Oh Give Me A Home...Ward.

Today was my first Sunday in a new ward. I have only ever been to two new wards in my life up until today, the first was the small branch that I was in when I lived up North and the other was when I ventured out (don't know what I was thinking) to the singles ward for 5 months. 

When I think of a ward, I think of my home ward that I grew up in. There were times when I couldn't stand half of the people that lived in our ward boundaries and there were some that I just didn't get along with...needless to say it was MY home ward. I spent around 25 years of my life growing up in. Some of the members there had watched me grow up since I was knee high to a grasshopper. I have to admit I was sad to walk into my new ward and not see all the familiar, sweet faces of those that I have known pretty much my entire life. Like the sweet elderly couple who sit on the front of the back section of the chapel and listening to the high squeak pitch of this brother's hearing aid go off, or sitting and chatting with them for a few moments. Or the former bishop who every time he sees me he tells me how I was the first child in primary to beat him in reading the Book of Mormon back in like the late 80's early 90's. 

Sigh...but luckily for me, the church is pretty much the same anywhere you go. The people may change but the church itself is still the constant variable in the equation. Wow, did I just use a math analogy to make a point? SCARY!!! I do have to give my new ward some credit. The few people that I did manage to have a conversation with were extremely nice and friendly. Others (like me) seemed to put off a very impersonal vibe. I know this because I am often called out on it myself. I am just shy and hate to be the center of attention in a situation where I know NO ONE. It did bring me a lil comfort to know that there are people in the ward who have lived in Poky or the surrounding area or have family currently living there. At least that was the start of some common ground between us. 

I am sure that I will loosen up and find my self involved at some point (and no I will not be sucked in and become a Utah Mormon...I HAVE STANDARDS!!!- that was for you big bro, just a lil friendly assurance). I think that all I will need is some time and being involved in and on my own terms...I just don't want to feel like I am  being forced. Get what I mean?

That being said that was my Sunday adventures. Oh, FYI, before I forget, the chicken that I made last night turned out really yummy. I think I would increase the citrus and cut down a little on the Thyme and Oregano as they seemed to over power the rest of the flavors. Still yummy...I think I will have to keep that one for another time...even though it was made for the George Foreman grill, you could definitely cook it on a regular grill or even a pan...still would be yummy! I also broke out my kitchen aid mixer that my in-laws gave us as a wedding gift and made drop sugar cookies...yummy recipe but I think I over mixed the batter while trying to get the rest of the ingredients in OR it is the older oven that I have no idea what the exact temperature that it cooks at or when it is preheated properly but since it looks like we will be moving out of this apartment, I am not too concerned at getting a oven thermometer. 

So there you have it...my weekend in a nut shell....laters!

First day alone...

Yes, it is my first day alone in the apartment by myself since Mark had to head back to work today and I let him have the car. I figured as long as he had the car, I wouldn't have to drive anywhere or get myself into any trouble...I mean HELLO HOBBY LOBBY!!!

LOL...seriously I have enough here at the apartment to occupy myself with for the next 8 or so hours such as cleaning, organizing (although I don't know how much I should be doing of that last one since we will be packing and moving hopefully before the end of the month) and getting Thank You cards out to everyone who deserves one. Then if I get that all done (which I am sure I won't because you can only write soo many cards before your hand cramps I might install my digital scrapbooking program and create some much needed as I am behind handouts for my LDS blogs. 

For dinner tonight I am trying out a new recipe that came from HERE that Mark found which does sound pretty good. So I will have to let you know how that turns out for us. Still not sure what I am going to serve it with though...sides were never my strong suit so we shall see. Will post pics though either through here or on our family blog which you can find HERE.

Laters!

Welcome to the Land of...

That is correct, I have officially crossed the state line from my beautiful and somewhat peaceful Idaho to the busy, crowded, makes me feel slightly claustrophobic of Utah. Such a bittersweet moment as we were approaching that sign...mainly because I am still an Idaho girl at heart but at the same time I was beginning a new adventure that is opening a lot of opportunities for me. 

Not sure what all is going to happen but whatever it is we will get through it. We are eagerly awaiting confirmation of moving into a new apartment which both Mark and I are super excited to do...his current place where we are staying for the moment is a little small for the two of us. The apartment we are waiting for is a larger two bedroom for around the same price that we are currently paying for now. 

I am trying to set up a home knowing full well that in just a matter of days/weeks I could be packing it all up and moving again. Kinda a little annoying knowing that but it will be OK...

That is pretty much my life right at the moment. Just trying to stay true to my Idaho roots while living in a Utahan world. The ward that I have just moved into is eager to meet me and I was informed the day of my wedding that my records were already being requested (uh oh...that scares me) so we shall see. I have only ever attended one Utah ward and that was an experience and a half, I have never seen so many people in one chapel in my life let alone in a Sunday School class...I don't know how I will ever remember names...sigh...

My last bit of advice before I leave ya for the day....potatoes...eat only IDAHO potatoes...they are the best in the world!

It's The Final Count Down!!

Can't you just hear the opening strains of Europe's song in your head when you read that title? Yeah, me too... =) but the title is accurate in informing us that it is the final count down to me going from a Miss to a Mrs. (Scary!!!) Yes folks, in just 5.5 days I will be married to my best friend and shortly thereafter will be surviving what some might say is the Mormon Capital of the world...yes I will be moving to Utah and officially becoming what I, and many others not from Utah, a U-tard and/or a Utah Mormon. 

I don't know if I could handle that...I am partial to the Idaho Mormon myself and I don't think I could ever admit to being anything other than that =D. I wonder what the profile of "Utah Mormon" is and what characteristics would I have to possess to be tagged as a "Utah Mormon?" Hmm...yeah let's not think about that. 

Anyway, there has been a lot going around my house this last few weeks trying to prepare for it all...my wedding would definitely be categorized as  DIY (that is do it yourself in case you didn't know) wedding and I am proud of that. I don't need nor want anything big and flashy and expensive. If I can't recreate it or do it on the cheap side and not have it still come out looking great and elegant then I don't need it. Besides that is a lot of money to be wasting away on just a few hours worth of fun and hey, let us be honest, if your the bride or groom, how much do you really get to enjoy of it?? I mean you have to be sociable and greet and thank everyone who shows up and heaven forbid if you don't speak to EVERYONE because you will always hear about it. What about refreshments? You spend all that money and how much of it do you actually get to enjoy your self? Little if any at all. Then if you are a perfectionist you are worried about everyone else who is helping out if they are doing their job correctly! And at the same time praying that NOTHING BAD OR UNEXPECTED happens. Yeah not a big fan of surprises...especially if they are not good surprises. 

But as the title suggests we are in the last stretch or the 9th hour or whatever it is they say. This week will focus on mints, packing, finishing with final touches on wedding clothes and decor...crazy  crazy crazy! Anyone want me to be guinnea pig for multiplying someone as to accomplish EVERYTHING that there is to do? Yes, I accept!!!!

So if you don't hear from me until for a while you know why! Hope to see ya there! Oh and be sure to follow Mark's and I's family blog for all the fun highlights of the wedding and our life together!

New Blog!!!!

Yup that is right, I have started a new blog. I thought that since so many new changes are happening in my life that I should share it with all of you!

Don't worry though, I will still be updating this one with new stuff so you will want to stick around for those but I urge you to head on over to OUR CRAZY LIFE TOGETHER and see what has been happening for Mark and I!