So, since blogging life was a little buy last week, I never got to have Justin take over for Betsy's June Guys Behind the Blog. So, he gets to do it today, then at the end of the month, he'll do July's!
1 // What’s the best vacation you’ve ever been on? Beach trips with my family. Every summer, my family and a few other family friends would drive down near Dover, Delaware and spend the day at the beach. Body surfing, boogie boarding, sandy picnics, and geting horribly burnt despite all of the sunblock we put on. We would wash up and walk along the boardwalk and often eat at Grotto's Pizza right on the boardwalk. 2 // If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where would you go? Either Japan or New Zealand. My LOTR geek wants to see Middle Earth. My high school anime obsessed nerd wants to see Japan.
3 // Are there any summer traditions that you have or would like to start? (think things like big picnics, summer activities, bonfires, or day trips!) Water fights. Hoses, water balloons, squirt guns, pitchers, faucets. All fair game. I love water fights. (Justin tells me stories of how these ended up inside the house...No. Freaking. Way. Ever. In my house.) 4 // The 4th of July is coming up…what’s a must-have picnic or BBQ food for you? Hot dogs. I love any and everything BBQ related, but hot dogs are a must.
5 // Think about your ideal vacation…are you in a cozy cabin, camping in a tent, or hanging in a hotel? Honestly, camping in a tent is ok. I love the camping aspect more than the actual tent aspect. My dad and I would go camping a few times a year and he would always pack an air mattress because neither of us wanted to sleep on a rock or a tree root. Cabins are very fun, as are hotels. But if I had to pick one, I'd go with cabin. Its like camping in a tent without the rocks on the ground.
We're combining both guy linkups again, so enjoy getting to know my awesome, amazing husband more!
Would you rather…
1. Watch Star Wars or Star Trek?
Star Wars. I grew up going to the theater with my Dad watching the re-releases of Star Wars in the 90's and it was some of the best memories of my childhood. Star Trek only got interesting for me with the recent releases.
2. Take a summer vacation in the mountains or the beach?
Difficult question. I love the beach and I love the mountains, but both have things I really dislike. I probably like the beach more, but after 1 day I'm done, whereas I could be in the mountains for weeks.
3. Use Facebook or Twitter?
Facebook. I have a twitter, but I haven't touched in in literally months. I liked the concept of it, but not the execution. Plus, I've gone through so many types of social media over the years, I've kind of settled on Facebook and maybe LinkedIn and called it quits. I did a blog, a Xanga, Myspace, toyed with Google+. There's too much. Facebook is fine, and when I'm looking for a job, LinkedIn. That's good for me.
4. Go camping or stay in a nice hotel?
Depends. I love camping, but a nice hotel has a lot of perks. It all depends on what I was doing that day or the next.
5. Watch sports or play sports?
Baseball - Play
Football - Watch and Play
Basketball - Watch and Play
Volleyball - Play
Hockey - Watch
Olympic Events - Watch
Golf - Play
Rugby - Watch
Soccer - Neither
1 // What is your favorite family tradition? Large breakfasts. My dad would make pancakes until he was tired. He expects all of them to be eaten. There were seldom leftovers. 2 // Who's your male celebrity crush? Probably Nathan Fillion.
3 // What song best sums you up? So, this is actually really hard. I've spent a few days trying to find a good one, but most of the music I listen to is rather hard rock-ish stuff whose lyrics get quite...harsh. I realize nothing is going to be a perfect fit, but this is the best I could find.
4 // What three things do you think of the most each day? My family. They are constantly on my mind. Food. I get hungry rather easy. It's hard not to think about food. Honestly, that's about it. 2 things constantly on my mind. There isn't a consistent 3rd. 5 // What is your most embarrassing memory? Well, I'll never tell that, but I will share "the most embarrassing thing I'm willing to admit on the internet". I was 21 years old before I realized the phrase was "Nip it in the bud" and not "Nip it in the butt"....Well, thats obviously not very embarrassing. So you should...
And that's about right.
Honestly though, I could write novels on embarrassing things I've done, however, I'm not very inclined to share them. I make a big enough fool of myself on the internet already.
My blog name is, well, my name. Creativity is not my forte. At least not with words. I wanted to write about the things that affect my own life, so why beat around the bush. I’m writing about me, why not call it that? That is, after all one of my personality traits. I am very straight to the point.
What is your blog's mission or goal?
A couple of years ago, a friend of mine moved to Russia and started a blog. Eventually she just stopped writing. When I asked her why, she told me it was because she had settled into her transition. Like for her, blogging is helping me transition- primarily from college to the real world. There are so many things that change in that process: my address, my job, my surrounding, my bank accounts, my budget. This is my way of documenting and sharing it.
Besides blogging, what are some other hobbies of yours?
I spent my first three years of college playing on the rugby team. I’m also super active in my sorority. I do a lot of crafting, and I’m constantly working to learn.
What is the best thing about blogging for you?
It’s really cathartic for me. I have so much going on lately. This semester has been so crazy. This summer will be busy, with lots going on and a bit of being here and a bit of being there. I certainly won’t be able to develop a routine because of it. Blogging, though, has given me a bit of consistency in the chaos of it all.
I love going out to get coffee with people. I have found that coffee tends to bond people, and I have had numerous beneficial conversations about life and the Lord with people over coffee. So, because of this, Coffee With Kara seemed like a natural name for my blog.
What is your blog's mission or goal?
Coffee With Kara's mission is to share God's love with the people who read it. I want everyone who reads my blog to be inspired to love God, to love people, and to love themselves. Coffee With Kara also serves as a way to keep my family and friends updated about my life in college. Since it is impractical to go out for coffee with every person I know, this blog serves as a way to "have coffee" with even the farthest away.
Besides blogging, what are some other hobbies of yours?
I enjoy reading, when I have time. I don't seem to be able to read as much as I'd like to these days. Hopefully over the summer I'll be able to read more. I also enjoy walking and hiking and exploring the outdoors. Sometimes I'll climb a tree and sit there and read :)
What is the best thing about blogging for you?
I love the blogging community, and being able to meet new bloggers. I think that's my favorite thing- getting to meet new people from all walks of life who all have this "blogging thing" in common.
Spring Break was a blast! It was an insight to what being a SAHM would be like. Christmas Break wasn't so much as we were traveling the entire time, but Spring Break, we mostly stayed home as Justin worked throughout the week.
I had participated in an Easter Swap hosted by Peculiar Treasures. We were paired up and to get an Easter treat, preferably local treats and a card with an Easter scripture. I gave a gift to Kinberley from Peculiar Treasures and I received one from Emilie. She is part Brazilian, so she sent me her favorite Brazilian white chocolate Easter egg. It was huge and delicious! I am so glad to have gotten to know Emilie!
Last Friday, March 27th, was my last day of teaching. So, that night, we went to my parents' house in Farmington. Rhys was already there, as my mom watched him while Justin and I worked. He was just having the time of his life with his aunts and uncle and puppy cousins! It was a fun weekend of relaxing, going through childhood mementos as my parents started cleaning out and simplifying their household. Saturday, we went to Texas Roadhouse as my sister has a job there. Afterward, Mom, Dad, Paige, Rhys and I went to a local park and had a fun time enjoying the good weather.
During last week, Rhys and I stayed home, enjoying each other's company. We also went shopping for new clothes for me, and were somewhat successful. I also started getting up with Justin and making him breakfast. I thought to myself this week that I could get used to living like this.
This past weekend, we went down to spend the weekend with Justin's brother and his family. The last time we were down there was for Thanksgiving and Rhys was almost 5 moths old and was just scooting around. He was so excited to see his cousins again, crawled after them, "tackled" them, and gave them a barrage of kisses. He had the time of his life playing with them and their toys. Justin and I enjoyed their company, as well as Jason and Rachel's, watching movies after all the kids were in bed.
It is the Christmas edition of Blogger Men Tell All! Then, after Justin answers his questions, we'll show you what our Christmas Break was like!
Justin's note: BTW-- I will be speaking through media clips.
What is one thing you really want for Christmas/the holidays this year?
(Tayler: He means food--and my mom gave him $50 to spend on any meat that he wanted!)
Justin's side note:
Does your family generally do Christmas Eve or Christmas Day (or other sorts of) celebrations?
Those who know this will understand. (Tayler: His family loves National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation...I didn't like it so much.)
What is your favorite part about the holidays?
What’s your New Year’s resolution?
Where will you be at the start of 2015?
(Tayler: He means we really didn't do anything to celebrate, and we kept the noise level of the TV down as to not wake up Rhys.)
Well, I for one am not sure that Justin was having too much fun with this, or was just a little lazy this time around...
But, anyway! Onto Christmas Break!
On Friday, December 19th, Justin and I went to his best friend's wedding. It took place at the Draper Temple and it was exceedingly cold and windy! Thankfully, my sister watched Rhys while we were in the temple attending the sealing ceremony and taking pictures outside the temple. After pictures, we went down to Orem for the luncheon. It was a delicious luncheon with gourmet food. We hung out with our friends between the luncheon and the reception watching Rhys be adorable and going to Wal-Mart for supplies for the car *wink wink*. We even got lost on the way to the reception since the address said East instead of saying West like it should have. But, we got there and had fun watching Garrett and Heather be adorably in love and commenting on how much Rhys spits up.
Then, on Monday, December 22nd, we went to another reception for our friends Alec and Kelsey. Both of these couples had lived in our college single's apartment and all of them were friends! Alec and Kelsey had a very quaint reception and served hot chocolate and donuts. The best part about this reception, Rhys tried a peppermint donut and loved it! We also let him try a regular donut and he loved it! This was big news because before this, Rhys didn't like any type of bread. The worst part about the reception was the amount of spit-up Rhys did. It was fun to catch up with more old friends at the reception.
Then, on the 23rd, after Justin was done with work, we went to my parents' place in Farmington. That night and Christmas Eve was spent playing with Rhys, playing videogames, and visiting with family. On Christmas Eve, we visited my Uncle Dave and Aunt Wendy who had their children and grandchildren visiting. The youngest was Kate, who is less than a year old. It was adorable to see Rhys try to socialize with her--she thought he was funny and would laugh. Rhys would then lean towards, gabbing the whole time, and then grab her clothes or arm, and she would begin to freak out. It was too cute for words!
After, we tried to put Rhys to bed, and he had such a hard time going to sleep--this was the case during the entire trip. He actually was in the middle of a growth spurt, and away from his normal routine and bed, so it was understandable, but very difficult and Justin and I, especially since we had to share a room with a squeaky bed the entire break! We were able to watch half of The Nativity Story, which is a family tradition and my favorite Christmas movie, before I had to bring Rhys down and rock him in my arms for the rest of the movie. Rhys wasn't able to fall back asleep and so eventually, around midnight, in desperation, we went on our first middle-of-the-night car ride to get Rhys to fall asleep. He did, so we carefully took the carseat out of the car and put it in our room and let him sleep the rest of the night in there.
Christmas Day was so much fun. We had a delicious breakfast with Grandma, then opened presents when Rhys woke up. He loved his new toys and I loved his new outfits! One of his favorites was an infant toothbrush--probably because the bristles felt good on his sore, teething gums. Justin got himself a Wii-U for Christmas and I got myself a DSLR--a Canon EOS Rebel T5! Our gifts to the family were a hit as well!
Poor Tucker did NOT like the Christmas clothes and hats he got.
I love his expression on this! He got nursery rhyme books that I thoughts were super cute, but he's like, "Nah, not interested!" Haha!
The rest of the day was spent napping, eating chocolate, and playing videogames. That night, we set up another family tradition for whenever Justin and I spend the night--Lord of the Rings Risk! I had fun playing with my new camera during this, just using the zooming...and I love the vibrant colors!
However, half way through our game, we got a terrible phone call. Now, northern Utah had been struck with a Winter storm, and it had been snowing for a few days. Grandma said she was nervous when she drove down to open presents with us. Our Uncle Dave's car slid while visiting us. Grandma had left to go visit our Grandpa who was in a nursing home. The phone was Uncle Dave. A few minutes later, mom came downstairs, crying, and dropped to the floor. My first thought was the Uncle Dave had got in a car crash and was injured. The second thought that went through my head was that the same thing (or worse) had happened to Grandma on her way to visit Grandpa. But, what my mom said was that my Grandpa had passed away. Now, my Grandpa had been in the nursing home for 4 years due to numerous health problems that my Grandma couldn't take care of at home anymore, and he'd been sick and unhealthy for over a decade before. So, it was a long time coming, but it still was a blow. Mom and Dad left immediately to meet up with the rest of her siblings at Grandpa's nursing home. Rhys woke up, and my younger siblings were each struggling to cope in their own way. I was more devastated for my mom than Grandpa. I had loved him and had the most memory of him, but I knew it was a long time coming and he was out of his pain and misery. But, I worried about my mom. The next day was spent consoling Grandma and Mom. The funeral was set for the New Year's Eve, so after making sure that Mom would be ok, Justin, Rhys, and I left for Boise, Idaho to visit his family.
Thankfully, the trip up there was smooth sailing and good weather. We only had to stop once to gas up, eat, and feeding Rhys. He was a trooper, either sleeping or happily playing or contently watching outside. We stayed at my SIL Jodie's place with her husband and 3 boys. My SIL Jenny, and her new hubby were there as well as my SIL Jana and my parents-in-law. Thankfully, Rhys slept better (but not as well as he did before vacation) since we were up in the attic and far away from any noise.
We spent the whole weekend with the family watching football, playing with the boys, taking pictures of their backyard, visiting with Justin's family, playing very competitive and intense card games after the kids went to bed, and celebrating Henry's 8th birthday and baptism. (In the LDS church, we believe that men shall be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam's transgression, so there we don't believe there is a reason for infant baptism. But, at the age of 8, we believe children can tell right from wrong and have the ability to follow Christ's example and commandment of being baptized into his church.) He had spent all week prepping for the baptism by learning more about the ordinance, the promises made, and the importance of it, as well as practicing bending so he would be completely immersed. After his baptism on Monday night, all his cousins and relatives from his dad's side of the family also came over, so there was a big party for him.
All of Monday, we were also watching the Watching Channel since both Justin's parents and Jana and we had to leave on Tuesday (Justin and I back to Utah, and they down to Vegas to fly out to GA). The Winter Storm was just getting worse. Thankfully, Tuesday morning, the drive wasn't too bad. It snowed and was a bit icy a teeny bit the first hour or so, and super windy as soon as we hit Utah, but Rhys wasn't having a good time. We had to stop twice to feed him or change a diaper. Justin dropped Rhys and I off at Grandma's house and then continued on home to go to work. We stayed at Grandma's with my siblings while Mom helped her plan the funeral. They had gone to her house early in the morning since they had lost power and it was in the single digits! Well, around dinner time, Mom packed us all up and headed to her home. But, she hadn't taken any house keys, since she was just going to go in through the garage door, but Dad had bolted that door shut on his way to work in the morning. So, we were locked out. So, in her small car, Mom, me, two of my siblings, Rhys in his carseat, and her two little lapdogs, went to Arby's for dinner and ate in the crowded car until Dad came home with the keys. Quite the adventure.
The next day was the funeral, and it was a beautiful service. All my mom's family was there. She spoke about memories she had about Grandpa as a child, and some of the stories were new to me. Then, one member of all the groups of siblings shared memories. Madison shared about how Grandpa had taught me how to play Chess and would play Cribbage and Chinese Checkers with me all the time. She also mentioned about him being able to see Rhys and a picture of his hand with Rhys's newborn hand. After a week of having a brave face, I finally broke down then. That was such a tender moment, since my Grandpa was crying as he met Rhys for the first time and when he held him for the first time. Rhys must have understood since he was quiet for the entire funeral service. Then, we went to the cemetery, and it was freezing, so my sister watched Rhys in the car with the heater on. Grandpa had been part of the Army during the Korean War, so he got a Veteran's burial and salute. It was very nice to see Grandma receive a flag.
For New Year's we just stayed in, watching How I Met Your Mother, playing Rummikub, eating Lindt chocolate, and trying to comfort Rhys back to sleep every two hours.
So, Christmas Break definitely had it's ups: visiting both sides of the family, seeing Rhys play with cousins and toys, not even thinking about work, and spending 24/7 with Justin.
But, it also definitely had it's downs: Rhys not sleeping well, the weather, and Grandpa's death and funeral.
I am dreading having to go to work in two days. The break has been so nice, and I know I am ready to be a SAHM next school year!
What were the biggest up and the lowest down of your Christmas Break?
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