Category: Fortuitous Flukes

The Proposal.

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StallionIt was in the middle of January that #clott decided to get married. We picked a date, a venue, a dress, and then a ring. Totally traditional, I know…. (for Mormons). While on our trip to McCall together  we were pleased to hear the news that my brother Max and his girlfriend Kara got engaged! The reason I mentioned Max a few times in my last post was because we literally do everything together. Classes, missions, and now marriage… Should we plan kids too? Now that #kaxwell was engaged we could make ours official. Mr. Bird definitely took full advantage of the anticipation that I was suffering from…

On Monday, Mr. Bird asked me if I wanted to go on a romantic date downtown to get hot chocolate. I tried to look as hot as I could just in case he was going to pop the question. After getting hot chocolate at the most hipster place in Boise, we headed to the next venue. Mr. Bird pulled over and said let’s go check out the Capitol Building. I thought how pretty, this would be the perfect place to get engaged. We went to every floor, read history, and even were able to sneak into the Senate… (BTW Boise, you could totally just walk in there and do what ever you wanted, maybe get some guards?) The whole night I was anticipating that he would get on one knee and ask me to be his wife. He did! Multiple times…Pretending to tie his shoe, or look at something on the ground. To a girl who is anticipating a real diamond on her hand, that was just mean :). The first night I took it like a champ. We found this large stallion statue and I thought this is it, he is going to do it here! He didn’t. We got back in the car, and I was annoyed and he could tell. The night ended and I fell asleep and had a dream that his sister came to me with the ring and she said, Mr. Bird wanted me to give this to you, he chickened out. Out of no where she yelled “JUST KIDDING, it’s not the right time,” and hid it under the piano. Clearly I was obsessing and I need to take up piano again.

On Tuesday I had to work late. I was running my first book Launch and didn’t even consider that night as a possibility. So I had decided that Wednesday would be the night, because we were going to the Temple on Thursday night and he knew I thought that meeting at the institute was already cliche enough…The Temple is a wonderful place, but I just couldn’t handle it. It couldn’t be the weekend because he was leaving town for a funeral. Wednesday was the night… I knew it!

On Wednesday, I tried my best to look adorable so when he came to pick me up I would be ready. He asked me to go get dinner with him. We went to Madhuban an Indian restaurant, at this point I was already on edge. I was easy to take offense and I did. After holding it in for so long I burst out with how annoyed I was! I said can’t you just propose yet? I know he is the right one because he just sat there and took it… Little did I know that he had something planned. He said something along these lines, “In my defense Clare, girls want a big production.” I have never been a girl with a lot of fluff in my life, I would have accepted his proposal in a fast food line or behind a dumpster. Now that’s love. To let my frustrations out he let me drive his car, which is stick shift, and I do very well until there is a car within a mile and then I stall and can not start again… We eventually made it back to my place. My parents were there and he brought up the idea of doing a #doubledate to the temple. If you thought I had reached annoyed capacity, you were wrong. Mr. Bird could see my innards cringing. Even though I didn’t want it to happen outside the Temple, I thought maybe I will just have to live with it. My parents thought it was a great idea to join us.

kisssOn Thursday, it was a pretty normal day. Scott had texted me and said that he would have to meet me at the temple because something with his calling had come up and it would put him behind. Even more annoyed I got ready to go with my parents. We were trying to make the 7:30pm session and we got in the car at 6:50. It’s about a 20 minute drive. Out of no where my dad says, “I need to drop a key off downtown.” At this point I had a sense that something was up. I kept saying (with passion) this is a FACADE, when my sister kindly steered me to a better word, rouse. I was convinced that I was getting engaged that night, until we passed the Capitol Building. My hopes were gone… It wasn’t until I saw his car in the Train Depot parking lot that I realized, I was right (which sums up marriage right?). I looked out the window and saw a rock path covered in candles, white roses, and pictures of us. I got out of the car and my parents took off. (They totally caught the 7:30 session) There was a note waiting for me that said “Follow the light, follow your heart.” I walked down the path and finally saw Mr. Bird in his gray suite standing on a red blanket next to the partially frozen pond. He had a dozen roses in hand, candles surrounded him. It was perfect. I yelled “YOU TRICKSTER!” I walked down and I fell in love all over again. He gave me the roses and said he wanted to be the only man in my life to give them to me. He then started to talk about the Train Depot and how it used to be a place of coming and going, and how people would find their way. He related it to how we both had to come and go from Boise to meet each other. He got down on one knee and asked me to marry him… I said, “well, mhmmm, maybe…YES!” I thought I should make him squirm since he made me squirm. After a few minutes of snogging, our friends started to cheer and came to congratulate us. They had caught the whole thing on camera and video… Yes Mr. Bird used his Go Pro in the bushes to catch this priceless moment in our lives.

Early I said I didn’t need anything extravagant to say yes to the man I loved, but I didn’t hate it, I loved it. It showed me that he cared about me and put time into it. I will always remember the night that he asked, and I said yes.

depot                                                                    #clott4ever   March 22, 2014

 

My Ducks are Finally in a Row.

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Coincidence that I got engaged the same day I posted something on single hood? I think not. I knew that my engagement would soon be coming, but I didn’t know if it would be that night or next week. Mr. Bird and I had picked out a day and had already started planning, but I had no idea when the ring would make it’s debut. One of the main reasons I wanted to post one last SINGLE LIFE post was because it was a time in my life that I truly enjoyed and am grateful to have experienced. Mr. Bird and I were talking about how meeting each other was fate. We had grown up in the same town, our houses 15 minutes apart. We went to rival high schools. We even had mutual friends, but we never met. At points I have wondered why this was, and it’s pretty clear… We both needed to figure out who we were before we could find each other. When I was 17 I had a life plan. I was going to go to college and I was going to find my “stallion.” He was going to 6’6, 270 and he was going to have a motorcycle. He was going to be like “Babe, get on my bike…Want to marry me?” We would ride off into the sunset and have 6 kids by the time I was 30 so I could get my body back before the I hit the point of no return. I had it all lined up.

Like I said in my single hood post…Plans change, It’s a thing.

missionI turned 19 and was still single. I turned 20 and I was still single. 21 came and I had this feeling that I needed to go on a mission. It was a feeling I had never wanted. I fought with it for a long time, and then finally accepted the fact that God needed me elsewhere. I turned my papers in anticipating that I would serve for 18 months where ever he needed me to go (within the U.S for health reasons). Max (my little brother) and I opened our mission calls within one day of each other. He would be serving in Bahia Blanca Argentina, and I was off to Tirana, Albania. I had not signed up for that… My next thought was I don’t even get a husband, I am going to die on my mission. Max and I entered the MTC together on January 19th, 2011. He was excelling at Spanish and Albanian and I did not get along. I was so physically sick that I could foresee Albania was not going to be the place for me. My heart was broken, and I was reassigned to the Rochester, New York Mission. I started out strong, I was able to take hundreds of tours and meet people who changed my life. My health never really got much better. It got to the point where President and I decided it might be time for me to go home. As I pondered and prayed I realized going home early was what I needed to do. I was promised that it would be for the good of my future family. Whatever that meant…

I came home after serving 11 months and got right back into school. I started to take heavy class loads so I could graduate on time, I had felt that it was very important. During my senior year at USU I got a remote internship in Boise, Idaho. After graduating my internship turned into a full time job that would require me to live in Boise. I had sworn up and down that I would not go back to Boise, but I would go to graduate school, or find a job in New York.  Boise was the only thing that felt right though. Every time I went to sign up for the GRE I would get this little voice in my head that would say no… I was upset, but I listened.

mini chairThe summer before my big move to Boise I worked as a Coordinator for EFY. I was able to meet so many wonderful youth who have changed me for the better. I witnessed so much heartache, sadness, and sin in these youth’s lives. I also was witness to youth who had courage, strength and a testimony. I met people I knew I was supposed to meet. I thought this is my last chance to find someone to marry… I left empty handed, and moved to Boise. Throughout the Summer I would tell people that I would meet someone on Sept. 3 in Boise. I didn’t know how, when, or where, but I had a feeling.

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recieptI moved back into my parents house and decided to do something I would usually not do. I felt like I needed to though. I signed up for an institute class…and I went. On August 27th I attended the first class and I said hi to Mr. Bird. He said hi back. I had thought he was cute, but he was a BYU boy…. BYU boy’s usually didn’t have much time for us USU girls 🙂 Throughout the week I started to think about this Mr. Bird. It was on September 3rd that he got my number and that is when it all started. As I relive some of these events all I can think is how lucky I am. I was literally led to my husband. If I wouldn’t have come home early from a mission, I would have still been in school. If I had gone through with the GRE I probably would have gone to grad school. I am sure Mr. Bird and I could have met through another function, but it was fate that we were both led to each other.

I am just so grateful for the path that led me here, the trials and the hardships and even the happy moments that got me back to the place I needed to be. My plan of finding a biker dude, didn’t happen, something better did. I found a man who loves me and is willing to do anything for me. He makes me happy, we can laugh and joke, and we can even be sad together. I have found my other half… I can finally say all of my ducks are in a row 🙂

How did he propose? That story next!

Miley’s Newest Song: I Came In Like a Rainbow

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Miely Cyrus RAINBOWOkay, I know that I am not always the sharpest tool in the shed, but I do like to think that I am somewhat familiar with pop culture. I have even dedicated more of my time to listening to the radio on my daily commute. I have enjoyed listening to the ridiculous radio show host’s and wonder what they look like, I like to think I might be a winner of one of these Jay-Z concert tickets, and enjoy finishing my day with a little bit of Clarissa Jenkins. Along with the radio banter I hear some of the same songs over and over and over again. One that is constantly played is one of the infamous Miley Cyrus. After her major twerk incident on national television, radio stations were constantly playing her songs so they could talk about her. Early one morning one of her songs came on, and I was like this is the dumbest song in America, “I CAME IN LIKE A RAINBOW?” I thought, Miley has done it now, she had even put a description to how a rainbow makes an entrance. At first I despised the song, and then I had a similar reaction to Emma Stone in Easy A and her card with I’ve Got a Pocket Full of Sunshine. I craved for the song to come onto the radio, because I couldn’t find it online. It perplexed me that she could write a song about how she came in like a rainbow, I contemplated the meaning. Maybe she was referring to her self as a pot of gold, or that her personality included all the colors of the rainbow, or she really only performs well when life is wet, dark, and dreary. It made me question life a little bit… That is when I decided to run this song past my friend Amanda. One day after work I called her and asked if she had heard Miley’s newest song “I came in like a rainbow?” She responded with no, is it any good? I started to sing it for her, and then the she started laughing so hard that I thought she was possibly possessed. Amanda said no Clare, it’s “I came in like a wrecking ball.” Well I can now consider that my most embarrassing moment in 2013… Miley hoodwinked me again, oh that Hannah Montana! But seriously in my defense go listen to the song and see if you hear “I came in like a rainbow”, I bet it’s her next song…

Home Sweet Home

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homesweethome Many people outside of the Mormon faith think that what happens in the temple is SECRET. I am here to tell you that the things that happen within the Temple are SACRED. Tonight as I was finishing up some work, I felt a prompting to go to the temple. I jumped straight out of bed, threw on some clothes and jetted to the Temple. As I sat waiting for the SESSION to start I was prompted to read Joseph Smith History. I reflected on Joseph and his quest to find an answer. I felt like I could relate in a miniscule way. I am moving to a new place wondering if I should take night classes, focus on work, and even where I should live. I have not yet “moved” to Boise, and so everything is still the unknown. Tonight I felt as if all of the questions were similar to the darkness Joseph Smith experienced before he literally had his answer descend in front of him. I was reassured that all of my questioning thoughts would pass and the darkness would clear. It is amazing what clarity the Temple, scriptures, and prayer can bring to ones life. Have questions about the temple, turn to the truth click HERE 🙂

The Garden

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threegirls Me- Chloe-Summer

thegardenAs a college student I try to stay as cultured as one can, without smelling like rotten milk… (that was a joke) I went to the play “The Garden”  staring one of my good friends Chloe Hanson. We tend to support ex-roommates, and that is exactly what she is. She has been doing quite a few plays with the Four Seasons Theater here in Logan Utah (link). This play was representing what Christ went through in the Garden of Gethsemane. It was a great representation of what our Savior went through for us. Everyone who was in the production was dressed in all black, which is my favorite color. Satan was well portrayed, maybe to good… The play is written by the infamous Michael McLean  who wrote “The Forgotten Carols.” I saw that play for the first time this last Christmas and loved it. This play is much shorter, and also has a great meaning to it. I know that my Savior suffered the Atonement for me, and there is not a day that goes by that I don’t use it. I am very proud of Chloe and her hard work, it was fun to see her thrive on stage!

 

My Life On an E-Card

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mylife This E-CARD describes my every day life. I have been told multiple times that I am a blunt person, my question is, why does everyone think it is such a bad thing!? I try VERY hard not to be offensive, but why lie to someone just to make yourself look better, or them feel better?

Lets be honest….(no pun intended)… Everyone is thinking the truth but not everyone shares it. Now occasionally there are some miscommunications that occur and that’s life. Forgive and Forget or just pick new friends who have the same sarcasm as you.

In my Organizational Communication class one of our final papers is titled the “honesty paper.” We are supposed to go two days with complete honesty. I have been going for two days and have tried to be hyper aware of my honesty, and have said things that I had to take back because I had exaggerated them, or added to the story, but it was never intent of my message that had to be altered. I am not saying that I am AMAZING at telling the truth… But this exercise has helped me a lot, who knew what you learned in college could actually be useful? Try it out and let me know your experiences… or not whatever…

Blowing The Yoke

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egg14RJBVttTz27LoDT2_86n5hIlsMG0MLri7OkQbavAfMsI know this is a little late…However it is still a great activity to do on a date, with kids, or if you are a trumpet player… An Easter tradition that my family participates is commonly refereed to as “blowing eggs.” I know it sounds absolutely disgusting, because honestly it kind of is… I realize now that my mother had us to this as a child to keep up busy and distracted for ours. She is the MASTER OF DISTRACTION, which makes her a wonderful mother. What you do is take just a regular egg and stick a pin or sewing needle through the top and bottom of the egg, and then you blow the yoke out. (I have included a gallery if you just don’t believe me). After, the eggs insides have been completely eliminated wash that sucker out and dry it off. After you apply tiny scrapes of tissue paper using water and glue.

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It has become tradition for Rica to join my family for Easter while living in Utah. I begged her to come so we could participate in this awkward tradition. We were joined by my roommate Amanda and her Alaskan friend Kaylie and my brother who is not pictured. It was a great Easter full of friends, family and food! We only suffered one broken egg this year, I guess it was an Easter miracle…

Until Next Year Eggs!

This is the gallery of Freshman Year Easter

The Fault In Our Stars

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I’m not the biggest reader, and it is not some hidden fact. I once tried to read Gone With The Wind because I got it for my 16th birthday. When they started to talk about Ashley and Lauren I was like my mom got me a book about two girls falling in love? After that I stuck to Harry Potter… I have started to listen to books on my iPhone instead of reading. My brother Mitch lent me this one to listen to on my way home from Boise. It is a game changing book, when you think of kids with cancer you think SAD, DISMAL, and you just FEEL BAD for the infected. I don’t want to sound insensitive, but that is usually ones reaction. I loved this book because it changed the way I view the subject. It is about young kids who meet in a support group, all suffering from different life long aliments. It showed their good days and their bad days, it exposed their fears and their dreams they would never conquer. The characters often said “The world is not a dream granting machine.” Even with their cancer perks they did not fulfill every last one. Its a story of sadness, love, happiness, family, and TRUE FRIENDSHIP (Monica that does not include you- that’s why a blind teenager egged your car, tell your mom to go back inside). If you get the chance to read the book I encourage you to, your friends will thing you’re making it up when you try and explain it, and your mom will definitely think your making it up. However the lessons learned and the fictional characters you develop a relationship with will leave a mark on your heart…. In the words of Hazel and Gus…Okay

Media Has Messed Me Up!

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I am a media buff, I mean seriously quiz me about Netflix and I could totally nail it. (Maybe I shouldn’t be proud of that…) In some of my classes we have talked about the effect that media has had on my generation and the ones after us. I have decided to take a satirical approach on it. Why not embrace it!? I might as well right? I decided I wanted to start posting more videos to YouTube. Enjoy my videos, and I promise I am not this dumb…. I am just adding to the insanity! And lets be honest, its just funny….

Enjoying The Last of the Firsts

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imagesIt all started here at Cynthia Mann Elementary School in Boise Idaho. I’m sure that day I woke up and thought I can’t wait till I reach my last semester of college…Just kidding, I was thinking about snack time. Today I started my LAST FIRST day of school here at Utah State. It is a milestone, I can say most people probably did not see 231073_4455802429791_1022297725_ncoming. Yesterday in church, the lesson was on President Dieter F. Uchtdorfs talk in the last conference Of Regrets and Resolutions. The teacher explained how we should not just focus on the finish line and forget all of the checkpoints in between. I realized, that I have been living in a way where I am exciting for the next stage in life, and forgetting to live in the now. I am definitely not a New Years Resolution person, but I will consider it my new semester goal, is to enjoy the late nights I will have of studying and completing assignments. I won’t complain when I get to go to school in -10 degrees (now that’s obviously a lie), and lastly I just want to enjoy the my final moments as a college student. At this point I have no plans to move on to graduate school, but I have received a good job and will become a REAL adult. Never will I be in this position again, so I am going to live it up. It only took me 16 and half years of schooling to figure this out. 19 credits here I come!!!