Lately::

I haven't been myself lately.

I've been plagued with negative thoughts ever since we came home from Arizona, but I have a strong suspicion that it is because I'm tired of school. Meanwhile, that statement causes some cognitive dissonance, because I love what I'm learning, I'm just burning out due to the way my life is scheduled. This might be the most challenging semester I've had in my life (even though I'm currently acing both of my classes), and I hate to admit it, but I've been counting down to the end of the semester since August.

I'm at the point in my project where I have to submit an official proposal to the IRB, who in turn will give me approval to move forward with my project. Essentially, Chapters 1-3 make up the proposal (all of which have been drafted, so at least that's been started), and then the data I gather in the field next semester will help me write Chapters 4-5. I know it isn't as big of deal as it feels, but it's so overwhelming to read all of the official documents, and even harder to not feel like you're drowning.

I am however taking steps to keep the "rising water" at bay. Mostly, I'm just trying to break it all up, same with my final paper for my rhetoric class. In the meantime, I'm trying to some balance back into my routine.

First of all, I haven't been weight training since before we tied the knot, so I got back into the weight room this week.

Ow.

I feel like such a wimp because my WARM UP made me sore. But I'm tired of making excuses for not training; so far this semester it's been "oh, I'm going to yoga so I don't have to lift." I just need to find that glorious combination of lifting, walking, and yoga. We are starting our "couples workout sessions" next month, which I'm hoping will help motivate both of us.

Second, we started doing morning scripture study (since we kept forgetting to do it before bedtime) and praying together before I leave for work. It might seem a little silly, but I feel better throughout my day when I feel I have started it off on the right foot.

Lastly, we've been going to the temple as a couple every week (sometimes I go twice, once with Sam and once either by myself or with a friend). I definitely think I'm putting things into perspective, which is something I really need right now.

Seriously though, graduation is in almost exactly six months.

I can do this.

I can do this without losing my mind.

I can do this and enjoy the process.

I can do this and keep my life intact.

I can do this.

Pre-Halloween Weekend

This weekend was very Halloween-esque for us.

First, we donated blood on Friday night. The blood drive was being held in the Murray Memorial Mortuary! Despite my best preparation efforts I still got lightheaded, only this time I was still sitting down. If it happens the next time we donate, I may have to rethink whether or not donating blood is the best way for me to help. Anyway, Sam saw the techs rushing over to help me and ended up having a reaction of his own. Apparently when you are close to someone and you watch them have a reaction, you could possible react because of their reaction. Who knew?

Check out our matching elbows!

After the blood drive, we came home and popped some popcorn before watching Hocus Pocus (Sam had never seen it!).

On Saturday we went to go see Hotel Transylvania 2, which was just as good, if not better than the first one, out in West Jordan (gotta love AMC theater gift cards!) before getting some ice cream at Coldstone.

We ended our day by doing baptisms for the dead at the Salt Lake Temple before binge-watching some Studio C clips.

On Sunday after church, I tried some new Sunday-appropriate activities (I've always had a hard time keeping the Sabbath day holy). We discussed hymns for the November sacrament meetings, baked bread, took a nap, I painted for a bit, and then we went to family dinner at the Boston's.

I think the drastic temperature change is affecting my energy levels, because I've been so tired lately. But I'm getting back into the weight room today after a two month hiatus (I've been doing yoga twice a week instead), and I'm hoping that getting back on the weight-training horse will help me put life into balance again.

Three-Month Anniversary (Arizona Reception)

Can I just say how awesome my in-laws are?

Seriously, not only did they help out with our wedding day obstacles, but they threw us an open house so they could celebrate our marriage with their friends in Arizona.

It just so happened that our open house was schedule on our three-month anniversary, and what a great way to spend it. We headed out during my Fall Break and spent a few days family bonding before the party on Saturday night.

Despite a little rain, it was a lovely evening filled with round lights, floating candles, polka dot table cloths, pink flowers, ice cream and pie. Boy were we beat by the time cleanup was over!

I'm so grateful for everything Sam's parents did in order for us to have another party, they truly are the best.

They even got my favorite pie, triple-berry!

Paint Mixer with Mom

You all know how much I love the Paint Mixer, so naturally I want my friends and family to love it too. Mom was ready for a bonding activity, so we went to Paint-A-Pet day at the studio. My mom really misses Donald's dog Olivia, so she wanted a painting of her to remember her better.

My baby, Sugar Ray

Mom had a blast, so hopefully she'll come with me again. Seriously, I love this paint studio, and firmly believe everyone should do something like this at least once.

Corie's Wedding

Corie and I have been buds for years, we became close in college because of our LDS sorority, but not many people know that we knew each other as kids. Her aunt and cousins were my friends at my daycare when I was little (talk about small world!).

Anyway, since college, Corie and I have been keeping up with one another; she and her fiance even attended our sealing in July. Now here it was, three months later and her turn to be the bride. She looked beautiful!

I wish I had taken a pic at the reception, but I totally spaced out. I did however get a shot of Sam and I in the photo booth.

Congrats to Corie & Jesus!

Love, The Elmers

Conference Weekend

Many of you know that I did not grow up in a Mormon household, so the idea of watching 4 hours of church talks for BOTH my weekend days twice a year is still pretty new to me. Anyway, in the last year, I found that I could hold myself accountable to watch if I watched with others. Normally I'd watch a session or two with Victoria and her boys, and maybe one with Mere and Aaron, and even a session with Sam last time.

But this time was different. Now that we are married, we had a chance to make some of our own conference traditions. I gave it a shot, and we watched every single session together! My one condition was that I could do projects during each session.

So, Saturday morning, I made us eggs for breakfast, and my project was to finish the rest of our wedding gift thank you notes (which I did!). In between the sessions, Sam mailed them all, and we watched a dating special on BYUtv.

After lunch, we watched the afternoon session while I did Family History Research. I actually got a lot done, and it's so much more fun to do family research on the weekend instead of thesis research. We ate dinner, and then Sam headed off to watch the Priesthood session; I got to go visit Victoria and watch the live-action Cinderella movie (complete with brownies and cookie dough ice-cream).

Sunday morning, I woke up early and made waffles, and ran to Starbucks to get some hot chocolates to make the morning even more special. I made it back with two minutes to spare!

As we watched the morning session, I continued to do family history work and made a lot of progress on my paternal grandfather's line.

I painted during the afternoon session, and after it was all over we had dinner at my mom's house. For once, everyone was there: Mom, Dad, Grandpa, Ian and Tyler!

Overall it was a pretty nice, low-key weekend.

Seeing Idina Menzel!

I've loved Idina Menzel since I first heard her sing "Defying Gravity" when I was 14yrs old. I loved her even more when I discovered RENT. Hearing her sing "Let it Go" cemented my eternal woman-crush. It's not just that I love her voice, she is SO cool!

Anyway, she came to Salt Lake to do a benefit concert at UVU last night. We got stuck in major traffic on I-15, and then had a helluva time finding parking and waiting in line at Will Call, but we finally made it to our seats an hour late. Lucky for us, she hadn't even started yet, and began the show not five minutes after we got there.

She even came out into the audience to find a duet partner for "Take me or Leave me," and then brought two people onstage with her so they could all sing together. Like I said, she's so very cool :)

My sweet husband was so tired by the time we got there, 

but he was such a trooper, especially since he'd never heard Idina sing before.

At one point, everyone turned on their cellphone flashlights
and lit up the room during one of the more slow numbers.

This was by far the best benefit concert I've ever been to (probably the only one too), and I'm so glad my husband shared the fabulous, once-in-a-lifetime experience with me!