Thursday, February 26, 2009

ICE ICE BABY


Tomorrow Night.
2 Performers.
Holla back '90's era.
If the 80's can make a comeback....
so can they.

The Ground Houndz (Ty's break-dancing crew) are lighting up the stage.
Alongside....
Well, hold your computer up to the mirror and love my life.
I need to go buy some pants.....guess what kind!

Sunday, February 22, 2009

I Hope They Call Me on a Mission.....


We got called to serve! Not exactly in the way you would think, but it is truly an amazing opportunity. Most callings in the church are for the individual - I have a lot of opinions about how service makes one feel needed, blessed and valued by the Lord, etc. Not a lot of callings, however, are "couple-callings." Those are saved for the Senior Missionaries, perhaps Mission Presidents, etc. So, last week we were released from our callings - sorry, no more funny Sunbeam moments for the time being - and were set apart to serve in the University Care Center Branch.
We take the sacrament around to all those in the Univ. of Utah hospital who ask for it, give comfort to all those in need, and when people from other religious faiths haven't been visited, we extend a hand to them and offer to contact a member of their clergy, etc. Its a non-proselyting call, and offers the warmth and palpable presence of the spirit. I wanted to cry in almost every room I walked into today - comforting the sick and afflicted has always been near and dear to my heart. I did this same thing with my dad when I was only 4-5yrs old. Its almost like returning back to something familiar, having chosen your companion to be with you in this service. We give blessings, comfort family, and just bear witness that God does not forget His people. It is such a blessing to watch Tyler exercise his priesthood to bless the lives of those that are in dire need of guidance, comfort, and healing blessings from the Lord.
We are going to grow so much. Today was a miraculous day.
To top it off, our coat rack (rod-thingy) broke, leaving our closet a mess, I broke one of my most cherished wedding gifts and cut my finger on it, and all this just to tidy up the house for our home-teachers. I had to blog about something wonderful because this afternoon didn't go as planned, but the 4 hours of church were absolutely amazing.

As are my flowers. Ty is pretty awesome. We eventually had 10 blooms going, and then both became slightly allergic, so spread the love by giving them to another couple :) I love it when gifts really do keep on giving.

The Medical Branch (our new calling) will be full of some wonderful stories....

Friday, February 13, 2009

The King's English

I. Am. A. Nerd. And I love it-if you give me a good book, I'll fall inside of it and won't come out until I'm certain that the next 4 pages can wait, reluctantly returning to reality. Today, Ty and I had the chance to spend some quality time together and he decided that he would take me there, to my surprise! Neither of us had ever been and were breathlessly taken aback by the simple grace and awe that the shop radiates. If you could picture the most picturesque, liberating, contemporary, and all out intriguing shop, this would be it, located in Sugar House, here in the good ol' SLC area.

The King's English Bookshop 1511 South 1500 East
Salt Lake City, UT 84105

Their bathroom is labeled "The Loo" and their literary sections are decked out with cool things like this: the book "Ten Minutes To Relax - Meditation" was sitting on a tiny, but larger than barbie size, red love seat on the shelf - how rad is that? The displays are breathtakingly creative, like a breath of fresh air or the glimpse of omniscient sunshine - you'll never go back to Barnes & Noble again.

Couldn't every day just be this grand!?

-Just a side note: do you ever read children's books about history? Well, if not, you should. The authors have a way of hiding more truths in less words that strike you, powerfully impacting what you think you know. Pick up this book - spend 10 minutes reading its 70 or less pages, in graceful free verse, and become educated. Its inspiring. Its title : T4.
This week sucked. Lilies don't. Love this boy. Happy Thursday Me!

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

A Very Delaware Valentine!

Today was long. The past few weeks have been interesting concerning the kids I go to school with, projects, and I just got my clinical rotation schedule-just slightly nerve-wrecking = I have to remember everything I've ever learned...haha
So, I had a huge exam on Monday, another one tomorrow, and one on Friday. Not too bad (we have 5 the week before Spring Break, and 3 of them are on a Friday). But, Tyler worked from 7-7 today and if you leave me alone for too long, I get just a little bonkers, which I think I've mentioned before. Anyway, I was studying, focused, and when Tyler opened to door-I just looked up and to my surprise, a blue box from the magical land of Delaware was in his arms! I LOVE MY MOM!
We got little bags of Teddy Grahams that said "Bear Hugs for Tyler" love Mom Campbell! She's so creative! I have always loved Valentines day, especially when I moved out-my mom just makes the coolest stuff that makes you giddy like a little child! How else do you want to spend a Holiday?!

There was a really cool pattern in the box that folds up to be an airplane - it says, "Tyler, you're just 'plane' cool!" My mom has the most adorable sense of humor, doesn't she!? This one is rad - its a little twizzler vine that goes from DE to UT - From Coast to Coast, you're the one I love the most!
My mom cut out these hands out of that foam stuff and put a travel size lotion (I think its lavender scented!) in-between the two! haha Apparently, I deserve a hand!

I think this has to be my all time fav! My mom made an iPod out of those conversation hearts (at least, I think that's what's inside!) and it has string & little Reces Peanut Butter Cups for headphones! hahaha There's also a Valentines' Day Playlist listed - I giggled for a good 15 minutes! There's so much cool stuff in the box, and just to be remembered and to know that someone cares - what more could you ask for?

What's your favorite Valentines' trinket?!

Friday, February 6, 2009

so this is love

Don't know what to do for dinner this weekend? I had the same dilemma last weekend, and since we're on a saving money kick, I decided to make something special instead! THESE ARE TO DIE FOR. Seriously. This is what my friend Chelsey calls "Smothered Burritos" DELISH.

"The Sauce of Smothered Burritos"
-2 large boneless pork chops
-1/2 large yellow onion
-1/2 cup of chopped fresh cilantro
-10 cloves of garlic (I used 2...but you could definitely use more)
-1 can of Campbell's cream of chicken soup
-1 7oz can of diced green chilies
-dash of garlic powder
-pinch of red pepper flakes

Cube the pork chops, chop the onion, chop the cilantro, mince/chop the garlic.
Add a thin layer of olive oil to a med-large saucepan.
Brown the pork chops, add the onion and garlic, allow pork and onions to cook through.
Add 1 cup of water and the cilantro.
Simmer for 10 minutes.
Add the can of soup, and a pinch of red pepper flakes.
Stir, then add the whole can of green chilies (not drained).
Stir, and let it simmer for 20 minutes.
Salt and pepper to taste.

-If you are brave, you can use jalapenos instead of green chilies
-if the sauce seems too thick, add a bit of water.
-For the burritos, I usually stuff a large tortilla with re-fried beans, cheese, and little bit of sauce. Then, when the burrito is wrapped, I smother it with the sauce, put a generous helping of cheese on top and pop it in the microwave to melt the cheese.


I loved every minute of eating this! Our house smelled like a fancy restaurant and my fingers smelled of fresh cilantro for the next 3 days. Ah....sooooo yummy! It takes about 45 minutes to cook everything, and let me tell you - it is so worth it! Let me know what you think!!!