Finally over it... i think...

We've been having some hard times with my car lately and  it has just been an ordeal. But I think it's finally back on track, although i lack a stereo, my car runs smooth with it's 2 new tires, new battery, and a few new fuses. Our house was a mess, I had homework, work was stressful, and i just couldn't see the end of it. But now, I think we're finally through all of it. phew, if you ask me. 

Today, we're doing some laundry at the new laundry place we found in our complex and going to a concert at In The Venue. Sounds like a nice day to me. ALSO, THE SUN! oh, glorious sun, shine your rays upon us that we may have light, life, and joy in thee always. forever and ever, amen. 

I finally took all the christmas music off my phone and updated it to have all the stuff I want and not all the crap that it used to. It might take some time to sync though... ugh. I wanna go already! it's only at 27%. 

Oh, and the super bowl is tomorrow! I'm so excited for the food and hanging out. Football, not so much... 31%. 

I think I've got most of Sean's Valentine's gift figured out. Still, though, if you have any good ideas, I'd much appreciate them! Also, I don't have much money. keep that in mind.. 

I think i'm gonna go soon. okay.

love, ellen

Sean's got a new Carr.

Big news! SEAN AND I ARE ENGAGED! technically, though, we haven't set a date yet so we're 'betrothed' but we can still call it engaged.

I've had a request to write a detailed explanation of the event, so here it is:

Yesterday morning, i woke up and got showered and the norm and then went over to Sean's where he made egg and cheese omelets. After we had finished eating and watching this video (because we're awesome), we grabbed some water bottles to keep in Sean's new '11 Dodge Calibur's water bottle refrigerator (and that's where the title comes from) and flavors and hopped in and headed for the Thanksgiving Point Museum of Ancient History. We got there, parked in the same spot as we did the first time, and went inside. We oooh'd and aahh'd the dinos in the front, got stamped, played for a while in the Discovery Zone, and went into the first exhibit about the act of paleontology. After that was when the Dinosaur part actually started. 

It began with the Earth and a starry tunnel to represent space and all its majesty. We hung out in there for a while (more like lingered until the children left us alone). He kissed me and, while doing so, he slipped the ring on my finger, grabbed my hand, and knelt down and asked me the most important question: would i marry the shit outta him. That's an inside joke from this photo that i found some months ago when we decided we wanted to get married. And then i said "Absolutely." 

Next was actually seeing the ring! Stars are great and all, but they don't help in the whole wanting-to-see-me-new-engagement-ring situation.. so we went out into the aquatic dinosaurs part of the museum and i found on my finger an immaculate, antique (1900-1910) Scottish engagement ring. Exactly what i wanted! 

Then was the next most important part, instagramming. So i rested my newly engaged hand on some fossilized squid remains and Sean had to get 3 pictures because he was so excited! (Aw.) 

pretty, right?! 

Then we enjoyed the rest of the museum (sort of.. we were both too excited), and then left and went to his brother Brady's to show him the new car and give him the news. Next stop was my parents house where we chatted and showed them the car and then we followed them up to Maddox for a nice lunch. We ate and then Sean and I kept heading north and they went back with our leftovers. We stopped at the Gossner Cheese Factory for some curds and ends and pepperjack, then we went to ID for a minute because the GPS misguided us to the Pepperidge Farm Factory... then we turned around, found the Factory and it turned out to be closed due to lack of inventory. bummer... Then we got gas, stopped at Smith & Edwards (also closed because we were too late... boo) and drove back to B-town to grab our leftovers and rest from our super eventful day. Then we went home and went to bed.

And there you go! We're planning probably next spring unless we somehow win buke-o bucks and can afford everything sooner. but most likely next spring. And, let me tell you now, it's NOT THAT LONG of an engagement! The average is 14 months and we're only waiting 9ish. it's fine. 

Anyway, I hope you have a most incredible week! 

love, Ellen

"I build the ramps"

a post devoted to my dear dad.

He's a guy.
The only guy I ever lived with.
The only guy i see every day.
The only guy I have the pleasure of sharing a bathroom with.
The only guy who drives our mini van, once for 8 hours in one day.
The only guy who comes into my room at night while i'm blogging or something just to have me look up a song or youtube video he thinks i'd like.
The only guy who once shouted at me for sneezing in the dark (funny story... hah. once, he was running down the stairs and i was just around the corner coming out of the bathroom and i sneezed and he didn't know i was there so he started shouting and freaking out about it cuz i accidentally scared him. hah).
The only guy who would buy me staking cups as a gag gift.
The only guy who, one year for christmas, had my sister and I buy each other CD's and then change out the covers with a copy of something we know the other'd be disappointed in recieving.
The only guy who will fix my car or my computer without anything more than me just mentioning it.
The only guy who pays for my dinner, my ticket, and my popcorn every time.
The only guy who tells me never to be afraid to ask for something.
The only guy who doesn't give a second thought to helping out a neighbor, even if it means sacrificing his whole saturday, possibly more, fixing their bikes or their computers or anything else when he could be "relaxing his eyes" or searching for music he remembers or doing a project he's been meaning to do for maybe months.
The only guy who goes on trek with 40 pound speakers and then runs down a mountain like a maniacal loon to give dirty teenagers letters from their parents.
The only guy who will listen to my boy problems and not flinch.
The only guy who will listen to my friend problems and back me up every time.
The only guy who will buy bongo drums just to have bongo drums. same with most anything he finds at the DI that has the possibility of being used slash actually working.
The only guy who lives with two teenage girls and a wife who might be equally "quirky".
The only guy who would say "I'd want a hamster if it could hip-hop" because of a commercial.
The only guy who takes out our cat litter every week because no one else will do it.
The only guy who comes home from a long day at work and still does the dishes before going to bed.
The only guy who could really handle the incredible task of being ward clerk, stake clerk in charge of AV stuff, guy who helps outside techs fix stuff at work, neighborhood bike guy, DI frequenter, cat-lover, and most importantly... drum roll... mine and Abby's magnificent Dad.
"[Dad], That's number 1!" (hot rod rip-off quote. oh, yeah.)
HAPPY FATHERS DAY!
I love you!
Love, Ellen.