Finally Following Directions

When Blaine and I were married, President Pinegar of the Manti Temple officiated. It was such a beautiful ceremony, and in the middle of it all, I am pretty sure I burst out into this little laughter/crying thing that sounded super awkward.

I was just so happy, spontaneously and completely, and I could not contain that joy.

President Pinegar offered some advice, that for our first family home evening we sit together and each make a list of the things we love about the other and then tape the lists above our bed. Instead, our first Monday night together was spent cleaning up our new home. We talked about the lists, but Blaine thought it would be a little awkward, so we moved on.

I think a computer list may be even better for Blaine because he can mark this post as a favorite and visit it as often as possible.

For those of you who don't really know my husband, there are hundreds of things that I love about him, and that list is growing each day. But, for the sake of integrity, I think I will stick with 10 things that first made me fall in love:

• Blaine and I are music soul mates. Before we were dating, he made me a cd that included Nike Boots, one of the funniest songs I know. The fact that he owned the song spoke volumes. More so, he included a bunch of other songs I didn't know and I loved EVERY SINGLE ONE.

• Blaine smiles with his whole face. His laugh is contagious and his laugh lines are incredible.

• Blaine is unfailingly generous.

• He is more even-tempered than I am. He lets me be fired up and loves me still.

• He cares for his mother in a tender, beautiful way.

• Blaine and I giggle together.

• Sorry for those of you who don't want to know this, but the very first time Blaine and I kissed it felt electric. I knew that moment that I would marry him.

• He is the first man that I have had to call my little sister about at three in the morning, just because of that kiss.

• Blaine knows how to do so much. He understands computers and wiring and plumbing. What he doesn't know, he is willing to learn. He is willing to sit and have reading parties with me.

• Blaine is a part of my heaven.

Contents Under Pressure

For those of you who do not know, Blaine and I are currently acting as legal guardians for Blaine's cousin, Asher. Asher moved in with us just three days after our carpet was installed. He is a pretty fantastic soul, kind and respectful, and Blaine and I have very little to complain about. It's just... an adjustment. Our first year of marriage is very different than I planned. 

I did not plan to renovate the entire upstairs of an enormous home.

I did not plan to bring a teenage boy in my home and worry about him.

(I did not plan to own a home at all, and I did not plan to worry about anyone but Blaine).   :)

And yet, here I am. 

On Wednesday evening Asher's two little brothers came to visit for the weekend. They left today at about 1:00 PM. All weekend long I have had a house with three boys, 10, 12, and 16. And Blaine. I felt very outnumbered, and I am sick of preparing food and washing dishes and entertaining. I feel a bit like a mother, and it is tiring. I am not sure how women work full time and mother full time at the same time.

A few days ago I was soaking in the tub, blessedly. I forgot to grab my book so instead I was reading the back of my shaving cream. Of everything on the back, the words that stood out: Contents under pressure. No kidding. I feel you.

An Editorial

My students asked me to write an editorial for this month's Clarion. It probably won't go to print, but will be judged blindly with the other editorials written by the newspaper staff. I'm not sure if they will be able to tell it's mine. :)

_____________________________________ 

Airports have been in the national spotlight lately. An increase in security has required travelers to make a choice:  undergo a full-body scan, or be subjected instead to pat downs that some say are too invasive.

In the blogosphere people have been joking about traveling naked to solve the issue once and for all. At the Salt Lake International Airport, an “exasperated” father removed his young son’s shirt as airport screeners demanded a pat down before the boy could process through security. A video of the whole scene was recorded by a UVU student and has now gone viral on YouTube. 

The airport screening process won't change much as long as the terrorism threat to airlines remains unchanged. The truth is, as a nation we are terrified about underwear bombers and a repeat of the 9/11 attacks. Because of this, there are some stringent (and strange) policies being implemented.

I’ve heard people refer to school as a prison, making reference to how strict it seems to be. The truth is, those in power are making choices for our safety, which makes me wonder: what if schools adopted airport policies?

If schools were like airports:

a)     We would all have to arrive to school three hours early, just in case.

b)    Class could be delayed at any time without warning.

c)     Students would have to stand in lines outside of each class to check in.

d)    All people would turn off their cell phones at the door.

e)     We would all be required to have the right documentation (completed assignments, etc). If not, we would be sent to the back of the line and not allowed in the room.

f)     We would be served “mid-class” snacks, for a small fee.

g)    If one of us looked suspicious, we could be searched on the spot. Any safety violation would be reported to Homeland Security.

We sometimes think that school policy is a little harsh, but really, we have it pretty nice. Just ask the northern Michigan man who was humiliated recently by a Detroit Metro Airport security pat down that ended up spilling urine onto his shirt and pants from a urostomy bag under his clothing. We have it pretty easy.

A Lovely Time

We have had a lovely go at things lately. Jace has been in the high school musical, "The Music Man" and I have really enjoyed seeing him on stage. Whenever I watch a show I am reminded of how much joy I have found on stage. I miss it.

We have been working a bit on the house and trying to make it more beautiful. This weekend I found a little wooden plaque that I thought was funny. It reads, "It's not the house I love, but the life that is lived there." It makes me giggle because Blaine and I talk all the time about the fact that I have not really fallen in love with our house yet. I don't love the house, but I am working on it. I do love having a home and a husband and a career. I love cooking dinner in a kitchen that is permanent. I love my new pretty fridge and the carpet that we chose.

Came home today to a clean house, smelling of a tasty stew that my husband made. Now, a blog post before I settle in for the night.

I'm Tired

I am a tired woman. My life is full of all good things but I still lapse into temporary crankiness.

Last week was a beast. JHS had Red Ribbon week, our second Clarion was published, and National Honor Society hosted a food drive dance. It was the last week of the quarter, which adds to the stress of the week. On Friday and Saturday I went to Ephraim for the Spooky Snow Speak Off. I travelled by bus and I was half way there when I realized that I had $14 in my pocket to feed me for the whole weekend. Thank goodness that I have a sister who lives on campus!

Saturday we had a Halloween party in Nephi and our friends came down from Provo. Asher (our kind of sort of foster son) and his little brother Daniel were also around, and we stayed up late eating tasty treats and watching The Carriers (treats and gore don't really go together, FYI).

Sunday was a Cook family get together and I had a great time.

Today, I feel super unappreciated, for no real reason. Sigh. Is it bed time yet?

Blaine's post

Our posts are a little spotty lately because a lack of regular internet connection and guardianship of my teenage cousin. That being said we are so stinking excited to meet friends and family as Husband and Wife. We look forward to visiting with you soon and if our connection gets better we'll shower you with more posts of our house, life, and travels.

Cheers,
Blaine

P.S.  This is now Krystle. I logged in and changed the picture to this one that I like a bit better. Sneaky! :) 

Blessed

Some days I walk around my house and am still a bit overwhelmed. We need to clean up our kitchen in a real way, refinishing cabinets, building new shelves, replacing the kitchen sink (I haven't talked to my husband about that last one) :) Our wood floor needs a bit of work, and I still have no curtains or blinds. And so on and so on and so on.

Tonight, I got home and graded for a bit. I placed a blanket down in the middle of the lounge and spread out my work and cruised through the essays. I felt luxurious. I did three loads of laundry, made dinner, cleaned the bedroom, repaired a chair, brought a few decorations up from the basement. I walked through the house and breathed in the air and was overwhelmed instead with a reminder of how far we have come, of how comfortable this house will be for us.

Blaine and I have been blessed beyond measure. Last year at this time we were thinking of falling in love. This year, we are married, in a beautiful home, surrounded by friends and family who are generous with their time and energy and love.

What a difference a year makes.