Wedding Prep

Kamber did a lot for her wedding and one of the things that she assigned herself to do was to make little bows for all of her sisters and her future nieces. This was a big project for a bride to take on and the night before she finally had people to help.

So my mom, dad, and her all sat in the dinning room cutting fabric, sewing, and gluing buttons.

Although she had a ton of things to do she did a really good job at not showing how stressed she was. And everything got done in time. But I learned that I am going to do some delegation so it can be less stressful for me on my special day.

The day before the wedding: Freezing temperatures with a bone chilling wind.

Kamber's siblings did some site seeing in downtown Salt Lake City. There was some walking in the freezing cold. ( We are so lucky to have such nice loving brothers.)

On the way back we happened to be in time to catch a ride on the Utah Trax.



Klarie was a little worried to be catching the train, but when we got back to our parents she was exited to tell about our quick train ride.

Kamber's wedding was a first for my family. We have certainly learned a lot and hopefully by the time the next one rolls around (my cousin's are sure it is going to be mine) we will be more experienced. I guess Klarie will have the best wedding of all because by then my parents will be professionals and could probably start a wedding planning business. As for me, I think I might start planning now. And maybe start looking for a guy too (he is kind of an essential part).

Mr. and Mrs. Banks

I don't think my parents expected the day that they would have to give their oldest daughter away to come so soon. I know that I wasn't ready to share my sister. But ready or not that day came. Now Kamber is married to her prince charming and is writing a new chapter in her book of life. The chapter that will led into many more chapters. She is writing her Happily Ever After story with the love of her life. Congratulations Kamber and Trevor! Remember to make your story a good one!

Vacation? What vacation?

I thought I would have more time to catch up on my blogging during my Christmas break, but it turns out that my time home was busy busy. I was constantly running around trying to visit with friends and past teachers (OK so they are friends too.), shopping, breakfast here and dinner there. So many people to see and not enough time. I felt like I had barely stepped off the plane and then it was time for me to pile into the family SUV to drive back. I am happy for the time that I did get. But I am afraid that I am going to need another vacation after this one is done. Especially after this wedding!

Flight 592

I can see the airplane that I am going to be riding just out the window. US airways flight 592. The last time I few was when I was 10 or 11. This is my first time flying by myself and for some reason I am kinda freaking out a little. I hope everything goes alright and I get home quickly! Home to family, friends, and Christmas! I cannot wait, but until then I guess I am going to crack open a new book, March. We will see how it all goes.

Wedding in 21 days

Update: Kamber's wedding is in 21 days. I think things are coming together for the most part. Kamber has sent out most, if not all, of her announcements, which means they finally got their engagement pictures taken, she has reception centers/church reserved. She has her dress! (that was a fun adventure!) And the little girls have dresses... well two options. Personally I like the white ones that will have flower petals put inside the skirt to match her color.



They will also have similar flowers in their hair. (It's hard to believe Klarie is really in Kindergarten she looks so small!)



I think that she should wear the boot to the wedding, but that is just my opinion.



I can see Katelyn wearing heals, but I guess she likes the boot look too.



Nice cheesy smile from Kelcey; I think she likes the white one better.



I think that these are cute dresses to wear to church or something, but I liked the white ones better for a wedding. What do you think?
Kamber says she still has quite a bit of planning to do, and I still need to find a dress... so we aren't ready yet.
P.S. Don't worry I will put Kamber's dress up soon!

A Happy Medium

(Part of my English final paper.)
Ever since I was a little girl, all I ever wanted to be was a mom. Every time I think about raising my own children and teaching them how to see the world with new ways, I know that is what I am supposed to be doing. The only problem with that profession is that there is not a degree program at BYU or any other college, so I need to have a backup degree. A teacher is very similar to being a mom; as a teacher I would be teaching children new things and helping them see the world around them with new eyes. Although as a teacher I would not be teaching my own children, like I would as a mom, it will still allow me to teach and help children learn about the world and I would be impacting others for good. I think that being a teacher is a happy medium between the two professions.

I thought that after I had found my happy medium between my chosen professions I needed to find the happy medium between my passions. In other words, I needed to find which of my passions I cared the most for and would be willing to pursue for the rest of my life and base my major off of my strongest passion. I decided to take a few classes that involved each of my passions: writing, reading, the Spanish language, collecting rocks, and the study of the earth. However, the more I attended classes from each subject, the more I realized how much I enjoyed each. Smart Moves for the Liberal Arts, introduced the idea of following my passions, but I could not decide which of my passions to start with. One day in class, Dr. Snyder introduced the idea of having multiple minors to make me more marketable. I decided to take more advice from Dr. Snyder and to use the resources that BYU provides, such as counselors and advisors. I talked to the Humanities Advisor, Paula Landon. She assured me that because the English major has minimal credit requirements I will be able to follow more of my passions and joys. I asked if it would look strange to have minors in subjects that did not apply to my major. Ms. Landon told me that it would actually look better on resumes because Science teachers are in high demand right now. By choosing to have multiple minors in different subjects I would become more marketable and resourceful to schools. Multiple minors would not only give me better job security, but by doing so, I would be able to find a happy medium of my passions.

I have chosen to follow the footsteps of my favorite high school English teacher, Mrs. Fraser; who taught me how to open my mind so that I could enjoy the literature while I read. She was able to do what no other English teacher had, make Shakespeare understandable and enjoyable. She also helped me to realize that older literature, that might appear boring, is found in popular culture of today. I want to be able to do the same thing for my students so that they I will be able to plant the seed of interest so that they will want to learn more. As an English teacher I want to open new passage ways for younger generations and help them discover new ways to express themselves and also to understand the world around them. I know that Mrs. Fraser did not learn these skills over night; she took specific classes to prepare her to change the world.

To me, finishing my degree in a reasonable time is important because I cannot wait to be a mom. There is not a “Mommy” degree, but there is an English Teaching degree. As a teacher, I will be able to take breaks from work in order to have and raise children. The schedules for teaching will work out great with my children’s schedules because they will be in school the same time that I will be at work. By being an English Teaching major, be able to teach and be a mother; I will have found the happy medium for my life.

Chicken Pot Pie

I have been really busy lately and have a TON of pictures to share, but no time to upload them (Finals). So I will share these pictures and recipie that I made the Sunday after Thanksgiving.











Chicken Pot Pie is one of my favorite meals and I haven't had it since school started and I was really wanting it. So Sunday after church I invited two other girls (who were back from Thanksgiving break) to come over for some pie. It was delicious, but I cannot wait for my mom's cooking. Just 10 more days!

Finding time to be thankful

The table was set at Grandma and Grandpa Brown's house. Before the food and cousins arrived, it was quite and I was able to sit back and think about all the things and people that I have been blessed to have. I really am such a lucky girl!

I have one of the best families ever! Parents that love each other and their children. Both of whom will drop everything to help make our dreams come true. I have an older sister who has been my best friend since I was born. She has recently taken me under her wing and bought me whatever I have said I needed. Since moving out of the house (temporally), I have really come to miss my brothers who seemed to be so annoying. I miss: Calvin's companionship, Colten's exotic cooking, Katelyn's creative mind, Kelcey's constant interest, and Klarie's little self. I am thankful that I have a phone that allows me to talk to at least one of them on a daily basis. I am thankful that I am going to fly home to them over the Christmas break. I am thankful for the friends that I will get to see. I am thankful that those friends have kept in touch with me. I am thankful that I have the opportunity to be away at such a prestige school to gain a higher education. I am thankful for the friends that I have made here and the fun times that we have shared. And their willingness to want to know me. I am thankful for the things that I am learning and for the opportunity to grow and become a better person. I am thankful for the people who have been their to teach me and set an example for me that have made me the person that I am today. I am thankful for the challenges that I have on a daily basis because they are shaping who I am. I am thankful for the body I have and the opportunity to take care of it. I am thankful for my Savior who has not only suffered for my mistakes and those that I will make, but for everyone that has lived and everyone that will. And I am thankful for my knowledge of this.

Funny how when during dinner all I could muster to say that I was thankful for was that I had the opportunity to be at BYU because I could not say anything else without crying. And I could not do that at dinner.


(top left: Camille, Me, Britta, Tara, Cynthia, Brooke, Tia, Amy, Kaitlin. Bottom left: Shaylah, Natalie, Mikayla, Rachel, and Lindsey.)
This was a building activity (not a good turn out, but lots of fun) called journals and Julius. We decorated little notebooks and made them our gratitude journals. And yes there were homemade Orange Julius drinks! Yummy! It's a good thing that I have a lot to be thankful for because I have a gratitude journal that I need to fill.


(Mine is on the left and the right one is Britta's.)
I chose numbers because I am counting my blessings...and because I liked the colorful numbers. I liked the stamp "Happy me", and thought that it would help me remember to be happy with what I was given. I also liked the way that Britta decorated her journal, the bird is a nice touch.



I made sure that I left the 3's for the back so that I wouldn't cover them up. Then I used some glitter glue to make them stick out a little. I guess I need to get writing.

Here comes Santa

I volunteered to help out at the Provo city Christmas parade. When I signed up I had no idea that there were going to be below freezing temperatures during the whole thing. It was very cold, but in the end it was worth it because we got to go behind the firetruck that Santa was riding on and tell the crowds waiting on the side that they needed to go back to the center of town to watch Santa light the city lights.



I was surprised by a lot of the creative minds behind the floats this was a big group of Star Wars fans that had authentic outfits. One let me hold his light-saber and it was surprisingly heavy so it must have been real.

I'll be home for Christmas

Before, Thanksgiving was just a time to eat a really big meal and have pie. There would be food, games, lots of cooking to do, and then having fun shopping on Black Friday. But this year is different! This year I realize what I did have. Family.

It hurts when people talk about going home for Thanksgiving knowing that I am not. It hurts when campus seems empty because people have gone home early. It hurts to see friends' families around campus knowing that I will not get to see mine for another month. At church someone was talking about this (in a way). They said that they were really grateful for the opportunity to be away from home because it gives meaning to the song "I will be home for Christmas." Although it is hard for me to appreciate being away, the song truly has become to mean a lot to me because it truly is how I feel.

I'm dreamin' tonight of a place I love
Even more then I usually do
And although I know it's a long road back
I promise you

I'll be home for Christmas
You can count on me
Please have snow and mistletoe
And presents under the tree
Christmas Eve will find me
Where the love light beams
I'll be home for Christmas
If only in my dreams

Christmas Eve will find me
Where the love light beams
I'll be home for Christmas
If only in my dreams
If only in my dreams

(The result of boredom!)

If I could I would be home for Thanksgiving. In fact I just looked at flights for the 3rd time today.

But this year it looks like I will be spending Thanksgiving with my grandparents. Cousins will be coming (all younger, but it is better than nothing, right?) Then on Black Friday I will be in a parade to light the city! I am going to be one of Santa's Helpers and happily lead the city in following the fire truck to city hall where Santa will turn on the Christmas tree. I am pretty excited to see how that goes, I will let you know.

Friday and we're free falling

Every Friday my friend Britta and I have a tradition of going SWKT golfing. This means that every friday we go to the tallest building on campus, ride the elevator all the way to the top (11th floor), go to the staircase, climb up another two flights of stairs to the 13th floor,



(it is a very long way down!)and then drop ping-pong balls down between the railings. The one who makes it down to the bottom floor in the least amount of drops wins.



His name is Tommy. And he has won a couple of times (he's mine).



Her name is Rosey (she is Britta's) She has done pretty good too!

Too good to be healthy

I tried out a new cookie recipe a little while ago. Sorry there is no picture they were just that good!

Apple Sauce Oatmeal Cookies

Preheat oven to 350.
Mix together: 1/4c. butter, 1 c. brown sugar, 1/2c. sugar 3/4c. applesauce, 1 egg, and 1 t. vanilla.
Sift together and add: 1 c. four, 1t. salt, 1/2 t. baking soda.
Stir in: 3c. rolled oats
Add if desired: Rains, dried cranberries, walnuts, pecans, coconut, or chocolate chips (this is what I added and they were great!)
Bake cookies for about 12 mins.
They are so easy to make, delicious and believe it or not (mostly) healthy!
I personally think that they tasted better frozen (I am not sure why, but they just did) but give them a try. They will be gone before you know it!

Sunrise . . . Sunset

I am living the college life day to day counting down the days until I get to go home.



There are 38 by the way!



I am trying really hard not to get lazy and forget to study; it is so hard.



I bought my ticket yesterday. I am not getting to leave the day that I wanted because I have one last final. So I will be getting home around 8 evening Friday the 17th. (so really it is more than a whole day later than I wanted) I am so excited! I will be flying into Kansas City and then driving the rest of the way with a friend from high school. We haven't kept in touch very well so I am sure we will have so much to talk about for the three hours. And then I will be home again. Among my friends and family! I cannot wait!

First Down

(I am not sure how to fix the pictures, but if you click on them then you can see the whole picture and in this case me.) I don't know very much about football. In fact a few times during the game I have to ask some knowledgeable person around me "What just happened?" I do know a little though. Like being there the third row from the in zone is even pretty much awesome!



(yes I snapped this picture right as they scored a touch down!)



After a score the following happens: a cannon is fired by the ROTC (totally taking you off guard and sometimes making your friend throw her phone in surprise), , the scoring team kicks the ball into a net, another cannon is fired (this one a little less of a surprise), the men cheerleaders run around the field holding these big flags while the whole stadium (except for the fans from the other team) sings the school's fight song. Rise, all loyal Cougars
And hurl your challenge to the foe.
We will fight, day or night,
Rain or snow.
Loyal, strong and true,
Wear the White and Blue.
As we sing, get set to spring.
Come on Cougars, it's up to you!
(STAND)
So Rise and Shout, the Cougars are out
We're on a trail to fame and glory.
Rise and shout, our cheers will ring out
As we unfold our vict'ry story.
On we go to vanquish the foe
For Alma Mater's sons and daughters.
As we join in song,
In praise of you, our faith is strong.
We'll raise our colors high in the blue
And cheer our Cougars of BYU.
Some cheering and shouting follows and then a couple of ROTC members go to the in zone and do push ups as the crowd counts until they reach the amount of points that their team currently has.
At least this is what happens at BYU football games.



When you are at the game you notice random funny things, like this backpack that somehow got stuck on the net.


The mascots like to do fun things like going crowd surfing up a steep crowd of fans. And lastly, you just have more fun!

PS BYU beat UNLV 55 to 7! I know that is good!

Planning my life out at midnight

I have decided on a major! English teaching (at the high school level) with a minor in Earth and Space teaching and also in Spanish! Hopefully that all works out OK. It will supposedly make me very marketable.

I am not sure why they assign me to schedule my classes so late at night because I am hardly in the right mind to be planning out my future, but I stayed up late to schedule for next semester and ended up with:

Book of Mormon (2ND half) T/Th 9:00-9:50a with Jeff Marsh (2 credit hrs)

ENGL 295 Writing Literary Criticism M/W/F 10:00a-10:50a with M. Suzanne Lundquist (3 credit hours)

ENGL 251 Fund Literary Interpretation M/W/F 11:00a-11:50a with Jamin Rowan (3 credit hours)

A HTG 100 American Heritage M/W 9:00a-9:50a and F 8:00-8:50 with Christopher Karpowitz (3 credit hours)

SPAN 205 University Spanish 3 Every day 4:00p-4:50p (4 credit hours)

For a grand total of 15 credit hours... unless a seat opens in Music 113... then I would have
Music 113 Beginning piano M/W 8:00-8:50a or T/Th 8:00-8:50a (2 credit hours).
And 17 credit hours. I really want to take that piano class!

To help me get two minors I am going to be taking online classes over the summer AND..
I have also decided that I am going to try to go on a Study Abroad to London! either the spring or the summer of next year (my sophomore year). It would be so much fun! And a great experience from what I hear.

Birthday-ed

My desk...



My bed... those really freaked me out when I woke up.



Bamboo plant that my pen-pal Maggie surprised me with. No I am not holding the plant sideways to fit it all in the picture, although that would be something I might do. My computer is being difficult and would not let me flip the picture right side up.



Kamber gave me this beautiful vibrant fall flower bouquet along with a huge bag of Veggie chips. Which don't sound too appetizing, unless they are Sensible Portions brand. Those chips are so good!



Hunger games from Colten, a money management book (I needed that), some cozy pajamas and slipper boots along with The recipe club from Hayley, and a bright yellow shirt from when my mom and I went shopping are all pictured above. What is not shown are a cute little journal and gift card to Deseret Book from my aunt, a whole bunch of candy (like a 5 pound bag and then some!) which has been tempting me, the Iphone that is on it's way to me, the other outfits that my mom got for me while she was here, Bear naked granola from my dad (which is very yummy), dinner with family, and the time I got one on one with my mom!



My favorite gift! My mom flew up to help Kamber with wedding planning, but showed up a day early to surprise me for my birthday.



Kamber and Trevor (my future brother-in-law). They came with us to dinner at PF Changs, a Chinese restaurant. It was delicious. I really need to work on using chopsticks though.
PS I have a picture of us in front with the stone horse and also a picture of me turning bright red after they sang to me, but once again my computer is not working with me so the pictures would be sideways, but I can add them anyway.

10.26.10

On Monday, Breeanna a girl in my Family Home Evening (FHE) group, decorated cookies to celebrate my birthday.



It did say "Happy Birthday Karee," BUT Kevin (the one from Canada) switched it around to say, "Happy Bathday Kreeri." Then when they sang to me they said "bathday" as well so I have to wonder if they were trying to say something... I thought I looked clean.



Another birthday surprise was this sweet little girl, Maggie. She and I have been pen pals for the past few months. She called me Monday to see if she could stop by to drop something off. (she lives 15 minutes away now). She came by with and brought a cute little bamboo plant! I don't have a picture of it yet, but it will be coming soon.



So my teacher was right and I got my birthday wish. . . SNOW!!! When Chelsea told me it was snowing I was so excited I almost wiped out on the kitchen floor in my haste and excitement to see the snow. It wasn't that much snow, but it was enough to satisfy. Later we heard screaming and yelling outside, and when we looked out the window we saw a Autumn winter wonderland. And a snowball fight forming. The snow flakes were huge and stuck to the ground!
I thought this was the best birthday gift I could ever have until 12 that night. I had fallen asleep on the couch watching a movie with Chelsea. Around 12, Chelsea woke me up and said that there was someone at the door. (Let me just say that this is kind of scary to hear after watching When a Stranger Calls So I was a little hesitant to get up and answer it.) But when I looked through the peep-hole I could not believe my eyes! MY MOM!!! She wasn't supposed to come (or so I thought) until Wednesday night and yet there she was standing in my front door. That was by far the BEST!
I got to spend most of today with her and was just so happy! She came to my Book of Mormon class and then after my other two classes we had lunch and then met up with one of her old roommates for ice cream. She took me birthday shopping and then we rushed off to Salt Lake to meet up with Kamber and her finance's family for dinner. We are going to be doing the whole wedding planning thing and trying on dresses. It will be so much fun! Pictures will come!

Ready or not...here it comes

I haven't checked to see if this forecast is right, but this is what my meteorology teacher's prediction:

Saturday- 50's with some rain... great for the football game against Wyoming
Sunday & Monday- Significantly colder with the possibility of some precipitation
Tuesday- FIRST SNOW OF THE YEAR!!!! I always wanted snow on my birthday, guess I am going to get that.
He also said that from then on the high peaks will have snow on them until we get out in the spring! I am not sure I am ready for so long with snow. I guess I will just have to stalk up on some hot chocolate.

Pumpkin Crumble bar

I have been pretty swamped with mid-terms lately so my blogging has stopped. I don't like it! So I have decided that if I cannot think of something to blog about I will blog about some new recipe or food that I made. Not quite as exciting as a fancy date, but it's something. (oh and I haven't really been on a date.)



Pumpkin Crumble Bars

Crust:
yellow cake mix-less 1 cup for topping
1 egg
1 stick of butter, melted

Filling:
1 can pumpkin pie filling
3 eggs
½ cup sugar
¼ cup brown sugar
1½ tsp. cinnamon

Topping:
3 T butter
1 cup cake mix
½ cup sugar

Preheat oven to 350. Blend crust ingredients and pat onto bottom of greased 9x13 pan. Beat filling ingredients and pour over crust. Combine topping ingredients and sprinkle over filling. Bake 50-55 minutes.

I was asked to make a treat for a church activity tonight. I more than happy to make a treat, but sadly I have a class at the time of the activity so I will not be able to try it. (I did ask if my friend could save me a piece, but I am not sure if she will be able to.) I found this recipe online on tastebook.com. So that means that I have never tried it out so you will have to tell me what you think. I actually made it on a cookie sheet rather than a 9 X 13 pan. It seemed a little gooey in the middle when I left, but I think that as it settles it should harden a little. Or maybe it is supposed to be gooey.

Truely Blueish

So this picture does not do the color justice, but it does show that my hair turned some color.



You may be wondering why I am dyed blue. One word... Homecoming!



There was a slip-n-slide that had blue foam instead of water. It is part of the homecoming tradition here at BYU. I don't question I just go have fun.
Don't worry it came right out of my hair. Now only the whites of my legs are blue.