Friday, December 18, 2009

"It's just backwards right now... one day, I'll be the man again."


Between gasps of air, and overcoming the fear of passing out, I attempted to speak to my fellow "tied-down" buddy Jacob Thomas during our recent racquetball game. School has finally let out here at Utah State University, and this has led to a great list of events that Jake and I have been engulfing ourselves into: Dr. Mario, racquetball, more Dr. Mario, discussions about politics, discussions about our LDS missions, Dr. Mario again, Golden Corral, watching sports... the list has indeed been as splendid as it sounds, but there has been something on my mind throughout the whole time.

"Jake," I panted, then paused waiting for my head to stop pulsing like a dang stereo sub-woofer and for my eyes to regain their purpose of seeing. "I feel like a schmoe. I mean, Em's working full-time and I'm just sittin' around with you all day, hoping that I'll get another advertising job. I don't know about myself, man."

Jake is facing practically the same situation as me, but on a lower level; his girlfriend of two months is working full-time during the break just like Em, with Jake's job with the school taking a halt. With a shrug of his shoulders and a giant swing at the blue racquetball, Jake muttered, "Eh, that's how it goes in a college marriage, man. It'll flip around one day, though, when you're all graduated, bringin' home the bacon. Then she'll be the one at home."

The racquetball bounced off the wall and slapped me right in my marriage-grown stomach. A smile cracked across my face as my mouth vomited out the words that immediately came from my mind: "You're right, brotha! It's just backwards right now... one day, I'll be the man again."

I'm way grateful that Em is working full-time, however. She is tearing it up at Impact Cash Systems, to boot! Not to honk our own horn or anything, but Em is at the top of her team in the collections division. I'm pretty dang proud of her, and grateful she works so hard. The only problem? Well... with school being out and the lack of advertising jobs that I have been invited on, Mondays through Fridays 7 AM to 3 PM are straight up BRUTAL for the Dave, as the above picture shows. Heck, I get so bored I even take strange pictures of our home. I even busted out an old toothbrush and started scrubbing the cracks in the bathroom for heaven's sake. Sure, Jake comes over quite a bit and that helps. After a dozen or so games of Dr. Mario, we finally turn the thing off and try to think logically, typically unsuccessfully, through blood-shot eyes. Em always knows how much "D-Mizzle" (as Jake and I call it) we played that day when she looks into my eyes. Some days I feel pathetic, but other days I'm pretty dang proud to be able to tell her that I was the Dr. Mario King for the day.

On a brighter note, Christmas is almost here! Next week, I'm taking Em down to Salt Lake and we're going to see Temple Square and the lights, stay at the downtown Hilton (thank goodness for priceline!) and then we're off to New Mexico for Christmas. We're pretty dang excited for our first Christmas together, and there's no doubt that it will be the best Christmas ever... even if things are a little "backwards" right now.

Merry Christmas!

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

The Two Temperature Worlds... Married

I love the cold. Of course, I do have my limits on the extremeties, but all in all I believe the saying that Norwegians say: "Cold is better than hot, because you can put on as many clothes as you'd like but you can only take off so much." By "take off so much" of course they mean being stark nude (it is Scandinavia after all). I suppose my Swedish blood is a blessing when it comes to living in Logan, Utah. I do feel bad for my dear wife, Emily, however.

I don't want this to sound bad, but if it were possible for Emily to have been born in Hell, she would have taken the offer. The woman loves heat and warmth. A typical image of us at night in our bed is sweet Emily curled up in a ball, four or more quilts covering her clear up over her head, with her dressed in her flannel pajamas (which are actually mine that I got for Christmas two years ago... but welcome to married life, eh?). Then as you pan over the bed, you will find, no not a whale, but yours truly spread out to increase surface area to decrease any heat waves that dare cross my path, not a cover in sight. I mentioned to a married friend one time about our temperature differences, and the man just chuckled and said, "Oh, we both like it way cold. We leave the window open, fan going and everything, all through January. We sleep on stone beds too to help make sure no heat exsists whatsoever." Alright, maybe that's not a direct quote, but my point is that if there weren't differences in temperature in a married couple then what fun would life be?

Take for example last Friday night's Utah State football game. I had yet to take Emily to a USU football game, and so we figured that what a better game to go to than the last home game of the season, who happens to be against number six in the nation Boise State University. It was a chilly one that night, and even the ESPN commentators who had come to Logan for the first time to commentate football in five years exclaimed that "Someone took a chunk of Antarctica and transplanted it in Utah, called it Logan, but no body got the memo." It was pretty cold, but I dressed Em up like an eskimo, grabbed a couple of quilts, and off we went. Em and I would randomly cuddle here and there, but then I would get so dang excited that I'd jump up, tearing off the quilt and, upon return to my seat, found a rather grumpy-looking spouse. I'm getting pretty good at apologizing.

All in all, Thanksgiving is here, December is on its way, and it is OBVIOUS. I've never really felt bad for an automobile before; but there are some mornings when I just wonder why our Chrystler even dares to start. I know I wouldn't. "Nope," I'd say "this sucks. No way am I going to take your cold behinds to work!"

I'm just grateful I'm not a car. Em is too, I think... I'd be way too cold for her.

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Mr. Mom

Crusties on the plates. Part-dry, part-damp laundry. Dyed clothes.


Em started her full-time job last week at Impact Cash Loans in a division that all the employees call "Vegas." It's okay, I was nervous too when she first told me that, but it turns out that Las Vegas is the city where her current division previously resided, hence the nickname. But either way, Em is the new head bread-winner for the Cazier Fam.

How do I feel? Well, I admit that it's definitely a little strange having the woman go out and provide for yours truly. Yeah, I do a few advertisement jobs on the side, but ultimately Em is the one who is keeping us afloat. With the wife out of the home, I offered to step up to the plate and see if I could take care of some of the household chores.

I thought that I was doing ok, but when the bachelor-of-all-bachelors Jacob Thomas stopped in the other day, he even made some smart comment noticing that the house "isn't quite the same."


After dropping Em off at 7 AM, I get cracking on various household items. I start off by organizing the laundry into the different types and colors, just like Mama Beth and Emsies have taught me. To my amazement, SIX loads of laundry awaited to be hauled to the laundromat. I washed and even dried all that laundry... or at least kind of. A sock had accidentally got stuck in one of the loads and suddenly became blue, and then after arriving home, I grab some jeans to begin folding them, but only to feel a horrible dampness. Well... damp probably isn't even the dang word. Sopping would most likely be more appropriate. Either way, those jeans definitely aren't wearable.

I have two options at this point: one, I can just fold the jeans and just pretend that everything is going to be okay, or two, I can hang them up outside and let them be cardboard. Man, these decisions aren't too easy. It's rough staying at home!

After the laundry is taken care of, next comes the cleaning and the dishes. I believe in speed; pure and simple. Consequently, sometimes the cleaning jobs I perform are not always "squeaky clean." But hey, a few leftovers on the plates and glasses aren't too bad, right? Just a little more protein...

Lately I have been concerned with styling the home. It's true! I have been rearranging some items on the wall. I'm a true Pottery Barn, I am! Yeah, sure, Em has insisted we move a few of them around (back to how they were), but it's all good. I'm confident that one day her style will come around.

It's true: I am one cool Mr. Mom.

Sunday, October 25, 2009

The Mysteries... and Blessings... of Wives

Coach Doug Broadhead grabbed my football helmet's face mask angerily. Nervously, I awaited the so-called "advice" that was about to be blared at me. With spit-soaked sunflower seeds pelting my face, my coach said something that cut me straight to the heart: "Stop thinkin' about the ---- girls and play the game!"

It's true, I've always had a difficult time keeping my daydreams about those "---- girls" out of important events. While dating Emily, I would often sit in my lectures at Snow College with dazed eyes , resting my cheek upon my hand like Opie (Ron Howard) did during school on a dang episode of The Andy Griffith Show. I argue that it's not my fault I've always been the "Daydream Davey." Even after being married, I still find myself sitting in those lectures here at USU thinking about little miss Emily; what she would be doing right then, if she was going to make me dinner, and (more recently) what life would be like after we start having kids.

Now before my manhood is muffed, let me state that my elder brother Gilbert and his wife Lindsey are expecting these days, along with two other of my good friends' wives. All this "baby talk" has gotten me thinking about the subject, that's for sure. But the keyword is indeed just thinking. Em and I both feel that we would like to wait a couple of years before we "unleash hell" as Ted Harmon, an elderly man from my home ward in Wyoming, put it, referring to having children.

We did get a scare a month ago, however. Em came to me one day and told me that we should probably buy a pregnancy test to "just make sure." Nervously, I drove us down to Wal-Mart and picked out one of those "100% Sure" preggers tests. On the drive home, Em told me something that boggled my mind then, and still puzzles me now. "Dave," she said "you realize that no matter what this test says, I'm going to cry." There was a small break of silence. Jimmy Buffet's Pina Colada song was playing lightly on the radio as my slow man-processors compiled the information into my brain. Timidly, I thought of the options at hand: (1) laugh and risk endangerment and possible divorce, or (2) quietly nod and say "Yes, honey, I understand." With the moments ticking by, I could feel my wife growing impatient from the silence. Frantically I chose option two. "Thanks," she said. Whew... I had survived. Well the test results came back negative, which ultimately is what both Em and I want at this time in our life. But just as Em predicted, those water-works turned full-flow. I found myself holding Em as she cried and sobbed. Remembering counsel from my best friend Jacob Thomas, that "women don't want you to fix it, but just to hold them and listen," I held Em and let it rain. Things were going great, but my manhood started to catch up. This desire to fix the problem came screaming from inside. Suddenly I blurted: "But Em, this is what we wanted... right?"

I am a lucky man. Em is the best wife in the world. She takes good care of me and loves me through all the teasing, pestering, and "fixing" that I attempt to give her. After applying to the Special Ed and Rehab program here at USU, I made a comment to Em that I was nervous that I wouldn't make it in, after hearing that the admittance was challenging and limited and that many students had applied. Without missing a beat, Em said, "Dave, I know you'll get in. I have faith in you." There was so much determination in her voice, I couldn't help but be awed and my fears subdued. Yesterday we received an envelope from the university proclaiming that, just as Em's faith showed, I had been admitted.

I figured, right before I got married, that I was close to understanding and revealing the mysteries and blessings of women. But the more that time goes by, the more I realize that I am not even close to the bottom. Em and I celebrated our sixth-month wedding anniversary on the 23rd, and on that day I thought about how great it is to be married to Emily. I may not understand all the mysteries of my wife, nor can I fully comprehend the blessings that she is for me, but one thing is for certain: I am extremely grateful for her.

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

How Sweet is That?

So there I am feeling guilty that the TV is on even though I've written notes on Human Biology until I can't write anymore and of course someone knocks on the door. Little did I know that the person I was jumping up and flipping off the TV for was my own sweetheart coming home from his classes holding flowers and chocolate! I've never been so surprised...ok so when he proposed to me I was more surprised...but it was the cutest and sweetest thing ever. The best part is that he had bought them and was asking me to go to the formal institute dance this Friday with him!!! You should know I love dances particularly when the hottest guy is my date and has eyes for only me! Just to top off the wonderful surprise he also told me that I get a little spending money on Friday to use however I want during the time that he makes dinner at the apartment. After which, he'll let me come back and we'll be joined by none other than the good man Jacob L. Thomas with his beautiful date. I feel a little "Young" to be getting so excited about a dance that my husband asked me to but that doesn't change the fact that I'm thrilled to be going! I swear I married the sweetest, most thoughtful man alive!

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Family and the Season

I can't believe that Dave and I have already lived in Logan for a month and half now. We celebrated our 5 month anniversary on the 23rd of September! Oh how time flies! After learning how to find my way around Logan I've come to love it. I don't feel quite so secluded as we did up in the mountains and I love being able to choose which store I want to go grocery shopping at!

I've spent the last week and a half in New Mexico with my parents. It was a nightmare to be away from Dave for that long but I thoroughly enjoyed the family time. I have the two cutest nieces in the world. Riley is a hoot and I love making her laugh and Karisma is as energetic, sweet, and loving as ever. She's also a fabulous big sister and loves playing with Riley and helping out with her where she can. I also enjoyed watching my brother complete the "combat challenge" for his fire academy course. Holy Cow...have you seen what firefighters have to do physically in order to be a fireman? It was crazy! I've never seen anyone complete such strenuous labor before in my life....and they have a time limit! I have to admit, I loved watching my brother complete this assignment. He was absolutely magnificent! Heather is still the all amazing mom whom I look up to a lot. A very involved mom as an assistant girl scout leader for Karisma's troup, mother to an adorable and happy baby girl, a frequent and very good cook, and all aroung amazing woman, she is also going to school right now working on her teaching degree. She never fails to amaze me as she brings home straight A's, has her youngest daughter going to a babysitter only twice a week for three hours, supports her husband, always has the time for Karisma and her events and also manages to look amazing...I'm always amazed by her. I truly love going home and being able to take part in these experiences with those I love. And of course I have to admit that being with mom and dad is always the highlight of visiting. There is only one other person that I love being with as much as I love being with my parents and that is my husband. We've made it through laughter, tears, struggles and triumphs and somehow we still learned to enjoye them. I love being with my parents.

After talking about my family for a while now I also have to mention the one person that means more to me than anything in this world...Dave. Although I do love going home for visits, my heart always remains with Dave. It was interesting this past week as I noticed the differences in myself when I was not with Dave....I still enjoyed life but nothing was quite as fun or exciting or enjoyable without him there to share it with me. I came home and that's truly what it felt like. Like I was coming home, back to where I belonged. I have never enjoyed two days as fully as I have the last two days with Dave. A sweeter, kinder, more loving man I do not know.

I guess all this talk of family leads me to what I really wanted to say. With the weather turning colder and the leaves becoming colorful I am always reminded of the beautiful spirit of this season. I realize we aren't to close to Christmas just yet but that's just my point. This whole season, from Halloween and Thanksgiving to Christmas is so wonderful! I feel particularly strongly that during these holidays I want to really get into the spirit and remember the most important things in life: love, family, and friends...charity, compassion, and kindness....forgiveness, appreciation, and respect. I keep having a phrase come to mind that goes something like this..."It's getting colder outside but the warmth of this season comes from within." I don't think it's quite to the point I want it but the idea is that even thought it's getting cold, the warmth comes from within each of us.

Well I think the majority of this has been rambling but these things have been on my mind for a while now and I'm felt they needed to be shared. I'm so grateful for this time of year and I'm excited to be sharing it with Dave and family, as well as new friends we have made here in Logan. I hope you all let the true spirit of this season shine through.

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

School... School... and More School

All the boxes are finally put away, most of the pictures are drilled into our lovely cinder block wall, and now it's time for the classic S word... school.

It seems this is all that we have been doing lately. Em is busy with taking 14 credits online through Snow and I am hopping around here taking 14 credits and taking all the tests and compiling my portfolio for admittance into the special education program. I'm still doing a few advertising gigs on the side, Em is constantly making way good food, and along with a lot of traveling (Star Valley, Ephraim, Sacramento, Farmington, NM), we are indeed all over the place. In all honesty though, we probably wouldn't have it any other way. We have begun to really enjoy living here in Logan (and it goes further than just the increase in selection of restaurants and shopping places.) It's been so nice to have all of our stuff set up, living "the Married Dream" as Jake Thomas puts it. Em has been such an awesome wife, and our friendship just seems to keep growing each and every day.

We are heading to New Mexico this Thursday to see the Taylor fam and we're pretty stoked. We're definitely missing that awesome family down there, and have decided to take this much-needed trip. After that, our next event will most likely be Homecoming September 26th. Jake has talked me into asking Em to go to the old Aggie Homecoming... the question is if Em will actually go with me. Whatever the answer, I will definitely be attending the USU SUU football game. Talk about the 2009 NCAA Toilet Bowl... but hey, a football game is a football game. Don't worry though, there's no way I'm going to be rocking any blue. I'm still a Ute through and through.

And even though I'm a U of U fan from Wyoming who is attending Utah State, that's my story and I'm sticking to it.

Monday, August 17, 2009

See Ya Later GBEEC!

Well we're beginning the nasty project of packing up everything and getting ready to get the heck out of Dodge. We're both pretty excited and nervous for this new stage in our life, but all in all we feel good about it and are ready to rock 'n roll.

Smokey has been busy trying to help us move by jumping in all of our open boxes and scattering things here and there. I'm (Dave) always amazed at how much stuff is accumulated over such a small amount of time. We've been married for almost three months now and yet have enough stuff to take over the world, I swear. However, some of the things we don't have are furniture pieces. So, Em and I took a journey to IKEA in Draper and took care of that! We dropped some bones and got a couple of chairs, two dressers, and a coffeetable. Gotta love that place! They had some pretty good prices but also good-looking furniture, which made both me and Em happy.

So, while the countdown continues, the anxiety draws thicker and thicker. Bring on the Logan, dang it!

Sunday, August 9, 2009

2 Weeks to go...

Well we only have two weeks left at GBEEC in Ephraim before making the journey up to Logan Utah to attend Utah State University! It's bittersweet as we'll miss being at GBEEC but are definately ready for Logan! Bring on the Aggies!

Friday, July 31, 2009

David, Emily, and Smokey,....Mice Crushers!!!!

Ok so hears a story for the books...Dave and I were enjoying our evening last night. I was reading on the bed and Dave was playing on his laptop...when Dave said he had to run down and change the water on the lawn. He went down the stairs and his faithful sidekick, MY cat, followed him. Upon reaching the lower landing Smokey pounced...and caught a mouse! Well all would be well if she would kill the mouse and leave them alone but instead she likes to show off her still live prey. Smokey turned and ran up the staircase and into our room where she tried to jump onto our bed (where I'm reading) with the still wiggling mouse in her mouth. I promptly moved off the bed screaming and watched as Dave joined me in the bedroom to try and herd the cat back outside where she could play with the mouse until she'd killed it. No such luck. She dropped the mouse preffering to let it go so she could attack it again and then release it again and attack it again...unfortunately the mouse wasn't too stupid and began to run and hide in every corner and nook and cranny it could find. In the meantime I have used more colorful language than ever in my life and threatened the cat to within an inch of her life to no avail. Dave and I ended up tearing our room apart literally. When Dave and I brought out the tools to help us kill the mouse our faithful huntress Smokey fled for cover under the bed. Dave held the axe which he attemtped to crush the mouse with and I held the shovel and fly swatter to scare the mouse towards him. Unfortunately the mouse ended up trying its luck with me more often than not. Needless to say, Dave and I spent an hour-and-a-half tracking the dang thing through our room until Dave was finally able to kill it with the axe. Much screaming was involved on all our parts. Of course after the mouse was dead, Dave and I laughed harder than we have all week. We took a picture and a video documenting the momentous occasion when we became "The Mice Crushers!" The picture of us after this glorious event will be added to the blog as soon as we are able to add it.

Sunday, July 19, 2009

2 Months This Thursday!!...

...And what a glorious two months they have been! Definately not without bumps in the road but we have learned and grown so much together! I love being married!

Dave and I spent June 26 with my family and many friends in the temple as we watched my Brother Nick and his wife Heather and their youngest daughter Riley be sealed to each for time all of eternity in the Mt. Timpanogas Temple. It was wonderful! We were also able to have my parents up to GBEEC to stay with us one night. They loved it which I have to admit made me really happy. The next weekend Dave and I went to Star Valley where we had an absolutely fantastic fourth of July! The next weekend I had the opportunity to meet Dave's old mission companions and his mission president who had just come home from the mission. We have thoroughly enjoyed family and friends and traveling but I have to admit that we also enjoyed being home this weekend. We were able to attend the temple yesterday and our home ward today. We always enjoy a relaxing Sunday afternoon here at GBEEC.

I decided when I started this new post that I would not write a book again so I'll leave things at that. Until next time...

Tuesday, June 9, 2009

I Am The Luckiest!

Well Dave and I have been married for two weeks and three days and it has been the best time of my life. Being married in the Manti Temple was the most incredible experience of my life! My thanks to those who made the time to come and share in this special experience with us! Soon after the luncheon Dave and I made our way to Salt Lake City where we spent the night before catching a flight the next morning to San Diego, California where we spent four days. Dave and I went to the wild animal park (my favorite), seaworld (Dave's favorite), and the zoo. We also had the opportunity to go to the temple in San Diego and also to the beach. I had the time of my life with Dave. I truly am the luckiest woman alive to be married to him. I feel cherished and loved every second I am with him. I like to think I make him feel the same way. He is absolutely amazing!

Our reception was a joyous event and I'm again grateful to all who could make the time for it. It was so fun to catch up with friends and family.

Dave and I are currently here at GBEEC (Great Basin Environmental Education Center) cleaning up the place and making it habitable. We are moved into our first apartment and loving it. We have also had an addition to the family in the way of a 12 week old female kitten named Smokey. When we frequently woke up Friday night to mice in our apartment looking for a midnight snack (mind you this is the apartment I have worked extremely hard to get clean and de-miced) we decided that maybe we should invest in a cute cuddly protector. So far she's done her job very well. She is a fantastic cuddler and (when I'm able to stand not having her sleep with me) a good "mouser" This is my only complaint about our new home. We live in a house/cabin built in the 1920s but we have the beauty of electricity and water. To me it's got all of the amenities of a home in the city but then the incredible beauty of the mountainous outdoors. We've had deer in our front yard! If you get a chance google GBEEC! It's pretty awesome. Just to top having a fantastic job, we also have a great boss. He and his family have opened there arms to us on numerous occasions and continue to do so. We also have friends in Ephraim who have been a great blessing to us. Can't even begin to express our gratitude for them and to them.

Anyways.....after this huge monolgue I'll end by again stating that I am the luckiest woman alive! I have a fantastic husband whom I love and who loves me, a wonderful, loving and caring family (including in-laws who welcomed me with open hearts into their family), and good job that keeps me busy as well as a cute and cuddly kitty-cat. What more can a girl ask for? Life is Great!!!

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Going to the Temple and We're Gonna get Married!

WOW! We are getting married in THREE days!!!!!! For those whose invitations haven't come or might be wondering about details here they are: May 23 2009, Manti Temple Manti Utah, 10:00am -you need to be there at 9:30am, An ALL-WHITE wedding. The only reception we are having is in Farmington, New Mexico, at the LDS church (stake center) -4400 College Blvd- from 6pm-8pm.

Last weekend I had the amazing opportunity to recieve my endowments in the Mount Timpanogas Temple and what an amazing experience! I'm so grateful to be a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and to know that it is the only true church on the Earth today. I'd like to say thank you to any who were able to come to this and any who tried. I found out after the session in the temple that I had an uncle and some friends whom we had misunderstandings on the time. I appreciate your effort to come. I also found out afterwards that inviting my aunts and uncles to be there would have been a good idea. I apologize to everyone for that. I was under the impression that it was supposed to be close immediate family only so I'm extremely sorry for that.

On a happier note everything for the wedding is in place and I have the best parents and siblings and friends and family in the world. This wedding would not be possible without their help. I'm so excited to be marrying Dave in three days. It is my dream come true. I have honestly never met anyone so patient or kind or sweet or thoughtful, so incredibly amazing, or so dedicated. I'm afraid I'll have to stop there because the list could truly do on forever. I love Dave so much I'm thrilled to be marrying for time and all of eternity in the Manti Temple this Saturday.

Next Time I Write I Will Be Emily Taylor Cazier...A Married Woman!

Monday, May 11, 2009

The days getting longer as the countdown gets shorter...

Well school has officially been out for one week and three days now, and may I just say that this has been the longest period of time in my entire life. Em has been in New Mexico getting things ready for the wedding while I have been here in Star Valley helping out my parents and doing a few advertisement jobs here and there, and needless to say things have been completely DULL. I miss Emily so dang much it's absolutely ridiculous.

On the bright side, our wedding is coming up shortly... 12 days to be exact. It is absolutely crazy how when it gets closer and closer to the wedding, all the sudden the days and hours get longer and longer. Don't you just love how time teases the heck out of ya? My goodness.

The invitations have been sent out and it's looking like things are getting ready to go. We sent in the traditional SV wedding announcement with the "brag blog" in the local newspaper, the Star Valley Independent, and so that means that it's REALLY getting close. I'm definitely not complaining though.

Today my mother and I went into town to run some errands, and I had three people right in a row come up to me and tell me that I am marrying a beautiful girl. All I could do was smile agree wholeheartedly. Then I come home tonight and had two telephone calls, and each of them said the exact thing! It's true, what can I say, I am marrying the most beautiful girl in the entire dang world. And I am excited!

Of course there are a lot of things left to do before the wedding, with the most important being Em's endowments this Saturday in the Mount Timpanogos Temple. I'm way excited for this. I know that she will love the temple, and now I can have a (pretty) partner to go to the temple with me (sorry Jake, you just don't got the looks bro). I've seriously never been so excited for anything in my entire life. There is this constant excitement in my throat all the time, ya know that feeling that you would get as a kid on Christmas Eve or that same feeling I had on the long plane ride home from Norway. The future is going to be amazing!

I'm currently working on a surprise for Emily and which I am excited to give to her. Hopefully it will work out as planned.

Best of luck with everything everyone, and we'll see ya on the 23rd!

Monday, April 27, 2009

Oh Goodness

Finals have started. This is my least favorite time of the year. However, I have learned during the end of this semester in particular to be greatful for blessings and opportunities. I am taking pre-calculus this semester (the final is on Thursday) and I have struggled immensely in the course. The really neat thing is that I also have a fantastic professor. I went to him for help and we discussed our schedules and when I could come and recieve help from him. Much to my disappointment we could not find any time to work together. I was either at work or in another class or he had a class or meeting. To my utter amazement he invited me to his home after I finished work so he could help me. I went and met his wife (a woman as sweet and kind as he is) and have been recieving help on my homework. Mind you that my days seem to be filled with nonstop work and running so by the time that I've gotten to their house, my brain is fried and I haven't eaten for nearly five hours. The first time I got to their house, they were just finishing dinner. They invited me into their home and we began talking as they finished their meal. Afterwards, I worked with my professor on precalculus for four and half hours. Since then I have been to his house nearly every night and they have taken it upon themselves to feed me when I come as well. I've even been to their home on a Saturday night and had to have Dave pick me up for date there on Friday night. I didn't realize when I went there that they were opening not only their home, but also their hearts and their arms to me. I have learned through frequent conversations with them that Dave and I will also be able to spend a lot of time with them this summer as we work at GBEEC. They do some things up there as well and typically like to camp up there for the better part of summer. I cannot wait! I'm so excited to learn everything I can from these wonderful people and to have an entire summer to express my gratitude to them for the kindness they have shown me in these past few weeks.

I made quite the connection the other day as a result of this great blessing. I never quite understood that I could have had this blessing from the day that I started struggling in Precalculus if I had just asked for the help. I wonder how many other blessings are waiting for me if I just ask. I get the feeling that there are many not just for me, but for each of us.

It has been a rough week or two. Dave's grandpa passed away Saturday night. They decided to hold the funeral this coming Saturday. Unfortunately I have a time conflict...my sister's graduation from SUU with her Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Development will be this Saturday.(I'm so happy for her. She has worked so hard and earned every bit of that degree and set a great example for me in the process) After her graduation I am returning to New Mexico with my parents to finish the plans for the wedding. (26 Days! Just in case you were wondering)
I am so excited to become Mrs. David Cazier and to be able to live and work with him up at GBEEC and I'm so grateful for the support and love of family and friends.

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

School's [Almost] Out For the Summer!

It's crazy to think that finals are next week here at Snow. I'm getting pretty excited, though I'll be hoenst. This summer is going to be great, from the wedding to GBEEC to Utah State, this is going to be the most life-changing summers of my life.

Em and I have been busy trying to keep on top of grades and work and getting ready for a wedding. Last week was a little tough for us, as stress seemed to pile up along with sad news of relatives and friends in the hospital and on their deathbed. My grandpa was taken into the hospital last Friday night with organ failure, it as the time has withered on, it's looking like we're going to be having a funeral here shortly. Em's good friend and "adopted" grandpa had similar health problems with being in the hospital with pneumonia.

As Em and I have talked about it, however, it makes us so grateful for the Plan of Salvation and the Gospel. How comforting it is to know where we go after we die, that death truly isn't the end. Also, it's made me so grateful for the blessings of the temple and the sacred power therein that binds families together, truly, forever.

Well we hope that you all have a wonderful spring and wish you the best of luck with everything!

Thursday, April 9, 2009

Another Day Gone By

Well life is still insanely busy and I'm still crazy. Oops,..I mean Life is still crazy and I'm still busy. Well either way Dave and I have been working hard and are ready for this Easter weekend. For those of you who listened to the Jake'n'Dave Show last week and heard Dave and I,..well...what can I say. I'm crazy in love with him and will do just about anything he asks even if it does mean I get on the radio with him and sound like a retard. lol. Actually, regardless of how I sounded, Dave and I enjoyed the show the last week. Jake is back in town so if you want to listen again tonight I'd recommend it. It's a much better show when it's Jake and Dave as they are both experienced and have tons of fun together.

General Conference over the weekend was absolutely fantastic! Everytime I listen to President Monson and other officials of the church I know I am hearing exactly what I need to hear. It was fantastic. I'm so grateful that I have the opportunity to participate in such wonderful conferences. I have to admit that I could not choose a favorite talk if you asked me to. I feel like each message was said specifially for me in some way or another.

We picked up my wedding dress over the weekend as well and got Dave's suit and tie. I feel as though I'm not quite ready for the wedding, but I'm more than ready for the marriage if you know what I mean. I haven't gotten everything done and planned out, nor invitations sent out, but I'm so ready to have Dave as my eternal companion that I'd marry him tomorrow if I could. (And although I love my roommates I'm also ready to be set up with Dave in a place of our own where the only dishes in the sink are mine, the food in the fridge is free game, and when we need peace and quiet to do homework, we've got it. **Sigh** Gotta love the college life. lol)

Unfortunately I just took a short break from homework to write this so I'm back to grinder and cranking out the assignments. Hope you all are doing well!

Wednesday, April 1, 2009

The Dave and Em Show!

Well, Em and I have been trying desperately to hang on in the academic world. It seems that when it rains it pours with the homework and projects and such. But we're almost to the weekend! Just keep paying that dang tithing.

So this Thursday my fellow host on The Jake 'n Dave Show is taking off on me to Logan for some mission reunions and such, and so I have decided to transform this week's radio show into the Dave 'n Em Show. We're pretty excited about it. We are planning on talking a lot about relationships and the positives of dating this week, rather than break-ups that Jake and I talked about last week. It should be pretty good, so if you got some time listen to us at http://www.snow.edu/kage or 89.5 FM Ephraim this Thursday April 2nd from 8-10 PM.

Otherwise, things are going right on along. We're getting way stoked for this weekend as general conference in Salt Lake is approaching us! I'm also getting my suits this weekend for the wedding, Em is picking up her wedding dress, we're hitting up my mission reunion this Friday, along with the Saturday Morning Session of GC. It will be a busy but way fun weekend.

Well I better go get some more homework done. Love you all and take care!

Monday, March 30, 2009

Wedding Invitations!

I haven't actually seen them but Momma Taylor sent me pictures on her phone of the wedding invitations which have arrived. Hopefully we'll be getting invitations sent out shortly! I was really excited to see the invites. They look really cute! I also get to pick up my wedding dress this weekend up in Provo. I'm so excited! Dave's parents got tickets for general conference including enough for Dave and I. We will be attending the first session and then Dave and his dad will go to the priesthood session while Mama Beth and I have our girl time (which I'm told will include shopping at all the sales in Salt Lake put on specifically for the women of the church as the men are in their session of conference!) I'm really excited and look forward to the wonderful and happy weekend that I already know we will have! I do have to admit that I miss Momma and Daddy Taylor a lot right now though. They just celebrated Momma Taylor's birthday and its the first time that I have not been there to celebrate with them. I miss them terribly. Papa Kem also just celebrated his birthday last week and we look forward to extending the birthday greeting this weekend as well his present! (I love shopping for other people especially on their birthday!) . I'm not too sure how I'm going to help with getting wedding invitations sent out or how I will get Momma Taylor's present to her but I'm sure we'll find a way! I love you all! I'll let you know how this weekend goes!

Thursday, March 26, 2009

Draper Temple Dedication

On Sunday Dave and I had the wonderful opportunity to attend the broadcast of the Draper Temple Dedication. It has been years since I had the chance to go to one and I was grateful to participate in the wonderful occasion. I don't remember much from the Albuquerque Temple dedication and was excited to be old enough to remember this dedication. The talks that were given were incredible to listen to. I'm so grateful to have the church in my life. President Monson is truly a prophet of God just as President Hinkley was. What a wonderful occasion it was to hear the prophet speak. I love the temple so much! I can't wait to go through and receive my endowments!

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

David Cazier is the most amazing I have ever met! I'm so grateful to be marrying him and to be given the opportunity to have an eternal family. I'm also very excited to be preparing myself to go through the temple for the first and recieve my endowments. School is going great if not a little crazy! I'm sure you all can relate.

Monday, March 23, 2009

I Love Em!

So I am marrying the most beautiful woman in the world and I am so excited to be with her for eternity.  She is amazing and I am so lucky!!

Thursday, March 5, 2009


Married!

Married!
May 23, 2009

We're engaged!

Dave and I had mentioned getting married and we knew that's what we wanted however I was not expecting to have him propose until the spring semester had started and to not be getting married until the beginning of the fall semester.
Dave had other ideas.
December 12 was the last day that Dave and I had before I headed back to New Mexico for Winter Break. For my Christmas Present Dave had told me that he was taking me up North to walk around Temple Square with all of its Christmas lights, and to the church history museum, to see the new Joseph Smith movie, and to take me to dinner anywhere I wanted to eat. He also gave me a gift card to one of my favorite stores, Deseret Book which he also planned to let me roam through while we were up North.
Others had mentioned the possibility of him proposing but I brushed it off knowing that he didn't want to get engaged this semester. I knew I was right when the week of the trip, Jake and a date (Emily Dutson), planned to join us for the trip.
The day we had set to leave, I was a stressed out mess. I had packing to do, and a final to finish. Dave, Jake, and Emily all arrived at my apartment while I was still in my Pajamas finishing the last of my work. I very quickly showered and got dressed (thank goodness my roommates had already picked out my clothing for the occasion). We left town and I slowly de-stressed as we continued the drive. By the time we made it to Salt Lake we were all starving. We stopped and got the soup and sandwich at the Nauvoo Cafe, which was absolutely amazing and incredibly delicous. We then found the times for the Joseph Smith Movie and left to walk through the Church History Museum. On the way there Dave and I realized that his camera had no batteries so Jake and Emily walked through the museum and Dave and I went to buy the batteries. We all made it back in time for the beginning of the Joseph Smith Movie. It was a fantastic movie which also had me crying by the end of it. When the movie finished the lights were all on at Temple Square so we decided to walk around. As we walked Dave began tossing his keys in the air. He dropped them and I stopped to wait for him while he picked them up. It took me a few seconds to realize that he was proposing to me! I said yes and he slipped a beautiful ring on my finger.

Engaged!

Engaged!
I know this picture isn't the best quality but this is right after Dave proposed to me and was putting the ring on my finger!

How We Met/First Date

Dave and I first met when he and his best friend Jacob Thomas ( a fellow resident on Castilleja Dorm like myself) decided to decorate Duke Dance's apartment before he returned home from his honeymoon. At the time they claimed that they needed help knowing how to decorate it and therefore were looking for the help of a few girls. They roamed the hallways until they found a room of about 6 girls (including myself). We agreed to help and set up a time for later in the week. Later that week we all met up and made a trip to Walmart to get the needed decorations. While there Dave and I ended up separated from the rest of the group. Dave and I talked while we looked for the right decorations...he asked what brought me to Snow and I answered honestly. "The Lord. This is where he wanted me and there is no other explanation for it." He claims this impressed him...and I think I believe him. The next Friday, I had the apartment to myself for one hour before my next class. I had just succeeded in splattering miracle whip all over after dropping the bottle on the floor when someone knocked on the door. Lo and Behold it was Dave. He came and we talked for the next hour. He invited me and my roommate Marsha to go on a hike the next day. I thought carefully and decided it would be fun. I was almost late for my next class which I just happened to have with Jake. Jake and I started talking and the plans changed so that we ended up turning the night into a double date and doing the hike that night rather than the next day. Sadly enough I am not much of a hiker and I gave a little over halfway through the hike. Dave, ever the gentleman stopped with me and we again talked for the next hour while Jake and Marsha finished the hike and came back to us. The men had brought with the makings for a sandwich which we all ate while watching the sunset. Afterwards we headed back to the car and went back to Duke Dance's apartment to watch the Emperor's New Groove and Mountains of Ephraim (most of you won't know this one..it's a home video Dave and Jake made before their mission) and enjoying a bowl of ice cream. Before ending the night Marsha and I invited them to join us for the rodeo in Manti the next night. They agreed and that concluded our first date!