Only one more week...

Teaching has ended and it is back to BYU to finish up my last semester at Brigham Young University. Yeah for me! Finals are only 6 days away, yet I find myself with papers and reflections to write, experiments to conduct, and tests to take before the real tests come. Why do they do this to us? Nate and I are anxious for the semester to end because starting at 11am on Tuesday the 18th, the fun begins and we will finally be able to see each other longer than 3 hours a day. It is off to Vegas for the Bowl Game (Go Cougars), then back up to St. George for Christmas festivities and finally off to Florida for our Eastern Caribbean cruise and a delayed honeymoon. Even though I am so excited for our cruise I find myself replaying the sinking of Titanic over and over in my mind. There are no icebergs in the Caribbean, right? I am a bit of worrier so everyone keeps reassuring me that all will go well and that the ship will stay afloat, at least from December 30th to January 6th! Ha. I am sad that Encinitas, California won't be a part of my or our (I forget that sometimes) vacation plans, I am sure that we will make up for it with all of our fun in the sun. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving came and went, but that five day weekend was well needed, and the five days away from the little critters wasn't bad either. Nate's family came up Wednesday evening and spent the remainder of the weekend with us. The turkey call came bright and early Thursday morning for football and off the boys went and me of course. I wasn't going to miss out on this one and since I have never seen my husband play the sport that he has a scholarship for, I figured I'd better be there to cheer him on. As I sat in the 30 degree weather, I wondered if it was worth it, but as the first snap was hiked and I watched Terry (Nate's Dad) rush the quarter back and Paul (Nate's uncle) scramble for the first down, I knew it was going to be worth it. The game went on and ended in a tie with only a few minor injuries....a bloody knee, scrapped face, sore muscles, oh, and a torn MCL. After the game we jetted off to the Gifford's (Dan and Heidi- Nate's aunt and uncle) for Thanksgiving dinner. It was great....turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, green bean casserole, stuffing, roles, salad, fruit salad, and all the jello one could handle...followed by, chocolate pie, pumpkin pie, razzleberry pie, and cheese cake. Heidi out did herself for sure! But it was still missing one thing....CREAMED CORN, a Toolson family staple! What is a girl to do without creamed corm on Thanksgiving? After dinner, I went home and looked at my marriage license and noticed at the bottom in fine print..."shared holidays", something I didn't realize before. That's a joke...but even though I wasn't at home for Thanksgiving I must say it was just as fabulous to have my new family around starting new traditions, mixed with the old. I have been so blessed to marry into such a wonderful and fun family. It is always a party with the Hutchinson's and Gifford's. Anyways, that next night a bunch of us went to see August Rush (PS...don't bring your husband's because they'll ruin it). It was such a great flick minus Nate playing the imaginary guitar, piano and saxophone next to me throughout the movie and reminiscing about the midgets from the night before (Little People, Big World). You'll understand when you see it...All in all, it was a successful weekend and to top it off...Collie is still open!! THE COUGARS BEAT UTAH 17-10!!

Oh, The Joys of Teaching...

Many of you talk about the joys of motherhood...what's that? Even though I don't have children of my own (yet), I now have 32 adopted sixth graders for the next month and a half to keep me plenty occupied and you entirely entertained. Oh, the joys of teaching. I started student teaching yesterday and already on the second day...we have a sub. What learning goes on when students have a subtitute you might ask...absolutely none. It is coloring assignment after coloring assignment. So moms, when your kids ask to stay home from school due to a substitute, let them, because a trip to the grocery store just might teach them more. Funny story #1- As a student teacher, you have many important responsibilities, which include: copying, errand running, paper correcting, oh and an occasional lesson teaching. As I was returned to the class from my copying duties, a boy blurted out, "Jake was checking you out!" The whole class laughed and waited for a response. Not knowing what to do, I continued to walk and then finally decided to play along. As I turned around the boy who "checked me out" asked if I was married. I shook my "bling" in his face and told him that I was taken. I was so proud, but then realized I was talking to an 11-year-old. Dang it. After a few laughs were exchanged, he mumbled under his breath, "Will you get a divorce?" Oh, the joys of teaching.

Getting Settled...

Even though Nate and I have almost been back from the chaos for a month, we are officially settled minus a few bags of shoes and snowboarding clothes that still remain somewhere. We are living in his grandparents home in Alpine while they serve a mission in West Virgina until April. Nate keeps trying to get them to extend so the free rent continues. Alpine life is great, but when it comes to 7:30 and 8:00am classes everyday of the week, it interrupts the beauty sleep. But Nate has it even worse. He has his "injured crew" lifting at 6am which means wake up call at 5:05am and out the door by 5:15am. But he never complains. It is amazing. Nate and I are in the thick of Fall semester and life has never been busier. We never see each other except for the occasional lunch date on Monday's and of course dinner at home each night. We have drastically changed our sleeping habits in the past few weeks. We truly have adopted the counsel...early to bed and early to rise even though it may be forced. Don't bother calling after 8:30 because the likelihood of catching us awake is slim to none. Despite all our lack of sleep, we are loving life and the best part about it is that each night I don't have to say good night to Nate...he comes with me! And for all those that have been patiently awaiting pictures from the wedding they are now up on Jamie Hammond's website: www.jamiehammondphotography.com. Click on "View full screen", "clients" and then find the "Hutchinson/ Halverson wedding". ENJOY!

Have I become a Utahrd?

Ok...I just have one question. Does the word "Utahrd" mean one who was born and raised in Utah or one who simply resides in Utah? Since I can't claim California any longer as a place of residence, I have become very worried about my "Utahrd" status. Let me know. Either way, I think I will always claim Encinitas, California as my home-base.

Wedding Bells

Well, September 28Th came and went too fast. It almost was like it didn't happen (don't tell Debbie). I awoke that Friday morning to the light sound of rain. Just in case anyone forgot...rain and weddings don't mix, especially when the reception is outside! My phone was ringing off the hook that morning with people on the other end reassuring me that it would dry up and everything would be great! I didn't care...I was getting married! Nate and I were married at 3pm, took a few pictures at the temple and then jetted off to the reception. (FYI- It wasn't the most beautiful sunny California day, but at least the rain had passed.) But, it was absolutely amazing. I couldn't believe that this party was for me...we'll lets be honest...for Tim, Debbie, and myself! But it really was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen and "very me". Heather of amorology and family friend had carried an Anthropologie and vintage theme throughout and I loved every inch of it! The sister dresses were mustard yellow and black and the bridesmaid outfits were black dresses of their choice. It all looked perfect together. The boys were all in tuxes, even little Andrew and Ryan (nephews). Andrew loved his tux so much that the night before we had to try it on and watch him dance and sing with spatula in hand! It was pretty fun to watch. And then the linens...they were plum with accents of mustard and moss green...it really was so creative! I wish I could go back and see it all again, because I am sure there are millions of details that I completely missed. Good thing for photographers! The night was perfect and even better...dry! After being in my dress for six hours, it became harder and harder to breath. Who knew dress fittings weren't enough to really see if your dress was comfortable or breathable for that matter?! There were occasional bathroom breaks where I would grab the nearest girlfriend and have her go to the bathroom with me to undo my dress for a moment of oxygen and deep breaths. As 8:30 came I was ready to get out of that dress...not for that reason...sickos, but for the sole reason of being able to breathe! So we wrapped it up with the bouquet and garter toss and the final dance to "My Wish" dedicated by Nate's mom. We were finally sent off with sparklers, one last kiss for the photographer and the night was over...

A bit long-winded...

I am a bit long-winded on my posts, but I am trying to keep a record of my days as the good book tells us...

In between it all...

Three months had passed and I couldn't have asked for anything better. It was the easiest relationship I had ever been in. Easy in the sense that everything seemed to just happen how I had always imagined. Dinner dates, long conversations, surprises, flowers, notes, and the occasional weekend home to get acquainted with Mom and Dad. But that was all put on hold when...

One evening as I was making dinner for the roommates and Nate, he called me on the way home from practice and said...Well I have good new and bad news. He then followed with..."I am on my way, but I have to get surgery on Thursday". What? What happened? He had dislocated his left knee cap for the third time and the training staff finally said enough is enough. So that following Thursday Heather (Nate's sister) and I waited while the doctors went to work. As they wheeled Nate out of surgery they warned both Heather and I that he would be groggy and a little out of it. That was an understatement. When Nate finally saw Heather and I, he rubbed his fists together, put them to his chest and yellled CLEAR as his body convulsed up and down, ready to be "revived". As one who has never seen someone come out of anesthesia, I was a little concerned to say the least. That is one of many stories that I experienced while Nate was under the influence. After a night's stay in the hospital, Nate was finally ready to come home. With his oxy cotton in hand to dull the pain he was ready for anything. That weekend was only the beginning of much to come. With very explicit instructions from the doctor, oxy cotton was to be taken every 4 to 6 ours and muscle relaxants every 2 to 3 hours and Aspirin everday. Only Heather and I kind of forgot the Aspirin part of it, so the recovery went from bad to worse. He had stopped taking his pain medications a few days after surgery but was experiencing worse pain in his calf than his knee. His calf looked like a snake when it swallows a mouse and you can follow the mouse down the snake's body as he slowly digests his good. We then looked at the sheet entitled "Signs of Blood Clots" and sure enough we rushed him to the ER, where ultra sounds were taken. The doctor was "98% positive" that he didn't have a blood clot, but come to find out he had two! Again, Nate was admitted to the hospital where he spent one night and was put on Cumadin. As the days went on his knee was refusing to go down in swelling and the pain increased. He decided to go see the doctor one last time (or so he thought) to make sure everything was alright. Come to find out his knee was swelling from the inside out with blood. The doctor proceeded to pull out six 120 CCs of blood. The pain was immediately gone and Nate couldn't have been happier. But after only 2 hours of returning from the doctor, the pain began to intensify. Back to the doctor we went, where 2 more viles were taken from his knee and admittance to the hospital was next. Nate remained in the hospital on morphine drip to subside the pain as they monitored his blood levels. After three days in the hospital, the original surgeon wanted to go back in and put a drain in his knee to stop it from swelling. This was finally the end of it. Nate was released 2 days later to make a full recovery at home.

But the best part of it all, is while Nate was on oxy cotton, morphine, muscle relaxants, and more he had finally told me that he loved me. Was it real or was it the drugs talking? We'll never know. As like turned into love, love quickly turned into talk of marriage. But before Nate was put on a morphine drip his uncle had warned, "Nate, be careful with what you say to Linley, because I have never been closer to my wife than on morphine." I guess he didn't listen too carefully. This was the best and worst two weeks of my life. The best because the boy that I was head or heels for was telling me that he wanted me to be his wife and worst because he was under the influence while expressing his undying love. Days followed, but the the talk of marriage did not. Dang drugs! Even though now the "M" word wasn't used, he continually reassured me of his love for me and how he was trying to figure things out. As Nate and I continually defined our relationship, we both grew frustrated with the situation as many do and decided to slow things down. I was ready to get married and he wasn't quite there. Surprise! As I packed my things to go home for the summer, I left Nate without knowing how things would turn out. I thought my whole world would end if I couldn't be with him. So I left Provo never thinking that I would see him again. Dramatic I know, but that's me...to be continued.

How it all began...

Nate and I met, dated, and then were married 9 and 1/2 months later. Okay, maybe it was a little more involved than that but who cares about the details. Well I do...so here ya go. Nate and I were both down in Las Vegas for the BYU Bowl game over Christmas this past year. He was there with his band of brothers and I as an employee. As I was riding the bus home from the strip with a few friends I received a text message, yes text message, from another player wanting to set me up with his good friend "Hutch". I was a little skeptical but consented to a date. I asked David Nixon who was on the bus with me what he thought about this "Hutch" character and the following was this response. "Is he funny? Yes. Do I think he is your future husband...probably not." After that I was worried what I had just gotten myself into. So the text messages continued and continued and continued. Things were said such as...Hutch is my best friend, he'll treat you so good, you'll have cute babies, etc. I was a little confused as to why this particular person was saying such things, but didn't think too much of it because afterall this was BYU. So after the weekend at the Bowl Game, still without a meeting, we went home for the holidays. Upon the Monday of returning to school the phone rang and "Hutch" or Nate was on the other end asking to go out Wednesday. So Wednesday came and went, Goodwood BBQ was great and the rest is history. Only there was still one bit of information that I had missed. Those text messages I referred to earlier didn't come from Hutch's friend, but Hutch/ Nate himself. He had initiated the contact and then continued to set himself up using his buddy's phone. It all began to make sense... great guy, cute kids. No wonder I was getting these texts that made Nate look like the bachelor I had always dreamed of. Well it turns out he really was and is. After that first date, we went out again on Saturday and have spent everyday together since with a few hickups and one proposal in between.