It's Here!

Second only to Christmas, I believe that General Conference is my very favorite "holiday." :)

Come and see!

"If we teach by the Spirit and you listen by the Spirit, some one of us will touch on your circumstance, sending a personal prophetic epistle just to you."  -Elder Jeffery R. Holland

Stream of Consciousness

Confession:  I haven't really not written since the 14th... I just haven't decided to push the publish button. Bear with me.

There was something that I wanted to share with you, though:   I have been getting giddily excited for Christmas. It started a few days ago when on my way to my first class, The Carpenter's An Old Fashioned Christmas got stuck in my head. Usually, Christmas songs stuck in my head before November or at least late-October are not viewed as acceptable. But this time, I let the song stay stuck ALL DAY LONG. And it made me smile and have a hard time focusing through each and every one of my classes.

I started having all of these exciting Christmas ideas--gifts I want to give, things I want to experience, memories I'd love to make.  Truly, visions of sugarplums danced in my head. It was wonderful.

Not that I want to rush Fall out of the picture frame.  I'm loving the cold snaps we've been having, the rainstorms, the cold mornings and evenings. Soup weather is coming, and I couldn't be more thrilled. I have a goal to get really bold and daring with the CrockPot, even if I'm only starting with Hearty Beef Stew. Did you know you could make things like bread and lasagna in a crock pot?? That and so much more. And I'd like to try them out.

In other news, pregnancy is having some interesting side effects. Anyone who knows me knows that I don't really believe in binge-eating things like ice cream and cookies and other junk. Of course we all want to do things like that, but temperance and moderation are divine qualities that need to be developed in either this life or the next. I figure I may as well get a jump on the challenge here and now while I've got a body to practice some self-control with. (Not to get too doctrinal here... I understand we'll get our bodies back and continue eternal progress and increase.) ANYWAY, you'll never guess who in the world went to Smith's tonight and in the course of the other shopping, bought not one, not two, not even three, but FOUR cartons of ice cream. FOUR. What the heck?? I know our very favorite Kroger ice cream was on sale for 1.99, but really, Annie? Are we going to eat four boxes of ice cream? Blake was thrilled and shocked and now I think it'd be fun to have people over for a party and give them ice cream. (If you're interested, available flavors are FunMunch Cookies N Cream, Death by Chocolate, Cookie Dough, and Birthday Bash.)

Just when you thought it couldn't get more wild, in the same shopping trip, after the ice cream was in my cart, I had to really work hard to convince myself NOT to buy a carton of Nesquik. (One of life's purest joys.) I prevailed, but Nesquik still sounds like a lovely treat.

Not only am I buying things way out of my purchasing habits, but my taste buds are changing as well. I, who have always and forever with no exceptions (except maybe a Wendy's Frosty before the vanilla ones came out) absolutely despised chocolate ice cream, am now finding that by George, it's a lot more divine than I gave it credit for. Would I eat plain chocolate ice cream? Heavens no. But by golly, when I tried some of Blake's Death by Chocolate, I couldn't believe how much I wasn't loathing it. In fact, I was actually enjoying it... A lot. Enough to go back and get my own small scoop. Times two.

Bizarre.

Well, there's more where that came from, but that's all for tonight folks. I'm pooped and ought to be in bed instead of documenting random pregnancy side effects on a blog. Sleep tight!

Life at a Glance (pictures to follow)

Why hello again!

August 14th really wasn't all that long ago, but so many things have happened that it feels much longer than two weeks.

The last little bit of life, calendar-style.

August 11th - 1 year anniversary. Dinner at a restaurant we never go to. A great night at home.

August 15th - Our "celebrated" anniversary. Going back to Alaskan Inn and Rainbow Gardens for dinner. Wonderful night and I love how much we've become better friends in one year.

August 18th - Beth got home. FINALLY! I feel like my life is back in order with her nearby.

August 19th - Morning flight out of Utah to Vancouver, where we boarded a cruise ship headed up the Alaskan Coast. First Briggs Family Vacation since before Dan's mission! Meaning I was seven years old. 2/3 of my life ago--I'd say we were overdue.

August 19th-26th - One of the greatest weeks with the family ever. Floatplane adventure over the Misty Fjords. Hiking to Mendenhall Glacier after having the pleasure of riding Mr. Jantzen Deppe's tour bus. Touring Skagway and getting ripped off at a Subway in Canada. Playing games nonstop with all the kids, including Sardines on decks of the ship. Endless buffets and room service. Blake and I being the winning contestants in a marriage game show and winning a bottle of champagne. Riding a tour bus from Seward to Anchorage for ten hours. Waiting in the airport for another 5 hours. And finally a red-eye flight from Anchorage to Denver to Salt Lake where we jumped off the plane, into the car, and raced back to campus so I could make my classes on my last first day of school!

August 27th-28th - Trying to get a handle on school without getting too overwhelmed. With Blake's support and perspective, even the scariest mountains become climbable. Awesome hubster for the win.

August 29th - Another trip to the airport and red-eye flight. This time, it was Blake's brother Quinton who just returned from his mission in Bolivia. Meeting new brother for the first time. Loving the family I married into all over again. Loving life.

August 30th - Great day of school. First Zumba experience. Family barbeque tonight. First BYU football game. And who knows what other adventures the rest of the afternoon has in store... I'll keep you posted. :)

Dang, life's good.

One Fine Day...

...One Fine Year

Everyone Loves a Bit of Quality Pishposh

This made my day today--I was quite literally laughing and snickering out loud.  (Beth, if 1:41 doesn't get your goat, I'll eat my hat.) This was extremely well executed and it is just the sort of thing I'd love to be a part of at age 5, 21, or 87.  Well done, Improv Team.  I give you a ten.

Special Awards go to:

• The bet guy with a cigar in his mouth and the green glasses.
• The Sleigh - "I don't understand how it's moving."
• Whoever came up with the names for the animals. (Grandma's Folley, General Washington, KittyKitty BangBang... Oh my heck, these guys are brilliant.)
• The super-energized and oh-so-serious announcers.
• The little girl on the cat who totally got into the spirit of the race.
• The Improv adults that held their game faces and were real spectators.
• The "Good" Kid.
• And of course, the Pink Rider of Grandma's Folley who will have to return to his country a failure. (For that side of the story, go youtube Part 2.)

Seriously, was that not just awesome?  I got caught on youtube for a nice little chunk of the morning looking at the other stunts they've pulled. What jolly good fun, eh?

Finally + Wow

You remember this count down? 4 months and 2 days has whittled its way all the way down to 1 day and 7ish hours. Meaning...

It's finally here!

And just because they're amazing, here's another smash hit from the Piano Guys.  Yamaha must really love these boys to let them do so many bizarre things to a piano!

What Makes You Beautiful
(Go ahead, push the full screen button... You know you want to.)
 

Wow.

Charmed

Today was a great morning.

I woke up and both The Man and his pillow weren't next to me.  I threw on the bright pink and yellow moo-moo Beth gave me and ventured into the living room, knowing that Blake must have moved to the couch at some point in search of a better night's sleep. (Which usually works like a charm. Maybe its cooler in the living room?)  I walk into the living room and see him propped up on his pillow reading a book.  He looks up and smiles.  I melt.

I plopped on top of him and we snuggled on the couch for about an hour, just talking about our respective yesterdays since we didn't see each other until 11:00 p.m. last night. We talked until our stomachs protested loud enough, then went into the kitchen where I made waffles for breakfast.

After breakfast, Blake called in to work and asked when they needed him to come in. He was scheduled for 2:00 but they said they could use him as early as 11:00.  Blake usually takes all the hours he can. He loves to work. Imagine my surprise when he said, "Actually, if it's all the same to you, I'll come in around 12:00...thirty...forty-five." I smiled and he hung up. And then it was back to the couch, until we decided we wouldn't be nearly so smunched if we were on our bed. (Disregard this post.)

We just laze-blazed the morning away, talking about everything under the sun, snuggling and smooching and laughing and being all sorts of happy. Isn't life grand?

We finally rolled out of bed in time for lunch and for Blake to head off to work. With a few more kisses and a long hug goodbye, Blake headed to DT in our oh-so-glamorous Ford Escort with one missing hubcap.

And as I've sat pondering the morning, I've come to a lovely conclusion:

I lead an extraordinarily charmed life.

I'd venture to guess that we all do. Wouldn't you agree? :)

Happy Thursday!

What a Great Life

My life is awesome. 

Period.

Friends

(There are so many more people and pictures where these came from!)

Terrorizing FrontRunner Riders the day after Christmas - Kate, Franny, Me, Chels

Full Orch. Trip: "Where I found myself" :) - Kim, Sarah, Me, Chels

Kate and Chels. There for every important big day. :)

Roommates:

Fact: I had the privilege of living with 10 of the best girls in creation.

Here's a shout out to Sam, Jillian, Amy, Anna, and Becca

Melissa, Suzy, Natalie, Katie, and Madeleine

MLKJ Day - Spontaneous trip to the Fieldhouse and Rock Canyon

Roommate night at Brick Oven. (Ironically, Anna Dearest was on a date making pizza.)

Mliss, Nat, Suz, Mad, (KT), and Justin - There are debts to these girls that I can never repay. I love them dearly. I learned so much from them and grew in ways that were only possible under such a unique climate of amazing ladies.

Family:

Where would I be without them?

Who better to teach you to bowl than your Daddy?

Popcorn buddies. (Yes our popcorn bowl was a bedpan. Yes that's a super-long beard. Yes I love my Dad.)

Our favorite home-made Christmas stockings. Made and filled with love by Mom.

First school dance. Not sure how the girls without older sisters get through life.

The little moments.

You can only get away with stuff like this with a sister.

New sisters!

I'm getting to be a big sister for the first time in my life. And I love it.

Our family setup is perfect. Four boys then the two girls at the end to be best friends.

"Chums in joy..." -- Chums ALWAYS.

I look up to all of them (yes, all, Aaron) and feel lucky I came last.

These kids are my first real experience prepping me for my own family. Dan and Karen, thank you for sharing the love. :)

And last but not least...

My Right-Hand Man

First picture together when he'd taken me home for General Conference to meet the family.

Summer Date to hike Timp Caves

Right after we both said "Yes"

Laughing at the position the photographer was making us be in. A total ab-workout.

On our Honeymoon in San Diego - The USS Midway

Top of the Conference Center

Beach + Blake = Happy Annie

One of our very favorite temples!

I love firsts. First winter, first time playing in the snow, first snow man (and the tallest one I've ever made).

Sending Grandma her "flowers" for Mother's Day. We're so grateful to be here in their home.

Yep. Awesome life.

More of life to come!

"This is My Country - Land that I Love"

Uncle Sam put me up to this post. ;)

My feelings for this country have been poignant and mixed that last several weeks, so The Fourth of July was a unique holiday for me. I just wanted to share some thoughts with you.

I love this country.  So dearly.  The more I study and become involved in its affairs the more I am certain that this land really is "promised".  There are so many admirable things being done in the United States--so much to praise and be proud of.

As an example, I attended a fireside just before the Fourth where they played the Armed Forces Medley and asked all those in the audience that were veterans or family of veterans to stand.  This easily ranks on my Top 50 list of Favorite Things Ever.  I get choked up as I see quiet old men with backs bent by age stand as they hear "Off we go into the wild blue yonder..."  To any who may be reading that have served or have had a parent, grandparent, sibling, or especially spouse serve, thank you.  Your gift is sacred and I appreciate it more than I can express.  Readers of this blog may not know that my grandpa served in WWII.  I've never stood during the Armed Forces Medley because I have felt myself too far removed to really be worthy to stand.  But Grandpa Pike passed away a year or so ago, and shortly before The Army Goes Rolling Along, I had a very clear thought:   

Stand.  Just in case Grandpa is watching.

As the music started, I stood tall and straight with my head held high and a smile on my face.  As I stood, I felt that somewhere, maybe even close by, my young, handsome, robust Grandpa was standing the same way in salute.

Again, there is so much to be proud of.

But as I said before, my feelings have been so mixed.  While there's so much to be proud of, there have been many issues recently that concern me and make me hang my head.  I'm concerned about the integrity of some (not all) elected government officials.  I'm concerned about the recent Supreme Court ruling that upheld the mandated Health Care law and passed it as a tax. I'm concerned about the upcoming election, and the potential ramifications of the outcome.

I have also become increasingly concerned about the filth that is not only tolerated, but embraced and loved and worshiped in our country.  Just prior to the Fourth, a "box-top hit" was released called Magic Mike. This proved to be the straw that broke my back.

The picture below was one of many posts like this on the facebook wall of one of my friends.  

We went to high school together.  And Girl's Camp.  And church.

Actually, Unnamed Individual, I think it does matter what this movie's about (for those of you who don't know, it's basically about male strippers). And it matters that it's full of half- or full-naked men. Or that it contains pervasive sexual content and graphic nudity*.  Or that it also includes approximately 156 F-bombs.**  It's no surprise that Hollywood would come out with something this seedy--they've been doing it for years. The shock came as I saw all the people that I know that were heralding the coming of this blockbuster with a kind of crazed reverence. Unnamed Individual was not the only person raving about this movie for weeks prior to and following its release. A friend I had in seminary went and saw it with her mother.  That breaks my heart.

What are we thinking?

This and other incidents had been weighing heavily on my mind as the Fourth approached.  It did nothing to comfort my heart when on the Fourth of July, I happened upon this during my daily scripture reading:

Mosiah 7:29-31

"For behold, the Lord hath said: I will not succor my people in the day of their transgression; but I will hedge up their ways that they prosper not; and their doings shall be as a stumbling block before them. And again, he saith: If my people shall sow filthiness they shall reap the chaff thereof in the whirlwind; and the effect thereof is poison. . .which bringeth immediate destruction."

How's that for a pick-me-up?  In surrounding verses it says, "The promise of the Lord is fulfilled. . . Who wondereth that they are in bondage, and that they are smitten with sore afflictions?" My mind was cumbered with heavy thoughts on the Fourth of July, wondering if America--this country that I love and revere and cherish--would need to fall before or at the coming of the Savior. Wondering about the Constitution potentially hanging by a thread.  What do you think?... Are the American people ripening for destruction?

I promise, I don't want to be a dooms-dayist or a doomsayer.  I don't want to have a fatalistic, all is lost, "eat drink and be merry for tomorrow we burn" attitude.  That won't help anything.

But what is to be done?

Like any smart girl, I went to my eternally smarter mother who has done 36 years more reading, more studying, and more living than I have to see if she had any words of wisdom.  As always, she did.  She led me to a talk/booklet by President Ezra Taft Benson entitled The Constitution--A Heavenly Banner.  If you've made it this far in the post, I would strongly recommend you read it. It can be bought at the BYU Bookstore, Deseret Book, or on Amazon.com for just a few dollars.  Or you can read a much less pretty version here.  Either way, it'll take less than an hour to read but it will leave you filled with fresh insights on freedom, agency, and our country.  Even more, I hope you'll have a greater understanding, as I did, of what you can do to fulfill the duty you owe to your country.

The closing lines of President Benson's address left me feeling the peace, hope, and determination to press onward that I had been searching for:

"I testify that the God of heaven sent some of his choicest spirits to lay the foundation of this government, and he has sent other choice spirits—even you who hear my words this day—to preserve it.  We, the blessed beneficiaries, face difficult days in this beloved land, "a land which is choice above all other lands" (Ether 2:10).  It may also cost us blood before we are through.  It is my conviction, however, that when the Lord comes, the Stars and Stripes will be floating on the breeze over this people.  May it be so, and may God give us the faith and the courage exhibited by those patriots who pledged their lives and fortunes that we might be free."

May it be so.

Oh, thus be it ever, when free men shall stand

Between their loved homes and the war's desolation.

Blessed with victory and peace, may the heaven-rescued land

Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation!

Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,

And this be our motto:  "In God is our trust."

And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave

O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

*MPAA Rating
**KidsinMind.com

Happy Things

Sorry the grouchy post stayed at the forefront for so long--I've been busy with happy things and blogging hasn't been at the top of my list. What happy things you ask?

Well...

• Our first Father's Day (which happened to be the day after the grouch post, and yes, I scowled five zillion percent less... Success!) proved to be a really happy one. I already knew that Blake would be an excellent Dad someday, but somehow the official holiday seemed to underline, bold, and highlight that in my mind. :) (Must have been my primary kids singing Daddy's Homecoming in Sacrament Meeting...) I love all the men in my life--I have two amazing Dads, and a wonderful hubster. Blake's wonderful to life, wonderful to me, and he's the best decision I've ever made.
• On Monday, some of the Briggs Bunch went camping up in the mountains. What a lovely time! Dutch oven goodness, Navajo Tacos, motorbike rides, shotgun shooting, bushwhack-hiking (so like our family)... Life is good! Oh, and listening to "coyotes" (I still think they were wolves...) at night proved to be a most rewarding experience.
• Yesterday, I went to the dentist! Hooray! That probably sounds sarcastic, but I really have always loved going to the dentist. Especially now that I've been through the oh-so-glorious orthodontia adventure... Getting my permanent retainer scaled is always a semiannual highlight of my year. Best feeling ever! Oh, and to complete my report, I'm a No Cavities Kid. Woot!
• Also, yesterday Blake and I got our HSA set up. Scott Marsh would be proud. :)
• This morning, picked raspberries with Mom and have been doing odd, semi-booshy* jobs, like shop-vac-ing every square inch of the camp trailer. (It was my turn, Beth. I think you did it last time.) It's a great feeling to be busy, though!

There's just one downer. And it's a big one.  I'm sorely missing Madame Belladonna** who is on an internship in California having loads of adventures that just aren't as fun because we're not adventuring together. (How's that for presumptuous?) In all seriousness, it does stink to not have her around, but we're all glad she's taking advantage of this opportunity. Grab this experience by the horns and ride it like this, Stupe!:

"Yaah hoo! Howdy, howdy, howdy!"

The last time I watched this movie in its entirety, I was recovering from a tonsillectomy. Watching this clip is making me want to find another medical excuse to watch it. :)

Anyhow, have a lovely day, folks! (Especially you, Beth.) I think I might go make a Ramen Noodle Salad.

*For definition, see Beth, or make up your own. Don't bother googling it.
**Beth.
***And because I'm missing her like crazy, another triple-star tribute to Beth. Te amo, hermana!

4 months, 2 days -- The Countdown Begins

~Athens, 2008~

Almost wet my pants, cried, and/or screamed:

Jonathan Horton:

My 2008 Olympic athlete-crush

"This man deserves a biscuit..."

~London, 2012 -- July 27~

....AHHHHHHHH!

SO EXCITED!!!

Goal:

Get an antenna for Gma and Gpa's house before July 27