blankets

I promised to post pictures of the baby blankets I've made recently. I just learned how to do these, and they are really fun and really easy!

(Rachel, I didn't forget to put together the step-by-step guide for you! I'm working on it).

This is a blanket I made for my friend that I visit teach. She just had an adorable baby girl last month! This was the first blanket I made.



This is the next one I did, for my brother and sister, Drew and Christina. She's having a baby boy in May! He's almost here!




I also just finished one for John's cousin, who is also due in May with a boy, but silly me forgot to take pictures before I gave it to her! But here is the fabric that I worked with.


Suki was my little helper


So, pretty much, if you invite me to your baby shower, this is probably what you're going to get unless you tell me otherwise! But who wouldn't want a cute, lovingly-made baby blanket? You can even pick out the colors or fabrics.

And Jennie, I already started working on yours so I hope you want one. I do have two sets of fabric you can choose between, though.

summer teasing

It's been warming up lately (minus the few cold days that have scattered snow), and the weather its been driving me crazy! I can't help but think about all the things I wish I could do once John is done with school until this fall!

I really want to go to Disneyland. I've even gone so far as to look up dates we could go and start thinking about how much I'd need to save from each paycheck in order to go. If we did, we'd be there for our actual anniversary on June 20th.

I'd love to make a trip to Arches. I know that would require a night or two of camping outside, but I think it'd be fun to hike around the rock formations. I've been once and have always wanted to go back.

I want to lay out on a warm beach. I don't know when I was able to do that last. When John, Amanda and I went to So. Cal. last year we went to the beach, but it was cold and windy and not very much fun.

I want to put potted plants out on my back porch. There were some gorgeous flowers for sale at Costco in hanging baskets and big pots this week, and I was so tempted to take some home with me.

I doubt much of this is going to happen (besides the flowers. I know that will happen). But I can wish!

the journey

I've had a new job for about a month now, and it's turned out to be quite an adventure so far.

I'm a youth mentor at a drug rehabilitation center for teenage girls. My job is mainly to watch them, make sure they follow the rules, get them to where they need to go, etc. At the end of my shift (each shift is 8 hours) I write in a log how each girl behaved. There's a rating system: green, yellow, or red. Greens are assigned to girls who really made an effort that day, yellow if they behaved but could've done better, and red if they broke any rules. Reds also assign more service hours to their time, and they have to spend Saturday afternoons working those hours off by doing extra chores or working outside. It's much better than it was at first, and I'm starting to actually enjoy it. There are three houses- two hold seven girls each, and the third has three. They are all ages 15-18.

My first few shifts were horrendous. I came home crying, I went to bed crying, and I woke up sick to my stomach with anxiety. I didn't know the rules well yet so I couldn't really watch over the girls, so they knew exactly how to get away with stuff, and were really disrespectful. I was a new staff, and they hate all new staff and make it a game to try to drive them away. They are usually successful, so I really had to prove to them that I was going to be there for the long run. It just took time for them to realize that I could be trusted and dependable.

Now that I've been around for a while and gotten to know most of the girls, many of them like me and I've really liked getting to know them and hear their stories. Some of them are unbelievable for many reasons. Most girls have broken and unreliable families and crazy stories to match. Hearing these break my heart, but also makes me so happy that they are there getting help. It's really touching to see them progress in their treatment and admit that the program is the best thing that has ever happened to them.

During process group this week (we split into two groups and have group therapy with one of the therapists there) a girl finally admitted that she was the only one in charge of making sure she got better, and wasn't going to let anyone tear her down. She had repaired her relationship with her father and finally felt comfortable and loved by him for the first time in years.

All of the girls have learned that I'm a human hose-pipe. I cry all the time. They have asked me many questions about my personal life, and when I talk about John or milestone events in my life, I cry. I cry because when talking about these, I know I've been blessed by Heavenly Father so much and realize His hand in my life. I feel the Spirit so strongly with me while at work it's impossible to not cry at times like these. I've cried when girls have made progress, and I've cried in empathy when they get emotional and upset about something. They all think it's cute that I cry, and a few of the staff say that some of the girls need to see that free flow of emotion (I think they're just trying to make me feel less embarrassed) and one of the therapists, since I cried during a therapy session, said that when coupled with tears, my words feel really genuine, and I hope that I have helped the girls.

The part that I dislike most is that I have to be to work at 6 AM. My shifts are generally mornings: 6-2. I get the girls up in the morning, make sure they get ready, take them to school, and bring them home for an hour and a half group session, then I'm done. Pretty simple, unless one or a few of the girls are having a bad day and cause trouble.

That's what my life has been lately. I bought Tangled from Amazon last week and own that now, Suki is still sweet and playful and sleeps on my head at night, and John is still in school. I'm trying to read Isaac Asimov's Foundation trilogy right now. Key word, "trying." I'll be 22 in a few weeks on the 29th. I've taken to making baby quilts for the plethora of people around me having babies (pictures to post soon), and John's parents and Beth came for a visit last week. That was a lot of fun! Beth toured campus and Helaman Halls, we ate out a few times for some amazing food, and just had a good visit! John and I are excited to have both Beth and Jake here in the fall!

apology; or more like a rant

I know it's been a long time, and I apologize. A lot has been going on with my life and figuring things out, looking for a job, taking care of John (not to mention having us both be sick with flu, one right after the other- that took up a month of time.) I've also been feeling like I have nothing I've wanted to write about.

But I do have something to say now. I want to apologize for being grumpy, angry, frustrated, or just plain depressed. I know my miscarriage was over six months ago but it still hurts me sometimes. I'm generally fine, but whenever I am around a family with a tiny baby, or a pregnant woman, or women talking about their babies or their pregnancies (which is pretty hard to escape in Provo), sometimes I just want to scream. Or cry. Or be rude. Or all of the above. I'm trying to be nice and I am truly happy for the new parents out there. Really, I am. It's just hard when I hear people talk. "Oh yeah, my husband and I were only off birth control for two months." "Getting pregnant was so easy!" "I had all my kids exactly when I planned and wanted. I don't get it when people complain about getting pregnant. It's like, just do it." (Yes, someone actually said that.)

I guess another thing could be said here. Ladies, if you're pregnant, or have kids, just try to be sensitive. Not everyone wants to hear every single little detail about your kids. I don't mind hearing a little about other people's kids. If you want to tell me something truly interesting about what your kid did, or share a story, I would love to hear it. But don't go overboard, and please, don't turn your Facebook page into a shrine about your kid. I might just be bitter right now, but there is still a line.

Anyway, in all that rambling, the general idea here is I'm sorry about my foul moods. For Lent this year, which actually started about 3 hours ago, I'm deciding to not say anything bad about people. I'm hoping that this will increase my overall mood and make things better for me.

my best of police beat 2010

There have been some good ones, but here are my favorite Police Beat stories of 2010.

Jan. 12: The driver of a white pick-up truck reportedly whipped into a handicap stall, parked and ran to class. Officers confirmed that the running person indeed had a handicap permit.

Jan. 26 A mother called from Wymount. Her son, age 14, had locked himself in the bathroom. The call had been made for an argument over a video game and TV time. The officer was able to mediate the situation and the problem was resolved.

Feb. 14: A concerned mother called in because her 13-year-old daughter was threatening her with a stick. Officers responded and mediated the situation.

Feb. 19: An officer witnessed a male suspect kick one of the light posts on campus, causing it to go out. When the officer confronted the male, he apologized. Luckily, the light came back on and the male’s frustration didn’t damage the post seriously.

Feb. 24: Police received a call about a possible fight in progress in lot 16. Upon arrival, five individuals were separated. One was uncooperative. The two parties were arguing over which party deserved the parking stall. One party claimed his wife was sick and pregnant, but the other party wouldn’t give in. Police found another parking stall for the party.

March 4: A caller with a Jamaican accent made a call to the police department trying to reach basketball coach Dave Rose. He wanted to inform the coach that he won a contest and to receive his prize he simply had to send them a cashier’s check. Being familiar with the scam, the officer told him to stop calling; the caller was persistent and continued his calls. By coincidence ,the coach was in the office during one of his calls and told the secretary to give the caller his number. The coach then took care of the problem by blowing a very loud whistle into the mouthpiece. The caller has not called back since.

May 21: Graffiti was found on a pavilion by the Wilkinson Center bus stop stating, “Utah is infested with Satanists. Awareness is power.”

May 25: A man was reported to be carrying a gun in the HBLL. After an investigation, police found it was a cell phone case.

June 3: A cat was found in the Clyde Building. The incident was reported to police who arrived on the scene. The exterior doors were opened and the cat was herded outside of the building.

July 7: A man was reported drawing circles on the ground and throwing balls into the circles. The man was gone when police arrived.

July 8: A student reported a sex offense occurring at Wyview Park. When an officer arrived, he found a male and female making out. Both parties were clothed. The officer suggested they find another location to continue such activities.

July 9: A man was reported running outside in Army fatigues, holding a gun. When police arrived, they found the man was an ROTC student and the gun was a replica.

July 19: BYU Broadcasting reported receiving a suspicious letter. The letter was dismissed as being unsuspicious.

Aug. 16: Belongings were reported stolen from Stover Hall. The person who reported stolen items realized he was in the wrong room. When he returned to his room, none of his belongings were missing.

Sept. 8: A sanitary napkin dispenser in a women’s restroom in the FOB was broken into and all of the cash was stolen.

Sept. 9: Another sanitary napkin dispenser was broken into. All cash was reported missing.

Sept. 10: Another sanitary napkin dispenser was broken into, this time in a Smith Fieldhouse women’s restroom. All the money from the dispenser was reported missing.

Sept. 10: A student called to report a rock being painted at the ROTC building. Upon arrival, officers discovered two ROTC members painting a rock. The members explained that it is a tradition among ROTC members to paint a rock every month; on the month in question, the members chose pink. The officers decided it was not an offense and left.

Sept. 13: Several items were reported stolen from a female residence hall, including a wallet with contents worth over $200, and a batch of homemade cupcakes.

Oct. 5 Two male students were arguing over dating. One was having a difficult time getting dates and was telling the other student about it. The second student joked that he didn’t have a difficult time getting dates and he could date the other student’s mother. The first student took offense and slammed the second student against a wall and brandished a knife. Upon arrival, the police arrested the first student for aggravated assault. However, the second student decided not to press charges, so the first student was released.

Oct. 5 A suspicious individual was knocking on apartment doors in Wymount Terrace wearing a Guy Fawkes mask. When the officers arrived, Guy had once again eluded the police.

Oct. 5 A person has been seen in the Widtsoe lab leaving suspicious notes on green tape on the lab counter. The notes have said things like “super nice,” “nice,” and “good job.” The man has entered the lab and left these suspicious notes several nights in a row. Officers suspect he might be the boyfriend of one of the lab workers.

Oct. 19 A student called police when he discovered his motorcycle was continuously moved to different spots in a parking lot. The student was irritated.

Oct. 20 Three males were seen entering the Wilkinson Center. One of them went and suspiciously changed his pants. When officers arrived, they searched the area that the student changed in and found nothing.

Oct. 29 A woman was seen suspiciously looking in car windows in a parking lot near May Hall. When asked what she was doing, she said she was just passing the time while waiting to meet her daughter.

Nov. 5 Officers received a call from library security that reported a student lying on the floor of the HBLL atrium. The student refused to get up and leave. Upon arrival, the officer discovered the student was an anthropology student conducting an experiment. The student apologized and left.

Nov. 6 A lawnmower was reported tied to a tree. Furthermore, the report stated the lawnmower had been running for a while. When the officer arrived, the lawnmower had run out of gas and turned off.

Nov. 13 A concerned citizen reported seeing a bag of alcohol near the Wilkinson Center. It was actually a bag of groceries and the owner got onto the bus and left with it.

If you'd like to see all of the Police Beats, you can see them here.

the pilgrim's journey home

Happy Thanksgiving! In order to celebrate the holiday fully, I recommend that you all watch BYU choir's recent show "The Pilgrim's Journey Home." You can watch it online here:

http://www.byutv.org/watch/480-403

Or, if you have BYUTV, it will be broadcast on there on Thanksgiving day at 9 A.M. and also at 8:30 P.M. Keep an eye out for my handsome husband- he's in the Men's Chorus. This was the performance that they filmed for many hours over four evenings in spring of 2009.

My favorite is "When Johnny Comes Marching Home" and also "Going Home."

happy 24th!

John turned 24 on Sunday! We had a fun little party for him that night with friends and lots of pie.

Amanda and I took a trip up to Midvale near Salt Lake on Saturday to get him a chocolate silk pie form Marie Callenders- his favorite- and I also got a peach pie and razzleberry because those are amazing. John's cousins Kristi and Kingston, and Jenny and Stevie came over to celebrate, as well as Lauren, Amanda, Sean and Jennie, and Gabi and Jordan. Gabi made some delicious birthday candies that are popular in Brazil (where she's from) to share with us, and Kristi made some awesome refrigerator magnets out of Rook cards. We ate pie, ice cream, and cupcakes, visited, and played some Beatles Rock Band. It was a lot of fun!




He got a gun safe from his parents so he can put the pistol in it next to the bed, and some Boise State paraphernalia to wear to the Boise vs. Nevada game next month. And I got him a bottle of Acqua Di Gio cologne. John said it was more a present for me than for him, but I hope he liked it anyway.

I can't believe I woke up to a fine layer of snow on everything. I'm not ready for this! It's almost November and I'm ready for spring already. I'm going to go turn on the heater.

muddy

One day this last week Suki ran outside around 8:00 when John and I were returning home from doing something. A few hours later she still hadn't come home. John and I both went out with a flashlight for a while looking for her. It had just rained that day, so everything was wet and muddy.

I started getting really nervous that she got stuck somewhere, or got hit by a car or something, so I kept going out on the balcony calling for her. She always comes when I call for her. Well, around 11:00 I hear a small cry outside the door. I opened it, and there she was! And she was covered in mud.

We have no idea where she was or what she did to cake herself in mud, but I was just glad she came home. It was starting to get really cold out and I don't think she would have survived the night soaking wet if she had stayed outside.



We threw her in a bath (she didn't like it) and shampooed her up (she didn't really mind that) until she was all clean again. She was shivering after her bath, so I turned the oven on warm, left the door open, and put a towel on it so she could sit next to the heat. She must have been cold all night because she curled up under the covers next to me while she slept! Now that was cute.

post script

I've had a bunch of people ask how I am after the accident, so I just want to reassure everyone that I'm okay. The whole next day I had awful whiplash, but John was very nice and gave me neck massages and brought me Advil. It didn't feel like the Advil helped very much, but the pain probably would've been worse without it.

I'm a little scared to drive, but I'm okay. I'm glad I had my seat belt on and that the airbags didn't go off- I'd rather have my nose in one piece. John explained that the hood of the car was supposed to crumple like that or else it would've gone through the windshield. And also very, very glad that didn't happen.

up and down

I've had a very, very, very up and down week.

First of all, I got in a car accident on Tuesday. I feel so dumb! I was on University Ave in the Impala (my mom's car, not mine, so I felt sick when it got smasho-ed). There was an accident on the side of the road, out of the way, might I add, but everyone still decided to slow down to look. A Jeep Cherokee in front of me came to a sudden stop, I tried to come to a sudden stop, but didn't. The Impala's breaks aren't the best ones in the world... So I hit him.






Luckily just his bumper was damaged, and my car got most of it. There isn't any damage to the functional parts of the car, just body damage, so I was really lucky for that. The 85 year old man I hit was very nice to me. I apologized profusely and he said, "It's just a bumper. You can always use a new bumper." I was so worried that he'd be furious with me and that would've just been worse.

I called 911 to report the accident and an officer came to see us- the same one that was at the previous accident. We gave him our licenses, insurance, and registrations and wrote up statements about what happened. After our info was taken down he dismissed the older man and stayed to talk with me. He asked, "What happened?" I was perfectly calm about the whole incident when I explained. "There was another accident on the road so everyone slowed down. I tried to slow down, too, but I didn't in time so I hit him. And I feel so awful because I tried to slow down and was being so careful but it's still my fault. I have to take responsibility for it and I know that it was all because of me."

At that point I started bawling, which made me feel even dumber. But the officer was so nice. He said, "Allison, accidents happen and sometimes, even when it's considered your fault, you can't stop them and they aren't even really your fault." At that point he said that by law he has to issue a citation, so I just nodded and said I'd take one. Then he debated with himself for a while and said that he hates giving them out sometimes. Then he decided that he didn't want to give me one. I said I didn't want him to get in trouble and that I would take it, but he didn't give it to me. I was SO relieved! I don't know how much it would have cost me or what it would've done to my driving record.

And the rest of the week has just been so crazy- I can't even talk about everything. But the BYU game against SDSU was amazing tonight! The first quarter was just incredible! It was so fun watching it with John and Amber. We had a great time!

In a blast from the past moment, I found this picture of me from sophomore year. I didn't know I was so sexy :)