A day when...

Valentines Day is a day when you...

 sleep in and only workout for half an hour,

run around the apartment like a mad woman, hoping to pull of a surprise for your sweetheart,

cuddle and then cuddle some more,

eat too many rolls at Texas Roadhouse,

 go to a furniture store (or two) and sit on couches even if you don't have a couch or room for one in your studio apartment,

watch a movie in bed,

...

& spend the whole day with your #1.

I meant to post this yesterday...but I was having too much fun with my husband to blog. I hope you're all enjoying your sugar hangovers!

No Explanation Needed

12/18/2012-1/2/2013

Coach

Aunt

Haircut

Camel

Nativity

Snow

Grandpa

Art

Jazz

Hobbit

FutureChristmasCard

Bozo

GoingOut

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve: ER Edition

Animals in a Hospital?

Games

Cheesecake Factory

Buffalo Wild Wings

NYE

Home Again

instagram: melissajohn20

Blogger's Block

Hey. It's been awhile. I really miss blogging, but to be honest I don't feel like I have much worthwhile to say...even if it's not really true. I'm in a funk, that's for sure.
It's not that I'm not doing anything with my life--quite the opposite. I'm overwhelmed by school and wish I could spend my days pinteresting or painting my nails. I feel guilty when I'm not doing homework or being productive. I need balance back in my life. I need to find the joy in this journey...easier said than done. Working on a group project and doing all the work & barely keeping your head above water in your Energy/Science class can really suck the fun out of life.

On a happier note...I have found comfort in these things, they help take the edge off...

-Hanging out with my family. Chris and I were lucky enough to get a couple days off to go down to Utah. We saw Red Dawn at midnight with his brothers and my sister. It was AWESOME. Josh Peck has blossomed into a handsome young man. Any other Drake and Josh fans out there?

-Running. It's hard to say it....and it's still a little bittersweet. I hate the way I feel while I'm running, I'm sure I look like I'm having a stroke or something. I love the way I feel after; healthy, clean, and happy. With time, I'm sure I hate the actual running part less. Anyway, the whole fam ran a 5K on Thanksgiving. It was good times.

-Castle. Such a great TV show. I haven't been this addicted to a show since Lost.
-Taylor Swift's new album, Red. She speaks to my soul.
-Thanksgiving. I got to see my Grandma & Grandpa Jenkins and talk with them. I got to see two of my cousins who I hardly ever see. Good food and good people. I am truly blessed.
-Games with my family. We're a little crazy and are Nazi's when it comes to the rules...but we have a blast and laugh constantly.
-Flannel Jammies from Victoria's Secret: they make being lazy a little more glamorous.

Now, all I need is to get through the next few weeks and it'll be party time all over again!

Hmmm?

Do you like the new look?

I was going for light and airy....

I only have 2 finals left. Too bad they are both the ones I have been dreading the most. 

Having a husband around does make things quite a bit easier. 

This is what I came home to last evening after final #2:

 

I can't wait for the weekend to be here. 

Mom & Sissy are coming up to spend Easter with us and to hear me sing in sacrament meeting.

I haven't performed in over a year. 

This will be interesting. 

Wish me luck (mostly on finals, 

but for the other stuff too)!

Spoiled

Turns out my husband is sneaky...threw me off guard with the single rose and surprised me with this:

 and this...:

heart shaped pizza. perfect.

Today has been the. best. Valentine's day ever! :) I hope everyone else is having the same success on this wonderful day!

Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine's Day!

Remember how Valentine's Day is my favorite holiday? Well, this year was the best year yet! Due to a crazy week with work and school (and lots of exams) we celebrated on Saturday the 11.
 I decided to continue my mom & dad's tradition of a Valentine's day themed breakfast. I got a little crazy, but had some fun for sure. I made Chris wait in our room while I fixed breakfast.

Pink + Heartshaped German pancakes

The over-the-top table complete with pink and red heart shaped crazy straws

Breakfast was so fun and I had a blast treating my sweetheart. Unfortunately, I had a pre-scheduled group meeting and had to rush off to at 8am. When I returned, Chris was gone getting his haircut, so I went back to bed. I awoke to a beautiful white rose!

We spent the rest of the afternoon watching "Lost" on Netflix and then got ready to go to dinner at...TEXAS ROADHOUSE! I'm not a huge meat eater, but the rolls and honey butter alone make the trip worth it. It was a really fabulous dinner.

Isn't he handsome?

After dinner we took a walk around the mall to let our stomachs digest our huge, yummy meal. Then, it was back to Rexburg for more "Lost" before bedtime (...we really like Lost). :)
Then, yesterday my present Chris was so mysterious about came in the mail. Behold:

Adorable? Yes. I love that he got my name engraved on the back- I don't have anything with my "new" name on it. I can't wait to take it to the gym with me (no offense, bulky iPod Classic). My husband is so good at presents. I am so spoiled. Thank you honey!

::ciao twenty-eleven::

New Year's Eve this year has definitely been my favorite. We started our NYE at Lava Hot Springs in the mineral pools.

My Cute Husband

 After spending some time soaking...or boiling...we hit up Subway and headed to our hotel room in Pocatello.

King Sized Bed

 We took a little nap and watched a little TV and then we were off to dinner. Chris chose Texas Roadhouse- I had never been, so it was an adventure. I really liked it and I had fun watching Chris inhale his Country Fried Sirloin. That boy can eat...especially when it has to do with country cooking or BBQ. We came back to the hotel, completely full and a little sleepy. I was determined we would ring in the new year the right way (at midnight, watching the ball drop, with a kiss). I hadn't done it "right" in a few years. So, we jumped on the bed to wake up and then watched The Count of Monte Cristo. Then we opened some sparkling grape juice, watched the ball drop, gave each other a kiss and then totally crashed.

Very tired...bad cell phone photo

Happy New Year! We had a blast and are looking forward to 2012- hopefully you are too!

12.22.11-12.26.11

I didn't take my laptop down to Utah with me because I wanted to spend every second with friends and family. I knew I would be too tempted to blog every day about the festivities. Anyway, I had a great Christmas and had such a blast having Chris with me. Last year we were separated by approximately 2179.28 miles. Not fun! Our first Christmas married was a success and I can't wait for the next eternity of Christmases.

12.22.11
We drove down to Utah...very tired from work. We left as soon as we got off. About 1.5 hours into the drive I was done. I couldn't keep my eyes open! Chris relieved me of driving duty and was kind enough to let me sleep the rest of the way there. What a sweetie.
We (the Jenkins clan and our Elcock cousins) went to Chuck-a-Rama that night for dinner (which brought back Choir Tour 2010 memories...anyone?) then we were off to Zoo Lights....it was far too cold. The poor kids were trying to enjoy themselves, but were done after about 45 minutes. I was too, haha. Then it was back to our house for hot chocolate. Douglas got ahold of our iPad and I found some treasures I have to share. :)

Keep in mind there are about 30+ more. These were just my favorites.

Megan, Betsy, & Henry. Aren't those the cutest Christmas PJ's?

12.23.11
Chris and I did a little shopping on our own. Chris went to 4 pawn shops and 1 gun shop...just for fun. He loves that kind of stuff. I do my best to be a good sport. :)
That night we had a spaghetti dinner and decorated gingerbread (graham cracker) houses. It was really fun to watch Chris get all into it. His house was very elaborate....it even had Santa out front shoveling snow. Regrettably, I didn't take any pictures of our masterpieces.
We then watched some Donny Osmond youtube clips (courtesy of mom) and then watched Mr. Kruger's Christmas....a tradition.
That night Chris and I went on a double date with Megan & Quinn/Thomas (a boy with 2 names, not 2 boys hahaha) to see In Time. A good movie- I really enjoyed it.

12.24.11
Christmas Eve is a big deal in my family. We have a big family party in the party barn. It goes for most of the day- we eat, play games, open presents, and play wii. Its pure chaos....I love it.

Cute Sister

Grandpa ready to pass out presents

Grandkids all lined up

We have a tradition that every year we get to open one present on Christmas Eve. Chris and I were assigned to give gifts to my brothers. We decided to play a little joke on them.... inspired by this video. We filmed ours too...but its not as exciting because my brothers aren't brats like most of those kids.

For their "real" present we bought them both slingshots and amo. For their fake present we found some Disney themed underwear. We hid the real ones and had them open the fake ones first. Jackson tried to act excited and Douglas was to disappointed to say anything. When I couldn't stand it anymore we pulled out their real presents and got to watch them be excited for real.

Haha, my poor brothers. I wouldn't have been happy either. Luckily, they were very pleased with their sling shots.  

12.25.11
Christmas Day was probably my favorite day. We had a phenomenal sacrament meeting service, I absolutely loved it. I had a blast watching my little sister and brothers open presents. Then Chris and I got to Skype with his brother who is currently serving a mission in the Dominican Republic. We visited Grandparents, ate leftovers, and played more games.

We played some "Just Dance" as well...I have videos, but unfortunately one of me is saved on an online locker ready for blackmail if needed.

12.26.11
Our last day in Utah. :( We went to lunch at Zupas and a $3 movie with the family. It was a good last activity. Then we were on our way...not looking forward to the end of the workless part of the break. We arrived in Rexburg at 11pm and collapsed into bed.

Great Christmas Break? Check!