Part 2

The Wedding

On August 14th, 2010, Derek and I were sealed for time and all eternity in the Portland Temple. It was one of the most spiritual and emotional experiences I've ever had. I'm his and he's mine forever and always! He is my sweetheart and I love him so much. Here are a few pics from that happy day:

We are very happy together :)

Wedding Trifecta: Part 1

The Reception

Although it was a whirlwind, mine and Derek's wedding reception seemed to go off without a hitch! It was beautifully decorated and the food was delicious (well, what food I tasted) , but most importantly Derek and I were surrounded by our friends and family who love us and were supporting us.

It was beautiful. :) Thanks , Mom and Dad.

Mothers Are Special

My mom is a pretty special lady. But I wouldn't say that it is her advanced scrap-booking skills, her knack for aesthetics, her consistent thirst for knowledge or her eloquent way with words that makes her so special. Those are good things too. My mom is special to me, because she is just that, my "mom".

Lately, I have been needing her help more than ever in planning a wedding. I know that this is no easy task and I wish that I could be there to help. But If you know my mom, you know that she will put her whole heart into something, especially if it is for her loved ones. She will research, plan , budget, organize, prepare and plan some more. She knows how to work. What a wonderful thing to feel her support and love for me, even though we are miles apart.

My mom gives her time as an expression of her love. She always has. I can't tell you how many times growing up my mom has stopped what she was doing to here about some story from school, or test score, or unfortunate event, or crazy idea I have had. I could always count on her to provide not only a listening ear, but an interested one as well. In that way, my mom is my best friend.

So, even though I've taken my flight from the "nest" and am making a home of my own, it's comforting to know that there will always be a place where I can go to feel loved, to feel wanted, and appreciated; that's home with my mom.

My 8:00am class was cancelled

according to the note on the door. I love it when our professors surprise us like that. I know he is sick, so I really shouldn't be celebrating, but he really has given us all a gift. What would've been a 1 1/2 hour class is now free time. I'm already up and dressed so going home to sleep is out of the question. I am here at the library, reading emails, printing papers, looking at blogs, and what'd ya know, blogging myself!

Although my life is busy and full of responsibilities and callings and classes, I am so happy to be here. I know that I will look back on this place, BYU-I, with very fond memories. I need to cherish it. I only have 4 more semesters left of college, and then I will get my Bachelors in Exercise Physiology. That is so cool! What a blessing to be able to get an education! I am a lucky woman.

At the end of my yoga class, there is a relaxing and rejuvenating segment where my students lay flat on their backs, concentrating on their breathing, and think of positive and happy thoughts, allowing the stress in their lives to melt away. I dim the lights and turn up the music and they are in their own little happy world. Last class, I suggested they say a gratitude prayer for the blessings in their lives. I would suggest everyone try it every once in awhile. It really brings your life back into focus.
:)

It's a great day to celebrate

Laura's Birthday!

Laura is creative, beautiful, fun, funny, a great mother, thoughtful, interesting and interested, and she has a great sense of style. She is so COOL. I think I speak for all of us when I say that we all kind of wish we were more like Laura :)

Happy Birthday! What are you, 29?...

I have some news...

I am engaged to be married, and to a wonderful man! Derek proposed and I said yes :)


This looks pretty much exactly like my ring.

He took me on a beautiful afternoon walk down a cement nature path in Rexburg. We took a detour and settled on a bridge that is also a train track and sat down on a blanket looking at a the river below. It was beautiful. He then handed me a gift (by this time I knew what was coming). I unwrapped it and it was a beautiful hardbound Shutterfly picture book. The first page were portraits of Derek and I and then a letter he wrote to me...this is where the crying began.

After I read the letter i enjoyed pages of pictures of us as children, teenagers and adults as well as a collage of pictures of us on our many adventures the past several months. He also asked a lot of our family what they love about me and dedicated a page for that...so sweet :) The last section was dedicated to the many inanimate object pictures he has been collecting for months. About 7 months ago there was a popular commercial on TV of random objects that formed faces (smiley faces, frowny faces, etc.) Anyway, he knew that i LOVED that commercial because I crack up every time I see it, so he had been collecting pictures like that for a long time. It really made me smile.

On the last page of the book was a picture of a beautiful ring and a picture of a couple under an umbrella. Through my tears I looked over at Derek and he was already on one knee, asking me to marry him. I said yes! For once, I think I cried more than Derek.

I'm so excited to marry Derek and have so many new family members who I already love.Thank you to everyone for your love and support of us. We invite all to celebrate with us at our Reception on Friday, August 13th at Copper Hill Reception Hall.

More info later! Love you!

Quick Update!

To those who care what's going on in my life:

- Yoga class. It is going SPECTACULARLY. I absolutely love teaching, which is a good thing because it's what I'm going to school to be. I am sore everyday, but it's ok. I workout for others now, and not for myself. I seem to have regulars so that's a good sign. And I've lost 6 pounds -- did't plan on that one.

-School. School is good, but I need to put more time into it. There have been too many instances where I quickly whip up an asssignment and turn it in. I need to spend more quality time with my anatomy book. We aren't friends quite yet. I love my baking class! Tomorrow we're making bagels, mmm. (Note to self: pick up some strawberry cream cheese)

-Derek. Derek and I are having a good semester, but it kind of stinks becuase we don't have any classes together like last semester, and we're not in the same ward anymore. But I still see him for hours everyday. We make it work. He is one of my most faithful yoga participants. He's so supportive. He even bought a black yoga mat yesterday. It is very masculine! :)

-Family. I miss my parents. I know that they are taking good are of eachother though. I pray for them every day. It's still so great having my siblings here in Rexburg with me. I love spending time with Rob and Jos, mostly randomnly, and me and my niece Evelyn have become besties! We hangout, it's cool :) Miranda and I took a spontaneous trip to Idaho Falls yesterday and had a wonderful time shopping. Jackie is coming to my class tonight and bringing a friend. She said to go easy on her...I promise nothing.

-Faith. I 'm grateful for the Lord, because I have already felt His help and strength in my life and all my many activities (yoga teaching, schoolwork, personal, etc.) I'm taking a great New Testament class and enjoying reading about the Savior's ministry. I need to remember that this is not only a University but Discipleship training program, if you will. I know I'm better because I live here in Rexburg, surrounded by so many good examples.

Ok, that's it for now. Gotta go play a quick game of ping pong with Derek. :)

Exciting News!

I am a yoga instructor on the BYU-I campus :)

I tried out on Thursday in front of two judges who were my "participants" and apparently did well enough because they penciled in teaching times right after! I teach Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:00 pm to 9:50, and Saturday mornings at 9:00.

This is going to be a great experience. I've never taught a class before, so this will look really good on my resume, and it will really stretch me (ha, no pun intended.)

I have been living and beathing yoga this week. I can't stop thinking about it and my class! Yesterday I went out and purchased 3 new yoga videos to get some ideas, I did 2 of them this morning, and I'm going to plan my routines tomorrow.

My goal is to concentrate on my students, their comfort, and provide them with an effective workout that leaves them feeling strong and rejuvenated. I really want to be supportive. It's not easy, not even for me.

I'll be sure to keep you updated on how it's going and everything. This is a fun but kind of scary new step i'm taking. But it's gonna be really good :)

I know I always post about school, but

I just wanted to to let you know that I got my scholarship! That test grade pulled it off and I will get tuition free for two semesters until they re-evaluate my GPA, and I hopefully qualify for it again.


Thank you for all your prayers and encouraging words. You guys are awesome. This really has been a satisfying end to a difficult semester. I can't wait to do it all again next week, haha.


Oh, and a little anecdote - Ivon and Nancy Young were sweet enough to give me an extra camera they hadn't been using, because my current one is dead. It is SO nice. I love it. But anyways, I'll be able to upload my pictures onto my blog now, not just one's I find on Google.


Well, I think it's exciting :)

Label: Random pic of me and Derek. Every blog entry needs a picture, right?

I want my mommy!

That's really how I feel right now. Home in 4 days...

That's all :)

!!PRAY FOR ME!! please...

I know, I'm pulling a Derek in asking this, but I am about to take the most important test of my college careerand I need your prayers...and here's why:

To get a full tuition scholarship I need a certain GPA by the end of this term. I know it's cutting it close but I need all A's and only one A- in a 3 credit course to get it. I have gotten A's in all my classes except...Business Statistics... (dun- dun- dun!)

This scholarship could ease the financial burden of my parents, help me reach my goal, and I get a little extra money from my parents to pay my expenses if I get it.

This test is worth 30% of my grade...ouch. But I know with your prayers I can do well on it and get my A-!! So who's with me!!?? You know I'd do the same for you :)

"Jesus Christ the Apple Tree"

I've been thinking about this song today. I had the privilege of singing it in my jazz choir in High school. The words have become engrained on my heart, and I often find myself singing them when I am alone, and just feel like singing (this happens more than you'd think.)

The words are these:

"Jesus Christ the Apple Tree "

The tree of life my soul hath seen

Laden with fruit and always green

The tree of life my soul hath seen

Laden with fruit and always green

The trees of nature fruitless be

Compared with Christ the applle tree

His beauty doth all things excel

By faith I know but ne'er can tell

His beauty doth all things excel

By faith I know but ne'er can tell

The glory which I now can see

In Jesus Christ the apple tree.

For happiness I long have sought

And pleasure dearly I have bought

For happiness I long have sought

And pleasure dearly I have bought

I missed of all but now I see

'Tis found in Christ the apple tree.

I'm weary with my former toil

Here I will sit and rest a while

I'm weary with my former toil

Here I will sit and rest a while

Under the shadow I will be

Of Jesus Christ the apple tree.

This fruit does make my soul to thrive

It keeps my dying faith alive

This fruit does make my soul to thrive

It keeps my dying faith alive

Which makes my soul in haste to be

With Jesus Christ the apple tree.

You can hear a beautiful rendition done by a boys choir here. It made me cry :)

I'm grateful for my Savior. He brings me peace in ways no one else can. He is my guiding light, and the shade under which I can rest awhile.

I haven't blogged in awhile, but I just

really feel like posting something.

These are the things that have been on my heart lately:

Utah. I went to Utah last weekend, and hitched a ride with some folks that were headed to Vegas. They just picked me up on the way back. I was able to surprise my two best friends, Gayle and Jessica, and visit other people I hadn't seen in too long. Can I just tell you, I think that it really revived me, and gave me the will to keep going here at school for the 3 weeks that are left. I also ate really yummy food, went bowling, and bought my first pair of stillettos...and they are red....and 5 1/2 inches tall. Wow!

3 weeks...I can't believe how this semester has flown by. In fact, it seems my life is flying me by. I know, I know, I'm only 21. But there are times where I still feel like the awkward 15 year old who's trying to figure out who she is. But then I remember, I am an adult, and I'm relieved I'm not 15 anymore.

Derek. Derek and I have been dating for almost 15 months. People never know what to say when I tell them that. It's very unique. But you know what? I wouldn't trade these past 15 months for anything. I have learned so much from him, and had so many experiences, that I know I am a different person than I was. I like 'me' now better than 'me' then.

Today is clear sky's and a blistering 48 degrees. I love sunshine. I think, I am vitamin D defficient, but I know that will change as the season does. I think the Lord has blessed the little town of Rexburg this semester with a mild winter. It has just made life easier.

I've got to go read now. Thank you everyone for being so awesome. I mean EVERYBODY. You have all touched my life in someway. Catcha later

This post goes out to the man of the hour --

Mr. Derek Young.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY , DEREK! You are such a wonderful guy.

Derek has a way of making hard things look easy, noticing nice little things most people miss, and overlooking bad things that some people choose to never miss.

He is a near-perfect example of love and devotion.

He is so good. His roommates even changed the words to a familiar primary song; "I'm trying to be...Like Derek...." and sing it every now and then, haha.

Derek is so smart. I'll spend hours on the same reading assignment that will take him 2o minutes to look over... and he still scores higher on the quizzes! But I'm proud of him. He's a great study partner, too :)

He is handsome and has these charming crinkly old man eyes that sparkle when he smiles. Yes, just like Edward, ladies.

He is loyal and trustworthy. I'd trust him with my life.

I'm so glad Derek was born. I tell him he's going to change the world. I'm gonna stick by that.

Happy Birthday sweetheart. Love you.

Please pray for my parents

They arrived in Waikiki Beach last night and are staying in a high rise hotel on the coast. If you've looked in the news Waikiki is due for a tsunami. I don't know how high it will be when it hits.

A lot of people are evecuating, but my parents are choosing to stay in their "tsunami safe" hotel. There is food and water and a bed there.

I talked to my mom on the phone and she feels safe. So I'm not pannicing . However, your prayers on their behalf would be appreciated. The tsunami wil hit in a bout 3 to 4 hours.

Thank you for you support.

This is a little late, but

about a month ago Derek and I saw Kristin Korb in concert in the Kirkham auditorium here at BYU-I. She is an amazing Jazz musician. It was really really good. I was so impressed with her vocals, but even more than that, her base playing skills! They were out of this world. Her fingers were a blur, she played so fast!

I heard about her from my friend, Kim. She went to high school and sang in the same choir as Kristin. Isn't that cool?

It was great to hear some familiar Jazz tunes that I sang in choir, like "I'm beginning to See the Light" and "Green Dolphin Street." I miss singing that style.


After the show, Derek and I waited in line, and then talked with her. We mentioned how we knew Kim Lamphier, and a huge smile came on Kristin's face as she recalled the fun times in high school with Kim. It was really neat.


So Kim, if you read this, Kristin says, "Hi." :)

A dream is a wish your heart makes...

Well, if that's true, my wishes aren't that great.

For a great majority of my life I have not enjoyed falling asleep. It's not that I don't enjoy the comatose state, or how rejuvenated I feel afterwards. It's not that at all. It's because I have bad dreams almost every night.

I know, pretty awful, right? I don't understand it either. Some say that when you dream it's a mixture of your subconscious, desires and perhaps the events of the day manifesting itself. I can't believe that is true.

This is a painting By Fuseli entitled "The Nightmare". I remember studying it in Art History in high school. Isn't it a creepy image?

When I dream one of four things usually happens - there is a natural disaster, someone is pursuing me and trying to kill me, something terrible happens to someone I love (illness, death, etc.), or I do something I am ashamed of (getting all F's, doing something mean/immoral.)

Let me tell you it really bites!

But you know what? Sometimes I do have a real dream. A dream where when I wake up, I feel serene and happy. Sometimes I'm a hero. Sometimes I can fly. And sometimes, I'm just doing something I love.

I often wonder if my dreams are a trial that I have been given. Perhaps, because at times I feel I lead a charmed life and I need to go through these hard things in my dreams. Maybe it is to test me, or to allow me to feel empathy for others. I don't know.

I've also had the thought that the adversary is affecting my dreams. But I do have this hope, however fruitless it may be. I hope that someday, when I am married, and have a worthy Priesthood holder sleeping beside me, perhaps I won't have bad dreams anymore.

A girl can dream, right? ;)

Fudge Pudge

I am addicted to the fudge they sell on campus. It is amazing!!! I heard about it in a really cool way. My aunt Jody, who lives in Rexburg, was telling me how SHE makes the fresh fudge every morning for the BYU-I Convenience store herself! So, of course, I had to try it. I didn't know they had fudge. But don't worry, we are now very well acquainted...

I get a free sample almsot every day. They have these delicious candy layers that add such a great dimension - snickers, mounds, peanut butter, cookies n cream, pecan caramel...should I go on? I particularly like the peanut butter. :) It may not be good for my waistline, but my grades are benefitting from it. I often buy a dollars worth, set it buy my computer, and give myself this ultimatum - "Erica, when you finish this assignment you can eat the fudge. And only then can you eat the fudge...hey, don't even think about it!"

So, this one goes out to you, Jody-The fudgey queen of the world! And I mean that with all the love in my heart.

I WON! I won, i seriously won it!

I won the worst date story!! Dinner for two at Jaker's in Idaho Falls. Sweeeeet. I'm so giddy right now. My ridiculous, made-up, worst date story won it! I was hoping.

I just remembered this afternoon that they were announcing the results of the winner's on the 11th, and I got this email:

Erica,

For sharing your worst date experience with us, you and some lucky guy who hopefully won’t talk about his Pokémon collection, will also enjoy dinner for two at Jaker’s! We’ll leave it up to you if you want to take a “family” member or not. HA! Funny Story!

Hooray, Hoorah! I'm going to Jaker's!!

And guess who I'm taking with me...

I could win

a dinner for two by submiting a 'worst date' story to a panel of judges at BYU-I. I want to win that dinner! So, of course, I'm going to make a story up. A GOOD story. A prize-winning story.

A story which I am about to share with you:

"For privacy's sake, let's call him Derek. Derek was the new guy in my ward. I had just turned 16 and was a towering 5'10" tall. Derek was 5'2". After Sunday school class, Derek pulled me aside and, quite abruptly, asked me for dinner on Saturday. This was my first date and my mom taught me to always give the guy at least one chance. I said "yes".

Saturday came. Derek came to the door and I allowed him in. For the next 20 minutes Derek talked non-stop about his pokemon collection. I didn't know this about Derek. When I asked about dinner, he simply replied, "what do you have?" We ate Eggo waffles from my freezer that night. I was fuming. After dinner, my mom came in the kitchen to meet my date. He said,"Hi, I'm Derek Stock." My mom mentioned how we have some Stock's in the family. I cringed and prayed that what happened next was just a bad dream. But it was in fact a reality.

Derek's grandpa was my mom's Great Uncle. We were cousins-- close cousins. I felt my face burn and my stomach got queezy. We quickly walked to the door to say good night. When we got there Derek was acting funny. He then blurted out,"Im not who you think I am!" Derek then continued to tell me his 18-year-old Priest identity was merely a facade. He was actually 25. I never saw Derek again."

There it is. We only had half a page of space to write. I hope I win... and I hope the dinner is yummy like at Olive Garden, TGI Friday's or Chili's :)
To see another fictional 'worst date' story entry, click here

It's near midnight and I'm too lazy to

make a real midnight snack, so I'm chewing on saltines. Most people would probably never on their own accord eat numerous plain saltines straight from the plastic tube like this. But ya know what. I like how they taste. And yes, my calories may be completely empty, but at least i'm enjoying them.

I'm not gonna lie, these would be a million times better if they had some Light Creamy Swiss Laughing Cow cheese on them. Oh baby, that is the best! I think Derek told me that one of his sisters, either Laura or Stephanie loved it, so I thought i'd give it a try.

It is now my favorite thing. :)

What's your favorite midnight snack?