Sun. Girls. Fun

I'm headed to AZ till Sunday for Morgans, wedding. All my bests are going down there. Super stoked.

Poor Trev will have to remember how to use the oven.

ow

today i was bored.

so i ran 14 miles.

i think my body is dying.

you friends of mine who run marathons? perhaps you are smoking crack.

OH, Prom.

Prom. A landmark event in the life of every high school student. A night of romance, intrigue, and subsequently, drama. Or, as we all know better - a night of illegal drinking, rampant immorality, and that which we call so lovingly in O-town, "partying." (Just kidding mom.)

Now, not all of us lived "Laguna Beach" worthy high school years. My high school years? Fabulous, yet, excessively awkward. I had wonderful friends (Of Whom I am still grateful to be able to call friends), but Prom was anything but a highlight. Truly, I don't really even remember prom.

My little sister on the other hand? She is TEN TIMES cooler than I was in high school. She dresses better. Looks better. And had the football star as her "date." Oh, and did I mention she went to TWO high school's proms? Please. barf.

It's times like these when I am truly humbled. But let's just remind my dear sister, my husband is hotter than hers will be. Nerds always get the hot men.


Anyone else have less than wonderful prom experiences?
(Katie, you looked beautiful and I'm so glad you had fun.)

shots.

I just found out I have to get shots for yellow fever, malaria, and typhoid for our trip to Ecuador.

I'm terrified of shots, but I'm more terrified of dengue.


Maybe we should have planned a trip to Europe. No shots require and I think Paris is missing me.

Friday Night Dates

Some of my best memories of my college years were the dating escapades. I was a HUGE fan of dating. I think it's more my deep desire to meet as many interesting people as life might allow - but it could be the fact I didn't have to buy groceries for 3 months at a time. It's not shallow ...it's "utilizing your resources" and BYU co-eds have a LOT of resources.

In the past 1.5 years, my dating pool went from the greater metropolis of UTAH and SLC valley, to one man. Trevor John Roche. No complaints there.

What impressed me so much about Trevor when we first started dating (besides his incredible maturity, work ethic, etc) was how he REALLY knew how to treat a girl. I had dated every guy/age/occupation under the sun, but here was this 22 year old guy who REALLY knew how to date. He wasn't into the "corny" BYU dating - which I find utterly lame; however, he was still creative and impressive.

Our first date? (Thanks to Corrine..haha) Trev ordered about 5 dishes. So maybe he was showing off a little (wining and dining), but how can a girl complain? Our whole dating experience was a whirlwind - weekend trips/wonderful resteraunts. Heaven. (Minus the additional poundage added to my inner thigh)

Then, the marriage talk began. TRevor's "investor" side came out. Money was saved. Dinner out became a rarity and if it did occur, Costa Vida burritos were split. We dated for nearly a year in this fashion.

Now we are married. AFter a long day with hormonally driven teenagers, Trev told me to "dress up" because we were going out. My excitement sky rocketed. Dressing up is a rarity when cows and subsequently, cow crap are everywhere. Trev came home, got ready and we were off.

Long story short? Our date was to yours and my favorite wholesaler - COSTCO for a $1 polish and Diet Coke in a cute summer dress and heels.

Apparently, the wining and dining has ceased.

I really do love him. His simplicity and financial intelligence are a blessing in my life.

OH the cute little junior highers

Teaching story of the day:

I explained to my class of 8th graders that we would be playing a game that day with vocabulary words and whomever got the most answers correct, would get a treat.

Student 1: "What's the treat?"

A certain confident, outspoken Hispanic student (whom I really do find wonderful) : "It better be Mrs. Roche's number."

I quickly responded with. "Carlos (not his real name). That is inappapropriate. First of all, it's disgusting bc I am a teacher. Second of all, if you get any number, it will be my husbands who will deal with you quite differently. You see, he doesn't like other guys hitting on his wife."

Days like this, I really don't want to start teaching til I'm 40. Maybe I should have taught first grade, pre-hormonal influx.

no words.

No words are needed for this blessed day.

I love days of little conflict.

Good news. I had NO problems getting my old phone cancelled and a new one started.

I have a new number so those who might consider calling me in the next year, leave me your email and I'll email you my new number. AND - I want yours, b/c I wasn't smart and lost all my numbers. lovely.

P.S. I had a minor heart attack concerning international travel and my passport being in my maiden name. ECUADOR, my love, we are still coming. I'm just coming as Andrea Ponder.

Revelation.

The picture? A cow uterus and partial cervix.

Poor mama prolapsed. And YOU think childbirth is rough.

If.

If I had Reagan today, she would be wearing this. No, not prego. Just love baby clothes.

Weekend Updates:

• I painted my kitchen yellow this weekend. To Trevor's dismay, I hate it. I might try blue this go-around. Difficult tasks.


• I need to get an Idaho Drivers License. I hope I don't have to take a test, alas, I would fail. I am a horrible driver.


• I wanted "Juno" this weekend - mixed feelings. I need my fellow health educators to watch it and tell me what your feelings are. Mandi, Michelle, Rachel....this means you.


• I have to deal with Verizon Wireless today because I am cancelling my contract the first week. FYI - Their new contract plans at the retail store screw you. Go to Costco for amazing deals.


• If anyone needs a great , cheap skirt - I found this classy wardrobe staple at Target. Got it in black and khaki. Fits like a GEM.That's all I have for today.
  

Competition Time

If you can guess what this is (assuming you can get past the dry heaving) - I will send you a treat!

My Father in Law found it last night when we were feeding.

I don't know what's sicker - the picture or the fact I thought it was so cool.

Some of you might kill me for this - but I'm considering NOT going private now. I've had a few people email me and tell me I shouldn't and many gave me valid reasons. SO now...though I was dead set, I'm debating.

What do YOU think? (slightly embarassed you have all witnessed my indecisiveness)

Oh and PS, David Cook. You continue to rock my world.

The Best Part of Cattle Life

I had to share some pictures from the best part of being around cows. THE BABIES! I just love them. Trev makes fun of me bc I talk baby talk to them, name them, and want to hold them. They are just adorable.

These two babies are twins! I named them Ellie and Elroy. The mom didn't like Ellie and wouldn't let her milk, so Trev had to tranqualize her and teach Ellie to eat. Poor Ellie.


Interesting Fact: Baby twins that are male and female (one of each), automatically make the female calf infertile. The hormones produced to create the testicles in the male make the female infertile. Betcha didn't know that!

Ellie and Elroy

April 15, 2008

The House

There have been many request for pictures. I promise I'll get on it - but, I want to finish putting things together before the post.


LAST CALL BEFORE THE BLOG ENTERS PRIVACY

Treats

My mother in law just introduced me to the best thing since sliced bread - SKINNY COWS.

They are HUGE, SO good, 98% fat free, and more importantly 140 calories. That's less than 10 minutes of running. Doable and worth it.

Life Reflections

***WARNING - WORDY POST***

There are times when I stop and ask myself, "How in the world did I end up here?" It is something I have reflected on a lot the past week. I always had goals and dreams of entering the world of intellectuals - mingling with scholars, each trying to top another's PhD research while tripping to fabulous European cities for conferences. I'm not sure WHY this appealed to me so much - perhaps it is the forever student in me. I always saw myself marrying some sucessful, world traveling older man and living in the city.


Needless to say, Heavenly Father had other plans for me. It is interesting to look back and see how He directed my life so distinctly. Two weeks before I made the final decision to move to take a job and move to Houston - Trevor and I started dating. And now, I live in the middle of no where with cows as company. And the funny thing is, I couldn't be happier.


This weekend, Trevor needed to ship some cattle down to Twin Falls (about two hours away). Now people, to ship cattle, you drive this:
Yes folks, a real life semi - which we call a "bull wagon." I know, I can't believe it either. On this trip, I learned more about life than possibly, I could ever have learned back in Paris.

1) Truckers get a bad rap. Sure, many of them are uneducated and smell funny, but they are really some of the most polite men I have ever met. They always open doors for me at the truck stops, smile and say hello.

2) Eating breakfast at a truck stop will bring you into contact with perhaps some of the most interesting men in the universe. It's so interesting to hear their stories. Just last week, I sat at a table with 6 old rancher/cowboys in a town of 300 (feeling completely out of place with my bleach blonde hair and huge sunglasses) and was amazed at the stories they told. I'm honestly going to start carrying a notebook.

3) I met a 100 year old man on Saturday when Trev was dropping off cattle. He took me in on a tour of his 100+ year old house. Though the house was filthy (it produced a few dry heaves), it was INCREDIBLE. An interior designers dream. 8 bedrooms, hardwood floors, amazing stairrail, antique furniture I would KILL to get my hands on. The man told me stories about WW1 and 2. Showed my relics older than my great grandmother - casually placed on a bookshelf and told me how 1939 was a good year in which his dad bought two saddles and a gun (items we would now go and buy tomorrow w/o hesitation).

4) Ranchers work just as much - maybe even more - than any corporate husband. Yesterday my husband was gone from 6am to 10pm. I am amazed at his work ethic. Ladies, be grateful for your husband's 8am-5pm job. It's not bad.

I can not begin to express to you how DIFFERENT this lifestyle is for me; however, I have truly found more joy in it than I ever imagined - and no, I'm not just being optomistic. I really am starting to feel that Heavenly Father will teach me more about myself and life here than I would have ever learned any where else.

Oh and PS,
We still have no:
Hot water
Stove
Cable
Heat
Internet

update..

We are STILL moving in. I'm exhausted and I can't seem to get the couches in the right arrangement.

Visitors accepted beginning next week.

LOVING the warmer, 70 degree weather, the new house with a red door, and the cows. Life is grand. I never imagined a city girl such as me, looking at the living room picture window and seeing fields.

No internet at the house, but I promise a plethora of posts after the cable guy comes. In the meantime, blog stalk and meet all my amazing friends. (Links to the right)

Few Days Off...

I'll be taking a few days off from the blogging.

Few Points of Interest:

• Trev and I just went on a cattle buying excursion to Montana. Wait til you hear the stories about that one. They involve towns of 300, and children named after Copenhagen (That's chewing tobacco for all you Mormons).
  
• We are moving TOMORROW. Lots of boxes to pack and trailors to load. I'm so excited for our new little house with a front porch, red door and my first ever REAL garden.
  
• KU WON THE CHAMPIONSHIP! What, what!
  
• BE sure to leave you email, if you haven't already. We're still going private.

Life undecided.

Question of my life.

Do I go back to school and get my masters? Spending thousands of dollars, only not to work in the future, yet investing in my thoroughly eager brain. Thus making me a prime candidate to teach monthly enrichment lessons for the rest.....of.....my....life. It is so important that you young men and you young women get all of the education that you can.

"The Lord has said very plainly that His people are to gain knowledge of countries and kingdoms and of things of the world through the process of education, even by study and by faith. Education is the key which will unlock the door of opportunity for you. It is worth sacrificing for. It is worth working at, and if you educate your mind and your hands, you will be able to make a great contribution to the society of which you are a part, and you will be able to reflect honorably on the Church of which you are a member. My dear young brothers and sisters, take advantage of every educational opportunity that you can possibly afford, and you fathers and mothers, encourage your sons and daughters to gain an education which will bless their lives” (meeting, Hermosillo, Mexico, 9 Mar. 1998)." (Gordon B. Hinckley)

OR

Do I make babies? Gracing the world with little Trevors - running around the cows. Naked, wearing only cowboy boots. Destined to be just like their father. (Don't worry friends, my children will be dressed. I'll even bathe them.) Assuming all the tubals and reproductive necessities are in align. I really do like babies. I want them. Lots of them. But I'm only 23 - I too, just graduated from running around naked.

"Mothers have a sacred role. They are partners with God, as well as with their own husbands, first in giving birth to the Lord’s spirit children and then in rearing those children so they will serve the Lord and keep his commandments. Could there be a more sacred trust than to be a trustee for honorable, well-born, well-developed children? We affirm the Church’s strong, unalterable stand against innovations or any unchastity or breaking of the laws that could possibly reflect in the lives of the children.
Motherhood is a holy calling, a sacred dedication for carrying out the Lord’s work, a consecration and devotion to the rearing and fostering, the nurturing of body, mind, and spirit of those who kept their first estate and who came to this earth for their second estate to learn and be tested and to work toward godhood." (Spencer W. Kimball)

Oh, Life.

Game Time

I'm sorry Bachelor. You won't be watched tonight. Let all your skanky girlfriends know - and stop acting like such a pimp. You aren't. Anyone with me?

ROCK CHALK JAYHAWKS. GO KU!

wish.

Wishing this dress was just a touch longer.

Isn't it just dainty?

Oh, and because it's a beautiful Sabbath day and the General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (www.lds.org), I have added new music for your listening pleasure. Feel free to leave feedback.

Decision has been made

Though this might prove to be more annoying than beneficial (TBD)- I have decided to make our blog

PRIVATE....

We'll see if it eases my fear of evil old men who stalk me and know everything about me from my favorite bands to what outfit I bought yesterday.

SOOOO....If you are a reader of our blog, please let me know your email so I can get you on the VIP list. I don't care if I know you really well (or at all) or not..(You know we all look at "mutual friends" blogs). Don't be scared...Just let me know! :) (Or feel free to email me at acp389 at gmail dot com)

Need a laugh?

Please tell me you love "The Office" as much as we do.

Trev just showed me this and I was ROLLING, laughing.

I Lied.

Trev just came home and announced the nearly completed ROCHE CATTLE COMPANY website. I'm so proud of all his hard work. He did this entirely on his own with no prior knowledge of website construction!!!

Now he just needs some "prettiness" added to it. ;)

CLICK HERE

www.rochecattle.com

crush crush crush

I seriously get the wierdest crushes. My husband knows about all of them. no worries.

The latest?


There is just something so charming about his attitude.

Hilarious

Trev found the following poem in his animal reproduction book. I think it is incredibly hilarious, but maybe you have to be a health teacher to appreciate it?

Who ever said BYU-Idaho was for prudes?

Bedroom Talk:

Hey honey, wake-up and quit your snoring
I think I can feel my E2 levels soaring.
My ovary is primed for the LH surge,
Come on, wake-up, I've got the urge!

I'm certain this egg is ripe for fertiliation,
But, in case you've forgotten, that does require
insemination!
And I recall, it's been nearly a week
Your epididymal reserves must be at a peak!

Oh, I see you need a bt more stimulation.
I could conitnue with some more phonation?
No, don't close your eyes. Wake-up and take notice.
I'm displaying some absolutely fabulous lordosis!

What's that yo say, you want me to look
On page --- of my reproducation book/
So you're telling me this passage has led you to reflect
That what would really world for you is the Coolidge Effect?!

Is that so? Wel do as you wish, my darling, my sweets
But know this, you won't be sleeping between these two sheets!