Incognito...

As some of you may have noticed, there has been a serious lack of updates from us during the last few months.  Now that we have officially announced our pregnancy, hopefully updates will be more frequent.  In March I remember telling Cory, "Everything newsworthy happening to us right now is a secret."

Well, the secret is out, so expect more updates!

First Comes Love, Then Comes Marriage, Then...

As a lot of you know already, Cory and I are a really attractive couple.  Also, we are having a baby!!! We announced our exciting news right after graduation, at about 16 weeks along.  We actually announced it on our two year anniversary, which seemed an appropriate way to celebrate.  We had been slowly telling family and close friends before the big reveal to the masses, and we are so excited for the new member of our little family to get here.  Mark October 12th on your calendar!!!

One of my graduation gifts was a actually a BYU athletic polo with a matching onesie, so now our little one will be prepared to watch the football games with me!

Graduation

I am a college graduate!!!

This weekend I graduated from Brigham Young University with a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science.  I also minored in Spanish.  It was a little surreal during finals that my time at BYU was coming to a close, but when I walked across the Marriott Center as they called my name it kind of hit me like a wave of reality.  It's over.  A new chapter is starting.  I couldn't help but reflect on all that has happened to me in the last seven years since I graduated from high school.

Of course one of the most influential parts of that seven years was my two year mission to Argentina.  As Dad and I walked around snapping pictures, we couldn't pass up the chance to get a picture by the Argentine flag.  Those two years shaped who I am in a way I can't fully express on a blog.

Graduation was also a promise fulfilled to myself and my bros.  Back at 10 years old, Kyle and I committed to come to BYU together (Brett was going to go to the Air Force Academy, that jerk, but he later came to his senses and joined us in our goal) and here we are 15 years later on graduation day.  They both were commissioned as Second Lieutenants in the Air Force later that day, and report to pilot training later this summer.     

Of course, BYU's most valuable contribution to my life has to be my sweetheart, Cory.  We met here in Provo, and are now both BYU alumni!  She is more important to me than anything else I will be taking with me from my undergraduate career.  She and my parents have been my biggest supporters as I have finished up my degree and prepared to pursue further education in Memphis.

Her dad and grandma even came to celebrate with us for the weekend.  Jake and Anna also came to show their support.  Thanks guys!

Something I have inherited from my dad is that we both like to milk every nostalgic moment out of an experience, which is why we trekked around BYU campus taking pictures at every significant statue or sign.   

GO COUGARS!!!

South Pacific

Since I am graduating and finals are not a huge stress for me this semester, I was excited to be able to accompany Cory and her family on a trip to Great Falls.  Cory's sister, Sarah, lives with her husband, Darron, in Great Falls.  He is in the Air Force, stationed there, and Sarah is the choir director at the University of Great Falls.  We all headed up to see the University's production of South Pacific, which was Sarah's directorial debut.  

Two words: Home Run.  Let's get real for a second, people.  Great Falls is not the biggest place on the map, and it isn't crazy to think that there wouldn't be a ton of talented people to cast in the play.  Well, the joke is on you because there are a ton of talented people in Great Falls.  I mean, there were some great voices in that cast.  The play was entertaining, and seeing as it was the final performance of the weekend, Sarah was honored at the end by the entire cast and crew.  

Even though it was so short, I really enjoyed the trip.  We had never visited Sarah and Darron up to that point, so it was fun to see their natural habitat.  Buzz, Grandma Pladsen, Jake, and Anna all made the trip with us, so it was like a mini family reunion.  I think it is important to have those kinds of memories in a family.  The next morning we ate a delicious Easter breakfast together and headed back to Utah. 

The Work Rolls Forth

The past two months have been busy at the MTC.  Sort of.  We actually haven't had as many missionaries as we usually have, but with the high turnover in English (new districts every two weeks) it can make it seem like I have been really busy.  Here are the missionaries that have come through my classroom over the past couple of months.

L to R: Sister Cardona, Sister Warr, Sister Wangsgaard, Me, Elder Zehr, Elder Ortega, Sister Adamson

L to R: Sister Clancy, Sister Niska, Sister Bishop, Me, Elder Clutter, Elder Hornsby, Elder Mabey

L to R: Elder Hardesty, Elder Gibb, Elder Sortomme, Elder Edge, Me, Sister Mangleson, Sister Erekson, Sister Johnson, Sister Fincher

L to R Back: Elder Brown, Elder Haycock, Me, Sister Eastman, Sister Keeling, L to R Front: Elder Palakiko, Elder Christensen

Cory turns 25!

Cory is half-way to 50!  She still looks smokin for her age, though.  We don't have any pictures for some reason, that was my fault, but we spent an awesome day at the zoo up in Salt Lake City.  Neither of us had been to the zoo in a very long time, and realized that it isn't as exciting as we remembered.  Most of the animals were just sleeping, and the African Sahara section was under construction, so we didn't even see any of those animals.  Oh well, it was still fun.  Cory got a lot of great stuff for her birthday, including two Diamond Rio CDs and the Frozen Soundtrack from me.  She has been listening to them already on her commute to and from work.  Happy Birthday, Cory!

Tennessee Bound

Well, the month of March was an absolute whirlwind in the Gilmore home.  I started the month off with a weekend trip to Memphis, Tennessee for an interview with the University of Memphis.  I really enjoyed my time there and was really impressed with everyone I met at the University.  After the interviews, I met up with the Andersons for some Memphis BBQ.  It was delicious.  

It was also a mountain of food that I couldn't finish, so I had the leftovers for dinner in the hotel room.  In the following weeks I had more interviews, but only over the phone or Skype.  I found myself last week with multiple acceptance offers and the task of making a very important decision.  In January I had psyched myself out so much about getting into a program that I applied to over 10 places, and now in the end of March I felt blessed/silly that I had been accepted to 8 of them.  Great position to be in, but also stressful worrying about making the wrong decision.  So my family joined me in a fast and of all the places, Cory and I are super excited to announce we are heading to Memphis!  I personally feel really great about the decision, and while there were other great offers, I think Memphis is the next chapter for us.

So after making the decision I became infatuated with all things Memphis.  I read up on the city all the time and look up interesting facts.  I even went looking for a Memphis Grizzlies hat at the malls.  They didn't have any, but it's all good.  I already looked up tickets to a Grizzlies game and you can get tickets as cheap as $6.  That is what I am talking about.  Here is another classic reference to Memphis for your enjoyment.

Anyway, that is our March update!  I definitely have senioritis, and can't wait to graduate in three weeks!