Happy 21st Birthday!

Yesterday was my 21st birthday. I spent the morning getting my hair done and getting a message and getting my back adjusted at a chiropractor. I was so relaxed all day. Then mike made me dinner and set the house up for my birthday party. It was a small party. I invited more people than could come (I love and hate that my birthday is memorial weekend) but I love the people who were able to come and we had a lot of fun.



This is the crowd that was there at the beginning. Our friends Skyler and Lisa came over to play with us and then our friend Jeff came too. It was a pretty fun group.


This is the real group shot :) Sara and Nick came a little late but we still had a lot of fun. I had everyone wear party hats and I wore a princess crown because Mike said I was the birthday princess. I had to stand out.


Now its time for cake!!!! Mike made me my favorite funfetti birthday cake! It was delicious :)


The girls :) (Lisa, Me, Sara)


We played Apple to Apples. I don't think I've laughed that much in a long time!




We then had balloon fights! Then we sang Disney songs and songs from wicked! I'll post videos later :)

I had so much fun at my party!!! I missed those who couldn't come but theirs always next year :) Thank you for coming everyone, it was great!

Mike got a me a keg for my 21st birthday :)

Moving!

This past weekend mike and I moved into our new apartment. We stayed in the same complex but we wanted something a little bigger. So we decided to go with a one bedroom with a den/guestroom. We didn't realize how much stuff we had til we moved. We got rid of a lot of stuff we didn't need and still had quite a bit.

These pictures will give you a good idea of how much we had to move, although its not quite everything. We had some wonderful friends come over to help us. Mike, Derek and Nick carried all of the heavy stuff over to our new place while the girls scrubbed the old apartment til it shined. Our friends Lisa and Skyler came over and helped us move too. With all the help we had, the move only took about an hour and the cleaning just a few more hours after that. Once we had moved, Lisa and Skyler helped us move in and unpack in our new place. Then to relax after a tiring day we went out for dinner with them and watched Sherlock Holmes in our new house. It was a fun day. I'm so grateful for such good friends who are so willing to help and do anything we asked. We totally owe them!





I'm going to post a few pics of our new apartment but I'll post better ones once we're completely unpacked and decorated.

This is our living room from the back door. I love the window in the kitchen so I can see into the living room.


This is our new kitchen! Twice the cabinet space as our last apartment!


This is the new den/guestroom/storage until we have guests ;)




Our bedroom! I love having two windows and my own closet!


Thank you Taylor, Derek, Sara, Nick, Lisa and Skyler for all of your help! We couldn't have done it without you!

I Can Hear You!!

As a part of my Special Education class, we are required to experience in a small way what people with disabilities experience everyday. One of those disabilities is to have visual impairment for 4 hours. This means wearing masks that limit sight and in one case, eliminate it all together. Their are 4 masks, one for each hour of the simulation. I can't even imagine what it must be like for those who are blind, to be that way all the time. I'm so grateful for the blessing of good sight.
The first feeling I felt was self-consciousness. Everyone is staring at you and whispering. Although I was wearing a mask which must look kind of silly, I could hear people asking their friends, "whats wrong with her?" or "is she crazy?". People saying things like, just stay away from her. I wanted to tell them that I was just a normal person and nothing was wrong with me but I couldn't explain the simulation.
It was amazing how much my other senses were strengthened and heightened when I couldn't see. I could hear what was going on around me so well. This allowed me to hear the whispers of , she's a moron, or I wonder whats wrong with her...or it must suck to be her...she must want to die. I wanted to tell them that while I couldn't see them, I could hear every word perfectly. It made me wonder how those with real sight disabilities feel. Do they have to listen to the whispers too? This caused me to feel incredible frustration at those around me. Why do they whisper and point and laugh? Do they think the person who can't see doesn't know. I promise...they know.
I was surprised at how few people offered to help me walk around or help me if I looked like I was struggling. Most people walked quickly by or walked as far away as possible from me.
The most powerful emotions I felt were humility, empathy, and some sympathy. I never thought about how hard it would be to lose your sight and I never paid attention to the actions of others around these people. I don't know if people just don't know what to do around someone who can't see so they just don't do anything...that's better than the alternative at least. If nothing else, I am more grateful than ever for the blessing of sight. I will never take that blessing for granted again. Nor will I pass by the opportunity to help someone in need.

ABC's of Me!!

Age: 20
Bed size: Queen
Chore you hate: Dishes! Can you say EW?!
Dogs: none but we did have a hampster for a little while
Essential start of your day: A good morning kiss before I leave behind my hubby for the day.
Favorite color: Blue...green...red...can I have a top ten??
Gold or silver: Silver
Height: 5'3"
Instruments I play (or have played): Piano :)
Job title:Student
Kids: Ummm, I don't what this asking... someday I'll have kids!
Live: Rexburg, Idaho
Mom's name: Roberta
Nickname: Nikki
Overnight hospital stays: Never!!
Pet peeve: When people drive like they own the road and never signal!
Quote from a movie: "That's one more for exotic bird bingo" - Emperor's New Groove
Right or left handed: Right
Siblings: I'm the oldest of two kids...I have a younger brother named Josh
Time you wake up: Depends on the day. School days 6:30, weekend... heck as late as possible!
Underwear: Uhhhh.... yep, I wear them...
Vegetables you dislike: Peas and cauliflower
What makes you run late: Usually I forget things and I have to go back for them. Otherwise I HATE BEING LATE!
X-rays you've had done: Teeth, right arm
Yummy food you make: Chicken and rice...its amazing!!! You just have to try it!
Zoo animal: PENGUINS!!! Love them!!!

First Day of School

Mike on his first day of his senior year :)

Today was our first day of school! We started our last spring semester at BYU-I!!! I can't believe that in 11 months, 2 weeks and 4 days Mike and I will graduate from BYU-I and will move out into the real world!!! AHHHH!!!!

This is a tradition that my mom always had my brother and I do. On the first day of school for 12 years (yes I still did it my senior year of high school) I stood in front of the door with my book-bag on and my lunch box in hand and had my picture taken. Then my brother and I headed off to school :) So now the tradition continues in our family. Since this is the beginning of the end of our school career, I decided to take pictures on our first day of school (4/19/11-posterity's sake).

Nicole on her first day of school (3 credits away from being a senior)


Thank you sweetie for indulging me in this project :)

Bodies!!

Mike and I have been off from school this past week. On Saturday we decided to journey to the exciting city of Idaho Falls, Idaho and go to the Bodies exhibit at the Museum of Idaho. Now due to the fact that the bodies used are real people, photos are not allowed inside but it was a fascinating exhibit. The museum gives the opportunity for us to learn about each of the systems of our bodies. I have to say that my favorite part of the exhibit was the up close look at the fetal development at each stage of the pregnancy. For me this was so fascinating to actually be able to see the development of life and God's greatest creation.

However we also got to see different bodies dedicated to showing the respiratory and muscular systems which were just incredible to see how they look and how they function. It was also amazing to see each of our organs; my favorite was to see the heart and realize that that little organ powers our body.

The body is God's greatest creation and we got the opportunity to see it in an extremely intimate way. I left feeling amazed at the perfection that is the human body and how intimately the systems work together. It is amazing to see and experience. Our bodies truly our the greatest blessing we have received.

I should mention that Mike and I did not go alone to this exhibit. Our friend Jaime Reeser was leaving for home the next day meaning we won't get to see her til September. So when she texted me saying she was feeling better I asked her if she would like to escape with us and she happily said yes! and we happily took her :) It was a wonderful day and we had a lot of fun spending the day together before she had to leave. The three of us had fun experiencing the museum together and it was great to have Mike our anatomy expert with us...who needs a tour guide when we have Mike Epperson :)




I think that everyone should experience this exhibit. Its amazing to see :)

General Conference

I love general conference! It gives me the opportunity to hear and learn from the prophet and apostles. I can always be sure that my prayers will be answered through someones talk. I have to say that I love all 15 of these men of God but I do have my favorites.


President Monson is our beloved prophet. I love this man. I always learn from him and his words always comfort me and remind me that I am a daughter of god. In this past general conference President Thomas S. Monson spoke to the world about temples. He said, "Each one stands as a beacon to the world, an expression of our testimony that God, our Eternal Father, lives, that He desires to bless us and, indeed, to bless His sons and daughters of all generations. Each of our temples is an expression of our testimony that life beyond the grave is as real and as certain as is our life here on earth." I'm grateful for his testimony on the importance of going to the temple to make and receive covenants from the Lord that I know we can receive no where else. I know that the temple is the door to the greatest happiness we can find in our lives. I hope that I can do as the prophet has taught...to do all I can to go to the temple often and learn all I can so that I can become more like the Savior.


President Uchtdorf is the second counselor in the general presidency and is another 'favorite' of mine. It might be his German accent or the fact that he is always smiling but whatever the reason I do know that he is an apostle of the Lord and I always learn from him. In general conference he spoke about diligently seeking Christ. He taught that belief in Christ comes one step at a time and that the best way to come to know Christ is to diligently seek for him everyday. I know that we have to share the gospel to grow in it, we must serve others and remember that our Father in Heaven loves us each individually. This talk was exactly what I needed....it is nice to hear a reminder from a prophet of God that the Lord loves me individually. I also learned once again that I must act in faith and search for the answers to my prayers in order to be guided to the right choices.
President Uchtdorf said, "The truth is, those who diligently seek to learn of Christ eventually will come to know Him. They will personally receive a divine portrait of the Master, although it most often comes in the form of a puzzle—one piece at a time. Each individual piece may not be easily recognizable by itself; it may not be clear how it relates to the whole. Each piece helps us to see the big picture a little more clearly. Eventually, after enough pieces have been put together, we recognize the grand beauty of it all. Then, looking back on our experience, we see that the Savior had indeed come to be with us—not all at once but quietly, gently, almost unnoticed."


Elder Scott is a wonderful apostle of the Lord and at this last conference he gave one of the most wonderful and spirit filled talks. I think I cried during most the entire talk...tears of happiness. He spoke about marriage and the eternal blessings it brings. He told personal stories about his wife and the love that they shared because they were sealed in the temple and it reminded me of the happiness and blessings I have been given because of my marriage in the temple. I learned how important it is to make sure that my husband knows how much I love him every day. He said, "Pure love is an incomparable, potent power for good. Righteous love is the foundation of a successful marriage." Eternal marriage gives the blessings of the temple and the blessing of having my best friend with me always. "It is so rewarding to be married. Marriage is wonderful. In time you begin to think alike and have the same ideas and impressions. You have times when you are extremely happy, times of testing, and times of trial, but the Lord guides you through all of those growth experiences together." I'm grateful that I have the blessing of being sealed to mike for all eternity. I hope I can learn from Elder Scott and show more love to my husband everyday and we can grow stronger as a couple.


Elder Holland also strengthened my testimony of prophets during conference. I'm grateful for his words of reminder to listen to the words of the prophets and that the words come from the Lord and are what the Lord wants his people to hear and know. I am grateful to know that the words of the prophet are an ensign to the nations and that the Brethren spend so much time trying to make sure that they are saying what the Lord wants them to say. I'm grateful for the time and effort they spend to teach me and help me to know what I need to do to improve.


Elder Nelson spoke on facing our futures with faith. Where their is faith, their cannot be fear; "Teach of faith to know that obedience to the commandments of God will provide physical and spiritual protection." Having faith in the Plan of Salvation is the only way that we can get through the trials that we are put through in life. It is the safest way back to our heavenly home. By praying for an eternal perspective like Elder Nelson suggests, we can and will have a deeper faith in the Lord's plan for each of us. Faith is essential to receive blessings. Often we must have faith first and then we will receive the blessings we desire. Prayer and doing the little things we have been asked to do like reading scriptures, family home evening and serving others are things we can do to strengthen our faith and will help us through life challenges. I know that if I remember the love the Lord has for me then it will be easier to have faith and that faith will shine a light through the darkest day.

I'm grateful that the Lord still speaks to his people through his prophets today. Their testimonies strengthen mine and inspire me to be better and live my life in such a way that I can know how much the Savior loves me. I am grateful that I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and I know that it is true. I'm grateful for prophets and their teachings. I'm grateful for my Savior and that he loves me unconditionally and has provided a way for me to return home again.

These 5 talks can be found at these websites if you would like to read them for your self:
http://lds.org/general-conference/2011/04/an-ensign-to-the-nations?lang=eng
http://lds.org/general-conference/2011/04/the-eternal-blessings-of-marriage?lang=eng
http://lds.org/general-conference/2011/04/waiting-on-the-road-to-damascus?lang=eng
http://lds.org/general-conference/2011/04/the-holy-temple-a-beacon-to-the-world?lang=eng
http://lds.org/general-conference/2011/04/face-the-future-with-faith?lang=eng

And if you want to read/study the other wonderful talks given at conference go to this website:
http://lds.org/?lang=eng