Never Leave Him

I love this talk that Elder Andersen gave in the last General Conference. I just re-read it and am grateful for the peace it brought to my soul. I am grateful for the gospel in my life. I am grateful for my Savior who has felt my pains, and afflictions, and has taken them upon Him. I love Him. I will never leave Him. I hope you take the time to read this talk, it will benefit you too!

Expecting

It's true, Shane and I are expecting baby Gallup on or around August 2, 2011. We are beyond thrilled, and feel very grateful for this experience. Those of you who have found out prior to this have probably heard the not so exciting part to being pregnant. I had a gentle reminder today of what a blessing it is that we are expecting, that we can actually have children, and not to take it for grantid. To those of you who I have complained to, I am sorry. It is the greatest blessing for the Lord to choose me to be a mom. I look forward to this experience and appreciate all of the love and support that you have shown!

Finals Complete!

This morning around 9AM I walked out of my last final for the semester. It was cruel and unusual punishment for the University of Calgary to have finals that go until TOMORROW! Rude, thankfully I am done.
Last night we went on a date with Michael, Tasha, Travis, and Breanne. We headed to Moxie's for dinner, and then went to watch the Nativity Pageant that the church is putting on at Heritage Park. Moxie's was a bad idea apparently.... I have barfed 8 times since (4 last night, 4 walking across the parking lot after my exam this morning). I think my stomach is recovering... I hope! Note to all, don't eat Moxie's hamburger and fries... blech!
I hope no one else is dealing with the pukes this holiday season! Here's to getting better :)

I Always Want To Be With My Own Family

I love my family!  We had a wonderful visit over American Thanksgiving.  I made sure to arrange family photos since it is the last time we will all be together in... 3 years due to missions.  I called my good friend Jamie up and she did a marvelous job! (seriously, you will want her number!)  Here are the results:

Parents

Jonathan

Mindy & Shane

Sabrina

Matthew

Stephen

Eliza

Lucy

Joshua

Which one is your favourite?  Isn't Jamie amazing??!!!!!  Those living in the Ogden area I HIGHLY suggest contacting her to capture your family images.  Message me for contact info.

Wrapping Up

Tis the season for wrapping gifts, and wrapping up school for the semester.

Last night Shane helped me write my final paper for the semester.  I finally fell that I have a handle on things and now it is almost over.  I have a meltdown yesterday and thought I couldn't do it, until I realized I have 7 (now 6) days of class left.  

This weekend we are rolling out Christmas in high form, We are going and cutting down our tree, decorating, and mailing our Christmas cards.  This Saturday I will also be shopping for all of the food for the ward Christmas party, and we will be attending our first Christmas party of the season.

Next week I study like mad, and throw our ward Christmas party.  It is going to be beautiful, but I have a long row to hoe prior to next Friday.

It'll be so nice when the 21st is over :)

Fun posts to be coming... tree cutting, home decor, and Christmas photos!

Over The Monida Pass and Down The Freeway

We leave tonight for Thanksgiving in Utah. I am SO excited! I cleaned my house this morning, finished packing, ran all my errands, and only have 2 more classes, 1 lab, and 1 exam standing in my way. I'm looking forward to passing these signs and sights and finally making it into the arms of my family. It's going to be a Partay with the Hirtles rocking it in the 2008 Dodge Caravan!

Wonderful sights!

Great Frozen White North

As promised, here is an insight into the freezer known as the great white north.

Yes, that is ICE on our storm door. I thought last night I would try to scrape it off like I do the truck windows... HA, it's like 1/2 inch thick

Outside view of the same thing

The pretty snow... I just wish it wasn't so cold. It was terribe to wake up to the man on the radio announcing it felt like -30c (-22f). It was painful!

Must Be Sunday Night...

I've got a lot on my mind. Today at church was busy busy busy! I was wound up as tight as a kite when I got home and started cleaning the kitchen so I could start dinner. Honestly between school, my calling, and my duties of being a wife, I am exhausted today!

This past week I have done a lot of reflecting. I am grateful that I decided to go back to school this semester, grateful for the things that I have learned, the friends I have met, and the sense of pride it has given me to go back. In the midst of it all, I realize sociology isn't for me, I want to plan/organize things, be creative, and put flowers together if I am going to have to pick a career. The thing that I realize I want even more is to be a stay at home mom. I see the joy all of my friends who have children feel being with their children, I want that too! My arms ache to hold a baby of my own, I want to stay home all day cleaning, caring for a child/children, doing dishes, laundry, changing diapers, feeding, ALL OF IT!!!! So I realize, this could very well be my last semester of school, and do you know what....?

I


am


ok


with


that


!

Salt Anyone?

For the record, those in Utah (particularly in Logan) have no idea what cold and bad weather is like. Take for example Calgary, Monday night November 15 it rained, and then turned in to snow, and snowed until mid morning on November 18th, which then resulted in clear skies and dropping temperatures (-13 F anyone?). Mind you it is only November and will only get WORSE!

Now, I have learned to bundle up prior to leaving the house, knee length poly down coat, snowboots up to my knees, mittens, and something covering my ears. I have learned I must take my glasses off and tuck my nose and mouth into the lip of my coat so I don't die. Driving on the other hand... a TOTALLY different story. Shane and I recently traded cars and I am now driving our truck (which has yet to be named). It scares me to death and gives me great anxiety. As a result from the rain FOLLOWED DIRECTLY by snow, there is about 2 inches of ice under all of the snowpacked roads. Yes, snowpacked roads. Mindy+rear wheel drive+ snowy/icy roads = a major disaster! Fortunately plows have been out more, but I sure do miss the luxury of living in a State with an endless supply of SALT!!!!!!! I never thoughth I would be grateful for the stuff that rusts your car, but I MISS IT!!!!!

So my take home message to my friends in Utah, be grateful for the salt and plows, they make a SIGNIFICANT difference and are FAR more frequent than in large cities like Calgary. Pray for me! I am NOT looking forward to this winter! (pictures of our frozen solid glass storm door and the look of outside my house, also, our winter wreath thus far)

Movember

It's that magic month.  Shane asked in October if he could do "movember" I said why not.  Little did I know there is actually a meaning behind the madness.  It is in support of prostate cancer.  We decided to have a little fun and since Shane's facial hair is light, we put some mascara on his mustache to make it look a bit more real.  Good times, good times.  I have a feeling this mustache is going to be around until Christmas (they whole ugly sweater mustache party).  Is your man sporting a mustache?

Bonafide Engineer

This weekend Shane had his convocation ceremony and iron ring ceremony.  He is a bonafide engineer in training, 4 more years until he is a professional engineer.  I am so proud of him!!!!! Naturally we had to document this event

Home

The trip was TOO short!  I was asked in the airport where "home" is, I still say I live in Calgary, but Utah is where I was raised.  I claim them both and probably always will!  Here are some shots from the airport last night.  Looking forward to being back down there, we leave again 2 weeks from tomorrow.

Grateful

I am grateful to be in Utah

Grateful I was able to be in the Temple with my sister yesterday

Grateful to be with my family

Grateful to go to church today

Grateful that I was able to read this talk... I recommend EVERY person read it, especially if you think you are "too busy"

What are you grateful for?

56

There are that many days from right now that I will be done with this first semester at the University of Calgary.

I will not let school defeat me! I have come to the realization that the education that my fellow students received in high school is far superior to what I received in Utah. The fact that I haven't been to school in 2 years plays another factor. The University of Calgary is ranked significantly higher than Utah State, therefore is harder all of the way around. I have terrible study skills.

Having all of this in mind, I've got 56 days to prove to myself that I can do it!

Weekend Recap

We did it, we survived the weekend!!!!!  Our 525 sq ft are filled and I have a pile of pots that need to be washed, but for right now, I need to be lying down and blogging.  Here's the recap:

Friday I wrote a midterm and then it was off to costco to prepare for the linger longer.  I have to admit I was pretty disappointed that they didn't have paper bowls or plastic table liners, but all in all things worked out.  I left with 2 cakes and a container of sour cream.  When I got home Shane and I decided we needed to make sweet pepper jelly and did just that.  It didn't turn out perfect, but I'm sure tastes fine.  We both got a laugh out of unconsciously touching our eyes after cutting the jalapeño peppers.  I scratched my nose not thinking and boy did that burn!  After that I washed the pots and busted out some yummy caramel corn... yum yum!!!!!!  I finished off the night around 1 with some Wendy's Shane brought home after his hockey game.

Saturday I woke up and went to the flower market.  They had TONS of gerber daisies.  I bought orange and yellow ones.  I made some pretty fall centre pieces for the linger longer.  I ran around like a mad woman buying all of the odds and ends for the linger longer.  I cleaned up a bit and decided I needed a nap, after the nap, I went and picked up the breadbowls from Safeway.  I wish I would have got a picture of all 130 of them in the shopping cart and then trying to fit them all in the Corolla trunk.  Good times.  Shane and I scratched the flint and sam costume and went as a cowboy and cowgirl.  We had fun.  The cotton candy machine was a hit and we were told all night long that we had the best "trunk" er table in the middle of the parking lot.  We were covered with sugar head to toe, but wouldn't change one second of it.  We plan to purchase a cotton candy machine one day.  TOTALLY worth it.  We went and finished the evening playing games with the Hirtles.  

Today I woke up and cut bread bowls like a mad woman!  I prayed that there would be enough food and thought up alternatives, soup, and spaghetti.  After about an hour and a half of cutting circles in the breadbowls it was time to make some chili.  Once everything was in the crockpot it was on to the flowers.  I made 6 arrangements that turned out pretty nice if I do say so myself (since I only spent $30 on the flowers).  I quickly showered, got ready, finished loading the truck and was off to the church.  I forgot how many curves and bumps are on the way to the church.  I made it and Shane and I unloaded it just in time for the meeting to start.  I felt like a chicken with my head cut off for abou 3 1/2 hours and was more than relieved that everyone brought their chili and how many salads made it.  I received many compliments on how well dinner turned out, which made it all worth it.  I got home and crashed from exhaustion.  

If anyone wants some breadbowls, we've got PLENTY to go around.  Hope you had an enjoyable Halloween weekend.

Halloween Weekend

I'm looking forward to a fun filled weekend! For the first time in our marriage, both Shane and I will be dressing up!!!!!!! We are going as...

Flint Lockwood and Sam Sparks

We will be partying at the quad-ward trunk or treat representing the 8th ward, dishing up...

followed by a linger long Sunday featuring

and drinking homemade rootbeer :) (thanks for your votes).

I've got a long to do list, but know it will all be worth it!

Have a fun and safe Halloween weekend....

P.S. to all my decorating girls out there... any good ideas for pumpkin table decorations for the linger longer?

Managua Nicaragua

I'm somewhat in self denial at the fact that I haven't posted about my sisters mission call.  I suppose I assumed I had since I posted it here.  My sister Sabrina is going on a mission to Managua Nicaragua leaving on December 1, 2010.  I am beyond thrilled for her!  This also means.... I will get to visit Utah TWICE in the same month!  Can you believe it?!  

My first adventure down will be the first weekend in November for her endowment.  Here's to hoping I have some kind of motivation to lose a couple lbs to fit back into my temple dress since the Draper temple doesn't rent temple clothing... Good motivation!

Our next adventure will be with the Hirtles and will be an all night roadtrip affair.  We will drive all Wednesday night to be there for Thanksgiving with the families.  This trip will also include black Friday shopping, family photos, and a farewell party.  I wish I didn't have to come back to school and could stay to see the forgotten carols and Sabrina off to the MTC.  It will be good to be with family.  

Anyone else celebrating American Thanksgiving either here or in the states?

Half Way

Today marked the beginning of week 7 at the University of Calgary...

On the age:

Exam Thursday

Midterm Friday

Midterm the following Wednesday

Trip to Utah Saturday-Monday

Exam Tuesday

I can't wait to get it over with!  

Has anyone else ever taken a break from school and found it is SUPER hard to get back in the swing of things after going back, or am I the only one?  I'm keeping my eye on the goal, Bachelors degree, I can do it!!!!!!

I Miss Them!!!!

I miss my family a LOT!!!!!!

I am listening to Christmas music, planning the ward Christmas party (I know it's early, but I'm BUSY and have to start thinking now).

I have been down on myself a lot lately and looking throught all of my pictures trying to find the right ones for this post makes me realize how blessed I am and how wonderful my life really is! I can't wait to see my family in just over 2 weeks!!!!!!!

Good thing I have him to keep me sane!

Goodbye Facebook

It was a rash decision, but I've had enough.  Facebook isn't what it used to be and everyone I need to get in contact with knows how to get in contact with me.  It makes me sad the mean comments that go on.  If you wouldn't say it to someones face, don't say it in a message on facebook!  It was all of the garbage about the mayoral election here in Calgary that was said last night and today that was the last straw.  It doesn't matter what your opinion is, whether it's the same and everyone else's or different, each is entitled to their own opinion and is entitled to be respectful to everyone!  I need to spend more time studying and with Shane.  If you need to get in contact with me, email me.

mindy.gallup@gmail.com

Lily

I love my cat!

Helping me sort flower

Checking on the bugs outside

Sleeping in "her" chair

Scoping out what I'm making for dinner

Attacking her mouse

I might be slightly obsessed, but I love Miss Lily!  She is 100% cat and although some days are better than others, she brings me so much happiness.  I have been really stressed lately and there's nothing better than coming home and having her greet meet me at the door and respond to my question (meow).  Nothing better than her waiting eagerly at our bedroom door for the alarm to go off and her turn to come in and cuddle.  Nothing better than her going through my makeup and trying to share our sink in the morning as I get ready for school.  Helps me cook dinner, accompanies me while I do laundry, loves jumping inside any bag she can get into, catches and eats ALL of the bugs in the house, and sleeps in her cat basket every night.  She calms me down and loves me no matter what my imperfections are.  I knew I loved her like a child when I freaked out at the idea of having her spayed, refused to get her declawed, and bawled the entire way home with her on my lap after she had surgery.  I would say she's definitely the best animal addition we've had to our family so far. I can't wait to see what kids are like. :)