Moving Confidently Forward

What a week! After clean checks, relationship drama, major school pressures, and not sleeping well I was more than ready for the weekend.

Friday I took off to Moab with Kara, Kara's sister Kami, Kami's friend Stephanie, and Stephanie's sister Whitney. Kami and Kara were scheduled to run a half marathon and Stephanie was going to run a 5K. Due to extenuating circumstances, mainly health related, none of them ended up running. But it was still a nice escape. We got into the area Friday afternoon. We went to Arches National Park and did a three mile hike up to Delicate Arch, which is the arch you see in calendars, on postcards, and on licsense plates. We also went to the Sand Dune Arch where Kara, Kami and I climbed up on top of it. We took pictures but I don't have those. We only spent a few hours there, but it was fun and I look forward to going back and doing more exploring.

Saturday Kara, Kami, and I rode back with Josh - a guy Kami is dating. We went to a bizarre cemetary where there was no grass and only one tree. It was just dirt. And there were these big mounds where all the coffins were. It was strange. We also took some funny pictures by this plastic cowboy on a bronc statue. There was a wooden railroad car there, too. Josh, Kara, and I had a fake gun fight on the top of it just like in the wild west. But I don't have those pictures either. As we drove away we saw a whole little western town that will have to be explored another time. The weather was pretty warm, upper 50's and it was just nice to get out of Provo for a couple days.

This is just a quick post but one other thing I wanted to say.... This week in my marriage and family class we were talking about revelation, and the Spirit and how we can be guided. My teacher mentioned a story about Jeffrey R. Holland and his son that really touched me. I found the article that had this story in it and I want to post it:

"Returning from an exploring trip on backcountry roads, he and his father came to an unexpected fork and could not remember which road to take. It was late in the day, and they knew darkness would be enveloping them in unfamiliar territory. Seizing a teaching moment, Jeffrey Holland asked his son to pray for direction. Afterward, he asked his son what he felt, and Matt replied that he felt strongly they should go to the left. Replying that he had felt the same way, his father turned the truck to the left. Ten minutes later, they came to a dead end and returned to take the other route.
Matt thought for a time and then asked his father why they would get that kind of answer to a prayer. His father replied that with the sun going down, that was undoubtedly the quickest way for the Lord to give them information—in this case, which one was the wrong road. Now, though the other road might not be familiar and could be difficult in places, they could proceed confidently, knowing it was the right one, even in the dark."

You can take from that what you will. But for me, it just reassured me that sometimes we are guided down certain paths (metaphorically speaking) or pointed in certain directions so that we won't have regrets, that we won't live with the "what ifs" and so we can confidently move forward. Sometimes we are taught things in those situations that will help us to grow now, or we will be able to apply later on in the future.

It was just a thought that really touched me and spoke to recent things in my life.

I don't know where January or February went, but welcome to March!

Be Mine...

I seem so busy, but then when I sit to write about it, there is nothing to write! I guess a lot of it is school stuff, which would be boring to write about. So I'll just say that school is keeping me busy. I have two religion classes, The New Testament and LDS Marriage & Family. I really enjoy my NT class. My teacher is well balanced when it comes to bringing in doctrine as well as history. I am a bit dissapointed in my LDS Marriage & Family class. People I've talked to have really loved and learned a lot. I feel like we are just doing a lot of general overview stuff and not a lot that I can really apply. I am also taking two political science courses. 150 is comparitive politics, which talks about different countries and their governments, etc. I am taking 200, which is prerequiste to take any upper division Poli Sci courses. It is lots of research and writing, but I actually don't mind it, because I am developing more as a writer and am able to read and write about stuff I am interested in.

My final class is Intro to International Development, or IAS 22o. It's not quite what I was hoping. It is the class I definitely am getting the least from and am the least in to. And I think my teacher might be an apostate....jk....but really....


Last weekend I made a trip with Kara to Oregon. Her grandmother had passed away (at 102 years old), so I used that as an excuse to go home. A 36 hour trip lengthened into an almost three day visit. Finally we got back to Provo via Grandma and her car. It was good to be home, even if nobody wanted to see me! I saw Kylee, too, which is always good, even if it is only an hour here and there. The highlight of the trip might have been throwing up next to the Hammett sign on the straitest stretch of freeway in Idaho. Thanks Grandma's driving!


Valentine's Day was nice. Jeremy and I got dressed up and went out to dinner at this Japanese place called 'Osaka' here in Provo. He knows how I love Japanese food and culture. The restaurant was a pleasant little surprise. The food was very authentic (not that I've ever actually eaten Japanese food in Japan...) and not too spendy. I wasn't ashamed to eat a lot. I had my own plate of gyosa, my own California Sushi roll, and my own steak and chicken teryaki. Jeremy and I both decided we would have to go there more frequently. They have curry that I want to try, too. Oh, and the waitresses even run around in little kimonos. Then we went back to Jeremy's apartment where we made a surprise desert, which were supposed to be chocolate truffles, but they didn't turn out. Jeremy also taught me the basics of waltzing in his kitchen while the truffles refridgerated. I had made him an apple pie (his favorite) and had printed "Mr. Taylor" on a black apron for him. I've been teasing him since November that I was going to buy him an apron because he is always trying to cook food for me. In fact, that was our first "date." He was super excited about the apron, I've never seen a guy so excited over an apron! Besides dinner and dancing, Jeremy gave me a bouquet of pink roses. It was a really great Valentines, the first time I've really had a Valentine to share it with.

Friday, in the mail, my aunt Steph sent a card and a super cute notepad! It was a nice little post-valentine's day valentine. Plus, she doesn't know this, but I've been looking for a mini notepad to put in my scripture case for at least a month now. But everything has seemed so ordinary, or just not right, so when I got it, I thought, "Oh my gosh, this is perfect." So thanks Steph! My mom also sent a couple Valentine's packages last week. One included Valentines, which I wrote out and gave to Jeremy's roommates, my roommates, Kara and her roomies.... they were cute and fun! There was also candy, and well.... a certain magazine that is one of my guilty pleasures.... So thanks Ma!

Love you all!

Meeting the Family

A week from this past Sunday I went with Jeremy to the blessing of his newest niece Christiana Belle. I met his oldest sister Amberly, her husband Rafael, and their 5-month old son Nico; his middle sister Bethany, her husband Chad, and their 7-month old daughter Sophia; his youngest sister Darcy, her husband Dan, and of their new baby Christiana. I also met his dad, Robert, who had flown in from Virginia, and his older brother Jared. I was quite nervous, I knew that his family was full of intelligent, successful people, especially his sisters, and we all know how protective sisters can be of their little brothers. Everyone was very welcoming. Jeremy hadn't known that his dad had flown in for the weekend, so it was a pleasant surprise for both of us!

After church we enjoyed a delicious lunch at Darcy and Dan's home. I was able to visit with his family, grew attached to his nephew Nico, and listened to the family geneology from his dad.

For dinner, we drove back to his sister Bethany's. Jeremy's dad was staying there too, so we had another fabulous meal, and a great visit. Bethany's daughter Sophia is sooooo adorable. She is this smiley, chunky little thing, and reminded me a bit of my baby pictures. We topped the night off with a family favorite, Burnt Almond Fudge ice cream, that I guess Jeremy's grandpa always loved. Jeremy's dad is such a sweet man, he gave me a hug goodbye when we left. I took it as a good sign.

Friday night we drove up to Park City to have dinner with Amberly and Rafa. Many of Rafa's family were there. Rafa and his family are from Argentina, Amberly served a mission there, and Jeremy has served a mission in Spain. I felt so out of the loop with no spanish skills, but luckily everyone interpreted for me when needed. Rafa's family is very sweet. The food was great, and it was a good time.

Saturday we met up with Amberly and Rafa again, one last time before they were headed back to Viriginia. Jeremy's brother Jared was also at the restaurant with his family. I met his wife, who is getting her Ph.D and frequently flying to the UK, their two daughters Quincy,6, Sydney,4, and their son Anson, 2. They were adorable kids, rosy cheeks, blonde hair, and so sweet, even when Anson threw his dad's sandwhich on the floor....he was so casual about it.

I am so happy to have met most of Jeremy' s family and even happier at how welcoming and nice they have been to me. I only wish Amberly and Rafa lived closer! They are a fun couple.

This is Amberly, Rafael, Nico, Jeremy, and I at the Main Street Pizza & Noodle in Park City. Meeting the family actually went quite well, but meeting all these great people did make me miss home -- my family and friends--a ton. Love you guys!

My Mom

My Mother e-mailed me a picture she said I could show people. So I am going to do just that. Love yer guts Mom! I miss you!

Another Full Week

It was another full week in the life of one Miss Alexa Lee. All this business has been quite unusual, but I like it.

Monday a group of us went to a Utah Flash basketball team. It was okay. I was kind of cranky and stressed, and things weren't going how I wanted them too. But Jeremy brought me the most INCREDIBLE roses, so that helped brighten the evening.

After a week of papers, reading, and homework I was excited to get a call Thursday from my friend Melanie. We met my freshman year of college and shared an apartment my sophomore year. She and our other friend Chelsea were wanting to go up to Rexburg Saturday to go through the newly completed Rexburg Temple before it was closed to the public and dedicated. She invited me to join them.

So Friday night Jeremy and I went to dinner at the Bombay House, an Indian place, delicious. I love Indian food. Then we went the BYU winter chior fest at this beautiful old tabernacle. We had a really fun night together. Afterward I took off and went up to SLC to stay at Melanie's so we could leave early in the morning. We ended up staying up late talking and didn't get much sleep before the trip.

We left around 7:30am and rolled into Rexburg around 11:30 am. We rolled into the parking lot and the guy directing cars was none other than Christian Bond! He gave me a hug through the window and then sent us on our way. After much delay we finally made our way through the temple. It was gorgeous. The craftsmanship that went into it was amazing, there was no detail overlooked. We had been going to college in Idaho when they started building so it was neat to see the finished product. My favorite parts were the Celestial room, where you are able to contemplate life after this, reuniting with our Heavenly Father, families, and friends. I also enjoyed the sealing room. There are actually five sealing rooms, and these are the rooms where the LDS marriage ceremony is performed. I just imagined me, one day kneeling at the alter, hands joined with my husband, our families around us, reflecting on the eternal promises we would make with one another and God. I actually got a bit emotional in that room. It was a great experience.

Afterward we met up with an old friend, "Jen Dog," Jennifer Doggett, who we knew from school as well. We ate at a Steakhouse, laughed, and caught up. It was an excellent day. After lunch we stopped by Idaho Falls where I ducked into Old Navy to see some old colleagues. Then we drove home, both the trips to and from Rexburg were uneventful, thank goodness. I ended up staying the night in Salt Lake again Saturday night, because, well, I will have to tell you in the next post because I am exhausted! So stay tuned...

A Busy Week

I don't know that anybody reads this, but Mom scolded me for not updating it, and I would rather do this then do the homework that I really should be doing. This past week was jam packed. Monday and Tuesday were full of homework, especially working on my first big paper for my Political Inquiry class. We basically have a paper due each week in that class, so the term will be full of stress, but will probably fly by.

Every Tuesday campus shuts down for an hour and holds a devotional. There is a hymn, prayer, announcements and then a speaker. This week was President Henry B. Eyring. For those who aren't LDS and may be reading this, he is one of our head leaders of the church. I love hearing him speak because he always allows his emotions about the gospel to come to the surface. He is so sincere, and always seems so in tune to the needs of those he is speaking to. This time was no different. He talked about the many trials we face but how we can find deliverance through the Lord. I spilt a few tears and felt so strengthened afterward.

Wednesday I handed in my paper and then celebrated by going to a OneRepublic concert. They sing "Apologize" and actually their whole album is really good. Both my roommates went along with Erin's boyfriend Jake, and Michelle's friend from work Taylor. Plus Kara came and her roommate Randi as a birthday gift. The concert was really great and a nice break.

Friday night a group of us girls went out to eat a Mexican place called Mi Ranchito. It was a celebration dinner for Randi's birthday. I laughed so hard and so much, it was really nice to just be out with a bunch of girls.

Saturday Jeremy and I went up to Sundance. He went boarding and I went skiing. It turned out to be a beautiful day! Perfect weather. The slopes were great, too. I hadn't actually been skiing in years so I was nervous at first, but it came back really quick and I had an amazing time. We took a break and ate the lunch that Jeremy had packed us. It was just a great day to break away and have fun together.

My friend and old roommate Melanie was in town visiting her sister, so we went out to dinner Saturday night and then went back to her sister's where we ate cake and visited some more. By the time 10:30 rolled around I was exhausted and so sore! I forgot how much you use certain muscles when skiing! Here it is Monday and my calves are still recovering.

I didn't get to bed until about 12:30am. I had forgot to set my alarm and so I kept on sleeping until about 10am. My roommates didn't even wake me for church! So I scrambled and just went to church at a buildind down the block and was able to get the sacrament. I did some reading and wrote a bit in my journal, talked to my family. It was a good Sunday afternoon.

Last night I went to ward prayer and then Jeremy and I hung out at his apartment until about 11. It has been a really nice weekend. I just have done zero homework, so that'll kick me in the butt tomorrow. Tonight a group of us are going to a Utah Flash game. They are like the minor league version of the Utah Jazz. Some of the Jazz players play on the team to improve and get experience. It should be fun.

Just when I get caught up on sleep a new week begins.... I can't believe we're in the final stretch of January! Here comes another year!