Monday, January 31, 2011

Day 33! Pumpkin Bread

     Tonight I went over to apartment P3 to make pumpkin bread with my friends Jacqueline and Amanda. What an awesome night to just relax. Brian came over later and we did homework and ate SO much bread. I seriously think that it's the best stuff ever. (Besides anything with Cream Cheese haha)
     Announcements were ordered today! They should be coming sometime this week so I'm really excited to see them! I'll put a picture of them up here soon! They are more simple and very much more me. I really am so excited! The more I actually see things coming together, the more I am realizing, "THIS IS ACTUALLY HAPPENING!" :) Woot!

Sunday, January 30, 2011

Day 34! I Love Brian

My Poem back to Brian..
I can only sit here and think. 
What I possibly gave you to drink.
To make you fall under my spell.
I’m clever as you can tell.
My heart longs to be in your presence. 
Though I’d be fine with any of your essence.
Of all the guys I’ve ever met,
you are the one I can’t forget.
I believe that our Father above, 
sent you to me for me to love.
He chose you from all the rest,
because he knew I’d love you best. 
Dreams flood my mind. 
Oh marriage, of you and of that kind.
Each time I think of you my heart likes to leap,
It's the kind of love, I want to keep.
At night when I sleep, my eyes won’t close.   
I think it’s love or so I suppose. 
Though the storms my try to pound us apart. 
I know that if I hold you near to my heart. 
The storm will be too weak to break,
this tender loving bond that together we make. 
Your smile pierces my very soul,
in which I will forever know. 
That my love to your runs very deep,
and into every fiber of my being it’ll seep.
You will never fully know nor understand. 
That my love for you grows each time you take my hand.
You have me wrapped around your finger.. 
And around my heart your love will always linger.
This is a love that you need not doubt.
It is a love I can’t live without. 
This is a love to last us more than our days. 
A love I’ll share with you always 

Saturday, January 29, 2011

Day 35! 5 weeks left!

     Brian and I went to Ogden today for some errands. We first went to my eye doctor appointment and then it was off to the restaurant, Rickenbackers by the Ogden Airport for lunch. Boy was it delicious. I got some weird chicken thing and I loved it. Brian got the waitress's favorite meal Chicken and Waffles in which he ate the whole thing. After eating and singing to Raquel for her birthday, Brian and I went to register at Target and Bed, Bath, and Beyond.
Isn't that a face to just go crazy over?!
     What started out as fun by looking for things for our future home, soon turned to just be exhausting. And Brian sadly wasn't feeling well after the Chicken and Waffles and I knew he just wanted to be done. We ended early and drove home, hoping that once there he could take a nap to help the stomach ache. I am just not very good with these things. I am trying to resist the temptation lately to just run to my mom for help over everything. She always seems to have the perfect remedy for everything. To make things worse, Brian had to work, so once we got back to Logan, it wasn't long before he had to go away to work. I pretty much worried about him all night.
     When I was little whenever I got hurt by stubbing my toe or scratching my knee, my dad would always ask me "Why I hurt his little legs" And then he'd always tell us not to hurt his toes or elbows or whatever it was we had hurt. I never understood it was a child, but what my dad really had meant was that whenever we were hurt, it hurt him also to see us hurt. I finally understand that now as I watched Brian hurting. I don't like it at all! I care way too much about him to have him be in pain while I'm completely fine.

Friday, January 28, 2011

Day 36! Raquel's Birthday

 My sister Raquel is 23!


Once upon a time... we took Ballet
     Wow, I feel old that Raquel is that old... but then again Brian turns 23 this year too so I guess it's not as old as I think. Tomorrow Brian and I will drive down to Ogden to have a birthday lunch with her and my family so that will be fun.
     Brian and I went and viewed four apartments today. We need to make our decision very soon on where we are going to live. But the deciding factor on where we are going to live depends on where the jobs are available. Brian is thinking of doing a research job at USU during the summer, but he might also go with a security system company to somewhere like Virgina. I'm just planning on going with the flow and getting a job wherever we end up. Ideally I would love to stay working with the Lackey family, watching the two little girls, Morgan and Madison, all summer but this might not be the direction we are able to take. There are such big decisions going on right now, but we know the Lord will direct our paths on where he wants us to be.

Thursday, January 27, 2011

Day 37! The L.O.N.G day

     Today was pretty much the longest day ever. It was one of those days that every minute felt like an hour and every hour felt fatal. I got done with class at 3 and had to wait for Brian to be done at 9 from campus. I kept myself busy with visiting teaching, buying groceries, visiting with my friend Chantelle Hall, and baking cookies. I tried making chocolate chip cookie dough and put caramel in the middle of them. It turned out pretty delicious I won't lie.
     Around 6 I went over to the Fun Park and helped some kids with disabilities bowl. It was such a blast. Once again, working with these kids, I feel that I learn so much and just grow spiritually. They are so cute! One girl named Kenzie got up and danced for me as she bowled and then laughed and laughed at herself. If only each of us had that opportunity to laugh at ourselves but in a positive light. She was so positive and loved cheering on the other kids as they went. I hope I can get this opportunity every week to work with these kids.
    Finally at 8:45, I picked up Brian and we went to look at an apartment. It was pretty nice and a very good size. They landlord was so nice in striking a deal with us. We have another one to look at tomorrow so we'll see if we like it more.
    Then.... Brian was a great sport tonight and let me attack him---with mascara! He literally has the eyelashes of every girl's dream! They are so long that sometimes he gets them stuck to his eyebrows!
He was not happy with me... but it's a once in a lifetime opportunity!
Here he is all dolled up after the battle!
     I know you are thinking, "Now why is he marrying her?" But believe me, if you saw his eyelashes in person you'd be curious to know as well! :) And he looked great, haha he kept talking about how his eyelashes were so heavy so I had to take it off not long after, but it was SO worth it!

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Day 38! SURPRISE

The color white signifies purity, virtue, and cleanliness
     I made an appointment with the temple to receive my endowments today! What a wonderful WONDERFUL blessing that will be in my life! I'm so excited to go! I go on the 26th of February, which is exactly one week from my wedding! That is four weeks from this Saturday! I really feel like time is flying by. Before I know it I'm going to be signing my name Anna Larson!
     Around 5:30 I hurried home to start dinner for our surprise dinner for my roommate Brianna. It's her birthday tomorrow but she'll be gone all day to a class she has in Brigham City. So we made dinner tonight. She's officially 19! Woot! Happy Birthday to Brianna! I'm so glad the Lord saw it fit for me to be placed as her roommate!

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Day 39! Bachelor Night

     Sadly, the weather was playing tricks on me. I woke up this morning thinking I could actually wear a light jacket  today! Nature had something else in store. Snow. Change of outfit and it was off to school! The temperature still is pretty warm, even with snow on the ground. I hope it will melt fast!
     My roommate Ashley left today down to Salt Lake because her older sister is having a baby! So exciting! It's been a scary pregnancy for her because at one point they thought they had lost the baby because she wasn't growing right. She is actually due next month but they feel it's safer to get the baby out now. Many prayers go out to them right now from our apartment, wishing them the best. What a cute aunt Ashley will make. Babies are so fun, especially nieces! (Not that I have any nephews to compare yet!)
     Even though Brian is no longer a Bachelor, that doesn't stop him from watching it with my roommates and me. He might say he doesn't like it, but I think he is just as drawn to it as we are.
    Brian, my roommates, and I find the drama and suspense pretty thrilling to watch as the girls fight for Brad's attention. Paha! What a way to find love right? I swear every girl cries on that show and it's pretty darn hilarious. We all decided on one girl that we all love and think should win. If any of you watch the show at all, I'm sure you'll agree with us. Emily! Cutest and saddest story ever! Her husband died in a plane crash and a week later she found out she was pregnant with their daughter. She seems the most genuine and sweet.
      Anyway, enough about the bachelor! Brian will never have to worry about that again! He's stuck with me now! Muhahaha! :) He took his practice MCAT today and did very well. He got an 84% which is wonderful. He still has a lot to study about but at least he is progressing. He got done each test with a lot of time left which at least means he is answering all the questions and at least attempting them. He will do excellent when the time actually comes for him to take the real test. He's just amazing like that!

Monday, January 24, 2011

Day 40! Addresses

     Brian and I made lists and lists of addresses today. I sure hope we don't miss anyone and if we do it is unintentional. I never thought it would be as difficult as it has been to just get addresses and get a count of how many announcements to order. I am so grateful to my mom for taking her time to help us out as well. She has been on the phone with me time after time and I know I wouldn't be able to plan anything without her help.
     We were sitting in the library and I was making a numbered list when I experienced writers cramp. Who gets writers cramp from typing and deleting stuff? It was so painful too. Literally I didn't know what to do to make my hand feel better. It was this weird tingling feeling all the way up my arm in which to twist my wrist made pain just shoot up. I kept telling Brian that it felt like I had a weird nerve being pinched. Man was it a crazy feeling and one I never hope to repeat! It was numb for about an hour before I could get back to wedding stuff and studying!
     Brian has been deep into study of the MCAT for the past few weeks. He is planning on taking a practice MCAT test tomorrow (they are about 5 hour tests) and so he was reviewing like crazy all night. That kid is so stinking smart. He blows me out of the water. Sometime I'll ask a dumb question like, "I wonder where this got it's name" or "I wonder how they make this?" And he'll elaborate into a huge explanation to describe it. He's a deep thinker and just has an answer to pretty much everything. It causes me to constantly be learning when I'm with him and that is something I need and love!

Sunday, January 23, 2011

Day 41! Spring into January!

     I woke up singing Oklahoma! "Oh what a beautiful moooorning! Oh what a beautiful daaaayyy! I've got a beautiful feeeeeeliiinnng! Everything's going my waaayyy!" When I look outside I can actually see grass and it's not so bitter cold anymore! I have never loved Spring more than this year! And for once in my life I'm super happy that Spring has come so early! Even if it IS in the middle of January. I just hope that the weather isn't playing a big old trick on me and giving me all this excitement only to have some huge blizzard around the corner. I guess we'll see.
     Brian went to his new ward today and by the sounds of it he loved it. I missed him at church, not gonna lie. Especially when our Bishop gave the talk in Sacrament. I love our bishop! He is such a great man and one that I really look up to. After church, Brian came over and we made Manicotti! Yum! While it was cooking, Brian did the sweetest thing and started to dance and dip me in the kitchen. He really can be SO romantic when he wants to be. When we finally had dinner we both kept quoting the movie What About Bob? and kept saying, "Mmmmm.. Mmmmm! Mmmmm! Is this corn hand shucked?" Haha such a good show! This is definitely one of our favorites so if you haven't watched it.. you should get on it! lol
     Later we watched the movie Bride and Prejudice with my roommates. Wow.. if anyone is looking for another cheesy High School Musical or Hairspray then this movie is definitely a movie you should check out!

Saturday, January 22, 2011

Day 42! Star Gazing

Pumbaa: Hey, Timon, ever wonder what those sparkly dots are up there?
Timon: Pumbaa, I don't wonder; I know.
Pumba: Oh. What are they?
Timon: They're fireflies. Fireflies that, uh... got stuck up on that big bluish-black thing.
Pumba: Oh, gee. I always thought they were balls of gas burning billions of miles away.
Timon: Pumbaa, with you, everything's gas. 
Here's the Big Dipper! Can you see it?
     This morning Brian and I got up and did our photo montage for our wedding video. My sister is doing it all so we just put our pictures in order from when we were babies until now. It was pretty fun even when we couldn't find all the pictures we needed. We both decided that we are SO lucky to have Camille home to help us out with everything. She's pretty much professional in everything she does and this stuff is cake for her. We also tried on my dress this morning to see how the sash should be tied. My mom-with her excellent sewing skills that I need to learn- made my zebra striped sash for my dress and it looks AWESOME! Now is the debate on whether tying it in front or back looks best. We'll keep testing it to see....
     Brian and I left for Logan later that afternoon and went and did some homework. I made him meatballs and rice for dinner... except minus the rice... I didn't have any so I used noodles instead. It worked out pretty well, thank goodness Brian will eat anything!
     Later I went to the Aggie Basketball game with my roommates while he went to work for a few hours to help another guy out with his shift. Aggies won, as usual, and it was an AWESOME game! The other team was New Mexico State University and they played way dirty. I was happy to beat them. Then at 12:30 Brian came to pick me up and we went star gazing on the bottom of Old Main for a while before the cold drove us to the car and eventually home once again. I love the stars. I loved learning about them in my astronomy class last semester and I really want to learn how to find the constellations. It's on my bucket list! :)

Friday, January 21, 2011

Day 43! Pictures of You.. Pictures of Me!

     Brian and I took more engagement photos today by my roommate Brianna Dickerson and it was way fun! What great weather we have had this week! It feels like Spring in January! All the snow is melting and the sun is shining out and it is just gorgeous! Brianna was great to work with and made things very simple and easy to understand what she wanted done!




   

Thursday, January 20, 2011

Day 44! Something Perfect

    Brian told me that I had to look up this song. He said that every time he listens to it he imagines the temple ceremony with me. And after a lot of searching I finally found the lyrics. It's on Michael Mclean's album Hope Hiding.


Something Perfect

There's an ache that's missing today
There's an emptiness that's been filled
There's a cloud that's lifting and drifting away
There's a raging storm that's been stilled
There's a joy that's real
There's a wound that's finally healed
There's a future replacing the past
There's breath of new life in the cast

And there's something perfect happening here
And this moment will bury the mountains of fears
And through countless tomorrows
It won't disappear
This something that's perfect
Happening here

No one knows, so no one can say
That tomorrow all will be well
Will the brightest promise that shines on today
Shine tomorrow? No one can tell
But one thing is sure
And will be forever more
When such unselfish love has been given
The world just made more room for heaven

And there's something perfect happening here
And this moment will bury the mountains of fear
And through countless tomorrows it won't disappear
This something that's perfect
Happening here


    Isn't it just wonderful? It really brought tears to my eyes. I can't wait for our "Something Perfect" to happen! It's coming up so fast and I love being able to embrace it with Brian.

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Day 45! His little Princess

    I think our Father in Heaven gives us events like yesterday to be able to compare it to days like today so that we realize just how great days like today are! As you can probably tell, today was wonderful! Besides going to school, Brian was just perfect. (As usual) We made lunch and dinner together, both were delicious! Brian has always called me "His Little Princess" since we started dating. Today Brian turned to me and expanded a bit and said, "I want you to feel that you are my princess, for your whole life. Because you are my princess. I also want your family and others to see it and think, 'Brian treats Anna like a princess.' I want your mom and sisters to feel like I treat them with royalty. Because that's what you all are. Daughters of a Heavenly King." He said it was such sincerity and his eyes really showed how much he meant it. How blessed am I to have a man who wants to treat me so wonderful. He certainly does treat me like his queen and I couldn't ask for more.
    Later we did our weekly swing dancing. I think it was one of the best times I've had with Brian dancing ever! It definitely made it in the top 4! He's pretty romantic and really made me feel like I was the only one on that dance floor.
Haha this picture just makes me laugh!

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Day 46! Embarrassing Moment......

     Something one learns about me fairly quickly is that I don't get embarrassed. Very rarely has this happened and when it does it really means business. I have a top 5 embarrassing moments in which the event of today officially made that list.
Here is the dreadful chair...
     So I'm sitting in my last class of the day, English, and the teacher decided to play a name game. He has us put our desks in a circle around the room. Now these are the old school desks, the ones where when you sit in them they creak and feel like it'll break beneath you. My teacher pulls out a little football and tells us that for the game we have throw it around the room to each person. When you get the ball you have to say the name of the person that threw it to you, your name, and the person you are throwing it to.
     The game began in which it really made me be on my toes because the throws were either really bad and I had to remember everyone's name. The ball was thrown to me and it bounced in front of my chair so I got up to grab it and sat down and tossed it to the next person while doing so I knocked my pen off the desk. I leaned down to pick it up and the next thing I knew the entire world was turning on me as the desk fell over with me still in it. As I went down it seemed to happen in slow motion and I couldn't help but think about how bad this looked to the rest of the class. I hit my head on the teachers desk as I went down and I felt a ton of pressure on my hip and thigh. Once on the ground I quickly tried to get up but found my right arm was wedged underneath me and the chair along with my hair caught in something on the teacher's desk.
     As I tried to free myself I wiggled and wiggled like a fish out of water. The worst part was--all I could hear was laughter and no one was rushing to my aid to help me up. So I struggled and could feel my face going red for the first real time in my life. Right when I was about to give up, the teacher came over (Now he is a very, VERY big man.) and picked the desk up with me still in it and placed it upright! I was grateful but also wanting to ask him "Where were you the last 4 minutes?" I walked away from class later with a hugely massive bruise on my hip, one on my thigh, and goose egg on the back of my head, and an embarrassed/nervous laugh. 
     Thank goodness I saw Brian not long after. I can't remember being so embarrassed and so helpless while the world just laughs at you! Brian being as wonderful as he always is, stifled his laughter when I told him and comforted me. But not long after, he let it out and thankfully had me laughing as well. Laughter is certainly the cure for everything! :)

Monday, January 17, 2011

Day 47! Rain, Grease, Blood, Pictures& Laughter!

    Engagement pictures today! We got up this morning, burned the CD with our songs on it and set off for Salt Lake. We were hoping to miss the storm that was predicted to come in today. We started out at the Capital building to shoot some pictures before we met up with our videographer Aubrey Howell. My sister did the pictures, Camille Garrison. Both were amazing to work with. My little sister Brooke tagged along for the experience and took some great pictures of her own.
    In the very beginning Brian was tickling me and I accidentally stabbed him with my nail and made him bleed.. But what started out as a flesh wound turned into a bloody mess. The small scratch just bled and bled and got all over his new clothes. Woopsie!
    We got some pictures done and then were about to drive to the library to film... only to find it was closed. Dang. Where to now? We decided to stay at the capital and do the interviews and have Aubrey film us swing dancing. Then came the big rain clouds. We hurried down to the Graffiti Wall on 400 S and took a few pictures just as the downpour came. Next adventure came when Camille ran over something weirdly sharp in gutter and blew her tire out. Thank goodness Brian was there to help us. Finally with a bent jack and greasy fingers, Brian got the small doughnut spare tire onto her car and we drove to Cafe Rio for some dinner before leaving for home.
    Wow what a day! I will admit it was frustrating to have all our plans rained on because I did feel rushed and like we only got a small selection of pictures to choose from. But I guess bad experiences make the best stories right? Altogether it was a great day even though we had some crazy adventures. Brian and I discussed later how blessed we felt with having my talented sister help us out with some great pictures along with a fun videographer who made it easy to talk to and interact with.
Here is Camille talking pictures of us.
Here is Brian's model pose!

Sunday, January 16, 2011

Day 48! Rules of Marriage

It was a beautiful Sunday! Poor Brian worked the night shift and then had the afternoon shift as well so he was exhausted once again. He got to my house pretty late but we stayed up for a bit talking. I get more and more excited thinking about marrying him all the time. He is just so good to me and to everyone around me! I couldn't have dreamed for better because I didn't think it was possible... but it is! So just for fun Brian and I read a few rules for marriage. These were pretty interesting.

Never be angry at the same time
Never yell at each other unless the house is on fire
Apologize and Forgive
If one of you has to win an argument, let it be the other one
Listen
Never bring up mistakes from the past
Start each day with a kiss
Look your best
Go on a date once a week
Neglect the whole world rather than each other
Slow down, watch a sunset together
Never go to sleep with an argument unsettled
Show respect
At least twice a day say something kind or complimentary to each other
Smile often, laugh together
Say I love you more than frequently
Remember "it takes two" for everything, even love

Saturday, January 15, 2011

Day 49! Rodizio's Grill

    Today Brian drove me to Brigham City to meet my mom so that I could go home with her. Brian went off to do more sells in Tremonton and I went off to shop. Ha that sounds like a paradox. Anyway, my mom and I looked in a few stores to find Brian a shirt or two that would match the outfits I had chosen to wear. We found some and then it was off to my eye appointment. We then drove home with not so wonderful news... I may have a viral infection on my cornea. No fun! So I get to try some stuff to find out if I can get rid of it for the next few weeks.
    Anyway, once home I got to see Camille and baby Claire! Claire is getting so big! She's almost 6 months! After playing and chatting with them for a bit, I got the luncheon list out again and started to look up decorations and tried to find good deals on table cloths and frames and whatnot. Hopefully I'll find some so we can save some more! I just love finding deals! But then again.. Who wouldn't?
    So Rodizio's Grill is the place we're looking at, I may have previously already mentioned that... but oh well! It's in Trolley Square and would just be a fun location and great atmosphere! My parents gave me the idea from a wedding luncheon they went to this summer of Camille's brother-in-law, Jon. They said it was just much better than the Lion House or Joseph Smith Memorial because it had more than one choice of food, it was unlimited, and people were able to get up and move and so it was more interactive! Plus it's about the same price with better food! So once again I find it a pretty good deal and very delicious! We hope that we'll be able to finalize the idea very soon!

Friday, January 14, 2011

Day 50! Have I Done Any Good in the World Today?

    What a wonderful day! Brian and I got so much done and are both feeling really productive! Isn't that the best feeling? Tonight we got the fabulous opportunity to go volunteer for a Special Needs program. We played with the kids, read stories, and watched Despicable Me. I think we are planning on going back next week because it was so uplifting and special. One of my favorite special needs guys to work with was named Ben. He was such a charmer. All he wanted to do was squeeze my hand and when he did so I would squeeze back and he would just bust of laughing. This was a constant recurrence! I really loved working with these choiced spirits. I was going to go into Special Ed for a long time at one point of my life, but then I switched to a Psychiatric Technician and decided that in the future I'm for sure going to do Special Ed on the side.

    Working with these wonderful sons and daughters of God, I can't help but think how blessed we are to have them here. They were the most valiant children in the war in heaven and because of this they didn't have to be tested when they come to earth. They are put in these bodies so that Satan can't touch them. They have a straight ticket to the Celestrial Kingdom! I know, that we as a society and as individuals, are being tested by them. Isn't that such a wonderful thought? We are should recognize daily our many blessings and look for opportunities to serve more often. If we do, we will see a great difference in our lives.


 “He who lives only unto himself withers and dies, while he who forgets himself in the service of others grows and blossoms
in this life and in eternity.”
 -President Hinckley

Thursday, January 13, 2011

Day 51! 9:00 AM March 5= Mrs. Larson

    Brian was able to change the temple time from 9:40 am March 5, to 9:00 am March 5 which was fantastic! This gives us more time at the luncheon which is greatly appreciated. I don't want to be rushed on the day of the wedding because of the plane ticket. I'm now praying for good weather. I understand there will still be snow everywhere and I'm getting used to a winter wedding, but I don't want it to actually be snowing, and windy, and cold.. But who knows? With my luck, it just might happen that way. Ha!
    My passport also came in the mail today so that's good news! No stress waiting for it to come in now! Hallelujah! My sister Camille also drove home with baby Claire today so I can't wait to see them this weekend. I have to put this picture up, even though it's from Christmas, because it's my favorite picture and I feel like it should be put in a catalog!
    That face so irresistible! I just want to squeeze her!
Later I went to James's swim meet at the HPER building. He did such a great job!



Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Day 52! Swing Dancing

    Today I went and got my hair cut by a new girl and also re highlighted. I was super nervous right before engagement pictures to do so, but I needed it and I had a coupon for $20 off. So I took the chance.. And WOW! I looked in the mirror after and I felt like I stuck my head in a bucket of yellow paint! It's way too blonde! When Brian saw me he just stared... and didn't say anything. Dang.. Not the reaction I wanted. Ugh, I'm really not happy because I look so fake now and my eyebrows are way darker than my actually hair. Blasted! Here's a picture.. don't laugh..
This is a bad picture.. but at least you see it's... not normal!
    Anyway, later that night Brian and I were able to get back into our weekly swing dancing routine. Which was of course A BLAST! I love that boy and just love it when we swing dance together!
    This picture is really bad.. but it's all I have of us swing dancing... Doesn't Brian just look so ridiculously good looking? :) Ya, I thought so too!

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Day 53! 1/11/11

     1/1/11! I remember thinking about this date years ago and thinking it would never come.. and here it is! Brian and I made one of our favorite dishes together. Honey Garlic Chicken. I have to admit I'm really excited to have my own kitchen with my own stuff to use that I can take care of. I love to cook and can't wait for the day that I can be cooking dinner and have it be ready by the time Brian gets home from work or school. That sounds soooo cozy!
    Here is the recipe for Honey Garlic Chicken. I put it with rice and it made it delicious!
(I placed already cooked chicken in a frying pan and added the honey garlic sauce and warmed it all up together)
6 Chicken Tenders
½ tsp salt
¼ tsp pepper
¼ c soy sauce
2 garlic cloves, crushed
1 TBs ketchup
1 TBs vegetable oil
½ c honey

Place chicken in baking dish.  Blend all other ingredients in blender.  Pour over chicken.  Bake at 350 degrees for 50 minutes

The way I made it was a wee bit different, but I'm sure anyway with that sauce would turn out "Mmmm GOOD!"
Later my roommates and I worked out and watched this season's Bachelor. I've never been a huge fan of these dramatic shows, but watching it with these girls has been a BLAST!

Monday, January 10, 2011

Day 54! First Day Back

     So back to classes once again! Brian has been SO ready to come back and be busy once again. He's not the kind of person that likes to have a lot of free time and time to relax. Sadly he worked the night shift again last night and was just so exhausted today that he missed his first class and staggered to the rest of them. He even had enough energy to throw me in the snow! Burrrrr..
    We still had a great day though, getting back into the semester and everything. I was able to get my entire schedule figured out which was nice so I feel much more at ease. 18 credits for me and I need to get a Dean's signature so I can sign up for a dance class with Brian! Brian has 14 credits I believe, but man are the subjects WAY over my head! That kid is too smart for my brain and it blows my mind. I love how he always has an explanation for every response or biological movement. It's creepy sometimes... but that's how my dad can be too! Ha... Men---They love to show off that's for sure :)
     Anyway.. more wedding stuff with shortening the luncheon list down. It's crazy how many family members one really has when it's all down on paper. But we are only allowed a certain number so it's gonna be hard to pick and choose. Hopefully the family will understand the situation though and know we still love them! I also had to make a few appointments today... it's weird to think how much a girl spends yearly on haircuts, highlights, make-up, hair products, nails, perfume... and whatever else girls buy. For me, it's all happening at once so the prices are stacking up.. ugh! Do I really need all this now? Ha, but I keep getting told, "It's worth it, it is your special day!" I just want to make sure I look as natural as I can. I want to look like me and not completely done up so that when I look back I don't recognize myself ya know?

P.S! We've been Engaged for a Month now! Woot Woot! And it's been four months since our first kiss! Woah!!! :)

Sunday, January 9, 2011

Day 55! Reflection!

    I was looking through pictures today and thought I would post some from Fall Break when I went with Brian's family to St. George to stay in a family condo an go boating. Wow was it a blast! We got to do lots of fun things like playing games, building awesome things in the sand like this crocodile below (this is a pic of after the kids jumped on it and ruined it) and going hiking and to the Tuacahn Theatre to watch Crazy For You. We got to go walk around the gorgeous St. George Temple. It was just sooo white and pure!







BTW: It's been 4 months since our first date today!

Saturday, January 8, 2011

Day 56! Favorite Dates

     Today's post is just going to be explaining just a few of Brian's and mine favorite days. Now remember that we've seen each other EVERY SINGLE DAY since September 9 and so we have been on loads and loads. So we have many memories to reflect back on, here are just a few!
     One of my favorite dates is the day that Brian walked me to my class at noon and as I got to the door he grabbed my hand and pulled me into his arms. I thought for sure he was just going in for one last kiss, but no.. He lead me over to Old Main hill and the next thing I knew we were playing in the leaves. This was such a movie moment for me because everything was so perfect. This last fall up in Logan was the prettiest fall I've ever seen. There were so many leaves all over campus and Old Main was covered in them. It took us hardly anytime to build the biggest pile of leaves I had ever built, let alone seen in my life. And then came the best part.. we jumped in them. We completely covered ourselves and swam through the leaves--I kid you not! This moment was so spontaneous and random for the both of us that it made it all the more fun to be apart of! I remember as we laid in the leaves Brian started to sing the Taylor Swift song, Today Was a Fairytale. And I can tell you right now that, that day certainly was! :)

Another date that I loved was one even more spontaneous than the leaves. One night we were bored and decided that we would go down to the laundry room below my apartment and... well ride in the dryers! It was kind of a bitter-sweet feeling because it hurt but was super fun as well.
One time we decided that it would be fun to relive our first date if we HAD ended up on the hike instead of in Bear Lake. So we took a midnight hike up Logan Canyon to the Concrete Playground. It's pretty cool because it's this old water aqueduct thing and so we had lots of fun climbing in and out of the tunnels. It seriously was just like a jungle gym... except on the edge of a mountain where we could fall into the canal below and die.. haha just kidding. It was a blast though.

Ha get ready for more because there is more coming! So since our first date was on a Thursday, we have made sure to go out on an official date EVERY Thursday since September. It has worked out great so far and really been something in the week to look forward to. One Thursday Brian told me to dress up and that was it. I had no idea what to expect, but then he took me to the Logan temple where he took me around the side where the benches were and pulled out his backpack. Inside he had his scriptures along with mine. So we just sat in front of the temple and read together. Wow... This was more toward the beginning of our dating experience and it was one of the times that I really felt and knew that this was more than just a relationship, but a forever-eternal relationship.

Here is a time right after the BYU game in football where we won. We went to Angie's to eat and clean a sink with a group of friends. That was a good night! When the waitress brought out our sink full of ice cream, we had a kid on our table pretend to pour ketchup on it and all of us yelled out for him to stop.. this action made the ENTIRE restaurant go quiet and look at our table. We all just laughed and dug in. After we finished we started clapping for ourselves and the whole restaurant did as well. Brian got up and started to bow until I pulled him down beside me. Ha.. and then the most random thing happened.. a guy at a different table started yelling, "WHO LET THE DOGS OUT?!" and the whole restaurant replied "WHO? WHO? WHO?" Talk about unity after that game ha.

     This picture below is when Brian and I drove down to Salt lake for conference on October 2 where in between sessions we decided to check off a thing on my bucket list. I have always wanted to go on a date where we "pretended" to be an engaged couple and go look at rings and have some outrageous story to tell on how we met. So Brian decided to do so with me. We'd only been dating for three weeks at this time anyway so we didn't feel anything too serious. We came up with a really good story and walked into Morgan Jewelers at the Gateway. As soon as the salesman started asking us questions we totally lost our story and stuttered through the whole experience. We were both so giddy and jittery and it cracked me up. Later when we drove away he turned to me in the car and said, "Anna, that could have been real!" I got so many butterflies at that moment that I turned to him and asked him if we could just scream for a minute.. so we did. Just to get the nervous excitement out that this could be real.

Below are pictures of the Sunday Afternoon Session of Conference.
 Right before I went to meet his sweet family.

Below is when we went hot tubing by jumping the fence to the Best Western Inn.

Below is a picture of when we went to the Forgotten Carols. This was an amazing experience for the both of us. It was Brian's first time seeing it and it was my second.. the first for me was when I got the opportunity to sing in the chorus last year at Dee Events Center.
These last two are just some random ones right before he asked me to be his eternal companion! :)