If you wanna laugh really hard....

....click here.

Thanks Rach for sending this to me!

The Light at the End of the Tunnel

This semester I somehow landed six finals...six seems a bit excessive to me, but whatever.

2 Online (Take Home) Finals
2 Testing Center Finals
2 In Class Finals

Good news is I've just finished my two online finals. Thank goodness. I am so grateful that I didn't have any internet problems. I might have had a break down.

But the thought of 4 more tests is quite discouraging. Good thing I have some things to get me through the next few days...
These yummy treats:

 And some pictures of Chris eating that I found on my phone:

 That boy loves to eat & is great fun to eat with. :)
Dear Remaining Finals-Please be kind to me.  No love, Mel

Insanity

Good news, kids! Chris and I are FINALLY employed! After searching for jobs all semester long we have both finally landed something---We will be custodians on campus working Monday-Friday 4-7....(wait for it)....AM! Yep, that's right. Starting December 19 we will be rising around 3:30am and going to bed at 7:30pm.

All jokes aside, this job really is a blessing for us for the following reasons...
1. Although we start work during the Christmas break we will still have about 4 days in Utah to spend with family, including Christmas Eve & Christmas day.
2. We will be making 8.20/hour....which is about a dollar more than people who work "normal" hours.
3. We will be done with work AND school every day by 1:00pm...giving us time for homework, going to the gym, and getting to bed early.
4. We will both be able to work 15-20 hours a week each- most on-campus jobs range from 5-7 hours a week.

This opportunity came at just the right time and is such a blessing. We are so grateful- just had to share the good news!

I hope everyone is doing great and that those who are finishing up fall semester do great on their exams and have a great Christmas Break.

Love you guys!

Holiday Bucket List

I am feeling a little Christmas nostalgia. It is hard to carry out the traditions that I love with just Chris and I. There are a few things I know I want to do, and want to make sure happen, that I have control of. So, I present to you, my Holiday Bucket List.

(I know the font is a little hard to read, but it just said "Christmas" to me.)

December Happenings

4 days in & December is already a pretty exciting month.

We get a Wii! We got some Christmas money and we spoiled ourselves with an early Christmas gift. We got a killer deal at Walmart and came home with the Mario Brothers Bundle.

Complete with blue and black controllers- mine is the blue one :). Who knew they made Wii in colors now?
Next, Pinterest has turned me crafty. Chris and I have had fun trying the new recipes; and I like to find the easy crafts that give me something to do. So far we have tried Crock Pot Hot Chocolate, Oven Baked French Fries, & D.I.Y. Whiteboard. Here is how my whiteboard turned out:

 

I used notebook paper as my background because I use mine on my desk- probably mostly for to-do lists and reminders. But, for now, it's my Christmas Countdown.

Last night was date night. We got all dressed up and went out for dinner and then to the BYU-I Christmas concert featuring Brian Stokes Mitchell. I was so excited. It was a lot of fun to get dressed up and go out. We hadn't been on a date-date in a while. It's a lot of fun to date your spouse. The best part is, you don't have to say goodnight! Anyway, we went to Wingers for dinner and then after the concert we went and got some frozen yogurt. It was a great night!

I can't wait for the rest of December!

Fasting

"Fasting, coupled with mighty prayer, is powerful. It can fill our minds with the revelations of the Spirit. It can strengthen us against times of temptation. Fasting and prayer can help develop within us courage and confidence. They can strengthen our character and build self-restraint and discipline. Often when we fast, our righteous prayers and petitions have greater power. Testimonies grow. We mature spiritually and emotionally sanctify our souls. Each time we fast, we gain a little more control over our worldly appetites and passions...Fasting in the proper spirit and in the Lord's way will energize us spiritually. It will strengthen our self-discipline, fill our homes with peace, lighten our hearts with joy, fortify us against temptation, prepare us for times of adversity, and open the windows of heaven."
-Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin

I am not a huge fan of fasting...it is really hard for me. I get headaches and am really grumpy. But, reading that quote helps me to have the desire to fast the right way in order to receive the blessings that come from it. Happy Fast Sunday!

Logan

We watched this video in my Book of Mormon class today. It touched me, so thought I would share. It has such a sweet message, very appropriate for the first day of December. Enjoy!

(Logan is a 13 year-old boy who lives on a ranch in a very small town in Nebraska. Logan listens to Christian Radio station 89.3FM KSBJ which broadcasts from Houston, TX. His words have wisdom beyond his years)