Tournament Nov. 2012

The Bobby Lawrence Karate tournament this November was fun and long. Friday night, we went for the demo team competition. For the amount of practice we had, I would say we had a pretty decent 

demonstration put together. Nice work Scott, for making this possible. 

Then there was American Fork's demo which took first. It was absolutely Amazing! just like always. :) One of my favorite parts is when Joelle and Josh do the malando kick together. I want a husband/wife spotlight in our next demo!

After the demonstrations, Michael and I staid to help out with judging and cleaning up. Earlier Saturday, it had started snowing, and by the time we left the expo center, it was a full on blizzard! Jessica was our ride home, and we walked out to her car to find it dead... After scanning the almost empty parking lot for someone who could help us, we finally found a nice lady to jump Jess's car. Jessica came out to thank her, and it was only after she drove off that we realized we were all locked out of the running car! We called the Sandy police, only to be told they could come break into her car, but would have to smash a window. The only other option was to call her husband Kurt, who was in Provo, to come up and save us. Which he did. Meanwhile, we were stuck out in the blizzard. Fortunately for us, the very last person in the parking lot was our friend, Jon Bronson. Jon staid with Jessica while his wife Kristin took Michael and I to get something to eat. (We were starving!) I'm so thankful for the Bronson's, so we had a warm car to wait in while we waited for Kurt to come unlock the car. By the time Kurt showed up, the roads were extremely bad... We were very blessed to make it home safely.
Michael and I went to bed at 2 in the morning, and had to get up early to go back the following morning.
The next day consisted of hours and hours of judging.... It could go so much faster if each ring could have knowledgeable scorekeepers instead of the 10 year olds they had making multiple mistakes. They slow the entire ring down. Oh well...
Here are some of my students at the tournament who competed and did awesome jobs! I was so proud of them.

And here I am judging with my friend Nathan... It was fun to hang out with my old pessimistic buddy. ;)

Unfortunately, the events went so slow, that Michael and I had to wait until after the black belt test to compete. The test went well. Everyone from our school who tested passed. Scott got his 5th degree! Woo Hoo! Here's Sydney who just earned her 1st degree black belt. 

Here's Michael warming up before competing. Look at those straddles! Scott's doing his Tuscan Raider imitation in the background. :)

Finally we were up to compete. Michael wasn't feeling too great and kept sliding on the slippery mats while he was sparring. He ended up taking third anyway. That's my boy!
He placed second in Contemporary Kata with Ba Sai Dai.
He placed first in Contemporary Weapons with Sato. See for yourself.

I competed in three events, none of which were sparring. I'm a chicken. I did end up placing first in Contemporary Kata with Black Ice. I thought Joelle's form was better, but hey, I'm not complaining. 

All in all, it was a good Tournament. I can't wait until May's. Michael and I will hopefully be testing for our fourth degrees. *fingers crossed*

iPhone 5!

Michael and I got iPhones today! I'm so excited to have all my music on my phone! Check it. :)

And mine has a super cute case!

Yay!

Walmart Bingo and Homemade Pizza

A week ago, we went to Hopper's Farewell. Yesterday, Michael and I went on a group date with him. Wednesday, he's leaving to the MTC. Crazy huh.

Anyway, I'd like to share our fun date.

It was Michael and I, Chloe and Hopper and Craig and Summer. (Craig and Hannah broke up, in case you were wondering.)

We met up at Walmart and played Walmart Bingo. If you'd like to play your own Walmart bingo, click here to get the bingo cards. We played against each other as couples. Chloe and Hopper won. I thought it was a fun game. Hopefully the others enjoyed it as well.

After Walmart, we went to my parents house and made homemade pizzas. Craig and Summer got the pizza stones and theirs stuck right to the stone. They had to eat their pizzas off the pizza stones with a fork. I really need to learn how to properly use one of those.

Rolling out Dough

Hopper cutting Chloe's heart pizza

This one was mine. It was delicious!

So Cute

After our pizza dinner, we went to our place and watched John Carter. I was pleasantly surprised. I thought it was a great movie despite it's bad reviews. 

I had such a great time last night. It was awesome to spend some time with my friends. I don't get to see them all that much. Now Hop's leaving on a mission and Craig is following soon after. They are going to be fantastic missionaries! I have no doubt.  

Happy Halloween

Today at work, we had to both open and close the store. Blegh!
After, Michael and I got to sit at a Salem truck-or-treat and pass out candy and karate flyers.
Finally, we got to celebrate the holiday. We dressed up and partied at the Brooks's.

Here's one of my very favorite youtube videos. It just happens to be about Halloween candy. :) Enjoy.

October Fun

Sorry I've kind of abandoned my blog this past month. October has been crazy busy! I would however, like to post this update on the events that recently happened.

• Pumpkin Carving. The second Sunday of this month, Michael and I went to my parents house. We carved pumpkins and made caramel apples. Can you tell who my pumpkin's supposed to be?

Also, my sister talked me into getting instagram. That's why all of the above pictures are square. :)

• Soon after, my mom helped me make Halloween sugar cookies. They were actually apology cookies... I kind of snapped at my co-worker, Scott, during one of our demo team practices. I felt so bad, so I made him these.

There were so many! so we also gave some to Anne, Robert and the Gordons.

• We had two opportunities to take some family pictures. The first one came when we went with Kimberly and Lance to help them with some wedding pictures. We got some good ones of ourselves while we were at it. 

• We also got to take pictures with my family for my Mom's Christmas card. Here are some of those. 

Isn't this a good one of my parents?!

• Kim and John Sorich came to visit the Brooks from California. It was nice to meet them for the first time, and also the Freeman's new puppy, Samson. Look how cute he is! I want a dog! :(

• I got a raise at Hogi. Woo Hoo! $8.25
• Finally, on Friday, there was a karate Halloween party. I dressed up as a princess, and Michael was a prince. I wore my prom dress and my Grandma Decker helped to make Michael a cape that matched. We looked so good! 

 Kailee, my co-worker curled my hair that day. On my way driving back from her house I was stopped at a stoplight, and someone in the car full of boys next to me called out "Hey gorgeous!" I turned and smiled at them. When they kept calling to me, I held up my left hand and pointed to my wedding ring. The boy closest to me did a "dang it" snap. Ha ha.

Anyway, at karate there were games, a costume contest and a trunk or treat. We had a great turn out. 

As Scott would put it "Instructors featuring Katy".

After the Party, Michael and I went with Scott and Katy to his house to carve more pumpkins and eat Papa Johns Pizza. Yum!

Yes. It's been a fun month!

Frightmares

I was so excited for our Lagoon day to come. On past trips to Frightmares I've had so much fun, and I wanted to make this trip just as memorable. We were hoping since it was a very overcast day, Lagoon wouldn't be too crowded. Unfortunately, that was not the case. There were sooo many people! 

We arrived there with Kimberly, Lance, Camille, Gina and her kids. For most of the day however, Michael and I were off by ourselves. There were some lines where we literally waited over an hour to get on a ride, or into a haunted house! 

Aside from the rocket, we were at least able to get on all our favorite rides once. My favorite part of the park was the show we went to called Disturbia. In one of the songs they performed, the blonde vampire sang directly to me. Even ask Michael. haha. He was jealous. :) 

We had previously planned to eat dinner at the park, but the food is so expensive, we decided get some better food for the same price outside of Lagoon. We ended up eating at Sizzler. 

All in all, I would say it wasn't the best trip. Frightmares is getting way too popular. The Halloween atmosphere is always fun, but the crowds kinda ruined it for me. Michael agreed. I had always wanted to make an October Lagoon trip a tradition, but maybe we'll shoot for every other year. 

We're with the Hack 'n' Slash demo team. The one has my braid. Haha

Here we are on the train waiting for it to start. 

Yay for Missionaries!

Conference was great this weekend! We are so blessed to be able to hear the words of living prophets. That  missionary announcement was crazy! Girls are able to go on a mission when they're 19! And boys when they're 18 and have graduated from high school. If you'd like to see the announcement, click here. I think this revelation is so great for so many reasons. Here are some of my thoughts on the matter. 

• This opportunity for girls to go on their mission earlier is perfect for girls like Cassie Haskell. Cassie has been determined to serve an LDS mission since I've known her. I'd bet that even if she met her eternal companion before her mission, she would have made him wait for her while she left to serve the lord for a year and a half. Cassie, I bet you're ecstatic right now.  
• I know that some have wondered if it's such a good idea, because they feel that a young women's top priority is to get married... not to serve a mission. But I say let them serve a mission! They're still going to be young when they return. Two years younger than if they had waited until they turned 21! 
• I think allowing girls to leave when they are 19 is especially great for high school sweethearts. (granted they're close to the same age.) Instead of the girl waiting around for her missionary to return, she can serve a mission at the same time! Then they can get married after both have had the opportunity to serve the lord. My mind keeps wandering to Chloe and Hopper. I talked to Chloe Sunday, and she is definitely planning on serving a mission as soon as she turns 19. I know Chloe wasn't going to wait for Hop while he served in Taiwan, but now they might end up together after all. :) - Don't get me wrong, Chloe was planning on serving a mission even if she had to wait until she was 21. She's always wanted to go. And ok... They're not exactly high school sweethearts, but still. 
• I'm also glad they chose to let boys go when they are finished with high school. For some, that's an entire year early. They now have less time in which they could make a mistake. Michael explained to me how that year in between was one of the hardest of his life. He said it was pointless to date when he knew he was leaving. He said he felt like he had to wait until the year went by until his life could progress. Also, according to my father-in-law, a professor at BYU, the majority of freshmen boys who choose to put in a year of school before their mission, have a poorer performance in their classes.
• Although I'm married and won't be serving a mission, this announcement might actually benefit me as well. I found this funny picture online: 

If there's the slightest truth to to this image, maybe I'll be able to get in after all. Fingers crossed. 

• I really enjoyed Henry B Eyrings talk Sunday morning, on how the Lord knows all things and what's best for us personally. We need to work according to his time table. Maybe I got married early so I wouldn't be tempted to serve a mission instead of marrying my best friend, when these new missionary age requirements were revealed. I know that marrying Michael at that time was the right decision for me. I love my husband with all my heart. When I previously wrote I wouldn't be serving a mission, I meant in the immediate future. Michael and I are definitely going to serve a couple mission, if not several. We'll be the best missionaries you ever did see. 

What a great announcement to witness. It's especially exciting when I'm the same age as those who are preparing to leave. I'd just like to give a shout out to my close friends who recently got their mission calls. 

McKennen Lamb - Called to serve in Paris, France. Everyone saw that one coming. :)  McKennen, you're a great friend and I'm sorry we grew apart. Your friendly personality is going be a great advantage in the mission field. Way to go Kennen!

Craig Sperry - Called to serve in Indianapolis, Indiana. Craig you are one of my very best friends. I really appreciate that you keep in touch even though I'm a Mrs. now. You are a great listener and you are going to rock that mission!

Allen Hopper - Called to serve in Taiwan, Tipei (Mandarin Chinese speaking. How cool is that?!) Hopper, I look up to you. Thanks for always being there when I need a friend. Why you gave me the nickname 'Smiles' beats me, because everyone smiles when they're around you. Your confidence and optimism are great traits to have when serving the lord. Hop, I hope you end up with Chloe. You two are SO cute. 

The following quote is for you boys: "Who the Lord calls, the Lord will qualify." -Thomas S. Monson

Now, for my current missionary friend:

David Corey - Currently serving in Richmond, Virginia. David, I'm so sorry I haven't written you any letters... I'll write soon. Promise. I just have to get your address from Chloe. David, you have such a strong desire to serve the Lord. I know you're doing a fantastic job!

David, this quote is for you: "When you're on the Lord's errand, you're entitled to the Lord's blessings." -Thomas S. Monson

Now, a shout out to my favorite missionary, an RM, Michael Brooks - Served a full time mission to Tijuana, Mexico. Michael was a great missionary who endured a broken wrist, difficult companions, illness and vicious dogs. He never gave up. He has a very strong testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and wasn't afraid to share it with others. He has changed the lives of many, by bringing them closer to their Father in Heaven. I love you Michael bear! Thanks for always setting a good example for me. 

Way to go boys! I'm so proud of you! 

I'd like to close this post with a quote by Joseph Smith. "The standard of truth has been erected; No unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing; persecutions may rage, mobs may combine, armies may assemble, calumny may defame, but the truth of God will go forth boldly, nobly, and independent, till it has penetrated every continent, visited every clime, swept every country, and sounded in every ear, till the purposes of God shall be accomplished, and the great Jehovah shall say the work is done."