My Hero

I have an issue with spiders, it's no secret. I don't like them. Normally I'm pretty good about it though and I'm able to take care of them (aka kill them quickly) on my own. If Brad is home I'll let him do the honours but if it's just me I can handle them fine. I also have this weird fascination with them so I have seen many scary youtube videos and I have a love/hate relationship with the movie Arachnaphobia.

There is one place where they completely terrify me though; in the car. You're so defenseless, you can't move anywhere and usually they're real close to you so on Monday while driving home as a spider started to descend from its web 4 or 5 inches from my face I pretty much freaked out. The combination of the air blowing from the vent and Brad braking quickly (he didn't have a clue what was going on at first) only pushed this spider closer to me. I don't want to exaggerate, this wasn't huge spider but it was a gross one and it was lowering itself closer and closer to me. I was completely irrational and unable to do anything about it.

Here comes the part about my hero. With his bare hands and one quick movement Brad swept that spider away from me and killed it dead. Now you have to understand that Brad doesn't love spiders either, he's completely capable of killing them but using his bare hands would not be a choice he would make, I appreciated his quick thinking and his willingness to protect me from the really gross spider and also his ability to do all of this while driving without any sort of accident.

It's nice to be able to call on my very own hero and know that he'll come through for me.
L

Marriage

Today's post is a bit of a space-filler but stay tuned for details on the Lethbridge move that is slowly falling apart.

Marriage

1. When was your engagement? March 23, 2007 (maybe the 24th). We called all of our family right after and then we got to go to an activity where all of our friends were. It was fun to be able to tell people so quick.
2. When is your marriage anniversary? June 30, 2007
3. How long have you known your spouse? 5 years ish? Most of those years I didn't know him well though, we were friends for about a year and a half.
4. How long did you date before you got engaged? 3 months. I know it's crazy short. I used to hate it when people would say, "When you know, you know". I thought that was hogwash, you can't know you love someone in 3 months. And then I knew and I didn't want to wait. I like to think it helped that we'd been friends for so long.
5. Where did you meet your spouse? The first time we met was pretty unmemorable for the both of us, it took us a long time to come up with it. I was playing my clarinet in a performance of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat, Brad came to sub on the drums for a practice or two until he left on his mission. The meeting left no impression on either of us though. While on his mission I happened to become friends with 3 of his siblings so we naturally ended up in the some of the same places when he got back.
6. What is your spouses full name? Bradley Earl Wiebe
7. Do you have any children? Catie Mae is coming in September
8. How many? Just the one that's still cooking
9. Do you have any pets? Nope. We're going to be those mean parents that don't let their kids have any pets, we don't like dogs and Brad's allergic to cats. One day maybe we'll let them have goldfish, in a bowl though, no fancy aquariums.
10. Do you own or rent? We rent though we move at the end of the month and the new place we had lined up just fell through. Hopefully we're not homeless or living with my parents.
11. Do you live in the country, city/town? City unless we end up at my parents, Magrath is definitely a town.
12. What is your favourite activity you do together? We love spending time together, it doesn't really matter what we're doing as long as we get to do it together. We do really love going out for dinner though.
13. Do you have a favourite vacation spot? Brad would definitely say Shushwap Lake but I'd probably say Disneyland or Hawaii. I want to take him to both eventually.
14. How many siblings do you have including in-laws? Oh man, this is getting complicated. I have 3 brothers and 1 sister, they're all married except one brother. Brad has 1 brother and 4 sisters and they're all married so that gives me a whole lot of in-laws. If you add them all up it totals 17 siblings and in-laws.
15. What church do you attend? The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
16. Is this the church you got married in? We got married in the Cardston Alberta Temple
17. What town is your current address? Calgary, AB though as I mentioned we're heading down to Lethbridge soon.
18. Do you work or stay home? I work for another 4 ½ weeks and then I get to go on maternity leave.
19. Where did you go for your honeymoon? We went to Puerto Vallarta. It was amazing but I don't think we'd go back, next time we'd go to the other side of Mexico, we've heard such great things about it. The beaches are supposed to be way nicer.
20. Leave a piece of marriage advice: My favorite piece of advice is given on the wedding day, "May be today be the day you love each other the lease." I like that the amount you love each other grows more every day.

Marrying Brad was the best decision I've ever made, I look forward to lots of years of fun together.
L

Two Years

On June 30th Brad and I celebrated our second anniversary. This year was especially casual as we were out at the lake all week. We did go on an anniversary canoe ride but I didn't want to let to day go by completely unmentioned.

Here's a list of 24 reasons (one for every month of marriage) I'm thrilled I married Brad. Sorry if the list is boring for everyone but Brad.

1. He was perfectly willing to stop to let me pee twice as many times as usual on the way to and from BC.
2. Everything to do with Catie, finding out about her, hearing her heartbeat, seeing her tiny feet. It's all made me love him so much more.
3. He kills all the spiders for me.
4. He makes me laugh with his unique silly-ness. It's a shame I'm the only one that gets to enjoy it.
5. Is so helpful with packing, unpacking and getting ready for our next move.
6. He often will put his face on my belly and try to get Catie to kick him in the face, so cute.
7. He's willing to share a DQ Blizzard with me because they're just a little too large for both of us.
8. He loves to play softball with me.
9. Is the kindest person I know.
10. He appreciates me and is always quick to say thank you if I've done something nice for him.
11. He does the majority of the laundry and is happy to do it.
12. We share the same ideas on parenting (not that we know anything about it yet) and we're excited to see how we do together.
13. Sometimes his hair does this awesome flip thing in the morning if he's slept on it wrong, I like that.
14. I can ask him any question, no matter how stupid and he'll never make me feel dumb. He explains things to me so clearly without being condescending.
15. No one makes better cookies.
16. Doesn't complain at all about my super annoying pregnancy snoring, even when it keeps him up at night.
17. He drives me to work every morning even though it makes him 40 minutes early for work. In two years he's never once complained about that.
18. If he's not at work he insists on picking me up after I'm done work, even if it's not convenient for him.
19. I'm happiest when it's just the two of us together and so is he. We're excited to make it the three of us.
20. He likes to surprise me by doing things he knows I'll like, like doing the dishes or the laundry.
21. I don't know how he does it but he drinks water so loud! It glug, glugs all the way down. I like that he has random quirks like that.
22. When I'm sick he won't let me lift a finger, he insists on taking care of me the best he possibly can and would go out and get me anything if it would make me feel better.
23. He loves new electronic toys and has to find out every possible feature or cool trick available on said toy
24. He's super musical. I love to listen to him sing and I love that he's so talented.
25. He loves me in a way no one else would. Listens to me, is super affectionate and looks at me different than everybody else. No one makes me feel better about myself than him.

I'm so grateful for the two years we've had together and I can't wait to see what the future brings.
L

Anniversary

On Monday Brad and I celebrated our one year anniversary.
Funny how it seems like just yesterday but at the same time hasn't it always been this way? It's strange to think of a time when we weren't married, of when I didn't see him daily.

To commemorate the day here is a list of things I've learned from Brad

• Nothing is greater than having a ticklish husband
• How to neatly wrap up a microphone cable / extension cord without any twists
• Neither of us likes Pizza by the Yard
• If there's a squirrel / bird / gopher it MUST be chased
• He always puts me first, always gives me the best of everything. I think maybe to him my happiness is more important than his own. I'm trying to be like that.

If only everyone could be as happy
L

You'll probably roll your eyes and think this is sappy

There was a time when I came to be known as the airport taxi.
It seemed that everyone I knew was flying somewhere, I made trips weekly to the airport and there's one thing I learned.

I love picking people up at the airport. I love standing at the gate watching the crowd of people waiting for someone they love. That moment of anticipation. I love the little children waiting for the mothers and the girlfriend waiting for her boyfriend. The welcome is so sincere, the hugs are long and tight and sometimes there are tears.

But last night I was there waiting for the one I love, and I was finally one of them.
He was coming home for me and I missed him.
L

Old News

I know, I haven't posted anything for ages. I just haven't felt inspired, I haven't had anything to say.

I thought I'd post an old picture and tell you a story... sometimes I look at my hair in this one and wonder why I cut and dyed it, the dark is awesome.

This picture was taken shortly after Brad and I started dating. It was Brad's birthday which is really unfair for a new girlfriend. We went to his parents house for dinner, all his family was there. It was so odd to be there as Brad's girlfriend, I'd been Lisa, Arvid, Jared and Jenny's friend but I'd never been Brad's girlfriend. I was surprised how natural it was though. We had a fun time and I've loved the family dinners ever since.
L

“i've been waiting, i've been waiting for this moment..."

For those of you who haven’t heard the news yet I’m sorry I didn’t call you personally, there’s just too many to phone...

I’m engaged!

Bradley Wiebe and I are getting married on July 20th.

I’m sure you’re waiting for it... don’t worry, I won’t disappoint you... the Wedding Website is almost ready to launch :) There will be far more details there so hold tight.

Here’s one little blog worthy tidbit...

My whole life I’ve had this one goal; to move UP the alphabet. Being a West my chances were pretty good too. I hated in school how I was last for everything! There were those few glorious days where teachers would start from the bottom but they were few and far between. It’s less noticeable now that I’m older but I still feel the effects. When we get our flu shots at work I have to wait all day, sometimes almost having to stay after work. It’s my children I’m thinking about now, I didn’t want them to have to suffer through being last their whole life. So I was right on track with this goal for quite a few years... I started with a W (below me even) but then moved up to an M, and then an H and finally to a B! All the way up! None of those last names worked though... somehow I managed to plummet all the way back down to a W.

So I was looking at our ward directory the other day... Brad’s name is right below mine so if you think about it, my name will be eliminated and Brad will move up a spot... it’s like I’m not moving at all. I suppose that’s better than nothing. And my initial’s will stay the same, that’s saying something.

It’s a good thing he’s worth every bit of the sacrifice.
L

Meant to be Mine

Have you ever seen something and instantly known, "I needed that!"

You hadn't thought about it before but as soon as you saw it, of course you had to have it, it was only natural that you would have it. How did you go for so long without having it?

Enter the Best Valentine Gift ever!
L

Memories of You

I really liked this idea... Jenn decided to write her favorite memories of her favorite people... I thought I’d do the same (seems like all I can do is borrow others brilliant idea’s these day, I swear I’ll have an original one again)

Michelle
Remember that time you came to visit me when I first moved away from home? I had to go buy a knife so I could cut the bagel for the bagel Sandwiches. It's still my favorite knife. You brought your friends with you and they slept on that really uncomfortable futon my roommate had. Or how about all those time we ate popcorn, french fries or soda crackers with all the fixings... “I’m Mario”

Cora
Our trip to Utah stands out in my memory, singing the Future Freaks Me Out on repeat, or maybe London for New Year’s or just London in general.

Brad
I loved the Calgary Stampede last summer for my birthday. It was my first introduction to Whack-a-Mole (almost as good as Flaming Finger) and live Chuckwagon races. Those gross but good hotdogs and all the times I repeatedly beat you at Bomberman ;)

Kim
I often think of the Christmas gift exchange us girls had a couple of years ago. As usual there was some Buffy watching, some laughing, visiting and then the usual trip to Denny's in our pajamas. We all look awful in those pictures but they're some of my favorites.

Tonia
We went and saw the opera Lakmé at the Jubilee, it was so beautiful. Most of my memories of you are some sort of concert... the Opera, Jann Arden, the CPO. Thanks for being such a great theatre buddy.

Nathan
That time we played Gamecube, Mario Party button masher and I laughed until tears. We really should play that again. It still makes me smile

L

Quote of the Day

Curtesty of This Fish...

"Because love is about not always getting what you want, and pretending you didn't want it anyway"
L

**blush**

Turns out Darling, Dear or Sweetheart don't hold a candle against
Ma Chere

Translation = My Dear

L

My Turkish Lover

I'm blowdrying my hair on Sunday, listening to music when someone requests to add me to their msn. I figure I'm fine with this.
So the conversation opens with the usual, "How are you?" I try to be polilte while I figure out who I'm talking to but it's not long before I fess up to the fact that I have no clue who it is.

So it's Nail. From Turkey. Am I familiar with his Country? With Turkey? Yeah, I know his country. He's from Instanbul.
Come on, I'm supposed to take that seriously? So I'm sure this is just one of my friends being goofy.

Doesn't help when he asks, "You married?"

"No, I'm not married"

"I'm sorry"
"For bad english"

So by now I'm really confused. Nail asks if I have a different msn picture. I play along and say sure. Apparantly the new picture is "Very Wonderful"

Nail tries to have a web chat with me. As previously mentioned I'm in the middle of blowdrying my hair so I decline but open his anyway thinking this is a great way to finally figure out who this is. Get this... It's actually Nail, from Istanbul!! Apparantly he got my msn address from MSN Live Spaces.
He tries to start my web cam again, and again I decline. He asks why, so I tell him I'm doing my hair. He asks when? I tell him probably never, I'm not really an online dater. So Nail and I say our goodbyes and I figure that's the last of him. I have every intention of removing him from my msn list (he was a little creepy) but in the rush to get to church on time I forgot.

So Monday comes and I'm back at work, talking to Amber on msn when who should start talking to me but NAIL!
I try to be polite but he's actually pretty creepy. So I block and remove him from my msn list like I meant to on Sunday. But wait! Nail will not be removed! Somehow he still manages to talk to me. He asks something like, do I want to be friends with him. Amber advised me to tell him I'd like to be friends as badly as I want to gouge out my eyes... I attempt to water down that response to politely get rid of him but since he's blocked I can't respond... but how can he talk to me? So odd, stupid ebuddy. He comes to the right conclusion after I don't respond and I think I'm rid of him now. He's actually blocked and removed now.

Maybe one day I'll look back and regret that I gave up the opportunity to have a Turkish husband, maybe Nail was the one.
I'll take my chances, I prefer my men creep free
L

To Sir With Love

“I made it just for you”

Let me paint you a picture… I’m lying on bed just finishing donating blood. There just happens to be a cute blood donor guy collecting all the bags of blood. My bed just happened to be close to his table… the above was my witty, flirty line

He responded with something like “It’s such a nice colour”. Heh heh, flirting over my blood.

There was a little more to the exchange but I’ll just leave you with that highlight.

Turns out cute blood donor guys make the whole process much more enjoyable
L