Too Young to Die

I have been working later the last few weeks, but I work at home, so it's no big deal. However, I've been training at work this week, so I've been leaving at 8:15ish by myself when the building is scarce.

It's not bad enough that I'm walking to my car late at night as a pretty girl, but this is what I got to see last night in one of the world's sketchiest elevators... I would have taken the stairs, but that's just as bad in my mind (how do you outrun a pyscho in the stairwell?!). I spent the entire time praying the bag would not start moving.

Mysterious Ways

An example of my husband's stupid brilliance/pure luck (and that God still works miracles):

Chris woke up yesterday remembering he was to have finished a book (that looked to be about 350 pages) before yesterday because he was to be tested on his knowledge that day. A book he hadn't even started. He has classes in the morning, so he definitely did not have time to read an entire book. Boy, was he ever in a panic!

His solution: he looked up online the theme and summary of the book (cliff notes, basically) and while WALKING to his class, he opened the book randomly to one page so that he would have a specific example he could draw from the book.

When the test was passed out, here is what that man was tested on: the first four questions were about the theme and summary of the book. The fifth question was a specific example taken out of the book. The very example he opened his book randomly to that very morning. What's worse? Those who had actually read the book were completely confused because they had read the entire contents of the book and could not remember this specific example.

Are you serious?! Granted, I said a little prayer for him because he was so worried, but I NEVER expected him to Ace the test. The Lord helps those who help themselves, and this man hardly did anything in the way of preparation... Oh, well. Counting my blessings. :-)



Also, on a completely different note, here is Christopher petting my sister's cat, Luke. We called this guy Louie because we could not remember his name. This is why we are never getting a cat...

It's Autumn Time

I forgot to tell you a few months ago, I was released from my calling in Nursery and asked instead to be the Primary Chorister (singing with the kids ages 3-12).  Um, hello?  Have you met me?  OF COURSE I WILL THE PRIMARY CHORISTER!!  Could this be any more perfect for me?  Kids + Singing + Fun activities = Every day of my life (ideally...).  Unfortunately, this lasted a quick second  because Chris and I moved out of the ward about 2 months later.  Sadness all around.

The calling may be gone, but those songs have been with me my whole life (thanks, mama), and will stay with me the rest of my life.  I love each of those songs.  With living right near Old Town in Fort Collins, and seeing the gorgeous trees, I have one song in particular stuck in my head a lot lately.

Cheesy, I know.  But if this is what you got to see every day, you would fully forgive me making you listen to that song.  (We both know you listened to it twice.)

I don't care for the cold times one tiny bit.  Not one bit.  I do, however, love the vibrant colors.  I love the days when the temperature is just warm enough to wear fall clothes without a jacket.  I love winter clothes.  I love that the holidays are just around the corner.  I love the decorations, the smells, the feeling.  I love autumn.

Another thing I love is making new friends.  Anyone who isn't behind me in the interest is a liar.

Last semester, Chris took a Marketing Class where he made a new friend.  A fellow Mormon.  Through discussion, he found out that Calvin was to be married soon.  Jackpot.

Yesterday, Chris went to his usual Saturday football game, but managed to drag me along this week.  I was there to watch, but my friend Brittney and I went to Target instead as our hubs ran around the Oval with a football.  

After the game, I finally met the infamous Calvin, and Chris had made plans to sit with Calvin and his new bride at the adult session of Stake Conference last night, where we made further plans to get together.  Chris hates dinner and board games to get to know people.  So Mormon.  I actually love it, but Chris just feels so awkward, so instead, we made plans to carve pumpkins.

This is too perfect for me.  We had a great night laughing, carving, and attempting to bake pumpkin seeds.  I can't get enough Fall activities, and it's always so much better with friends.  (And we didn't even have to use our safe word in case they were lame, so that's always good.)

This just makes me want to hop on Pintrest and go nuts!!  (Maybe this time next year when I have a home.)

It's Autumn time, it's Autumn time!

Que Sera, Sera

I love consistency.  

I love knowing what my game plan is and where I'm going.  I plan everything, and put events and reminders in my beloved phone daily.  I love knowing that I work Monday through Friday, 8-5.  I love knowing who I will see at work, who I will speak to, the challenges I am likely to face, and how my evening will lay out (working on my laptop in bed, catching up on my favorite shows while Emmi naps on my legs-- I'm a bit of a workaholic.).  I love knowing when Chris leaves and returns from work, his class schedule, and quite frankly, when he might need to take care of his business. (Sorry, you simply minds.  Everybody Poops.  Check it out sometime.)

I am a planner.

Lately, I have spent most of my time dreaming and trying to plan for the future.  It.  Is.  Frustrating.  I have no doubt that my planning is most frustrating for Christopher, who has to deal with my whining and complaining when life doesn't head the way it was supposed to.  I don't handle unplanned change very well, and I don't handle not getting my way very well.  (I'm a bigger person for admitting it.)

Plans for my life have had a couple changes so far:

Age 12-  Live in my parents' basement for the rest of my life, unmarried, of course

Age 16-  Serve a mission for my church when I turn 19 (about a year and a half)

Age 18-  ???

Age 18-  Take a few years to just figure out life while trying to avoid marriage as long as possible

Age 18-  Attend Oklahoma State University for Music Education

Age 18-  Attend the University of Northern Colorado for Music Education

Age 19-  Grow up a little Emotionally (pfff...) while still trying to avoid marriage

Age 20-  Marry Chris.  Whether he likes it or not.  Have kids immediately.

Age 21-  Buy my first home with Chris

Age 22-  Wait a few more years for kids.

Age 22-  Live happily ever after...

Chris's life is a little more flexible:

Age 18-  Join The Church of Jesus Chris of Latter-day Saints

Age 21-  Serve a two year mission for the church

Age 23-  Get hitched

Age 15+-  Get a good job.  Figure it out as it comes

He's doing better than I am.  Thanks for the reminder.  I just have to have plans.  And if they change, they change because I say so.

Well...

As life usually does, we've been thrown a few curve balls.  (You might remember me saying something along those lines right here.)  There is not much I can do in the way of making a plan.  Luckily, I'm great at problem solving (when I'm not instructed to be by Chris).  Clearly, if I make one game plan, I'll probably end up with another life altogether.

Solution:  I am going to list a few game plans, so when one falls through, and another seems more logical, I can pretend that was the goal all along.  (Some people call this a back up plan, but each of these scenarios are Plan A, so how can one be a back up?)  Here goes.

PLAN A

Chris will graduate college in may 2012, and we will immediately move to Milwaukee, WI where he will obtain a job at the Corporate Office of the company he has spent the previous three years working.  Housing is much cheaper than it is here in Fort Collins, so with low living expenses and Chris's (obviously) high income, I can stop working and become a momma.

We will likely live in this house.  6 bedroom.  Cheaper than a 1 bedroom house in Fort Collins.
Four car garage.  3100 Square feet.  This is true happiness.  Obviously.

These are the newly remodeled guts of our future home,
so I won't have to do anything.

PLAN A

Similar to the previous PLAN A, we will move to Wisconsin, but we may live in another home.  Still incredibly cute.  That is non-negotiable.  I will continue to work for OtterBox forever while I'm a mamma, but in another area (or possibly the same one if I'm able to move my equiptment.  Hint?).

PLAN A

Chris will get a job in Denver, and we will live there.  In an apartment high above the town.  Cool view, cheapish rent, temporary until we need a safe place for kids to play.

PLAN A

I'll have a happy surprise, and we'll bust chops to get by in our tiny 1 bed room apartment (or the basement of Chris's parents' home).  Luckily, I'm going to have freakin' cute kids.

PLAN A

Neither of us will work, I'll probably be infertile, and we will go around with a traveling circus.  I'll grow out my ginger facial hair and Chris will turn into a balding cartoon clown who juggles whatever we happen to have in the trunk of our car when the show starts.  I will likely develop diabetes.  And Chris will have lost all his teeth.

PLAN A

Chris will get pregnant and I'll be the breadwinner.

PLAN A

Yeah...
It's not ideal, but I'm really trying to plan for whatever could happen.

PLAN A

I'll stop being so stubborn and just trust Chris to get it figured it out.  There are too many Chiefs in my marriage, and not enough Indians.  

Que Sera, Sera.

What will be, will be.

Life as We Know It

5 1/2 Months.  Five and a half.  I'm aware that despite previous promises to step it up on my blogging, I have fallen short.  

Those who missed us, I'm sorry.  Those who doubted me, take a minute to gloat...

Okay, we're past it.  Allow me to let you know what has gone on in life, and a little of what is yet to come...

Johnson Family:

We moved out of our super cute apartment and into the basement of my brother and his wife, Moriah, who were gracious enough to let us take over the place with our... stuff.  This is only temporary.  Our game plan WAS to buy a home, so we didn't want to renew our lease in case we found the home we wanted.  Now, who really knows?  

I miss my old ward, and my tv, and I miss my organization, but sometimes we have to make sacrifices in order to get what we want.  (That was 100% Chris speaking.  I would never have said that on my own.  I'm immature and childish and impatient.  He's a better person than I am.)

We're figuring our game plan in the long run as far as living situation, education, etc.  We've had a lot of bumps along the road in our original game plan, but we're figuring it out.  And we're going to be just as surprised as you will be once we get it all together.

My beautiful, big sister, Meghan got married August 11, 2012, and Chris and I celebrated our first wedding anniversary on August 12, 2012.  Isn't that wonderful?!  (It's not like we planned that or anything...)

We (Chris and I) really like her husband, and could not have picked a better guy for her.

Megh got married with just over a 1 month engagement, so one brother wasn't able to make it out, but this is all the  rest of the ginger siblings on the day my sister married her best friend for eternity.
(Pictures from Megh's wedding are from Two C's Photography.)

Chris:

School.  And work.

I wish I could tell you there's been more, but he's just too busy with the two to squeeze anything else in.

I wish he would cut his hair, but I won't
 fight it until school is out.

He's working on his FINAL YEAR of school for his degree.  (I love his desire to learn and to share everything he learns with every person he speaks to.  I'm also secretly hoping he'll take a break for a while before furthering his education.  Of course, I see the benefit of earning a Master's Degree and on, but I want my husband.  Sue me.  (Don't really.))  He is ridiculously smart.  This allows him to be a bit lazier when it comes to his studies.  There are weeks when he'll have 5 hours of homework to get done.  There are also weeks when he has no assigned homework, but 5 major tests (ie, finals week).  

This is how Chris prepares for tests during weeks when homework is not assigned:

Wake up at 7:45 am.  Ride bike to 8 am class.  Take test with no studying.  Ace test.  Ride bike home.  Go back to sleep.

Anything wrong with this picture?  Does it bother anyone else that the hardest work he does in that scenario is riding a bike?  Gaaaahhh!  I love him.

This is what he looks like today.

Alli:

I work for OtterBox.  Best.  Job.  Ever.  Be jealous.

I work from home, with only a few exceptions where I have to go into the office.  If this were the office YOU had to go work in, would you be miserable having to actually get dressed?  (Yes, that is a slide.)--->

I.  Don't.  Think so.

I also work with the coolest people ever.  I love, love, LOVE my coworkers.  I love the company.  I love the customers (most of them).  I am just pretty happy about it all.  I feel incredibly blessed to have landed with such a great company and even better people.

This is just a glimpse of what I get to do at work when I DO go into the office.  (I'm in the back making the weird face.  Thanks for the heads up, guys...)

I was in a softball league with some OtterBox coworkers, and now I'm playing volleyball with a few of the same people and a few different.

I also had the pleasure of making it to another birthday.  Chris surprised me with a whole weekend of Elitches, dinner plans with friends, a new bike, and a SURPRISE PARTY!  He is the greatest.  He knew how great that combination of activities would make my big 22.

This is a picture my friend, James, sent me while I was enjoying my delicious ice cream cake at Cooper Smith's!  I have the best friends, and an even better husband.  I would also like to add that I am not wearing sunglasses.  That's simply the way the picture looks.

Overall, I'm busy.  And neglectful of this poor blog.  Someday I'll be really good at this.  Until then, let's be honest, you should not get too attached.  Ha ha ha.

Emmi:

She loves being in our temporary home with her cousin puppy, Choco.  They play and play and play and bark and play.  I haven't asked him how he feels about it, but she LOVES him; she follows him everywhere.

Her hair, however, does not love him.  I would bathe her and brush her regularly, but she would get very matted areas of hair.  I would cut huge chunks out every week after he bath, but there was no way to stay on top of it, so I had to just take her to the groomer and have her shaved very short to get rid of the huge matted areas, and will have to keep it just barely longer than this until she's an only puppy again.

$10 says Emmi did not win that round of tug-o-war.
(That's an unfair bet because I was there to
witness the loss.)

This is what she looks like today.  I had to add two pictures because she was literally falling asleep as I was taking the pictures.  She couldn't keep her eyes open.

Emmi was getting ready for her Aunt Meghie's wedding.

As of right now, we plan on saving up just a little bit more, and moving back into an apartment temporarily because poor Paul and Moriah have hardly had their home to themselves since they moved in.  After that, once we have a better idea of where Chris will be working, we'll start looking around for homes, starting a family, etc.  Basically, life as we know it is a mystery.

Bah!  Game plans.  What a waste of time...

Modest is Hottest

I was born and raised in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (click here to find out what that's all about).  That doesn't mean anything to most of my friends (other than that I'm one of those CRAZY Mormons.  If that's the case, click here (again) to find out that we really aren't so bad.).  This means everything to me.

There really aren't as many differences between Mormonism and other religions as most people would believe (... and here).  There are a few, though, and to some, those are big ones.

Growing up, I didn't always understand the reason behind the values I was to uphold.  If we're being honest here (and we are because I have no reason to lie), I didn't always uphold those values.  One of those values was dressing modestly.  I'm not the best at turning my words into thoughts, so I'm going to use one of the best tools provided to youth in the church:

to explain what I mean by "modesty" in the Mormon church:

"Your body is sacred. Respect it and do not defile it in any way. Through your dress and appearance, you can show that you know how precious your body is. You can show that you are a disciple of Jesus Christ and that you love Him.

"Prophets of God have continually counseled His children to dress modestly. When you are well groomed and modestly dressed, you invite the companionship of the Spirit and you can be a good influence on others. Your dress and grooming influence the way you and others act.

"Never lower your standards of dress. Do not use a special occasion as an excuse to be immodest. When you dress immodestly, you send a message that is contrary to your identity as a son or daughter of God. You also send the message that you are using your body to get attention and approval.

"Immodest clothing is any clothing that is tight, sheer, or revealing in any other manner. Young women should avoid short shorts and short skirts, shirts that do not cover the stomach, and clothing that does not cover the shoulders or is low-cut in the front or the back. Young men should also maintain modesty in their appearance. Young men and young women should be neat and clean and avoid being extreme or inappropriately casual in clothing, hairstyle, and behavior. They should choose appropriately modest apparel when participating in sports. The fashions of the world will change, but the Lord’s standards will not change.

"Do not disfigure yourself with tattoos or body piercings. Young women, if you desire to have your ears pierced, wear only one pair of earrings.

"Show respect for the Lord and yourself by dressing appropriately for Church meetings and activities. This is especially important when attending sacrament services. Young men should dress with dignity when officiating in the ordinance of the sacrament.

"If you are not sure what is appropriate to wear, study the words of the prophets, pray for guidance, and ask your parents or leaders for help. Your dress and appearance now will help you prepare for the time when you will go to the temple to make sacred covenants with God. Ask yourself, “Would I feel comfortable with my appearance if I were in the Lord’s presence?”

Woah!!  I know that's A LOT, so if you have ANY QUESTIONS AT ALL, please ask me, and I will gladly answer them!  (Or you can go here to find answers...)

I know that might seem crazy, but this is why...

I don't have any tattoos, and my only piercings are one in each ear.

My dress for my Senior Homecoming had sleeves (and you can't see, but I was also wearing leggings)...

My dress for my Senior Prom had sleeves...

And my wedding dress (along with all of my Bridal Party's dresses) had  sleeves.

I'm very aware of today's fashion.  I'm very aware that my own WEDDING dress doesn't fit the guidelines for "IN" or "Stylish".  Cool.  I'm okay with that.  I respect myself.  And I never have to worry about someone else showing up to a formal event in the same dress.  Word.

As I said earlier, I wasn't always on board with this idea.  I often only dressed modestly because I was expected to.  I've grown quite a bit since high school when I questioned the expectations set for me.  I've developed and understanding and an appreciation for this standard of my own.

My friend Jessica once asked my 3 year old niece (at the time) why we dress modestly, to which she replied, "Because we're beautiful."

There are so many reasons "Modest is Hottest".  Here are just a few:

1.  I have saved my self a very significant amount of time shaving over the years.  When I'm in a rush, I never have to worry about rubbish above my knees.  Don't you dare judge me.


2.  I can put on a bathing suit without worrying about being a pasty-paste white girl.  Yeah.


3.  As previously stated, I never have to worry about duplicate outfits.  I'm a one of a kind.


4.  Layers and Sweaters are "In".  The perfect way to cover up just a little more skin without looking stupid.


5.  Spring/ Summer shopping can seem like such a nightmare- there aren't a lot of cute items of clothes on display that fit my expectations for clothing these days.  You really have to dig.  Here's the great part:  I find clothes that others don't find.


6.  I've become very creative with layering and making an outfit cute with accessories because I can still look trendy and cute without showing what my mama gave me.


7.  I've spent so much time trying on clothes that I know my body type and what looks good on me vs. what should be avoided at all costs. 


8.  I stay pretty warm.  Six layers can do that.


9.  I don't attract the wrong type of guy when I'm dressed modestly because the wrong type of guy is looking for the girls who are dressed the wrong kind of way.***


10.  I've developed and immense respect for myself and my body because I know the importance of respecting my body and dressing to show that I respect my body.  I know that I'm not impressing anyone by getting a tattoo on my buttocks.  I know I am a daughter of God, and as such, I should dress as the royalty I am.


I know this can be kind of a touchy subject.  I'm in no way trying to tell my friends who are not Mormon that they should repent and be saved because they wear tank tops!  I just want to share why I dress the way I do, as I haven't always understood myself, and I've had many friends throughout the years ask why I dress so conservatively.

I only ask that you keep in mind the message you portray to the world around you when you walk out your door every day.  If you don't like seeing something on someone, chances are, they people won't like seeing it on you either.  Most importantly, think of how you want your daughters and sons to dress (and for that matter, their boyfriends or girlfriends), and start setting that example now by dressing that way.

If you have any other reasons why "Modest is Hottest", please let me know!  I would love to hear what others have to say!




***  Modesty is in NO WAY a reason to get into a car with a strange man.  Bahahaha!

Oh, It Is Love

I say this every time... but life has gotten away from me.  Basically, I'm mostly just a slacker.  I feel like there's not enough time in the day.  I'm cleaning, or working, or just distracted by our newest addition.

I left you in suspense right before I brought home our little princess, so let me fill you in from there.

That road trip was EPIC.  Charley and I had a great time catching up about life.  Can I just tell you she has the best impersonation (im-animal-ation?) I've ever heard in my life!  If my eyes had been closed when she first did it, I would have thought there was a goat in the car!  (And I also probably would have crashed the car into a ditch.)  

Just to give you the gist, here are a few pictures from the trip:

This was the gorgeous view we had almost for the entirety of the trip.

We stopped at some VERY hot tourist locations along the way

We were chased by buffalo...

And almost killed by a Semi!  (He was driving in reverse.  Craziest thing.  ;-)

When we got to the hotel we previously saw had great ratings, we noticed a few things were off.  Like the building smelled like propane, there were nasty-looking mysteries in the pool, and this...

Something tells me this lock was broken...

But don't you even worry!  Charley set it up with a secure booby trap that was SURE to wake us from our sleep should any creepy-creepers try to come in and kill us.

 (I DARE you to try getting through this trap!)

Needless to say, this was not a safe location for us to stay a second night, so I called my brother, Jon, who lives in Kansas, and asked him if we could stay with him the following night.  That was not on our original route plan, but the detour would hardly add any time to our trip, and it seemed worth it to both of us to stay alive...

After explaining our situation to him, and ending the phone call, I sent him the picture of the broken lock, and this is the message he sent back.  Bahaha!

We finally reached our destination, and I met my sweet little puppy.

Emmi.

Thanks, double chin, for showing up in this picture... but this was Emmi's first picture with me!  :-)  She was so tiny and scared!

This is literally my favorite thing:  When Emmi tilts her head to the side.  :-)  True Love.

This is what she did for the majority of the trip, thank goodness!

She would occasionally pop her head out of her nest and come play with us.
"I'll take it from here, mom!"

When we finally reached Jon and Mallory's home  (at 3am) after some crazy  side trips, he brought this in for us .
"The door doesn't lock, but you can use this..."
My family.  :-)

Our last stop along the way was to stop and visit with a good friend from High School.  Dylan!  He is going to school in Salina, Kansas, so I ambushed him, and we all went to lunch at a tiny burger joint.  Best burgers and shake I have ever had.  Yummm!  And it was so great to see how great he was doing and catch up on life!


Now, we've had Emmi for just over two months.

(We can get her groomed until she's had all of her shots,
so she's just going to have to look shaggy for now.)

She's about doubled in size, she was potty trained (on puppy pads) within only a few weeks, and she's so playful!  When I first picked her up, the breeder was worried about her lack of appetite because she was bullied by her siblings (she was the little one), but the vet says she's right on track, and healthy as can be!

We recently enrolled her in a puppy training class every Wednesday, and she LOVES it!  (The treats and the other dogs are sure a change from regular, every day life.)  She sits whenever she greets anyone, rather than jumping on them, she knows her name, she can go for walks without rudely tugging on the leash, and she continues to amaze me every day!

She stock piles everything she can get her
little teeth on in the middle of the floor.
Super funny.
(Our carpet just looks that nasty because of
the lighting...)

Emmi is so perfect for us because she's high enough energy that we can go running around the park freely, but she's too slow to really be able to get away from me;  We play chase, so anytime I think she's getting away from me, I mix up the roles, and run away from HER, so that she starts to chase ME.  (Much easier to catch.)  She doesn't shed, she isn't a "yappy" dog, and she just loves people and other dogs!  Her jaw isn't strong enough to tear anything up, so she can chew all she wants, but nothing is going to come of it.  :-)

She's been to two movies with me (she just sits quietly on my lap and watches the movie or chews on a toy), and I literally take her everywhere I can with me.  I never thought I would turn into the girl who puts her dog in her purse, but I totally get it now... she's my kid.  I feel terrible just making her wait at home for me all day while I'm out and about.  :-/

I think Chris is starting to like her as well...

This is when we first brought her home.

Chris would probably never admit to being as in love with her as he is, but they snuggle all the time!

They love to take naps together!

This is them today, taking a nap between  General Conference sessions.

We love Emmi.  She's so funny, and sneaky.  I know that those of you who have children, think I'm crazy for treating my dog like one, but she's all I have for now, and I'd say she's going to pretty good job acting just like a toddler.  :-)