The Time We Went To Cincinnati For Thanksgiving

We had been looking forward to this week for FOREVER. We were so excited to be at the farm for a couple of days, homework and stress-free and just snuggling with the family. We drove to Vegas after school on Tuesday, stayed the night there and then left in the morning for the airport. Our flight ended up getting delayed 4 and a half hours, and too bad for me because I had already bought a crappy expensive sandwich that I didn't even end up eating because the bread was already soggy! Sick.

When we got to Ohio, my mom had gotten there just half an hour before us and Tracey was already there waiting for us. We got in the car and when we got to the farm, everyone was up waiting for us. Lillie and Cannon had written a little sign for us and also made up a dance that they were so excited about.

The Chicken Diaries: Part 1

My name is Lynnette, my almost-husband's name is Jake, and we love chickens.

I didn't always love chickens. In fact, they scared for me for quite some time. Actually, they still scare me. But when you get past their little beak and weirdo feet, they're pretty sweet and also a little bit cute. Jake has probably always loved chickens, so that's one of the reasons we're getting married.

When we found out we are living in one of Amanda and Kyle's properties where there is a chicken coop, one of the first things we asked (not about the size of the house, the carpet, the shower or anything) was if we could use the chicken coop. Of course they said yes -- something we are SO thrilled about.

We decided that we'll have chickens instead of children for the first little bit of our marriage, and that'll be about the same. I tell Jake that I'm going to snuggle our chickens, give them each a hug and a kiss good night, and that we are going to be the best chicken-parents in the whole world.

Jake's the more realistic part of this parenting chickens thing. He's like, "Okay, we'll have to open the fence here so we can get in and out easily to feed the chickens and collect the eggs." And I'm like, "I think Piper will be a really cute name for one of the chickens! What do you think?" And he's all, "We'll have to get chickens that are about the same age, but if we want to get three older girls in January and then chicks in April, I know how to make them get accustomed to each other." And again I say, "I can't wait to have toddlers running around!"

Our house may be a little teeny thing, but at least we'll be married... and AT LEAST we'll have beautiful chickens.

Stay tuned for the rest of The Chicken Diaries, you won't want to miss them.

The Time That Hillary Almost Won The Election

There are a few things I feel pretty strongly about, and I'm pretty loud-mouthed about them at times. To name a few of these items I am passionate for: oreo mcflurries, feminism, babies, gay marriage, spaghetti, airplanes, and being kind. There are times when I can keep quiet and not say anything and then there are times, like now, that it would feel wrong to keep quiet.

Last night, Jake and I went to go see a movie while the election results were coming in and I was checking them periodically. It was pretty neck and neck the entire time. I thought, "Oh, Hillary's fine, California's votes haven't come in yet and they have 55!" And then California's came in blue of course, but three other states had come in red. I thought no way. The movie ended around midnight and the results were final. I told Jake, "We aren't having children until he's out of office." (Half joke, half serious).

Eight years ago, I wanted John McCain to win. Four years ago, I wanted Mitt Romney to win. This year, I wanted Hillary Clinton to win. This isn't a crazy switch from republican to democrat nor is it a I'm-Supporting-Hillary-Because-She's-A-Woman move, it's what I feel is right. It's the candidate I feel is the most competent and most deserving. I support a woman who worked her whole life for this campaign, a woman who never gave up, who has the stamina and passion to keep going, and a woman who is undeniably in it for the greater good of America.

I know there are good people who I love and respect that voted for and supported Trump throughout his entire campaign. But I also know that there were things done and said by Trump before, during, and I'm sure after his campaign that I do not agree with and will never be able to justify to myself. Although I hope for the best in Trump's presidency, I will always wonder what Hillary would have done in office, and of course, I will miss the Obamas.

Even though the election is over, I'm still with her.

"To the little girls out there, never doubt that you are powerful and deserving of every chance and opportunity in the world."

Some articles I want to remember:

Hilly Klinton
American Tragedy
Girls Can Be Anything

The Time I Went To Texas (Without Jake)

The "Without Jake" part was not my choice, if that's what you're thinking. My mom pretty much required me to come home one weekend during this semester so we could go through some pictures for our wedding slideshow as well as sort through old clothes and journals and things like that. On Halloween night, Jake and I went bowling and I said, "If I beat you, you have to fly to Texas with me." He said he would. I ended up losing 143-137. Besides a pretty good game, he still wasn't coming with!

My family and I went out to dinner Thursday night when I got in. It was fun to see everyone and catch up. Luckily there weren't too many wedding questions without my mediator there! Haha. That night, I got to see Olivia. We caught up a little bit and then of course went to go get Slurpees. It was so good to see her; she's been the biggest help thus far for planning the wedding and I'm so glad she's able to go! Everyone needs an Olivia in their life.

The Time I Went To The Temple

About five weeks ago, I went to my bishop requesting an interview to go through the temple. Jake and I had decided I would go through a month-ish before we were married so we could do a couple of sessions together and just get a little familiar and comfortable with it before our wedding day. This was also a good chance for Jake to get back into a schedule with the temple, since the closest one to his home in Cincinnati is about 2 hours away and where he served his mission, there was not one.

I completed a temple prep class, had my interviews, bought what I needed, and we went on Saturday! I chose the Draper Temple for no real reason. It's a beautiful temple and when I've been there before for baptisms, I remember feeling comfortable and extremely welcome. Not to mention, it's set pretty high up east off the highway so you really get this High-On-The-Mountain-Top kind of feeling.