The Birthday Post!

Yesterday was my birthday, so after 6 hours of school (and work for Zach - yay!), we celebrated. He got me a new camera for my birthday - which I am VERY happy with. We went to dinner and then ice skating, and then came home to eat a whole cake ourselves! The whole day was great - except when I dropped a plate on my big toe. I'm convinced it's broken.

A Season of Midterms!

I love February. I love it because my birthday's in February, because Valentine's Day is in February and because the snow (if only temporarily) begins to melt and the sun comes out! Today, I went to campus without gloves, a scarf, or even a coat, and it was glorious. However, along with all of the joy this month brings, it also tends to bring a lot of grinding-teeth, pulling-out-of-hair, exhaustion and other such things. It is, after all, a season of midterms and term papers.

This week includes two midterms and two term papers. I was sitting in my adolescent literature class today thinking about how all of this was possible when I checked the syllabus and found that I have yet another midterm on Tuesday that my professor forgot to mention. So... THREE midterms and TWO papers in the next week is my lot. Fortunately though... this is my LAST season of midterms so at least I feel joy in that.

Because of my desires for sunshine, here is the recipe of our new favorite drink (shared with us by Bri and Kristopher). It is like drinking summer... a frothy, lime-flavoured summer.

Brazilian Lemonade:
-In a Blender put:
3 cups water
1/2 cup sugar
4 tablespoons sweet and condensed milk
2 limes, washed, with the ends cut off and quatered
-Pulse five times (if you do it more, the lemonade will be bitter)
-Strain and serve over ice

Bon Appetite!

Idaho... and Harlee!

Zach and the flying chair...

Zach and Kelsee

Zach and I spent the weekend in Idaho with his sister Kelsee, her husband, Nate, and our funny little niece Harlee. We drove up early Saturday morning - through snowy mountains and black fog. We spent the day visiting with Kels and playing with Harlee. I think she grew to love her uncle Zach; or at least all the games he'd play with her! She loved the flying rocking chair, and strangely enough, playing with a potato! One year olds are so silly! Anyways, we went up for Rafe's (a longtime friend's) missionary farewell. It was fun to be able to take a spontaneous weekend trip and to spend some time with family.

Things work out...

The lesson I learnt today, I've learnt before. Over and over again, this particular life-lesson seems to repeat itself. And the lesson is: things work out, everything will be fine. After Christmas, Zach and I had our fair share of struggles and trials. But, we are now once again assured that everything will be okay. I am so grateful that a kind and loving Heavenly Father knows us. He knows us and he knows how to best help us grow and become the strong, faithful individuals we need to be. This week has been an answer to months of praying for us, and all of these experiences have once again helped me to see how much God cares. I'm just trying to learn to be grateful that He tends to allow the trials to persist until the very moment I can't handle them anymore! Anyways, I just wanted to share with all of you that I know that God has a plan for each of us, of my gratitude for this plan, His help, and for my wonderful husband who supports me when my hope and faith falter.

Holiday Wrap-up

Christmas came, and went. New Year's came and went. The decorations are put away. And, we are trying - trying ever so hard - to get up the energy and desire for life to start again. I go back to school tomorrow. The light at the end of the tunnel is visible though... I will graduate in April. I have four English classes left, and 32 books to read for those four classes! Work is changing too. Instead of classroom teaching at the MTC, I will be working in the TE, a center for missionaries to come and practice their teaching. I'm sad to leave the missionaries I am currently working with, and to not be in a position to teach Spanish as much. But, I am very excited to experience a change of scenery. Zach is still looking for a job. His classes don't start until Wednesday so technically, he still has two days of vacation left. I think he's bored of being at home without anything to do, so maybe he's not as anxious as me about going back.

Anyways, we survived our first holiday season together. It was great. Some of my favourites were: Christmas dinner at the Jenkins' (especially the Christmas crackers!), doing frustrating puzzles with Zach, cooking and baking up a storm, and the way our apartment looks all decorated for Christmas. Anyways... until next time!

Our First Christmas Tree!

"It's Beginning to Look a lot Like Christmas"

December 8, 2009

I love December! I love the first snowfall (even though it's cold)! I love the Christmas Tree Zach and I put up and decorated yesterday! In short, I love the Christmas season. We are so blessed to be here celebrating Christmas together. I finished my last essay today, and so I'm feeling good. Now I just have to make it through exams, and then I can dedicate nearly all my time to enjoying this season. Zach is finishing up his last assignments. He is also looking for a new job. So when he finds a job and finishes school, he'll be enjoying the Christmas season too.