a year-kept secret

So, I have a secret... this mostly for my family, but it's still funny all the same.

Last Christmas I almost went home with John for a few days before going to my family's house.

It started out as a little flirty suggestion, then a joke, then a consideration, then a serious thought that I did want to go home with him for a few days. I didn't want to be away from him for two weeks.

However, the plane ticket had already been bought, and I couldn't miss my flight. Otherwise I would've been a big surprise for John's family when we walked in the door. Merry Christmas!

Instead, we texted each other unceasingly, he called me at midnight on New Years and we talked for an hour or so, and we read a book together. Well, we raced each other to see who could finish it first. Of course, he won.

This Christmas is a little bit different... I get to spend the whole break with him, and even *gasp* share a room with him!!!

beardies

Bearded dragons are AWESOME!

John and I want one. They are so cool!

They're smart, like to be handled and even beg for it sometimes, are fun to watch, like to take baths and showers, and are loyal to the owner. They're also awake during the day, unlike Ricky. They're super gentle, and kind, and are even really good around children. More than you can say for a lot of animals. It gets about 2 feet long, tail included. That means I can get it a leash and walk it around.

The only problem is we don't have a big enough cage. We were planning on getting a smaller cage for Ricky and putting a Beardie in Ricky's cage, but that one is only 12" x 24" and a Beardie needs a cage that is 20" x 40"... so I don't know how we'd swing that. But, I already picked a name for our Bearded Dragon, so we have to get one now.


I like this picture because it looks like he's smiling in the picture at the bottom.

Speaking of reptiles, Ricky is doing really well. He's a lot bigger now! He's still growing, though. (He is only 9 months old). We still love him and feed him lots of big crickets. He graduated to the larger crickets, which is nice because we don't have to buy as many. Instead of eating 7 or 8 little crickets, he eats 3 or 4 big ones. So that's really nice. He's lost a lot of his spots and gained some strange orange splotches of color. I can't find my camera, otherwise I'd post some new pictures up. Once I find it I'll take some.

Oh, and in case you're still wondering, we are going to name our bearded dragon Rumbleroar.

it's christmas?

John and I were driving one evening listening to Christmas music on the radio when a song came on that neither of us had heard before. I reached to change it until I heard the lyrics... It was a terrible song! Why on earth would someone play this for Christmas?




After we got home, John looked this up to see if it was real or not. We couldn't believe someone would turn this into a song. He found out that this was actually a number one song when it first came out. How? It was so bad we were actually laughing. Not because abuse is funny, but because we didn't expect to hear it. It is pretty ridiculous.

I hope this doesn't make me sound heartless... but it's just so... not Christmas.

the number one men's chorus fan

BYU Men's Chorus has one more concert left this semester. I've been to all the them so far, mainly to watch John, but I've loved every moment of them. I also have been continuing to go to almost every rehearsal. Those boys are just so amazing! I've talked to Sister Hall a few times and she thinks it's so cute that I go to support my husband at rehearsal every day, and said I'm the number one fan.

However, the last performance is at the MTC for the Christmas devotional this coming Sunday. I've known all semester that I wouldn't be allowed to go. Sister Hall, the conductor who is the sweetest and funniest lady ever, announces every year (in a British accent), "We're going to the MTC and it's for the elders and sisters. So, gentlemen, no girls! You may not bring anyone with you."

I was really sad that I couldn't go, especially since I've been hearing the choir rehearse all of their Christmas songs, and want to hear them in performance. So I spontaneously and boldly went up to talk to Sister Hall today.

"Um, Sister Hall..."
"Yes?"
"So, for Sunday, I was thinking that you'll need someone to go and check the guys' uniforms, and sew on buttons? Um, can I do that?"
Sister Hall's very loud laughter. "Yes!"
"Wait, so I can go?!"
"Yes, of course you can."
"Really!!!"
"So, will you bring your own sewing kit?"
"Of course! I can do that!"
"Oh good, then I won't have to."

When I went up to John right after, I smiled and said, "I guess I get to go with you on Sunday."
His response, "I can't believe you conned your way into our Christmas concert! That's awesome!" I may be the first girl to go to a "no girls allowed" Men's Chorus event. Now I get to find out about all their secret, cult-like, men only rituals...

I have a very smug smile on right now.