be-UTE-iful

I've learned a few things this week...some of which surprised me.

First, I love a good fight. {Is there something wrong with me?} Cougars, don't try to do your stupid Haka on our field. We won't let you.

Second, when your only game plan is to throw to the same person all night long, we can do this all night long. And double your score while we're at it.

Third, for the first time in forever, I have respect for Mr. Austin Collie. I've hated him since he arrived in Provo. But, after Saturday's game, he was the only Cougar who was a good sport, and gave props to my Utes for a good job. Who knew? I kind of felt sorry for the poor kid. He's an awesome football player, I will give him that, but his team expected him to do it all. He was exhausted by the 3rd quarter. Who I will not acknowledge as being good sports is Mr. Mendenhall and Mr. Hall. What a bunch of sore losers! People expect more out of you, Bronco. But I don't. And I don't like you, either.

Then, on Monday, I learned this...

Okay, I already knew. But it was confirmed at the Dr's office. And I couldn't be more excited! And neither could the girls. They are already asking when the baby is coming. It's going to be a long journey I'm afraid. Little one comes sometime in June! {And the best part...I love my doctor. It's always scary to try somebody new, but I hit the bullseye on the first try this time around!}

Our Time Now

In honor of rivalry week, I dug up an old elementary class photo of Shane. It's kind of sad, but very funny.

Game time Saturday 4 pm. Cougars are going down!

Lock-down

Okay, you know the drill. If you want to get in, you're going to have to leave me your email. Lock-down begins promptly.

This means friends, enemies, strangers, stalkers and wannabes. This is an equal opportunity blog.

I know it bites {sorry, Twilight fever, uggh}. Deal with it {Rachael}.

Fully-loaded

It appears that my last post didn't read the way it was intended. For the record, I have no hard feelings about any of the situations that were referred to. Although I do agree that fans need to be nicer to each other, I can take a joke. I sometimes forget that not everybody is on the same page, and what I didn't realize was that my post was going to come off as a rant, which is wasn't meant to be.

So, we need to clear something up. 95% of everything I write on this little blog of mine, is super sarcastic.

My favorite blogs to read are those where the writer is expressing thoughts, beliefs and realities. I love hearing what you have to say, even if I don't agree. And even if I disagree, I still love to know what you think. And because that's what I love to read, that is how I sometimes write. But I would never use this forum to berate or call somebody out for doing something that I disagreed with. So, I go about it with sarcasm. If I think something is funny, it may end up on the blog. But never because I'm upset.

So, unfortunately, if you're looking to steer clear of sarcasm and sporadic controversy, you may want to skip this blog. It won't offend me at all. I realize that we all have different personalities when it comes to this stuff. Just a disclaimer.

And one more thing, while I am outnumbered as a fan at some family parties (on both sides), I very rarely feel offended and/or attacked. No family members and/or relationships were harmed during the before mentioned dinner table exchange.

Quite Frankly

The drama. It never ends.

For Halloween, Shane and I dressed up for each other. He wore my Ute football jersey (and looked hot, by the way), and I wore his "Totally Invested" BYU fan t-shirt. And we both got a good laugh about it--because that's the way we roll. While we can argue about statistics and get all emotional about "fan feelings" during November, we mostly play into each other's hype. And we've dealt with it, mostly lovingly, for more than 10 years. And it's kind of fun.

A couple of weeks ago, at a family party, it was brought up around the dinner table that 2 family members (both men) have stated that they would never have married a Utah fan. Basically, either admitting their admiration for Shane and his ability to lower his standards, or trying to tell me that I'm not worthy enough to be part of a "BYU is better than Utah" family. Niiicce! What do you say at that point?

Wait, it gets worse. Shane tried to lighten things up a bit by saying that he was more than willing to dress himself as a Ute, because it probably meant that he would get lucky (did I mention how good looking that jersey was on him?). I laughed, as did a few others. But, and I'm dead serious, another family member adds "I would rather NOT get lucky than have to wear that". And that just made me sad for his wife.

I mean, seriously? SERIOUSLY? Closed-minded much? Can it really be that bad?

Now, really. I hate BYU football. Let's just state that for the record (as if you didn't already know). And I suppose that most BYU football fans hate my team. But why do we have to hate each other as fans? It's so ridiculous. And I'll be the first to admit that some BYU fans are my least favorite people in the world. But there are other Cougar fans who are my most favorite people. The difference? The way you carry yourself. If you can have a conversation without bashing, I will listen. What I won't listen to is you telling me how your team is better because you won a championship in 1984, and because more people go to your games. Also, I will not listen to you talk sports if I know that you never watch a minute of football. These girls (and, okay, some guys) who are "fans" of their husband's/dad's team, just because, but don't know a thing about what's going on is comical. It's a waste of my time and frankly just ticks me off.

The truth is, we've both had our years where our team is better. And it will continue that way until the end of football. And when it's not your year, it's painful. I understand that, trust me. But don't be a hater of someone who is enjoying the ride. Get over it! I will cheer as hard as I can for my Utes, you cheer as loud as you want for your Cougars.

And instead of asking my husband "how can you be married to a Ute fan", just tell me to my face that you can't stand me. I'll respect you alot more that way!

Go Utes! Beat TCU!

Spooked much?

Okay, it's Halloween. The pictures are too cute. I'm out of my funk, for the moment!

I bring you the ever-spooky kitty cat...

And yes, I've bought into the cuteness of fish-nets (however, when older than 14 you only wear them to skank up your costume). Carly wouldn't even look at another costume after finding this in our Halloween box. Ashlyn wore it when she was 18 months so my fabulous mom took it to the sewing machine to do it up right.

And introducing the latest and greatest in pop culture, Miss Hannah Montana...

After searching for a H.M. costume and finding only crap that cost $40, we again turned to Grandma's talents and Ashlyn couldn't have been happier. And I couldn't have been happier at the final cost. Dollars, I tell you. She made the jacket, all according to Miss Ashlyn's specifications, and the belt. You can't tell very well, but this girl was sparkling with sequins. So cute! We couldn't wipe the grin off of Ashlyn's face. There was a wig involved for the first few days, but today she decided that she had the right kind of "look" to pull it off herself.

Happy Haunting!

I have lots and lots to blog about.....but I'm totally, totally bored with it! I'll see ya when I see ya!

Birthdays and Traitors

Happy Birthday to Shane! He turned 33 years old yesterday and we have been partying for several days!

We tried to surprise him with a couple of gifts, and even got him a birthday pie {apple is his favorite} because he's not a big fan of cake. The girls were very excited about the whole thing. Carly told me we had to have balloons so we did. And although he doesn't get overly excited about anything other than sports {yes, including birthdays--it's a different breed I tell ya} we did manage to get a smile for the picture.

So I considered the birthday to be a success. And then this happened...

My own mother, I'm ashamed to say, shows up at the door with this gift for Shane. I felt like throwing up a little bit. Because I expect more from my family members. Especially when they claim to be Ute fans. Because real Utes don't support or buy Team Down South merchandise. While I'm happy that my mom tried very hard to please her son-in-law and make him giggle on his birthday, I have to say that I'm very, very disappointed.

The Ties that Bind

Those who know me well are aware of my love for all things warm and fuzzy. Especially blankets. If I were being honest, I'd have to tell you that I have a slight obsession with them. You should also know that it's a rare, rare occassion that I feel like sharing my blankets. Because I like to cuddle them. And it's really hard to nestle your face next to a blanket that may have recently been cuddling somebody else's feet.

While I was browsing the aisle's at Wal-Mart a couple of months ago, something caught my eye. I thought to myself, "could that really be what I think it is". True story. So I made my way over to the fabric department, and it was for real. Honestly. Two of my favorite things combined into one. Flannel and my Utes. I couldn't resist so I bought enough to make a big, new fall cuddly. I even stepped up my game a notch by getting black flannel for the back. See, that would make a double-sided treasure to have and to hold 'til death do us part.

Now that the weather has gotten a bit cooler, I felt like it was time to break out the surprise. I spent last Saturday watching football, and working on my new comfort tool.

Shane tried really hard to act like he didn't like it. But he was totally jealous. I could tell. And by the end of the afternoon he was "trying" it out. Which is fine by me. I'll convert him to my team with subtle ways and baby steps.

So here's to spending future Saturdays wrapped up in comfort. I will love it. And if you want to cheer for my team, I might let you try it out. Actually, I probably won't. But I might make you one of your own. If you're a true fan. And if I like you. Alot.

Tomorrow night's game is HUGE! Oregon State is coming to town and it's going to be awesome. 6-0 here we come! Go....

We had the Primary Program at church today. And I was nervous about it all weekend. It was my last opportunity to serve as the Primary Chorister. Even though this was going to be my 3rd program, I was worried about it turning out just right. We had a practice on Friday, but anybody who has been to a pre-program Primary practice knows that they are a nightmare. So I was just sure {the same as every year} that it would be a disaster and that I was going out with a bang. And not a good one.

But, those little ones always surprise me. Although I got to church feeling like I was going to throw up, we made it. And it was so wonderful. And although I got a little teary-eyed a few times, I felt so great when the final song was sung and I had held my composure fairly well. And then the closing prayer was said, and for some reason I just lost it. And when I say that I lost it, I mean I was sobbing. Uncontrollably. And somewhat embarassingly. It was a weird feeling because I love being in Young Women's. But I'm so going to miss Primary. I love those little people. And even when I don't like them sometimes, I still love them always. And it has been such a growing experience for me. And I'm a better person for having done it and for that I will miss it. I will miss being the "singing teacher" that all the kids love to see.

I also have to say how proud I am of my girls. Ashlyn was terrified when the Primary Presidency asked her to give a talk in the program. She didn't want to do it at all and when she stood up I could tell she was so nervous, but once she got to the microphone she was fabulous. And I'm not just saying that because I'm her mom--okay, maybe that's a little part of it, but, really, she was great and I'm so glad that she stepped out of her comfort zone to do it. Carly was a hit for being so cute. She didn't have a speaking part, but she really took to heart the instructions to smile while singing. Actually, she was trying so hard to keep smiling that she forgot to sing.

So I'm feeling a little lighter, tonight, now being down to a single calling in the church. It's been a while since I've been there, and I'm excited to focus on the Young Women. But I may just have to sneak into the Primary every once in a while to visit my friends. {And it might be a good excuse to get out of Gospel Doctrine. I went in there today for the first time since we moved here 2 1/2 years ago. I'm telling you, I don't know if I can handle that.}