The Luck Vegas Bowl

Luck is a funny thing. It is a sadistic god. Luck gives you its blessing and with the same hand back hands you into submission. My Father, In-Law William Albert The Fourth, was lucky enough to receive a phone call from William Albert the Third sometime last week that indicated we had a way into the Pioneer Las Vegas Bowl. We didn't have tickets, but Grandpa Given knows a guy (Marty, he's part of the event staff) who would sneak us in. Cool huh? While luck seemed to be smiling on us, being the bi-polar butcher that it is, it started to mess with us. While it normally takes about 15-20 mins to get through the Gorge, due to construction and a car accident, it took well over an hour to get through. The geniuses who are working on the Gorge decided that it would be a good idea to do some construction on a holiday weekend with a bowl game in Las Vegas. Idiots. Luckily, we had planned to get something to eat before the game and had left 3 hours earlier than the game. Once we got through the Gorge, it felt like free sailing from there. We were wrong. The delay had put us behind schedule, but right on time for rush hour. I am not saying that I agree with road rage, but after running into that I began to consider carrying a gun in the car as well. Luckily, our driver Donnel knew Vegas' ins and outs so we were able to find another route. Unfortunately, a couple thousand other people seem to know the same things. By the time we got near the stadium we only had half an hour before kick off. Unfortunately, we had to drop off this girl( Shalie's cousin Colby came with us and his friend is from Vegas and she hitched a ride with us. We didn't have a problem because we were going to be there so much earlier). Luckily Billy came up with a plan to have her mom come get her. We finally got there, parked, and ran to the stadium to get there before kick off. We had only one obstacle left; getting in. Last year, Billy, Donnel, Grampa Given, and I did the same thing, but it went much smoother. No problems. Unfortunately, there was an overzealous security guard. Luckily, Marty has some power and got us in. We made it! It was funny because as Marty ushered us illegal immagrants in, he ushered two other stow-aways off the field. Bad luck, I guess. The game itself was the same story. It seemed like BYU was going to lose, but just then Manumaleuna blocked the kick. Just our luck, I guess. Go cougs.

SNOW

So we had our first big storm. The winter time is when I really start to miss St. George. I think I complain to my husband all winter long, like it is his fault it's snowing. I would never admit this to him, but this day I enjoyed the snow. It looked so beautiful on all the trees and houses. It made me even more excited for the holidays. Ella and I had big plans this day to run some errands. As I looked outside I thought I better bundle her up good. She didn't quite know what to think of the wet cold stuff falling on her face, as you can tell by the picture. So after a long day of trudging through the snow caring a car seat , we were finally home. As I took Ella out of her seat I realized I might have bundled her up a little too much, because her back was all sweaty. Woops! Next time I think two or three layers should be enough. :)

Why the Y?

Late November brings so many great things. There is Thanksgiving that brings families to the table to eat and reacquaint themselves with one another. There is the chilly temperature that gives us(especially Shay) an excuse to snuggle for some warmth.

And, of course there is football; specifically rivalry week.

BYU and Utah had another barn-burner of a game with BYU coming out on top...again...for the second year in a row. Last year's game was the best game I have been to in a long time. Unfortunately, I had to work this year so all I could do is watch the scores refresh on my phone. Intense, but not the same. It will be another year of trash talking and over-confidence for Cougar fans. The best thing is that next year is the leap year so instead of 365 days, we get 366. Every day counts.

This rivalry has taken a strange turn, though, in my life. Why, you might ask? Because I am a student at the U. I have been at the U for the last year and a half. So why the Y?

I have always been a BYU fan. My mom went to the Y and has always cheered for the Cougs. Being that I am my mom's biggest fan, I became one of the Y's biggest fans. There was a time that I did cheer for the U, but it was a very short time. The first collegiate game I had ever attended was with my mom's friend. It was a Utah game. I liked them because my mom's friend liked them and she bought me whatever I wanted to eat. All I had to do was cheer for the U. Done. My mom of course brought me back to the blue by doing the same thing. Took me to a game and offered food. Done. I'm a Cougar now.

Cougar Loyalty. A big pet peeve I have is disinterested "fans". I'll admit that U fans can be outright obnoxious, unreasonable, belligerent, illiterate, and sloppy drunk, but, for the most part they are very loyal and supportive. BYU fans have been notorious for being fair-weather fans. I have never heard the Utes boo a quarter back for missing a pass and yet it's happened in Lavell Edwards one too many times. On more than one occasion, while nervous because it was the final drive of the 4th and we only had one shot, I have had to listen about so and so getting married to this guy, Plugs for relief society parties, and homework study groups. The worst, though, is fans leaving because we're down two touchdowns in the middle of the 3rd! ARE YOU SERIOUS? Show some faith, ya' lousy Mormons. I have to admit fans have gotten a bit better, but that's because the Cougs are doing well. We'll see what happens when things get rocky.

Not really all that excited about being a UTE. When I moved back to Salt Lake to go to the U, I was already married. I haven't joined any Frats or clubs. I don't go to any Ute pep rallies or activities. I just go to school there. I'll admit that it is quite difficult to hate the Utes anymore. I am always checking to see if they win and hope they do well. I just can't cheer against the Cougars when it comes to Rivalry week.

Things may change when I graduate, but only time will tell. For now, I am just going to get ready to talk a lot of trash to my UTE Fan co-workers. 17-10 all day with a little bit of 33-31. Go Cougs.

Thanks-Given

Today is supposed to be the day that we look back on the fruits that have been reaped from the yearly harvest and offer up our gratitude to God. I actually took the time to sit and think about for what it is I am grateful. I have been given much this year:

10: Wake up call. Life comes at you real fast. Becoming a daddy has definitely forced me to prioritize my life decisions and in turn helped me begin to gain the qualities and standards that I had been lacking.

9: Something to say. I feel like I have become more at peace with who I am and what I believe. On most issues in any situation, I use to really sit-the-fence and play it passive. I feel that I am comfortable enough with my own personal principles and beliefs to really take a stand for what I believe.

8: Hunger for knowledge. I have probably grown more in this past year intellectually than ever before. I have been exposed to some really great books and ideas. While I don't agree with the majority of what is being said, I have learned a great deal and want more.

7: A gut check. Do I really want it? I have some pretty lofty goals and I have had to face this question constantly. Do I really want it? Anything seems ideal when you leave out the work involved. Society seems hell-bent on finding the easy way out. Is there an American Idol for changing the world? Do I really want it? Yes. Yes, I do.

6:Humility. For those who don't know, I am a Mixed Martial Arts Fighter or in layman's terms a "cage fighter". I am still at the amateur level, but I've had 8 fights so far. I lost my last fight in June because I didn't take the fight seriously. I wasn't prepared and I ended up in the hospital with some stitches, a sore head, and a bruised ego. Be prepared. Always.

5: Work. Through all my trials I have learned as long as I keep moving, they can't keep me down.

4: Hope. How do the bills get paid? I don't know; I work at Jimmy John's(913 E. Ft. Union BLVD subs so fast you'll freak). How am I an English Major? Me doesn't know. How did I end up with Shalie? You got me. If I took the pessimistic side, I don't think I'd get anything done. Things are never smooth, but they always seem to work out when there's hope.

3: Judge righteously. I feel like I hear the term "don't judge" all the time. I feel that "not judging" someone causes separation. I feel as human beings we need to make the effort to understand each other. We can't do that if we segregate ourselves by being so passive. Taking the time to hear people out and being respectful of their views will give a much deeper understanding than merely not judging them and leaving them be. We make judgments about everyone regardless if we want to admit it or not. We just need to take the time to make the right ones.

2: An appreciation for parents. I never realized how much my mother sacrificed for Me and my sisters. I wish I were a better son. Love is all my mom has ever given and with little in return. You're my hero, mom. I can't mention parents' help without mentioning my in-laws. Ol' Willard and Sammy have supported us from the get go. I can't explain their love any better than a fierce sincerity. I love you guys.

1. Shalie and Ella. God gave David Courage. He gave Solomon wisdom. He gave the world a savior. He gave me my family. Shay keeps me in line while Ella spreads sunshine. Of the many things I have received; the best was a Given: Shalie Given.

4 Months!

Three posts in one day, I know it may seem like I am a little post happy, but I had a lot of catching up to do. Yesterday was Ella's 4 month check-up. Ella weighed in at 14 lbs 12 oz and is 25.3 in long. For starting out at 5 lbs 6 oz, she has come a long way! She is above average in both height and weight. Along with the measurements came the shots :( which made for quite a long day, but she is back to her cheery self today THANK GOODNESS!

The Twins Baptism

Sita was lucky enough to baptize his beautiful twin nieces on November 3rd. He loves his nieces so much, and was so grateful they asked him to preform the baptism. One of them was very excited while the other was a little more timid, but in the end they both did a great job. We are so proud of them and their decision to be baptized. We love you Veti and Terrina!

Ella's First Halloween

Let me just start out by saying I know this post is long overdue. But I need to post it for the record. Well I didn't think Ella's first Halloween was all that bad until I looked at these pictures. It's as if she is thinking, what's so cool about me wearing a pumpkin suit. I thought she looked pretty cute. We started out our day by going over to Aunt Nikki's. We were right in the middle of moving so Nikki was kind enough to dress up as a cat and take her to visit her Auntie Great (her Great Aunt Athena) at work. She got a few treats from the girls at the office that her Mom seemed to eat right up :) Later that night we went over to Grandma Philipoom's to visit Ella's cousins. The last picture is of Ella and her cousin Shane. It is my favorite picture. Two little chubby babies in furry costumes, it can't get any cuter. Ella was a pooped little pumpkin by the time we got home.