Controversial - not my favorite feeling

I was supposed to register for classes at BYU at midnight; however, I completely spaced getting my ecclesiastical endorsement... whoops. Pray that comes through VERY quickly.

So this brought me to the FB for some quality social media time. As I scrolled down the page, I saw arguments going back and forth on both sides for a very controversial and hot topic. This led me to reflect on my own opinions on the matter.

I find that my opinions often fall into the spiral of silence. I listen to people's viewpoints and absorb what they are saying, but I rarely give much feedback on my feelings of the issue. Sometimes I do. When it counts. I like when people can openly tell me how they feel. It expands my mind on lots and lots of things.

I do have opinions. And... they're probably not popular. I won't say which crowd they're unpopular, it's just hard being unpopular regardless.

While writing a paper for my persuasive english class on legalizing marijuana, I found that the side I wanted to take didn't have nearly as much support as the opposing side. But I stuck to it, and got a fairly mediocre grade for underdeveloped support (also in part to the fact that I wrote it in.. an hour). But I really felt like I chose the right side. Which made me come to this epiphany:

Things that are the most difficult to translate from emotional conviction to logical reasoning are the hardest to fight for; but they are the most worthwhile.

This post is ambiguous at best to reveal how I feel about the controversy circling FB, which is how I wanted this one to be. I'll probably write a lot about it one day and it will be very clear, but now I will be super clear on one thing: 

Never mind religious beliefs, political beliefs, race, social economic status, popularity, sexual orientation, ability to walk, see, or hear; no one deserves to feel inferior or alone. Everyone should be loved.

My favorite day in February

I tend to love holidays. I believe every holiday has associated foods, decorations and activities that make life exciting and memorable.

This was my work from this Valentine's Day. I know. Please hold your applause.

Also, Valentine's cups with attached crazy straws are the epitome of romance.

Our very first married Valentine's day was so so great. We got home and I realized we did not take a single picture of our romantic date (typical), so just pretend that this picture from last year was this year's picture.

So fine. All mine.

We went to Carrabba's Italian Grill (A man named Carrabba from Italy with a gold grill on his teeth).
I had the chicken bryan. Have you ever had chicken bryan? It's divine. Also, a light salad and infinity bread and clouds of red mashed garlicky potatoes. AND rasberry vanilla italian soda. We are usually water people when we eat out, as other drinks are overpriced and sugary caloric... who am I kidding. I have never counted a calorie in my life. Which might change soon. I'm watching the Biggest Loser this season and getting inspired. After the circus animal cookies in my cupboard are gone.

Even more divine than my chicken was my date. We laughed and talked the whole time about everything and nothing. I could talk to Joe for years without pausing once to think of new material (which is good because we only have .10/eternity done with our relationship). We also stared dreamily into each other's eyes across the booth. Which is also a great detail! Probably .1% of the Provo/Orem area gets a booth on Valentine's day, as there are about 3 billion couples angrily fighting and swearing to spend a little time with their loved one.

I love Joe so much. I'm grateful for the firm pushes Heavenly Father gave us to walk on paths of life heading directly for each other. Joe works hard, is incomparably funny, and has great taste in life. Example, my valentine's roses. They somehow look antique. Not dead (as antique flowers would imply) but this:

One day I will have a camera that could capture the beautiful color. Also note the good taste in chocolate. And there was ice cream. I am one happy and in love lady :)

What do Cami and Joe Joe do all day?

Excellent question.

Joe is often out touring with the band "Les Sages." They're a huge success, and keep getting bigger. Particularly in Europe for some reason. It's hard to have him gone for so long, but it's even more rewarding to have him living his dream.

Les Sages. I miss that cardigan of Joe's.

Me and the kids usually stay at home. Trendalynne has taken a particular liking to her polo classes and Frugellen really likes his snowboarding.

Back to now.

Often if you ask Mr. and Mrs. Larson to participate in an activity on a weeknight, our response will be, "Oh no no no. We would rather be programming fancy computer things and learning how to move money around for hypothetical businesses."

It's true. We're in the very midst of our collegiate programs, and we are BIZ-AY!

Cami's list of things to do:

-Accounting class

-other classes if accounting leaves time

-working at the Soops Glam Library

-watching Ellen. I want her job one day. Which means I should start my stand-up comedian circuit now prolly.

-PRSSA (if not for me, where would the refreshments be on Wednesday??)

-Bradley lab for SRA (organization that teaches people in 3rd world countries how to farm and feed their families. Seriously check it out: http://feedtheworld.org You'll tear up.)

-cooking, napping, cleaning (in that order)

Joe's list:

-Da Band

-Stinking Information Systems core classes at the BYU.

Ok Marriott school of business. I understand that you guarantee things like 100% job placement, and free meals all day everyday, but who gave you permission to take up so much of my hunky hunky husbands time? How are we supposed to take pottery classes together?

Fact is, it's a super busy time of our lives. The laundry gets put off, the carpets go un-vacuumed, and the dishes form thoughtful sculptures as they dance across the kitchen counters. I can't wait until we have kids and life slows down so I can finally eat my bon bons and catch up on my soaps.

But. Elder Hales once spoke in general conference about not painting yourself into the figurative corners of life. Basically, he meant put the work in now, so that later opportunities won't be cut off from you. Like, go to college and do well so that the job of your dreams is available to you before it is too late. (Talk here)

So we'll go on. Pressforward. Carefully painting our gorgeous floor of life to leave us free to joyously walk onto whatever exciting opportunities come our way. Hopefully one of these opportunities will be owning a timeshare on a private island.

Engagement story - the best surprise of my life

It has been 1 year, 1 month, and 4 days since I got engaged. That means it's almost been 1 whole year of marriage for me and Joe. So where the heck are my babies?

looking good holding baby Mike Dayley

My natural motherly instincts cradling baby Flora Crandall

Beautiful baby Flora

a younger Dave Dayley

Curly haired Andrew Dayley

Obviously we're working with some good genes to produce lovely looking children.. so we should probably get to it?

*Patience Iago*

Engagement story - the best surprise of my life :)

Our engagement was a complete surprise to me.

It is customary for couples of the LDS faith to pray about whether marriage is the right thing, discuss it, secretly tell your roommates that you're engaged and simply waiting for the ring to be sized.

Joe decided to skip these steps, and just ask. It probably helped his confidence that I had been telling him that we should get married about hmm.. a day into our relationship. Anywho.

Joe was planning on driving down shortly after the Christmas holiday of 2011 to surprise me by dressing up as a bum and proposing to me. Creativity points. But :( while driving down to Slots Begas, he got in a super bad accident, flipping the suburban 5 times down the Freeway. His brother Kris's neck still doesn't have full motion from that accident. He insisted nobody tell me about the accident, as to keep his proposal a surprise. WHAT THE HECK. Thank goodness he was alright. 

Plans changed as I decided to come home from the Christmas break early and be with my handsome hot hunky boyfriend. Shortly after arriving at Larson Manor: Salt Lake, Joe suggested we go outside and kiss a little bit. I loved his lips, and agreed to the activity. Soon I was surrounded by this:

Sweeter things were never said to me prior to this setting.

He asked, and I shouted yes. Very loud.

and then I was given this:

Buh-Bam! Picked out solely by Joe. He has excellent taste.

We talked through the new year about how great life is and how great it was going to be.

And life is great :) Every day with Joe is indescribably happy. Laughter and Love fill every inch of our little home.