Happy Birthday, Tyler!!

Today is Tyler's birthday. He's turning twenty-three. Talk about ancient of days...

But for reals, now people...

I'm so grateful for Tyler! He makes my life a bajillion times better. What would I do without him? I just do not know.

Permit me to list a few reasons why he makes me so happy:

• He is a worthy priesthood holder, and understands his role as someone who bears the priesthoood of God. He has great respect for this blessing, and he never hesitates to use the priesthood he holds to bless the lives of others.
  
• Tyler has a strong testimony, and has a strong desire to share that testimony.
  
• He is a dedicated, hard worker. He always tries to do his best.
  
• Tyler loves to laugh. I always have a good time with Tyler. He looks at life in such a way to see not only the good things, but the funny things.
  
• Tyler supports and encourages me in everything I do (or try to do).
  
• He is responsible and dependable.

• Tyler treats me so well. I wouldn't be surprised if he actively thinks, "How can I make Karen's day better? How can I surprise her? How can I make her happier?" This is one thing that I initially noticed about Tyler. He treats people well in general. But he tries even harder so that I'll feel like a queen.
• Tyler is smart, practical, thoughtful, etc. He and I are on the same level. We can talk about anything and everything. What's important to me is important to him. Though we think differently, we can still communicate.
  
• I look up to Tyler. I go to him with questions, doubts, worries, news, funny stories, etc. I know that he'll listen to me in whatever I have to say.
  

And let's face it, guys. He's handsome. He has a fantastic smile. (Especially because he has such good looking teeth!) His eyes sparkle.He's easily (Heasley) the best. ;)

I love you, Tyler!! Happy birthday!!!

I know you guys want the story...

but I'm not going to give it to you yet!!

Bahahaha. Suspense is my favorite.

My finals are almost done.

And I'm almost home!! Just a couple more days!!

BUT I thought you guys would enjoy this. My roommates stole my camera... and this is some of what happened....

:)

This is Tyler and me at my ward Christmas party. We are the cutest!
(Also, our kids are going to have the BEST teeth. Tyler's are beautiful, and I never needed braces!)

The truth is, I just wanted to upload this picture for everyone to see. Aren't we the best looking couple?

I vote yes.

I'm so excited to be going home in less than a week!

And I'm really looking forward to showing Tyler around my home town!

And for all of us to play together!

And for Aunt Mar to cut my bangs? (Pretty please with sugar on top?!)
Look at how long (and unflattering) they are... The only time that I have gotten my bangs cut, and liked what happened... it was all thanks to Aunt Mar!

Wish me luck with finals this week!

Love to all!

Why would you lift something if you don't need to?

So, last night, after my banquet finished, I started helping another banquet clean up. The closer, Stacie, asked me to take part of the Chocolate fountain down to the dishroom and clean it.

I didn't really want to, but I didn't have much of a choice. So I take it, I clean it. Then, I have to put it away. This thing was HUGE! and HEAVY!

But, stubbornly, I decided to carry it.

Even though a boy down there offered to help me, some inside devil made me refuse him.

"I got this, totally," I lied. I was holding it, but whether I could keep holding it or carry it somewhere was questionable.

As I waited for the elevator to open so I could carry the chocolate fountain to open from the dishroom to the kitchenette, I started to drop it; my arm was still wet from the dishroom.

I quickly lifted my right leg, and caught it.

Turns out, the stupid thing ripped my pants and cut my leg.

Today in Relief Society, we talked about having an abundant life. One of the girls spoke up and talked about how she knew that the Atonement would provide a way for us to cast our burdens on the Lord.

"Why would you carry something if you didn't have to?" She asked.

I had to laugh at myself. Immediately, I thought of the chocolate fountain and my ripped pants.

Why was I so dang stubborn? Now, for work, I'll be using poorly stitched pants. And these were good pants too! Ruined!

But I realized, she was right. Why would I carry something if Ididn't have to? I could have easily gotten help if I had asked. Help was even offered to me, and I turned it down.

I know the Savior lives, and I have been learning to cast my troubles on Him. I just need to remember that I do have a Friend to help me with anything, anytime.

And I am so grateful for Him.

For Jill

Sorry I didn't save these on your computer while in Clovis!

This is from Tyler's and my layover in Phoenix last Wednesday. Tyler's grandparents came to the airport and took us to lunch!

It was so sweet of them to come meet with us. I know that it took them a TON of effort to get to and through the airport.

But I'm really glad that they did!

Back in Provo

I am back in good ol' Zoobie-land.

But I had so much fun in California with Tyler's family.

They are awesome!

Jill and Dennis clearly went out of their way to make us feel comfortable, while Tyler's brothers (and their families) took extra time out of their week to visit and play with us.

I had the best time!!

I really felt welcome there, and totally at home. It was so fun to see where Tyler was from, and to meet his family.

His family is filled with such genuinely good people!

And they all have a natural sense of fun to them.

I really was sad to leave them and come back to the Provo grind. (True story: I teared up a little after we left Jill and Dennis at the security checkpoint in the airport. I really will miss them!) And to know that I was leaving all that fun for work back in P-town... sad day.

But the good news: I'll be home in 18 days!

Tyler and I had a lay over in Phoenix on our way back to Salt Lake. The flight that left the Phoenix airport from our plane's original gate was on its way to the DFW airport. I wanted so badly to just hop on, and go to Texas.

When we finally got back to Provo last night, it was so weird to say goodnight to Tyler. As in, it was really strange to know that he was going to drive seven minutes across Provo to go to bed, and to know that I wouldn't see him until the next afternoon. It was so nice to be down the hallway from Tyler at his parents' home.

But alas, such things are not to be anymore.

I can't wait to go back to Clovis again!

And I'm so excited to go home so soon!!