through and reads it all. But in all seriousness-thank you for your prayers. They have been felt and appreciated and I can’t tell you what it has meant to me. Hope all is well with you guys! Until next time!

PS: I promise I will start posting new pics again soon! Until then enjoy these oldies but goodies!

I can't wait for him to visit!

I just love him thats all.

This is our awesome friends Alana and Bobbie who we picniced with Sunday.

Again, an old one of me and Alana. I was gonna post another one, but in all of them were doing something ridiculous and we look slightly embarrasing. Hah, but those are the best kind of friendships! So here is one where we look relatively normal-flourescent white, but fairly normal haha. [it was winter then..]