Tinsel Town

As I mentioned before, I absolutely love Christmas! It has been so fun preparing for our "First Christmas" together! Which sparks my interest, how did you make your First Christmas special with your spouse? Or for the un-married folk, have any good plans or ideas for your First Christmas? I'd love to know, please share! We have been busy with work, school, and our social life. But I finally got around to wrapping the first present of the season the other day!


What is it about that first present that makes you want to make sure every edge of the paper is perfectly straight and all the folds are equal and clean? I do it every year! Then, by the time Christmas Eve rolls around, I am so sick of wrapping that I usually just cover with paper, tape random loose ends and slap a bow on it. This year will be different though!

I had tons of ideas from Pinterest on how to decorate for the season. Yet through the hussel and bussel of the month, I somehow forgot. Or ran out of time (or money..)
I did, however, manage to do a few semi-festive things.
I filled this vase on our kitchen table with Pine Cones and Red Ornaments!
It fits right in with our red and black kitchen!

Next, was my Mistletoe! Yes indeed I made it by myself!
And you better believe I made my Hub kiss me right directly
underneath it when he came home that evening!


It turned out cute, if I do say so myself! (:

Lastly, our tree is piling up with presents!
Stefan actually beat me to it when he put the first gift under the tree!
He is loving the Christmas season and the surprises!
So much in fact, that he has already given me 2 of my presents cause he just couldn't stand the suspense! Haha I just laugh, and he gives me a huge 5 year old grin.
He's the best darn thing on this planet!
I can't wait to spoil him with the amazing ______ I bought him!


Santa Claus is comin' to town! ... Soon!
Happy Holidays!

Brag Tags

This is a post for all the teachers and parents out there!
A recent fad in the "Classroom World" are these new "Brag Tags."
I have seen tons of posts about them! Teachers, parents, and students are hooked.
I am here to tell you about Boost Promotions. The costs are over 50% off any other companies making them now! Not only are there designs great, but you can even customize your own tags at no additional cost! If you are involved in the PTA, pitch this idea to the board. Many schools all over the U.S. are already involved in Brag Tagging. Teachers, get them in your classroom for your students. What a great incentive for their hard work and desire to succeed. Church member and church leaders, they are also developing a line of Religious Brag Tags, stay tuned for these. Primary students will look forward to adorning their necklace with Tags of accomplishment!
Check out their website HERE.



Let me know what you think!

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

Some people say that Christmas starts in December. I beg to differ. I am usually already in the Christmas Spirit after Halloween. Thanksgiving is just a preface to Christmas. I have been so excited for Stefan's and my First Christmas. We started our Christmas shopping a while ago. I am lucky to be married to someone who loves Christmas as much as I do!

We planned an FHE date to put up our Christmas Tree and it was so fun! This is the time for future traditions to start. My mother-in-law Connie gave us a tree! It was so nice of her! It's small, but the perfect size for our little apartment!

My babe stringing the lights!

Taking a break to spread some Holiday Cheer!

In my house growing up, putting the star (or angel) on the tree was always a coveted duty.
Stefan let me do it this year!

First Christmas - 2011

My boss showed me this great link to create personalized messages from Santa!
I made one for Stefan and... he loved it (:
If you have a "naughty" spouse, or some "nice" kiddos that you want Santa give a shout out to, go HERE and make one of your own!..
...Or just enjoy the one I made for Hubby Dear - HERE!

Veggie-Enchilada-Deliciousness!

Last night, I made my version of a recipe I found on Pinterest... Believe it or not.

Vegetable Enchiladas!
Oh my yummy. I can't explain in words how delicious it was.
It was loaded with vegetables and EVERY bite had a different flavor.
While I was cooking, Stefan said, "What's for dinner?".
"Vegetable Enchiladas!" I replied.
"Oh no", he said, "This man needs meat in his dinner."
I ignored him because:
A. They wouldn't be vegetable enchiladas with meat in them... duh.
And B. I was much too lazy to defrost the chicken.
Sometimes, I am guilty of cutting corners when cooking. You know, like not using the right amounts cause I don't want to open another can. Or trying to get away with a shorter baking time because I am too impatient. Please Santa, don't put me on the Naughty List!

Turns out, that Hubby Dear was in love with this dinner. I asked him what he would have changed about it, waiting for the "I would have added meat" response. But instead he came back with, "Nothing, it was perfect". Should've asked for it in writing..

Vegetable Enchiladas

Ingredients:
1/2 Sweet Potatoes Cubed (I always cut mine into little triangles)
1/2 Onion - Chunked ( <-- this is a word I made up that means: cut into chunks)
3 Cups Broccoli Florets
1/2 Can Corn
1.5 Cups Chopped Carrots
1/2 Red & 1/2 Yellow Bell Pepper cut into matchsticks
1 Tomato Chunked
1 Jar of Pace Salsa (or some other saucy salsa - pico de gallo maybe too chunky)
1 Can of Cream of Chicken Soup
2 oz Cream Cheese
4 Tbs. Fresh Chopped Cilantro
Olive Oil
Garlic Salt
Lemon Pepper
1/2 tsp. Minced Garlic
4 Tortillas
Generous amount of Shredded Cheese

Directions:
1. Place Sweet Potatoes, Broccoli, Onion Chunks, Corn, and Carrots on Greased cookie sheet.
2. Using pastry brush, coat all veggies on cookie sheet with olive oil. Sprinkle with Garlic Salt and Lemon Pepper. Mix together including Minced Garlic
3. Bake at 425 for approx. 30 mins, or until browned on edges.
4. Meanwhile, prepare a 9x9 baking dish. Grease the bottom.
5. Mix together Cream of Chicken Soup, Softened Cream Cheese, Salsa, and Cilantro.
6. Spread layer of the mixture on bottom of dish.
7. Layer Tortillas to cover mixture. (I rip them in half and use 4 halves to make a layer)
8. Place Bell Pepper matchsticks and half the Tomato chunks over Tortilla layer.
9. Sprinkle with Parmesan Cheese
10. Add a layer of the baked veggies and repeat.
11. Top with a GENEROUS amount of Shredded Cheese
12. Bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes.

Like I said, every bite had a different flavor. Between the seasoning of the baked veggies, the crispness of the fresh veggies and salsa combo, it was a dream. Just like any other night, there were no left overs. If my Husband can eat a whole 9x9 pan (minus one square for me) by himself, whatever will we do when we have children?


Sorry the picture quality sucks. My life story. Just make the dish and see for yourself!

Mr. Perfect

Usually I plan my blog posts around pictures I have taken. However, I am cursed with a piece-o-shiz camera and usually forget to take photos! So, bare with me, this post may lack in the photography department.

Stefan and I just celebrated our 6 month Anniversary! Holy mother cow! Can you believe that?
6 months ago from last Sunday, we were sealed for time and all eternity in the Salt Lake City Temple! I can still picture that day, and sometimes I would give anything just to go back and enjoy it all again! It was perfection.


Best day of my entire life. Look at us? We are the happiest people alive!

Our Anniversary landed on a Sunday. I woke up that morning and walked into the kitchen to start breakfast, only to find this surprise on the kitchen table....
How sweet is that! One rose for each month we've been married! It was such a perfect day. After church, we went down to dinner at Stef's parent's house. We do pretty much every Sunday and I love it. Mama Connie had also been a part of the surprises. She had this poster displayed for us when we walked in!
Stefan also had other surprises that I didn't know about. Since our actual day was on the Sabbath, he planned a romantic date for Wednesday night! After work, I pulled up to the house and Stef walked up to the car and told me to move to the passenger seat, we were going somewhere. We ended up going to Tucano's for dinner. This is one of the nicest restaurant in Utah County. Definitely not Taco Bell. And let's face it, it is a splurge for College Students! I felt like a little princess. As if the price of anything didn't matter. After dinner, Stef let me pick a movie, any movie. I chose The Help because I have only heard great things about it. Stefan was probably one of 2 guys in that whole theater. And he didn't even mind. We absolutely loved the movie. It made me cry... duh. After the credits, Stefan just held me in his arms while I cried. Partly because the movie was emotional, but also partly because I tend to cry when I think about how much I absolutely love and adore Stefan. He is the most perfect person I know. He is so patient, calm and loving towards me. He always puts me first and always wants to make me happy. He is never selfish, never jumps to hasty conclusions, always calm and considerate. He tells me he loves me numerous times each day. He makes sure that I always feel adored and beautiful. I never could imagine a more perfect person in my life. The next part is the best. We got in the car and headed home. I turned it to Christmas music.. duh. That's my thing. Halloween is over, therefore it's Christmas time. I thought he was going to change the channel because most people hate Christmas tunes, especially before Thanksgiving. But instead, he turned it up and sang right along. Then he turned to me and said, "Jamie, thanks for listening to Christmas music already." How sweet is that. And.. you guessed it. I got teary eyed again. I just can't get enough of him. And how much he loves me through my quirks and always makes me happy even when I am a stinker. We are so blessed to be so happy, through the trials and stresses of life. Stefan is such a rational personal and he communicates so well that there is never a need to argue or get hot headed. Whenever I feel like I have done something stupid or wrong he always says, "You haven't done anything wrong yummy, you have nothing to be sorry about". He's more than I could have ever asked for in a husband. I love him so much and I can't believe that he is all mine.

I figured it was about time for some "Family Photos" with it being 6 months and we needed some for Christmas Cards anyway. Here's a little sneak peak of our photoshoot.





Thanks to Melissa Wilding! She's the bomb. You can view more of her work here!
The rest of our photoshoot can be viewed on my Facebook.

Crazy for Fall Dayz

One of my many obsessions: Fall/Autumn.
I love this season so much! However, I hate that Fall only lasts a couple weeks here in Utah Valley. We usually get gipped and it skips straight to winter. I love when there is that crisp cold that stings your nose, but you can still wear a light shirt. The sound of crisping (is that even a word?) leaves under your shoes. Pulling out the scarves and beanies. I just enjoy seeing the seasons come alive and... decorating!

Some fun things I have to document:
First is my wreath! Thanks Pinterest for the great idea. And thanks for giving me all those other ideas that I will never ever have time for.

I love the fun fall colors that it brought into my living room. Obviously an indoor wreath due to paper and Utah weather don't mesh well together.
Next were this delicious little treats I made for a Relief Society get-together. Once again, I owe my thanks to Pinterest. These were so easy and all the girls loved them! Yum!
Donut Holes + Nutella + Sprinkles = Acorn Bites.I even made some on sticks for Stef! Little Acorn Pops you could say.

As of late, I have been a little bit obsessed with Grilled Cheese Sandwiches. Yes I capitalize because when I was in elementary school, I was taught that you capitalize "important" nouns. These are very important to me.
This girl.. has a wicked cool blog devoted to Grilled Cheese's. grilledcheesesocial.com
She has all these awesome ideas. I never knew so much could go into, what I once thought was a simple sandwich of bread and cheese. Why not pump up the flavor, give it some kick and your taste buds will thank you later!
I am nowhere near as talented as her, but you gotta start somewhere.
For this GC Sandy - I used herbed butter that I DIY'd. The filling consisted of mozzarella cheese, tomato slices, green pepper chunks, basil, and love. You always have to cook with a little love. Any GC Sandwich ideas you would like to share would be greatly appreciated.
Also, does anybody know how the heck to keep a loaf of french bread from going hard so fast??
Please advise me. Thanks!

So Halloween is right around the corner, literally. One day, I was just riding in Stefan's work truck with him and I saw this nifty roll of caution tape. I thought it would be a great Halloween decoration. So I snuck it into my purse and used it to embellish our boring door. I also came up with my own idea for a wreath and made one completely out of popsicle sticks. Pre-School craft? Most likely. But our door is the only one decorated in our whole complex/building so I feel pretty cool about it.
We did have our cute pumpkin on our porch too, but we carved it so early in October that it has already rotted and been thrown in the dumpster. But it was super cute in the days of it's youth.It's a mummy face! If you couldn't tell...

Stay tuned for my next blog post where I tell you all about how I HAND MADE our fun Halloween costumes! Yay!

A Day at the Doctor

As some of you may know, I have been a little sick lately. Nausea and vomitting, along with some other unexplained symptoms. I had been seeing a family doctor for quite some time concerning the issues, and after some blood work, she noted that my potassium was low. So low that she wanted to hospitalize me. Low potassium can be really life threatening. It can quickly alter your mental status and it can affect your heart function. But physically, I felt fine, aside from a little light-headedness. She sent me to get an EKG and the results came back OK so she just told me to be really careful, eat a banana or two, and come back the next day for more blood work. After 2 weeks of daily blood draws, tests, and EKG's, she had no answers for me and referred me to a Gastroenterologist. It takes about 2 months to get into a specialist and since there was some confusion concerning my referral, it took a little longer to get me an appointment. Finally, I saw Dr. Dickinson. He was very confident that he knew what was going on. He was pretty positive that there was some sort of blockage in my stomach or intestines, or that the pyloric valve (the valve that lets food pass from the stomach to the duodenum, or small intestine) was not functioning. It was really promising how confident he was and he scheduled me for a scope the next week. That day was yesterday. I was really pumped about getting to the bottom of things and finally having some answers. After 4 tries from 3 different nurses to get my IV in, I was ready to be done. They took me back to the OR and put me right to sleep. The next thing I remember is crying (anesthesia makes me very emotional), and waking up in the "recovery room". Luckily, my wonderful husband was ready with a camera when I came out of surgery to catch any funny things I might have said. And I did.

Am I speaking gibberish? Haha. Thanks Stef for the lovely videos!
The results were not so informative. Unfortunately they didn't find what they thought they were so sure about. I am still waiting to hear back about a couple biopsies they took.
The next step from here is an isotope swallow study. I am ready to have some answers!

Thanks to my handsome husband for taking the day off of work, taking care of me all day, treating me to Costa Vida, and letting me sleep on your lap all afternoon.
And helping me laugh by taking silly pictures.
And helping me smile by wearing those adorable glasses.
I love you!

Nourishment for the spirit.. and the body.

I love General Conference. It gives me time to re-boost my spiritual strength. These sessions seemed to answer my prayers very bluntly, and I am so thankful for that.

Saturday night, after the priesthood session, Stefan and I had a little picnic. I had originally planned it for tons of couples to join us, but people got busy and had other plans. I am glad that it turned out to be just Stefan and I. We don't get tons of time together with school and work so it worked out really well. I made delicious cornbread and chili in mason jars.

So maybe this isn't a picture of my creation, BUT mine did turn out just as cute and probably more delicious than these! I just have this curse where I forget to take pictures of my adorable things, also my camera sucks.

We went up to Rock Canyon Park and found a little spot where we laid down a blanket and watched the stars. It felt like we were dating again. (:
We did a lot of talking and it was so fun. I had this impression all weekend to ask Stefan to bare his testimony to me, I decided this would be a good time to do it.
Ladies: If you haven't heard your husband's testimony in a while, I suggest you ask for it. It's like falling in love all over again. What is it with spiritual guys that makes girls get all googley eyed and emotional? I love it. Stefan has the strongest, purest testimony and it makes me so thankful that I married somebody so amazing, strong, and knowledgeable in the gospel.

Sunday morning we had the Bird's (Clayton and Brittney) over for Conference Breakfast. Go ahead and laugh at me, but I had been looking forward to this for weeks. I wanted it to be the most delicious, cute, and fun breakfast ever.
It didn't exactly make it into the hall of fame, but for my first Breakfast Extravaganza.. I was pretty proud!

Breakfast Bar! French Toast Skewers, Ham and Egg Muffin Cups, Baked Oatmeal, Lemon Blueberry Muffins, and OJ!

Remember these guys?.. Delicious Lemon Blueberry Muffins
181st General Conference (:

Yummy Breakfast!

Stefan's French Toast Skewer...

It was such a great weekend. I was nourished spiritually....
...and physically (;

Happy Housewife

Since getting married, I have become very interested in cooking, and baking and crafting and creating.  I want to become the perfect wife and (one-day) mother.  

I am slowly learning and in's and out's of domesticating.  

Pinterest makes my life easier somedays, 

and somedays a little harder.

It's like this giant to-do list. Everything I want to do now and in the future.  Not only recipes I want to make this month, but pictures I want to take with my family 12 years from now.  Sometimes it is disastrous. Other times, inspiring.  Anyway, I have been whipping up a lot of new recipes lately, this first one.. to die for.

These lemon blueberry muffins were so good.  I got the recipe from Smitten Kitchen and 

adapted it a little bit to my liking. 

I used a glaze of one cup of powdered sugar and 2 tablespoons of lemon juice.  Such a good choice.

The contrast between the sweet blueberries 

and the tart lemon glaze was prime.

Perfect sunday morning breakfast.

The best part about this was that I had left over batter so instead of getting a self-induced stomach ache from eating all the excess batter, I poured it into muffin cups and froze it.  Last night I remembered them in there and let them defrost for about 15 minutes.

Be sure you let them defrost in the muffin tray.  They will freeze pretty flat and need the support of the tray when they defrost or they will spill out all over the counter.  

And I don't know if it was just me, but they seemed even better the second time around.  I have already decided that I am going to make them again this weekend for conference!

I've been obsessed with muffin tin meals lately.  I don't know what it is about those little perfect sized portions that make them so cute.  My first attempt was muffin tin lasagna.  Quite delectable I might add.  Unfortunately, I didn't snap a picture of them.  My next experiment was breakfast one morning.  

 

These turned out so delicous.  I put bread crumbs in the bottom, wrapped some ham strips around each cup then filled with hashbrowns and poured an egg mixture on top.  Popped them in the oven for a few minutes and voila! Instant breakfast cups.

Last saturday I took the dare.  I got up early to make these little babies.  They were pretty time consuming.  They seemed to take forever, especially since I was hungry and could smell them baking but didn't want to spoil my appetite.

I Intorduce, Home Made Pop-Tarts

 

Half way through the filling process.

 

They even look like cute little pop tarts!

 Icing and Sprinkles make them more realistic (:

Happy Campers

I know it's a little overdue, but better late than never right?

Labor Day was a blast. We had a Ruesch Family Reunion and went camping up Provo Canyon. Too bad Brittney and Clayton were in Puerta Vallarta Mexico, (let's keep it simple)
and couldn't enjoy the fun with us.

I am sure they would have much rather been in the mountains,

Sleeping in a tent, than at an all-inclusive resort getting to "know each other".

(;

Just Kidding!

Regardless, we had a great time and it was so fun to
spend time not only with my immediate family,

but with the other Ruesch's that we don't see very often!

And mostly, I love camping at camp grounds with showers!

Stefan and I had our own tent and we slept in it the first night, but we had no air mattress, just sleeping bags. The aches and pains in my back reminded me of this ALL the next day.

So night #2, My gracious parents insisted that we sleep in their tent which consisted of:

Mom, Dad, Sydney, Brooke, Chris, Cousin Chad, Stefan and Myself.

It was a great bonding time! Especially since everybody in that tent had gas from dinner.

They had air mattresses = I slept like a baby.

Nestled between Chrissy and Stef.

Presh.

So like any other Ruesch planned activity, we obviously had to camp close enough to some sort of civilization because we ALWAYS seem to forget something, or think of something that would be convenient at the last minute. I think there were probably 9 trips to the Heber City Wal-Mart, conveniently located 30 miles away, that weekend. I wouldn't trade it for anything!

My cute Brother

Sydney Sue, Brooke ditched me for her cousins all weekend
The Many Stages of Stefan

He cooked the most amazing dutch oven dinner, yum!

He also got very acquainted with this guy over the weekend...<div style="text-align: center;">I know it's a little overdue, but I didn't get the pictures until now. And it's better late than never, right?</div><div style="text-align: center;">Labor Day was a blast. We had a Ruesch Family Reunion and went camping up Provo Canyon. Too bad Brittney and Clayton were in <strike>Puerta Vallarta</strike> Mexico, (let's keep it simple) and couldn't enjoy the fun with us. </div><div style="text-align: center;">I am sure they would have much rather been in the mountains,</div><div style="text-align: center;">Sleeping in a tent, than at an all-inclusive resort getting to "know each other".</div><div style="text-align: center;">(;</div><div style="text-align: center;">Just Kidding!</div><div style="text-align: center;">Regardless, we had a great time and it was so fun to spend time not only with my immediate family, </div><div style="text-align: center;">but with the other Ruesch's that we don't see very often!</div><div style="text-align: center;">And mostly, I love camping at camp grounds with showers! </div><div style="text-align: center;">Stefan and I had our own tent and we slept in it the first night, but we had no air mattress, just sleeping bags. The aches and pains in my back reminded me of this ALL the next day.</div><div style="text-align: center;">So night #2, My gracious parents insisted that we sleep in their tent which consisted of:</div><div style="text-align: center;">Mom, Dad, Sydney, Brooke, Chris, Cousin Chad, Stefan and Myself.</div><div style="text-align: center;">It was a great bonding time! Especially since everybody in that tent had gas from dinner.</div><div style="text-align: center;">They had air mattresses = I slept like a baby. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Nestled between Chrissy and Stef. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Presh.</div><div style="text-align: center;">So like any other Ruesch planned activity, we obviously had to camp close enough to some sort of civilization because we ALWAYS seem to forget something, or think of something that would be convenient at the last minute. I think there were probably 9 trips to the Heber City Wal-Mart, conveniently located 30 miles away, that weekend. I wouldn't trade it for anything!</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-71PBY4vEKRU/TnjLIcH0mCI/AAAAAAAAAHM/bqnPsj2uA1A/s1600/IMG_2353.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-71PBY4vEKRU/TnjLIcH0mCI/AAAAAAAAAHM/bqnPsj2uA1A/s320/IMG_2353.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My cute Brother</td></tr></tbody></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FPeMbkEr9Yo/TnjLIgeRSQI/AAAAAAAAAHQ/C3Uwohhd6qU/s1600/IMG_2355.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FPeMbkEr9Yo/TnjLIgeRSQI/AAAAAAAAAHQ/C3Uwohhd6qU/s320/IMG_2355.JPG" width="320" /> </a></td><td style="text-align: center;"> </td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sydney Sue, Brooke ditched me for her cousins all weekend</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;">And if you were wondering, it IS cool to wear your hair flat like this, </div><div style="text-align: center;">because I see movie stars do it all the time ok?</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_4ypSupBQ70/TnjMwPCR8GI/AAAAAAAAAHU/iFz4tCXn7DI/s1600/flat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_4ypSupBQ70/TnjMwPCR8GI/AAAAAAAAAHU/iFz4tCXn7DI/s320/flat.jpg" width="212" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">See, Ginnifer Goodwin is totally doing it.</td></tr></tbody></table> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RangmheTqd4/TnjMweSDBeI/AAAAAAAAAHY/Tn2sMHe9DCE/s1600/flat2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RangmheTqd4/TnjMweSDBeI/AAAAAAAAAHY/Tn2sMHe9DCE/s320/flat2.jpg" width="195" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Michelle Williams..</td></tr></tbody></table> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-n62OIoa1leQ/TnjMwtmb-uI/AAAAAAAAAHc/pHDpNAyAJEg/s1600/natport.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-n62OIoa1leQ/TnjMwtmb-uI/AAAAAAAAAHc/pHDpNAyAJEg/s320/natport.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And Natalie Portman! </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;">See! So it's totally ok to have NO hair and let it be flat, especially while camping.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Moving on.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8HzoTz3HLfo/TnjNuWNASeI/AAAAAAAAAHg/omxx2oSPNFM/s1600/Stef.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="176" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8HzoTz3HLfo/TnjNuWNASeI/AAAAAAAAAHg/omxx2oSPNFM/s400/Stef.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The many stages of Stefan.</div><div style="text-align: center;">He cooked the most amazing dutch oven dinner, yum!</div><div style="text-align: center;">He also got very acquainted with this guy over the weekend...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3HmH5RQZPxc/TnjPk-Lkt1I/AAAAAAAAAHo/kAc73gA3R_U/s1600/angrybirds_big.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="167" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3HmH5RQZPxc/TnjPk-Lkt1I/AAAAAAAAAHo/kAc73gA3R_U/s320/angrybirds_big.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Every time Stefan was nowhere to be found.. He was hiding in the tent playing Angry Birds on Chris' iPad.</div><div style="text-align: center;">And it has been my worst enemy ever since.</div><div style="text-align: center;"> But overall, the trip was so fun! I miss my family already!</div><div style="text-align: center;">We made lots of good memories though, and for that I am so thankful.</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-r0O7NNlX3CI/TnjOV-Ud_9I/AAAAAAAAAHk/htTsxthLciQ/s1600/jamie+Stef.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-r0O7NNlX3CI/TnjOV-Ud_9I/AAAAAAAAAHk/htTsxthLciQ/s320/jamie+Stef.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and STILL working on his camera smile. we will get there one day.</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div

<div style="text-align: center;">I know it's a little overdue, but I didn't get the pictures until now. And it's better late than never, right?</div><div style="text-align: center;">Labor Day was a blast. We had a Ruesch Family Reunion and went camping up Provo Canyon. Too bad Brittney and Clayton were in <strike>Puerta Vallarta</strike> Mexico, (let's keep it simple) and couldn't enjoy the fun with us. </div><div style="text-align: center;">I am sure they would have much rather been in the mountains,</div><div style="text-align: center;">Sleeping in a tent, than at an all-inclusive resort getting to "know each other".</div><div style="text-align: center;">(;</div><div style="text-align: center;">Just Kidding!</div><div style="text-align: center;">Regardless, we had a great time and it was so fun to spend time not only with my immediate family, </div><div style="text-align: center;">but with the other Ruesch's that we don't see very often!</div><div style="text-align: center;">And mostly, I love camping at camp grounds with showers! </div><div style="text-align: center;">Stefan and I had our own tent and we slept in it the first night, but we had no air mattress, just sleeping bags. The aches and pains in my back reminded me of this ALL the next day.</div><div style="text-align: center;">So night #2, My gracious parents insisted that we sleep in their tent which consisted of:</div><div style="text-align: center;">Mom, Dad, Sydney, Brooke, Chris, Cousin Chad, Stefan and Myself.</div><div style="text-align: center;">It was a great bonding time! Especially since everybody in that tent had gas from dinner.</div><div style="text-align: center;">They had air mattresses = I slept like a baby. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Nestled between Chrissy and Stef. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Presh.</div><div style="text-align: center;">So like any other Ruesch planned activity, we obviously had to camp close enough to some sort of civilization because we ALWAYS seem to forget something, or think of something that would be convenient at the last minute. I think there were probably 9 trips to the Heber City Wal-Mart, conveniently located 30 miles away, that weekend. I wouldn't trade it for anything!</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-71PBY4vEKRU/TnjLIcH0mCI/AAAAAAAAAHM/bqnPsj2uA1A/s1600/IMG_2353.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-71PBY4vEKRU/TnjLIcH0mCI/AAAAAAAAAHM/bqnPsj2uA1A/s320/IMG_2353.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My cute Brother</td></tr></tbody></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FPeMbkEr9Yo/TnjLIgeRSQI/AAAAAAAAAHQ/C3Uwohhd6qU/s1600/IMG_2355.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FPeMbkEr9Yo/TnjLIgeRSQI/AAAAAAAAAHQ/C3Uwohhd6qU/s320/IMG_2355.JPG" width="320" /> </a></td><td style="text-align: center;"> </td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sydney Sue, Brooke ditched me for her cousins all weekend</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;">And if you were wondering, it IS cool to wear your hair flat like this, </div><div style="text-align: center;">because I see movie stars do it all the time ok?</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_4ypSupBQ70/TnjMwPCR8GI/AAAAAAAAAHU/iFz4tCXn7DI/s1600/flat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_4ypSupBQ70/TnjMwPCR8GI/AAAAAAAAAHU/iFz4tCXn7DI/s320/flat.jpg" width="212" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">See, Ginnifer Goodwin is totally doing it.</td></tr></tbody></table> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RangmheTqd4/TnjMweSDBeI/AAAAAAAAAHY/Tn2sMHe9DCE/s1600/flat2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RangmheTqd4/TnjMweSDBeI/AAAAAAAAAHY/Tn2sMHe9DCE/s320/flat2.jpg" width="195" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Michelle Williams..</td></tr></tbody></table> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-n62OIoa1leQ/TnjMwtmb-uI/AAAAAAAAAHc/pHDpNAyAJEg/s1600/natport.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-n62OIoa1leQ/TnjMwtmb-uI/AAAAAAAAAHc/pHDpNAyAJEg/s320/natport.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And Natalie Portman! </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;">See! So it's totally ok to have NO hair and let it be flat, especially while camping.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Moving on.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8HzoTz3HLfo/TnjNuWNASeI/AAAAAAAAAHg/omxx2oSPNFM/s1600/Stef.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="176" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8HzoTz3HLfo/TnjNuWNASeI/AAAAAAAAAHg/omxx2oSPNFM/s400/Stef.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The many stages of Stefan.</div><div style="text-align: center;">He cooked the most amazing dutch oven dinner, yum!</div><div style="text-align: center;">He also got very acquainted with this guy over the weekend...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3HmH5RQZPxc/TnjPk-Lkt1I/AAAAAAAAAHo/kAc73gA3R_U/s1600/angrybirds_big.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="167" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3HmH5RQZPxc/TnjPk-Lkt1I/AAAAAAAAAHo/kAc73gA3R_U/s320/angrybirds_big.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Every time Stefan was nowhere to be found.. He was hiding in the tent playing Angry Birds on Chris' iPad.</div><div style="text-align: center;">And it has been my worst enemy ever since.</div><div style="text-align: center;"> But overall, the trip was so fun! I miss my family already!</div><div style="text-align: center;">We made lots of good memories though, and for that I am so thankful.</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-r0O7NNlX3CI/TnjOV-Ud_9I/AAAAAAAAAHk/htTsxthLciQ/s1600/jamie+Stef.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-r0O7NNlX3CI/TnjOV-Ud_9I/AAAAAAAAAHk/htTsxthLciQ/s320/jamie+Stef.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and STILL working on his camera smile. we will get there one day.</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div>

Every time Stefan was nowhere to be found.. He was hiding in the tent playing Angry Birds on Chris' iPad.

And it has been my worst enemy ever since.

But overall, the trip was so fun! I miss my family already!

We made lots of good memories though, and for that I am so thankful.

and STILL working on his camera smile. we will get there one day.

Itchin' for an Infant

As I mentioned in my last post.. I am baby hungry.

1.	baby hungry
	adj. bay·bee hun·gri An idiom most commonly used in America - used almost exclusively by women, to express an overwhelming desire to have children and become a mother. Although it's not something that all women go through, it is most commonly seen to occur between ages 23 through 35. This is something both single women and women in committed relationships can experience - partially due in part to maternal instinct and the so-called biological clock; social norms/expectations for a majority of women that in that age range; and on occasion also due to religious perspectives on family life. I think they are a little off on the "affected age group". At least in Utah, we see girls of a much younger age group being affected by this so called syndrome. Me, being one of them. This was not my plan. When I got married, I was certain I didn't want children for at least 3 years. But the elements of a married student ward set in and I started to crave. I tried to put on my brave face and pretend that I still didn't want little tykes, but the truth is, I want a little one so bad I can taste it. I know what the responsible thing to do is... wait. And logically, this makes sense to my brain. But my heart has a different opinion. My biological clock is telling me it's time! Stefan and I joke about being pregnant, but I know deep down inside, we both really wish it was the case! Disclaimer: If you are of the Male species, I suggest you stop reading at this point. The contents of this post may be a little too informative. --------------------------------------------- So my period was a couple days late, like 4, this month. So on Friday night, Stefan and I walked across the street to get a pregnancy test. All smiles and giggles, joking about "what if". Really, this was all for fun and I was almost 95% positive I wasn't pregnant. I am on birth-control for pete sakes. But the desire for that little test to be positive doubled, tripled, and probably even quadrupled in those next 20 minutes. We walked back home and I did my duty. A very surreal experience by the way, peeing on that stick. Never thought of the day when I would pee on a stick, and here it was. Magical to say the least. Especially with the bathroom door wide open and Stefan standing there with a grin from ear to ear. We waited the long 3 minutes. And then it was the moment of truth..... Negative P.S. If you are not familiar with pregnancy tests and their results, this means: Hi, you are not cool enough to have a baby growing inside of you. Go cry now. And that's what I did. Not really, I handled it very maturely. But I couldn't help but be sad. I know that children will come in due time, and probably at a better time when we are better prepared for them. I just can't wait. Literally, I want little Stefan's running around the house naked and yelling and throwing food. I want to start our family. But I decided that for now, I am thrilled to have more "us" time with my favorite person in this world, Stefan Paul Ericksen. I love you.