Wednesday, January 30, 2013

The Fire of Life

I've been on a posting roller coaster the past few days, but I just read this article and had to share. 

3 Things I Wish I Knew Before We Got Married

Marriage is difficult, full of giving and taking, sharing, sacrificing, talking things out, but it sure is the best thing that could ever happen to anyone and I live for the beautiful moments of  life that always make the tough times worth it.

Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Edified by Nature

Last semester I took a class called Humanities and the Environment. It was one of my favorite classes I've EVER taken and would highly recommend it. I have never looked at nature the way I do now and my testimony has grown immensely since taking that class. One of my goals at the end of the semester was to continue some of my nature journals and to continue spending time admiring and feeling edified by the beautiful nature here in Provo. Here's a few quick photos I took on my walk home from the testing center last night. 




Keeping busy and loving life

We're now into the fourth week of the semester...and I might add, Eric's last! Because I was able to extend graduation, this semester has been awesome! I am taking the smallest class load I've ever taken in all four years of being here and I'm finding a lot of fun things to do with my time! Tuesdays and Thursdays I spend volunteering at the mental hospital and also working at a PT clinic. I need to get around 200 hours before I apply for graduate school in July. Thus far I'm at...16. I know I have a long way to go, but I'm just glad I finally have time to start!

I've learned a lot of things being at the hospital. Most importantly, I have discovered how much I love Physical Therapy. Sometimes it's hard getting myself up at 7 every morning, but I always come home in a good mood and love every minute I'm there. I love the people I work with and especially the patients. I've met some of the sweetest people and have been both humbled and taught by them and their circumstances. Every day I come home grateful for my life, my current situation, my husband, my religion, my health, my body, my education and my blessings. All I can say is I'm pretty excited for graduate school and have got some pretty good stories from conversations I've had while helping at the hospital.


In my other "spare" time, I've been working out a couple hours a day and finally having time for lifting and running with Eric. One of my goals for the new year was to finally make time to run a full marathon. I'm getting so excited! I also made a goal at the beginning of the year to spend more quality time with Eric and make time for us to have more of a social life. In the past week we went to Vegas with the Burtons, had a sushi night (tried Sushi for the first time...and loved it), went to Stake Conference, birthday party for Janessa, go down to the Lake and walk the trail in the fog (I was scared, so I stayed in the car...but Eric and Scott loved the full moon), watched Pitched Perfect, had the Shepherds over to visit and dip strawberries and pretzels in chocolate, birthday party for Scott, AND have FHE at nickel city with the Fieldings and Walkers! We are truly blessed to have so many awesome friends and I am so excited to finally feel like I have time to spend time with them and my wonderful talented funny SEXY handsome and witty husband!
Eric ordered the all you can eat...and had to down 6 rolls! Thanks to all our friends who helped him finish it!
First time having Sushi! Already craving more!

FHE at Nickel City! It was so good to see these guys! They're adorable!
So glad the Walkers joined us! It was a night full of laughs!

Sunday, January 27, 2013

A weekend in the sun!

Our school semester started out right by getting a 3-day weekend the second week of school! I don't think any of us were feeling burned out yet by homework, but we were all getting a little frozen from the current weather conditions of freezing Provo. For almost a year we had been planning a weekend trip to Vegas with the Burtons, but our conflicting schedules had never permitted. A few days into school, we decided to give it a go and kick-off the semester right! 

Our brother-in-law, Ryan, also was headed to Vegas for the weekend to do some job interviews and look at some dental practices. It was even more of a treat to see him since we hadn't seen him since Christmas of 2011 (that's what happens when you're in graduate school...so I'm preparing myself to push pause on my life for three whole years). 

Driving down to Vegas we all watched the temperature go from 0 to -7 and then up to the 50's. Every day was t-shirt weather and I even got a little tan! Saturday morning started out with a delicious breakfast and then a few hours of shooting. Eric (who still cannot use his right arm due to his shoulder surgery) gave his left armed shooting a go and discovered he was even better left handed! Who would have thought?



We took Amber and Sam down to the Strip to show them some of the neat stores, the water show, and of course, the Bellagio gardens. It was decorated for Chinese New-Years! We also stopped in the Coke-a-Cola store and the boys decided to try a coke tray with drinks from all over the world. The best part was watching their faces as they taste tested. The only one Amber and I were willing to try was the Inca-Cola from Peru. Now I can tell Garrett I've had it!

Sunday after church we stopped by the temple to walk around and show Sam (since he hadn't ever been there before). I was flooded with memories as I walked the grounds and couldn't believe it had been almost a year and a half since we were married there!

We also drove out to Red Rock to walk around and do a little hiking. We were all pretty tired...so we didn't do too much hiking...but we climbed a few rocks and enjoyed the beautiful views!

We all visited the Atomic Test-Site museum for the first time. It was actually really interesting and full of history! I learned a lot and was really glad we went.
Twinners?
Not the best picture of us, but behind us is a piece of the World Trade Center after 9/11.
Part of the Berlin Wall!
We spent our last night in Vegas splurging and went to see the newest Cirque Du Soleil show, Zarkana. It wasn't super awesome, especially compared to KA, but we still enjoyed it and were amazed at the talent and skills of the performers.

Thanks to the Burtons for joining us and making the weekend so much fun!

Thursday, January 24, 2013

Freezing Rain!

To all of you who graduated in December, you missed a fun-filled day of ice-skating and slipping all over BYU campus! Here is a collection of videos that I can't stop watching and laughing about...I don't think I'll ever get around to my homework tonight!


Freezing rain

Eat it

Ice skating

Sliding to class


Monday, January 7, 2013

And so it begins...

Yesterday I kissed my hubby goodbye and left him in Vegas as I headed back to Provo. I've never been on a road trip ALONE before...so I was pretty nervous. But I got here in one piece. After body slamming my frozen front door open, and 14 trips from the car with my arms full of STUFF, I finally shut the door and found myself, alone, in a 35 degree apartment. I put on a hat, gloves, coat, socks, and turned on the heater. My laptop was frozen to our coffee table, which made me laugh, and when I started doing laundry the soap was so frozen it wouldn't pour. I opened my fridge door to completely empty shelves and settled on a few left overs I'd brought home with me for dinner. Welcome back.

Today made my head hurt as I went from class to class, trying to figure out what classes I want to keep and what to drop. I FINALLY got my graduation extended! But I'm trying not to get too excited and am playing things out slow and smart. I'm doing all my classes left for my major except 2 and they both are offered in Summer...so if I did need to graduate and not extend an entire year, I'll be good to go. Depending on how things go for Eric after his graduation in April, I'll decide if I'm extending out for the entire year...which is of course what I want to do. But it's more important to me to follow my husband so we can stay close and not be living in two separate cities if he gets a good job.

After being on break for about two days I started going crazy not having things to study and homework to do! It's been really fun today to be back in school learning things and catching up with all my friends! Here's a few things I realized today:

1. School is sad without my husband. Even if we never see each other, it's knowing I'm going home to an empty house that makes me sad. I miss you Eric.
2. I missed dance more than I realized. And my friends. I'm also glad I worked out over the break.
3. Everyone is still sick and it's going all over Provo. Sickness please stay away from me!
4. I love how everyone at BYU is so friendly and you can just start up conversations walking anywhere with people you don't know. And it's not weird.
5. My new job is really fun and I'm so excited to do it!
6. I forgot how awful grocery shopping is on the first night of school.
7. The gym was jam-packed tonight. It's funny how it's packed the first night of school, and then by the end of the semester there is never anyone there. Except my husband. He never misses.
8. My hubby gets shoulder surgery in the morning. I wish I could be there for him.
9. Six hours of dance every day is going to do me good this semester. I'm never going to survive graduating and giving up dance for graduate school.
10. No letter from our missionary today. Talking to him on Christmas was the best. Every time a semester starts, I have to remind myself he won't be here to join me. I miss having my little brother at school with me!
11. Grocery shopping for myself is a WHOLE LOT cheaper then when I shop for us both.
12. This semester will probably be the easiest semester I've ever had. I have a lot of reasons for choosing a lighter load...all of which will lead to a more enjoyable semester and hopefully a less-stressed wife and friend. Time to focus on others, especially my hubby, and not so much on homework.
13. All this time I've been thinking we pay a LOT more then we should for our apartment, but after talking to a few friend today, we're getting a pretty good deal. Which is a good thing, because we love it, and might be here a lot longer than planned.
14. I always consider myself very independent, but after being away for a little more than 24 hours from my husband, I'm discovering I'm not. I sure miss him.



Tuesday, January 1, 2013

Goodbye 2012!



With the start of a new year I've been reflecting on everything I have done and accomplished in 2012 and of course, making my lists of goals for 2013. I'm amazed at everything I was able to do and see last year and am excited for all the adventures and new turns my life will take in the next 12 months. It's a little frightening not knowing when I'm graduating and what is in store for us after graduation...but it's also really exciting thinking about the new experiences we will under-go and the new friends we will make. It's time to work harder, laugh more often, enjoy every moment, and smile at whatever this new year brings my way. Here's to 2013!

Highlights of 2012:

Welcomed 2012 on our family cruise in Mexico!
Said goodbye to Grandma who left for her mission to Las Vegas!
Went to a Brad Paisley concert, which was my first concert ever!
Said goodbye to my best friend who left for her mission to Croatia!

Danced on the same team as my little brother and got to tour a month around Utah with him!

Ran over 13 miles a day all Spring, which is the longest distance I've ever ran!
Got to see my little brother go through the temple!
Spent the Summer in Europe! Visited over 9 countries, saw a lot, ate a lot, and did a lot of missionary work!
Went on our first camping trip as a married couple and got to hike all of the Moab arches for the  first time!

Went to our first BYU football game together!
Got my new PAC warm-ups!
Danced A LOT!
Got to be a bridesmaid for the first time!
Got a new niece and nephew!
Found a supplement that cleared up  6 of my 7 allergies!
Got a new job at BYU teaching fitness classes!
Spent Christmas break in Arizona with my family!
Got to skype my little brother in Peru on Christmas day!

BRING ON 2013!!!!!!!