Newly Engaged

Its amazing how many people have said:
     "FINALLY"  or "ITS ABOUT TIME!"  or "We were starting to think it would never happen"

To them, I say:
   "You think its about time?  I KNOW its about time!"  But, also, I say:  "It was well worth the wait!"  

I love Travis SOOOO much!

I can't wait to be married to him!

Its funny, this working out the details stuff isn't as much fun as I thought it would be, because

1)Travis doesn't have much of an opinion on it, he just wants to be married and so I fear becoming bridezilla who just takes over and says do it this way that way and forget anyone who has anything else to say!
2)Theres alot of options!
3)I just want to be married
4)It can get expensive, and I have no money
   4a) I don't want an expensive wedding, just a nice one!
5)The wedding isn't what its about.  Its about me and Travis, and referring back to #1, travis doesn't have much of an oppinion reguarding the details.
6)All we've decided on is June, and Alaska-that way, its convenient for us, and it gives our family and friends time to make preparations to come if they're going to.  Just narrowing it down that far seemed to be a daunting task!

But, I guess once I start making decisions other things will start falling into place right?  oy.  Thats what the book Robin got me for Christmas says anyways.

Funny Lysie

All this, just Today:  

First, Lysie is getting dressed for the day.  I got her two shirts for Christmas (and a tea set, I'm not all boring).  One was Faded Glory Brand, and the other L.E.I. Brand.  Didn't think anything of it, but Elyse did.  She comes in with the grumpy face on and shows me the shirt with the L.E.I. tag and says "This isn't my Shirt.  Thats not my name!  My name is Elyse, E-L-Y-S-E not L.E.I."  And then threw a tantrum for a bit cuz the pants mom tried to get her to wear didn't quite fit right.  Oh joys of being 4 going on 14.

Then, in the evening, she's getting ready for bed, and is hounding me to listen, I keep telling her "just a minute" cuz I'm preoccupied.  Eventually, my attention is freed and so I turn to her and ask "WHAT?" Kinda exhasperated, and she says with a big grin- "You and Travis are gonna get married, and when your married I can have sleep overs at your house"  OH REALLY?  I can't say no to her though, so I told her she'll have to ask Travis cuz it'll be his house too.  She's hilarious.  Se wouhe's so smart, she figured out getting married means I'm gonna move-I think cuz Amanda moved. But then I asked lysie where she would stay when she came for sleep overs at my house (her and robin have "sleep overs" here but just sleep on the floor on a blanket in lysie's room) and if she was going to sleep on the floor, or on the couch, and she asked "Will you have a bed?" I Said yes, and she said she'd just sleep there with me-hahaha, no.  Then I asked her what color dress she wanted when I get married, and she answered "white"  hahaha, no again!  I explained that I'm getting married so I get to wear white and that she needs to pick a color. Started suggesting blue, green, yellow-and she piped up "Black"  hahaha, no. I kept trying to explain the idea of color and get her to pick green but she wouldn't have it.  She's pretty set on black, but I'll turn her-don't worry.  I'll turn her!

My Christmas Highlight

(Photo Thanks to Adam Baxter)

There are many legends about the moon. A full moon is said to be a symbol of love and romance.  On that, 

I must agree.

There was a total Lunar Eclipse on Solstice this year, visible in Alaska on the Eve of Winter Solstice. 

My dear wonderful Travis took the special night, December 20th, 2010 to propose :)  

Yes, we are engaged!  

I think there is some special symbolism in it.  

Just as the celestial bodies aligned that night, 

Travis and I aligned our hearts in a promise of celestial significance.  

I love that man!

Merry Christmas!

It has been a wonderful season.  Its now Christmas morning, 10 am, and we still havn't opened out presents.  Lysie isn't even awake.  But Yesterday was great, I got up and went to Breakfast with my dear sweet Abbey, and then we did a little bit of last minute shopping, and then I headed out to Northpole.

 In Northpole, I helped Travis and his Mom put Christmas Eve Dinner on the Table-we even used the fine china!  It was all delicious!  His mom makes delicious moist Turkey, and yummy green bean casserole, and the BEST sweet potatoes-oh, they're like dessert!

Then I came home and with my Family we read the Christmas story and used a nativity set to act it out (usually we do a big theatric production with the Hulls, but they are Utah cuz Tyler just got Married!)  And then did our traditional caroling around the piano-mom accompnying.  Really makes me want to learn Piano so I can continue the tradition with my own family.  I decided last nigh singing around the cd player or Ipod wouldn't be the same....

Then this morning, I got up, finnished wrapping a few presents, and now we're just lazing around till Breakfast is ready.  Rulon brought the genious tradition of eating a big fancy breakfast before Christmas Presents. I love it because it makes the Christmas magic last a little long in the day, the anticipation with the presents builds up a bit more, and beacuse we have our bellies full of breakfast we don't get grouchy because we're hungry and tired.  And we don't fill up so much on candy....   I LOVE the Breakfast tradition.

Usually I'm more excited about Christmas morning and getting to the presents sooner rather than later, but I must confess, Santa got me a few presents early.  More on that coming soon.

Merry Christmas everyone!

Resolutions fufilled

I know its not new years yet, but in preparation for Christmas in a few days and because of the end of the semester, I was going through my junk, tossing and cleaning out-  And I found in my about to be deseased planner, a list of goals that I made at the beggining of this year.  Things I get to check off:

Nanny cousin Alex
Dance in Cali
Cook and cook good (didn't do it as much as I had planned, but I became the banana bread queen in Cali this summer)
Did well in school (in spring semester got a c instead of a c- in anatomy and physiology, and got almost a 4.0 in fall semester-best GPA since highschool!)
Started Teaching Dance (yes, that was a goal, if it hadn't been I probably wouldn't have started)
I stayed fit (except during this last semestester, I was 5 lbs above my determined weight allowance....but I don't mind so much-I got alot of other things done-5 lbs is nothing!)
I'm all set to get my certification on schedule
And I've contacted a girl about starting cello lessons next semester
and I'm registered for a Ballett Class next semester as well (SO EXCITED)
Made some big life altering decisions :)  I'm SO Excited!
Got out of the Car Rental buisness! Whew!

One goal I'm not sure how to approach this year:
Driving the tour buses.  Its been my dream since I was 16.  And now I'm old enough to drive them, but I have a few other things on my summer agenda, that the tour busses would make life unnessecarily complicated.  But I really want to.....and I don't know if I'll ever have this oppourtunity again.....  uhg.  I suppose I could apply and make a decision later.