My second year of college is all done! I loved attending BYU-Idaho because of the wonderful experience it was to learn on a campus where you can feel the presence of the Holy Ghost. I had amazing teachers that are truly chosen to teach at such a great university. I haven't found out for sure, but I think I got A's in all my classs! It will be the first time ever in my life.
I'm finally home!!!! I am already so so happy to be back with my family and I'm especially glad to be with Brian again. I have missed him so much! I told my family and Brian I was coming home on Friday...but really I came home on Thursday! I'm so sneaky. ;) So Thursday evening, I showed up at home and my parents were so shocked to see me! It got me excited for what Brian's reaction would be.
I drove over to his house as calmly as possible..but I was so nervous! I can't explain why, I just was. I got to his house, rang the doorbell and waited. When he opened the door, he saw me and rolled his eyes thinking "How did you fool me?" Haha! It had worked! He was so surprised! Even though he was completely not ready for me to be home yet, we had a lovely evening together. We've already done so many things this weekend! Yet there is a huge list of things we want to do...we gotta make up for time we've spent apart! ;)
Only 41 more days til the wedding! So excited!!!
Sunday, July 22, 2012
Monday, June 11, 2012
The Five Love Languages and My Love
The best part of being in love, is that you grow even more in love every day. There are so many things that Brian does that make me love him more and it literally makes my heart feel good when I think about these things. He has brought me so much happiness to my life that I don't even know how I considered myself happy before.
There is a book called The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman and it has become very popular in the last several years. There is an assessment that anyone can take so that they can discover what their main love lanuage is.There is Qualtity Time, Words of Affirmation, Gifts, Acts of Service, and Physical Touch.
I took the assessment and I actually have two...Quality Time and Physical Touch. This works great because Brian's main language is Physical Touch but his second is Quality Time. Although that is his main language, Brian shows me he loves me in so many ways. I can't help but have a wide smile when I think about all the wonderful things he has done in the last six months.
Since Brian and I are apart, the only way we can truly keep our relationship going is through technology. We have developed a wonderful habit of talking on the phone for almost an hour every night. And every weekend, we have at least one Skype date. Our favorite thing to do has been to get frozen yogurt and then eat it together on Skype. The time that we spend talking really lets me know that he loves me and I appreciate the effort he puts into our conversations.
During the day, Brian and I text message each other and he is just so sweet sometimes. He says the nicest things and gives me wonderful compliments that make me feel so good inside! We've also written letters to each other and I save every one from him and read them every once in a while because I love to see the words that tell me he loves me.
Our relationship began in December, right before all the gift-giving holidays, and Brian has given me wonderful gifts. I appreciate them so much because I like having something tangible to remind me of him. Of course, all my fantastic shoes were gifts from him and I love all the great compliments I get when I wear them. And oh my goodness...the beautiful rings I wear constantly are reminders of him every day. <3
Brian has come to see me twice while I've been in Rexburg. It is so amazing that he is willing to take time off of work and drive several hours to be with me for a weekend. (Not to mention, he doesn't complain when he gets stuck in Wyoming on the way home.) The first time he came up, he'd been there for just a little bit, but he got up and started doing my dishes while I was doing homework! It was so sweet of him! He is always doing little things that ensure that he is a keeper. :)
Let me just tell a little story...
We drove back to Rexburg with a friend a couple weeks ago. It's a 9-10 hour drive, but it turned into an all day trip because we were stuck in the Teton mountains for a while. (Snow?? At the end of May?? Ridiculous.) So anyway we were driving and Brian willingly held my hand almost the whole way! It was so wonderful! I kept on waiting for him to say that he didn't want to hold my hand anymore but then he would reach over and want to hold my hand! It is so difficult to be so far away sometimes because when I'm struggling or need a shoulder to cry on, Brian isn't there. I know that if he was here, his amazing hugs would comfort me and calm me down. Soon, I'll get to hug him all the time, every day and I can't wait! Oh and have you noticed all the kissing pictures of us? Yeah...that's because we love each other. Get used to it. ;)
The best part of all this is I know how Brian is, and I know that he's not going to stop doing all these things to show me he loves me. This isn't just a show that he's putting on and after we're married, he's going to stop. Nope, every day he'll be doing something to show me that he loves me.
Ingird Michaelson says it all: "Don't you worry there my honey, we may not have any money, but we've got our love to pay the bills."
There is a book called The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman and it has become very popular in the last several years. There is an assessment that anyone can take so that they can discover what their main love lanuage is.There is Qualtity Time, Words of Affirmation, Gifts, Acts of Service, and Physical Touch.
I took the assessment and I actually have two...Quality Time and Physical Touch. This works great because Brian's main language is Physical Touch but his second is Quality Time. Although that is his main language, Brian shows me he loves me in so many ways. I can't help but have a wide smile when I think about all the wonderful things he has done in the last six months.
Since Brian and I are apart, the only way we can truly keep our relationship going is through technology. We have developed a wonderful habit of talking on the phone for almost an hour every night. And every weekend, we have at least one Skype date. Our favorite thing to do has been to get frozen yogurt and then eat it together on Skype. The time that we spend talking really lets me know that he loves me and I appreciate the effort he puts into our conversations.
During the day, Brian and I text message each other and he is just so sweet sometimes. He says the nicest things and gives me wonderful compliments that make me feel so good inside! We've also written letters to each other and I save every one from him and read them every once in a while because I love to see the words that tell me he loves me.
Our relationship began in December, right before all the gift-giving holidays, and Brian has given me wonderful gifts. I appreciate them so much because I like having something tangible to remind me of him. Of course, all my fantastic shoes were gifts from him and I love all the great compliments I get when I wear them. And oh my goodness...the beautiful rings I wear constantly are reminders of him every day. <3
Brian has come to see me twice while I've been in Rexburg. It is so amazing that he is willing to take time off of work and drive several hours to be with me for a weekend. (Not to mention, he doesn't complain when he gets stuck in Wyoming on the way home.) The first time he came up, he'd been there for just a little bit, but he got up and started doing my dishes while I was doing homework! It was so sweet of him! He is always doing little things that ensure that he is a keeper. :)
Let me just tell a little story...
We drove back to Rexburg with a friend a couple weeks ago. It's a 9-10 hour drive, but it turned into an all day trip because we were stuck in the Teton mountains for a while. (Snow?? At the end of May?? Ridiculous.) So anyway we were driving and Brian willingly held my hand almost the whole way! It was so wonderful! I kept on waiting for him to say that he didn't want to hold my hand anymore but then he would reach over and want to hold my hand! It is so difficult to be so far away sometimes because when I'm struggling or need a shoulder to cry on, Brian isn't there. I know that if he was here, his amazing hugs would comfort me and calm me down. Soon, I'll get to hug him all the time, every day and I can't wait! Oh and have you noticed all the kissing pictures of us? Yeah...that's because we love each other. Get used to it. ;)
The best part of all this is I know how Brian is, and I know that he's not going to stop doing all these things to show me he loves me. This isn't just a show that he's putting on and after we're married, he's going to stop. Nope, every day he'll be doing something to show me that he loves me.
Ingird Michaelson says it all: "Don't you worry there my honey, we may not have any money, but we've got our love to pay the bills."
 |
| We're so ridiculously in love. :) |
Saturday, June 9, 2012
Books, numbers and grades...what about the wedding?
When I think about it for a minute, it is so amazing to me that I have been in Idaho for almost six months and I am practically done with my sophomore year of college. Where did that time go? Everything was so fast! But at the same time it's been so slow! I have never been counting down days more in my life. Every day I have a number in my head that gets me through the day...it's the number of days left until I move back to Parker FOR GOOD! Today is 42..tomorrow 41....and then only 40!! It's kind of a weird obsession, I know, but it helps me. As much as I love school, I don't have my Brian or my family here to make life complete. That will all change, though, in a short time and then I won't ever have to complain about it again.
I went home for Zachary's graduation a couple weeks ago, and that was fantastic. I flew out of Salt Lake on Tuesday and then on Friday, Brian and I and a friend drove back to Rexburg. Brian was able to stay with me for the rest of the three day weekend and it was perfect. We needed that time together! The day he left, I started having weird cramps that would occur after I would eat. I didn't realize it was only after I ate, so I kept on eating normal. I got to be so miserable that I decided to go to the doctor. He couldn't diagnose me with anything and just said I had some sort of digestive virus. But he gave me an IV while I was there and I got two liters of saline put in me! My roommate told me later that I had looked like I had gained a few pounds...I didn't even notice! All I knew is I felt better because I wasn't dehydrated at all anymore. But still, the cramps didn't stop for a few days and I missed some school because of it. So between going home and then being sick...I got a behind in a couple classes. So much so that I had to drop piano lessons and choir so I could have more time. (And because I hadn't practiced piano or been to choir rehearsals in two weeks.) But I'm okay with it because I have so much more time now! I'll for sure be able to keep my grades up and make this semester a successful one.
Also with all this extra time, I discovered the McKay library and I have started to remember how much I love to read! It's such an escape for me and it brings me so much joy. Last week I read The Proper Care and Feeding of Husbands by Dr. Larua Schlessinger and this week I'm reading Eat to Live by Dr. Joel Fuhrman. I also am reading Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom. As you can see, my interests are varied. :) I would LOVE to have some book suggestions from anyone and everyone.
Brian and I had our engagement pictures taken while I was Colorado! My wonderful sister Jenny took them and she has been working away at editing them for us. We are pleased with how they turned out and I can't wait to share them all on Facebook. Other than that, not much has happened with the wedding...I may or may not be avoiding all the stress it causes for me and for others. I kind of just hope it will plan itself! Of course, I'm soooooo excited to be married, and I do want a beautiful wedding, but I just don't know how to do so many things. And so I don't know what to tell people when they offer to help. Like I said...I'm just waiting for it to all come together on it's own. :)
I went home for Zachary's graduation a couple weeks ago, and that was fantastic. I flew out of Salt Lake on Tuesday and then on Friday, Brian and I and a friend drove back to Rexburg. Brian was able to stay with me for the rest of the three day weekend and it was perfect. We needed that time together! The day he left, I started having weird cramps that would occur after I would eat. I didn't realize it was only after I ate, so I kept on eating normal. I got to be so miserable that I decided to go to the doctor. He couldn't diagnose me with anything and just said I had some sort of digestive virus. But he gave me an IV while I was there and I got two liters of saline put in me! My roommate told me later that I had looked like I had gained a few pounds...I didn't even notice! All I knew is I felt better because I wasn't dehydrated at all anymore. But still, the cramps didn't stop for a few days and I missed some school because of it. So between going home and then being sick...I got a behind in a couple classes. So much so that I had to drop piano lessons and choir so I could have more time. (And because I hadn't practiced piano or been to choir rehearsals in two weeks.) But I'm okay with it because I have so much more time now! I'll for sure be able to keep my grades up and make this semester a successful one.
Also with all this extra time, I discovered the McKay library and I have started to remember how much I love to read! It's such an escape for me and it brings me so much joy. Last week I read The Proper Care and Feeding of Husbands by Dr. Larua Schlessinger and this week I'm reading Eat to Live by Dr. Joel Fuhrman. I also am reading Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom. As you can see, my interests are varied. :) I would LOVE to have some book suggestions from anyone and everyone.
Brian and I had our engagement pictures taken while I was Colorado! My wonderful sister Jenny took them and she has been working away at editing them for us. We are pleased with how they turned out and I can't wait to share them all on Facebook. Other than that, not much has happened with the wedding...I may or may not be avoiding all the stress it causes for me and for others. I kind of just hope it will plan itself! Of course, I'm soooooo excited to be married, and I do want a beautiful wedding, but I just don't know how to do so many things. And so I don't know what to tell people when they offer to help. Like I said...I'm just waiting for it to all come together on it's own. :)
 |
| I love him so much! He is everything I ever wanted. |
Saturday, May 5, 2012
My way of celebrating Cinco de Mayo
Well Cinco de Mayo doesn't mean that much to me, but I decided to make delicious Mexican food to celebrate!
I have been wanting to make a "fake guacamole." Which is guacamole with asparagus instead of avocado as the base. I found a recipe from my favorite website eatbetteramerica.com. It's called Almost Guacamole. Brian already teased me about the name, so I don't need anyone else to do so... Haha! It is my new favorite thing I think...it was soooo good. I used plain Greek yogurt instead of mayonaise and I used cholula for the red pepper sauce. And I used red onion instead of white. Limes were on sale so I bought several limes instead of bottled lime juice. My roommates and I will be having limes on everything for the next few days!
I also wanted to make a salsa, but it turned out to be more of a salad. I found a recipe for Corn and Black Bean Salad, also on eatbetteramerica. It had cilantro and red onions like the Almost Guacamole and it had fire-roasted tomatoes which sounded just too delicious to pass up!
Instead of buying tortilla chips, I took the hommade tortillas my roommate made the other day, and some more healthier corn tortiallas from the store, sliced them into triangles and then baked them with a little canola oil. I squeezed lime over them and sprinkled some salt and oh man.. were they delicious.
The two roommates that were here to eat everything with me are still complimenting me on everything! We all really enjoyed everything. I'm definitely keeping these recipes around!
Tonight...I'm going to make a Strawberry dessert that is strawberries, sweetener, and lemon juice. I'm thinking of added some Greek Yogurt to it, too!
I have been wanting to make a "fake guacamole." Which is guacamole with asparagus instead of avocado as the base. I found a recipe from my favorite website eatbetteramerica.com. It's called Almost Guacamole. Brian already teased me about the name, so I don't need anyone else to do so... Haha! It is my new favorite thing I think...it was soooo good. I used plain Greek yogurt instead of mayonaise and I used cholula for the red pepper sauce. And I used red onion instead of white. Limes were on sale so I bought several limes instead of bottled lime juice. My roommates and I will be having limes on everything for the next few days!
I also wanted to make a salsa, but it turned out to be more of a salad. I found a recipe for Corn and Black Bean Salad, also on eatbetteramerica. It had cilantro and red onions like the Almost Guacamole and it had fire-roasted tomatoes which sounded just too delicious to pass up!
Instead of buying tortilla chips, I took the hommade tortillas my roommate made the other day, and some more healthier corn tortiallas from the store, sliced them into triangles and then baked them with a little canola oil. I squeezed lime over them and sprinkled some salt and oh man.. were they delicious.
The two roommates that were here to eat everything with me are still complimenting me on everything! We all really enjoyed everything. I'm definitely keeping these recipes around!
Tonight...I'm going to make a Strawberry dessert that is strawberries, sweetener, and lemon juice. I'm thinking of added some Greek Yogurt to it, too!
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Best. Chicken Pot Pie. Ever.
So my roommates and I started this new thing where we make dinner for everyone, once a week. Since there are six of us, we have dinner together six nights a week! It's only been a couple days so far. Amanda made a great Chinese Chicken Salad on Sunday. And she made a healthified version of Pretzel Salad (one my favorite things...ever) to go with it! Last night, Angela made a delicious Taco Soup and cornbread.
Tonight, I was late for dinner because I had my voice lesson, but I came home to food just waiting for me! I bee lined for the glass pan on the counter, I lifted the saran wrap...and discovered that it was Chicken Pot Pie...and it was a "healthified"! I was so excited. I started eating......and it was soooo good! I wish I had taken a picture of it before I ate the last of it but it was just so tasty. I'm definitely saving the recipe for the future. Tiffany had also put together a strawberry spinach salad with almonds and raspberry pecan dressing. What a great meal!
This is going to be a great semester of delicious food...I can just taste it. :)
Tonight, I was late for dinner because I had my voice lesson, but I came home to food just waiting for me! I bee lined for the glass pan on the counter, I lifted the saran wrap...and discovered that it was Chicken Pot Pie...and it was a "healthified"! I was so excited. I started eating......and it was soooo good! I wish I had taken a picture of it before I ate the last of it but it was just so tasty. I'm definitely saving the recipe for the future. Tiffany had also put together a strawberry spinach salad with almonds and raspberry pecan dressing. What a great meal!
This is going to be a great semester of delicious food...I can just taste it. :)
Saturday, April 28, 2012
I think I'm becoming a foodie...
Well I just love food. I have developed a habit of looking up "healthified" versions of everything and I have found some great things. I also make things differently just with my own ideas. So! Today, my roommates and I wanted to have fruit pizza, but I lamented about how unhealthy it could be. We were also talking about making cookie cups....You make cookie dough, but instead of putting them on a cookie sheet, you put it on an upside down muffin pan.
I combined the ideas and I said we should make sugar cookie fruit cups, put yogurt in them (instead of cream cheese mixture like on fruit pizza) and put fruit on top!
I found a healthier version of sugar cookies...they have whole wheat flour!
I'm a HUGE fan of greek yogurt. Especially Chobani Greek Yogurt. I buy the plain one and then add sweetener and flavoring. Or I use it in recipes like banana bread or a baked french toast I made a few weeks ago for General Conference. You can use the plain yogurt instead of mayonaise, sour cream, and make a million things.
We sliced strawberries, used honey to sweeten the yogurt and we got these!
I found a healthier version of sugar cookies...they have whole wheat flour!
I'm a HUGE fan of greek yogurt. Especially Chobani Greek Yogurt. I buy the plain one and then add sweetener and flavoring. Or I use it in recipes like banana bread or a baked french toast I made a few weeks ago for General Conference. You can use the plain yogurt instead of mayonaise, sour cream, and make a million things.
We sliced strawberries, used honey to sweeten the yogurt and we got these!
My roommates loved them!
I will definitely be making these cookies again. And they all loved the greek yogurt! It was a delicious dessert.
I'm always looking for new recipes to try that are healthy or "healthier" versions. Send me any you may have! mcpherson.jamie@gmail.com
Wedding Update!
Well I should update everyone....
I bought my dress! It's white. And beautiful. It was in my budget, too! I'm so excited.
I have a make-up artist scheduled to do my hair! Her name is Chantelle LaCouture and I hear she's amazing! Brian and her are good friends and that's how I know her. www.couturecreate.com
Another friend of Brian's, Jenna Daniels, is doing my hair! Wedding hair/up dos are her specialty so I'm going to be well taken care of.
I have Affinity for Music for my DJ. The owners are Melissa and Tom O'Malley who are really good friends with my older brother Corey. I just have great connections! www.affinityformusic.com
Rebecca Reynolds will be my photographer the day of the wedding. She's another good friend of Brian's. www.rebeccamariephotography.net
The reception will be at the Newlin Meadows building. At first, I wanted it outside somewhere, but I didn't have a good venue and I know everything will be easier and less stressful if it's inside.
As our wedding favors, I'm making mini shoe boxes and I'm making shoes out of chocolate to go in them. I found a mold for shoes on Amazon.com and it should be here on Wednesday. Hopefully their easy to make so making hundreds won't be too difficult!
My color is purple, and more of a dark purple. Brian and I both love that color so it's perfect for us.
Things to decide on soon!:
Invitations
Food for reception
I bought my dress! It's white. And beautiful. It was in my budget, too! I'm so excited.
I have a make-up artist scheduled to do my hair! Her name is Chantelle LaCouture and I hear she's amazing! Brian and her are good friends and that's how I know her. www.couturecreate.com
Another friend of Brian's, Jenna Daniels, is doing my hair! Wedding hair/up dos are her specialty so I'm going to be well taken care of.
I have Affinity for Music for my DJ. The owners are Melissa and Tom O'Malley who are really good friends with my older brother Corey. I just have great connections! www.affinityformusic.com
Rebecca Reynolds will be my photographer the day of the wedding. She's another good friend of Brian's. www.rebeccamariephotography.net
The reception will be at the Newlin Meadows building. At first, I wanted it outside somewhere, but I didn't have a good venue and I know everything will be easier and less stressful if it's inside.
As our wedding favors, I'm making mini shoe boxes and I'm making shoes out of chocolate to go in them. I found a mold for shoes on Amazon.com and it should be here on Wednesday. Hopefully their easy to make so making hundreds won't be too difficult!
My color is purple, and more of a dark purple. Brian and I both love that color so it's perfect for us.
Things to decide on soon!:
Invitations
Food for reception
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