So after all the hub bub of the past week, which I will blog about later, here are the pictures I took while everyone was around! Enjoys!

Purple Staples: Gotta love the simple things

So I keep having to go to the library for the sole purpose of stapling my homework. I don't have a little mini staple in my back pack...which are super convenient. So today, I needed to get some other school supplies and such, so I went to the stapler aisle. Okay, they don't have their own aisle, but they do have a pretty decent selection. So I perused over all the choices and I found a blue swingline that was the perfect size for my backpack! I almost bought an XActo brand stapler, but I couldn't do it. I had to buy a Swingline. Anyone who has ever seen Office Space will understand. Now, I have my little light blue stapler and I came home and opened it up to put the staples that came w/ it inside of it. And much to my surprise, the staples that came w/ it are purple!!!!! It's awesome! I was expecting the regular ones, but instead they were colorful!! It was way cool. So they pretty much make me happy when I see them. It's the Simple things in life that seem to make you happy, like colorful staples. Happy Day!

Volleyball!

So, I have an addendum to the post from yesterday...or whenever I did it. On Saturday, there was also a volleyball game. We won the game quite nicely in 3 sets over Weber State. No surprises there, but here's the news worth mentioning. They always throw out these little volleyballs during the game and I've never gotten one. Haha, I've been to like a million volleyball games and never got one, sad! But finally my hopes and dreams have come true! I got a volleyball!!!! And it was a special volleyball. It had a coupon for free popcorn on it too! So Kristin got the popcorn and I got the ball. Pretty much amazing. It's alright to be jealous. :) Funky fresh, I'm out.

Rise and Shout, the Cougars are out!

So yesterday was the big BYU-Oklahoma opening game in which all predictions had BYU losing by quite a bit. But, who really trusts those things anyhow. Though a number 3 against a number 20 is usually a pretty easy call. Ha! But not when BYU is playing! As the cheesy ESPN thing said during the game, "Every underdog has a chance." And we took that chance and rammed it down their throats and pulled off the biggest upset of opening week, and let's see how the rest of the season plays out. Though this isn't the first time BYU has one big, it's the biggest upset we've pulled off since 1990; the biggest since I've been here. And b/c of that, there was some CRAZINESS following the game. As soon as it ended, we all ran out of our apartments and started yelling and screaming and jumping and such. It was awesome. Then we all went to the street and started yelling w/ people from other apartments as cars drove by honking their horns and more people screaming.

Then we thought that there was probably something good going on on campus, so we headed up to the Wilk. to see if anything was going on there. We got there and there was a huge crowd of people standing out in front of it, so we joined the crowd. Then we all stampeded through the Wilk cheering and singing the fight song. Next was a race from the Wilk. to the victory bell. That's a much longer jog than I remember, but it was good. Probably just seemed longer b/c I'm so out of shape and not used to the mountain air and such. So they rang the victory bell, and some guy gave a little victory speech and we all walked down (whew, no one was in the mood to run anymore) to condo row for a block party. Someone had hooked their speaker up to an amp and had some music playing while everyone was cheering and dancing and such. Then someone had an OU pinata that they hung from a balcony and beat w/ a stick. Then I was pretty much done for the day. Basically non-stop screaming from 5-10:30 or so. All in all, AWESOME!

Hands down, this was the craziest night in Provo since I've been here and could quite possibly be the craziest I'll ever have. Then again, I do have another three years, so we'll see. But it was totally amazing and the craziest night of all time. w00t w00t Cougars!!! Ra, ra, ra ra ra. Ra, ra, ra ra ra, Gooooooooooooooooo Cougars!!!!!!!

I got engaged to the bestest girl EVER!!!

So I've been promising this post for quite some time now, and so I'm finally going to deliver. I know some people have been waiting patiently for me to write this, so here goes!

It was a beautiful Friday morning in Bountiful and I woke up before the roosters began to crow (7:00 if you must know) and it was time to finish packing and head on the way down to Cedar City...with a stop in Provo. So I made sure I had everything that I would need:

Fancy Lingonberry Apple Drink....check!

Fancy cups.....check!

Picnic Basket.....check!

Raspberry Milano cookies....check!

Black Baccara Roses (50 of them)....check! (impossible to find online by the way)

The RING....check! (whew, that was a close one...)

With everything in hand that I could gather from that locale, it was off to the land of Provo!

An hour or so driving and we ended up at Aunt Dianes house to pick up some much need items for this magical day. Hmmm....what do I need:

Blanket....check!

Battery operated candles....check!

Now I have everything that I need to pull off the most amazing feat in my life. Well, almost everything. So then I had to check into my new apartment, not that exciting. So I did that and then it was time to head to Cedar City! woot woot!

......3 hours later......

Upon arriving in Cedar City we needed to find the park where I was going to perform my magic. It would have been really easy if I had the foresight to print off a map, but I didn't. So we drove around a neighborhood looking for a network we could connect to so that we could google maps this place. Of course, we found an unsecure network and found directions to the park. Now at the park, it was time to select a location. There were some nice grassy areas, a pavilion, and a playground. And I think you can all guess which of these I chose: The playground!

There was a nice open area at the top of one of the slide on the top of the playground equipment that would be perfect for a picnic. So now it's all ready...almost. Still need to get some food. So I get dropped off on SUU campus to meet Kristin while Michael and Michelle go pick up some KFC and then go to the park to set it all up.

Upon being reunited w/ the love of my life at the library, we started to walk towards the park. As we got closer to the park I called Michael to see if they had it all set up...and they hadn't as of yet, so we had to improvise and walk a little farther. Ironically though, the path I was taking to waste time went right by the park! Oh no! So, thinking quickly I start talking to Kristin and pointing to the red mountains in Cedar City....which were the opposite direction of the park. So as we were distracted by the red mountains, we safely passed the park w/out anything getting

spoiled. (Another close call) Then we walked some more and Michael said that is was ready. And now, the big moment!

So we walk into the park, and we see the playground equipment. Haha, Kristin knows exactly where I'm going w/ all of this. So then we climb some plastic rock thingy to get to the lovely picnic area. I could explain it all, but I think the pictures at the top do a much better job explaining than I do.

Then I didn't really feel like wasting any time, and I didn't want to propose after we had eaten KFC and had greasy hands. So I got down on one knee, held out the ring, and said the magic words "Kristin, will you marry me?" To which she of course said yes. (who could say no to such a handsome devil such as myself???) And that my friends is the wonderful story of how Brad became engaged to Kristin. :) <3

What up w/ me now!

Alright kiddies, I'm sure you've all been waiting for me to post another update on this thingy. And to humor the many fans, I shall give in. So here goes! I don't really have much to say right now...I can't remember what I posted last time. Oh well, that's life. Well, in recent news, I've purchased a shiny thing...well, not purchased. I'm in the process of purchasing. I've made two big payments and have one more left, totally happening next Thursday. BE excited. So if that's not clue enough, and if I haven't told you, obviously there's an amazing chicky-poo in the picture. I'm not sure if I spelled that right, but I just wanted to use that phrase. It's fun!

So sometime in the near ish future I will pop the magic question and girls everywhere will let out a collective sigh as the biggest stud in the land is going off the market. Unless of course you're Kristin, then you'd be excited. And I'm just the lucky guy that managed to get her somehow... :)

So today was a long day at work, but I made 190 dollars; always nice. Though it was the only day I worked this week, not that exciting. And next week is my last week or work. It was a fun job. It pays super well and it's a job! Haha, I didn't even have to apply for it. I applied for like a million jobs and this one just magically fell in my lap. Pretty sweet! (somebody must be living right)

In other news, Dad and I built and awesome wall thingy for a garden in the front of the house. There's totally pictures on facebook so everyone can be jealous. Though don't get any ideas that I'll build one for you at your casa. Well, actually, I probably would. It's kinda fun...when you get past all the frustration of it having to be perfect. I'm not much of a perfectionist, but I guess I can be if I NEED to be, but that's it!

So that's about it for now. Stay fresh.

Picnics!

Killer Bunnies...and the quest for the magic carrot

So I was going to the store the other day to pick up another controller for the Wii so that I could race people in MarioKart and I ran across the game Killer Bunnies. I had seen it before and it always looked pretty interesting, but now I actually had the moneys to buy it! So of course, I did. And it's much more exciting when you open the box and figure out how to play and read the funny cards and such. So basically I'm way excited to play it...though I need more people. Technically you can play it w/ two people, but that seems pretty lame. I need to find a bigger group. On another note, I need to cut my hair. It's getting incredibly long...well, for my current lifestyle anyhow. Haha, this used to be pretty short. But alas, I'm no longer the long haired boy I used to be....missions can do that to you. Oh, and I think more people should follow this blog! Sheri is the only one that is "following" it, so Props to her. Everyone else, get on board! Church at 1 is usually a really nice thing...when I wake up at like noon. But when you wake up at 10, it makes your morning rather boring. Not enough time to really do anything, which is probably why I'm usually sleeping then. Though I think I may start going to the singles ward now that there's more people. Perhaps next week. I need to pay my tithing this week and I don't want to get behind at all. I'm not a fan of paying two paychecks at once, I prefer to pay it every paycheck. So switching now would really throw off my groove. Probably next week. I'm kinda hungry, maybe I should go eat. That's a good use of time before church right? Right. Peace out peeps. Speaking of peeps, I need to do something w/ mine from Easter....

Sheri: This Blog's for You!

So the title is kinda like the old Budweiser slogan, but in blog form and I told Sheri that I would write on my blog tonight. So this is me writing on my blog tonight! In recent news, I Finally got my missionary plaque! You know that cool plaque that they hang up while you're on your mission and such and they give you when you get home? Yeah, after 3 and a half months, I got it! Oh, and I got my honorable release certificate and they spelled my name wrong. Kinda disappointing, but I should be getting another one soon enough. Then I can spend a small fortune getting it framed w/ my name tag thingy and such. Pretty exciting stuff. And taking Elder Bednars advice to heart, I stayed after institute much longer tonight than any other night talking w/ people in person. I think I went done him proud. :) Anyhow, I don't have to work tomorrow so I'm gonna be really super productive...or at least pretend to be. I def. need to clean out my car and a trash can that I'm gonna use as a laundry hamper. But that's really the end of the definite to do list. I MIGHT work on my quilt some more tomorrow. Who knows though. Sometimes I'm just really lazy. Haha. But we'll see. Maybe I'll be productive. One can dream anyhow.

Valentines Ducks.........from Erin?

So I think others will be as shocked as I am, that these ducks came from Erin. She's really good at buying stuff and such and doing stuff for Holidays, so that is no surprise. And it's really no surprise that I got rubber ducks for valentines day. But it's the finer details about the ducks that make it so shocking...to me anyhow. Then again, Erin is married now, so maybe it shouldn't surprise me.

For those of you w/ bad vision, it reads, "Who knows what will happen when bath time is done!"
But wait, it gets better!!!

Again, "Rub-A-Double Fun in the Tub!" ...I think most innocence has left the ducks by now. But the best has been saved for last! Now to find out why these are perhaps the kinkiest ducks in existance.

And for all those holding their breath hoping this would be truly innocent, this poem smashes ALL hope. And I quote:
What to think, with lover ducks in the tub?
Splashing and doing the rub-a-dub-dub
Laughing and Kissing, and having much fun
Who knows what could happen when bathtime is done!

So that's that. It's quite amazing really. And perhaps the most amusing thing I've seen in a LONG time. I thought it was so great that everyone should be able to enjoy it and join in the laughter! Happy Valentines Day! :)

Videos!

For any and all who are interested in seeing some videos from my mission, I've uploaded a few of my favorites on Youtube! It's probably easiest to search by my username...which I believe is littlerubberducky8. So that SHOULD allow you to see the super fun videos and comment on them and such. Oh, and any other videos I've posted...though I don't remember any. I'm not sure how many people actually read this anyhow, but I thought I'd give it a shout out on here anyhow. Have a great day!

Sunday Sunday Sunday Guitar Hero

So I officially suck at Guitar Hero. For all of you who were wondering about that. If you ever need to feel better about yourself, just play Guitar Hero w/ me and you'll feel like a king. That aside, life is pretty good. I went to the temple for the first time since I've been home and it was quite a grand experience. I should really go there more often. It's not like it's even all that far away. I mean, intstitute is a longer drive. And I've seen a lot of blessings in my life in the last few days, which probably have a lot to do w/ temple attendance. It's remarkable how if we do what we're told to do and promised blessings for doing so, that we actually get those blessings! What a novel concept. Guess that's what Faith is all about. Haha, and I've always thought faith was one of my stronger attributes, but apparently not. I have great Faith in a lot of things, but I guess I don't in others, I pick and choose. And that's not really faith, that's convenience. Just happens to be the question in CLA quiz in PMG are things that I have a lot of Faith in, so that test isn't a very good measure. Then again, that test did show me that Charity is what I lack the most. Which really sucks b/c Paul says we can do the most amazing things ever, but if we don't have charity, then we're nothing. So it's def. important and worth giving attention to, at some point. The scriptures say to not procrastinate the day of our repentance, but what about procrastinating the day of our charity? I'm sure that's a bad thing too, but it's the easy way to do things. Laziness is the mother of invention afterall. Though I don't think you can invent your salvation, so laziness probably doesn't serve us to well in that respect. But that's life I guess. Live and learn. Come what may, and Love it.

Is there really No place like Home?

Being home sucks. Having your life planned for two years is amazing. Not knowing what your life has in store for you in the next two years, not so amazing. Things seem to be going so well. I was down to ONE episode every three months. That's super amazing progress for me. It hasn't been that good...since it started. So that's a LONG time. And now it's hard to feel like I've made much progress, b/c I have apparently not made enough. I thought it was enough; I thought it was more than enough. But life had other plans for me. And as much as it sucks, I really just have to accept it and move on. "Come what may, and love it!" Never has such council had such an impact on me. What a marvelous six words, simple as they may be. I keep repeating that to myself every single day...multiple times each day.
So what to do now? What does life have in store for me next? What is the title to the next Chapter in my life? Or am I still in the mission chapter? I really don't know. Sadly, I have to admit that I intially thought of just ending the book all together. Mostly, b/c I just wanted to be out of this world, not have to deal w/ life. But then a wise friend told me that there are many other ways than death to rise above the world, to escape it long enough to make sense of something. Then you just have to take it one day at a time and see what happens. Again, Come what May...what else can we really do about things? Worrying and get all anxious doesn't fix anything. Been there, done that. That's not to say I won't do it, b/c hey, I will. That's life. I'm not perfect in that respect. I'm still working on it. But I think I've made progress. I'm sure I have. Perhaps this is a chapter entitled "Patience." I've never been much good w/ patience. But I'm quickly learning how it truly is a virtue, how it truly is something that we all need in our lives. Again, patience is another life long pursuit that we're all in search of, or should be. Though it def. takes a back seat to most other things in life; as long as life is going as planned. Haha, it's in the drivers seat when your plan doesn't work out. Live and learn, right? Is there really anything else to do? If so, I haven't figured it out.
On another note, I've watched SOOO much TV recently. It's quite ridiculous. Though I am caught up on most things after a week. Haha. At least I keep myself busy...or asleep. I LOVE sleep. I get lots of sleep recently. :) It's rather wonderful. Oh, and we have SNOW! Like enough snow to call it snow! I'm way excited. Sadly, I don't have any clothes good enough to go play in it! All of my snow clothes are in Utah!!! LAME. Maybe I'll just rough it out w/ what I have. Hmmm...only if it's good packing snow. Then I have to make a snowman and nothing is stopping me from doing so. Except perhaps frostbite. I don't want to get that. So it would probably stop me. But other than that, snow man time is about to befall Little Oaks! Mwhahahaha.
Peace out.