John Hale Gardner, our beloved husband, father, brother, and friend, surrounded by his loving family, passed away on September 26, 2008 after succumbing to complications due to advanced age.

John Hale was born August 24, 1922, in Logan, Utah, to Willard and Rebecca Viola Hale Gardner. He was the second youngest of seven children and their father was a professor of soil physics at Utah State Agricultural College near his home in Logan.

John Hale studied physics at Utah State University, graduating in three years as the valedictorian of his class. Then he attended MIT and helped develop radar during World War II. He also attended Harvard University where he got his PhD in Physics. His graduate work contributed to three different Nobel prizes in physics.

He married his high school sweetheart, Olga Hellen Dotson, in the Boston Mission Home on July 23, 1943, and they were sealed the next year in the Logan Temple. He was devoted to Olga his whole life and was her greatest fan, as she had a beautiful soprano voice and shared her talent in many ways. They had eight wonderful children, as he would always say, who brought him great joy.

In 1949 he came to Provo to teach physics, mathematics, and astronomy at a much smaller Brigham Young University. He loved his students and colleagues, and he was instrumental in the growth and development of BYU. He particularly enjoyed teaching the Honor's Colloquium, and he was beloved and influential in the lives of his students.

John Hale had a strong testimony of Jesus Christ, and he served in many capacities in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, including bishop, high councilman, and gospel doctrine teacher.

He is survived by his wife, Olga, of 65 years; 8 children: Helen Elizabeth (Tracy Hall), John Willard (Kathryn), Kristin (Ron Spears), Rebecca, Robert Dotson (Deborah), Eric William (Connie), Ann, Margaret Irene (John Naegle); 37 grandchildren; 36 great grandchildren; 1 sister, Relda (Frank Bringhurst), and 1 brother Willard (DeAnn).

Funeral services will be held on Friday, October 3, 2008 at 2:00 p.m. at the Oak Hills 1st Ward, 1038 North 1200 East, Provo. Friends may call at the Ward Chapel on Thursday evening 6-8 p.m. or on Friday one hour prior to services. Interment Provo City Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to Info@BergMortuary.com.

"thumb knuckle" thoughtfully brought to you by a random guy by the hot tub

wow, it seems like so much has been going on. I really need to go to bed because I have work in the morning, but I need to be researching for a paper proposal that's due on Thursday, but the library website won't let me log in. Weird. So, here I am, writing this blog.

I got a calling today. I won't be sustained until Sunday, so I'm not telling you. ha.

For the first time in a long time I had absolutely no milk this morning for breakfast. So, I had a banana with peanut butter. It was good, but not satisfying.

Nikki got engaged! which I'm sure you all know. But HOLY COWABUNGA! that is super exciting and I'm so glad that she is happy. even though that brings me one step closer to being the last one to get married, but it's ok, I've almost accepted it.

I talked to my roommate Laura today about boys. We both told each other about our past relationships. It was the usual discussions, but I must say, it was a really good talk. She is just so sweet. I really needed to have such a talk. She is just amazing. I can only say good things about that dear girl. And it was really nice talking about stuff because it made me realize how much I have learned and grown from being in relationships. I think so much better of myself than I did two years ago, even a few months ago. And I know that I deserve the best and by golly I will get it.

My mom. she is just the best. We were so close before she got married, but since then it seems that we have really become the best of friends. I just love her so much! I can't even describe it. All I can say is that I can't wait to have that kind of love with my family in the future - forever.

um, I think that is a good coverage of things going on.

Al's Song of the Week: Imagine by John Lennon. Ok, so, I love love this song. And I'm almost king of learning it on the guitar, which is pretty awesome I think. Plus he's a Beatle, and that explains itself.

The Week of Births

My roommate, Laura, turned 19 today. Our dear friend Jake turned 22 today. I don't know how old Teri is going to be, but her birthday is on Thursday. And my amazing friend and roommate Larke turns the big two three on Thursday. I'm terrible with presents and sentimental things. I'm good at thinking of those things, but not at actually going through with them. But I'm trying to do better, so hopefully I will do something great and fun.

And speaking of birth, I had a dream yesterday night that I was pregnant (and by the way, I make a pretty cute pregnant lady). Anyway, my water broke. And I could actually feel it happening. Oh, and the baby wasn't mine, I was having it for someone else, a surrogate even. My mom wouldn't come with me to the hospital because she was taking a nap, but she said she would come later. I was real mad but I went to go tell my dad and step mom. They were excited and told me what I needed to do. So after realizing I was going to be totally alone in this and that I needed to get to a hospital asap, I woke up. But really, I was in the midst of gaining consciousness. As in, I actually thought I was pregnant and I knew that my water broke (I thought that I had dreamt it happening, but that it did actually happen) and I needed to get up and go. After a few minutes, and feeling my stomach, I finally realized that it was all really a dream and that I was not at all pregnant.

Song-O-the-Week: Time After Time by Quietdrive. I also like the Cindy Lauper version, of course, but this one is very good too. And I choose this one because, um, time makes us have birthdays.

I'm christening my new apartment with cookies tomorrow

Al-dogs Song of the Week: Do You Believe Me Now by Jimmy Wayne. I really like this song. I think it's his voice. Country really is raising status in my music library.

Sorry, this is all you get this week. I'll try harder next week...maybe.

Alright fine I'll give you picture. Izzy's birthday is tomorrow and she's turning one! I can't believe it.

Art History is super duper fun

Well, first of all, Larke's car had some major radiator problems today on our way to dinner, so after we bought some coolant at the gas station, I got to put it in her car because she had no idea what to do. The best part is that I was in heels. I don't know why but I've always wanted to be all dressed up and have to work on a car. And even though it wasn't anything big, it was still satisfying. Weird, I know. Unfortunately her it turns out her car has a major leak and we're going to take it in tomorrow to get fixed, but the evening still worked out fun.

I'm pretty dang excited for school to start tomorrow, but I have neglected to get notebooks or pencils or text books yet. So pretty much I have a laptop and a backpack. I really don't want to buy books, they are going to be so much this semester! And I've started planning my schedule for winter semester and it has been driving me crazy. I can't take all the classes I want to because there are time clashes. But I guess I can put that off for a few weeks and just focus on this semester. I just want everything to work out perfectly for me to graduate next December. Well, I have the faith.

My roommates seem really cool and I'm excited for some fun at the Glenwood, but only if I can actually be somewhat social. Which I have some major issues with, but I'm honestly going to try and put the whole shy, insecure, scared out of my mind bit behind me and put myself out there as best I can. If I am going to be comfortable at all these next two semesters I'm afraid I'm going to have to not be afraid of making new friends, especially after my dear Larke abandons me.

Remember how a couple posts ago I said that I wanted to stop stressing and just live my life? Well, I think I'm finally getting somewhere. I'm really trying to not let things stress me out as much and just let things happen. If I am doing what's right and I really want something to happen, then I have to have faith that it actually will happen and stop stressing so much about it. For example, I wanted to find a new job. I decided this time I wasn't going to go crazy over it. I would just relax and do what I could do and if I was meant to get a new job, then I would. So far it has been good.

Al-dog's Song of the Week: Should've Said No by Taylor Swift. I just really like this song. It's a fun one. And Taylor Swift for that matter. I didn't think it would happen, but it has and I even bought her cd.

Breaking Dawn

A few weeks ago, I somehow convinced my mom to buy Breaking Dawn for me. And then she wouldn't let me pay her back. She is a sneaky one that mother of mine. She also bought me this little cupcake with vampire fangs on them just because she "couldn't resist". Somehow I let Debbie have them and let's just say she had quite the 10 minutes of fun. I wish I had a picture; it was scary, but not as bad as her shark face - that is right below seeing an actual shark.

I really liked the book. I didn't know what to expect and I was worried the whole time that I wouldn't like it. The end wasn't what I thought it would be, but I still loved it. It was all so much more than I expected. I don't think it is my favorite book ever, but I was definitely satisfied. I'm going to have to read it again in a few months because so much happened and, well, I just want to.

So, it's only Tuesday and already I don't like this week. Even though fun things are happening, like going to the U of U museum tomorrow with my dad and mom, and going to the storytelling festival on friday. I guess mostly it's just job stuff that is getting me down. I really want to get a new job that has better hours so I can actually have a social life again. And I thought that I had a job lined up that I was really excited about, but that has fallen through and now I don't know if I'll be able to find another one. I was just getting excited about not having to work there anymore and now I just want to quit, even if it means no job, which would be completely irresponsible, but at this point I don't know if I care. Even though I need to be saving money now more than ever. Maybe it's about time I be selfish and do what I want to do. It probably won't happen because, but it's nice to think about.

On a better note, so far glenwood apartment life has been good. Larke and I have had quite the fun times together taking out garbage and going through the kitchen getting rid of old stuff and making delicious brownies.

Song of the Week: Billie Jean by David Cook. this is the only michael jackson song that I actually like. and david cook's version is probably my favorite. I figured since last week was david archuleta, a david cook song was in order. I hope this one's on his new album, because it's a keeper.

um, slacker?

so, due to lack of internet connection at my dear new apartment, i'm afraid this is all you get this week.

Song-O-the-Week: Crush by David Archuleta. Yes, it's true, I have recently purchased his new single. I couldn't help it. His voice gets me every time. With that said, I am still an avid David Cook fan and I can't wait until his album comes out. But can't I like both at the same time? Well my friends, I can, and I will.

Packing Up

Larke and I are moving into Glenwood today. Mostly because my mom forced us too. We were going to stay at her town house, but my grandparents are going to be staying there next week. Anyway, there are people in it now and I'm kind of scared that there isn't going to be an empty room and we'll have to ask someone to move into a different room. But hopefully that won't have to happen. I'm so excited to live with Larke (but of course I will miss living with Debbie terribly) and to finally settle into a pattern again. It feels like summer is always so crazy - a lot of fun, but still crazy. It's not as routine as when I'm in school.

Oh! and, funny story. The amazing people who work for Glenwood didn't look at our gender and put us in a guys apartment in the north building. I wanted to tell them that that was a-okay with me, but I didn't think they would like that so much. Anyway, we went back today and now we're in the first building, closest to campus, in number 15, with girls.

In other news, I'm almost done with Breaking Dawn. I really like it so far and I can't wait to see how it ends!


Izzy is going to one next month! I can't believe she's so big. Here is one of her 11 months pictures. So adorable

Song of the Week: Be Here Now by Ray LaMontagne. I tend to focus a lot on the future and how I want things to be, instead of focusing on what I have to do now in order to get where I want to be. I've been doing that a lot lately. And then I get really stressed because things aren't working out how I want them to, and if you didn't know already, I am not a big fan of plans being changed (although I think I'm getting a little better). I get so wrapped up in what I want my future to be that that's all I think about. I think I need to focus more on the present, because things aren't going to happen if I just imagine them in the future, I actually have to do it myself. I just need to relax, get things done, and have faith that everything will work out.

I got to go eat Tacos

Larke and I finally have a place to live! Alright, it's at the Glenwood, but at least it's somewhere. It should be interesting, but it's close to the JKB, which is where all my classes are, and it's closer to Larke's work, and it's not the Riv.

Missy and I made the wedding cake on Saturday. It was quite the adventure. I put it all on facebook. But here's another picture anyway.
















Song O' the Week: The Moment I Said It by Imogen Heap. I think enough said about this one. She is amazing and this song is one of my favorites.

Sleepy Head

I've been trying to "repress" a lot of stuffs this past week so I won't get too stressed, but to no avail. It has all come back this week and now I'm stressed for reals. I have no where to live in the fall, which also means that Larke has no where to live, which means two girls, no home. Missy, a girl I work with, and I are making a wedding cake for our other coworker, Kasey. Which is this Saturday. I've been getting really stressed out with having the mono because I've been working more than I should so I get really tired and my body gets achy and it just doesn't like me.

Anyway, don't get the wrong idea, everything else is going well. I'm still happy and such, it's only when I think of those other things that I get all tense and freaked out. Another girl I work with, Ang even, and I took a completely spontanious trip to Park City on Friday before I went on a date with Jake. Both were very fun. I bought some new jeans that I finally decided to keep and from what I've been told, they are quite the hot ones.

Song of the Week: Shut Your Mouth by Automatic Loveletter. I have really come to love this band. They only have one EP album out, but it's a good one. This song has gotten stuck in my head many a time this week. I wish you could actually hear it because that is really the best part. I tried to get music on my blog so you could all hear it, but I don't know how, but I will look into it more later.

Si-ng-al-on-g

I have decided that I am going to have a weekly posting of my song of the week. Hopefully it will accompany other topics, but sometimes I am lazy. The tradition starts now!

So, I went to Wyoming this weekend with my friend from work, Angela (aka Ang). She and I are the only singles left at work. So we have decided we must band together to form an friendship of awesomeness. To begin work on said friendship I went with her to her hometown, Lovell, Wyoming. It's in the northern part and is literally in the middle of no where. The town has 3,000 people I think, but we passed some that we 100-300. It was awesome, but also very baren. Her best friend from high school just got back from his mission and she wanted to see him and well, basically, see if there were still feelings there - because there were before he left. So myself and her roommate Sharee accompanied her for support. It was about an eight hour drive of desert and snacks and some pretty hoppin' music - oh and exciting conversations about guys and life and such.

She lives on a farm with horses and silos and such. It's the house her dad grew up in even. Her parents were amazing and so nice. I mean, like, the perfect couple. You can tell they still love each other and joke around with each other. And they are so open and Ang talks to them about everything - well, a lot of things. And they love their kids so much. Her dad was the kind of dad I want my husband to be to our children, basically most of what my dad wasn't (I still love me dad to death, by the way). Needless to say, I had a lot of fun and I'm probably going to travel up to Salt Lake maybe on occasion (which is where she lives). She is crazy and fun and pretty open about everything and for some reason she thinks I'm fun and funny.

Especially because I just found out my brother, Josh, Amber and Izzy are moving to Salt Lake! I'm so sad, but also happy because they get to live on their own.

Al-dog's song of the week: Dance Like There's No Tomorrow by Paula Abdul
I just want to "forget about all my problems" and "stay right here on the floor, Get lost in the night And dance like there's no tomorrow". The lyrics pretty much typify exactly what I'm thinking right now.

I want my waterbed back

When I was a child - a baby even - until I left home, I slept on a wonderful waterbed that my dad built with his own two hands. I wish I had a picture of the real thing, but this will have to do. I miss it terribly. It was so comfortable. You could just wiggle a little bit and the whole thing would move like the ocean - but not in the ocean because that would be the scariest thing ever. It was like being gently rocked to sleep. I know, you want one now don't you? I do. These little apartment beds just don't cut it. Plus I had these awesome monster letter sheets. All the letters of the alphabet were monsters and they had names that started with the letter. When I was little they actually gave me nightmares, but as I got older I grew to love those little monsters.

Las Vegas continued...or for the first time

Here are some pictures I stole from Deb from our Las Vegas trip. I think they are awesome.

I've got me some mono

Yes it's true, I have mono. And no, it is not fun at all. I'm not entirely sure where I got it from, but I'm going to blame our roommate Stephanie who moved out a couple weeks ago because she thought she had it. I guess technically the timing was good enough that I could blame Bryan - and trust me, this is my choice, at least it's somewhat of a good story - but if he had it then I would have gotten it way sooner.

My mom has been amazing and has taken care of me the past few days. I forgot how much I missed staying at her house and seeing her all the time. When I'm sick, there's nothing better than having my mom take care of me. It's somewhat of a comfort food, if you will.

But anyway, it's been pretty miserable the past week. So, when you have mono your spleen swells, making it somewhat painful and uncomfortable to breathe deeply. Also, I've had a fever off and on every day. Probably the main thing right now is the sore throat - severe sore throat. My glands and tonsils are really swollen and it hurts every time I swallow. every time. The worst part is that all of this gets worse when I try to sleep - especially in the throat area - and sleeping is how you're supposed to help get rid of the mono. So I'm up pretty much all night not being able to swallow because it hurts so bad and then I try to relax by taking some deep breaths, but then my side starts hurting so i stop that and then start getting really frustrated because my body is so exhausted from waking up every half hour and it hurts all over and not even the lidocaine they gave me helps my throat stop hurting. Fortunately last night I slept somewhat better and I'm feeling a little better overall, but that's with no work since Saturday and basically laying around all day. So we'll see how it goes after work the rest of this week. I'm really sorry if I've been kind of out of it recently or if I am for the next several weeks. Hopefully I will be back to normal before school starts.

On a better note, I finished The Host last week and I liked it a lot. It took a while for me to get into it, but after that happened I was hooked. There were a few things that I had issues with, but I mostly ignored them. It was really interesting, but kind of weird at the same time. Anyway, I recommend it.


Now I'm reading Eclipse again because the fourth book comes out in August. Alright, now I'm hungry, so I'm going to go make some soup.

Midol is my friend

I know I need to write a new post, but I don't know what to write about. Then I thought maybe I would write about some of my thoughts. But they are mostly all depressing and frustrating, and I don't want to dampen anyone else's mood. So maybe I'll write about my roommates, since those are good things.

First there's the Debbie. I think she's pretty much amazing. It has been so nice sharing a room with someone who is actually pleasant and willing to talk about things instead of just making things more awkward by not. And she doesn't mind my messiness and early sleeping habits. She is always very careful not to wake me, which I appreciate so much. She is the best friend I could ask for. And she's hilarious, so really it's win win...win.

Second is Larke. She is definitely amazing and has become one of my best friends. She lived with me in the Riv and basically got me through those two semesters. I think the best part is that she says exactly what she's thinking, whether it's how you look or why she's mad. Of course I don't always want to hear the truth, but it's good in the end. Plus, she makes me buy clothes that actually look good on me, which is a pretty hard thing to do.

Third is Rose. She just moved in like a couple days ago. So I don't really know her. But she seems really nice and hasn't been too offended by our crazy ways. I don't know how I feel about calling her Rose, I still can't say it seriously. But it is pretty. Anyway.

So those are the roomies. With all the other things going on in my life, I love being able to come home and hang out with them, even though sometimes I am lame and no fun. They are still supportive and like being around me for some reason. Basically, friends are the best and I'm glad I live with some pretty great ones.

Fun Fun

Ok, I've got nothing....except this awesome new template! isn't it exciting?

um...here's a picture of my niece Isabella. i just think she is so adorable. she's 9 months and she already has 6 teeth! which is craziness. and she's saying little words like mom. and she's crawling. anyway, cute.

The New Family

So, I thought I would post some pictures of my mom's new family, which also means that it is my new family. Anyway, these are from before the wedding; we still have yet to develop or find any other pictures - but I am trying to get on it. So, here they are...

Jason, 23 (still hasn't said a word to me)
Sarah, 20 (we're kind of friends now)
ME, 20 (in case you forgot.....debbie)
Julie, 18 and Russell (Julie's husband. They are the only ones who don't live at home)
Chris, 16
James, 12 or 13
Matthew, 10
Jacob, 7 (he is so cute)
a funny one

So, there you go. They are quite the bunch.

Summer is the Best!

I know the lighting is real bad in this picture but it's the only one i have of our new amazing roommates, Stephanie and Larke.




She may look sad but really she is happy because I am her roommate now

She Found Herself a Husband

Some Thinkings...

I decided I needed a new blog because, well, I just do....and I don't like that Danny fellow any longer. But I think I've got a new little crush. anyway, that is besides the point. I don't really know what to write about. Maybe I'll just blabber on about nonsense things....

I can't wait for school to be over. This semester has been so beasty. This summer is going to be so much fun! I really am excited for it. I decided I'm not going to take any classes, which is sad because I was planning on it and now my plan (which I have neatly creating in Excel. yes, i'm a nerd) will have to be altered and graduation will be delayed another semester, but I guess oh well. I am very much looking forward to the Fall though. I am going to be taking some pretty awesome classes - if I get into them, that is, which I'm pretty sure I will because, well, I've got the faith. I'm not taking any real Art History classes - like ones where we actually learn about the history of art - this semester, which has been quite the bummer. But the fall is going to be packed full of them and I can't wait! Plus I'm going to be taking Italian which I have wanted to learn for a very long time.

I miss boys. I haven't been on a date in who knows how long. Too long. I miss just hanging out with them. They are so funny. And, honestly, I really want a boyfriend. I know that most girls do, so I guess it's not too out there to say that I do. I just want to see if I can really be in a relationship and be myself and be happy. Especially considering how my last relationship went. I don't think I was really ever myself with Brett. Which is really sad. And what if that is how I am with every boy? I just give in to whatever they want and I don't allow myself to open up? That is not how I want it to happen. But I have learned a lot from that relationship and even with Daniel, even though we never dated. I don't think that I could let myself do that again. But still I wonder. Anyway, my point was that I want to know, to prove to myself I suppose, that I can actually be in a functioning relationship with a boy that I like and that likes me back. Perhaps I shall remain single forever.

So, this sounds so cliche, but I just love my family. so much. My mom is amazing, I don't think I could have a mom better suited for me. She knows exactly what to say to me to help me feel better and find answers to questions. She just knows. That's not to say that we don't get in fights, because we do. She is just the best mom for me and I love her dearly. I want her to be happy. And my dad, well, that relatioship has been slow in progress for a long time. But I still love him so much. He may not be the most considerate at times, and he may no longer believe the sames things I do, but he has taught me so many valuable lessons. And he makes sure I'm taken care of. He seems to be pretty stingy about giving me money for school, like a lot, but I know that if I really needed help, he would be there to help me, because he has done it many times in the past. And he worries about me. A while ago when I was out there he asked me how I was doing and such and then said, "so I don't need to be worrying about you as much as I do?". I was surprised because I never really thought that he thought about me. But he does worry about me and he does love me, even if it has only been in the last few years that he's actually said it.

Well, I have to leave for class in 15 minutes. Maybe I should do this more often, it was pretty nice to just write about life.