the adventures of Stephan and Laura

I got up about eight this morning, expecting to have a day of homework and such. I got on my computer, logged into facebook, and Stephan's mom got onto chat and asked if it was too early for Stephan to call me. He had just gotten out of his one class. I said that it was fine, but I wasn't dressed yet. Stephan calls, and he asks if he could come over for a little while since today marked two months since he proposed. After I got off the phone, I hopped into the shower, got dressed, and then he came over. We hung out for a little while, and decided to run a couple of errands, like checking out a wedding invitation place at the mall that does custom invitations for really cheap and then going to the scooter shop so we could get a helmet for me.

We go to his scooter, and his keys are still in the ignition. He tries to start the scooter. The battery is dead. This is very annoying. He called his mom, and she was making a house call (she's a nurse) but promised to call when she could get the battery charger from their house. We hang out at my apartment for a while waiting. She came with the charger and we charged it until it wouldn't charge anymore. Stephan put the battery back and the scooter still didn't start. So, we three made a trip to the scooter shop to get a new battery. This one was going to be a better one that would last a few years. But we would have to wait a few hours before it was ready. In the meantime, we looked at helmets. Then Kathy HAD to get back to Pleasant Grove to pick Natalie (Stephan's younger sister) up from school. Stephan's backpack was still at my apartment, so we went back to my apartment (with a slight detour at a drive-thru to get a late lunch) and Kathy dropped us off. We did a little bit of studying. Then Stephan's dad came later with the new battery, helped him put it in, and all was well again. We (Stephan and me) went for ice cream after that. I think we deserved it.

After we came back to my apartment for some water, Stephan really needed to get home. I walked him out to his scooter, and when he tried to start it, it wouldn't go. Needless to say, I panicked. But it turned out he forgot to flip a switch. Phew! He said to me: "I've caused you a lot of worry today, didn't I?" My answer: "YES!!!!" Then he left.

What a day! But I'm sure we'll all look back on this in the near future and laugh. And some good came out of the stuff that happened today:

(1) Stephan's battery was on the fritz anyway, it turns out. So it's a good thing we got it replaced. Better to have it die at my apartment complex and get a battery while he's still living at home rather than have his battery die when he's in the middle of nowhere or something. That would be bad! The battery he has now will last him three years. His old one was only supposed to last one year, and he's had it for almost a year.

(2) We're probably not going to that invitation place after all. We are going to have Alex (Stephan's brother) design our wedding invitations on photoshop and print them somewhere. Or buy photo paper (we're doing photo announcements). Cheaper than paying a place to design AND print them.

(3) We know my helmet size and what kind of a helmet we want for me.

(4) Honestly, a dead battery was much better than what else could have happened!

(5) I got to introduce Stephan to SubZero Ice Cream. Houston, we have a convert!

Oh the joys of being engaged to someone who essentially has a motorcycle...ha ha.

May 12

Oh dear, it's been a week since I updated. Though I wonder how many people actually read this...

Let's see...

I went to a pre-marital class last Thursday. No, I did not have a pre-marital exam. It was a class full of engaged women (no guys, thank goodness) and a Nurse Practitioner proceeded to give a two-hour lesson about anatomy, sex, birth control, and marriage prep in general. It was informative, though I already knew about the stuff they went over because of the Marriage Prep class I took last year. I was a bit surprised that they went over things that I thought were basic. Are there that many girls who do not know basic anatomy? Dear dear. But the information the NP gave about birth control was very enlightening. I had thought that birth control pills caused weight gain, when actually they make you more hungry. They don't directly cause weight gain. Good to know! All the bad stuff you hear about birth control pills is actually more applicable to the shot. Let me tell you, I vow to never have the shot! I also vow to never have an IUD (IntraUterine Device). I don't like the idea of an inanimate object hanging out in my uterus. The only thing I ever want in my uterus is a baby, and I'm not planning on getting pregnant for a little while.

After the class, we each got to meet with the NP individually to address personal concerns and to get prescriptions for birth control (if desired). I have a prescription and I have pills. End of story; you are not allowed to think I'm a bad person for going on birth control. I have my reasons for birth control that I will detail at another time.

Stephan and I have been looking for married housing, and most of the stuff is for now. We did find a place that was available mid-July and it seemed perfect: a loft apartment, one bedroom, close to downtown Provo, really reasonable rent, etc. Stephan could move in for that first month, we could furnish it and move stuff in gradually. We contacted the people, and they promised information and such. Well, we didn't hear from them for days and I called the wife today and she said that it had already been sold. Gee, thanks for letting me know sooner. I've gotten over it. I know that people will keep moving out over the summer, so something will come up. And I figure that Heavenly Father has something even better for us in mind. I hope it includes a washer and dryer. I'm really hating Park Plaza's laundry room. $1.50 to do a load of wash! And .25 for TEN minutes in the dryer! Ugh!!! I really miss Anika now. Of course, I don't just miss her washer/dryer. I miss her and her little family.

Stephan and I hiked to Battle Creek Falls on Saturday. Yes, I hiked. It was a pretty easy hike--just half a mile, but the uphill part was a little strenuous for me. Give me a break, I'm from the flatlands of Texas. It was a good workout.

Nothing much else to report. Last Friday marked six months since Stephan and I met. This Friday marks three months until the wedding. Ahhh!

Cinco de Mayo

So, Rachel gave me our engagements and they are AMAZING. We have chosen a card design that requires three pictures, and we've picked our three. I posted the pictures on facebook, and it seemed that people really liked the cheesy ones and such. We've selected some classic, but fun pictures. I'm excited.

I cooked dinner for the first time in what seems like ages. I made a chicke broccoli stir-fry that was pretty good. I need to buy a new skillet--I had been using Jenny's, and Jenny moved out. My old skillet got burned during recipe experimentation. But the meal turned out well, all things considered. And it was HEALTHY. Yeah, Jessica and I are trying to eat healthier and we're both working on our cooking skills. It's fun. Hopefully, Stephan will not die from my cooking.

Here are some engagement pictures for your viewing pleasure. Trust me, there are plenty more!!!

back to the grind

I got back from Houston on Tuesday. Kathy picked me up from the airport and she took me back to Provo. Stephan came practically straight from finals to come see me. We've gotten to see each other three days in a row, which is quite an accomplishment for us. Because it's spring/summer, we get to see each other more because of our reduced class load. Though I really want to do well in my two classes this term, so sacrifices will need to be made. 

We took engagement pictures yesterday! My friend Rachel (from my old ward) took them. She's an amazing photographer. The pictures were taken in a park right across the street from the Mt. Timpanogos Temple. I've seen the pictures on her camera and they are amazing! Stephan enjoyed the photo session a lot more than I thought he would. He was really hamming it up for the camera. He also looked very good in the black shirt he borrowed from his younger brother ;) I might have to bribe Alex to let him have it *laughs*. 

Though during the photography session, we lost Stephan's keys. It got too dark for us to find them, so we ended up calling his parents to come bring him an extra set.

Rachel is editing the pictures, so when I have them, I will definitely be putting them on facebook! Maybe here as well if I have any anti-facebook readers. 

I have a wedding dress!

So yesterday, I went to The Silver Hanger in Katy, Texas with my mom in search of a wedding dress. After trying on about ten dresses, we narrowed it down to five that we liked. And then we narrowed it down to two or three, and finally I selected MY dress. We then selected my veil, and we found a lovely one. We also got some shoes for me. 

It was a productive day. It was also exhausting. Who knew that trying on wedding dresses could be so exhausting? But I am so glad I have my dress! It is so gorgeous! It's simple but absolutely stunning. When my mom pulled it off the rack, she didn't think it would look good on me because of some of the lines, but what was the harm in trying it on? When my mom zipped me up, we were shocked! We got out of the dressing room to see it in its full glory, and it was amazing! The dress didn't cost a fortune either. Now, we do have to get it altered. The skirt needs to be hemmed and the sleeves are too tight for comfort, so we're getting new sleeves. We also need to have the train bustled so I can wear it in the temple and so I can walk around at the reception. The train is rather long, but it's only going to be for pictures. I'll probably ask Brittney (my sister-in-law) to carry my train around for pictures. 

Who's going to do the alterations? My mom. So for those of you who think I'm a terrible person for not having my mom make my dress, this should console you. We're saving a lot of money by having her do the alterations. We are also talking about having her make my temple dress for when I get my endowments and for when I do sessions at the temple after I'm married. I know a lot of girls just wear their temple dress for the sealing ceremony, but I want to actually get married in my wedding dress. That's why I made sure I got a wedding dress I could wear for the sealing. 

What kind of shoes did I get? Well, I was hesitant to get white heels because I don't wear white heels on a regular basis, so I felt that I would be wasting money on them. I thought about getting purple shoes, but I NEVER wear colored shoes so those would go to waste too. So, I decided on white ballet flats. I know Stephan is 6'3", but he can bend his neck to kiss me, as if he doesn't already have to do that. However, I can wear the ballet flats in the temple and I can use them for my temple shoes after I'm married. Problem solved!

Oh, and yesterday was my parents' thirtieth wedding anniversary. And I got my wedding dress on that day! How cool is that? 

home for a holiday

I got home yesterday. What a day! Our Uncle Vernon took us to the airport at 7:30 in the morning. I was up late packing; I could have started sooner, but I was too happy being done with finals to do so. Needless to say, I forgot a few things. My scriptures, my iPod, my phone charger....yeah. But I'm not complaining too much. We have scriptures at home for me to read. I can survive without my iPod for a few days. And I discovered the wonders of Skype last night, so I can talk to Stephan without using up the charge on my phone. If you don't have Skype, I HIGHLY recommend it. I used to think you had to have a WebCam, but you don't. The WebCam is just a perk, though I wouldn't mind having one. Skype is especially for those who are in long distance relationships. 

After I got home, Scott and I accompanied our mom to the youth talent show being put on in the ward. My mom spent the evening shoving my left hand into people's faces. But I got many congratulations. A lot of people seemed shocked that I'm engaged. I think it's because when I came home at Christmas, there was no talk of a boyfriend. I mean, I had met Stephan by that point but we weren't in a relationship. So, I leave Houston with no boyfriend and come back a few months later engaged. 

I got my haircut this morning. Our hairdresser said that he has cut away ALL of the damage that had been wrought upon my hair by our previous hairdresser. It has taken nearly three years of Scott (the hairdresser, not my brother) to completely cut away the damage. That's how much damage there was. Sometimes I wonder if I should have had my head shaven, I could have gotten rid of it faster. But I'm pretty happy. Battling frizz is no fun. I was also given some ideas of what to do with my hair on the wedding day. 

After that, we went for Japanese food. Mmm....sushi. Yes, I know you are grossed out, but I don't care. I love it. My mother craved it when she was pregnant. 

I just watched Star Wars Episode III. It's a good movie, but it's depressing. That's why I don't watch it that often. Though I have a former friend who watched it incessantly when he got back from his mission. His parents had to ground him from it. Umm, creepy?

Tomorrow, I am going wedding dress shopping with my mom! I'm excited. Wanna know some irony? My parents' 30th wedding anniversary is tomorrow. And my mom is taking me wedding dress shopping. Now, how does that sound? Of course, my mom is delighted. 

One day more

One day more until I fly home to Houston! I just have to take one final today and I can take it whenever I want. Then it's packing time. My uncle is going to take Scott and me to the airport tomorrow morning. 

I'm excited to get home mainly because I get to see my family. I think it's going to be the last time I visit them as an unmarried woman. I'm also excited because (a) I'm getting my hair cut. My hair is getting really tangly, which means it's time for a haircut. (b) I get to go wedding dress shopping with my mom. I REALLY hope that I find my dress! (c) I get to relax a little. I'm also going to the dentist--I am not looking forward to that. 

While I am excited to go home, I'm sad because I'm not going to see Stephan until next Tuesday. He can't take me to the airport because he has class and it's crunch time for him. He can't pick me up from the airport either because he has to work. Finals week is a big time for the math lab. But somehow we'll see each other next Tuesday. 

I'm also excited for spring and summer. It's going to be stressful with wedding prep and classes, but it's just going to be Jessica and me who are going to be here, as far as we know. We're going to miss Jenny and Amy, but we're excited for the summer. We get our own rooms. A whole lot more storage space. More refrigerator space (ha ha). We are also making some health goals and we're going to motivate each other (yeah!). I'll also practice cooking on her. Hey, I'm getting married, I need the practice.