Daniel DOES Smile

I've noticed that, almost every time we are around other people, Daniel is either sick or crying.  So, I tried to find some pictures I have of him smiling.  I have a couple, so I decided to put them on here. :)

I could almost consider this a wink. :)

He usually does this after every diaper change.

I'm not sure what to think of this smile--and he also had just scratched his nose.

Pretty sure that I am lucky to have one of the sweetest, cutest babies around!!

The Real Reason We Are Moving

So.  I don't think I've mentioned it yet (on this blog, anyway), but we are moving.  We will really miss Rexburg, as we have made some very good friends here.  I'm not going to talk about it any more right now because it makes me want to cry.

That is, it makes me want to cry until I think of the real reason we are moving to Utah.

It has come to my attention that I haven't ever mentioned a particular person on this blog.  In fact, I felt quite bad when that certain someone lugubriously listed all the things I did have on my blog (donuts, a stuffed cow, trees, etc) to emphasize how little he must mean to me because he wasn't anywhere on here.

Well, that's about to change.  What is the real reason we are moving to Utah?  I will tell you: Pop Pop!

Pop Pop with his grandson, Michael

Because Pop Pop isn't just a great Pop Pop.  He's an experienced pilot, an expert negotiator, and perhaps even a secret member of the Hell's Angels.

Secret member of the Hell's Angels??

Experienced pilot?  There never was anyone better!  He could land a plane anywhere.  If he had been the pilot in that second fugitive movie, there would have been no casualties and the passengers wouldn't have even known that they had hit the ground.

Artist Rendition of Pop Pop

 And I don't know if you know this, but he was basically held hostage in Cuba.  I'm pretty sure a character in a certain movie (and, sure, the book, too!) was based on Pop Pop. 

A famous character based on Pop Pop

Of course, Pop Pop made it back to America because he is an expert negotiator.  He and his friend, Andrew Jackson.

Pop Pop's friend and co-negotiator, Mr. Jackson

If only I had more pictures of this amazing person!  I'll definitely have to update this blog when I get a photo of him with Daniel.  Perhaps I'll even get it autographed!!

Pop Pop and Nana

Another Update

This is going to be somewhat short, as I'm only typing with one hand. :)

Just wanted to post some more pictures of Daniel:

Not wearing pajamas...a rarity.

I love his eyes!  I could literally stare at him for hours.  Here is another with his dad:

I love these boys!

...and one of him sleeping:

Sleeping In

Isn't he sweet? I love our baby. :)

Michael Daniel Young II

It finally happened...I thought it never would.  I thought I would be pregnant until Christmas.  Or the Second Coming.

But, he's here!  7 pounds, 4 ounces, 20.5 inches long with a 14 inch head. :)

Approximately 2 Minutes Old

Isn't he cute? Well, I think so. After he was born, it was a juggle to get the sleep we would like. Michael caught this picture of Daniel and I while we were napping:

2 Days Old

It's been such a good experience having Daniel in our lives.  He really is the sweetest little guy...even if he hasn't slept the past two nights or so!  We're glad that he no longer needs a "bili blanket," which is a somewhat bulky contraption that is needed when a baby's jaundice is too bad.  Here is a picture of him when he had the bili blanket (it's underneath, so you can't see it so much):

Getting Sunshine, 4 Days Old

You can kind of see the cord of the bili blanket at the bottom of the picture. He really enjoyed laying in the sunshine in nothing but his little mittens, socks, diaper, and a hat. Those mittens have been a lifesaver; he loves having his hands right next to his face, and they keep him from scratching up his own face.

...and, if you are wondering, our dog (Faelan) has thoroughly enjoyed having Daniel around.  Here he is, right in the middle of all of our baby stuff, resting his head on the diaper bag:

Faelan

...and, if you are interested, this is what I looked like 2 days before I had Daniel:

This is me, not a beached beluga.

...and here is Daniel getting his first bath:

...and one last picture of Daniel with his dad:

I really will try to keep this blog more updated from now on.  It's easier when you have something so cute to take pictures of!

2 Years and Loving It!

Just a quick update... It's been two years since we were married. It has been wonderful, and I'm sorry that I never keep this blog updated. Here are 3 out of approximately 10 pictures we've taken since we met:

June 18, 2011

...and here is one about a year later:

June 2012

...and here is one from this past summer:

July 2013

These were all taken at the same place, by the by--Badger Creek. Isn't it pretty?

Yes, so I'm a little behind...

I honestly don't know why I'll say that I'm going to update this blog!

Here are some updates.

• The nursing program is intense.  Do you know what it's like to be in a class in which the high score for the class doesn't even reach a B+?!?  This is the first time in my life that I walked out of a test happy to get an 88%.
• Michael is almost done with all of his chemistry...he's in the second half of organic chemistry right now and will be taking biochemistry next semester.  There is a reason I'm not going to ever be a doctor...and it's chemistry.
• My instructor told my classmates and I that it is important to do things that are fun that have nothing to do with nursing once a week; otherwise, we will probably all get "physically ill by the end of the semester."  Apparantly, this is part of a stress-reaction.
• Michael and I went on a group date with our married friends.  It was a lot of fun...especially since our Friday nights usually consist of trying to go to bed early so we can get up at 4AM in order that I'll get to my clinical on time.

Well, I'll attach some pictures of us on that date since the only time I have pictures is when one of our friends takes them. :)

 

Michael and I holding the "lucky" bowling ball (by "lucky," I mean that I actually hit some pins!)

Our friends and neighbors, Nikki and Shawn (Nikki is the one who makes sure pictures get taken)

Michael and I contemplating the kidnapping of our neighbor's child, Dallin (yes, we want children more than ANYTHING)

 

Our friends and upstairs-neighbors, Brandon, Dallin, and Emily

 

I'm not really sure what's going on in this picture.  I just remember playing glow-in-the-dark mini golf.

Belated Post: The Friends We've Made

Here are a couple of pictures of the people we spend our free time with, Shawn & Nikki and Brandon & Emily (Emily has had a baby since these pictures...a very cute little boy named Dallin).

Here is when they threw a party when I was accepted into the nursing program:

Shawn on the couch, Michael & I in the back, Brandon & Emily in the front (Nikki is taking the picture)

...and here is another from when we got together and played Settlers of Catan (in which, I might add, Michael and I won...fair and square):

The camera was on the counter, so you can see Nikki to the right of Shawn.

...and here is a picture Nikki sent of us from that evening:

Update

Since it's been about half a year since I posted, a simple update doesn't seem as if it would suffice.

Therefore, Michael and I will probably do poor "re-enactments" of the past 6 or 7 months.

Here are a few things that happened:

• We moved back to Idaho to attend school
• Michael became Head TA again, teaching bones and muscles
• I received my first A- (a truly tragic and devastating experience, indeed!)
• Michael turned 24
• We were called as ward librarians, serving faithfully for two weeks
• I was accepted into the nursing program
• Michael took an internship with Dr. Peterson, the same doctor who fixed his nose after the rugby accident
• I started working for one of our favorite teachers, Brother Shaw
• Michael discovered that Organic Chemistry is much better than Chem 106
• I was deceived by peer advising
• Michael was called into the Elders' Quorum after contemplating the meaning of priesthood meetings
• We made friends with our neighbors

I will try to make belated posts about different things we've been up to.

Love you all!

T-Bone

T-Bone!

This is a picture of one of my very dear friend's steer, T-Bone.

Michael and I went to attend Lark and Greg's wedding. The reception took place at Lark's family's home. For those of you who don't know, T-Bone was a great steer that would always get the cows home safe. They couldn't just bury him in the backyard now, could they? No, T-Bone is immortalized in their living room.

Michael and I couldn't resist having a picture taken with T-Bone.

Lark's wedding was beautiful! It was such a good experience for Michael and I to be able to be in attendance while two people we care about so much were sealed in the Twin Falls temple.

The Twin Falls Temple

It's amazing how it brought back thoughts from our own sealing; it made us realize what we really have, how blessed we are to have been able to find each other and be sealed in the temple.

The Twin Falls Celestial Room

We're now getting ready to move back to Idaho: to return to BYU-I and begin the long haul of school. It is, indeed, very exciting and somewhat daunting. Finding an apartment was quite difficult, but we have miraculously found a place in Rexburg. We're not quite sure what it looks like, or exactly how big it is, but that's what an adventurous life is made of, right?

Hair in the Drain

Michael getting hair out of the drain. Gross.

Have you ever had a bathtub that wouldn't drain?

Look at how much hair was in the drain (and that wasn't even all of it)!

Count your lucky stars if the hair you pull out is your own...it's so much more mortifying when you don't know to whom it belongs!

Wedding Update

Well, I'm married now. I have to admit, I love being married. There are blessings that Heavenly Father saves for you until you are married. After being married in the temple, I cannot imagine being married any other way.

This is Michael and I right after we were sealed

The sealing ceremony was absolutely wonderful. Before Michael and I went inside the sealing room, the temple president talked with Michael and two temple workers spoke with me. After we were given counsel, we went up to the sealing room level of the temple. Once we got up there, the sealer, Brother Holgate, spoke to Michael and I for a while. The things he said matched up perfectly with so many blessings I've had and also with many of the promptings Michael and I felt. I wish I could tell you all that he said.

Mom, Dad, Me, Michael, Grandma & Grandpa Beard

The temple was the best part of the entire day. The power that you feel when someone called by Heavenly Father seals you to another person is indescribable. I wish you all could have been there outside the temple.

Michael and I on the Oquirrh Mountain temple grounds

Aren't the Oquirrh Mountain temple flowers pretty? I thought you guys might like them. :)

Aunt Janeanne and I

It was really great to be able to see Aunt Janeanne and Grandma and Grandpa Beard. Don't you just love them? I miss them a lot; they are really among the best of people.

Michael with his sisters, Sheryl and Julia

Michael's sisters are very kind; Sheryl has two children. Tanner is 4 and Ella is 2. Julia also has two boys; Bryce is 2 and Michael is 5. I love both of them very much, and their kids are a lot of fun. I think you guys would like them, too. :)

Greg, Lark, Me, Michael, Kevin, Scott, and Kaycie

You guys remember Lark, right? That is Greg to the left of her. They got engaged two days after Michael and I were married. I'm very excited for them! They are getting married December 17. Kevin, the boy standing to the right of Michael, is one of Michael's good friends. When Michael and I first met, Kevin would come with Michael and they would play a lot of games at my apartment. Scott and Kaycie are old friends of Michael's family, and we've enjoyed playing games with them when they come to visit.

I'm done.

This is the last picture at the temple. I don't know if you can see my expression, but I was done taking pictures at this point. :)

The reception was pretty fun; I wish I could have seen more of you there, but it was good to see Joseph, Emily and Esther.

Michael and I, getting tired at the end of the day

Even though the day seemed pretty long by the end, it was a great day. In all actuality, I've never been happier than I was at the moment I was sealed to Michael. There isn't a way to explain that feeling you receive when you have Heavenly Father's approval at doing exactly what He would have you do.

I love you all! I'll try to keep this updated a bit better. :)

I love Tetonia...and other things

Well, I know you all already know, but Michael asked if I'd marry him on Saturday.

I said yes...how could I not in such a pretty place? It's so pretty and peaceful up there. Look how green it is at Badger Creek! There is still a lot of snow on the mountains, though.

Alas. Now I have to focus on finishing the semester with good grades. I forgot about an online quiz I was supposed to take, and I missed the time, so I'm not allowed to take it now. I emailed my teacher, and, much to my delight, he said he drops everyone's lowest quiz score.

Now I just have to be sure to do very well on all my other quizzes!

Sometimes I wish we could all live in Tetonia again, just for a little while at least. I know it's not the same, and it probably never will be quite like it was when we were supposed to be there--but it's still something that crosses my mind pretty often.

Anyway, I love you guys, and I hope everything is going well at home!

Well...

It's a real shame that I haven't been keeping up with such a good-looking blog!

I should be sleeping right now...but I just can't!!

I loved coming home this last weekend. It was sad to not have Dash greet me at the fence. I sorely miss that handsome boy; he was one of a kind.

I enjoyed getting to know Playboy and Sugar better, and Red is doing AMAZING. They all look great, and they seem to be really happy.

Sally is such a funny hen! It will be exciting to see how all the smaller chicks, ducks, and geese will turn out and what they'll be like.

I so appreciated having a pool once again. I loved being able to swim with all of you and ride horses with the older girls, and go purchase clothes with most of my sisters and mom. :)

Thank you all for being so patient with a silly girl who gets caught up with school and an equally silly boy. I am glad you all seem to like Michael well enough, though. I think he's pretty fun myself.

I can't wait until the end of this semester! I love learning, especially anatomy and physiology...but I really don't know how people can go to college year round sometimes. I really miss you all, and I want to just have some time with you again.

I also wanted to post a couple of pictures that Lark took when she came to visit when we saw "The Price of Freedom." I think you will appreciate these pictures; I did.

I sure do miss this girl! She was one amazing dog, wasn't she?

Says one, "I cannot believe in the salvation of beasts." Any man who would tell you that this could not be, would tell you that the revelations are not true. John heard the words of the beasts giving glory to God, and understood them. God who made the beasts could understand every language spoken by them. The four beasts were four of the most noble animals that had filled the measure of their creation, and had been saved from other worlds, because they were perfect: they were like angels in their sphere. We are not told where they came from, and I do not know; but they were seen and heard by John praising and glorifying God.

Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 291

It's just been a while

I just wanted to write something, since it's been so long since I've written.

As far as Tilly, I'm glad that she is now living in the school room at home. I'm sure she loves being a mascot of sorts.

Let's see...

Classes are great. There's something about all these things that I'm learning; I love and yearn to learn more about these things everyday.

Microbiology is fascinating. I love understanding how certain things work, and how so many living things were created under a similar model, from a miniscule microbe to a graceful gazelle.

Math is a challenge, but I'm getting to the point that I only spend half an hour twice a week with a tutor (rather than two-three hours a week). Aside from the challenge, the class really is enjoyable. It is interesting to see how Brother Nygaard will respond to the many questions directed at him. One girl has English as a second language...the word problems are especially difficult, and it really is funny to watch and try to contribute to Brother Nygaard explaining what a word problem is asking.

All the vet tech classes are good. I'm supposed to do a report on hamsters before Tuesday, and I haven't started on it yet. I'm not too worried, though. The last one on gerbils only took an hour to do.

Doctor Dredge is very patient with several of us. He is very kind, and he often uses the scriptures to teach us things. Those are my favorite things--those scriptural comparisons to what we're doing.

On a side note, did you know that scientists have discovered that the heart has more nerve endings than the brain?

I will try to write more often.

I miss you all, and I hope things are going well at home. I hope the new house is getting unpacked without incident, and that Red and Dash can come home soon.

I love you all, and I think and pray about you more often than I can count!

Tilly

Alright. This has probably been my favorite part of the semester...going with my roommate Ashley to her psychology lab to watch her train her rat, Tilly.

This is when they first brought Tilly out. Tilly really loves Ashley, and was ready to come out to be trained. They'll use treats, but mostly Tilly is motivated by being where she is happy.

This is me with Tilly on my shoulder. Tilly is very friendly, and I took to her much better than I thought I would. I really have an aversion to rats, but I sometimes forget that Tilly is a rat.

Ashley and her partner, Katie, have taught Tilly to do a couple of things. One thing that Katie has taught Tilly is how to climb across from one table to another using a rope.

As you can see, Tilly really loves Ashley.

Ashley has taught Tilly how to jump from one table to another. I think she's pretty talented, especially for a rat.

In this next one, Tilly jumps again. Ashley rewards her with a Cheerio at the end.

What do you think?

the new byu-i center

For one of my classes (facilities management with Brother Anderson), I was able to tour the BYU-I Center before it opens on December 17.

It was really amazing--it is almost exactly like the big Conference Center in Salt Lake.

Do you see those shiny discs on the ceiling? They actually don't give off any of their own light! They are reflecting light from the spotlights you can see on the sides. The ceiling was so high that it would have been very expensive to purchase the equipment needed just to change a light bulb, so they put up reflective discs instead. I was amazed.

This is a room that has 10 basketball courts that can be divided and also used for soccer, volleyball, and one other sport I can't remember. Do you see the raised track that goes around it? They are connecting this part of the building to the old Hart building so that people can walk back and forth without going through the snow, and that way, the designers didn't need to build whole new locker rooms.

Does that look familiar?

The design is just like the Conference Center, only smaller. The stage has all those same capabilities...and I know you're thinking exactly what I'm thinking...

See those three rows of seating areas? That first row (where we're standing) has 100 more seats than the entire Hart auditorium (which is the current largest gathering place on campus). It looks like just the right size for Rob Gardner to come up to Rexburg!!

I forgot to get a picture of the boys' bathroom...but look how big the girls' bathroom is! It's like an airport! The boys' bathroom only had four stalls, which is why we all thought this was funny at the time. The boys' bathroom had more sinks than stalls.

I really do hope that Rob Gardner will start coming to Rexburg at least as often as he comes to Salt Lake. "The Lamb of God" would be great here, wouldn't it?