So this is different...

Hey y'all! leo and I just started a new diet on Monday. It is the HCG diet, or somethinng or other. But for the first 2 days you gorge like a something that gorges a TON, then you go on a super strict diet. 2 proteins, vegetables and fruits a day in limited portions and if you are really really good, you can have a 20 calorie breadstick or melba toast. It is delicious. Wowzer. OOH and the juice of 1 lemon in some water with stevia is a daily treat. delight!

So far it hasn't been too bad. I was a little hungry yesterday, but for the most part I'm good. Leo is starving, poor guy, but we are doing well. We really loved the gorge days! I'm not gonna lie, but I think that those were the best part of the diet. If anyone wants to give it a go without being scared off, I would definitely recommend trying the gorge days.

Check back for updates on this crazy diet and how we are doing on it. Let us remember that it is only for 6 weeks, and we can do anything for 6 weeks! I hope that you are all havinng a fantastic day!

The joys of living in St. Louis

Usually I really don't mind living away from the beautiful mountains, the close family members, having a church 5 houses down, being able to walk around my neighborhood without too much fear of the unknown, but today I would like to share with you, with as much sarcasm dripping from my voice (or keys) as possible, the joys of living in St. Louis.

1* The freakin bugs. Seriously, they are huge. I just turned on Leo's office light and there were two, count them, TWO big black beetles scurrying around trying to find temporary repreive from the cruel fate that awaited them. Alas, this was not granted. I smushed the guts out of them, but now I feel like things are crawling on me. This really wasn't too bad, just took me by surprise. Probably because I am so hyped up about the spiders.

2* The Spiders. All over our apartment building there are spiders that have decided to build webs. I take them down everyday and the build them back up. Now this wouldn't be too bad if they were in corners or on sides, what have you, but they build right in the walkway and dangle over your head. And they are big. And gross. And I hate the feel of spiderwebs on me. The other night Leo found a HUGE spider that looked like a black widow but was too big to actually be one. I knew it was big because Leo made a big deal about its size and Leo NEVER does that.

3* The humidity. I still haven't figured out how to do my hair here. This is tremendously sad.

4* The fact that my neighbors seem to want to kill me. In January something came flying through our window and it shattered a hole with glass all over the floor. A tenant that moved out on Saturday, turned off the pilot light in his stove, turned on the gas and sealed the keyhole with tar so no one could get in. The police and a locksmith had to be called because the whack job was circling the building to see the explosion when it happened.

That's basically it. I guess nothing really horrible.

Now that my heart is no longer racing with adrenaline and anticipation of the attack of billions of bugs, let me list the things that I LOVE about St. Louis in actuality.

1* I love how green everything is. It is really rather gorgeous. An nobody has sprinlers in their lawn.

2* The cardinals flying everywhere.

3* They try to make arts and entertainment very accessible. The zoo, art museum, history museum, botannical gardens, outdoor theater, state parks, outdoor movies and park concert series are all free to St. Louis county residents so there is never really an excuse of not having anything to do.

4* The bugs. Even though they take me by surprise they have a very important job to do.

5* Nope, Still not the spiders.

6* My awesome friends and supporters.

7* How much I have grown being away from family.

8* How strong my marriage is because we lean on each other.

9* The fact that my sweetie is with me all the time! No more once a month visits for us and it is wonderful!

10* That I live right next to the university I attend. Let me say this in terms you can relate to. My classes are about as close as the nearest church in Utah.

11* Apparently I am hot here. Who knew? I have been picked up in stores and a nice gasman told Leo that I was hot piece of A**, this was rather flattering. Men here like my white skin and my big booty.

Alright, Saint louis isn't that bad. I do really enjoy it usually and have been glad to have a life here with Leo. That being said, watch out for those spiders...

Back from Hiatus

Hello friends! So this is funny, I couldn't remember our password, but we had it written on a 3x5 card in Leo's office so I wasn't too concerned, I just assumed we would find it. Then today we decided to start gutting our apartment. Leo threw it away because he didn't know I was looking for it. Apparently the fear and trauma that this inflicted in my soul was enough for me to remember the password, because here we are!

We have been uber busy the last little bit. Leo finished out his semester with Honors in Biology, the Vice-president of the Pre-Med Society, President of AMSA, Student Council representative for Biology club. He has been extremely busy and amazingly successful in this! He took his MCAT yesterday! He feels that he did well and was prepared for it, we will get the results back in about a month and are eagerly awaiting the outcome! Then we will start applying to medical schools. So far we are applying to 4 in PA, 1 in HI, 2 in MO, 1 in DC, 1 in LA, 1 in NE, and 1 in VA. This looks to be a very important semester in the life of the Bay's as Leo will have all of his interviews in the next few months.

Jamie just started school and is a Junior at University of Missouri-St. Louis with Leo where she can walk to classes from home. I just finished my summer semester with 3.85 GPA. I am studying Psychology with the plan of going on to get my Masters in Social Work. I spoke with some social workers and clinicians and have been informed unanomously that an MSW is the best option for working with children in abusive situations. I also got released from the Nursery and Achievement Day girls and am now the Second Counselor in Young Women. I am enjoying the change. My work hours have gone from full-time to very part-time as the company closed one of the sites and are trying to work with the extra staff. I have been blessed to have a job and they try to work with my schedule as best as possible.

We went on a float trip down the Meramac river. Leo bought us sunscreen and we covered ourselves but somehow we both got sunburned. Jamie learned 2 very important lessons here.
1)SPF 15 is not enough for a 5 hour float trip even with reapplying and we need to check the labels better. 2)Mustard is amazing for sunburns! Seriously, rub it on, wait til it gets warm to the touch and rinse off. The burn needs to be released from the skin so it will stop doing damage before you can put aloe on for pain management.

We also got to go to Nauvoo for a quick trip between semesters and were able to see the pageant and attend a session at the Temple. It was incredible! We also got to see Brother and Sister Hurley and Bishop Mike Barnes and his family from Utah. It was so much fun! Leo found an awesome suite with a jacuzzi tub and a fireplace. It was pretty wocked awesome!

We went to Des Moines to look at a school for Leo and it was a bust, but we got a fun little trip out of it, which is not a bad thing.

Honkey Tonk. Bedonkey Donk.

Tax Refund

What did you do with your tax refund? Something incredibly responsible like pay bills? Buy your brother a new video game? Take some friends to lunch? That may work for some, but not us! That aint how we roll! Leo has been talking about getting a new laptop and a new TV for a few months now, but as it is such a huge purchase he asked me about it. I am trying to get all of our debt taken care of, not that there is alot, but there is some. I keep telling him no. Last week, we sold my Nissan, Quasi, you all remember that lovely car...it tore my heart out to sell it, but sell it we did. This is where it gets interesting.

We knew we needed a new car, we didn't have the time to fix her. Leo's boss was selling a car. Enter Supply and Demand. We bought a new truck. Around this time Leo decided to go to an auction at the college. He found a laptop for $150. and yes we bought it. and yes, that is what I am typing on right now. Not only am I typing on this awesome laptop, I am also watching Grease on our new TV. My boss was selling her 54" high def TV, and it was just too good a deal to pass up, so we bought it. For those of you keeping track, yes, I am the best wife in the world. My man expressed his desires, I met them. And while it may have taken a little longer than he would have liked, it was also better than anticipated (kind of like me...)

So lets recap. Because of our tax refund we couldbuy a car, so we were able to sell Quasi without too much hassle. Because of our being willing to sell the car, we were able to afford a new laptop, a new TV, a new car, and pay a few bills. The Lord has truly blessed us, we were able to get our needs and even some of our desires fulfilled and we are basically ahead of where we were financially. For this I would publicly like to thank our Heavenly Father. I would also like to publicly thank my husband for being patient in the wait for the toys. Yes honey, it is gonna keep getting better!

An Update... If You Will...

Hello friends! How the blast are you all doing? I am amazing as is Leo and we are very happy right now. We are working hard. SUPER hard! I work full time at a daycare and am starting more and more to look at schools and careers for while Leo is in Med School. Leo works about 12 hours a week at one company, works about 20 hours as an RA for our complex, and does school full time, and also volunteers at the hospital. He is very busy, but loving the chaos. We both have callings in our ward and are excited to be a part of the church growing in MO. Everyday is like a mini mission, except we can watch TV and listen to the radio, and we share a bed with our companion...dun dun dun!

I was going to

I was going to write a post, but I changed me mind. This is what ye get ye landlubber, and that how it be. MWA-HA!

Oh What a Wonderful Morning

OK, so it isn't really morning, it is 9:31 at night and like a goon I am playing on the computer waiting for my dear sweet husband to come along home after his seriously crazy long day of work. I have decided that I am truly thankful for all that I have. Here is a list in no particular order. I am thankful for a husband who loves me and makes sure our needs are met. For a mother who raised me and taught me what is important in life and how to be the best me. For siblings that are my best friends and I know they are always there for me. For our home and our jobs and that we can be self sufficient. For good friends who have helped me to stay on the straight and narrow. For in-laws that took me in and accepted and loved me with no questions asked. For our working vehicle. To live so close to the temple. To live close enough to my brother and his family that a day trip is not out of the question. For a lovely little woman named Aldana who has lightened my load and has become a sister to me. For the computer, telephones, television and electric appliances. For indoor plumbing. For all my neices and nephews that are so sweet and teach me in their sweet innocence what life should be about. For the pain and struggles that have helped me develop empathy. For the joy and light that allow me to have peace. For warm cozy blankets. For sisters who encourage me and that I can tell anything too. For brothers who protect me and push me to be better. For my job and the people I work with. For knowing that the Lord loves us and will never abandon us. For knowing that we have the restored gospel on the earth. For opportunities to talk about my faith. For others who are open to the spirit and can guide me. For a husband that holds his role as the head of our family proudly. For knowing that no matter how homesick and distant I feel, a good friend is just on the other end of the phone. For our callings in church. For this beautiful world that the Lord provided for us. For Amber and Craig that bring happiness and reason (and let's not forget desert) to us. For a Savior who died for us. For our ancestors who came before and started the road which we are on. For chocolate. For popcicles. We are truly blessed and thank you to all of you that have played a role in getting us to where we are. You are all so important to us. You inspire us and encourage us, uplift and test us, but most importantly you have loved us. We love you dearly and hope that every once in a while you can catch a glimpse of the good you do for those around you.