For Nate And Jessica:

Here are some pictures of Me and TR on Valentines day. I have more pictures of other times, but these are the only ones I currently have on my computer. Love ya!!








This one is my favorite. ------>


I like this one too.

I put this one on there specifically for Nate so he can start "getting used to the idea" of TR and I together. His glasses are kinda falling down, but it was sweltering in that room, so I'm not gonna hold that against him.----->







<------ He's a goober, but I love him lots.











But I sure looked cute!! ---->

Friday, March 09, 2007

Guess What Y'all!! I got my ring!! YAY for me!! And it has a cute story to go along with it.

So at about 5:30 TR came and picked me up from my house to go out to dinner. He looked all cute, and I looked all cute, so we were good. After driving up to American Fork to eat at Ottavios (We had this "couples special" coupon...I recommend it. It was very good) we sat and ate and talked and laughed about how we couldn't find the way into the parking lot and so on so forth. It was really a lot of fun.

After dinner he drove me up to the Timponogos temple grounds and we just looked at the temple. He kept saying how beautiful of a building it was and asked me if I wanted to go there with him someday. Then he said "You realize going in there with me means...ETERNITY right? Are you sure you can handle me that long?" I told him that I was looking forward to it. Then he said "It also means that we make a covenant with God to alway love and honor him. Are you willing to do that with me too?" Then I said I was going to do that anyway, he was just an added bonus. It was so great. I felt the spirit so strong when we were there. Of course we were on the temple grounds, but still. I've been to the temple before and not felt the spirit so strong. That's my own fault, but still.

Then he took me up this random canyon in Orem to this random parking lot where we DIDN'T make out, I would like to point that out right now. Anyway- this parking lot was completely empty except for us and it overlooked all of Orem and it was absolutely beautiful. If you looked to the south you could see the Provo Temple, and if you looked to the north you could see the Timponogos Temple. It was amazing! TR plugged his iTrip in, and played 100 Years by Five for Fighting, and we danced, just the two of us. Then we danced to Hanging By A Moment by Lifehouse and he said that sometimes he thinks "I'm only21! What am I doing?!" and then he remembers how he felt when I told him that I loved him and he told me he wanted to marry me, and how he felt the spirit so strongly that night, and how he felt when he sat in the Celestral room at the temple when he asked if I was the right one, and then he read the 138th section of the Doctrine and Covenants which talks about marriage and how he felt. Then he said sometimes he wonders if it's right and in the Doctrine and Covenants it says something along the lines of when you have a witness from God what more do you need? "And that's when I realized that I wanted you to be my wife; and that's what brings us here, right now." Down on one knee, pop open the ring box "Rachel, Will you marry me?" I couldn't even say anything, I just nodded, and finally got a squeaky "yes" out (I'm bawling at this point, even though I promised myself I wouldn't). He stood up, gave me a kiss and picked me up, twirled me around (just like in the movies ^_^) and kissed me again. Then he put me down, took my hand, and put my ring on my finger. It was the most amazing experience of my life.

And that's my story. He asked me later if it was everything I dreamed of in a proposal. It was everything and more. Completely. Then he said sorry it wasn't like in Disney world or in front of billions of people. I told him that it couldn't have been more perfect even if he tried. It was so much more special because it WASN'T at Disney world or in front of a billion people. It was just between the two of us and God and that's all that matters. It was completely private, and special to me. I'll never forget it. Never ever ever ever.

Shout out goes to my boy. He's amazing! I love him so so much.

And- The end.

Thursday, March 08, 2007

I LOVE LIFE!! Just thought I'd drop a quick note and say that my life is absolutely wonderful, and I love it. There is quite a bit more to that, which I will have to tell later. I'm runnin' on 3 hours of sleep (I got home at 5 this morning and had to be up at 8 for church) and I'm REALLY tired, so I'm gonna go...sleep...now....and the rest of my story will wait until later.

Sunday, February 04, 2007

Ten Things I Never Thought I'd Say:

1. Don't Lick the Window!!
2. Don't Chew on the paper towel roll.
3. Don't bite the chair legs!
4. Get out from underneath Mor-Far's Bed
5. You think you get a treat for going potty?
6. Please Don't chew on the computer wires.
7. Where's your slipper? Go Chew on that.
8. I'll spray you in the face, I swear!
9. You're gonna get stuck behind that ironing board
10. Why don't you go sleep behind the U-bend?

If you couldn't already tell, these are just a few of the things I find myself saying to Mimi as we're training her. And to think- I though I'd have kids before I'd do anyhing like this.

Thursday, February 01, 2007

So- I just got home from the best concert ever!! "Ceran Aid" was the LDS concert of the year! It featured artists such as Alex Boye, Dalynn Vale Baylis, George Dyer, Peter Brienhold, Katherine Nielson, Ryan Shupe and the Rubber Band, and more. It was absolutely amazing! You know what the best part of it was? 100% of the proceeds went to the Ceran family! Wow. There are several way to donate, and I'll mention those later (just in case anyone but Andrea happens to stumble on this website) but this concert was by far the most entertaining. I bawled. This family is absolutely amazing. To learn more about their story visit the Ceran Family Fund page. This family really is an inspiration to everyone, LDS and non alike. Absolutely amazing.

Shout out goes to this amazing family. They're so strong. I know I wouldn't be able to do what they're doing. Check out the website- you'll see what I mean.

How to donate:
-Visit the Ceran Family Fund page. This has a listing of ways to help out the Ceran family
-Now through January 31, purchase the Samuel the Lamanite pop-up CD/DVD combo pack from the Liken website using the promo code CERAN. 100% of the proceeds go to the Ceran family, but only until the 31st.
-Purchase the Ceran Aid CD. Highlights from tonight's concert. Warning: May cause tears to flow freely- whether you knew the Cerans or not. Like I said earlier- I absolutely bawled. The CD also includes a song written by Ian Ceran, a victim of this terrible tragedy.

We really would like to continue to do all we can to help out this wonderful family in their time of need. Thank you for your support.

Thursday, January 18, 2007

HELLO!! Welcome to 2007! It's been here for a week. Crazy huh? Well, welcome to life anyway. Christmas project 2006 is over, and it really did a lot for me. I don't really know how to explain it, though, I know what I'm going to change for Christmas project 2007. It'll be awesome.

I'm getting a puppy! Tomorrow. I'm getting a Keeshond.
This is what she'll look like (well, different coloring and such) when she grows up. Basically like a pomeranian only bigger. I'm so excited! I'm not positive what I'm going to name her yet, but it'll be something cute.

Other than that, I don't do much. I work. That's about it. I'm going on a date tomorrow, and I'm way excited. It's kind of a blind date, so that'll be interesting, but I'm still way excited. So, we'll see! I'll be sure and let you know about it. ;) Not that anyone but Andrea ever reads this, but ya know...I'll let her know about it anyway.

Shout out today goes to... (insert your name here)!! You're awesome! Thanks for everything you do for me!!

Have a good night! I'll hit ya up again tomorrow! :D

Sunday, January 07, 2007

I've been pondering some things associated with my christmas project.

When I started out on this project it was all about how comercialism is taking over the world as far as christmas goes, which I still believe to be true, BUT what I didn't realize is that in believing in the things that promote the comercialism (presents, santa, etc.) we are really believing in the reason for Christmas. I got a beautiful book from my dad entitled I Believe in Santa Claus by Diane G. Adamson in which she explains that if you believe in Santa Claus then you really believe in the Savior because that is what Santa Claus represents. The red and white, the night time visit, the presents, everything points to Christ if you know where to look for it. This is a children's book, but it is beautifully written, and will become a Christmas tradition for me, just because of the things that it teaches.

That's all the thought for today. I'm tired and have things to get done.

Thursday, December 21, 2006

Alright, after that fun little break, it's back to the Christmas project. It's had some interesting deveolpments this past week. Well, interesting for me, maybe not for you.

I wish I could give everyone a piece of my heart. That you could all feel the same things I feel while doing this project. Sure, you can read this and you can see what I'm doing, and I do my best to describe my feelings, but it really doesn't give you a shadow of a glymps into what really happens.

This week I've been more focused on serving others. Maybe not that silent service (though, I have done some of that as well), but still, giving of myself freely and caringly.

One experience I had this week was with a young man at work. I would like to state for the record and for those who know me, yes, I do sort of like him, but that is not the reason for this service. I have a friend at work, and the other day he was working overtime to try and get a project done for an upcoming meeting. He was working late, and was tired of being at work (he told me so). So, I decided I was going to take him some ice cream to cheer him up. Little did I know how much this simple act of service would do for him. I ended up helping him with a project and doing what I was able to do so he could get out of the office as soon as possible, besides bringing him a little treat and some company. I noticed instantly that our friendship had grown, even a little bit. I, by giving service, got a great service and a stronger friend. There are many great blessings in doing service.

I'm not going to say all the things I did, because that's being boastful, and I don't want to do that. That's another reason I wish all of you could have a piece of my heart. That you could feel as I feel.

That's all for today. I'm cold and so I'm going to curl up in my little bed with a good book.

Shout out goes to this friend of mine. He works so hard and really is an essential key to the company. I don't think he gets appreciated enough. I've been trying to do my share, but I dunno if it's really getting through to him. Oh well, I'll keep trying.

Next time will be another adventure I'm sure! Until then, Happy Hot Chocolate Drinking!

Sunday, December 10, 2006

So- I realize I haven't been keeping my christmas project updated so much....but lets take a little break for a second here, shall we? I was just looking over some old pictures from my first sememster at school, and thought I'd share them...especially with thos who were there or know those that were there. I'll add captions.

We had some fun with Photoshop... Or rather Eric Did. Why he's the flash and not superman...I dunno. And yes, that is Sam in the background.

We were cooking; Eric felt the need to defend himself. Yes, that is a steel colonder on his head.

And here we have Superdave...or The Dave from the DEEP!

Look how long my hair was! Insane, huh?

I dyed Sam's hair the week of finals. TR has some blue in his hair too, but you can't really tell. Two thumbs up anyway.

Ahh, the council o' justice. Man, what Eric can do with photoshop amazes me. Not this piece in particular, but still....man.

SWEEDIE!! Nuff Said.

Super Dave Finally Gets Some Action!

This is Eric's wall. Are you surprised? It looks really cool though, doesn't it?

Yes, those are chopsticks up his nose! He was always doing crazy stuff like this.

The "Smellville" cast according to Eric. Annette O'Toole as Martha, Dave as Johnathan, Eric as Clark (Duh), Kristen as Lana, TR as Lex, Me as Chloe (this picture was the inspiration for my haircut this year), and Sam Jones III as Pete. Eric wanted to make Samo Pete, but he's kinda...black.

And there you have it. There were lots more than this, but those were really the highlights of my folder of pictures of my first semester of college. Keep in mind, I got my camera for my birthday in October and the semeter ended in the beginning of December. And sometimes I forgot that I had my camera. Oh goodness. It was like this all the time. Most of these were taken on or close to the same day. Good times.

Shout out goes to my boys. I miss you kids. At least I'll always have the good times we shared. You're awesome!!

Next time....um...I dunno what next time will bring. Have a good night!!

Thursday, December 07, 2006

Alright, Time for Mary.

Mary was just your typical girl. She liked to have fun, she had a beautiful smile. She was kind, serving, everything you would expect from a faithful loving young woman. She was espoused to a young man who was just as good. They loved each other, and things were just working out right.

One day Mary was asked to go draw some water from the well. Being the obedient woman she was, she did so right away. However, while at the well something amazing happened.

We all know the story. It's the one most of the world thinks about all the year through. The angel appears to Mary, a virgin, and tells her she's going to have a son. The son of God. She will call his name Jesus for he will save his people.

However, the angel says something to Mary before all that. He knows that this will be hard for her to hear, so he reassures her before he declares anything that she is loved. She is chosen among women, highly favored, and loved by her Heavenly Father. Only after this does he tell her about the blessings and the child she is going to bear.

Now one thing y'all should know about this time. If a woman, especially an espoused one, was found pregnant before she was married her father had two options: 1- Disown her and hide her away, never to be seen from her disgrace, and never to be in touch with her family again. Almost like any record of her is wiped off the face of the earth. or 2- Her father would take her to door of his house where the people of her village would stone her to death. Both highly disgraceful, and both very painful for both parties.

Mary knew this. She had to. Yet when she was presented with this opportunity, she fell to her knees, bowed her head and said "Behold the handmaid of the Lord; Be it unto me according to thy word." She didn't hesitate. She knew that if this was from God then she would be protected and everything would work out for the best. She was willing to give up her very life for something she knew was from God. Mary had to have an extreme ammount of faith.

Up until this point Mary was just another girl. She had hopes, she had dreams. She probably had big plans for her life. She had girlfriends she would stay up late with and giggle about funny things that had happened to them. They would talk about the wife Mary was going to be and the husband Joseph would be. She had concerns. She cried, she laughed, she loved. She wasn't too different from me or you. But n this second, the second she uttered the phrase "Be it unto me according to they word" every little thing changed in her life. Everything.


This Christmas project is coming along nicely. I'm really connecting with the characters I had come to know, but they were always just scripture characters. Now they're becoming real people to me. It's amazing. You should try it sometime.

Next time- Joseph.

Have a good day y'all!!

Thursday, November 30, 2006