We're here! We made it. North Carolina is intresting. Ryan really likes the Duke campus, i think it looks like Hogwarts, neo gothic arcitecture. Addie has adjusted really well. It is really hot and humid but not as humid as i expected. Having Birmingham as a comparison, nothing could be as humid. I get lost everywhere i go so without the gps i would never get home! That has been the greatest gift for us. This place is so confusing, they use four or five basic street names and then just change the ending i.e. Chapel hill road, chapel hill drive, chapel hill- durham road, old chapel hill road etc. Everyone mumbles and with the thick southern accent they may as well be speaking chinese... i cant understand anyone. There isnt much to do. I have been trying to keep myself busy with exploring and try to familarize myself with the area. The moving truck gets here tonight and that will be a nice distraction. I found a spot on our balcony where i can get wireless internet and that has been a nice way to feel connected to the world again. I was going to take addie swimming today but its a little overcast. Ryan gets home around 5 or 6. I am anxious for sunday and i am hoping to make some friends at church. I don't like the idea of being so far away from my family. So i hope i will be able to make friends with some of the girls at church because Ryan is the only married first year (international law summer start) student and everyone about died when he said he also has a baby.
I did get a chance to go with Ryan to a social his program held yesterday. There is one guy who came from BYU and he is actually parapalegic. I was really shocked at how articulate and charismatic he was, in fact he may have been one of the friendliest of everyone there. He has his straw thing that he controls his wheel chair with. He is really paralyzed from the shoulders down. He will be an intense lawyer!
I plan on getting my film developed this weekend and i will share some pictures of the south. I will also charge my digital camera and get some pictures or downtown and our apartment and some of the campus.
Friday, May 30, 2008
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
so far!
There is a quarter in the middle of the crack to give a refrence of how large the hail was.
so after experiencing our first tornado and tennis ball sized hail in Texas that did a wonder on our windshield and rain that came down in buckets and we couldnt see out our windshield and flooded the freeway in Missippi and Thunderstorms in Louisiana, we are finally on our last leg of the journey. We are anxious to get to Durham today. My nerves are shot and i have begun to realize that I HAVE AN ACCENT! Its interesting to hear how much accents vary from state to state. Texas is very different from louisiana and louisiana is very different from mississippi. However we did get to see the Mississippi river and it was kinda cool. there was a craw fish stand ($1.50 a pound) in louisiana. We stopped at Whataburger and i had the best chicken sandwich i have ever had (maybe i was really hungry). They looked at us like we were crazy in texas when we orded a veggie sandwich at subway (however they weren't as suprised as when i ordered it in the backwoods of canada). I couldnt believe the neighborhoods in Louisana and it looked like A time to kill or to kill a mockingbird. once we got out of texas everyone is SO FRIENDLY. And once we got to louisiana they started calling me mam' and ryan sir.
i will do a better post when we get to Durham. We have had some wild experiences!
so after experiencing our first tornado and tennis ball sized hail in Texas that did a wonder on our windshield and rain that came down in buckets and we couldnt see out our windshield and flooded the freeway in Missippi and Thunderstorms in Louisiana, we are finally on our last leg of the journey. We are anxious to get to Durham today. My nerves are shot and i have begun to realize that I HAVE AN ACCENT! Its interesting to hear how much accents vary from state to state. Texas is very different from louisiana and louisiana is very different from mississippi. However we did get to see the Mississippi river and it was kinda cool. there was a craw fish stand ($1.50 a pound) in louisiana. We stopped at Whataburger and i had the best chicken sandwich i have ever had (maybe i was really hungry). They looked at us like we were crazy in texas when we orded a veggie sandwich at subway (however they weren't as suprised as when i ordered it in the backwoods of canada). I couldnt believe the neighborhoods in Louisana and it looked like A time to kill or to kill a mockingbird. once we got out of texas everyone is SO FRIENDLY. And once we got to louisiana they started calling me mam' and ryan sir.
i will do a better post when we get to Durham. We have had some wild experiences!
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
moving and the host
i have been reading The Host, i have 50+ pages left. We are alsmo moving offically tomorrow and its making reading the end very hard. I am addicted too! Its become a really good story and i am into the characters.
Alright i need to get back to packing! bleh
Alright i need to get back to packing! bleh
Monday, May 19, 2008
TEN MONTHS
HAPPY TEN MONTHS ADDISON!
Today addie is 10 months old. I can hardly believe it. This year is just flying by. Here is a list of our top ten favorite things that Addie does now:
10. to carry any object with her while she crawls she always sticks it in her mouth. She is like a little puppy dog!
9. she reaches for people when she wants to show them affection even if she is all the way across the room and then continues on with whatever she was doing.
8. she claps for herself when she is proud of herself or if other people around her are clapping. I always love when she is playing or crawling across the room and if i am watching american idol and the begin to applaude she drops everything to clap with the t.v.
7. her sweet dance moves! She likes to boogey to any music that she likes! if she doesnt like it she will yell at it till i change it.
6. Peek a boo! She loves to play peek a boo and if there is anything nearby she can cover her face with, she will and then wait for you to say peek a boo!
5. her big toothy grin! There is nothing better than seeing that little toothy grin especially when it is acompanied by the cutest laugh in the world.
4. The way she poses for pictures. If you pull out a camera and call her name she will look at you and smile till youve taken the picture
3. the way she stands in her crib and will yell and scream till we come and get her. I also love when she pushes her face up against the screen and smiles.
2. her crawl! i love how she knows she isnt suppose to crawl into the bathrom and if you catch her and say her name she will turn around and give you her mischievous "carter smile" and then crawl as fast as she can to get to wherever she isnt suppose to be!
1. that she is our little girl! and when i talk to her she talks back and trys to mimic what i am saying with goos and gahs and da da's!
Today addie is 10 months old. I can hardly believe it. This year is just flying by. Here is a list of our top ten favorite things that Addie does now:
10. to carry any object with her while she crawls she always sticks it in her mouth. She is like a little puppy dog!
9. she reaches for people when she wants to show them affection even if she is all the way across the room and then continues on with whatever she was doing.
8. she claps for herself when she is proud of herself or if other people around her are clapping. I always love when she is playing or crawling across the room and if i am watching american idol and the begin to applaude she drops everything to clap with the t.v.
7. her sweet dance moves! She likes to boogey to any music that she likes! if she doesnt like it she will yell at it till i change it.
6. Peek a boo! She loves to play peek a boo and if there is anything nearby she can cover her face with, she will and then wait for you to say peek a boo!
5. her big toothy grin! There is nothing better than seeing that little toothy grin especially when it is acompanied by the cutest laugh in the world.
4. The way she poses for pictures. If you pull out a camera and call her name she will look at you and smile till youve taken the picture
3. the way she stands in her crib and will yell and scream till we come and get her. I also love when she pushes her face up against the screen and smiles.
2. her crawl! i love how she knows she isnt suppose to crawl into the bathrom and if you catch her and say her name she will turn around and give you her mischievous "carter smile" and then crawl as fast as she can to get to wherever she isnt suppose to be!
1. that she is our little girl! and when i talk to her she talks back and trys to mimic what i am saying with goos and gahs and da da's!
Sunday, May 18, 2008
HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY
HAPPY BIRTHDAY RYAN!
top ten (or more) things i love about Ryan!
10. his nose. I think Ryan
has the greatest nose, it was one of the first things i noticed about
him when we met. ( i also love his back and his shoulders, he has great
broad shoulders from swimming)
9. his ability to talk about any
subject with anyone. He memorizes sport stats just to make sure he can
also talk sports (even though he doesn't really like sports)
8.
his helpful nature. Ryan is the ultimate over helper. He loves to help
anyone AND everyone! Its such an awesome trait and i wish i was more
like him in this way.
7. he is very thoughtful. Everyday and all day long he serves me and is also helping me and is very concerned about me (and i love it!)
6.
his smarts. When i was graduating from young women i remember my
leaders asking what my favorite trait in a guy was, at this point i had
already fallen in love with Ryan
and i had told them I have a thing for smart guys, nothing sexier than
a big brain! And i still think its awesome, i love having conversations
with Ryan
(even when they get really deep). I also love that i can ask him almost
anything and he knows the answer. In fact Tracy often prefaces her
questions to Ryan with "hey Ryan, you re smart...." I love it!
5.
he is so trusting! and even though it sometimes drives me nuts. Its so
sweet they he really sees the good in everyone. He always wants to
believe that no one will screw him over and that everyone ALWAYS means
well. Its a good balance for b/c i can sometimes be a little too
negative.
4. well rounded! Ryan is quite honestly my perfect balance and quite possibly the most well rounded person i have ever met.
3.
he is so humble. He doesn't even realize how absolutely incredible and
talented he is. That's why i like to constantly remind everyone around
us how smart and funny and good looking Ryan is!
2. his sense of humor! perhaps its because Ryan and i really have spent our adult lives
growing together but we have the exact same sense of humor. I always
know we will be laughing at the same things. Ryan can always make me
laugh, even when i am mad or pouting he can still somehow break through
my bratty-ness and make me smile and laugh at his stupidly amazing jokes. (yes, I did put those in the right order, stupidly amazing, not amazingly stupid)
1.
He is the greatest dad and husband and best friend. Ryan has been able
to support our family and finish his masters and be an incredible
husband and father. I am not sure how he did it but i am so thankful
for him. I really might be the luckiest girl in the whole world to have
found a man like this!
+1.
now i know this might seem like a weird one but PATIENCE! holy cow,
this boy has an endless amount of patience but not just for me but for
Addison and his friends and family. Ryan is the glue of our family and
our relationship.
I am not one to believe in soul mates and it wasn't until after Ryan and i were married that i really started thinking that Ryan was mine. I think maybe some people are just meant to be together and once Ryan
and i met way back in August of 2000, it had to be. He is my puzzle piece, my other
half, my partner in crime (if you will) and i fall more in love with
him every day. I am so nervous about this move to North Carolina but as
long as i have my best friend by my side we will be fine. besides we
really prefer just hanging out together. no one else really understands or sense of humor anyway! ha ha
Happy Birthday Ry, i hope today was a special one!
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Mothers' Day
No one gets taken for granted like a mother.
Sadly, I'm no exception, and all too often take all the mothers in my life for granted. So being Mothers day I thought I'd start from the top of the tree and work my way down.
Grandmas.
I have two amazing grandmas and one grandma-in-law. One gave me a loan for my first car, and then wouldn't let me pay it all back, despite my best efforts. She looked after my cultural upbringing and bought me my first cassette tapes I ever owned (50 best classics remember?). The other taught me how to play cards, although I could never beat her, again despite my best efforts. She was always there with a smile, an Oreo (or a tootsie roll), and a great story. My darling grandma-in-law (should such a title exist) took me in as part of the family long before I was ever truly part. All of them, for as long as I have known them have shown me so much love and support that I can never possibly express it in words. Thank you Grandmas!
Moms.
I have the best mom and mom-in-law imaginable. My mom has always taken an interest in absolutely anything I've ever done. She was a tireless soccer, basketball, baseball, football and swim team fan; she listened to the music I liked; she watched cartoons with me (though, often through closed eyelids in the recliner, warm toes get her every time); and perhaps my fondest memory -- she read to me. I remember lying in bed listening to her read stories to Kelly and I. So much of what I am today is because of my Mom. Thank you Mom! I love you! As for my "mom-in-law" little needs to be said. She has always taken me in and made me feel like part of the family, and her strength and poise in working through this latest trial has shown her to be an example to us all. And most importantly, she raised an incredible daughter who is now the mother of my child.
Meg.
As I walked down the hallway toward my hotel room here in Kalamazoo, I felt rather dizzy because of the gaudy carpet and intense paint on the walls (green and yellow paisley carpet and salmon crackle-paint walls, I don't know who they think their kidding, no one is going to believe they are marble walls when there's vintage 1970's Vegas carpet below it) and thought... you know who would laugh at nearly all of the jokes going through my mind right now? (nearly... but the ones she wouldn't laugh at are generally so not funny that they really shouldn't be encouraged)
I didn't finish my blog post for our anniversary, and so I wasn't able to put down how overwhelmingly blessed I feel to have Meg in my life. I'm not especially gifted with words, so attempting to simply say how I feel can be problematic. When I can write it down and look at it, I generally get closer to expressing the inexpressible emotions I feel for my sweetheart. (Tough, on Anniversaries, Birthdays, and Mother's days, I'm allowed the cheese)
Sadly, I'm no exception, and all too often take all the mothers in my life for granted. So being Mothers day I thought I'd start from the top of the tree and work my way down.
Grandmas.
I have two amazing grandmas and one grandma-in-law. One gave me a loan for my first car, and then wouldn't let me pay it all back, despite my best efforts. She looked after my cultural upbringing and bought me my first cassette tapes I ever owned (50 best classics remember?). The other taught me how to play cards, although I could never beat her, again despite my best efforts. She was always there with a smile, an Oreo (or a tootsie roll), and a great story. My darling grandma-in-law (should such a title exist) took me in as part of the family long before I was ever truly part. All of them, for as long as I have known them have shown me so much love and support that I can never possibly express it in words. Thank you Grandmas!
Moms.
I have the best mom and mom-in-law imaginable. My mom has always taken an interest in absolutely anything I've ever done. She was a tireless soccer, basketball, baseball, football and swim team fan; she listened to the music I liked; she watched cartoons with me (though, often through closed eyelids in the recliner, warm toes get her every time); and perhaps my fondest memory -- she read to me. I remember lying in bed listening to her read stories to Kelly and I. So much of what I am today is because of my Mom. Thank you Mom! I love you! As for my "mom-in-law" little needs to be said. She has always taken me in and made me feel like part of the family, and her strength and poise in working through this latest trial has shown her to be an example to us all. And most importantly, she raised an incredible daughter who is now the mother of my child.
Meg.
As I walked down the hallway toward my hotel room here in Kalamazoo, I felt rather dizzy because of the gaudy carpet and intense paint on the walls (green and yellow paisley carpet and salmon crackle-paint walls, I don't know who they think their kidding, no one is going to believe they are marble walls when there's vintage 1970's Vegas carpet below it) and thought... you know who would laugh at nearly all of the jokes going through my mind right now? (nearly... but the ones she wouldn't laugh at are generally so not funny that they really shouldn't be encouraged)
I didn't finish my blog post for our anniversary, and so I wasn't able to put down how overwhelmingly blessed I feel to have Meg in my life. I'm not especially gifted with words, so attempting to simply say how I feel can be problematic. When I can write it down and look at it, I generally get closer to expressing the inexpressible emotions I feel for my sweetheart. (Tough, on Anniversaries, Birthdays, and Mother's days, I'm allowed the cheese)
You are a great mother. You are kind and loving and so much more than you ever give yourself credit for. You are all the good things that I'm not, and the good things that I am, are better because of you. Addison is lucky to have you as her mom. Thank you for everything that you do. You really do an amazing job raising Addison; better than I could ever do. I'm sorry I don't express that more often. I love you.
the petting zoo
yesterday alicia and i took addie and abby to a "year end bash" at the student apartments and they had a petting zoo. Not only did addison LOVE the animals she tried to grab them and hit them and couldnt get enough!
Saturday, May 10, 2008
race for the cure
Today was the Race for the cure! It was so amazing and very emotional. There was a lady standing on the corner with her husband and she was obviously going through chemo and she was cheering all the runners on. I think my favorite part was the women who were walking around bald and proud! Its very touching to realize that all of these people are here and want a cure. seventeen thousand people had pre-registered to run... but there were way more than that. and soon my mom will be hanging out with all the survivors behind that sign!!!
(it wont let me post pictures right now, so i will add the rest later)
Friday, May 9, 2008
looky looky!
my new hair. extensions and all. I love getting $800 off! ha ha free hair extensions are fun and even more fun because I LOVE THE WAY THEY LOOK! It gives me an entirely different look. although i look horrendous in all of these pictures. and i love that i know can charge $800 to do extensions.
sweet. continuing education is good stuff, i love that i can learn more
and just improve myself as a stylist. I bought the hair and it was WAY GOLD and so i colored it and even i am impressed with my colorist skills, it is a perfect match! watch out NC here i come!
Thursday, May 8, 2008
May 6Th was our 2 year anniversary and i tried all day to post a blog. But alas it is 11:00 pm on May 8Th and i am just now posting.
Our anniversary was fun this year not as big of a party as last year but maybe better (now that Addison is here). Last year we went to Moab and i was extremely pregnant and we were hiking and i was swollen. However it was a lot of fun and Moab
is beautiful. This year i had to work at the salon in the morning and
then i came home where Ryan and Addie were waiting for me with a CLEAN
apartment. Ryan also bought me orchids (my favorite flower) and packed
the cooler and off we were to the park for aBBQ . It was really fun and
Addie loves the park and even more, she LOVES the swings. We had such a
blast and enjoyed the sunshine!
Ryan also signed me up for the Susan G Komen
Race for the Cure 5k. I have been talking about signing up for it since
i found out about it and i was so glad that Ry did that for me.
Yesterday "the host" by Stephanie Meyer (yes the Twilight author) showed up on my doorstep, i read a bunch last night but i couldn't
stay up all night b/c i had to work this morning. So i am now anxious
to crawl and bed and get back into the story. So far so good, not quite
as gripping as The Twilight series but still a fun read thus far and it
seems like a very interesting concept for a book.
Today Ryan and I went to the park to spray paint some picture frames i have been collecting and some that i got at Ikea and i also tie dyed some of Addie's old stained onesies. They turned out SUPER cute. They are just hot pink but they'll be really fun for the summer. After that we went to The Gateway where they are doing some booths and education
about breast cancer. I picked up my shirt for the race and got some
sweet temporary pink ribbon tattoos that i plan on wearing on Saturday.
I am so excited about this race and i really hope that any of you that want to run, will!
AND I REALLY APPRECIATE THE CONTRIBUTIONS YOU ALL HAVE MADE! Especially my Dad (and mom of course) and Steve and Cindee and grandma and grandpa Hendry! You guys are amazing! And it means a lot!
Our anniversary was fun this year not as big of a party as last year but maybe better (now that Addison is here). Last year we went to Moab and i was extremely pregnant and we were hiking and i was swollen. However it was a lot of fun and Moab
is beautiful. This year i had to work at the salon in the morning and
then i came home where Ryan and Addie were waiting for me with a CLEAN
apartment. Ryan also bought me orchids (my favorite flower) and packed
the cooler and off we were to the park for aBBQ . It was really fun and
Addie loves the park and even more, she LOVES the swings. We had such a
blast and enjoyed the sunshine!
Ryan also signed me up for the Susan G Komen
Race for the Cure 5k. I have been talking about signing up for it since
i found out about it and i was so glad that Ry did that for me.
Yesterday "the host" by Stephanie Meyer (yes the Twilight author) showed up on my doorstep, i read a bunch last night but i couldn't
stay up all night b/c i had to work this morning. So i am now anxious
to crawl and bed and get back into the story. So far so good, not quite
as gripping as The Twilight series but still a fun read thus far and it
seems like a very interesting concept for a book.
Today Ryan and I went to the park to spray paint some picture frames i have been collecting and some that i got at Ikea and i also tie dyed some of Addie's old stained onesies. They turned out SUPER cute. They are just hot pink but they'll be really fun for the summer. After that we went to The Gateway where they are doing some booths and education
about breast cancer. I picked up my shirt for the race and got some
sweet temporary pink ribbon tattoos that i plan on wearing on Saturday.
I am so excited about this race and i really hope that any of you that want to run, will!
AND I REALLY APPRECIATE THE CONTRIBUTIONS YOU ALL HAVE MADE! Especially my Dad (and mom of course) and Steve and Cindee and grandma and grandpa Hendry! You guys are amazing! And it means a lot!
Sunday, May 4, 2008
just a quick note to those of you who are in Utah.
we are doing a birthday party for Ryan and Addison on Sunday the 18Th of May. That is Ryan's real birthday but he really wanted to celebrate Addie's birthday before we are apart for two months. So we are celebrating Ryan and Addies birthday
but Ryan says only to bring gifts for Addie (if you want. I will be
sending out invitations (hopefully tomorrow).
but the plan is:
Where: Steve and Cindee's place (in plain city) @ 1:00
What: Happy Birthday, Graduation and Goodbye
We will be BBQ ing and the theme is Hawaiian luau and Hawaiian attire is REQUIRED. (its not that hard, a Hawaiian shirt or a lei would work but you can always be fun and go all out)
Come join us for some fun!
we are doing a birthday party for Ryan and Addison on Sunday the 18Th of May. That is Ryan's real birthday but he really wanted to celebrate Addie's birthday before we are apart for two months. So we are celebrating Ryan and Addies birthday
but Ryan says only to bring gifts for Addie (if you want. I will be
sending out invitations (hopefully tomorrow).
but the plan is:
Where: Steve and Cindee's place (in plain city) @ 1:00
What: Happy Birthday, Graduation and Goodbye
We will be BBQ ing and the theme is Hawaiian luau and Hawaiian attire is REQUIRED. (its not that hard, a Hawaiian shirt or a lei would work but you can always be fun and go all out)
Come join us for some fun!
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