Graduation!

Well, he's done it! Mike has graduated from BYU with a BS in Computer Science. Here he is looking deep in thought.

Friday morning bright and early (seriously...it was too early) we had the privilege of watching Mikey jaunt around in his cap and gown. It has certainly been a long time coming and Mike couldn't be more relieved! (And let's face it, I couldn't be happier myself!)

Mike's family came out for the grand occasion and it's been fun to have them all here. We have also worked their butts off in the basement and garage. I'm pretty sure they'll be sore for about a week! But more on the basement work later. Here are some pictures from Mikey's big day!

This one is of me and Mike's family being proud. We have Nick on the right, then me (suprise!), then Ted and Gabrielle.

Unfortunately, the pictures that were taken of Mike actually walking and shaking hands and whatnot ended up as giant blurs. I sent Nick off to where Mike was seated for a more crisp photo. Yep, he walked right up to the isle where Mike was seated.

And here is the whole fam.
(As you can see, I'm not looking extremely pregnant in this photo. If you take a closer look, you'll find that the buttons are under a lot of stress in the belly region. However, Gabrielle commented this weekend that I am looking "positively preggers." I think it all depends on what I'm wearing, among other things.)

Mikey's graduation is the first of several big steps we will be taking this year. We hope things will calm down a little and we certainly hope our house will sell soon. But for now, we are happy to have one major goal accomplished!

A Chiropractor for Kyropractor

I feel fine about the fact that this post's title makes absolutely no sense, because all I want right now is a chiropractor. I'm pretty sure I was fine when I made my first attempt at getting out of bed this morning, but after I somehow ended up back in bed and eventually forced myself to head off to the shower I found that my neck was completely out of whack. The good news: as long as I don't move my head I don't notice it a bit!

Of course, I do have an uncle who is a chiropractor, but Ohio is a bit of a distance to travel for a discount adjustment. If any of you people here in Utah happen to know of a good miracle worker please share!

It's Been a Long Time...

I shouldn't have left you without a dope beat to step to, step to, step to, step to...I don't know any more of that song. I don't even remember what song that's from, actually.

When you are trying to sell a house, a few days without a sign in your yard feels like forever. We had no sign in our yard this weekend while we were in the transition stage from one realtor to our new Help-U-Sell agent. Every time a car drove down the street I wished our sign was there so they could buy the house! Needless to say, we have just had a new sign squished into the front yard and we're feeling groovy (that one's for you, Mom!).

The price has been dropped quite a considerable amount, but we feel fine--as long as it sells! We have two months to find this baby a new owner. Wish us luck!! Our fingers have been crossed for a while now and they are starting to cramp up.

I <3 Juno

My new fav movie is Juno. Love it. Can't get enough.

I saw it in the theater in February with Mike and his fam and have been counting the days until I could purchase it. Today was that glorious day and I have purchased and viewed it and plan to watch 'er again tomorrow! I'll have to be sly, though. Mike will be home studying for his finals so I'll have to find a sneaky way of watching it without distracting him. I'm not too worried. Sneaky comes naturally to me. It is my one talent.

I'm going to view the hell out of this movie!

(Take that sentence however you'd like. I meant that as a slightly too excited way of saying I plan to watch it until I know every line by heart. But feel free to interpret it in whatever way suits you best.)

Taxes: Done!

My taxes are done. I used my trusty TurboTax and have officially e-filed. Congratulations to me!

RPS Throwdown!

One of my BFs, Heather, visited this weekend from sunny California. Unfortunately the sun decided to wait until after she left to move in on Utah. I guess that means she got a pretty accurate feel for this weather-confused state.

We had a somewhat eventful few days visiting Park City (where Heather got her first taste of snow--well...she didn't actually taste it, but she certainly touched it and then fell in it), going to lunch, dinner, a family baptism after-party (makes it sound more exciting to call it an after-party, no?) and hitting up the mall.

Oh, and let's not forget the Omniture Throw Down!!!!!

What the frick is the Omniture Throw Down? Well, the Omniture Throw Down was the ultimate rock-paper-scissors competition. Yes, it was an RPS tournament to remember, one they aim to put in the Guinness Book of World Records, which we have forever commemorated in this photo:

As you can see, Mike is showing off his "paper" skills while I've donned the "rock" and Heather has whipped out the "scissors." You'd think our chances of winning would have rocked.

Unfortunately, we were all eliminated in the first round. First place received a big check (by "big check" I am referring to one of those giant checks they give to charities and whatnot) for $3,000, second place received a big check for $1,500, and third place took home some flippy video camera (it was probably called the "Flip-O-Matic" or something like that). There was also a raffle...we didn't win.

With no big checks or video cameras in hand, we felt a bit screwed out of our $5 admission fee. But we did leave with cool RPS Throw Down t-shirts and a little bit of food in our tummies. And, of course, the memories.

What's in a Name?

So I have officially started showing, which apparently tells people I must have a name picked out for my little kiddo. That is, if they can distinguish between "showing" and looking chubby. Heather says I'm in the awkward stage between chubby and pregnant, but I think it's becoming more apparent that I'm pregnant because people are getting brave enough to ask when I'm due. I love how nervous and awkward people are! I love people.

The fact of the matter is that I (we) do not have names picked out. I (we) have decided that I (we) will pick...wait--side note. Mike is reading over my shoulder and now he's asking me if I have a name picked out.

Anyway, we are waiting to find out whether we're having a boy or girl before we really delve into the name business. I think that way it will be more exciting. It will also be WAY less time consuming because we'll only have to check out boy OR girl names, not both! I'm down with that.

This Just In: Totally Clueless!

I've come to the surprising realization that I have no idea what pregnancy is like. I mean, I know the basics; women tend to be nauseous for a while, then they start to look pregnant, then they start to look very pregnant, then they have a baby, etc. I also know that there is more to it than what I just wrote, but I'm trying to keep this paragraph short so work with me here.

Let me explain. I believe television and movies have put a false pregnancy knowledge base in my head. Let's go back to when I found out I was pregnant. Clearly I suspected myself to be pregnant, so I invested in a 2-pack pregnancy test. (I only used one and don't plan to use the other, so if you want it give me a ring. Save yourself $8-$14.) I did as the box instructed and received the double-line confirmation that yes, I was indeed pregnant.

Next, I called the doctor's office thinking I had to go in for a pregnancy test (like a blood test or something) because hey, that's what they do on TV. That's how Diane Keaton found out she was pregnant on Father of the Bride Part 2 ("The father of the bride is having a boobie?!" Oh, I love Martin Short). The receptionist was quite rude and told me she didn't understand why I needed to come in for a test if I'd taken a home test. I fought back tears (yet another confirmation that I was pregnant...I'm not one to break into tears on phone calls) and ended the call.

Apparently no woman ever goes into the doctor's office to take any sort of pregnancy test unless she has fertility issues or happens to be on a TV show. Or if her husband happens to be a doctor and by going into the office she will get a free test and can save herself $8-$12.

My next bit of confusion floats around ultrasounds. I was under the impression that you have an ultrasound at each monthly appointment. Well, you don't. Good thing I asked my sister first or I might have been very upset when the doctor neglected to show me my kid yesterday!

Well...that's about it with my confusion so far. I take most things with an open mind and the pregnancy has been smooth as butter.

On a happier note, I was excited to be able to hear the baby's heartbeat for the first time yesterday, as was Mike. Mike is also happy that I'm starting to show a bit. I'm starting to wonder if he prefers a tubbier version of me...

I Won!!

I am so excited! For me to win something is extremely rare. I am therefore VERY pleased to announce that I have won a gorgeous print of my choice from the collection of my friend, the up-and-coming photographer Kelli Nicole Saunders!

I'm having a hard time making a decision, however. I've narrowed it down to the following 3 images:

Arc de Triomphe, Paris

Springtime Eiffel Tower, Paris

Louvre in the Evening, Paris

I'm leaning mostly toward either the Eiffel Tower or the Louvre. What do you guys think? Put in your vote!