Sunday, January 8, 2012

Life in the Institution

We had a great holiday here in the Ekins Institution. Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve was at Brannan's parents' house. New Years we headed on over to Stansbury for some Emily and James Logan Fun! I'm hoping next year we can visit my family during the holidays because I miss them and their random traditions :)

Fiona is still with us, and she knows exactly how to make me smile. After a long hard day working as a slave, I find it a relief to have such a happy homecoming everyday. She is ALWAYS happy to see me and Brannan.

Brannan and I are both still working at ATI as cleaners. Hopefully, though, Brannan is supposed to be getting a job at ATI to work in the plant creating titanium. This job has a lot of potential, so everyone cross your fingers!

Ok, so now I have to brag on Brannan a bit. Back in November, I asked for a washing machine for Christmas because he hates buying presents, so I figured if I asked for something sensible and practical, he would be ok with it, that way I would get a washer I needed, and also get a Christmas present. We got our washer, and I was happy with just having a washer for Christmas because it was expensive. Well December came and one of Brannan's jerk friends was telling him that giving me a washer wasn't a Christmas present, and that he's a jerk for believing so. I was blown away that he actually took his jerk friend's advice on the spirit of Christmas, b/c I'd been telling him all along...but that's how it goes sometimes. So, that night, Brannan told me I was allowed to put up a tree, decorate it, and buy presents for everyone. I was so shocked at his attitute change! I wasted no time in doing all that. One week before Christmas, Brannan came to me and told me he had a question to ask, and that he wasn't happy about it. I, being me, freaked out at the possibilities. Instead, the subject knocked me off my feet in a good way. He had been contemplating on what to buy me for Christmas, and had to ask to make sure I would like it. I hadn't given any thought my presents because I thought I'd already gotten one...my washer. Apparently his jerk friend touched him more than I thought. We ended up buying a treadmill for the both of us because we both love to run. But the giving didn't stop there. After Christmas, I was talking to my dad about his cool iPad, and how you could talk to people on a phone call, but face to face. I got all excited b/c I had an iPod, but instantly realized that mine was an older version that didn't have a camera in it. All the while, Brannan was listening to our conversation. The next day, Brannan asked me what color iPod I planned on buying with my Christmas money, and I said white...then he grinned and said he bought one for me. I cried and wondered why I deserved an iPod, and he said he wanted me to be able to talk to my family from Mississippi face to face. He is a wonderful wonderful man, and I'm so glad he's mine.



Saturday, November 19, 2011

Life As We Know It


So we have this really cute dog, and I take pictures of her like she's a human child. I'm not ashamed, but Brannan thinks I'm pretty dorky for it :) This pup has been in our family for a month now, and I can't even remember what it was like NOT having her. She's so much a part of our lives that it's hard leaving her at home when we go anywhere. She's good practice I suppose for when a human child comes along ;) So anyways, I thought I'd share these pictures of her b/c it's human nature to share your joy with others so that they might also come to know that same joy.

Next, I'm proud to annouce that Brannan and I finally bought a new washer today. And not just "new to us", but BRAND NEW!! On top of that, it was 40% off for the Black Friday Sale, so we saved a total of 250 bucks! We'll get it next week, and I can't flipping wait! The one we have now was given to us for free, and well...I think we should have been given money for even taking that piece of crap! It will be nice to not just get the stink off, but also have it still smell like detergent :) Ok that makes us sound white trash, but there it is lol.


I wouldn't be a naggy wife if I didn't mention Brannan's new video game habits. He's been playing Skyrim every spare minute, so that left me with nothing to do but mope around. I came to terms with it, and bought some crafty things to do, b/c I realized without Brannan, I'll either sit on the couch and do nothing, or sleep. I got some yarn and a loom to make some fun stuff. I'm almost done with my scarf, but plan to make pot holders and baby blankets too. I've also been working on making block letters of our last name by modge podging scrapbook paper to the fronts of the letters and sanding the edges so they look worn and antique. The scrapbook paper is so cute! It's got the theme of roses, keys, aged paper, and old stamps. That's a pretty lame sounding description, but it's really cute I promise! They'll be going above my kitchen window, and I'll take a picture when I'm done!  

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Princess Fiona

Ok, so Brannan won about 6.5 billion brownie points last night when he decided I could have a puppy. We picked her out online, picked her up, and now she's all settled in at her new house :) She's almost 4 months old, pure bred, playful, cuddley, doesn't bark (unless Brannan comes downstairs in a towel...true story), doesn't shed, doesn't bite (hard), hates the cold, and LOVES her squeeky duck (Ducky). I didn't think Brannan would ever let me have a dog, just because he doesn't care for them so much. When he randomly said we could have one, I about had a fit. When I saw her in person, I did have a fit. She's adorable! I tried to get some good pictures, but she was being a spaz...so here's our newest addition, Princess Fiona!













Friday, October 7, 2011

New News

So recently, a lot has happened! Now that I've got those stupid nails off, I can type properly, and shouldn't have a problem blabbing my mouth off.

For starters, the big day went really well with the help of my family and friends. I couldn't have done it without them, and I'm so glad that it's over! The stress is gone, and I had a wonderful time at the temple! Brannan and I are now sealed forever, and it's amazing how tangible it feels. The difference feels strong. I love it! My mom, sister, and friend Emily deserve a shout out for all the amazing things they did in preparation. I wasn't the easiest person to be around, so I know they love me for putting up with my attitude. Thanks guys! Brannan tolerated my endless stressing, so I am glad he can put up with me too :) Love that guy :) After all the fuss ended, we all loaded up and went to Idaho to hang with more family. On the way home, I got a ticket for speeding...bummer! Brannan and I jammed out on the way home to Phantom of the Opera Soundtrack...I'm so glad he's mine...he's pretty awesome!

Last Saturday, I went skydiving out of the blue. It's always been one of my goals in life to jump out of a perfectly good airplane, but I figured it would be later on...Brannan just casually asked if I wanted to that Saturday, and I just as casually said, "Sure." I didn't freak out till everyone ahead of me was jumping out...If I didn't have a guy strapped to my back dragging me to my certain heart attack, I wouldn't have gotten the rush I had free falling at 13000 feet. I definitely recommend it!

Today on the way home from work, we had a flat tire. We were going 85 mph...good thing I had two strong men with me, or I would still be out there changing that tire! Dumb.

Now for some pictures :)








Pictures of skydiving by: Brannan Ekins
Pictures of Sealing Day by: Amanda Pendley

Sunday, September 11, 2011

The Big Day

Brannan and I are going through the temple next week. I never thought I'd be able to say that 2 years ago, but now it's really happening. Marriage is a lot harder than I thought, but it's also very worth the effort. Knowing that the first year is the hardest helps me see that eternity is a little less undaunting. Now that we've learned to be a little less selfish, and put one another first before ourselves, our lives have been as easy as breathing. There are still bumps along the road, but at least now we aren't the ones causing the obstacles! I am truely grateful for my dear husband, and his love for me. Nothing says it better than coming home to the dishes done, and the house in order. I am so glad he picked me and put up with me over this past year. I love him so much! I could go on, but I got my nails done and can't type near as fast and accurately as I'd like. It's making me pretty mad, so just know that we're in love, and are excited for eternity together!