a feel good day

Hey all!! Happy early turkey day!! Just felt like blogging a bit before finishing cleaning the house! Life has been truckin' along quite nicely! The semester is almost over and I am so excited! December will be a busy month! Next week is my birthday, then finals, then baby, then baptism, then Christmas, and then the new year!! I am sure it won't feel like much of a break at all! Oh well, can't complain too much! I am so excited to see you guys over the holiday! It feels like forever and in fact, it has been almost 2 months! Wow, right? Anywho, because turkey day is just days before my birthday my family and I decided to celebrate it when they come down tomorrow. However, I was able to twist Daniel's arm into giving me my birthday present even earlier than that... and guess what... he totally rules! I got a Wii!!
First of all, I am OBSESSED with the Wii Sports! I absolutely love it! But secondly seeing Daniel get raging mad when I beat him every time is the funniest thing EVER! He literally threw the remote and threatened to spit chewed up steak on my face when I did a victory dance! Hahah! It was so funny! I love getting him all worked up! Here are some pictures of Daniel concentrating during the game!




He celebrates now (but he can only beat the computer) Ha!


Lastly, my dogs are my world but more and more I find them taking over it!! Somehow they have gotten into their brains that the couch is the new dog bed. Me=Unhappy. Daniel=Bliss! He thinks because we have a pet vacuum now that the dogs should be allowed on the couch. Honestly, the hair isn't the issue. Space is the issue. Just look at what I compete for for space on the couch everyday. Ugh. I just can't say no to those two!! What a pair, eh?






Oh and PS: on a side note I really want to cut my hair. It just doesn't look good long because it is thin and I don't have that much of it! As a result, short hair always looks better than long hair on me. But how short is too short? I was thinking about doing this cut, what are ya'lls thoughts on the matter!? I need your opinions!


HAPPY TURKEY DAY YA'LL!!!

You're Invited! To my Baptism!

...Soooo we've been seeing the missionaries since January! That is almost a year now!! Finally things have really felt like they are falling into place. I have been very apprehensive to do anything about what I've learned. Mostly because I am scared that I won't be able to be the person that I feel the lds church is looking for. However, I have been assured that until I take the leap of faith I'll never know. I've heard what I needed to hear and today I set a baptism date! So if ya'll would like I am being Baptized Saturday December 20th! And I am being confirmed in the church Sunday Saturday the 21st! Yay! I know it is close to Christmas but I did that so Momma Opfel would be in town (I can't imagine you'd miss this, Jeanie)! So hope to hear from ya'll! I am very excited... (and nervous)!

<3Laura

Baby and Birthdays!

So this past weekend I was able to sneak down to phoenix to host my sisters baby shower and to attend my friends birthday! It was really nice to take a break from the cool weather in flag! Plus, Daniel was able to come along, which I always love because the occasion happens so rarely. So anywho, I have never hosted a shower before and needless to say I didn't do an outstanding job! I ended up showing up 10minutes before the party start to decorate and set up! We were just so late coming down from flagstaff!! Anyway, I was able to pull it together in the nick of time!! Later that night I went to Texas Roadhouse (my favorite) for my friends birthday dinner before calling it a day! Just thought I'd share this mini vacation with ya'll! Hope you enjoyed!
PS: you may notice the shower is Christmas theme...I am not a freak! It was in honor of Jaxon who is due two days before Christmas on the 23rd! *wink!

Mommy and Daddy:


Everyone!


Mom,Linds,Me, and Kimberly.


Me and the Birthday Girl, Amie! Look Familiar? She was a Bridesmaid!


Oh Texas Roadhouse, Oh how I love thee! And the silly things you make my friends do!


That's All Folks! TaTa!!
<3 Opfels.

let is snow...

Hey everyone!! So excited to report that Flagstaff has had it's first snow of the season! It was beautiful!! It came down pretty hard for a little bit but it wasn't a full blown storm by any means!! That night (in holiday fashion) daniel and I made hot cocoa with cinnamon sticks, popped in a chrismtas story, and snuggled on the couch with just the lights from the christmas tree (yes ours is up *wink). It was fantastic! The next day we took the dogs out into the forest for some winter fun! They loved it. Rampage hasn't been in the snow since he was a pup! Back then he use to only poop on snow because when we were potty training him it was snowy outside. It's funny to see him immediately go to the bathroom when he sees snow! Here are some photos for ya'll to share the season start with you :o)

This is Rampage when he first saw snow in Feb!! Isn't he adorable. Hard to see, too!












And here is a video of rampage (hope it works)! He loved the snow!! It apparently is still is favorite time of year :o) Enjoy Ya'll

the things I do without danny around...

What's your husband's name? Isaac Daniel Opfel. I call him Danny, which I am sure others who've known him longer wish I didn't!

How long have you guys been married? a month.. already! CRAZY!

How long did you date? we dated for a year before we were engaged and over a year 1/2 before we were married.

How old is he? Daniel turned 20 on June 14th

Who eats more sweets? No Contest- Daniel wins hands down. It's worse than most other people, too! He can't have enough sweets in a day!

Who said I love you first? I did at my friends house but I waited a long time before I said so. Well.. a long time for our swift relationship. I knew from the moment we met though. He is everything I wanted but only thought existed in sappy love movies.

Who is taller? Daniel but it isn't hard to be taller than me :)

Who is the better singer? Umm neither? Although, Daniel singing (it rarely happens) but when it does oh my heck!! It is the funniest, cutest, most adorable thing EVER! He closes his eyes and makes these faces. It's always in joke but I don't care!

Who is smarter? Depends on who you are asking, Ha! I think we both have our moments of brilliance but Daniel is usually right... and more reliable!

Who does the laundry? Daniel washes and I fold. It works out :o) We have really been slackin' lately... maybe I should be doing that instead of blogging?

Who pays the bills? I think I mostly do. I don't mind doing it either.

Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? I do now.. didn't always but Daniel is a nomad a moves sides all the time.

Who mows the lawn? lawn? what is a lawn? we have a backyard of weeds. Daniel cuts it all down just so it can grow back! But he isn't alone- I get the tiny little weeds that make your fingers bleed. Ouch.

Who cooks dinner? Dinner... humm we don't have sit down dinners often because we are never together in the evenings. So we make our own usually or I'll bring Daniel dinner at the hospital.

Who drives? I always drive. Daniel's car... well, if you have seen it you'd know it stinks! I hate it. No ac for the summer and no heater in the winter. It leaks antifreeze that smells like rancid syrup and it gives me migraines.

Who is the first to say they are wrong? If we are bickering it is because I am being stubborn. Daniel won't say a word. Then I usually feel so bad for being such a big pain in the butt that I apologize even though I usually am arguing with myself ha!

Who kissed who first? I kissed Daniel but he had to remind me I did that!! Ha! He kissed right back and obviously it worked out!! Know we are always smoochin' (gross, right)?

Who asked out who first? I gave danny my number after a grueling game of hangman. I knew he wasn't available but I thought I'd give it to him in case anything happened. I really put myself out there (not brave but dumb). Anyway, he texted me 20mins after class, we went to a movie, jack in the box, and now we are married. Funny how things work out. Side story: there was a girl in our class who watched our entire relationship blossom. She'd always say when you two get married call me. Well, when we got engaged we called her to invite her ( a year+ later). She obviously didn't come but it was fun being able to tell her we were actually getting married. She was so excited! And another kid in that same class (he sat behind us) is in my nursing program and now him and Daniel are great friends. Crazy world. Who knew?

Who wears the pants? Neither of us. When we have kids I am sure a role for the two of us will be established. Maybe we should get on that? We're going to have some smokin' kids! Ha! Kidding!

My Somewhat Testimony

Today Danny and I were at church and because last Sunday there was a conference today was the fast and testimony meeting. I don't know why but I decided to go up and tell this story that happened to me earlier this week that gave me hope that the church is real. Here is the story I told today in church.

Earlier this week I was angry with Daniel because we rarely get to spend time together anymore and when he comes home from work I lose him to world of war craft. Usually he is really good at waiting til I go to bed but this night he had said he would go to bed with me. However, right as we are walking to the bedroom he plops down at the computer. Me= Not happy. This same day but hours earlier I had accidentally broken a frame from my wall art (previously shown) after I slammed our bedroom door too hard. Needless to say there was glass everywhere and I had to pick up- ugh. So that evening in my anger I said I hoped he stepped on a piece of glass. I know it was wrong. I didn't even mean it when I said it but its like my favorite quote goes: Speak Angry and You'll Make the Best Speech You'll Ever Regret." So of course afterwards I felt horrible. I could feel my blood boiling (for no real reason mind you) so I went to bed to calm down. For some reason while I laid in bed I had the urge to pray. Well... not really pray but talk to God. I asked for patience and to calm me down and I apologized for what I had said. Once I had calmed down enough I got back out of bed to apologize to Daniel who apparently didn't even hear me in the first place. Once we were better I went to go get back into bed and laid on a piece of glass. First of all I know I cleaned up the glass thoroughly but what a perfect thing to remind me that I am not alone. It was like God was saying "wake up, Laura. There are far bigger and greater things than being angry at this." For the first time I realized something bigger actually could be out there. It was amazing. So I am not sure what this means for me but I cannot wait to find out what is next.

I ended this with "I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen" because that is how Daniel told me you end a testimony. I couldn't remember it so I wrote it on the back of a gas receipt that I took up there with me. I don't know why I decided to share it- I obviously hadn't planned to share it but it felt like the right thing to do. I just wanted to let people know (maybe more investigators?) that something can happen. And even though it may be insignificant to the people I tell or maybe even Daniel it meant something big to me. I feel like this is the push I needed to let my guard down and let the gospel into my life. It was because of this incident that I decided to go to church today. SO I guess it was my somewhat testimony that I believe that the church could very much be true and Joseph Smith really could be a prophet and maybe... just maybe he is looking out for me and calling me to join him :o) Hope you guys all have a wonderful sabbath!

ya'll need to play catch up :o)

1. Where did you meet?
We met in our microbiology class. We had the same lecture but different lab times. Before I knew him I knew I had to be near him so I switched lab classes. To my pleasant surprise the seat next to him was empty and I made a bee line. This girl kept hitting me with her chair behind me and Daniel was all giggles. Finally I looked at him (kind of like this sucks) and he said, "Hi I am Daniel." A few hangmen games later and the rest is history.

2. How long did you date before you were married?
Well we spent almost every minute of everyday together even when we first met so probably since Feb 07? That sounds right.

3. How long have you been married?
4 weeks Saturday and still going strong *wink! Ha!

4. What does he do that surprises you?
he protects me when he thinks I am danger but it is instinctive so it is cute :o) plus watching him with his little nieces and nephews is the single most adorable thing EVER!

5. what is your favorite feature of his?
his butt :o) it is so cute but is laugh is so contagious it makes my heart melt!

6. what is your favorite quality of his?
He is the most positive person I have ever known and I envy him very much.

7. does he have a nickname for you?
he calls me Laura and baby girl. That sums it up.

8. what is his favorite food?
Roast and Potatoes or wings.

9. what is his favorite color.
purple but he'll only admit it in a dark room, with no windows, and no body in ear shot.

10. what is his favorite sport?
He likes watching sports but not so much playing :o) He watches UFC and football. Wait, maybe that is it?

11. when and where was your first kiss?
At my cramped little studio. Ha! I just decided to kiss him which was scary because we hadn't been hanging out for very long but it seemed right. Annnnnd I guess it worked out :o)

12. what is your favorite thing to do as a couple?
nothing. we have the most fun when we are bored out of our minds and have to entertain one another. Just the other night we sat around for 2 hours a drew up blue prints to our dream home. So fun!

13. do you have any children?
... not soon enough!

14. does he have a hidden talent?
"no" and yes that is a direct quote.

15. how old is he?
He is 20!I am so old in comparison! I'll be 22 in a month!

16. who said i love you first?
I did (blush) oh well he said it right back!

17. what is his favorite type of music?
he likes all different sorts of music from rap to indie to country to rock. It is nice because I rarely get sick of his music. I stress the word RARELY. I still do.

18. what do you admire most about him?
his mind. he is so patient, kind, and optimistic. he is everything I wish I could be but it works out because he mellows me out and keeps my head on straight.

19. do you think he will read this?
yes... he saw I was doing it and keeps asking what I am writing about him. He'll be on shortly I am sure *wink!

oh the cleverness of me!

Yes, I just quoted Peter Pan the movie but it is so fitting for how I feel right now. I am writing because I am SO proud of my wall art I made for Danny and my bedroom. Let me first start off by saying 99% of the time our bedroom is a disaster! I blame this on the fact that we do not have a laundry room so it often doubles as a giant laundry hamper! Finally it got to the point where I just had to do something. Has your house ever gotten that bad? Anywho, I got a cleaning burr up my butt and once I started I could not stop. I am talking sweeping, mopping, dusting, vacuuming, washing clothes, cleaning dishes but most importantly putting together a photo montage of wedding photos I loved. SO back to where this blog started. I spent a ton of time on this believe it or not but I adore it. I realize now that is a little heavier on one side than the other but I still feel like it looks good enough. And by 'good enough' I mean we rent and I can't put a zillion more holes in the wall! Ha! I hope you like it as much as I do but tell me what you think!!!!


This is our bedroom after I cleaned it (we still have to put the tv in storage but it's too heavy for me to lift by myself)! Thank you Momma Opfel for the amazing comforter set! We love it and it obviously looks great! I wish we could paint :o(


Here (blush) is the laundry I cleared from our room. Gross. Hard to believe we still had a ton of clean clothes, too!


To continue on- Halloween came and went without much of a buzz. This was extremely disappointing for me as I LOVE halloween more than any other holiday... well I use to at least! This was the first year that nothing exciting went on, Danny worked, I didn't get dressed up, and our decorations were comical. It made me feel like a grown up- like halloween lost its appeal. We literally had 6 trick or treaters and I swear to you only ONE said "trick or treat." The other children just put out there bag. WHAT THE HECK HAPPENED TO MY HALLOWEEN!?!?!?!? We did, however, manage to carve some pumpkins! Daniel made life difficult and carved a skeleton. It actually came out really neat (even if it wasn't like the picture)! I carved a mean pumpkin with brains and throw up. Ha! Gotta love the gore, right? Well, I guess if it is pumpkin gore than it is okay!




And to end things on a bright note: I have the best husband ever!! I was having a horrible day on thursday. I think it was stress and anxiety mixed with mother nature but anywho I was a big ball of tears for Daniel all day. It was so sad. So after I went to clinical that evening (in a somber mood) I came home to my AMAZING husband who purchased me these great Halloween flowers. It literally turned my whole day (or what was left of it) around! Gotta love Danny for always trying to keep a smile on my face.



So that is all I have for the time being!!! We miss you all like crazy! Can't believe it has already been three weeks! Oh my heck, right? Hopefully ya'll will get back on the blogging wagon- this Opfel family misses you something terrible! Have a good one guys and thanks for checkin'in on us!