Hey, Michelle do you want to go on a DATE with me?

So, my friend, Keri, has encouraged us to share some sort of an amusing story about us. Well, I have been thinking about this for quite sometime--every day is some sort of an amusing story. So, it has been extremely difficult to find just one. Tonight, I was at a Purse Party and was listening to a college student share her latest date experience. I am not going to share that story, but it brought me to thinking about my college days. I have to admit--those were the most funnest (is that a word) times of my life. Okay, I do have a lot of fun now, but some of those crazy memories will always make me laugh and giggle until there is no end. Boy, do I miss those crazy days!!!



Anyway, back to the story. I was living at Alta apartments. At the time, I had 5 other roommates--which I might add--WE DID EVERYTHING TOGETHER. We studied, we ate, we shopped, we laughed, we talked, we visited other apartments together--so do you get it? The 6 of us were always together.



So, let me share with you the story--that was completely humiliating at the time of realization--but makes me laugh extremely hard now later in life. If you have been on BYU off-campus housing, the living room is in the front, then the kitchen and then there is a door that leads to 3 bedrooms and two bathrooms. This particular event, I was sitting in the living room talking with a friend. My other 4 roommates were at a meeting at church. So, that leaves me with 1 roommate at home--Liz. Okay, so the phone rings, Liz answers it. About 5 minutes later, she yells that the phone is for me. I answer it--this is how it goes...



"Hello!"

"Hi, Michelle, this is Brad."

"Hi Brad."

"Hey, do you want to go to the fireside tonight?"

"Sure-that would be great."



Liz enters the room and says that she is going to her parents home for dinner.



"How about I come over at 6:15. It will give us enough time to walk to the fireside."

"Great-see you at 6:15."



Brad hangs up. My 4 roommates arrive home and I inform them...



"Hey, Brad called. He is going with us to the fireside."



At 6:15 pm, there is a knock at the door. It is Brad-prompt as always. My roommate, Ang, answers the door. She comes into my room and tells me that Brad is here and she says:



"Michelle, I think it is a date."

"Oh, no, it is not a date. He called and talked with Liz and since, Liz was not going to the fireside, he probably asked who was going."

"No. Michelle, I really think it is a date."

"To a fireside, I don't think so. Just hurry and get ready and lets go."



Nikki walks in....



"Michelle, I really think that Brad thinks that he is going out with you tonight."



By this time, I am laughing..."No, he doesn't. It is not a date."



So, I walk out to the living room and say hi to Brad. Then, I turn to my roommates and tell them "let's go."



We walk to the fireside--5 girls and Brad. I am not really noticing the fact that Brad keeps trying to maneuver his way next to me. I guess, I was so clueless. We get to the fireside, they ask Brad to say the opening prayer and ask me to say the closing prayer. Brad made some kind of comment about how ironic it was that couple on a date would be asked to say the prayers. I looked him and said, "What are you talking about?"



OK, at this point, I still did not clue in. We found a bench. There was not enough room for Brad to sit with us. I wanted to sit with my roommates, so he sat across the isle from us.



No, I still did not clue in.



After, the fireside, he walked me (plus my 4 roommates home) and told me that he had brought some ice cream and sundae toppings for us to eat. I told him--great and then asked, "can I go get my friend, Dave. Dave and I were planning to play games later, but I am sure we can have some ice cream with you, first."



I could not figure out why Brad was so rude to us while we were eating ice cream. My roommates were having bits of hysterical laughing and had to leave the room. NO!! I did not clue in that Brad had asked me out on a date and I had brought along 4 of my roommates and now, Dave.

ONE WEEK LATER...YES!!! I did, FINALLY, clue in. (After I read the most detailed rendition of our DATE that Brad had wrote in a letter to me. Believe me, it was not very nice!) I have never been more mortified to find out that it was a date. Why did he not tell me that in the first place? Have you ever heard--Hey, Michelle, do you want to go on a DATE with me?



A couple of months later, he had forgiven me enough to hear my side of the story. My points to the story was...he hung out with all of us all the time, we served as FHE Mom & Dad together--so he was always over at my apartment planning, we all studied together, we all shopped together, see I thought Brad was just one of us. Who would have thought he would ask one of us on a real date?

(exerpt from Michelle's journal)

Happy Birthday to ME!!!

Yep, it is my birthday and this was my cake---okay, not really, but doesn't it look absolutely Divine. The thing is--I am not a cake-eating type of person. Don't get me wrong, I do eat cake. (I will have to explain my not liking cake in another blog or story).

Ok, so back to my birthday. I arrived at work with my desk being all decorated--oh, so cute!!! My sister-in-law, Melissa, and Kaylie (my niece) decorated my desk!!! Doesn't it look all cute and festive. Melissa has decorated my desk every year and it has been such a great treat!!! Thanks Melissa & Kaylie--you surely have brightened my day!!

Melissa, Vieve, Terry, and Julie took me to lunch at Chili's. It was absolutely devine and delicious!!! I chose Chicken Quesadilla's. Oh, it was yummy and scrumptious!! Thanks you guys--I am spoiled!!

Vieve, knowing that I do not like cake, decided to plan a different type of birthday treat for such a fabulous celebration. CHEESECAKE & STRAWBERRY ICE CREAM!!! Two of the most delicious treats ever. YIPPEE SKIPPEE!!! Thanks Vieve & Melissa for such a delicious treat.

Then, it was off to dinner--Mom, Melanie and I ate at BK's (long story, but completely hilarious). Yep, it was delicious! Thanks MOM!!!

Tonight was even more celebration with my family. Rootbeer floats, sugar cookies and lots and lots of presents!!! THANKS!!! I have a FABULOUS family!!! Thanks for all you do for me!!

"love is a treasure for which we can never pay. the only way we keep it is to give it away!"

I have been "down under" the past two days. No, I have not been in Australia or any other exotic place. Unless you would call my bedroom exotic--which I would not. Anyway, I have been down under my blankets in bed. I tried so hard not to get this yucky virus that has been plaguing everyone around me--but I caught it. I came down with all the yucky cough, head, nose & chest congestion, fever and everything else that pertains to this yucky stuff. Anyway, other than phone calls to my mom, I have slept and slept and slept some more.

Today, I went looking for a dvd in the house--something to watch other than flipping channels while I dozed in and out of sleep. I found one that I really want to recommend. It is called "The Ultimate Gift".

This story is amazing. It just keeps on giving. Anyway, th story is about Jason Stevens. His VERY wealthy grandfater dies and Jason anticipates a big inheritance. Instead his grandfather has devised a plan to help Jason understand twelve important gifts that will lead up to the ultimate gift. He goes on a journey of self-discovery finding what is most important in life.

I, absolutley, loved this movie. In fact, I watched it twice today. It brought a lot of tears, but it was worth all the coughing that were caused by those tears. So, if you want to watch a movie that will impact you and family and will teach them about life lessons and the importance of character, this is the film to see.

"love is a treasure for which

we can never pay.

the only way we keep it

is to give it away."
--THE GIFT OF LOVE

scripture study...

This past week has been a week of many things. Earlier this week, I found out something about a friend that was devastating, tragic and completely awful. When I learned of the situation, I was so angry. Questions kept popping in my head--mostly the question, "WHY?" Then, after the anger subsided, an overwhelming sadness for this friend and for those that were/are involved came upon me. That night, I remember looking at my clock as I crawled into bed. The time was 2:14 am. I knew that sleep was not anywhere near. As I curled up with my blankets and pillows, I just kept thinking of this tragic incident that was completely stupid.

Then, the most amazing feeling came over me. It was so peaceful and so calm. The thought that entered my mind was "Michelle, this is the reason that it is so important to read the scriptures each day to combat the fiery darts of the adversary." It was the most amazing experience. Lately, I have had a struggle with having daily scripture study. When I was serving as Young Women's president in my ward, my scripture study was amazing. I really long for that excitement of partaking of the scriptures. But, since then, I have really struggled with the daily effort of studying. Tonight, I was just amazed. We have such a wonderful shield--a shield that helps protect us from the wickedness that may come to us. I can not believe how I struggle with an easy concept of partaking the scriptures--but I do.

Tonight, after that experience, I know that is EXTREMELY important to read from the scriptures daily. So, that is my goal--to try a little harder and do a little better.

please keep our family in your prayers

This morning, I woke up feeling completely awful. Along with waking up completely exhausted, I, also, awoke with my "Minnie Mouse" voice. If you have not had the pleasure of experiencing my Minnie Mouse voice, you are lucky. It is extremely high and can give you a horrific headache. So, as you can read, my day was not starting off the greatest!!

Mid morning, I received a phone call from my mom. She was in tears and extremely upset. She had just received news that my cousin, Kelly, had been killed in a car accident. She was taking her grandson, Bryer, home when she hit a telephone pole and then a tree. Bryer was flown to Primary Children's Hospital with critical injuries. Kelly was transported to a hospital where the doctors and nursed worked on Kelly for over an hour. She quietly passed from this life not too long after that. My heart hurts for feelings that we are all experiencing today. She was definitely the ROCK in her family that kept them all together. I just do not understand why someone who is needed so much is taken from this life to the next.

So, as I sat at my desk, I wanted to focus on things that I could remember about her. I started making a mental list of some of my favorite things that I loved about Kelly. One of my favorite things is that she was always laughing. She was and is such a cheerful person. It did not matter what was happening, she was always joking around and laughing. She could turn not-so-good things into pretty good things. She had that gift--the gift to help others lighten up. She was simply crazy. Oh, just a side note, she introduced me to homemade Oreo cookies. She brought them camping one year and they were such a hit. I still remember sitting around the camp fire as she shared these most delicious cookies with us--then explained step by step how she made them. Oh, it was great!!

So, I wonder why she was taken at this time. I know that we will not know, but it is a question that keeps popping in and out my head. A couple of weeks ago, my mom was in Walmart when she ran into Kelly. Kelly gave her the hugest hug and then, they talked for awhile. I can not help thinking that Mom and Kelly were suppose to run into each other that day and share that moment. I wonder what would happen if we knew that the moment that we shared with someone was the last moment we had with them here on earth? Or is it best to not know?

I think back to the moment that my grandma passed from this life--that last moment. I would never take that moment away. My mom and I sat there with grandma as she took her last breath. We were holding her hands. I could not think of a better place to be that night than where we were. I am grateful for the most special experience that anyone could ever had. YES, it was extremely difficult--but we did know that that moment was the last time we would see her alive until the next life.

So, as I think of Kelly tonight. I think of her up in heaven with Grandma and Grandpa. What a glorious reunion. I can just imagine Grandma with her arms around Kelly as they sit watching over the family.

Kelly--we will miss you!! and Bryer, we are praying for you!!

aw....Nertz....

This is Nertz von Trekkerstein, but he’s not fancy, so you can call him Nertz. He’s a friend we made back in February 2007. Now that he is a year old, he has decided to travel the world. (Or, more likely, the continental US.) You can’t really tell, but this little guy is carrying some scars. One person, who shall remain nameless, decided one day to torture poor Nertz! But, he prevailed. He came out of it better than ever. You really can’t tell unless you know what you’re looking for, but he has a loose tooth, and pieces scratched into his eyes and body, and bits of his body chunked right off! But we nursed him back to health, and he is doing really well now. He gets thrown around quite a bit, but he comes out unscathed.

Friday, he starts his new adventure. Stay tuned to find out what is happening in the life of Nertz....

FREE HUGS....

So, I just read Vieve's blog and I would have to say--WELL SAID!! As for tomorrow when you are counting the many blessings of being married or single, remember the importance of serving others. My address is.....just kidding!!! The other day, a friend sent me this email. It was too great!!! Everytime, I watch it, I just SMILE ...I hope it brings a smile to your face. I just love the hardlooking dude--his smile is contagious. In fact, all of their smiles ae contagious!!! Wouldn't that be just absolutely fun to do. I am not a "huggie" type of person...But, the smiles on the people's faces--overrule the not-huggable moment in me. As for now, I do hope that you give someone a HUGE HUG today.

And have a delightful day (no matter what day it is!!)