Hot and Ready

My roommate Jill works at Little Ceasar's. They only give them one t-shirt to wear to work. Since she is off track she has to hand wash her shirt at night and usually hangs it out to dry. The key selling item for them is the "Hot and Ready" pizza that is 5 dollars and always ready. It's like fast food pizza. She washed her shirt one morning and hung it out on the balcony to dry. When she brought it in we laughed hysterically! Here is the result:

It was FROZEN! We couldn't believe it! I don't know why it hasn't crossed my mind that hanging something wet out in the dry Rexburg cold wasn't a smart move but we really needed the laugh! Here is the other that we took.

Hot and Ready has a whole new meaning for us! :)

The Craze

Kyle and I started dating at the end of last semester. He loves to play laser tag and there is a place here in Rexburg called "The Craze" that offers a special on Wednesday nights. We went and played laser tag for a while and then we played mini golf and the arcade game, deal or no deal. We kicked everyone's trash at deal or no deal and Kyle spanked me at laser tag. I really enjoyed it and it was fun to have fun with him! My favorite part was the prizes you get when you redeemed your tickets. We wound up with a Chinese finger trap, a blue heart shaped bangle bracelet and these:

Now if any of you know me you know how much I LOVE mustaches (hope you don't step in the sarcasm dripping off this statement.) you know how much it took to get me to take this picture. My roomie Laura loves them and we surprised her with them when we came in. It was a good laugh. I just realized how crazy our hair looks! The wind was insane but we were laughing so hard we never even noticed. Ah, true love!

Extracurricular Beginnings

At the end of last semester I was asked by a co-worker to teach the learning model seminars one night a week for this semester. We went on a retreat in the mountains. I have never seen so much snow in my life!! It was really fun to learn about the seminars and how they help students. But waking up to the snow was so different than what I am used to, even in Rexburg. The picture below show a friend of mine walking on top of the snow. Notice the lunch bell and the basketball hoops. I am on the second floor taking this picture. It was crazy! But we did have a blast!

The learning model seminars teach students about the learning model here at BYU-Idaho and how to apply the gospel in all aspects of our lives, including secular learning. If you would like to learn more please visit: http://www2.byui.edu/LearningModel/src/default.htm

I love facilitating discussions on how we can apply these principles in our lives. It has changed my perspective and really helped me to understand the spiritual side of secular learning. Enjoy!

Whats in a name?

I have decided to try and be better about blogging, especially after Kyle and I get married. We need suggestions for blog names? His full name is Kyle Scott Russell and I will be Azie Kay Spikes Russell. Any ideas? I kind of like the Russell Report but I don't really know. What do y'all think? Any thoughts are welcome!

Lost and Found

As I sit here trying to decide what exactly to write I have tons of thoughts running through my mind. Where do I start? Where do I end? What is the good stuff in between and how do I include it all?! I am not often at a loss for words, a loss for words.......maybe that is where I will start.

I began my day feeling kinda bummed because I took off of work to get some homework done, feeling kind of lost because I rarely miss work. Then my roommate asked me if I was going to take a shower. Odd. She never asks me that. I went to the kitchen and started scrambling eggs. Odd. I don't ever eat breakfast. As I am standing in the kitchen Becki hands me a piece of paper. It details that I am to go on a scavenger hunt. I panicked! I showered in a hurry and put on a shirt I like and Kyle loves.

The first clue sent me to Sammy's, a favorite local hangout of ours.I know it doesn't open until later but I went anyway. I called my mama and was trying to keep it together while I was on the phone with her. I called grandma and she giggled with me like my best childhood friend, which she probably is. Then I turned the corner and there stood Jill and Julie, two of my roommates. They both gave me a clue that lead me to the Kirkham.

The Kirkham has a history for Kyle and I. In that auditorium he got the courage to ask me out for the first time. I said yes. We also spent an afternoon there shortly after we were officially dating and he was supposed to be helping me practice clogging. Instead he helped me understand what it means when an honest man loves you. He left a clue taped on the door for me to find. It lead me to Freshens.

After our first date, which was on a Sunday night, he called me Monday morning and asked if I had any breaks in my classes. I told him that I did and he suggested that we go to Freshens since I had never had a smoothie from there. I remember that he bought me a smoothie and we watched the cello guys on youtube until I had to go to class. I remember him offering me a sip of his drink repeatedly. I thought to myself (so proud that it did not come out of my mouth) "If I am swapping spit with you it ain't going to be through no straw!" I told him that and he included it on his next clue for me, which he left with the cashier. She apparently told everyone that was sitting in the area that I was on a scavenger hunt and when I asked for the clue from her she handed me my favorite smoothie and the clue. The people were cheering me on and it made me laugh. I wish Kyle had been there with me! The clue that she gave me lead me to the BYU-I center.

In the BYU-I center there are beautiful bronze statues of the pioneers. One is of a family with 3 children. That is where the clue was supposed to be. I looked for it everywhere! I searched high and low and every single sculpture I could find and there was no clue. I went back to the family one and asked the girl sitting next to it if she had seen it. She started smiling and said. "He took it." pointing at the janitor. I walked over to him and asked for the clue. He told me that he thought it had been there for a while so he tossed it in the trash. I was beside myself. I told him we had to find it because there was a boy at the end of these clues and I was trying to get to him. He said that we would have to search the trash for it and before I knew it the girl that told me he took was up to her elbows in trash trying to help us find it! We finally managed to find it and I was told to go to Gator Jacks.

Gator Jacks is a little sandwich place here and it is the very first place Kyle and I went on a date by ourselves. I walked in and Becki was sitting at a table with the last clue. I was sent to the lounge at my apartment complex. As I walked out the door, she said, "Girl go get your man!" I was so excited I just started laughing.

I walked into the lounge through the laundry room and everything was quiet. I turned the corner and there was my sweetheart, kneeling on one knee with a ring box in his hand. He said very softly, in almost a whisper, "Azie Kay Spikes, will you marry me?" I hugged him while he was still kneeling and said, "Yeah." Then I immediately thought "Yeah?! What?! I am such an idiot!" But I don't think he even noticed. I was teary eyed and asked him to stand to really hug me. He did and he put the ring on my finger. I laughed. I cried. So did he. We had sparkling grape juice and cinnamon rolls. About the time we say down and got control of our trembling hands some guy walked in and sat on the couch to study. Jerk. But honestly he had no idea what was going on. Then the maintenance man came in vacuuming. I was so happy I didn't care that we had terrible luck. I was too busy trying to get my feet back on the ground!

I called and texted everyone that I know and shared the exciting news. Kyle immediately changed our facebook status and we had tons of comments. It was all very exciting for me.

I began the day feeling lost and having no idea where I was going. I trust Kyle so I knew that whatever was in store was going to be wonderful. I found myself at the end in his arms feeling loved and cherished. I could not help but relate today to my life in general. Sometimes when I have felt lost and abandoned I had only to look for the clues in my life of my loving father in heaven and all the blessings that he has given me. I had no idea where to start but I listened. And the best part of this story is that it has no end. Eternity is forever. It is still not long enough for me to spend with my honey, Mr. Kyle Russell. I was lost and wandered for a long time with no direction, and then as my Heavenly Father saw fit, he helped a man find me that will help me return to him. I am still floating on air, but no longer lost. I am found in my Heavenly Fathers plan for me.

Double toe, churn the butter

While at school this semester I am taking a clogging class. It is my very lame attempt to become as well rounded and amazing as my mama is. I have enjoyed it so much! I made a 94 on my first test and have midterm coming up soon. I am fortunate enough to have been raised in a very talented family. From a young age I was taught the power of music and good dancing skills, what it means to love one another and enjoy life. My mother and her two sisters are probably the most talented people I know and sometimes it is hard to deal with. Sometimes I compare myself with them and find myself lacking in a variety of ways. Between the three of them they have 3 eagle scouts, 4 returned missionaries, a photographer, a painter, a flower arranger, a decorator, a cake baker, two seamstresses, the best costume design group on the planet, clogging instructors, square dancers, hair salon, glass ornament maker, hostesses, and 3 NASCAR drivers! If that isn't intimidating I don't know what is! Word to wise, hide your dogs when they come rolling down your driveway because they only have one speed and that's pedal to floor and the brake line is cut! I got it honest! In my effort to be a well rounded individual I have taken up a few of those talents myself. Photography and flower arranging although I am not amazing at any of them. This semester I am doing the clogging and ball room thing and next semester I want desperately to learn sewing. I know that I can but unlike those three it is going to take me some practice. But perfection is a lifelong pursuit so until then I will continue to practice my eight count dance and perfect the double toe, and churn the butter, my two newest clogging steps. This poor little mirror in the dance lab is going to hate looking at all of this fluff jiggle!

Not a bunch of girls

I was driving down Highway 20 one day last week just enjoying the trees and the radio and all the thoughts running through my mind when I tuned in to the words on the radio. The song was talking about a bunch of girls and what they were all doing on various vacations. The point of the song was basically that girls are fickle and blame their bad behavior on alcohol. That they are dishonest and lead boys on but even then the singer said, "I would walk a country mile, yes I would, for a bunch of girls." At first I asked myself, "Where are their mama's?" This song really made me reflect on what I am as a woman and what I have been taught growing up. Contrary to the title of the song, "A Bunch of Girls" I never want to be one of a bunch of girls to any man. I want to be THE woman to a man and have him cherish me as such. I am ONE of my Heavenly Fathers daughters and still feel his love individually. I have seen many times in my life the effects of a mother who neglects the raising of her children. One dear friend once commented to me that because she was just a child herself when she had her oldest child that she really can't be held responsible for her actions while he was an infant. I was appalled. When you have a child you no longer get to at like one in my opinion and in that moment, being conception, you are then responsible for that child. You have an obligation for the first 9 months to give that baby a good environment to grow and develop and become strong enough to physically live. After that sweet spirit comes into this world you are then responsible for its emotional, spiritual and temporal needs. That is not an option. I was raised by a mother who struggled to have children and who cherished her own. I saw that love daily, especially when she was tired and frustrated with the things that life threw at her. She never forgets her most important role, among administrative assistant, horse jockey, avid photographer, gardener, sculptur-er, and seamstress, she was always and most importantly my mama. She will never be just one in a "bunch of girls", and she didn't raise me to be either. How grateful I am for a mama who knew her purpose and fulfilled it and in doing so helped me understand mine. To all the women out there, don't raise your daughters to be "a bunch of girls". Teach them grace and tact and beauty from the inside, for it truly lasts the longest.