Miracle on 42nd Street

This video brought a lot of holiday cheer to the Anderson Clan last year and I wanted to remember the link for myself so I'm posting it here. 

I hope it brings a smile to your face! (or else you'll just think I have a creepy sense of humor)

We're having a.............

We got to go to our first ultrasound yesterday and were so stoked to hopefully find out what we are having! I guessed boy, Karl guessed girl. The winner of the guessing got to choose a dessert for after the appointment. 

It was amazing to see my little baby for the first time. It's mindblowing to me how my body is growing a human! 

Baby was not in a cooperating mood for the appointment though. The ultrasound techs teased that we have a little trouble maker on our hands because baby would not hold still when they needed or move when they needed for any of the pictures. 

Luckily, baby cooperated enough for us to find out we are having a........

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GIRL!!!

We are so stoked to be welcoming a sweet baby girl into our home at the end of February. 

Karl will be the cutest daddy ever:)

Infant-icipating

Karl and I are stoked to announce we are expecting a baby! 

Baby Beckert should make it's appearance sometime near the end of February. 

We got to hear the baby's heartbeat yesterday. I can honestly say that was one of the best sounds I've ever heard. We could even hear our baby kicking around having a grand old time. It was such a neat experience! 

We are so excited to expand our little family! 

We don't find out what we're having until sometime in October, but we're having fun guessing and coming up with names:)

It's crazy how fast life has happened lately, but we're enjoying the ride.

Rambling/ Dream

"Dream"

I was a little girl
Alone in my little world
Who dreamed of a little home for me.
I played pretend between the trees,
And fed my houseguests bark and leaves,
And laughed in my pretty bed of green.

I had a dream
That I could fly
From the highest swing.
I had a dream.

Long walks in the dark
Through woods grown behind the park,
I asked God who I'm supposed to be.
The stars smiled down on me,
God answered in silent reverie.
I said a prayer and fell asleep.

I had a dream
That I could fly
From the highest tree.
I had a dream.

  Now I'm old and feeling grey. I don't know what's left to say About this life I'm willing to leave. I lived it full and I lived it well, There's many tales I've lived to tell. I'm ready now, I'm ready now, I'm ready now To fly from the highest wing. I had a dream.

I love this song. The last verse describes exactly how I want to feel when I get to the end of this life and can look back on everything I've done here.

I think about flashbacks from this past year of college. I had some awesome growth opportunities. I didn't appreciate them as much as I should have.

I don't want to do that this year.

I will enjoy all the opportunities my Heavenly Father has given me for this next phase of life. I can't go wrong by following his counsel.

I've been in a really reflective mood this past week. I've learned:
 

One, I have the worst long term memory known to man. I can't remember half of what happened in high school let alone my childhood.
 

Two, I think I'd remember more if I start focusing more on positive things that happen, actually keep a journal (I stink at blogging and journaling), actually use my camera to capture some memories, and spend more time thinking in quiet. (I have a horrid habit of turning the tv on for the background noise when I'm home alone)
 

I've been working on finishing the Book of Mormon before school starts. I haven't been doing so great and probably won't make it, but I've spent more time studying than I have in a long time. That book always inspires change for the better in me. (King Benjamin's address in Mosiah got me thinking, hence the ramble that is this post)
 

Here's to moving forward with a dream for a year filled with positive change and actually remembering all the awesome things I get to do over the course of the next two years ( and beyond, but I'm a short term planner:)

"If you want to make God laugh, tell him your plans"- Woody Allen

A speaker at my graduation used this quote, and I've thought about it a lot lately. 

The past two years of my life, I've learned my plan may not have really been the best plan for me ( go figure). I was going to breeze through school, become an SLP, and start thinking about marriage after that. I obviously have a loving Heavenly Father who has much more understanding about what I really need than I do. 

My plans for post graduation were to work and become Karl's sugar mama to get him through school. It was a good plan.....until I couldn't find a job. So I kept praying, applying everywhere and trying to figure out what I was supposed to do with my life. One of my professors mentioned a fairly new masters program at USU in the deaf education department. Something inside me pushed me to to ask her for more information. I liked what I heard and applied on a whim assuming even if I got in, I wouldn't be accepting. There was no way we could pay for it anyways. 

Miracle of miracles I have been accepted into this program and been provided with financial aid to cover a lot of the cost. I've hesitated about posting this for awhile, afraid that I'm jumping ahead of myself and this isn't what I'm supposed to be doing, but after a lot of thought and prayer I've accepted the offer. I'm freaked out, not totally sure how this is all going to work out, but I definitely feel good about this new path. I'm learning to trust in that still small voice that is helping me get out of my own way to find the best direction for my small family. 

I'm really excited about this program! It's not where I thought I was going, but I am so excited to work with deaf children and make a difference in their lives and their family's lives. So in two more years I can call myself Master Beckert! I think Karl 's gonna like that more than Bachelor Beckert:)

(http://www.soundbeginnings.usu.edu/auditory_learning/index.html)dex.html)

Land of the Sun

We had a great time in Arizona! I was afraid Karl wouldn't come home with me when the trip was over! He's already started our two year plan for moving to Mesa as soon as we're both done. We made so many good memories this trip. 

-We learned that there is in fact a town called Tuba city

-We got to go to the zoo and have a monkey jump right in front of us! And I mean right in front of us! 

-I proved that the Phoenix zoo does have camel rides! 

-We went to a Diamondbacks game ( a first for me and Garrick, Tori's husband)

-A man with a very sweet looking Sparky tattoo got very excited about Karl's ASU Fear the Fork shirt.  He my friends, was a true ASU fan.

-We went to Freestone park and enjoyed a free concert in the park

-We swam our little hearts out

-We got tans! 

-We went to the Gilbert Library and hung out by the coolest pond in the back

-We went to eat at Matta's twice and decided that the shredded beef is so good, we would be happy to order a plate of just the beef

-I learned that reading in the car for Tara is a big no no unless she wants to feel sick for the next 24 hours

-We also learned that we need to invest in a video camera, because the gems we caught with my parents camera were too good not to share. I'm putting all of the footage we have together and I'll post that later, but here is hands down everyone's favorite video clip from the trip: 

 

P.S. If anyone knows of a good program to use to put video together for a PC. I'd love ideas:)

Bachelor Beckert

Graduation was awesome!!! I keep calling myself Bachelor Beckert. Karl hates it. Something about me not being single.....or a man. 

 Here are some pictures to prove that I made it...

 "Congratulations on participating in the commencement ceremony at Utah State University! Participation in ceremony does not guarantee graduation from the university." Awesome.

Graduation was filled of lots of good family time. My awesome in laws through me a BBQ beforehand complete with amazing burgers, sarah salad (courtesy of my mama), and sheet cake! I loved getting to see my family and even have my grandma & grandpa Hansen come up to celebrate. Shae and Jake stayed with us that night and we got to party hardy! I love my family. 


This whole day I couldn't believe I actually finished. I thought a lot about the people who helped me get here. My parents have always pushed me to do my best, not to mention I could not have survived college without their support. Karl supported me throughout all the craziness of taking on way too much. Man I'm so glad I married a patient guy! 


I have no idea what I'll be doing after this summer, but I'm excited for new opportunities to open up. 

I'm done!!!

Gradjeeatin'

That's right. I be gradjeeatin' this Saturday!!! 

I took my last final on Tuesday and that was that. Graduating from Utah State has a lot of mixed emotions for me. I have loved school. It's one thing I'm actually good at. I could be a professional student if the pay was better. So being done with school is actually kind of a scary thing for me. I have to figure out life. I have to get a job. When Karl goes back to school, I most likely won't be going back with him. It's weird.

But, I am excited to say that I survived college. I've learned so much and I love the major I picked. It's been a pretty awesome ride.

 I met Karl in math 1010. We got married the next fall and both had the worst semesters of our college careers (it got better:) College has been good to me. 

Now, I'll most likely have to dive into the real world, find myself a big girl job, and become Karl's sugar mama for the next little while. I am pretty excited to be at a point where I can start really helping him achieve his goals. We're dreamers. We have big plans that may never happen, but they keep us moving forward. 

Graduating has really filled my mind with lots of random thoughts about life and how just when I get comfortable, everything changes again. I'm starting to like change a lot more than I used to though. Change is good. 

For now, I'm soaking up the last little bit of this week of exciting changes.

Look out world! Here comes Mrs. Tara Julene Beckert with a head full of Bachelors degree knowledge in Communicative Disorders and Deaf Education.

Giddy up!

Love is when....

Love is when your best friend brings your lunch to work because he knows you will forget to feed yourself.

Thanks Karl.

You're my favorite:)

sooooo...............

I couldn't think of a clever post that these pics would actually work in, so I'm doing a random today. But seriously, all my posts are what the random. So I'm doing a normal post!

I could try not to laugh at my own jokes, but seriously I'm hilarious. New favorite joke:
What do you call a psychic midget that just escaped from prison?................................................. A small medium at large!!!

Amen!

We officially have t minus one week until finals week which doesn't really count because I'm done by Tuesday!!!

We officially have t minus three weeks until we are on the road to sweet and sunny Arizona!

Speaking of Arizona, every blogger that I like I find out lives in Arizona. I'm pretty much taking this as a sign!

Exhibit A: I believe in unicorns

Exhibit B: peace love lauren

Exhibit C: busy bee lauren

And the latest one.....

Exhibit D: Living with Fletch

I'm not really sure if they are from Arizona, but they got married in the Mesa temple so that automatically made me follow her blog!

I use exclamation points a lot when I write.

Some other excitingish things happening around here in the last few weeks:

Karl dislocated his shoulder -again- playing ward basketball. At least it wasn't just dropping a golf ball this time:) He got it back in and hopefully we can keep it that way.

My cousin Brynn is coming to visit me tomorrow! I haven't seen this girl in awhile so I'm pumped to catch up.

I have zero desire to finish homework right now. Man I think the end of the semester is gonna be a rough one.

PS22

I heard these kiddos sing today and am totally in love with their sound. Plus, there choir teacher is awesome! They all totally get into the music instead of having to stand stick straight without moving a muscle. Don't get me wrong Ms. M. As much fun as muscle cramps and fear of your choir reign of terror were in high school, this choir would have rocked to be in.




On a different note, school is over in officially two weeks. TWO WEEKS! I am pumped. Only three group projects, three tests, one paper, and one assignment, and end of year senior clinic wrap up until I am done with homework FOREVER! Most likely.

Every Thursday between work and class, Karl takes me to McDonald's for a treat. I love Thursday.

Thursday is also the day of our Psych party with some pretty awesome friends from our ward.

I go to Arizona in four weeks. YAY!

In four weeks, I get to go to my first every pro baseball game. Go Diamondbacks!

I need full time job. Working on that.

The sunshine felt marvelous yesterday. I hope it comes back soon.

I get to go party it up with my fam in the land of cornucopia (bountiful, a lot of) this Saturday!

Come on Friday!

Happiness List

1) Conference weekend! I needed that weekend full of food, family and uplifting words from the leaders of our church. Plus, no meetings for Karl! I got to be with him all day:) That makes me happier than anything.

2) Countdown to graduation has officially reached t minus four weeks!

3) Having a barbecue tonight to celebrate the super beautiful weather.

4) Karl's insurance job turned into an internship! That's pretty sweet:)

5) Being poor has a perk. Tax returns!!! Booya!

6) Going to Arizona right after I graduate! Can't wait to soak up some Arizona sun.

7) This picture:


8) Nobody played an April fools joke lying about me becoming an aunt!!! (Just kidding Nicolie. I'm glad it came true!)

9) Coming up with games for speech therapy. Seriously, communicative disorders rocks as a major. I get to play games with an awesome client twice a week.

10) Sending jokes to Oldungur G. He may not always find them funny, but man I sure get a kick out of 'em.

on my mind

We got to go celebrate a pretty fantasmagorical day with the Beckerts last week. Ms. Tori Elizabeth Beckert got married!!! Now she is Mrs. Tori Elizabeth Reeves! It was such a great day and I loved every minute of it, but I completely loved the temple. There is nothing quite so satisfying as seeing another family member you love make it to the temple. There was an incredible peaceful feeling there all day!



Every time I think of the temple lately, I think of my Anderson family motto: No Empty Chairs. My grandma and grandpa Anderson took advantage of every opportunity to share their testimonies of the gospel of Jesus Christ with us. Family was what mattered most to them and they always said how they want each of us to pattern our lives after the Savior so that when we make it home to Heaven, we get to see each member of our family present. Nobody is left behind, left out, or forgotten.

I love that promise of eternal family. I love that I have been able to start my own family and I love seeing my family grow and grow.

The temple truly is Heaven on Earth and I loved getting to watch my cute sister-in-law and now brother-in-law make promises to each other that will bless them forever.

On a different note.....

It's Spring Break! I'm pumped. I've got senioritis bad. I thought it was bad in high school, but this graduation craving is worse than my chocolate craving, which is surely saying something.

I'm excited that It's finally spring and next week Karl and I are heading down to the land of Bountiful, a cornucopia, a lot of to visit these two stinkers....

We are pretty excited. I never really thought about what it would be like to have all of my siblings grown up, married and scattered all over the place, but sometimes it's hard. I love their spouses super much and love that I get to be an aunt now (that totally rocks), but I do miss getting to hang out with my family on a Sunday, go on weekly walks with my mom, nurf gun wars and water fights, family dinner talks ( oh so many good ones), and lots of other things. Basically family I love your guts and we need to get together again reeeeaaaaallllyyyyy soon because Christmas feels like it was FOREVER ago and I haven't seen any of your faces since then and that frankly bites monkeys!!!

I'm sorry that whenever I blog I seem to rant about nothingness, but here be the thoughts running through my brain and sometimes, it's nice to just get write them out of there.

I'ma gonna keep enjoying this lovely spring day:)

P.S. to self. Sorry to anybody who may be mortified/offended/upset at this link, but I've been laughing out loud at work for the past half hour because of it and I had to share. I love Harry Potter, but this was a pretty funny interpretation:)

Tagged

Hannah tagged me in this fun blog questionnaire so whilst doing nothing at work, here is a lot of random about me:

1. Post these rules.
2. Post a photo of yourself and 11 random things.
3. Answer the questions set for you in the original post.
4. Create 11 new questions and tag people to answer them.
5. Go to their blog/twitter and tell them you've tagged them.

11 Random Facts
1. I am a chocoholic
2. I love to read fiction, but my favorite is Disney classic fairytale stuff when good always defeats evil!!! Yes, I'm cliche.
3. My favorite movie in the whole world is While You Were Sleeping. I wanted to marry I guy who made me laugh like Jack and lucky me I sure did!
4. I have a fruit obsession. On one of our firstish dates, Karl asked me what I wanted for desert and I told him an apple ( which I totally wanted) and now we get fruit all the time for our treat on dates. It's fabulous:)
5. I want to move to a place that is warm. Blech to snow!
6. I have scars on my arms from my cat Snowflake and I kind of love them because they remind me of her. I miss that little (I know she was fat family) pretty kitty.
7. I have an obsession with the Irish. I want to go to Ireland someday.
8. I love dance parties and miss going to them!
9. I love to play the piano and most Sundays I practice hymns. The neighbors downstairs told me once that they like it because they get to sing a long as I play. Gotta love Aggie Village:)
10. I day dream in cartoon form.
11. I can twitch my eye!

Questions
1. If you could be any X-man, who would it be? Well, what mutation would you have?
-I don't know much about the X-men, but I would want to fly!

2. What is your favorite article of clothing to wear?
-My favorite item of clothing to wear would be scarfs. I love them. I have way too many, but I love every single one.

3. What is your very favorite scripture ever?
-My favorite scripture ever is Romans 8: 35-39. This chapter taught me a lot about my Savior and every time I read it I'm reminded of the love he has for me.

4. What is one of your tangible treasures? (baby blanket, grandma's jewelry, etc)
-My tangible treasure is definitely my scrapbooks. My mom put a lot of work into those and I love looking back at such great memories.

5. How many babies do you want to have one day?
-4 or 5 I think

6. What is one of your fondest childhood memories? Feel free to tell the whole story.
-My favorite childhood memory is when my brother Garen and I were about 5 and 6. Garen had one of those big power-wheel cars you could drive in. We dressed up in a hat and goggles and road up and down the street in our neighborhood. My parents got some funny calls from the neighbors that we had thoroughly entertained for the day. I still remember riding up and down the street having a grand time:)

7. Why did you pick the career you did?
-I really wanted to do something that would benefit other people and Speech Pathology definitely fit that criteria and my personality pretty well.

8. What is your favorite holiday? Why?
-Christmas!!! I love being close to family. I kind of miss having my whole family together all the time, but during Christmas I at least get to see all of them which is great.

9. Football or soccer?
-Soccer all the way

10. Do you have any scars? What happened?
-Most of my scars are from my cat Snowflake. She was a feisty little thing, but I loved to hold her and sometimes she would get upset, hence the scratches.

11. All time favorite movie?
-While You Were Sleeping. You can even watch it on Youtube!!!

11 New Questions

1. Who is your favorite super hero and why?
2. If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?
3. Where do you get most of your clothes?
4. Winter, spring, summer, or fall?
5. Cat or dog?
6. Tell me about one of your favorite moments from high school.
7. Favorite book?
8. Where would your ideal place to settle down with your family be someday?
9. Favorite treat?
10. What is your favorite way to pass the time
11. What is your dream job?

I Tag

1. Stephanie Romney
2. Catherine Newman
3. Callie Stats
4. Ashley Benjamin
5. Ashley Collins
6. Nicolie

I'm an artist!!!

Gotta love new internet discoveries! I was bored so I decided to I wanted to draw. After only one google search I found a gem of a website and low and behold, my masterpieces!

I think this pictures look exactly like a few I drew in elementary school. Looks like I didn't improve much in that department.

Excellent adviceness

I read this quote on a blog that has become a new favorite. Love this thought:

The Third Eye

"Learn to see your husband through new eyes. True love has three eyes. One eye is dim, dim to his faults. A second eye sees him as the world does. This is an important perspective. Sometimes you must help him see the way the world sees him. A third eye sees him as no one else sees him, appreciates him as no one else appreciates him. Keep this eye sharply focused and you will observe many things to appreciate. Every wonderful wife has a third eye."

-Helen Andelin

Learning how to be a good wife has been very rewarding and challenging for me. I've had to learn how to be completely selfless, which honestly I don't think I've really had to do until Karl and me become a we. But I know that we've learned so much in this past year and a half and I love that we get to keep learning together.

Love is grand.

Needin' a Vacation

Lately I really really really really really really really...etc. want to go back to this place

Arizona.

Karl took me last year and we had a blast and a half cruisin' around his old neighborhoods, eating some amazing Mexican food, and loving loving loving this place especially:


Freestone Park. The best park I have ever been to! They have everything! A giant duck pond ( you can bet I made me some duck friends), a carousel, a train! We spent lots of time here and I totally love it. I'm craving the sunshine and the warmness. I want to get to go here this time:


(Oh Sun Splash. It looks so so so perfect right now.)

And here:


(Chase stadium. Really want to watch a Diamondback game.)

We are planning a trip to go back this summer for my GRADUATION present:) I'm hoping it works out. I mean, look how amazing these pictures are! I love Gilbert Arizona. I love it after spending only one week there and I want to go back.

Summer can't come fast enough:)

Sista Sista (and you other folks)

So I was being all sentimental while working the computer labs (It is the day of love after all) when I stumbled upon Karl and my engagement pictures! It was super fun to look back. I also stumbled upon my sister's engagements (check them out here). Can I just say my sister is B-E-A-U-T-I-F-U-L!!! I remember thinking, when she was in high school and I was just a little Junior High kid, how pretty she was! And still is. I'm so happy for her and her new lover Jake. They are the cutest couple ever:) Here is a shout out to some people I'm missing terribly right now (a.k.a my familia) and want to tell them how much I love them through this bloggity blog (which I realize is a lot lamer than a phone call, but people, just love me).

Shake (Shae and Jake): You two are beyond awesome! From day one you two have been so great together. I love how much fun you two have with each other and how you're always the life of the party:)


Talon (spoken in a French accent) and Nicolie: Man I miss you guys like CRAZY! I can't even tell you how many times I've passed West Stadium Villa and wished I could pull over to come visit. I miss sleep overs in your apartment and fun chit chats with you guys. Love you guys! Come back soon k:)



Addie Girl: I love your cute little face, the way you squeal and get the cutest smile on your face when you're excited, and pretty much love the little miracle baby you are. I miss you! Come visit your Aunt Tara. I have some new jokes for ya:)


G: Can I just say writing you emails every week is one of the highlights of my life right now! I love finding jokes to send to you and I completely love that you are enjoying them. You've always been awesome at humoring my lameness. You are being an awesome missionary and serving the Lord right now in Iceland and I'm so proud of you for that! I can't wait to have you back though. Can I just say we are gonna party hardy it up in Logan!


Parental Units: I honestly don't have words to tell you how much you mean to me. I can't begin to list all of the things you two do for me on a constant basis. Thanks for picking up the phone whenever you see my number just so this daughter of yours can go on and on and on about the same things. Thanks for supporting Karl and I with school and all of our future dreams and plans. Thanks for being incredible examples of the righteous parents I hope to emulate someday. Dad, thank you for retelling me the jokes I tell you. You will always be my favorite comedic sidekick. Mom, thanks for being a craft making machine and always inspiring me to attempt creativity and try new things. You rock! I love you both to the moon and back!
Karl my love: I know I get to see you everyday (thank you thank you thank you eternal marriage), but I couldn't leave you out of this post. I love that everyday we get to learn and grow together. I love that despite my imperfections, you still love me. I love how excited you get when I pick up chips and salsa at the store, the way you have to make sure our sheets are perfectly straight before you can go to sleep, how you laugh hysterically when we watch the office, and mostly how you are an incredible example to me of following the Savior. I love you forever and for always:)


My wonderful in-laws: I'm so lucky that we live so close to you! Thanks for supporting Karl and I with everything we are doing. Thanks for sharing with us all of your fun plans and dreams for your future and letting us share ours with you. Thank you thank you thank you for feeding us every Sunday (I know Karl still loves his mom's cooking:). Thank you both for being incredible examples of patience, love and righteousness.


Tori and Garrick: Can I just say you two are the funnest couple I have ever met! I love your game of scaring each other, and how you two are so not afraid to speak your mind to each other. I am so excited for you two to be sealed for time and eternity in the temple in just a few weeks! Love you guys.



Emily!!!: You are so so so much fun! I love running into you on campus. You always make me smile. I am completely in awe of your love of running and am excited to run those 9 miles with you (most likely behind you) this July. You are truly so much fun to be around and I love that I get to be your sister-in-law.



Troy (Brent): Seriously, you are the funniest person ever. Favorite memory: the first Sunday I came to hangout with your family and you told Karl and me jokes for three hours straight. I don't know if I've ever been more entertained:) Thanks for being so happy and nice to people. You are a pretty awesome 16 year old soon to be licensed driver!


Dash: Oh puppy, I miss your puppy face. Can I just say that you are the most hilarious dog in da world! Love your furry chin!

Hope you all have a wonderful Valentine's Day. And don't forget share with the people you love how very much you love them.

The Fateful Day Has Come

If I haven't already said this enough on this here blog, I am graduating this May! Saying I'm super excited is pretty much a huge understatement. I love school. I feel like the whole book learning, memorizing, homework finishing thing might be one thing I'm actually good at, but I'd be lying if I didn't confess to loving the idea of no homework, no group projects, no general classes about stuff I won't use (exhibit A: cereal science, ya, I took a class about what grains they stick in our cereal.), etc.

But by graduating I have to figure out how I will now use my newly acquired college knowledge skills to be useful to society, or ya know, at least give our bank account a boost.

So the resume has been drafted, the cover letters have been typed, and tomorrow I start being more assertive than I think I've ever been by walking into random school/school district offices to tell them how wonderful it would be if they would hire me! And if the whole working in a school thing doesn't work out, I'll start walking into lots of random places telling people to hire me for all of my obedient, loyal, friendly, (I just described a dog didn't I?) qualities that would add oh so much to their business.

I'm freaked out, excited, can't believe that I'm really already doing this.

Wish me luck!

(Maybe I should add that quality to my resume:)

Valentine's Day

I'm not very good at being crafty, but I love that I got to try a couple projects for Valentine's Day and I think they went alright!

I copied this tutorial for the wreath.


I copied this tutorial for the letters. I didn't follow it exactly because frankly we're poor and I didn't want to go yarn crazy so I modified it a bit but I think it still worked out.

I'm getting excited to celebrate Valentine's Day with Karl. I love him more and more everyday. I honestly don't know how I would have gotten through this past year and half without him. It's hard to imagine what life was like without getting to wake up every morning and have him smile at me or be able to break down in front of him and have him hold me until I can compose myself again. I love love. I love that even though we both have to work until midnight on the real Valentine's Day, we are making our own rules and celebrating on Wednesday because we're married and we can make up our own rules because we want to!

I feel really lucky that Karl even noticed me in that math class. I still remember telling my mom about the cute guy in math class even before he talked to me on the bus (which happened only a few short weeks after that phone call to my mom thankfully:)
Even this morning when I was loving how cute he is when he's all sleepy and disoriented, I kept thinking that I can't believe how lucky I am to be married to him! I still have to pinch myself sometimes to make sure I'm not dreaming. Sorry for the sappy lovey doveyness, but when I don't get to see him for a long time (which is basically like if I have to go more than five hours without seeing him) I miss him lots and these musings about how much I love and miss him today is what's occupying my thoughts right now. Just in case I didn't say it enough already, I love this guy:)

(In Arizona last summer. Loving those palm trees.)

1 Nephi 17:13

13 And I will also be your ^alight in the wilderness; and I will prepare the way before you, if it so be that ye shall keep my commandments; wherefore, inasmuch as ye shall keep my commandments ye shall be led towards the ^bpromised land; and ye shall ^cknow that it is by me that ye are led.

Elder Uchtdorf's Talk: "We Are Doing a Great Work and Can't Come Down"

This scripture felt like very good advice I need in my life right now. And I love the story Elder Uchtdorf bases this talk on. Karl found it for me yesterday when we were both having a really hard time getting excited about all the seemingly important time consumers taking up our lives right now. Poor guy has had to put up with a break down a week from this girl since school started again.

Do you ever find that you become so busy that you loose your mind? Like every little thing you write on your to do list is a life or death matter?

That's me this semester to a 'T'. This talk is given to the men of our church, but it's completely applicable to all of us.

It was a good wake up call for me to start recognizing what items on my to do list fall under the "burned out light bulb" category and to re-focus on not crashing and burning with the really important stuff like my sanity and health (spiritual and temporal).

I love being a part of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints:)

Truth from a textbook

"Clinicians have control only over their own thoughts, feelings, and actions, and realize that various aspects of culture such as common history, beliefs/values, customs, material culture, learning style, language, social interaction style, social organization, and so on may influence the cycle of activities in a therapeutic relationship."

Dear Introduction to Auditory Rehabilitation: A contemporary Issues Approach textbook,

I just stole that quote right off chapter 3. Today I upset some people by doing what I felt like I wanted and possibly needed to do for myself. If you replace clinicians with the word people and take out the word therapeutic, it's pretty applicable to all relationships in life.

The only thing I have complete control over is myself. I can do my best to have a positive attitude, follow through on responsibilities, and fix my mistakes when I come up short. I can't control how others choose to react to that. Like the quote said, there's pretty much an endless number of factors that determine how people will react to any situation and the people I upset have the right to be upset. I'm not proud of myself for falling short. I hate admitting that I can't do everything I want to and it's even harder to admit when I need help. It's hard. But in the end, I've got to do my best and keep learning from my mistakes.

Thank you textbook.

Cha cha cha cha Changin'

I get bored with my look. Do I really even have a look? Maybe matronly is in style? Anyways, I want to change my hair again and don't know what to do! I went with shorter, darker, and added the ever so popular blunt bangs. They were ok. I don't think bangs are for me. Anywho, I'm feeling blah, and ich, and I want to spruce it up. Any hair advice out there? I'd appreciate it. I'm thinking something like this...


(my beautiful cousin Alyssa. I have hair envy. And I would be copying Nicolie because she looked so darn beautiful after she cut her hair like this that I have definitely been wanting to copy for a looooong time.)

Me also thinks I would like to be blonde again. I like blonde. If only money grew on the tree right next to my living room window!

Tuesday

CRAZY! That pretty much sums up this semester for me. I feel like almost every minute has to be scheduled out to keep my head floating above water. Sink or swim. That's what I'm dealing with, but pretty much everyone is.

Even though this semester has me so stressed, I'm so grateful that I've been able to follow through on promptings I've had for this last year of my undergraduate (can I just say I love love love saying this is my last semester before I'm a college grad!).

I felt prompted to interview to be the director of a program called Storytellers and I got it. I haven't loved every aspect of the job, but I have learned so much about myself. I don't have a lot of confidence in myself as a leader or even as a people person, but I've gained so much experience in both those areas. I've made a ton of mistakes, but I've learned from them and hopefully I'll have more confidence in myself after this.

I know I am in the right major. I love speech therapy. I love that I get to practice speech therapy with a client this semester. Our first session was today and I almost wet my pants I was so nervous! I made a lot of mistakes to, but I enjoyed the session and again get to improve by learning from those mistakes.

This post should be entitled "Hello, my name is Tara and I screw up all of the time." But I know a very loving Heavenly Father has allowed me to have experiences that help me grow. I know that because of his son, Jesus Christ, I can be forgiven of my mistakes and continually improve.

So bring it on semester!

L is for.....

LOVE!

I love love. It's inspiring me today! I read this blog by a girl who writes in such a simple but really perfect way. I wish I could say things so simply but perfectly. But I am grateful for the much needed perspective reading through some of her thoughts gave me. It may not have been exactly what she said, just how much she writes about her love for life. I forget how wonderful life is sometimes. We have a precious amount of time to make the most of what we've been given. I tend to run scared. Life gives me amazing opportunities to learn and grow, and lately all I do is panick, panick, panick, end up not reaching the potential I hoped to, then get upset at myself and all my issues. I think choosing happiness for me is directly connected to love. The more love I share with others, the more I love what I'm doing.

I love the ability we have to choose. I'm a day dreamer if you will. I love to imagine where Karl and I will end up in the next five years or even what life will be like in a couple months. I dream about what I imagine us doing, but I haven't totally believed I have the ability to make those dreams happen. I'm learning that God does take our wants and desires into account. He loves us, and simply because of that pure love He cares about the things we want. I love that fact.

I particularly love this guy:


He is the cheese to my Macaroni. He is the reason I love most days. He is hilarious!

Karl: "I love the way you cook vegetables"

Tara: "Does it make you go weak at the knees?"

Karl: "Not only the knees. The elbows go to."

Man I love this guy:)

Nothing quite brightens up the middle of the day like a lunch date to Rumbi's and Twizzlebery accompanied by only the most important of topics:

Karl: "Do you ever create your own music video for a song in your head?"

Tara: "Sure do"

Karl: "What would it look like for this song? (Australia-the Shins)"

Tara: "People playing on the beach all day!"

Karl: "I'd say 60's rock band. Lead singer has hair like Shaggy from Scooby Doo. On the beach of course."

Tara: "Oh! And Dolphin's will sing the Lalala's!"

I think we thought up a winner:)

(Last summer playing golf for my Dad's b-day)

I love good friends I've been able to keep in touch with. I fell of the map after highschool and kind of felt weird dealing with all the changes. If anybody reads this blog, and you are one of the many that has gotten an awkward 'hi' from me followed by a hurried 'see you later', I'm very sorry. I think in a way when I came to college I became more secluded and lost a little of me. I'm more grounded now and content with where I'm at. So I'm loving this blogging thing and the chance to catch up with some of you! I had amazing friends in highschool that taught me a lot and I've met some awesome people here in Logan that have been incredible. I still care about ya'll:)

I love my ward. The concept of a ward family is so wonderful! Karl and I have been blessed to gain such awesome friends in our ward. I feel a connection to this ward that I haven't felt since my Centerville ward I lived in all growing up. I love how the gospel links us together and provides us with people who help watch out for us.

Basically, love makes everything better. I'm grateful for people who help me see that. You know who you are:) I want to try harder to tell the people I love how much I love them. I want to take each new day as a new start and love the new opportunities that may come my way. I guess one belated new year's resolution I have is to love more. I think that's a pretty good one.

It Happened

So It finally happened.

The most wonderful Christmas break I've ever had ended and now it's back to school for me and my love. I had a really hard time accepting that my break was over. I cried like a little baby Sunday night keeping poor Karl up way too late in an attempt to console me. I just loved this break so much and it's all to do with how much time we got to spend with our families.

I completely loved every moment we got to be in Bountiful hanging out with my parents and siblings and getting to enjoy spending time getting to know my little niece Addie a little better. I even loved her when she spit up all over me and cried while I held her because she was helping me learn how to be a better baby-sitter (and I seriously need the practice:).

(Just look at how beautiful she is! Sorry to keep stealing from your blog Nicole!)

I loved staying up late with all of them after both family parties laughing hysterically during a few rousing rounds of Bingo and Uno one night followed by some Seinfeld trivia, boxers and briefs, and other games while drinking five bottles of Martinelli's the next night. I loved seeing how all of our in-law additions to both families fit so perfectly and make our families feel a little more complete. I loved opening presents Christmas morning and again being able to hear my parent's bear testimony of the gospel and give council through each gift they gave. I loved going to my in-law's house and spending another three days laughing while we exchanged thought out gifts, played just dance 3, ate the most delicious food (canoli is amazing), and watched some really fun movies together. I completely loved getting to go back to Bountiful for an FHE my dad put on for us that gave me new eternal perspective into the different roles I have while I'm here on this Earth. I also loved when my amazing mom took the time to come up to Logan to spend time with me while Karl was working a late night. It was all so wonderful!

(See, now you all want canoli to. Look at how amazing those are!)

Now we are back in school and each day I become a little more ok with getting back into the swing of things and not getting to see my families as much(cause I'm lucky enough to have 2 now:). This semester has started off pretty good actually, mostly thanks to Karl for being so patient with me and taking the time to help me slowly get back into reality. I really liked the first day of classes and am so stoked for all the classes I get to take. My shifts for work are pretty awesome even though my desire to hit the hay at 10:30 every night is interrupted by one night of work until midnight followed by an early opening shift at seven the next morning ( I know, I'll stop whining). I'm even excited to start Senior Clinic this semester where I get to work one on one with a client and practice speech therapy (I'm extremely nervous and very excited for this one).

So being back has been surprisingly really hard for me, but writing all of this down made me really thankful for the time I got to spend with my families and for the new year that's ahead of me. I even have some awesome, sort of different, new year's resolutions I want to post about sometime to. It's back to the grind for me.

Hope you all are enjoying this lovely winter weather:)