Things

On Tuesday, we met the third guy that will be moving in with us. Oh boy. He seems like a sweet guy with a big heart, but it was really overwhelming for me. I went from being a new wife to a new mom (two times over), and now someone else is moving in. Don't get me wrong, I am still very grateful for this job, but it's just sort of scary. The past week or so with just the two of them has been difficult, so we'll see how the dynamics of the house are with a third. This job is so good for me, because it forces me to have good time management and to have a list of things that I need to get done each day, which I usually do, and then collapse on my bed at night, haha. The guys have a problem with listening to me when Jason is gone. I don't know if it's the whole "machismo" complex or what, but they definitely don't' seem to have very much respect for women, especially ones that are thirty so something years younger than they are. Understandable, I guess. To them, I am just a kid. But it's frustrating to have them not listen to me, and do the exact opposite of what I ask, and then when Jason gets home, he will tell them the same thing, and they will do it without any problems. I need to work on having a more manly voice, I think. It's not their fault, but it really does wear on me to work so hard and be treated like that in return. Like I said, I guess I know what it feels like to be a mom now - but I wasn't quite ready! Oh well, I guess I am now. =)

Today I will be working on my final project for my interpersonal communications class. It is a video that a girl in my class and I are making, and it should be good. I'm not real technologically savvy - that's where Jason comes in. Hm....let's play hi-lo.

My high(s) (of yesterday, we'll say, since this day has just begun):

Getting my wedding ring re-dipped and cleaned....looks just like new! All sparkly and glittery!

Jason and I jammed on the guitar last night, which was fun.

Lows:

Recording two hours worth of film for our movie, and then finding out that the tape didn't work...........of course!

One of the guys won't eat anything.... hasn't eaten a real dinner for the past two nights, which scares me because he has a lot of health problems and needs to get some real food into his system. He has suddenly decided that he doesn't like pizza, potatoes, chili, vegetables, or fruit. Wow, nice. Just likes cereal and oatmeal...not necessarily the food pyramid.

Welp, folks, probably signing off now. I need to go get Jason up for work. And make breakfast. And clean up everyone's messes. Haha. Just kidding? Have a great day. =)

Oh, what a great day!

Today was a very busy day. I had school all day, and did my final presentation in Honors English. It went really well. It was about family history, mainly, and the drive and motivation that you can get from stories about people before you, especially your ancestors. I passed pictures around of and told a story about my great grandmother Pratt and how her husband passed away at forty, leaving her with six kids to raise on her own. She didn't have a college degree, and at the time (1930s), women weren't exactly equals in society. She had no desire to re-marry, and so she and her children started a turkey farm - the largest one in Whatcom County! With an upwards of 2,000 turkeys, they were able to sustain themselves and live comfortable for the next forty years. Pretty amazing, given the time period and circumstances that she was in. She actually died quite a wealthy, successful old lady. It's stories like that that, first of all, make me proud to be a Pratt, but second of all, keep me grounded and put me in my place when I start to feel sorry for myself. She was an amazing woman!

I also talked about the power that little, insignificant things, done significantly, can have a great impact and invoke change. For example, there is one scene from the movie, "Children of Men," that really stuck out to me as a perfect and beautiful illustration of this idea. The movie is set in the future, 2027 to be exact, the world is going up in smoke, no woman has been able to have a child for 18 years, and everyone is at war. Miraculously, one young girl from Africa gets pregnant. You can imagine the issues that she faces. Everyone wants this baby for science. People are basically hunting her, and her unborn child, and she must find somewhere to keep her and her miracle child safe from the tainted world. The scene from the movie that I showed in class shows her and her child (a girl) hiding out in a warehouse, waiting for the right moment to escape. Bombs are going off everywhere, and people are being shot and killed right and left. She tried to hide her little girl under a blanket, because no one knows still that she has it, but the baby starts to cry, grabbing the attention of all those around. She makes her escape, baby still crying. Instead of violence, everyone around her grows silent as they listen to this little one cry. Old women look longingly and lovingly at the child. People start crying. She makes it outside, and the soldiers yell to cease fire. They go down on one knee, amazed at the simple innocence of the cry of a baby. One man emotionally proclaims, "I had forgotten what that sounded like. It's beautiful. They're so beautiful and tiny." It's a very powerful moment in the movie, because everyone is, for a short moment, unified in this baby. It invokes in them feelings, once lost, of the love for family and compassion. Great movie - if you haven't seen it, I would strongly recommend it!
I also read the book Harold and the Purple Crayon to the class. You can gain some surprisingly mature, philosophical insights from that simple children's book. I then passed out purple crayons to all of them, to remind everyone that we are in charge of the way we draw our own world and the way that we make it back home. We will probably get lost along the way just like Harold, maybe even a few times, but with our purple crayon, we will all make it back home, into our soft warm beds, and draw up the covers. Cute huh? Haha... =)

This evening our boss came over and watched the guys for a bit so Jason and I could go out to our favorite restaurant, the India Garden...yum! We went with another younger couple from our ward at church, the Joslins. They are from Arizona. He is a middle school math teacher, and she is applying to med school. Sometimes I feel so inadequate around people like that! When asked what I am studying in school, I often reply everything, because that is mainly true. I applied to the radiography program, got rejected, and am having a hard time redirecting myself or picking one thing to study. I still love to write, and I don't think that will ever change, but I don't know if I want to be an English major.... suggestions are strongly appreciated! All I know is that I am taking life as it comes, and trying to enjoy everything that comes my way. I am enjoying school so much, and so right now, I'm in no hurry to quick decide. My English class and teacher are probably the best I have ever had. And I have had some pretty good ones!

On a more serious, not so happy note, a girl from RCTC (my school) got murdered last week in her home. This hit closer to home than usual for me, because she was in my ethics class last semester, and was a very sweet girl. She was about my age and married. They still haven't found out who did this, which is I guess what makes me uneasy. You can't walk around being scared all the time, and you can only protect yourself so much from things like this happening, but it really, honestly scared me! She was a young girl just like me, and just the thought of something like that happening around here, about two blocks from where I live, is really eye-opening for me. I walked around today, feeling rather unsafe because of this and also because of the recent tragedy in Virginia. But, then I got mad at myself, because I can't let things like this force me to live in fear my whole life. Then I become a prisoner to my own fear, letting it win. Jason says that this is why he thinks I should get a license for a handgun to carry around with me....what did I say to that? For those of you who know me well know that this is NEVER something that I would resort to. I would even probably feel more unsafe walking around with a gun, then I would without one. My life isn't worth killing anyone else, not even to me. But...I might invest in a spray can of mace. haha.

So...those are some random, some depressing, and some lighthearted thoughts from my day. Sorry to end on a rather negative note, but life really is good! I have been in a good mood lately because I am trying to plan a trip to go somewhere with my best friend Whitney this summer, possible soon. School ends May 10th, and I just can't wait to take a little break! Now, I must go take some pepto bismol because that Indian food doesn't seem to be agreeing with my stomach... uh oh! Signing off...

Archetypes

I just watched a movie in which the family in it would sit down every night together and play a game called "hi-lo" where each member would go around and say their "high" of the day, and, you guessed it, their "low." I thought this was a great idea, so here it goes for my "hi-lo" of the day.

High:
Tie between sleeping in a little bit (sooooo nice) and watching the movie Deja Vu with Jason (great movie - I would recommend it!)

Low:
My pork roast cooked a little too fast today, so it was a bit tough, but still alright.
Writing a paper about what archetype of Greek God or Goddess I am. This is a low right now, but will be a high when I finish it.

What a fun game! Now I must get back to writing my paper and doing the rest of my homework. Maybe I'll post my paper when I'm done...maybe.

Love you!

Spicy Chicken in Peanut Sauce...yum!

1 Tablespoon olive or vegetable oil

8 large chicken thighs or breasts (about 3 pounds), skin removed

1 large onion, chopped (1 cup)

2 cans (14.5 oz each) diced tomatoes with green chilies, undrained

1 can (14.5 oz) crushed tomatoes, undrained

2 tablespoons honey

1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/3 cup creamy peanut butter

2 cups hot cooked couscous

chopped fresh cilantro to taste



1) In a 12-inch nonstick skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Cook chicken in oil about 4 minutes, turning once, until brown.

2) In a 4- to 5- quart slow cooker or crockpot, mix onion, diced and crushed tomatoes, honey, cumin and cinnamon. Add chicken. Spoon tomato mixture over chicken.

3) Cover and cook on Low hear setting 7 to 8 hours.

4) Stir in peanut butter until melted and well blended. Serve chicken and sauce over couscous, sprinkled with chopped fresh cilantro and/or crushed peanuts.

ENJOY!



*I'm making this for dinner tonight. Sounds delicious, right?

The Peace of Wild Things

When despair for the world grows in me
and I wake in the night at the least sound
in fear of what my life and my children's lives may be,
I go and lie down where the wood drake rests
in his beauty on the water,
and the great heron feeds.
I come into the peace of wild things
who do not tax their lives with forethought of grief.
I come into the presence of still water.
And I feel above me the day-
blind stars
waiting with their light.
For a time I rest in the grace of the world,
and am free.
— Wendell Berry

My lonely night!

Tonight, Jason had to work, so I am just at home hanging out with the "guys," which consists mainly of watching Cops (bad boys, bad boys...) or movies on video cassette (yes apparently someone still makes them!) On Fridays, our boss orders pizza for us, which is a nice break from frantically trying to whip something up for dinner everyday after school. I wish that I knew more to do around this town, so that I could take them to go do something interesting, but every time I offer, they claim to be busy watching their respective TV channels. Oh well, I guess. I should just be grateful that they are so low-maintenance! I have been feeling a little sick, so I am enjoying my time to rest. However, I need to start getting in shape for the upcoming soccer season so I might take a little run later around the neighborhood. Tonight, I am missing my family and friends...and Jason, come to think of it! Hope he gets home soon. Love you all. =)

A visit with Buddha Mama and Haley!

This past weekend, all my wildest dreams and wishes came true when my favorite mom and one of my favorite sisters =) came to visit us in good ol' Rochester, Minnesota. We had fun relaxing, eating, cooking, shopping at the Mall of America, laughing, and being Pratt's (and Wilson's)! I have come to the realization that I belong to a truly special, one of a kind family. I am so proud to belong to it, and they are just my best friends! I was grateful to my sweet dad for letting them come visit me, and for taking care of the littles while they were gone. Although I was sad that I couldn't see the rest of them, I only have to wait a few more months until our next reunion. Jason loves to be around my family as well, and we are so grateful that they were able to come and visit. Although it is sometimes difficult being so far away from my "heart" land (Ferndale, WA), it was fun for them to come and experience life here in the Midwest.

Speaking of Midwest, we have had lots of fun being on our own and "taking a break" from our active social lives, but we are definitely ready to settle down somewhere within the next year and some. I couldn't imagine living anywhere else than Washington, and we have set a goal to finish up school and raise a family there, where our kids will have a beautiful place to run, play, be kids, and grow up. Life here in Minnesota gets rather lonely, and I can't wait to be around my family again. Plus, I just miss everything about Washington: the beach, the trees, the air, the rain (YES, the rain!), the variety, and the people. Much to my dismay, I catch myself saying certain words in a Minnesota accent, and for all those of you who aren't familiar with this interesting language, be glad that you aren't! I miss the carefree-ness and open mindedness of people in Washington, and am getting rather tired of the Midwestern mediocrity. Thank goodness for the west coast is all I have to say.

A new Idea

I thought that it would be a good idea to have a place where friends and family can get updated on our lives! We are ever so busy, and probably hard to get a hold of sometimes, so we thought that a blog was a good idea. I am still unsure of the meaning of 'blog' but I guess we'll figure it out sooner or later, right? I actually got this idea from my sweet father, who had an idea to create a family website, and I'm not sure if anyone ever uses it, but great idea, dad!

A short and sweet (I'll try!) update on the past year of our lives.

Jason and I met in November of 2005...well, actually a little bit before then, but we don't remember each other from the first time! My friend Jenny Liu McAvoy and I were on a little lunch date at the Provo Olive Garden and ran into Jason, who was working there at the time. We recognized each other from the previous year, and exchanged phone numbers. I thought he was interested in my friend at the time, so I just left my apartment number, not thinking anything would come of it.

About a week and a half later, I decided that it was about time to figure out how to use our 1980's apartment phone and set up the voicemail. I did, and I realized that Jason had left a message. I felt bad because it had been so long, and hesitated calling, but I did (out of pity, really), and we ended up going on a date that very same night. We felt a spark instantly, and the rest is history!

We got engaged on January 28th (same day as my parents, which was unbeknownst to us at the time - crazy!) and married on June 22nd in the Mt. Timpanogos Temple. It was a beautiful and perfect day, and we embarked on our new adventure of life as a newly married couple.

After a very fun (but very tragic) honeymoon - we got our wedding gift money stolen, missed flights, my dog died, etc. - we moved cross country from Washington, to Utah to get some more of our belongings, and onto Minnesota, arriving there at about midnight on Jason's birthday, July 5th. I left out the part about the U-Haul breaking down in Kearney Nebraska on the 4th of July, but that's a great story for another time.

We moved into our cute, tiny little condo that we bought, next to our chain-smoking neighbors, who we are pretty sure don't JUST smoke tobacco...hm.... but it was fun while it lasted. =) We'll have some good memories from there.

In Feb, we moved into our first house. Well, not really since we don't technically own it, but it was definitely a blessing that we are thankful for every day. Shortly after school started, we were looking for job postings on the job board at school, and came across one that read: "Live-in couple needed to care for three "fun-loving" adults." Sometimes I don't know what we were thinking, given the fact that fun-loving can mean a lot of interesting things, but we contacted who is now our boss, and got the job after the first interview! We are now officially "Adult Foster Care Providers," and live with two middle aged men with brain injuries. It makes life fun and interesting, and often difficult, but given both of our backgrounds in similar situations, we have adjusted well. Both men that we take care of have brain injuries that cause them to have very bad memories, and limited social skills. One of them also has Huntington's Disease, which has been very interesting to learn about and be exposed to.

Sometimes I think, wow, we are crazy! We have only been married ten months, and moved in with two fifty year old men! But, Jason and I are known to "fly by the seat of our pants" and make quick decisions, and luckily this one has been a good one so far! On a more serious note though, this job has been a definite answer to prayers, and we are so grateful for this truly unique learning experience. Plus, it helps me keep up on my domestic skills - I have truly learned what it means to be a "housewife" now. But I wouldn't want it any other way. This will definitely over-prepare us for children in the future! We are just grateful that for now, there is no diaper changing!

We are both still in school (will it ever end?) at the University Center - Rochester, which is only about a ten minute drive from our house. Jason is studying for a degree in Business Management with possible focus on marketing (I think? sorry, business confuses me.) He is doing well in his classes, but has discovered that there aren't very many motivated people our age. It may just be a Midwesterner thing, but he has recently found out what it means to be a true leader and take the reigns in his class projects, when no one else is willing to. His teachers count on him to be a good example to his younger, less motivated classmates. Although it is stressful for him I'm sure to take on so much responsibility, it is molding him into an all-around leader and business man. He is so smart when it comes to business, which I am grateful for because, for those of you who know me well, I am NO business woman! He is working part time at Olive Garden, where he has fun entertaining guests and bringing home big tips to his wife...ha ha. He is also involved in a worldwide expansion of a telecommunications company called ACN. He and his brother started their own distributorship of it out here in Minnesota, called Titan Communications. They are doing well, and Jason is learning a lot from his big brother. And, if I may say so myself, I think his big brother may be learning just as much from Jason!

I am also attending school, although this semester has not been as fun because Jason and I don't have any classes together! Last semester, we had speech and math together, which was so much fun, although it made it hard to focus in class. We would take turns zoning out or sleeping, so the other one could take notes...I wouldn't recommend it, but it was fun while it lasted. This semester, I applied to the Mayo school of Health Sciences Radiography Degree, and unfortunately, received a letter in the mail telling me that I wasn't accepted. Although sorely disappointed, I have tried to take it as a learning experience, and not let it distract me from my future educational pursuits. I am actually loving college right now. Not being accepted into my program has given me an opportunity to sort of sit back and re-analyze my goals and desires for an education. Once again, I have found myself absolutely intrigued by my English class, and loving to write more and more every day. I'm not exactly sure if an English degree is in store for me, but I can tell you one thing - no matter what I end up doing, I will always be involved in writing in some way or another. It is like therapy to me, and I take a lot of pride in my individual writing assignments. I have been thinking about trying to publish something eventually - Jason and I have come up with a few ideas - but we will see about that! For now, I am just enjoying entertaining my teachers with my ideas of life, love, politics, celebrities, and happiness.

I have also just joined the Rochester Club Soccer league and will be playing on a women's 18 and older team starting sometime in the middle of May. I am so excited to start that up again. Soccer has always been a passion of mine, and it's been some time since I have been allowed to get a little feisty on the field. Can't wait to make 'em bleed! (creepy i know, I apologize.)

For those of you who have made it this far, sorry I lied...it was not short and sweet, but now those of you who will read our blog are filled in on our lives. We are having so much fun, and fall more in love every day. People say that the first year of marriage is difficult, which is maybe partly true, but I couldn't ask for more in a marriage! We have both grown up so much this past year, and have remained best friends through it all. We are excited to see what the future will bring. =)