Seconds to Live

Counting down the minutes until our lives end (aka, Roy starts law school)!

Our calendars are sloshed full of everything—the poor little squares are all blank and blue ink. But we've got to live it up!  These last few weeks are a precious time in our lives.  Neither of us in school.  Both of us enjoying flexible jobs.  No real commitments to anyone or anything but each other.  We have to take advantage.

And so far so good!

Florida

Mexico

And coming up?  The Arts Festival here in town, a trip to Rexburg {one of our favorite places in the whole world!}, a day at Lagoon, and finally our annual Lake Powell trip. 

When are we going to pack up our furniture and entire apartment?

Oh, we don't bother with little trivial matters like that when we have only seconds to live.

I've been writing this post in small segments between events.  We're due to leave for a BBQ as I write.  I distracted Roy with Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire to steal a few minutes before we need to cut up the watermelon and go.  {I bought seedless, oops!  I never knew that was such a horrible thing to do!}

Now... 

Let me begin my story on the Florida 528.  It's a toll road, so beware when you're there.  We didn't like toll roads.  

The plan was to stay at the Bangerter's home.  Julie Bangerter is my mom's best friend who moved away to Orlando {so my mom had assured me} over a year ago.  When we landed and got in touch with Julie we asked for her address so we could punch it into our trusty GPS.  

St. Petersburg.  Hmmm... we thought maybe it was a suburb of Orlando.

But no, no it's not.  We ended up taking that road to I-4 and almost two hours away just to the west of Tampa!!!  That was a lovely surprise!  Mom clearly needs to spend some time with Julie so she can see where she lives, haha!

But once we figured out where we were going, everything fell into place.  Sure, we were much further away from Disney World than we had originally anticipated, 

but we got to see a lot more of Florida!  

We never would have passed the craziest airstream trailer park in the world:

Or hung out at a Floridian beach:

Or crossed the long bridge to the beautiful peninsula where they live:

 

Or found this incredible hotel-turned-museum from the 20s:

 

 Actually, a lot of things around St. Petersburg are still standing from the 20s.  Including the Bangerter's house, which is adorable!  I wish I had taken pictures of it.  Of course Julie decorates it so perfectly.  All of St. Petersburg had a very Great Gatsby feel about it.  Roy and I spent an evening exploring around Tampa and St. Petersburg.

Seeing the Bangerters was so great.  We had fun playing cards with them our first night there.  Monopoly Deal, of course.  Roy's favorite.   

The next morning we packed sandwiches that the Bangerters provided {so nice!}, then left for our long drive to Disney World.

That's where we met up with our fairy godmother, Rachel.

This girl is the one who was making all our Disney dreams come true!  She's a childhood friend of mine who has been working at the Disney parks for about three years.  She knows all the secrets, all the best places to eat, and was getting us in for free!  

Just to give you an idea of how great that is, a park hopper pass at the Disney Parks goes for about $130 per person, per day.  

I can't even begin to tell you how amazing Rachel is.  She met us at a park every morning to get our tickets for us, and then she'd hang out with us for a few hours, sometimes getting us right to the front of the lines.  We loved hanging out with her and her boyfriend Nick.  Both of them=amazing people!  Here I am punching Rachel in the face on Thunder Mountain.

Just really good at showing my gratitude ;-)

Seriously, though.  Between Rachel and the Bangerters, we couldn't be luckier.  We were so well taken care of!  Because of them, we were able to have a dream vacation.  We visited the four main parks and Downtown Disney in four days.

I thought we might as well top off the perfect trip with a set of matching Disney t-shirts.  Gotta be as touristy as possible!

Can't you just see the humidity?  It was hot!

 Pirates!

Story.  My BFF Lynn and I have ridden Thunder Mountain numerous times together.  Enough times to notice that in the middle of the ride you fly past an animatronic goat chewing on a piece of dynamite atop a red cliff.  It soon became a tradition to try to catch a picture of the goat as we shot past it in our roller coaster train.  Even when we take trips without each other, we catch a picture of Bailey to send to the other.

So the rides in Florida are all slightly different from the ones in California.  Bailey is a much more macho goat in Florida.  He gave up dynamite and switched to steroids.  This one's for you Lynn:

Humvee glasses!

One of our favs!  This and the Tower of Terror!

Epcot!  Where Disney preached around saving our environment incessantly.  The message is a good one, though, and it must have had an impact on Roy.  When we were leaving the park we noticed that a lane of traffic had stopped for a slow-moving turtle.  He still had about seven lanes to cross, and was most likely not going to make it.  Luckily Roy was feeling spontaneous and was high on Disney's save-the planet-message.

So he jumped out of the car, picked up the turtle, and ran him across the seven lanes to grassy safety.  All the while an angry Disney bus driver honked his horn and worked to rip his window open to yell at us.  But HE was cooped up driving a bus all day, so he clearly didn't understand.  I bet the other people in the bus, who were leaving the park and were probably also save-the-planet intoxicated, were cheering for Roy's turtle rescue.  My hero made it back into the car just before a bunch of cars rounded the corner toward us, and we took off.  I'm sure I heard applause from the bus as we sped away. 

Everest in the Animal Kingdom was probably my favorite ride of the trip!

 Hollywood studios!  Such a fun park! 

 We saw tons of awesome shows.  The best were The Lion King, Finding Nemo, and Fantasmic!

 Loved our tour around the world in just one day!
Starting with my favorite: the UK!

Getting lost somewhere between Canada and France?

Morocco!

China!

 Mexico!

Oh wait, we went to Mexico for real! Two trips in one!  The annual Reay family reunion was happening at Puerto Peñasco, and we weren't about to miss it.  Especially because my bro, Mason, is home from his mission for the LDS church!  We hadn't seen him yet, and were more than excited.

So we flew from Orlando to Phoenix, met up with my cousins and sister who flew in from Rexburg, and then made our way down to Rocky Point.  Needless to say, it was a long day of traveling for Roy and I.

But it was worth it!  The family was all together again for the first time in years! 

 This includes the extended family.  We only had one cousin and his wife missing.  This is an accomplishment.

So we spent two days in Mexico, hanging out at the beach, swimming in the pool, building sand castles, haggling with the Mexican vendors, and playing games at night after huge dinners on the patio.

By the way, everyone had a good laugh at my hair.  I'm still not used to it.  Compare it to my sister's hair.  Hmmm, yes, I think I'll go back to that color.

It was hard to leave Mexico.  I never get tired of Rocky Point.  But, we'd been spoiled enough for one trip, don't you think?

Big Hair Scare

Hair has been the source of a lot of entertainment lately. 

Roy wants to grow his long for the Philmont hike he'll be doing later this summer.  But his hair is ridiculously stubborn.  When it grows, it just grows out.  Like in the picture above.  I kid you not, that's how his hair wants to grow naturally.  If he grew it long it would just be an untameable afro.

So Shellena and I busted out the hairspray and gel and went to work trying to find a style I like.  Roy liking it was a plus, but not mandatory.

He's a good sport, isn't he?  Any votes on your favorite?

Shellena and I also recently experimented with our own hair.  I've never done that before.  I've never colored my own hair, and I've never done anything extreme.  Shellena was really excited to indoctrinate me.  

We bought the exact same box of hair dye to see how it would turn out.

 UMMMM, they didn't turn out the same.  In fact, it didn't even look anything like the box.

I probably need more practice with dying hair because...

So I ended up dying Shellena's hair again {after watching her do mine I figured out how it was really supposed to be done} and it turned out much better the second time.

Before...

AFTER...

Before...

AFTER...

Carson wanted to get in on the modeling action too soooo, here he is with his new haircut!  Roy used to cut his hair when they lived in Brazil.  He just taught Shellena how to do it just right. 

I haven't gotten used to my hair yet.  It's very bright!  Maybe I don't love it, but I wouldn't take it back.  We had way too much fun.

 

{Don't mind us, just playing Minute to Win It!}

What We Do in May

Work.

Sleep.

Eat like royalty.

So far this summer our days have fallen into a definite routine.  And my favorite new pattern: the new dinner deal we've made with the Tietjens.  :-)

Three days a week I cook, three days a week Shellena cooks, and every day the boys do the dishes.  I swear we are saving money and lots of time.  Plus it's giving me more reason to go all out and experiment with cooking.  Roy and I are getting the better part of this deal, since Shellena is a master chef.  Look what she cooked up to celebrate my graduation!

That's homemade cheesecake.  Roy might have been a tad bit excited for the excuse to indulge.

Wow- it's a good thing this is only going on for another month because I'm pretty sure we would all get FAT!

But what we will miss after next month is the excuse to hang out every night.  We never just eat and go home—we're always doing something until at least ten o'clock.

Roy is really good at getting Story to smile.  I'm kind of jealous.

Look at this chicken pot pie that Shellena made.  She marked a part for me and a part for Roy.  Mine without chicken.  I thought it was clever.

Just for kicks, I'm posting some pictures from the tulip festival at Thanksgiving Point.  Story was attracting more attention than the flowers, she's so stinkin' cute!  

Fun May days.

Rapture Day

Matthew 24:35-36
"Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away. But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only."


Just saying.

But let's step back for a second and say that perhaps Mr. Harold Camping, the Oakland minister and radio broadcaster, is onto something.  What if tomorrow is the start of the end of the world?  And all of the good Christians are brought up to Heaven while the rest of mankind is blown to smithereens over the next few months?

Well...  I guess I won't be making the Heavenly trip tomorrow.  Why?

I stole shoes today.  And last I checked, stealing is a sin.

We were in Target when the thong of my shoe snapped.  They were decayed high school flip flops, so I guess it wasn't the hugest of surprises.  I tried to shuffle along the slick tiled isles, but it just wasn't working out.  The shoe wouldn't stay on.

Roy, being the helpful husband he is, grabbed me a cheap pair of flip flops that were on sale.  Only $8.  They'd have to do.

So we tore off the elastic and the tags, which I slipped into my pocket for safekeeping, and I put on the shoes.  I'd pay for them on the way out.  Right?

By the time we finished our shopping and were at the register, I'd completely forgotten about the new flip flops.  Completely forgot!!!  We walked out of the store and drove through freeway traffic for about twenty minutes before I gasped, "THE SHOES!"

We looked at the time.  11:03.  Target had just closed it's doors for the night.  By the time those doors open again it will be May 21st—"Rapture Day."

What a crappy day to accidentally break a commandment.

 {via}

P.S. Tomorrow morning we plan to go on a hike.  Hopefully we get back with plenty of time to return the shoes ;-)

Roy and Babies

Does this post require words?

Mothers and Thieves

This post has two parts.
One about mothers.
One about thieves. 

They don't overlap.  I'm not implying that my mothers have stolen anything from me.  In fact, they've given me everything.

I have generations of mothers to thank for my life.  Most of whom aren't around to thank, actually.  Great-grandmas, great great grandmas, etc.  But here are some women who have easily been the strongest influences in my life.

Grandma, Mom, and yeah - even my little sister.  She's not a mom, but she's done her share of mothering me throughout our lives.  They've taught me so much!  I'd be a completely different person if it weren't for them.

{Praise them or blame them}

Mom, I love you.  Thanks for everything.  A list of everything you've done for me would just be ridiculous.  It would never end.  So here it is, short and sweet.

You're the greatest mom.  God knew just what He was doing when He sent me to you. 

This year I had a mom-in-law to wish a happy mother's day to!  This lady is so selfless and hard working.  And she managed to raise a a little boy who grew up to be the greatest man in the world.  She's got mama skills.  Thanks Laura!  Love you!

Happy Mother's Day!

______________________________________

Dear Bike Thieves,

Alright... stealing one bike might be somewhat understandable.  Maybe you desperately needed one.  But two bikes?  Really, if you've got an equally desperate family or friends you should just share that one stolen bike.  Why so greedy?

What really throws me is the stolen potted flowers.  It makes me feel like you're just messing with us, because I'm pretty sure no one is that desperate.  Half-wilted flowers in a tin pail?  Really?  

Next you'll probably take our porch light bulb.  I'm sorry that's the only thing we have left out there to offer. 

Love,
The Already Considerably Penniless Student Family in the 4-Plex by the Train Tracks

When Are We No Longer Newlyweds?

With our one year anniversary just two months away, this question has floated into conversation.  When do people stop thinking of you as newlyweds?  Is it one year the mark?

Whenever it is, I guess it doesn't really matter.  I still feel like a newlywed.

I still forget to respond to Mrs. Buckmaster.  Every night brushing our teeth together still has the feel of a slumber party. 
 
But this one is pretty good... I still only have one picture of my own from the Tucson reception. 

  Still waiting on pictures from my wedding?  That's quite newly weddish.  (Or just pathetic)

Breakup

The Sweet Seven...

 are breaking up.

I know, it's immensely depressing.  

But life calls us all in different directions this summer.  Kenny and Andrea are moving to Philly to sell alarm systems.  We know that they'll do great!  But... we're going to miss them.

The pair are moving out today.  By the time they return Roy and I will be gone, pursuing a law degree in Az.  And who knows where the Tietjens will be by then.  We're already planning our trip back up to Utah next summer {2012?!} so we can all visit.  Or maybe we'll meet up at Disneyland or Seattle or somewhere fun.  :-) 

Last week we had a BBQ and played uno for our "last get together".  

Yet last night we were all sitting on Carson and Shellena's bed, playing with Story and hanging out.  Maybe trying to lift the sadness of separation, we got out a piece of paper and made predictions of where we will be in 2020.  Nine years from now. 

Kids?  Careers?  and of course where?  Wouldn't it be nice if we all settled down on the same street someday?  Shared a fence?  Carpooled?  But none of us predicted that.  I guess it's not likely, but I'll keep hoping anyway :-)