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One Year Ago

I’m having a blogging funk right now. I am not in the mood.

I have been reading my blog posts from November and December of last year. I can’t believe it’s been a year (almost) since I had baby Eva!

Until I actually post about stuff going on now, here are some of my posts from last December:

Eva’s Due Date 

Worried at the Hospital

Most Pregnant Woman at the OB

Eva’s Birth Story

4 Days after Eva was Born

Special Moments

Embarrassing Stories from Elementary School

  1. In second grade, my crush got glasses and I called him “four eyes.” He told the teacher on me, and then I got glasses the year later. Joke’s on you, second-grade self.
  2. In third grade after getting my glasses, I had a crush in my math group and I honestly remember taking off my glasses to so he could “see me naturally.” I even remember where I was sitting when this happened in Mrs. Campbell’s class.
  3. I wasn’t allowed to watch Friends in elementary school. One day in the bathroom, there was a really cool girl and I tried to make conversation with her by saying, “Hey, did you watch Friends last night?” She said she didn’t, which was a good thing because I sure hadn’t and wouldn’t have known what to talk about! But I was sure that, by mentioning Friends, I was really cool.
  4. When I was really young, I would pretend I was sick so I wouldn’t have to go to dance class.
  5. The first time I did poorly in a piano lesson, I asked to use the restroom during the lesson and cried in the bathroom.
  6. In first grade, my teacher Mrs. Mason told everyone to gather around me so that she could show me how to properly use scissors. Apparently I held them too much to the side.
  7. My principal always said he was dropping a pin and if he couldn’t hear it, we were too loud. I thought he really dropped a pin each time.
  8. In sixth grade, we were told we weren’t allowed to throw acorns. But one recess, a lot of kids started throwing them because it was so fun. I picked up an acorn so I could join in, but then decided not to throw it and put it back down. Our teacher found out the class broke the rules and said whoever touched an acorn would have to sit out of the next recess. I was upset because I hadn’t actually thrown it, I broke down in tears at the library and the sweet library assistant asked if I wanted  to talk to the principal about everything. I just sat in his office and cried. “We” decided it was only fair that I skip recess just like everyone else. But looking back on it, I think I shouldn’t have been punished! I did the right thing and put the acorn down! Rude.
  9. My elementary school didn’t give out grades in the report card. Instead, they did lines. The longer the line for each subject, the better. This isn’t an embarrassing story, but I thought I’d share.
  10. In 4th grade, my teacher Mrs. Molique asked who believed in Santa Claus. I thought that was a strange question because what was there not to believe in? And what was even stranger was that not everyone raised their hands. Two years later… I found out the truth. I was in total shock.

No Bathroom in Sight

Writing about my time in Colorado made me think of an embarrassing story. On the hike that the pictures below were taken on, I really had to go to the bathroom. Just number one, don’t worry. But actually, I should have been worried because I had never gone to the bathroom without a toilet. We were miles away from the car and so I was going to have to drop my pants and go in some bushes.

Except there weren’t any bushes.

I started getting really anxious because I was with my brother’s friends who were these “cool college guys” and I was a little 18 year old. I didn’t know how to be like, “Oh, hey guys, I really need to pee. So, don’t look while I do my business over here.” I told Sam privately what the situation was and he told all of his friends. They didn’t care (because it wasn’t a big deal unless you are 18 year old me). They went ahead and I found a big rock. I thought, “Oh, that will be good. It could be like a seat. Just like a toilet.”

Except a big rock isn’t like a toilet.

I don’t know what I was thinking at the time. But I know what I was thinking right after, as it got all over the bottoms of my pants. I was horrified. I was on a hike with boys and my pants had urine all over them. Most embarrassing moment ever!

I decided to tell everyone what had happened instead of just trying to ignore the fact that my pants were all wet. I tried to laugh it off and move on, but I’ll never forget that hike in Colorado.

By the way, I have now camped many times without bathrooms and have mastered this skill.

My First Days of College (part 2)

Before we made it to Utah, my brother Sam (who was starting his Senior year at BYU) and I stopped in Colorado to visit some of his friends. It was exciting to feel like “a college kid.” Just out in the world and living it up in the beautiful mountains. That trip also created a wonderful memory with my brother that I’ll remember forever. We had such a fun time together driving across the country.

When we left Colorado and started driving through Utah, I became more and more nervous. But my brother dropped me off and helped me move in, I met up with my roommates and started my new life at BYU at Heritage Halls. The mountains looked like a backdrop and the weather without humidity was incredible. I loved the warm days and the cool evenings in September and I spent as much time as I could outside.

Those first couple of days, then weeks, and then months at BYU feel unreal now. I guess it feels like a blur because I was busy with school and adjusting. But I can still pick out specific memories that were fun. Iceblocking with my FHE group, driving up to Sandy and buying my red plaid coat, going to the State Fair, playing sand volleyball, slack lining, watching The Office, going to the Creamery, playing piano in our dorm’s basement, making music videos, eating dinner with my roommates, playing in the leaves, being amazed when it snowed in September, enjoying BYU football games, carving pumpkins. Freshman year is the one year where you can get away with no sleep and lots of cramming. You stay up late, get up early, and have the time of your life.

So, as I’m watching everyone come back to Provo and start up school again… As I watch the little freshman move into their dorms… As I see kids going back-to-school shopping at Target. I may be a little jealous. It went so fast. Too Fast.

My First Days of College (Part 1)

I went to the grocery store this evening and it took me twice the amount of time to get across town. Everyone is back and getting ready for school to start next week. So, you know me, and if you’ve read this blog since the start you know I’m very nostalgic. I always think about what I was doing a year ago at this time. Two years ago. Three. Four… You get the picture. Well, let me tell you what I was doing five years ago (plus the months right before it).

In October of 2006, I received a letter with a return address in Provo, Utah. It was my acceptance letter to BYU. I got home from school and couldn’t wait to open it, so I opened it right there on the couch by myself. I broke into tears as I read the words because it meant that there was an end in sight. There was an end to going to a high school filled with kids completely unlike me. By the end of my Senior year, I couldn’t handle all the parties, all the cussing, all the cheating, all the drinking. I couldn’t handle seeing one more friend throw away their values for temporary popularity and pleasure. I’m not saying I hated high school, I just was so excited for the opportunity to go to a school that was like EFY all the time. And for a high school Mormon girl, EFY was the best place in the world!

One afternoon, late in August, we packed my brother’s car up I said my goodbyes. I’ll tell you what. I still remember that feeling of saying bye to my parents. I remember looking at them from the car for the last time as they stood on the driveway. I felt like I was too young. I wasn’t ready. But there I was, moving thousands of miles away across the country. My whole life was changing.

 

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2 Years Time

My anniversary was this week. May 22. I cannot believe how fast this second year went. Last night T.J. and I were talking about how much our lives have changes since we first met. Who knew that the boy I met at my friend’s dessert party three and half years ago would be my husband today? So crazy!

I can’t wait to celebrate with T.J. in a couple of weeks. Until then, let’s look at these photos from my wedding day and get a little depressed he’s not here with me.

1 year anniversary

Engagement Story

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More Changes

In addition to T.J. leaving me, my sister-in-law and her husband are moving to Boise this week. It came as quite a surprise. Josh got a job up there about two weeks ago and they decided it was right for their family. I am so happy and excited for them to start this new journey but I have got to admit, just writing about it makes me cry. And then cry again. They’re our closest friends and we will miss them (and their darling Cohen) so much.

Favorite memories with the Jones’:

Camping in the windy desert, driving to Albuquerque, playing countless card games, Thanksgiving at Wade’s, when Lacey told us she was expecting, meeting Cohen for the first time, many dinners at JCW’s, when Lacey let me crash at her house and sob about my job, playing Mario Cart and having Josh kill us over and over again, fire pits, croquet, egg demolition, playing Kinect, movie nights, that one time the website hosting guy flirted with us on the phone HA, weekend in St. George, Black Friday shopping, crying together during 17 Miracles, staying up late and talking.

Miss you guys already!!!

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The Big 23?

When I was young, I would spend weeks planning my birthday parties. I’d send out the invitations, help prepare the cake and goodie bags, it was usually a slumber party and a BIG ordeal in my mind. Since then, I’d be okay if we just skipped over the day because it just reminds me of how fast time flies. Am I a downer or what?

That being said, I still had a wonderful birthday. It was the first time in five years since I got to celebrate it at home in Kentucky with my family. I went shopping with my mom at Kenwood mall, ate my favorite meal (Skyline Chili), and topped it off with cheesecake from the Cheesecake factory. We even watched The Muppets movie as a family. Thanks to everyone for the wonderful birthday texts, gifts, and messages!

Two days later, my brother came up from Lexington and we went to Montgomery Inn Boathouse on the river to celebrate a little more. If you aren’t from Cincinnati, this place is known for their ribs. Whenever anyone famous comes to town, they always eat there because they are the best!

I looked in my baby book to see what we did for my third birthday… twenty years ago! My mom wrote that I was very excited and looking forward to it. We had donuts for breakfast, a party with my friends and neighbors, went to a restaurant on the river and my Grandpa sent money for a tricycle!

Here I am at 3 years old:

High School Blind Date Story

I thought I would share with you the story of when my mom set me up.

I was barely 16. My parents were just starting to let me date… but I went to a high school of 800 and there were only two or three members. And my stake boundaries were huge so the pickings were slim. Anyway, my dad was in Australia for about a month (which is important to know because if he was home, he would not have allowed what I am about to tell you to happen).

My mom came home from school one day and said something like,

Another teacher at the school has a son your age and he has been kind of struggling, do you think you would go on a date with him?

Uhmmmm…. no.

Well, here’s the thing. I kind of already told her you would. He’s supposed to call you tonight.

WHAT?

My parents were barely letting me going on group dates and now my mom was making me go on a blind date with a guy I didn’t know at all who was not even Mormon?!? I couldn’t believe it.

My mom told me she and the other teacher had SWITCHED OUR PICTURES so they could share them with us. Ridiculous.

Well, seeing that I was being forced to go, I decided to look at the photo which was a mistake because high-school-Katie was kind of shallow. And when I got the phone call, I couldn’t understand his name and, to this day, I still have no idea what his name was. All I know is that is started with a “C.” All a great start to the date to come.

He picked me up Friday night. My two best friends came over and hid so they  could watch the whole thing. As soon as we got in the car, he opened his wallet and said,

Okay, I’ve got $60.00. What do you want to do.”

Oh, how wonderful. We decided to go to the Levee, this plaza on the river with restaurants and a movie theater.

First, we went to dinner at the Irish Pub. I was hoping none of my friends would see us. But we ran into my chemistry teacher instead. Awesome. Even better. About five minutes into the meal, he started doing this jaw thing like he was trying to pop it. I asked if he was okay, he said he couldn’t eat anymore because something happened to his jaw. So, I ate and he watched.

We went to the movies and then he dropped me off. I gave him a small hug and said thanks and that was it. So, kind of anticlimactic. But on Monday, at school, my chemistry teacher said to the whole class she saw me on a date and everyone asked if he was my boyfriend. Oh, and when my dad found out, he couldn’t believe that my mom made me go out with a stranger.

The end. Boy am I glad I never have to go on a blind date again.

Here are two pics from high school. They’re not the best, but they’re the only ones I have on this computer. Can you find me???

 

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Stuff My Parents Say

You know how they made a thousand of those videos on YouTube like Stuff My Girlfriend Says or Stuff Nobody Says? Well, here are some things my parents say often, especially when I was in high school…

  • We do what we have to do so we can do what we want to do.
  • I’m up, everybody’s up.
  • We don’t do that. (WE really means, YOU)
  • Sorry, sorry. (My dad says sorry twice if he really doesn’t mean it)
  • Maybe. Maybe not. (Always means no)
  • I don’t want to tell you want to do, but I think you should take that off your blog.
  • No elbows on the table.
  • If you get everything when you’re young, what’s there to look forward to when you’re old?
  • Remember who you are.

Oh, I love those guys… can’t wait to see them next week and hear all of those things in person again!