Top 5

Sometimes I like to tell Andrea my top 5....whatever. I don't know why, I just like making up Top 5's. The other day Andrea said something and immediately I thought, "That's got to be in my top 5 favorite things she's ever said to me." So I thought I'd post my Top 5 Things Andrea Has Ever Said to Me:

1. "Yes." (as in "Yes, I will marry you")
2. "I love you." (as in she loves me)
3. "Let's watch Lord of the Rings" (I still can't describe my shock and amazement)
And now the one she said the other day, coming in at #4....
4. "Let's watch the second Lord of the Rings" (what's better than one Lord of the Rings? Two obviously...)
and 5. "Michigan? That's OUR team!" (I almost cried).

As you can see, Andrea is the best, and I love her! Feel free to tell us about your Top 5's, or anti-Top 5's, those might be funny too.

What do you mean there's no water?

Today started off pretty regular. Ryan off to work and me contemplating whether or not I was gonna get up and go to the gym. After some coxing from my best friend Steph, I decided I should. So after a good walk/run (I'm working up to the actual running part) and the last 25 minutes of a Pilates class (which kicked my butt!!!!) I come home only wanting to take a shower and go back to bed. So I walk in my apartment still sweating from all the hard work I did at the gym. About 2 minutes later I hear my doorbell ring. (This never happens, so its kinda a big deal for me...) It was the manager of the apartment complex. He says, "Just wanted to tell you that the water is off" and then bolts away while mumbling "it's gonna take a while." I was kinda taken off guard or I would have asked some questions like, "Why?" or "When will it be back on" or "Why?" or "Do you understand that I smell and NEED a shower?" Ya know, those types. Anyway, so just wanting to make sure he is right, I go try to turn on the water and what do you know, he was right, nothing came out. So I am still sitting in my gross work out clothes trying to figure out what to do and decide that I will change into PJs and begin reading Harry Potter #5. The whole time I'm reading I am freezing because my hair is still wet from the sweat and I feel all gross. It was none too good! About 2 hours later I go see if, by chance, the water is working again and what do you know, it is! So I'm so excited!! I run and get my towel and turn on the hot water (which felt soooo good!!) and jumped in finally excited to be clean!! (and the shower wasn't even making the high pitched screechy noise so I was pretty relaxed) Basically, I prepare myself for a wonderful, long, warm shower. Here is where it gets really interesting...I reached for my shampoo and put it in my hair rubbing all the hairspray out and all of the sudden, the shower starts to lose pressure.

My thoughts: That's weird. It isn't as strong. What if the water is gonna turn back off? (slight panic because I have shampoo all over my hair and hands by now.) No, it isn't going to turn off. (going about my business but noticing the shower is losing more and more pressure by the second). Oh my gosh, it's going to turn off!!! What am I gonna do stuck in the shower with shampoo on my head with no running water!! (Following this was the quickest rinse of the hair to attempt getting all the shampoo out of my hair before it turned off. Yes, that means I had my head under a mere trickling of water getting the last bubbles out of my hair before it shut off completely!)

Needless to say, it was a rough afternoon for me... Now I'm just waiting for the water to come back on so I can actually take that fabulous shower. But now I think I'll be pretty suspicious when I do venture back in there...

ps. What would you do if you were stuck in the shower with no running water and a whole bunch of shampoo in your hair? (Ya know, just in case this happens to me any time soon...)

Goal #1

Yes, folks it is actually Friday...

"My goal is to make you forget how to do the dishes." This is what Ryan said to me this week as he was cleaning up the dishes from not only dinner but from my lunch too! He wants to do the dishes so often that I actually forget how to do the dishes myself. Now I understand that this isn't actually going to occur, it's like riding a bike, right?, but nonetheless, it is the goal that makes me melt.

Ryan really is THE BEST HUSBAND EVER!!

Relaxing?

My shower makes this really high pitched screeching sound whenever I turn on the hot water. IT really doesn't make for a very relaxing shower. The only way to make it go away is to turn the hot water down some (so it is barely dripping down) or turn it up some (so it is shooting you in the back so hard it hurts). Either way, not very relaxing...

Wednesday Shopping

Every Wednesday there are two grocery stores in Orem/Provo that have chosen Wednesdays as their produce specials day. So you can guess where I am on those particular days. The ads come on Tues/Wed and I plan what will be best to buy from which store and then I set off.

First is to Sunflower Market. This has the best deals!!! One time I found Gala Apples (the ones i buy anyway) on sale for 33 cents/lb!! Talk about a fantastic deal!! (They are normally $1.50/lb). I normally leave there with more than a weeks worth of produce and haven't spent more than $6!! It is like the best place ever!!!

Secondly, on my way back home, I stop at Buy Low Market for the stuff that I saw was actually cheaper than Sunflower (I know, how could that be possible?!?!). Buy Low is 100% annoying because there are a million people in there with their huge carts blocking every isle and walking sooo slow, but its okay because I can get two pineapples for $1!!! So it's worth it, as long as I don't get a cart and weave in and out of those people who stand and look...

So that is usually what I do on Wednesdays! I just don't know what I ever did without these two stores... Oh ya, paid more...

MHRF

So these are quickly turning into My Husband Rocks Saturdays because Fridays have become a little busy, but I will try to do better.

I am so grateful for Ryan and how much he loves me. I can tell he loves me because he always wants to be with me. He is always content with just sitting with me doing whatever. It is one of our favorite things--to just be together. Ryan always makes time to spend time with me. I love him and am so grateful for him!!

Today I'd Rather be Here

If any of you know me even in the slightest, you know my dream vacation would be to go to Greece. I would absolutely be in heaven if I could go to the islands of Greece, especially Santorini, Greece. Ever since Brian and I tried to go like 2 years ago, I've been obsessed. I've had a calendar of Greece both years and now have about 3 books on Greece. I've researched the places that are the best to go and saved a "My Greece Trip" on my computer. (Ya, I don't think anyone knew it was this bad...) Oh, but it is. You have no idea!

First, I would wake up to this view:

Followed by eating Breakfast here. (Local Fruit, of course!) Maybe next I would take some sort of hike so I could see this. Maybe a little cliff diving and swimming in the fabulous water? (oh, and yes, of course I would have the island all to myself (and my guest) so there aren't any other people around, as you can see by the picture.)

Of course from the wonderful workout of hiking (of which did not make me sweat at all and I still look perfectly put together), I would be a little famished and would like to dine here with some gyros that I got from the local market. Can you say, Yum? Ya, I can!

This would be followed by a nice relaxing time at the beach. (That umbrella is obviously mine as I said I would be the only one on the island--and my guest). The night would end with a romantic eventing watching a fabulous sunset over the white buildings!

Oh, and of course I would want this guy with me... (he would be my guest for sure). But he would have to change into some of those great Greece white flow-y pants to fit into the culture.

Well, a girl can dream, can't she?

Ode to Jeffrey

Yesterday was my brother Jeffrey's graduation from Cypress High School!! Yay for him! I was so sad that I couldn't be there but I know he was awesome and he walked up in his cap and gown and got that diploma with such grace and elegance. I just know it! Just 2 days after her graduates (that will be tomorrow), he comes up to UTAH to start his next step in life as a College Freshman at BYU!! Oh, I could not be more excited!!!
After Scott graduated and moved out it was just me and Jeffrey at home. We had 3 years where it was just the two of us. I really feel like we became really good friends and I could not ask for a better little brother! We love to hang out whenever I come home and now I can't wait for him to come up to BYU so we can play all the time! I really miss having siblings up here! But no more, because he is coming!! Yay!
For two years, Jeff and I went to the same school, Oxford, and I loved seeing him on campus! It was so fun to tease him as he walked past our table at lunch and my friends just thought he was the most adorable thing ever! (that would be because he is!). We had some great times and here are some pictures of the fun times we had together! (I have so much more but not on my computer, so these will have to suffice!)

Jeff, my mom, and I went to Europe to visit Brian when he lived in London. Jeff is a GREAT travel partner, that is for sure! He is so laid back and is good with whatever comes his way. (Look how little he looks!! haha)
Jeff made many trips up to see me when I was at BYU and he was still at home. One of our favorite things to do was to go snowboarding. (I totally taught him everything he knows!) What a stud!!
Jeff is just a fun guy!! He loves to make funny faces! haha. I think he stole my camera for this one! This is at Brian's wedding. We had fun times in Washington, that is for sure!! Rob's wedding. Again, with the funny faces. I wonder where he gets that from? hehe. We like to have fun together. At the dinner the night before my wedding. He is always there to support his family! What a great guy!! On my wedding day at the temple. This is all the siblings, minus Ryan... (oops). I love all my siblings and am so happy that we are all such good friends! I know I can always count on them for everything!! I am sooo excited for Jeffrey to come to BYU and am so proud of all the hard work he did to get in so he can come play with me all the time! I totally expect him over every other Sunday to have a good home-cooked dinner. (The Sundays in between, I expect him to have Ryan and I over to the Cannon Center! haha). We love you Jeffie!!! See you soon!!

Madison Wisconsin

What do you think of when you hear, "Madison, WI?" Well, if you are anything like me, I thought, "Hmm... middle of nowhere..." But I was wrong. This past weekend I, and 11 other nursing students, attended a conference in Madison, WI. As we were landing, my friend looks out the window and says, "Wow, its actually pretty here," seeing all the trees and such. The lady next to her looks at her and says, "Uh, ya. What did you think?" She was slightly annoyed that we did not know that Madison was actually pretty.

The conference was, well let's just say very interesting and leave it at that. I could go on and on about all the crazies we saw, but hey, that just wouldn't be very nice... But it also would be very funny, too, huh? Ok, maybe just one. We were swimming in the hotel pool, just ready to go back up to our rooms when who walks in the pool doors? A woman who, not even kidding you, has this ashy blue skin. She looked semi-ly like a vampire of some sort. It was the strangest thing I've ever seen in my entire life. Then I remembered at one of the booths selling silver for ingestion to decrease viruses and bacteria, the man said that if you get the wrong kind of silver, it can turn you blue! So, I guess that lady needed to visit that booth too...

Ok, so just one more. Mullet. That is all I really need to say. Oh, wait, Mullet on a Woman... ya, 'nough said.

But even though the people were a bit crazy and some of the stuff was a little odd, I can still say I learned a lot from these people. I learned how to be more caring for my patients and really look at them as a person, and not as a task that needs to be completed. I think I will be a better nurse for having attended.

Anyway, this post was supposed to be about how pretty Madison (actually) was. The city is right by two lakes and has a bunch of fun places to hang out right on the lakes. There are streets with shops and restaraunts all down them and it was just so much fun to explore. We walked everywhere we went and got to see a lot of this fun little city. We walked to the lake one night and found thisThat's right, SIX skiers at one time, each with someone on their back. It was awesome! We weren't exactly sure why they were all doing this: practice for some future competition? Who knows. But it was pretty cool. And to ski with a person on your shoulders? Talent.

We also visited one of the ice cream shops and found this wonderful sign... Thats right if you are going to eat ice cream, you should eat only the best. Enjoy it!!! Madison has got it down!
We headed down to their Farmer's Market which is held all around their Capital Building. It was the biggest Farmer's Market I've ever seen. They had fruits and vegies that were bigger than I've ever seen. Their green onions were very large, even though the picture doesn't do it justice.Wisconsin is also famously known for its cheese and let me tell you I had plenty of cheese to attest to that. We tasted the winner of the best cheese in Wisconsin--Parmasen, which was really good. At the market they had cheese that you grilled! Wow, it was so good! Lynne would have loved it! Every other stand they were selling Cheese Curds, so mom would have loved it too. It was absolutely delish!

It made me think that I could pretty much live anywhere because who would have thought that I would find such a great place in Wisconsin. But then again, we were there during the Spring time. I bet Winter is much more brutal... Ew.

My Husband Rocks Fridays

Ok, so I know it isn't Friday, but I am currently in Wisconsin at a nursing conference and so I ask for your forgiveness and allow me to post--My Husband Rocks Saturday.

On Sunday, we both kinda slept in and kinda relaxed until it was time to go to church. But in the morning Ryan asked me, "What can I do for you today to help you out?" I thought that was the sweetest thing for him to think of me and the help I might have had with dinner or something like that. I am grateful that Ryan is so thoughtful and is always willing to help out. I love you honey!

Spare Time...

I have been having a lot of spare time lately as school is dying down and I still cannot find a job. So, this is what I've been doing.
I have been looking for a place for Ryan and I to live come August 31st when we get kicked out of our current apartment. This house was my absolute favorite! I love that it is yellow and the fabulous porch! Wow. I pretty much fell in love with it! It is in a perfect location for Ryan's work and someday my work (hopefully) at the hospital nearby. We kinda love it... Anyone got $274,900 to spare?

Ryan Threw Away His Lunch?

This morning while Ryan was getting ready for work at 7:30 AM, I was in the kitchen putting together a lunch for him. I gave him the leftovers he wanted, not just put in the oldest thing in the fridge to get rid of it. It was a good lunch too. With chicken, beans, corn, and rice. Then there was an apple and orange, an almond rocha (which Ryan loves), AND the leftover cookies we made from Sunday (his grandma's recipe). After making my hubby's lunch, I realized the trash was getting pretty full. So I thought, "Hey, maybe Ryan can take it out on the way to his car. It is totally on is way out." So I get it all ready for him to take out and put it by the door. So time comes for him to leave and he grabs the trash and grabs his lunch and out the door he walks.

I didn't think much of it from then on until Ryan asks me on gchat, "Did I walk out the door today and leave my lunch again?" Immediately, I knew what had happened...and I was right. I said, "Did you throw your lunch away?" He responded with, "What? Why would I throw my lunch away?" like that was the most absurb thing anyone could do. "Uh... Because you took the trash out this morning and threw them both in." I actually had to explain to him how he threw it away before he realized what he had done. As he was walking out the door and to the trashcan, he just threw everything in and went to work. He didn't even realize what he did until 11:30. Well, it happens folks. Sometimes, your husband throws away his lunch... I guess it wasn't good enough for Ryan Gardner. :) Love ya babe!

My Husband Rocks Fridays

I stumbled across a great post on another blog that talks about operation My Husband Rocks (MHR). Basically, in a world full of failing marriages and a lot of down talking the sacredness and wonderful nature of marriage, I would like to take a stand and tell everyone how much I love being married. Not only being married, but really being married to Ryan James Gardner. I chose him to be with me forever, through all that we go through, and although I know that it is not always easy, it is always worth it!
So how this goes is that every Friday I am going to post an anecdote, thought, story, situation, photo, quote etc. to explain how My Husband Rocks!! I hope that you can all find greatness in your own spouse and always look at them in a positive light!! This will start today, as it is Friday...

So last night I was at my oh-so-boring class up in Salt Lake and Ry was home all by himself. First of all, he is great because every Tuesday or Thursday, while I'm at class, he keeps me company during the hours of rambling teacher-talk on gchat. It has become a life-safer, for real! But in particular, yesterday I got an email from the trail run people, a site I signed up for ages ago, saying they are having a half marathon down the Provo canyon come August. I thought to myself, "Great!!! I can do this!" And immediately went online to tell Ryan that we should run a half marathon. Now all those who know Ryan know how much he really hates to run. He just doesn't enjoy it at all, so of course I was expecting him to say no. But instead his response was:

Ryan: maybe i can handle that

but if my knee breaks it's all your fault ok?

me: really?

you are gonna do it with me?!

Ryan: yes, of course

Ryan: i'm not letting you get several miles away from me that often

i'm keeping you in my sights

I was so happy that he would really do anything for me, even run 13.1 miles, just to be with me! He really does want to be with me in everything we do and that is why My Husband Rocks!!

It Hurts and It's Still Hurting!

Saturday night we met up with Bacob to go to the park and have a mini-BBQ ("grilling out" for those of you in the know...). We made burgers and then we played a little catch. We thought it would be fun to play 3 Flies Up. The game where one person throws the ball in the air and the other people have to try to catch it (normally there is a lot of pushing/shoving/etc. in the game). Well as the saying goes, "It's all fun and games till someone gets hurt." Jacob threw the ball up and Ryan and I both went for the ball and SMACK! the ball hit him right in the head. I heard a thud and Bacob said they saw the whole thing. It didn't look too pleasant.

"They call it Soft Ball. Makes it sound like it's harmless! You ever take a line drive to the face in softball? You don't go, 'Hey, that's downy soft! That was like a big ball of cotton!'"

I think Ryan can attest to the fact that Softballs are definitely not soft! Sorry Ry!

Thankfully someone before us had used an ice chest and had dumped out all their extra ice on the ground so Ryan could ice his head right away. Thanks to those people, he doesn't even have a bump on his head! However, this image had me rolling on the ground laughing (not at him getting hit on the head but, him with his head on a pile of ice on the ground!) It makes me laugh every time I think about it too!

Happy Birthday Love!!!

Tomorrow, May 29, is Ryan's birthday. He will be ** years old... haha! I wish him a very happy birthday and want him to know that I love him very very much!

Thanks for being the best babe!
Here is a picture of us exactly a year ago. We went hiking for Ry's birthday. A lot has happened since his last birthday. Let's see... He took a new job to be with me, I did not go to El Salvador, we got engaged, got married. That's a lot of change, but change that I will gladly accept because it has been a great year!!