"How do I love thee, let me count the ways"

Today is Jedediah's birthday. He is 23 years young today!

1. He married me. The best present ever.
and im still trying to figure out why.
2. He makes me laugh.
and so does everything else- you may be wondering. But he makes me laugh when crying seems like the best solution.
3. He lets me cry.
thats always a good thing.
4. He is super smart.
I love listening to him talk about stuff I have no idea anything about.
5. He Loves kids.
maybe not as much as I do :) but he's gonna be a great daddy
6. He works hard.
I have never seen someone who studies like he does.
I always get compliments from those he tutors saying, "Hey- you're married to Jed Alvey? He pretty much gave me the A in my math class." Then I get butterflies.
7. He laughs at my jokes.
they're really lame, and he still does.
8. He does the right thing.
9. Loves his calling.
I know that it is super important to him, even though he's gone a lot.
10. He rubs my feet.
Enough said.
11. He lets me ask "stupid" questions.
12. He uses Excel.
and I think its hot.
13. He's very clean.
he does the dishes. everyday.
14. He doesn't mind when I get lost.
he always seems to know right what I did wrong, and  how to fix it.
15. He likes the crafts I make.
they're lame- so its nice that he likes them at least.
16. He never complains about supper.
NEVER.
17. He lets me take my time to get ready.
18. He's a GREAT kisser.
19. He charges my phone.
20. He lets me pick my favorite pillows.
21. He opens my car door.
and he helps me into the seat at restaurants. LOVE IT.
22. He watches the movies I want to watch.
really. he likes them too.
23. He is my best friend. Really.
Forever sounds perfect.

Happy Birthday Jedediah. The first of infinity birthdays to come.

Lets both by "y".

 

XLIII. "How do I love thee? Let me count the ways..." by Elizabeth Barrett Browning (1806-1861)
How do I love thee? Let me count the ways. I love thee to the depth and breadth and height My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight For the ends of Being and ideal Grace. I love thee to the level of everyday's Most quiet need, by sun and candle-light. I love thee freely, as men strive for Right; I love thee purely, as they turn from Praise. I love thee with a passion put to use In my old griefs, and with my childhood's faith. I love thee with a love I seemed to lose With my lost saints, --- I love thee with the breath, Smiles, tears, of all my life! --- and, if God choose, I shall but love thee better after death.

we love to laugh.

Setting: Laying in bed after a LONG day---

Aubrey: Why do you have that other blanket?
Jed: cuz you always steal the blankets

Aubrey rolls over trying to get comfortable
Jed rolls the other way trying to get some room

Aubrey: Snuggle with me not against me.

Laughter (which has been an ongoing joke for days)

Jed: Isn't that a line from somewhere or something?
Aubrey: Now is not the time. Sleep!

I love Jed :)

Love this product!

After following this blog, Leelou showed us her stroller.  It's called the Joovy Caboose Stroller. After reading just her one little blog post about it-- it got me interested. After looking around at other strollers, I like this one. It's lightweigh, small, and can hold 2 kids.

So i guess when the time comes, this will be one decision I won't have to make.

Thanks Leelou!

Aubrey: The crafter---- NOT!

So I am in the "craft" mode.  I have never been a very crafty person-- but as Jed has soo much homework (ALL THE TIME!) I have to do other things to keep me sane. :) Luckily, right as I was at my breaking point, a sister in my ward got a group of us together to make quiet books.  I am soo excited- as it will be fun, a great way to meet more sisters, and a something crafty for me to learn! YAY!

Anyways-- does anyone have any specific suggestions, or ideas-- or pages that your kids have really liked to use (Im nervous that I will pick pages that kids will get bored with easy).  Anyways-- just calling for ideas is all-- Thanks!

Homecoming Weekend

Before we left for the dance, three of my friends came over to take pics of Jed and I. It was a lot of fun, especially because it was one of the first times Jed showed some of his "true colors."  He had a some fun taking the pictures--- and my friends were definitely pushing his comfort level :) They turned out pretty good- even though my hair didn't.  It was humid and nothing I could do would let it stay curled or straight.  I was forced to the typical pony tail. My makeup was a little too heavy-- I guess because my trusted older sister wasn't there to do my makeup. No matter, it was a lot of fun, and Jed still thought I looked good.

(The Photographers)

The dance was a lot of fun.  We went with our friends the Lisonbee's (they're so fun!) We went to the new pizza place-- Pzza Pie Cafe--- and it was yummy! I guess they have another one up in Rexburg- and they just opened up another one in Provo.  All you can eat pizza, pasta, and salad for $7. Nice :)  We went to the dance at Thanksgiving Point and danced the night away.  I think Jed's favorite song was one from the Spice Girls (he knew all the words!)  It was fun to be there with him and just have a night free from homework, laundry, work, dinner or anything else-- and just be together. (Wuve, true wuve)

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Then Saturday morning, I went with my friend to the Homecoming parade. I love getting to hang out with her and her daughter-- and I got a gift certificate to the Brick Oven.

BYU band

Stopped two of my friends from the dorms, and watched the parade with them too!

My and my good friend Diana.  Her little one was so happy to be there!

She's a trooper-- it was chilly.

Us watching the game-- fun! I was scheduled to work- but then was called to stay home! I didn't make any money, but it was nice to just stay home with Jed-- I couldnt find my BYU shirt-- but i snuggled under my BYU blanket of course :)  All in all it was a great homecoming, and a excellent way to spend the weekend! Jed and I are so happy to be here, and are really enjoying the whole married/student life thing :)

Pictures- i hope they turn out

Taking pictures for a group FHE

couch and rug :)                                          -at Hyrum Lake with family

at the corn maze for my birthday <3

Jed going down the "big" slide

Went to a local museum-- saw a Gutenberg Printing Press--

                        It "impressed" me :)                                                  

Outside the conf center-- went to the

  Sunday afternoon session.  We HEARD Elder Holland. amazing.

Pre- Blue Foam-- look how nice we look-- (girls I lived with last year- plus a boyfriend)

Post Blue Foam--- It's just something we do to pass the time at BYU

My Husband Got Arrested on Our Wedding Day.

So today is Friday.  And for us here in Provo- that means only 2 things.  First- tomorrow is a football game!! Second- no school until Monday! So in all of this free time I find on my hands, I decided to finally update this blog of ours. 

First-- and definitely most important-- WE GOT MARRIED! I know everybody knows already- but it just has to be said.  July 10th we sealed the deal- pun completely intended- and what an eventful day it was! More on that shortly :)

Second-- we BOTH moved in to our very small, very!!! cozy apartment.  We love it! As pathetic as it is, I couldn't imagine cleaning anthing any bigger. Its perfect for us.

Third-- of course we started school- at BYU of course.  Jed is diving right in with hours and hours of homework every night- I dont have so much, so I do tons of other little things to keep me busy. (FYI Jedediah is studying Mechanical Engineering, and I am studying Elementary Education. Jed's getting a minor in Math and I am getting a K-12 TESOL minor.)

Continuing on--
We recently were called as Gospel Doctrine teachers-- nervous about that! for reals! At least we get to teach together :) Then I am also a District Visting Teaching Supervisor- and love getting to meet all the women in our ward.

Okay-- so the story... this is by far the best story you have ever heard, and I am not kidding.  No part of this story is fabricated in any way- Girl Scout's honor!

So we got married on a Friday- and I had gotten up early (of course!) to get my hair done by my cousin.  I still had a little packing to do, and thus was very flustered when the time to leave had passed.  We left probably 15 minutes late, and boy was I annoyed.  IT was RAINING!  This had not been factored into my hair plans, so with the very HUGE and awkward umbrella my grandma had let us borrow- we were off.
    Jed was driving, and Boy was he driving S L O W. This got me even more annoyed, and we started arguing.  (We both agree neither of us were actually upset, we were both just so darn nervous.) So as we were driving out of my neighborhood, Jed stopped the car and I got out. Yes, in the pouring rain, I got out and started heavily walking away from the car.  Jed came, picked me up over his shoulder, and walked me back to the car, where I got in.  We didn't talk much, and by this point I am sobbing because of everything that happened.
    We drove a few more miles down the road, and were now in the center of the very small town I live in. Jed pulled over to the side of the road, and I got upset.  "This is not the time to stop and discuss our feelings! Let's keep going, and we can talk about it on the way!"  Jed shortly replied, "Well the cop is the reason I pulled over." Oh Man! My thoughts were racing! What was going on? We were already late! We had just gotten the car! Then as I wipe away my tears, the cop opens the door, with his GUN pointing at Jed, and says- "Get out of the car, and keep your hands where I can see them." My brother had called, and I start freaking out-- "Aaron, Jed is getting arrested- I don't know what's going on!" Then I hung up- and got out of the car-- OH GEEZ!  The next few mintues are a HUGE blur in both of our memories.
   I get out of the car- trying to supress the already gushing tears to ask "What is going on?" The officer replied that a neighbor had called and witnessed this man kidnapping me.  (HAHA) I said, "We are getting married today, and I was nervous, and my husband was helping my back in the car.  Wouldn't you be nervous on your wedding day?" (With a little sass). By this point, we are all drenched- because yes, its still raining, and yes we lost all dignity- because the factory workers were on their break at this time, and watched the whole thing. (Not to mention 2 of my co-workers, and my photographers mom).
  So after the police officer finally removed the cuffs from Jed's hands, he asked us to go back to the people who complained and apologize.  (WHAT?!) We did as we were told, being law abiding citizens, but we were not too happy.  I of course cried the whole time, which made everybody feel bad, but it was my wedding day. 
Of course we laugh about it now- and even that afternoon when we retold the story to our luncheon guests. Life is for us to laugh at- and this is HE-LARIOUS!
        ~~~~
The rain stopped during our luncheon and for picture taking after the wedding- it cleared up, and was once again the hot, humid, muggy Nauvoo everyone knows.

 On the way to Nauvoo- where we got married, I reapplied my make-up and tried to redo my hair. It never fully came out right, but Jed lovingly said, "I think you look beautiful," which made me feel like the queen of the world.

 

Jed's final project

Well, finals are here for us cougars. Aubrey and I are right in the middle of our test taking. So that means final projects are finished. One of my classes had a fun project where I worked with a great group of guys to design and build a little pneumatic engine. It took most of the semester, but we presented it a little over a week ago, and it ran wonderfully. I had a lot of fun working on it, and I was really happy with how it all turned out. It's made out of aluminum, brass and steel, and runs on one cylinder. We designed and manufactured all the parts ourselves (except for a few bolts and washers). Here is even a video of it in action.

Queen of the Playground

Saturday's feel like the single day that whatever needs to get done can. Last Saturday I was able to go to a 2 hour Stk. Enrichment, then help my Aunt move for a few hours, get home, make Jed go grocery shopping, make pretzels dipped in chocolate, and yes, totally dominate a 4-Square game. If you don't know how to play 4-Square, I am very sorry. This is easily the most competitive playground game. As I was chasing Jed, for no other reason than to get water on him, we ran outside, to stumble on a 4-Square game. My Sunday School teacher was there, and he asked if I wanted to play (remembering that at BYU he is also 19 yrs old). I don't even remember asking Jed if he wanted to, but I jumped in. The other two couples that were making pretzels with us came out, and we had a serious game on our hands. I didn't pull out all of my tricks immediately, but as soon as I did, everybody realized how stellar I was. Now, to eat some humble pie, I have played for 5 years working at a school, and those kids beat me all the time. But sometimes I get in my groove and nobody can get me out of the 1st square. When I inched my way into the first square, nobody realized how long I would be there. There were cheers of "Get Aubrey out! Get Aubrey out!" (Music to my ears!) After having everybody get in and out again, probably a few times, I did get out (only to a cheap shot of course!) But then I was able to revive myself, and the game ended with me in the 1st square. If I recall the rules of 4-Square (the rules we play with at work, I usually make up) the person who is last standing in the 1st Square gets to have bragging rights for the rest of the day. Well, it was midnight by then, so I understood this to mean that I have bragging rights for a few days. So here is my bragging post, and a challenge to anyone who thinks they can beat me at 4-Square! :)

What can I do?

Tonight Jed and I went on our weekly date. I guess everyday is a date for us, but we try to have one actually scheduled date each week. Obviously, being college students, and us being us, they usually don't cost much money, or take much prep work. Well, this week we went to the Hunger Banquet, which did cost a few dollars, but it was so worth it. It was put on by a club at school (one of the very few I am not apart of, but that will be changing!) We had heard many observations about how the evening was going to go, but nobody really knew for sure.
We got there a little early, so we were one of the first "seated". We found out that seating was decided by complete chance, and we happened to get what was considered "Upper Class." As we were seated by our waiter, wearing a suit, who pulled out our chairs, we noticed we were definitly in the minority. There were only a few tables set up, and then a few rows of chairs on the outside, but the entire ballroom was filled with flattened cardboard boxes, which is where the majority of the people sat.
Not only was the seating different, but depending on the level that you were seated, determined your food. We ate bread, a salad, potatoes, pulled pork, corn, a cookie, and ice cream. We were served first, and both Jed and I felt a little weird eating in front of everybody else. There were a few other tables, but we really were eating in front of a few hundred people sitting on the floor, eagerly waiting their own food. The middle class people were fed hotdogs or pizza, which wasn't that bad. The rest of the people in attendance were served rice and beans, which they shared with those around them. I didn't see them get any silverware either.
I think the thing that touched my heart the most was the stark difference between each level. There were sooo many more people living in poverty compared to the middle or upper class.
Then when they said that 85% of the population of the world lives on less than 2.5 dollars a day, I wasn't surprised. Not only 2.5 US dollars, but compareably, they live off of what it would be like to live off of 2.5 dollars a day in the States.
There were a few keynote speakers, one talking about his experience in a small village in Africa, being able to help build a school there; the other a woman who works in Utah County in an organization for Adult Illiteracy. Both of which were touching, and very interesting.
I think that the thing that I will most remember from this experience isn't the awkwardness of eating in front of other people. I don't think it will even be the children who were rescued from Congo who came and sang and danced for us. No, I don't think it will even be the grown man and woman who both cried as they spoke about their life's experiences with poverty. By far it will be the way that I felt as I looked at the children who had just recieved a school, the first for them. They never before had a school where they could learn to read or write. No crayons, coloring books, playgrounds, toys of any kind. This was all a first for them. What I will remember is the little boy who reached up to share his book with a girl who didn't have one. That is what I will remember from the 17th annual BYU Hunger Banquet. "It's not about what you can't do for the world. It's about what you are able to do with what you are given." "Where much is given, much is required."

Plans, Plans, Plans!

I'm sure, whether old or young, every married couple can attest to the craziness that wedding planning is. Jed and I are getting a taste of this, especially as we try to plan our wedding 100's of miles away from the actual location. Among every tiny detail that has to be made (needless to say the amount of time before the wedding the plans need to be made) we also have the after-the-wedding details that need to be decided. Well even when it seems like all doors are being slammed in front of us, one was just left wide and open... Jed and I got our apartment for next fall. It's small, REALLY small, but it's ours. Everything worked out really well, and the price is right (cheap!) We've heard that the these will be the best years, that we will grow the closest. I think I am starting to understand how this is going to happen. The house is so small... we're bound to be close all the time. We will eat, sleep, do our homework, and exercise all within 10 feet of eachother!