behind the scenes info

So since it's our three month anniversary, I have been inspired to share a little bit more about how we became...."we"

So I already told all about our first date, but I feel inspired to share a little more background information.

I can't tell you exactly when the story started, but my earliest memories of Kolton are when we would drive past the Hansen's house and my mom would tell me and my sister to wave out the window at the Hansen boys. We always squirmed down low in our seats out of embarrassment. 

That, and whenever Hansen vehicle would pass our house my mom would say "Hey girls! Look! A Hansen boy just drove by!"

When I was in about seventh grade, I saw him at church or at high school events and thought to myself how cute he was.
Somehow I was always aware of who he was dating. Not in a weird kind of way, just general information about the neighbor boy. I actually remember commenting on one of his current girlfriends and saying, "They are such a cute couple...of course not as cute as WE would be together." Isn't that hilarious! 

I remember listening to him when he gave his mission farewell. 

We went to his grandparents house that day to eat lunch. 

When we went to leave, I'm pretty sure I shook his hand and said 'good luck' or something along those lines. That was probably the first time I spoke to him.

I remember listening to him when he came home from his mission. I was singing with the Young Women so I was sitting on the stand behind him. But I can still remember a story he told in his talk and how silent/spirit-filled that sacrament meeting was. 

Our first almost-real incident was at a wedding reception the summer I graduated. He was there with his dad and I was there with my parents. We were standing around talking (well, not me and Kolton, we were just listening and avoiding any eye contact) When his dad says "Hey! Kolton! You oughta take Jayci out sometime!" 

Pretty sure I was a deep, dark, shade of red.

But alas, right then Kolton's phone decided to ring (saved by the bell!) and he got outta there real quick. Needless to say, that date didn't happen, or rather, it just was postponed for about six months .

Honestly though, I'm kind of glad that date didn't work out. I'm pretty sure that if that date had happened, "we" wouldn't have happened.
So I guess both of us were "saved by the bell."

sometimes we argue...

about...

1. Who gets to do the dishes.

This usually results in Kolton boxing me out so I can't reach the sink.

2. Which brand of toothpaste is better.

 I say Colgate because it has a flip lid.

He's a Crest man.

3. Along with that, the quintessential squeeze-from-the-bottom argument.

Kolton is a little crazy about this. He insists that our toothpaste be squeezed paper thin before we even think about throwing it away.

Toothpaste is not something that I lose sleep over at night.

4. Whether or not I'm a good driver.

My opinion on this matter varies from day to day. When he comments on my awful driving skills I look at him in astonishment and indignation. However, when we are going somewhere and he hints that I should drive, I insist that it's too dangerous for me to do so.

5. Who should eat the leftovers. 

I have a deep and abiding aversion to leftovers. Kolton says that I just haven't ever gone hungry. (which is true) I just can't stand the smell of the food the next day or the condensation on the lid.  

The last time we had this conversation we made a deal that we each had to eat half of the leftover Hamburger Helper (which wasn't actually that appetizing when it was fresh) and then could make whatever else we wanted. Sure enough, when I made it home for lunch the contents of the container were split right down the middle.

6. Whether or not pepperoni pizza is delicious or disgusting.

Kolton has an aversion to pepperoni pizza. He says it's too greasy or something like that. I myself, have never had a problem with it.

and... 

7.Why in the heck I would buy shoes I can't walk in.

I don't actually know the answer to that one.

As you can see...

Life is pretty good.

it's meant to be baby.

So get this.

 I got out of my last class a titch early (like half an hour to be exact) but I hung around for a minute and chatted with my friend about an assignment.

Then, I was leaving the library (where my class is located) and debated about going down the stairs and out the doors.

One look at the blustery wind outside changed my mind.

So instead I decided to walk across the skybridge, through the Manwaring, and then brave the nasty weather (seriously, what is with this awful wind lately!?)

As I'm walking across the skybridge (which is pretty neat, just so you know) I was fiddling with my umbrella when I look up see none other than this handsome man

Yeah, the guy I'm married to.

And then this happened.

Okay.

Not really.

But wouldn't that have been neat?

What actually happened is he got quite a kick out of my shocked expression and then we talked for a minute before he had to run to class.

When we got home that night I started talking about how funny it was that I ran into him (first time that's ever happened) and how random it was that he had finished eating lunch at exactly the same time I decided to leave my class.

And that if either of us had decided to stay a minute longer or stop by the drinking fountain, we wouldn't have seen each other.

My only response to the incident was...

"It's meant to be, baby."

the week before the day before yesterday

A really, really awesome thing happened.

This cute lil couple

got sealed for forever and ever and ever and ever.

and I got to be there.

What a sweet experience it was to be in the temple with them as they knelt across the altar and were sealed for time and all eternity.

I am so happy for them and just love them both a whole lot.

It was so wonderful to see them and be a part of their special day.

the day before yesterday

See this pretty girl?

She's my sister.

and I love her.

A lot.

I just have to brag about her a little bit.

Ty is about the most determined person I have ever met. When she decides she's going to do something, she does it.

And she always does her very best.

nothing less.

Even though I tease her a little bit (okay, so a lot) about her insane running habits, I have to admit, I admire her for it.

Rain or shine, snow or below zero degree weather, she laces up her running shoes and off she goes.

She's got some serious mileage on those babies.

Along with her determination, is her desire for perfection.

This wasn't always fun back in the day when we played Barbies. she would spend more time dressing the Barbies, doing their hair, or setting up than actually playing. 

But now this need for perfection shines through in her schoolwork. She gets A's in all her classes, and more importantly, A's on her pre-cal tests.

(Something I didn't even know what possible)

She's got a strong will. Ain't nobody gonna tell her what to do. She's not exactly the subservient little sister I always hoped for. But that's okay...I guess.

She's also tough. incredibly tough. She's dealt with things no 17 year old girl should have to. but she's made it. And she's still going strong.

Because that's just the kind of person she is.

This weekend I got to see her shine on stage as she participated in Jr. Miss. She did so well! All her hard work, her fun personality, her good qualities, and accomplishments shone through and she was just lovely.

Good job little Ty/Tylee Toad!

Love you lots!!

yesterday: part 2 of 2

Just so you know, the rest of the day went about a billion times better. I mean, really-could it have gotten any worse?

We invited a big group of friends over to play games and it was so much fun!

Two of the couples were Kolton's old roommates and their wives.

Zach and Sara, Mckay and Ashley

and the other two couples were our friends from Terreton

Andra and Marshall, Steve and Joanna

Yes, that is a total of 10 people in our small living room, but everyone seemed to fit okay...I think.

We played Scum (one of our favorite games) and Catch Phrase (one of my favorite games)

I dominated in Scum like I never have before, and the girls dominated in Catch Phrase as per usual.

When everyone left, and the door closed behind them I was a little bit sad. I was sad to see everyone leave and the evening end. (isn't that kind of silly?)

I just wanted to call out the door for everyone to come back.

But I didn't of course. It was getting late and our neighbors were probably bothered by our rowdy-ness. (Catch Phrase always gets a little intense)

I just felt like everyone had gotten along so well and that it was SO much fun. (did I already say that?)

We're probably gonna have to do that again soon.

yesterday: part 1 of 2

Yesterday was a good day. So good that it deserves a two part post. Just so you know.

So the very first Sunday we attended our married ward, we waltzed into Sunday School and the first thing I noticed was that a couple was team teaching the lesson.

From that moment on I just knew that Kolton and I were going to have that job.

Call it revelation or what you will- but sure enough, we spent last week preparing our own Sunday School lesson.

And I was nervous as all get-out.

But we talked about it and prepared and shared together so I felt like it was going to be okay.So we show up to church and when Sunday School rolls around we're busy getting the room ready and everyone is filing in.

So we start the lesson, Kolton was in charge of giving the first part, but I introduced us.

"Hey, we're the Hansen's. we've been married since December. We're from Monteview. And we live in apartment #1702."

Not quite sure where that last bit came from, but it was the only thing I could think of! Kolton snickered a little bit beside me, so I wrapped up the rest of the intro real quick.

So Kolton starts the lesson, and I sit reverently and quietly behind him.

Pretty soon I realize that the room is getting a titch warm. So my palms start getting sweaty-or should I say sweaty-er than they already were-and before long the front of my skirt is about soaked from my palms attempting to dry themselves.

Then it's my turn.

I get up there and pretty soon my knees and toes are fidgety and my hands are shaky, but I tried to keep my voice intact, and avoided picking up the manual for fear that it would be fluttering uncontrollably.

And it gets worse.

By then, the room is nearing sauna-like temperatures, and the faucets turn on.

I'm referring, of course, to the faucets located underneath my arms.

I'm so nervous that I don't dare ask someone to crack a window, so I continue talking as if nothing out of the ordinary is occuring in my body.

While, in fact, very un-ordinary things are occuring in my body. I was just telling Kolton the other day how i never sweat. I had to gobble up those words.

so I glue my arms to the sides and thank the heavens and all my guardian angels that I wore a dark, patterned blouse to church that day. (a blouse that is soon going to be shipped to the dry cleaners). I'm also semi-grateful that I chose to wear nylons, because even though they are horribly uncomfortable and sticky, at least I don't have sweat running down my legs (which is a very uncomfortable feeling, as anyone else that has ever experienced that will tell you)

But amid all these troubles, I somehow was able to muddle through the rest of the lesson. After it was over, I collapsed in my chair to give my shaky legs a break.

Then I scurried to the ladies room to assess the damage.

It wasn't noticeably too terribly bad. But I was pretty excited to get home. Especially to remove the hot, sticky nylons.

Ive got two weeks to recover before I have to do that again.
Oh dear.