Loooooong Update + No Pictures

It's amazing the things I often find myself doing when I'm procrastinating my homework. Doing the dishes. Organizing bobby pins and hair elastics. Looking through my 3D View Masters at pictures of Graceland at Christmas time. (Thanks Akayleia!) Writing ridiculously long blog posts. It's really a sad state of affairs, but there are only four more weeks until finals start, thank the high heavens! So, since I really don't want to study for my exam in the morning I thought I would do a big blog update on what our lives consist of these days, just in case you were wondering. But be warned, there are no pictures. What am I supposed to take pictures of? School? Work? Boring!

1. School, school, school.
Brad graduates in May! Can I get a hallelujah?! The show he's been designing this semester opens this Friday. We would invite you all to come down and see the show - but Brad says it's boring and not family friendly. Lame. Brad has worked really hard on it, and it looks great! I'll have to take pictures of the set though, so you can see what he's doing.

I have only four more weeks at this blasted community college and then I'm off to greener pastures! I was accepted to the Geography (Not to be confused with Geology)program at Cal State and register for classes this week. I don't know quite how to describe my experiences in my education so far except to say that I have witnessed miracles and felt very firmly the hand of the Lord in my life. Sometimes I would think things were going horribly wrong only to find that if they hadn't gone horribly wrong I wouldn't be in a place for something else, something better, to be perfect timing. I have learned so much about myself and what I can do and what I want to do. Getting an education is so much more than just getting a degree, and thankfully, I'll have one by the time I'm done here, but I will have learned far, far more than just Geography. Some lessons, I think, I just couldn't have learned any other way.

2. Working Class
Brad is loving work at the Big D, and I think the feeling is mutual, they love him there! They give him way more hours than originally planned, which is such a blessing and gives him tons of amazing opportunities...But it can make for some very long days when he also has to go to work at the University. He works his little fingers to the bone, but who can complain about having two jobs that you love when some people struggle to find one they even like.

I'm still pluggin' along in the same job I've had since we moved here, but I'm applying for a training position that will offer a lot of fun new opportunities for travel if I get it. Also, the company I work for has this amazing program for employees that have been there for two years, which I have. I get to make 3 wishes, ANY 3 wishes no matter how wild, and they will do everything they can to grant one of them. And trust me, it is HARD to think of 3 wises you would make when legitimately faced with making them. What would you wish for?! I really want to know! I think I have mine nailed down and I'm ready to wish away! One girl got a trip to Cambodia to work with a Charity we support. One girl got her college education paid for. One girl went on a two week road trip through national parks all around the company and I know several people that went to Canada for a week to see how all the products are made and to help make them. The list goes on and on. Isn't that the funnest employee incentive program you've ever heard of? It's definitely incentive enough for me to stay.

3. Church
Brad got a new church calling, he's not in the Young Men's Presidency anymore. He's in the Sunday School Presidency. He's assigned especially to the Youth classes, and basically has to wrangle kids to Sunday School every week. He does a pretty good job.

I'm still in the YW Presidency. I seriously love it so much! I'm over the Beehives, and they are such a riot! Sometimes I think, "Did I really care about this stuff when I was 12?!" I totally did. Also, I think of the leaders I had when I was 12, I thought they were so old and wise and they were the same age I am now! And trust me, I don't feel old OR wise.

4. Rusty Girl
Our sweet little Rusty dog is no longer with us. Sadly, the maintenance man ratted us out and our leasing office was not very happy that we had a dog no matter how well trained or well groomed she was. She had to pack her doggie back pack and move to my Parents house in UT. Now I'm even more determined to have a dog than I was before.

5. I Heart Missionaries
My little sister has been in the MTC for a little over a month now! Having a sister on a mission is seriously so fun! Since I never served a mission I'm having the best time learning about the MTC and what missionary life is like through her. I've had other friends serve, but it's just different when it's your sister. We have way too much fun writing letters to each other. She makes me laugh so hard, but I can definitely see how much she is growing. Since we couldn't be there to drop her off at the MTC we had the Elders over for dinner in her honor. We thought it was only appropriate. We love having them over!

6. Holidays
Halloween this year was a total bust. I had school all day, and Brad had to work that night. So I stayed home and did laundry and hoped for some trick-or-treaters and didn't get ONE! We seriously have way more candy in this house than should be allowed. We'll probably stay here for Thanksgiving, and I'm debating whether or not I should attempt to cook a Turkey, for kicks and giggles, or settle for a Turkey leg and Churro at Disneyland.

7. Privacy Please
I've been thinking for a while now that I want to make this blog private. So, I think now is the time. I know when people decide to make their blog private it feels like they have a big secret to share, that only members of their secret club can know, but I'm sorry to say we don't have any secrets. So, either leave a comment with your e-mail address or e-mail me at ashpotter11@hotmail.com so I can add you!

Well, I guess I have sufficiently procrastinated. I'm ready to face my studying again. Congratulations for reading this whole, pictureless post...you're procrastinating homework too, aren't you? I understand.