hugfest 2011.

Twice a year the LDS Church holds their General Conference where they hear the words of their Prophet and chart the course of their church and their personal lives. It is the highlight of the year for them. Some Christian (and non-Christian) fellows yell, scream, spit, have huge banners, and cause a scene, even with many of the people who attend being young children. The words: prostitute, whores, etc. are thrown around. Sometimes people actually drag the Book of Mormon on the ground in front of the attendees. And it’s not just one group, they are on most of the corners in downtown SLC doing this. So. Our brand new church went down to give out some love. Jesus style. “HUGS not THUGS” were our marching orders. We gave out free hugs right next to those who gave them (and us) an earful. Instead. We gave them an armful. In some parts it was pretty volatile. As we would stand right next to the protestors. They would accuse us of helping these people go to hell. And so on. I definitely do not agree with the LDS doctrine. But it did feel great to step out of our comfort zone and bring some love into Utah. A great way to "reach, teach, and love the world like Jesus."  

Here Scott & I are with our Pastor's kids.  The lady in the back
wasn't with us.  But she was really nice.  We had people
scattered everywhere.  As there were blocks filled with
these protestor's.





Fox 13 News even came and interviewed a couple of us.  We were on the news that night.  Here is the short news article online.  http://downtown.fox13now.com/news/community-spirit/counter-protesters-offer-hugs-temple-square/51136

As Jesus said, "They will know you by your love.  Love your neighbor as yourself."

potty please.

I swear I have the weirdest problems.  A little over three weeks ago I noticed this lump on my lower left side.  I had a small pain there but figured I pulled a muscle.  Or it was something I ate.  Or it would just go away.  I didn't want to go to the Dr. and pay money for them to tell me something stupid.  Well.  Three weeks later came and the lump was extremely hard and rope-like.  It went all the way from the top of my girly part up the left side of my stomach.  The pain got really bad on Sunday.  Scott wanted to take me in but I wanted to wait until Monday to go to my primary physician because it would be a lot cheaper.  So in I went on my Monday lunch break.  After the 20 question game and him doing a pelvic exam and urine tests, guess what it is.  Freaking severe constipation.  Are you kidding me?!?!  He said he had never felt a large intestine so enlarged and un-hollow.  I mean.  Who knew deer pellets weren't normal?  So yesterday I had to drink an entire bottle of magnesium chloride.  I was nervous it wouldn't work and I'd have to do the Dr's next steps.  Enema's.  Or possible surgery.  Oh it worked!  I have since gone to the restroom 11 times over the last 17 hours.  Holy moly.  I guess three weeks of food can be a lot.  We're so thankful it was this and nothing more extensive or severe!

In anticipation of my new home for the night.  Scott
decorated our toilet and wrote a sign that said
 "Reserved for Brooklyn." This is what I came home to.
The entire night was quite humorous to him.  Glad
someone got to enjoy it. :) 




real 2011.

So we went to the first 2011 regular season Real game.  And what a better team to open against than the LA Galaxy.  Yep.  We beat them 4-1.  David Beckham hardly did anything.  He still looks good though. We are true fans.  This game was freezing.  Afterwards a hot chocolate and donut stop was immediately planned.

 

   

Meet Krystal.  She is our new great friend.  Her husband Scott is not pictured.  But he is just
as awesome.  It was their first Real game.




willowcreek country club.

Ok. Call us crazy.  The last few months have been very interesting considering scott's job possibilities.  When he was interviewing for jobs a couple months back he went in for an interview at willowcreek country club.  He hadn't heard back from them by the time he was offered his job at the U, so he assumed he was no longer a candidate.  Nope.  He was wrong.  He got offered the grounds foreman job at willowcreek and starts there march 15.  He is so excited.  This is his dream job.  Well, not exactly.  But it's the first stepping stone to becoming a golf course superintendent.  And where better to start than at one of the top three country club golf courses in utah?!  I'm excited for the opportunities this will bring for us and his career.  To celebrate we went to a jazz game.  Cheers.

(don't mind my crazy looking eyes.  also.  this is the first game after williams was traded to the nets for favors and harris.  hence the sign. we lost. but it was a great game.)



all i want for Christmas is my two front teeth....

....and no wisdom teeth! About two weeks ago I got all four of my wisdom teeth pulled. Now this was quite the feat. I opted out of IV sedation for oral sedation in order to save a lot of our dollars. I really can't remember much. I remember telling my mom the wrong way to get there. So we were late. You see, you have to take a pill an hour before the procedure and then they give you another one when you get there, so I was already nutso by 7:30 a.m. I also remember thinking through the whole procedure that I was snorting. Really couldn't tell you. So it's whatever. And my last great memory was smiling at the pharmacist with blood covered teeth. Yep. Extremely attractive. After the pills wore off I got really sick. Like throw up ten times that night sick. That part was awful. But now I'm great. Four teeth lighter and I can eat my beloved carbs again. (Sorry no pictures. I didn't even get swollen.)

employment.

God sometimes has to ultimately close one door for a new door to open. And with that, an even better door! Scottie will now be working here...

...the University of Utah! Isn't this picture of the campus just gorgeous?! I am so thankful for this opportunity for Scott, he will be treated great and receive great benefits! Move aside groundscrew, here comes my hubby! Go Utes!

snowshoeing.

We got snowshoes for Christmas from our Aunt Debby and Nana Foster. We have wanted to get into it and try it out so bad, so we finally were able to go yesterday morning. We went up to Solitude ski resort where they have a place devoted to Snowshoeing trails and Nordic skiing trails. We went with our friends, Brady and Victoria. This was us before we started our adventure, we had no idea what was in store!

The trails we chose were absolutely beautiful! Our dumbest decision ever was to hike down the mountain and then back up....the overall hike was 4 miles and we all could hardly complete the last 45 minutes of the upward hike. It was hilarious....but after my body continually transferring snot from my nose to my lips for everyone's entertainment, groin pulls that still are leaving us somewhat un-mobile, and us having to stop every ten minutes to catch our breath, it was AWESOME! We are already planning our next outing next weekend. Such a good work out with great friends and God's awesome terrain.