priorities

My house is a mess. I'm pretty sure my house has not been this messy for a while. I should really clean it, but laying in bed and catching up on my Kardashian episodes sounds way better than doing dishes and picking up clutter. And swooning over Nordstrom.com. 

I like these...

or these...

...can't decide which one i like better. 

I've got my priorities straight.

Alexis Kaufusi

I'll start this post by saying, cancer sucks. My friend, Alexis Kaufusi, was diagnosed with Non Hodgkins Lymphoma last month. Fus and I became friends while working summer sports camps in 2008. She is a member of the BYU women's basketball team and I was covering a few basketball camps. Our friendship solidified when we were on the same intramural softball team and she realized how bad I am at softball and hasn't stopped making fun of me since. It was one of the doctors at the clinic I work at who diagnosed her. Since then, Jessica (my co-athletic trainer) and I made purple t-shirts and wear purple ribbon on our badges to show our Kaufusi love. This girl is the most bubbly, loving, absolutely gorgeous person, even with no hair. No fair.

Visit her blog to check out her story. 

ALEXISKAUFUSI.BLOGSPOT.COM

Also, grab a button and buy a wristband.

I love you Fus, keep fighting girlfriend.

church happeneings

A couple things happened at church today that need to be noted.

First: After 10 months of being gospel doctrine teachers Tristan and I were released this afternoon. We finished up by teaching today for the last time. I absolutely loved teaching and am so thankful we had the opportunity to have a calling we were able to fulfill together. I learned way more than my class probably learned, but am grateful for that. 

With the end of one calling comes another. After being released I was called to be the second counselor in the primary presidency. Tristan talked with Bishop and will go calling-less until he gets back from his KPMG internship in August. This is the second time, since being married, that I have been called to the primary. Am I being sent a message here? Being in a BYU student-family ward we only have one kid the nursery/sunbeams so it wont be a very strenuous deal. Just something that will keep me busy enough on Sundays while Tris is gone this summer.  

Second: While sitting in sacrament meeting today Tristan looks down and realizes he he not wearing his wedding ring. He cannot, for the life of him, remember where it is or know why he is not wearing it. Sitting there, jogging his memory, he remembers last having it Wednesday when he took it off and gave it to me before his flag football game. Me: "So you haven't seen it or worn it since Wednesday?" Tris: "Umm, yea." Sure enough, we go home, look in my pants pocket, and there it is. There it has been sitting since Wednesday without Tristan even noticing. And that is how observant my husband is. Unbelievable sometimes.

makeup

I'm not a big makeup person. During most of the summer I go without makeup but my norm is foundation, mascara, and I'm out the door. After using Clinique liquid makeup for over 8 years I've made the switch to powered makeup. My mom and two sisters all use bareMinerals and while out shopping my Mom asked me if I wanted it try it. The lady put it on my face and I was sold. I got all set up with the starter kit (pictured below) and am loving it so far. I don't feel left out anymore.

im running

Just got back from a run. It is 63 degrees outside today and I ran in shorts and a tank top. My word, it felt amazing. My skin actually felt hot in the sun. Tristan came along with me and rode his bike. He wore his flip flops and shorts too.  I'm loving the time change and new spring weather.
I decided I'm running the St. George Marathon again. Its a happy thought. I chatted with one of the doctors I work with and she is going to help me along the way with my knee so I can run pain free. Toward the end of my training last year I developed IT band syndrome which was not fun and I am hoping to train this time around with no pain. So far, so good. 

            Dear St. George Marathon,

            I really want to run you again. Please let me in.

            Thanks a million, 

            Brit P.

friday night

Tristan on Friday night.  Playing Call of Duty with his friends, hence the headset.

I love my honey.

addict

The first step is acceptance, so here I am addressing my issue. I love kool aid. I crave kool aid. I'm currently under the influence of kool aid. It has hardly any calories, it is a good source of vitamin C, and because it's made with mostly water its a good way to stay hydrated. I have a hard time drinking water during the day cause its so boring. Add a little kool aid and yum, I could drink this stuff all day. My house is always stocked with a variety of flavors.

finished product

I've been holding you guys in suspense long enough. 

Sticking with the beach theme of the rest of the house Tris and I picked out some fabric and sewed the orange pillowcases. I also used the same orange fabric to make matching curtains. I took the dark blue curtains I had, cut them in half, and added a strip of the orange fabric and a strip of gray fabric. It is simple, boy AND girl friendly, yet colorful. So far we like the new change a lot.

rice owl

I found an adorable pattern online for a rice bag in the shape of an owl. Tristan introduced me to the rice bag. Rice in a sock, stick it in the microwave and heat it for about 3 minutes and you have a homemade hot pack that will stay warm for about 15 minutes. Stick it in your bed to warm your sheets, put it on your cramping uterus or stick it on sore muscles. It very useful. One of the doctors I work for overheard me giving this idea to a patient and she thought it was brilliant so I made a cute little rice owl for her birthday that happened to be the next week. I was also telling my mom about them and made one for her birthday as well. She loves it :) This is the one I gave to Dr. McLane. I forgot to take a picture of my mom's before I sent it. The most difficult thing about making these is the numberless possibilities of cute fabric combination's. Sheesh.

Pretty simple and easy and fun to do.  

Here is the link: http://justanotherhangup.blogspot.com/

happy birthday mom

Tuesday was my Mommy's birthday. I just love her to death. I try to be more like her every day. I am so thankful my mom is also my best friend. Hope you had a most wonderful birthday ever! 

We love you!

Brit & Tris

snowshoeing

A couple weekends ago Brady organized a snowshoeing outing. Never been snowshoeing before but it was an absolute amazing experience. We drove up Provo canyon and parked at the head of a trail. It began snowing as we started our hike and was one of the most beautiful Utah experiences I have ever had. Trees all around you, everything white, mountain air, very quite, fresh snow falling, thank you Father in Heaven for this earth. We went with a good sized party. My brother, Brady, headed the expedition with one of his mission buddies. Followed by Kelsey and her two friends, me and Tristan and Spencer and Brittany Nothum. We hiked for about 2 hours stopping occasionally to admire or take a detour.

Tris and Spencer testing out the new shoes. 

Crossing a river. 

Kelsey found a tree swing. 

A huge meadow the trail opened up into. Kelsey and Ellie.

Hiking line. 

Siblings. 

Tris and me. 

Snowshoeing: i would most definitely recommend it and would absolutely do it again.

my favorite things

Friday before Valentines day its about 4:30 and I'm finishing up my long long work week. I send a friend a text and see that it did not go through. I blew it off thinking the network failed, whatever. At 5:00 i call Tristan as I am walking to my car. It rings a few times and then says call could not go through for a few reasons. I think, "Oh no, Tristan's phone is broken." I try a few more times on my way home and when I get home I see his car is there but he is no where to be found. I turn my phone off and reset it. Figuring he is at the neighbors I call my neighbor and once again get the same message. I now realize it is my lame phone that is broken. Seconds before a mental breakdown I see Tris walking over from the neighbors. I meet him at the front door complaining, "My phone is broken, it won't make calls!" He says, "It won't!? Lets see if it can receive calls." He takes out his phone to call my phone. I hear this strange noise. Wondering what the noise is Tristan now has to make it obvious for me, "Wonder what that is!? You should check my pocket." Out of his pocket, now sitting in my hand is my very own iPhone4. One or two tears may have been shed. Not sure if it was relief for my phone not being broken, the end of a long week, or actually having my own iPhone. Sheesh. I know phones are not a big deal to some people, but not me. I love my phone. I never thought I would ever have the iPhone but once Verizon and Apple struck their deal I could see there might be a possibility. This was  a total surprise. I have a sexy-awesome valentine. Thanks hun!

Next indulgence. Nike Free's. Tristan also spoiled me with some all black free's that I've had my eye on. People say they feel like walking on clouds and running barefoot. I have worn them to work almost every day since I got them and ran in them for the first time yesterday. Today my butt is sore, i'm not surprised. I have loved them so far and would totally recommend them. 

Next indulgence.  I love anything warm and cozy and anything Nike. While shopping in Sports Authority a month ago I spotted a must-have. A Nike-fleece-pull over-3/4 zip up-running jacket. Amazing. I also wear this almost every day. So warm, so cute and so comfy. Just my style. I pull it over a t-shirt with my khaki pants and suddenly look the atletic trainer part. Love it. 

You could say I'm in a 4-way relationship. Lets just look at like my phone, frees and jacket keep me company while Tristan's away.

wedding and visit

My cousin Aaron was sealed in the Salt Lake temple, February 18th, to his love Caitlin. This is the third Barney boy (family of 4 boys) to go down in 3 years. Boom, boom, boom, that's how they do it. My family drove up to attend the wedding and hang with us for the long weekend. It was a blast, as always. 

These are the only two pictures I took while at the wedding. First: I was trying to capture a moment between Brady, my Grandpa Jensen, and Tristan but missed it, BUT you can also see the bride and groom. Caitlin, center right with veil on head. Aaron very right in blue tie with half his face cut off.  Mission accomplished.

Second: The Barney boy cousins. Travis, Jacob, Aaron and Coltin (the only unmarried brother and 14 years old).

After the wedding and celebrations all day Friday we had Saturday, Sunday, and Monday to hang out. We ate food. Hit up J-Dawgs, yum. 

Went shopping. (Tristan's photography skills may be the end of me.)

Took a drive up the canyon to Sundance. 

Went bowling. We are all horrible. But good sports about it.

Congratulations Aaron and Caitlin! Thank you family for visiting! We love you guys.

costco hot dog

Ever had a Costco hot dog? Delicious, right?! 

Tris and I were shopping around Costco Monday evening for the essentials when we stumbled across the hot dogs that Costco sells in their food court. YUM! A purchase was made. All day Tuesday I was thinking about eating a Costco food court dog as soon a I got home from work. I got home from work, threw one on the grill and enjoyed. Happiness lasted until i looked on the nutrition label. Immediate regret. We also decided we are going to have a party so people can come over to eat our hot dogs so we don't have to. Don't judge us, we're trying to make healthy choices around here. Hungry for a Costco hot dog? Come on over.