Book Club

For practically a year now when I get together with my girlfriends or fabulous sisters we often talk about everyones latest read!!! And for a year now my friends and I keep saying 'Hey we should start a book club!" As of right now, no one has claimed this responsibility and for months I have been telling myself to go ahead and start it! With finals only 3 days from being finished, and with graduation approaching in a week and a half, this seems like an ideal time! However, I must admit I have been hesitant to start a 'Book Club' for a couple reasons:
1-I am not really interested in reading LDS Historical Fiction *gasp* !That right there limits me, as that genre is one of the most popular. However, I have never given it a try so perhaps I am depriving myself of something enjoyable...yet my sensibilities say...if your going to read history perhaps it should be fact and about real people and not the 'Steed' family (ha ha...sorry that just really gets me!)? What are your thoughts? Am I being a dork?
2-Over the past 3 years I have been bombarded with literature that is less than palatable to the masses and I feel that my sensitivity to certain subjects has been tainted by what for me has become the norm of literature. I am nervous about selecting books for fear of completely offending someone. So for any of you Bloggers out there, if you are currently in a book club, or have simply read some good books (including LDS historical fiction) I would love some suggestions to get this Book Club under way!!!
Despite my small reservations the best part of the Book Club is the Club aspect and together we can choose which books we would like to read and just go for it! I feel that the first book is going to be "Train to Potevka" by Mike Ramsdell. I went to a fire side last night where he spoke and told of his experiences being an intelligence agent in Russia. I was on the edge of my seat and felt inspired by his words! His message was simple and clear: That God is good and mindful of us all and that goodness is found everywhere throughout the world!

So any of you hot peeps that want to join in our little Book Club let me know!

Newlywed Realizations...

A few nights ago Adam and I had a lovely Sunday dinner with some of our friends. After dinner we played some card games and then brought out 'The Newlywed Game'!!! The game that is sure to cause some laughs, some awkwardness, and even some realizations. Adam and I have been married just shy of 2 years now and we totally spanked everyone in the Newlywed Game...twice(!!! We Rock !!!). However, despite our victory, many of our truthful answers to questions made me realize that I need to re-evaluate my life and prioritize differently.

This brings me to my latest book. I was at work yesterday and a lovely friend and co-worker of mine walked by with a book...not just any book...a self-help Dr. Laura book. The title alone made my eyes roll..."The Proper Care & Feeding of Husbands" GAGGGG me with a spoon right? My friend quickly picked up on my blatant expression. She quickly sprang into a discussion of how it has truly helped her to become aware of how she treats her husband, and essentially how to give her husband what he wants/needs so she can get what she wants/needs. I know I KNOW...not exactly rocket science...but I felt intrigued. She was on the last page and dropped the book off at my desk and challenged me to read it.

I've never really been a Dr. Laura fan, and am not exactly a 1950's housewife so it may be surprising to some, including myself, to look in my purse and find this red and white book with Dr. Laura's face staring back at me. However, as I read the introduction I feel that there is much I can learn--not just in how you treat your husband, but how you treat all those close to you. How many times in a day do we bow down to those people we hardly know and are snotty or short to those we care about most when we get home? Anywho...I am all about self improvement, and who knows...perhaps even Dr. Laura...as cliche and awkward as it sounds...can offer some sound advice.

You can expect a full book review after finals :)!!!

Egg Heads

I am excessively proud with my Easter Eggs this year :) I had to post my 3 favorites which are EGG HEADS i.e. Cheri, Kari, Shannon! Who knew we'd all be dead sexy even in egg form? What can I say...wee are pretty eggquisite!

March Madness :)

March Madness for the Hansens began with celebrating Adams Birthday! On the Friday before his birthday, Adam got together with"the guys" and had a game night complete with Guitar Hero, pizza, and "Battlefield"! I love guys nights because it in turn means "GIRLS night"!!! Most of the ladies were working or had other plans so cute Kari and I went out on the town :) We first went to Zuppas which for all you out-of-towners is a gourmet soup & salad place which is totally out of this world! All natural and fresh ingredients!!! My current favorite is their Summer Chicken Salad...which consists of lots of lettuce, plump cranberries, grilled chicken, crushed cashews, juicy grapes, and sliced strawberries!!! Talk about delish! We then went and saw a movie and got our sinful sweet.... i.e. Cold Stone. The best part was just getting to talk and laugh :) I am so very grateful to girl friends and sisters and for the strength and beauty they bring into my life!

Many of you have heard the stories of our lovely vehicles...broken speedometers, smoking stearing wheels, demonic locks that lock on their own, and so on. Well luckily for us the time has come to say farwell to our little Nissan Maxima and hello to our new Infiniti G35!!!

I graduate May 2nd and am absolutely ELATED about my graduation gift from Adam (and well...myself!!! he he!!! we all know the best gifts are the ones you choose!!!) Adam is the best though and I am so grateful for all the hard work he does that allows us to do so many things! We are so grateful to finally own a car that drives amazingly and will allow us to go visit Adams family in Arizona and my family in Colorado much more often! Not to mention our trip to CALIFORNIA :)

Although it is a relief to have a new car, purchasing cars has never been a particularly favorite past time, nor is selling a car! However our little maxi sold in just 3 days so I feel very much relieved :)

This past week ontop of the car purchasing has been SPRING BREAK!!! Which is great minus the intensely horrible food poisoning my sisters Jacque and Shelli, and I received on Monday eve. This is as the Spanish would say, "no bueno". I have never before experienced food poisoning and can't remember a time I have been so violently ill. I am so grateful for my loving husband who stayed up with me all night on Monday and Tuesday and took care of me! He's the bestest! Many of my silly friends believed I was prego...let me put you all at rest...I'M NOT!!! :) And I believe the nausea I have experienced this past week has cured my desire for babies at present. I admire the many mothers that have endured the many months of nausea and morning sickness! You are rockstars and I don't know how you do it!

Now on a more serious note...

The reason for the season.

Dear friends as this Easter approaches I wanted to let you all know of my love for our Savior. Spring is such an amazing time of year and with it comes the celebration of the most important act of the Saviors life. This morning I was reading one of President Hinkley's talks and have enclosed his ending remarks published this March.

"We know not all that lies ahead of us. We live in a world of uncertainty. For some, there will be great accomplishment. For others, disappointment. For some, much of rejoicing and gladness, good health, and gracious living. For others, perhaps sickness and a measure of sorrow. We do not know. But one thing we do know. Like the Polar Star in the heavens, regardless of what the future holds, there stands the Redeemer of the world, the Son of God, certain and sure as the anchor of our immortal lives. He is the rock of our salvation, our strength, our comfort, the very focus of our faith.
In sunshine and in shadow we look to Him, and He is there to assure and smile upon us.
He is the central focus of our worship. He is the Son of the living God, the Firstborn of the Father, the Only Begotten in the flesh. He is “risen from the dead, … the firstfruits of them that slept” (1 Corinthians 15:20). He is the Lord who shall come again “to reign on the earth over his people” (D&C 76:63; see also Micah 4:7; Revelation 11:15).
None so great has ever walked the earth. None other has made a comparable sacrifice or granted a comparable blessing. He is the Savior and the Redeemer of the world. I believe in Him. I declare His divinity without equivocation or compromise. I love Him. I speak the name of Jesus Christ in reverence and wonder. He is our King, our Lord, our Master, the living Christ, who stands on the right hand of His Father. He lives! He lives, resplendent and wonderful, the living Son of the living God. " ---President Gordon B. Hinkley (We Testify of Christ, Mar. 08).

I truly know that our Redeemer LIVES! He is truly the reason for the season and I wish you all a very Happy Easter!

Check out my Slide Show!

10 Things I'm Lovin!

LoVe SWEET LoVe!!! Today I am just feelin' the love! Why? One might ask. Well...I will tell you!

10) With each day of bitter cold we are getting steps closer to sweet sweet springtime!

9) I am lovin that I have my last load of laundry in the wash and finished cleaning my house!!! And it's only noon on a Saturday afternoon!!! WoOT!!!!

8) I love a good tune :) One may have noticed the change of songs on my playlist...this is all part of my love gift to you! Happy little tunes to boost your spirits (well all except the Stroke 9 song...that one is dedicated to my hot little Ad as it is one of his favs') so ENJOY!!!

7) A few weeks ago the girls went to the Cheesecake Factory for my sweet lit'l ma's day of birth and let me tell you! I am NOT a cheesecake fan and yet they have the most devilishly delectable cheesecake I have ever had! I shared a piece with my sis Cindy and my ma and can see now why my sister Vicki got her very own! LOL! Lovin it lovin it lovin it.......*sigh* I am excited for next year when we go again!

6) I love yellow cards! No, not yellow card the band, though I do enjoy them, the yellow card of which I speak arrived in the mail last week announcing my graduation status! I cannot wait to spend more time with Addie and less time with books no poor soul should have to read! I can see why so many of my fellow English lit buddies are addicted to a cup of joe. One practically needs a constant stream of caffeine to make it through Nabokov and Hemmingway ZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.

5) I love tax refunds! Yes it is that old time again and all I can say is bring on the sweet sweet moolah!

4) I love new jeans and new clothes for that matter :) Adam and I went to Steve & Barry's which I must say for the men folk has an awesome selection of jeans, shirts, and shoes even and everything is under $20, and if you go during clearance like we just happened to...everything’s under $10!!! Muy bueno! However their selection of women’s clothes is not my favorite. Sorry Sarah Jessica Parker.

3) Gotta LoVe Friends :) I love my friends and the amazing examples they are! A few weeks ago we had a baby shower for my friend Megan and I am amazed that after so many years (some friends I have had even since before elementary school) are still so close! They are amazing women and extremely accomplished, beautiful, and such fun! It is such fun to see how everyone’s life is changing and developing, especially for those starting their families! Who knew that cute little Megan with her French braided hair and eighties poofy bangs would now be a hot little mama! It's truly the coolest thing in the world and we are so happy that she and adorable baby Abbie are doing well!!!

2) This is a nice segue into things I'm lovin' which naturally is mi familia!!! Adam and I are so lucky to have such amazing parents and siblings! I love my brothers and sisters and their adorable and hilarious children sooo much! And words simply cannot express our appreciation and love of our parents!!!

1) The ultimate thing I am lovin (as always) is my amazing husband Adam!!! I love his dedication to school, work and in his calling in the YM Presidency and in Scouts. He loves to serve others and the Lord in any aspect he is able. I love his goofy sense of humor which keeps me entertained at all times! And for those of you who have not yet experienced Adam's cooking he is truly out of this world amazing! Most men have cooking skills outdoors, but Adam's cooking knows no bounds! He is awesome and I love him and the great example he is to those around him!