New Blog

Well everyone. I have decided to create a new blog. I will not longer be using this one. Not that I wrote on it much anyways. So check it out at samandkaylaprusse.blogspot.com. I hope you enjoy it!

The Final Countdown

According to target.com there are only 13 days until Sam and I are getting married. I may or may not be using our online registry list as a countdown to the wedding. It feels like an eternity away and yet there is so much to do I feel like I am running out of time. Being engaged is strange. I don't like it. I would much rather be married.

In great news, Sam and I have an apartment now! We get to move into it in 5 days! That means I have 5 days to sort through all of my things and get rid of all my junk. That is the kind of thing that makes me think I am running out of time.

This past weekend my best friend Torrie threw me a shower and I loved it! It was so good to see all my old friends in one place. Most of us really never hang out or even see each other anymore because we have all gone our separate ways in life. But I love that we can all get together and talk and laugh just like before. It was really fun. So thanks to Torrie, Petrice, and Torrie's mom for putting that together.

Well there are less than two weeks until the big day. I can't wait for it to just come and happen so I can move on with the rest of my life with Sam. The invitations are out, the dress is ready, the decorations are planned, everything is coming along and now I just have to do the last finishing touches and wait just a little bit longer.

Happy Happy Happy Day.

I just want to announce that I am done with student teaching!!!! Woo hoo for me! I could not be happier. After many tired days, tears, feelings of insanity, I am finally done. Even though I had a rough start I can honestly say that I still want to be a teacher and that I enjoyed having students. They really are the best part. Now I just hope that I can find a teaching job close by. This means that I am pretty much done with school! Happy 2nd degree to me!

I must say, life is pretty good right now. Sam and I had a wonderful weekend that started off with a free showing of the play South Pacific. The play was good, but I was so tired and had a headache the whole time that I didn't enjoy it as much as I could. Plus it was just pretty long.... Then on Saturday we made a delicious breakfast and headed to Salt Lake to see our friends Torrie and Matt finish the Salt Lake Marathon! They were so awesome. We barely saw them finish and actually had to run a few blocks ourselves to see them cross the finish line. I think it is so amazing that they did that together and I could not be prouder of them. Will Sam and I ever run a marathon together? Probably not, but maybe a half marathon.

As we were walking back to the car we took a little stroll in temple square because the flowers were so amazing! I just kept saying that to Sam, "these are amazing" and "this is so pretty!" And they really were. It was a beautiful day. Later we did a ton of wedding errands and then had a little dinner with the family. We met some of my family at a park and had a little mini game of frisbee. On Sunday we had a lovely time at church and then went out to see this little house that Sam's brother might buy. It was just a wonderful, warm, fun, and enjoyable weekend.

Here are some pictures in no particular order:

Finally, I have made an observation. Wedding planning is not as stressful as everyone makes it out to be. Maybe Sam is just so amazing and never complains about wedding stuff. And I have super helpful parents and future in-laws and siblings. Maybe it will get crazier, but so far everything has worked out, and I am actually enjoying it :)

Yes, it is true. I am engaged.

So here is the story of how Sam and I are finally engaged. If you ever wanted to know all about how Sam and I met and all the great things about him, well you have come to the right place because that is what I am about to tell you.

Sam and I met in the least likely of all places, a singles ward. I had been forced to move from my beloved Lakeside singles ward to a new one where I knew almost no one. A few bitter weeks went by as I sat alone in church until a handsome stranger caught my eye. He was unnaturally tall so that was really probably why, but as I saw him walk passed my I did think to myself, "he is probably one of the best looking boys in this ward, maybe life here won't be so bad after all." Well to my surprise that handsome stranger showed up to my regular Monday night frisbee games, and then again the next week. Finally after a few weeks of me noticing him, but never actually speaking to him he and his friend Ben finally introduced themselves to me at frisbee. And that is how it all began. Ben was a mutual friend of Sam's and my friend Becky. Becky and I schemed a little to find ways to get Ben to invite Sam to various events including a big BBQ I was throwing just before the 4th of July. Well Sam did come to my BBQ (he chose mine over another girl's) and that is what really started it all. After that we became real life friends.

Well after about a month of friendship and me guessing whether or not he would ever be more than a friend he finally asked me on a date. I had actually asked him on a date a few weeks earlier. He had said yes, and then couldn't because he got sick. I questioned whether or not he was lying just to get out of the date, but he really was sick, and we stayed friends. Sam took me to see an outdoor movie at the Capital, a very romantic choice for a first date. However, the date was not romantic, in fact it was border line awkward. But it was still fun. It did leave me wondering if there was any romance at all between us though. I thought maybe we were just destined to be friends. But then one Tuesday night after institute Sam and I decided to set up his hammock (he slept in a hammock his whole mission) at Rocket Park. I thought maybe he would hold my hand or something, but he just went for it and kissed me right then and there. His reasoning was that if he was going to sit in a hammock with a girl he was going to kiss her. Well I did not object. After that things moved pretty fast and we have been together ever since.

So when it came time to propose what did Sam do? Well on a Tuesday night he took my to Rocket Park and proposed to me in a hammock exactly 8 months since the first time we sat in a hammock. It was perfect. Sam is the man of my dreams. It was easy to fall in love with him because we fit together so well. He is so kind, gentle, sincere, smart, funny, nerdy, hardworking, talented, helpful, and loving. I can't wait for June 23 when we get to start the rest of our lives together! So let this be a lesson to you. Don't sit with a hammock with just anyone, because you may end of marrying, which in my case was the best decision of my life.

The Ring (It was a little too small) 

Tagged: A reason to blog

Well I guess I have been tagged, which in the cyber world means I have to write a bunch of stuff about myself. I rarely make time for blogging but I have found myself with a little extra time, so here it goes:Game Rules:
1. Post these rules.
2. Post a photo of yourself and 11 random things.
3. Answer the questions set for you in the original post.
4. Create 11 new questions and tag people to answer them.
5. Go to their blog/twitter and tell them you've tagged them.
Here is a picture of me and Sam. It was pretty much the only one I have of me saved on this computer so there you go.

11 Random Things About Me:
1. I can touch my nose with my tongue.
2. I love having a pillow on my lap when I am sitting. For some reason I think holding something is really comfortable and so I usually always have a pillow, blanket, my coat, my purse, my backpack, anything on my lap.
3. I hate it when it rains and is sunny at the same time, unless the result is an awesome rainbow or something.
4. I love the taste of vanilla, but I hate the smell (like a scented candle), but I am addicted to my vanilla scented chapstick, which actually tastes like sugar cookies to me.
5. I am totally addicted to chapstick and I panic when I don't have it. It will seriously ruin my whole day and I will frantically search for an alternative. One time I lost my chapstick walking home from school and on my next time walking home I searched the sidewalk for it. I found it in the grass and did I use it? You bet I did.
6. I have a slightly webbed toe on my left foot, and no it does not make me a better swimmer.
7. I really really really hate eating ice cream with a metal spoon, or any cold food item.
8. I secretly wish I was an amazing singer and could play all kinds of instruments, when in reality I have pretty much zero musical talent. However, you will see me frequently belting things out in my car, especially Kelly Clarkson, Whitney Houston, and Mariah Carey.
9. If I could I would drop everything in my life and move to an excluded cabin in the woods with a dog, some baking supplies, art supplies, a ton of books, and a garden. I would do it in a heart beat.
10. I have always wanted to write a book, but I have no idea what it would be about.
11. I probably know the lyrics to every single counting crows song as a result of my childhood.

11 Questions from Torrie:
1. What is your dream job?
I would love to be a great baker. One day I want to own a gourmet bakery and just brighten everyone's day with delicious foods. The best thing I think I can bake? Homemade chocolate chip cookies, it can only go up from their right?

2. What is the most recent book you have read, and what did you think of it?
Besides high school history text books? Well the last book I read is called Sarah's Key. I thought it was a pretty good book but I didn't fall in love with it because I had a hard time relating to the main character. I thought I would really like it because it is about victims of the Holocaust but it just didn't reach out to me. But I thought it was well written and I would also like to see the movie that was based on the book.

3. What was the best concert you've ever been to?
This is a difficult one, but I will just chose one really cool one. I was able to go to the Paul McCartney concert for free because of my friend Jenna. It was life changing. That is all.

4. Did you have a list of qualities growing up that you wanted in a future spouse? Did the list change, or did your significant other have all the qualities listed already?
I'm not sure if I had one from when I was a child, but I did make one a few years ago. Then after a few significant events in my life I realized that having a list was not the important thing, but rather I needed to make sure that I had all the qualities I wanted in myself. So I guess you could say the list changed in a way. I am sure I made many lists during Young Womens lessons or activities. Does Sam meet all the requirements on my list? Well he is a little different than some of the things that I wanted but the qualities he does have are exceptional. I love that he is so kind, willing to learn anything, extremely helpful, he always listens to what I have to say even if it is totally crazy, a hard worker, smart, motivating, understanding, hilarious, fun, and yes he is a returned missionary and temple worthy (to satisfy the Young Women's list). And he can play the bass like a boss, so yeah, he meets the requirements of my list...
5. Greek yogurt: yes or no?
Yes, I love it, but only the really fattly kind :)
6. Would you rather have the capacity to fly or read minds?
I would rather read minds. I am always trying to figure people out and analyze things so that would be awesome. As long as I could turn it off when I didn't want to hear some people's thoughts.
7. What reality t.v. show would you want to be a part of?
Definitely the Amazing Race. I want to be on that show!

8. What is your go-to meal when you have to fix something up really quick? (share the recipe!)
Well I pretty much love making homemade pizza, but Torrie you already have that recipe. So another thing I like to make is Chicken Enchiladas. Its just about 1/2 pound of cooked and cubed chicken (or canned chicken), 1/2 C of cheese, 1 can of cream of chicken soup, salt and pepper to taste, and about 3/4 C of milk. Mix it all together and spoon it into about 6 large tortillas, wrap and place in a 9x13 baking dish. Leave a little bit of the sauce mixture, add more milk and cheese, pour over the top and sprinkle more cheese over the top if desired :) (I always do). Bake for about 35 minutes at 350 degrees. It is super fast, easy, and delicious.

9. What is one of your life dreams that you see yourself accomplishing in the next year?
Well this is the year of big changes in my life, but one big dream I guess is being totally done with school, which I will achieve this spring. I cannot wait to be done with school! I get so excited just thinking about it. When I am done I will have my second bachelors in secondary education (my first was in Political Science). I am not going to lie, I think it's pretty cool that I have gone to school for what I wanted and finished two degrees.

10. When have you been the most proud of yourself?
One thing that made me really proud was when I was an SI instructor at Utah State and I got this e-mail about something one of my students had written about me. She had to write about a person who had helped her or someone she looked up to and she chose to write about me and how I had helped her in her class. I felt so happy that she would think of me and so glad that I had helped at least one person with my teaching. When I get depressed about student teaching I try to think of those great teaching moments I had as an SI and remind myself that it took me a long time to become a good SI leader, so I need to just stick with teaching and keep trying.

11. What kind thing has someone done for you this week?
I feel like while I have been student teaching people are doing nice things for me all the time. I have to admit that this is a very selfish time of my life because I feel so stressed about getting everything I have to done. So here are a few things: My mom making dinner for me and Sam almost every night, Sam listening to me complain almost every night, Sam rubbing my shoulders seriously at leat 5 times a week, and my dad helping me fix my old broken down car all the time. I am surrounded by kind people.

Who am I tagging? Haley Higginson and Rachel Macrae
My 11 Questions:
1. If you could live anywhere in the world where would you live?
2. What is the best story you have about living with roommates?
3. If you could sing karaoke to any song, what would it be?
4. What is the nicest thing someone could do for you?
5. What is the nicest thing someone has ever done with you?
6. When you decided to marry your significant, how did you know he was the one?
7. Describe your perfect meal.
8. Describe your perfect day, if you could do anything you wanted, with anyone you wanted.
9. What is something you condsider a great achievement in your life?
10. If you could have picked a different major, what would it have been?
11. What is your best childhood memory?

Goodbye 2011 Hello 2012

Is is strange that I am a little excited that the holidays are over? It must be a sign of me becoming a true adult. Christmas is fun but it is also very tiring and fattening. I am kind of happy to just be going back to normal life. Christmas this year was pretty good. It was a surprisingly busy day and I felt like I was going non-stop which I think comes from trying to not only fit in things with my own family but also trying to make sure I spend time with Sam's family too. Since it was so warm and sunny for December, Sam and I decided to go on a bike ride on the legacy trail on Christmas Eve. We made it to our stopping point and it was very romantic because Sam brought a blanket and hot chocolate for the end of the trail. That night we ate dinner with my Mom and Dad and then spent the rest of the night playing games with Sam's family. On Christmas I spent the morning with my parents and then I went to church with my Mom. I have decided that I really kind of like having Christmas on Sunday, I am not sure why but I do. Maybe it is because it helpes me remember the true spirit of Christmas even better. That night we went to my family's traditional Bethlemhem dinner and then spent the rest of the night playing games with Torrie and Matt.

Christmas was pretty great and after a week of relaxation I then got to celebrate my birthday and New Years the next weekend. I am now 25 and I am not sure how I feel about it. I know 25 is not old but it kind of feels old, but I don't feel old at all. I am sure I will get used to it. My birthday was pretty good. I went to breakfast at Sill's Cafe with Sam and then had a big birthday dinner at Buca di Beppo with my whole family. I think my family might be getting a little big for eating out all together. It was fun and delicious but a little crazy. At the end of the night we decided to spend a quiet evening with just me, Sam, Torrie and Matt and played games until midnight. I was kind of happy to just have a quiet and relaxing night.

I am excited for the new year. The number 12 is actually my lucky number and so I think this will be a lucky year. I also think it will be a year of change, but changes that I am excited for. However, 2011 was a pretty good year too. I have thought of all the things that happened last year that I feel are pretty good accomplishements or just cool things that have happened, here they are:

Finished my last semester of classes at USU

Drove across the country with Matt and Bethany

Saw Boston and Chicago

Worked my last summer at Bountiful City (kind of lame, but still an accomplishment)

Being told that I gave life changing advice

Moved home from Logan for good

Witnessed my first sealing at the temple which was for my two best friends

Met and fell in love with Sam

So there you go. I would say those are the biggest things that happened in 2011. I think that 2012 has many big and exciting things in store for me. I will also have a lot of hard work to do (like student teaching) but I have a lot to look forward to. So here is to 2012, may you be magical.



December is here, school is out, and I am about to turn 25.

I have decided that the older I get the faster time goes. I cannot believe it is already December but I am more excited than ever because I feel like I have long anticipated this month. Why might you ask? Well let me tell you. First of all, Christmas is in December. I love Christmas and all of its magic, good food, family gatherings, and twinkling lights. I love it. This month also marks the official end of my having to take regular college classes. I am technically still in school but I am done with classes which is amazing! This December also means it is my birthday. This is a little bittersweet. I am not ashamed to admit that I love my birthday. However, this year I am turing 25. That is 1/4 of the way to 100! Sometimes I feel like I have been 17 forever and so to realize that I am now in my mid-twenties is just weird. But I will get over it. The final reason for why I am so excited for December is pretty cheesy but I don't care. I am excited because I don't have to long distance date anymore. I get to see Sam everyday if I want. It has been less than a week and it is already amazing. I feel like I have been waiting for that from the day I moved up to Logan and I made it! So yay for me.

In other news I have my student teaching placement! I feel like when I read the e-mail it was like opening a mission call, okay not exactly but that's what I felt like. I am student teaching at North Ridge High School. I am going to be teaching World Civ and U.S. History. I am super nervous but mostly excited. I can't wait to get started!

So I have to describe my wonderful last weekend in Logan. The only unfortunate thing is that I did not take one picture. Oh well. Sam came up on Friday and we just had a relaxing night and went to Torrie and Matt's and watched Harry Potter 7 part 2. On Saturday we drove to Brigham City to eat at Maddox. Sam has never been there and lets just say he was not dissappointed because it was delicious and it made me full for the rest of the day. After a nice little nap we headed up to Maple Grove hot springs with Torrie and Matt and soaked away all our troubles for about two hours, laughed at some crazy drunk people, and just had a good time. After we were so hungry that we decided to go eat at Angie's and of course I got my usual, the double decker combo with tater tots. On Sunday we had a wonderful time at church and again ate some delicious food (this is kind of a theme of the weekend). That night we played Nertz at our friend Katie and Spencer's apartment and we lost, but it was still fun. On Monday I took my very last final and Sam helped me move all my stuff. My wonderful roommate Emily was so nice and gave me this crazy snow hat and this really pretty journal. She is the best. After a very tired drive from Logan I am officially home. It was a pretty magical weekend and I can't wait for this magical Christmas break.