A Beautiful Sight to Behold

Never has a modern appliance looked so beautiful to me. This is our new washer and dryer. After traveling to my parents to do laundry for over a month, we had had enough. We appreciated my parent's willingness to allow us to use their washer and dryer so we didn't have to pay to use a Laundromat, but it was pretty difficult to fit in time to get all our laundry done when we are both working full time. On Friday, by a wonderful tender mercy from the Lord we found a killer deal in an add. Saturday morning we were able to go to the store and look at them. They were beautiful and just about what we were looking for, and miraculously…something we could afford. So we are proud to announce 2 new additions to our family. Our lovely washer and dryer.

(We know we are missing a stand drawer. It was broken when they delivered it and are bringing us a new one some time this week.)

Hobbies? What hobbies?

Jeremy and I attended our new ward for the first time this last Sunday. It seems wonderful and we are excited for a new adventure and an opportunity to meet new people. My dilema is this:

As with most wards, they had us fill out an information page about ourselves. On the form it asked us to list our hobbies. Hobbies? Well, at the time we skipped to the rest of the paper and eventually just turned it in without filling in any hobbies.

So here is my question...what qualifies as a hobby? Something I attempt to try and enjoy, but am not successful at and give up in less than a month. Something I don't mind doing, but is definately not my first choice of activities. I honestly don't know. So let's look at the definition: an activity or interest pursued for pleasure or relaxation and not as a main occupation.

Okay, so let me think through my options. I don't really have any lame hobbies like stamp collecting. I used to collect socks, but I wouldn't say that was a hobby. I've recently had an interest in cross stitching, but after working on a cross stitch for a year now, can you really consider that a hobby. Cross stitching will probably end up like my lame pursuit at becoming a knitter or crocheter. I've always said reading, but that is a very generic quick "go to" hobby. I'm not saying I don't like to read, but honestly it has to be a really good book and I don't usually opt to read if I have other options. I liked to do theater in highschool, but I don't have the oppurtunity to do that any more. I like to cook, but I'm too lazy to do it most of the time and so not adventurous enough to do cool things.

To be completely honest with myself and everyone else I'd have to say that my hobbies are watching TV or movies, eating, and grocery shopping. But can I really put that on a get to know you form, do I want people just meeting me to get that picture of who I am.

Well, I think that is about it for internal revelation, but if anyone else thinks they know a hobby I might already have or enjoy feel free to post and let me know what it is. I'm finding that without school and working nights I have a lot more free time when Jeremy is not around. And sadly, I'll admit that I fill that time with TV, movies, and eating! Go me!!

A secret love for Sweatpants!

I love fall weather! It is my absolute favorite. I love jackets and wearing full length pants without dying of heat. I love cuddling up in my home with a blanket and my hairdryer getting warm. And most recently I love wearing my sweatpants!

So if you ever come by my place unannounced, or possibly even announced, be forewarned...this is very well what you may see. But I don't care, because I've found a secret love for sweatpants!

Our Crazy September

I'm not a good blogger, but here is my review of our completely crazy September.

The month began with lots and lots of work for me. I ended my training in August and began the month completely on my own as a nurse for the first time. I've learned that school didn't really teach me much of what I needed to know. A lot of my job is common sense, personal judgement, and learning to work well with other people, but I love it. It is so rewarding, and even though I get off quite late some nights, it is wonderful and I don't begrudge going to work. The month did begin though with a streak of 6 days in a row, which was challenging, made more challenging by the fact that we bought a new car during those 6 days.

We knew when we left school that one of our first large purchases was going to have to be a car. Well, we didn't even make it as long as we were hoping because our other car became unreliable to get Jeremy long distances for work. So we are happy to announce we bought a 2007 white Toyota Corolla from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. The church sells their used mission cars when they get near 50,000 miles. We are happy to say that we love our car. It works wonderfully for us and has turned out to be an even better car than we thought at first. Let's just say that it was a pleasant surprise when we found out our car had a 6 CD changer instead of just one.

Buying the car was pretty rushed due to the fact that we were going to Blanding the following Sunday and knew our car would not get us there. We were going to Blanding for Jeremy to work. It was a nice break from work, but getting the flu early in the morning on the day we were supposed to come home was not really how I wanted to spend my break off of work. So we stayed an extra day. I spent the next weekend working and preparing to leave for Vegas on Wednesday.

Wednesday was Jeremy's 27th birthday. Happy Birthday Honey!! We spent the morning rushing to the airport to go to Vegas for Jeremy's work conference. We spent Jeremy's birthday in dirty, slutty Vegas. We walked down the strip on the day we arrived and emotionally and physically it was a very difficult simple task. I do have to give a huge I LOVE YOU to my wonderful husband who walked around all of Vegas without focusing his eyes on anything. Anyways, it was a nice break for me, but we will probably not option to go to Vegas (the strip) out of our own free will.

We returned from Vegas on Friday and moved to our new apartment on Saturday. We were totally not ready to move and we are lucky that we were even able to do it. (Thank you Jeremy for not losing your cool and fixing all of my mistakes.) So we are nowing living in Clearfield in an apartment that is 1350 square feet. We have 3 bedrooms 2 bathrooms, a kitchen with a dishwasher, disposal, and counterspace, and just simply room to move. It was a rush move since I also worked that evening. It has taken us a while to just make our apartment livable since I work full time at nights and Jeremy is always busy. Now none of this has been made easier by the fact that my left shoulder has been hurting me all month. It began as a slight ache while at work, it has now progressed to a debilitating pain that has prevented me from sleeping on my left side for the last several weeks (and that is very difficult when I usually sleep on my left side), needless to say I have not slept well for the past month. Enough about my woes.

Well, that about covers the high points (and low points) of our September. Hopefully now that we have internet at our new apartment I'll do better about posting.

Progress

I know I haven't posted in a while, but does the fact that I meant to give me any extra points? Anyways, I'm happy to announce that Jeremy and I are making progress! It seems like it has taken a long time, but I finally have a job. I just finished my orientation at Thatcherbrook Rehabilitation in Clearfield. It is a short term rehab facility that focuses on patients that need physical therapy to gain back strength. There are a lot of hip and knee repairs, but also people with simple weakness or falls. Today is my first day on my own and I'm nervous, pray that everything goes well for me. I knew while I was in nursing school that they couldn't teach me everything, but I'm now I'm in a situation that I need to know everything...and I don't. I'm learning a lot everyday though, and I know in time I will be an excellent nurse.
I must admit though, it is very surreal though to have a career. It is a weird thought that this is what I have chosen to do for the rest of my life. It hasn't quite hit yet that I never have to go back to school, but it is nice that my free time is just free time.
Well, I think that is about all I have to say for now, I feel like this post was very disorganized and for that I'm sorry, but at least I posted.

Reunion Pictures

I had a family reunion over the 24th of July. It was amazing, but I just can't put my thoughts into good words, so here are just pictures that I'm going to give brief summaries on. I hope you enjoy. Sorry there are a lot, but they all make me happy and I want this post to display my happiness.

Jeremy at our family talent show/meeting. We gave our camera to my cousin to take pictures and he got this one. Jeremy honestly can't remember doing this, but I love this picture.

Logan after he had pulled out his feeding tube. He looks like a normal baby, but not 5 months old.

My sister, Camille, who has been staying with my brother all summer caring for his kids. So Emma, who is also in the picture would always go with her and do what she said.

Me holding one of the twins. I honestly can't tell you who it is I'm holding.

Emmelie and Colton my cousins with one of the twins. I thought it was so cute how no one could get enough of the twins. Even Colton couldn't keep himself from just holding the babies hand.

My cousin Dallin. He entered the MTC the next Wednesday. He made sure to get his fill of baby before he left.

Colton holding a baby (maybe Hunter cause his eyes are wider).

Jeremy and my cousin Kennedy. They like to tease each other a lot so I told them they had to look like they loved each other.

My niece and nephew, Emma and Ethan. They could not get enough of my aunts hammock. Ethan especially would kick and scream when you made him go inside.

My cousins Colton and Kennedy with my niece Laura. They just loved playing with her and trying to get her to smile.

My cousin Dallin was so enthralled with how small the babies hands were.

Emma is cute even when she is sleeping. Her adorable dress was made by Julia's mom. She is an amazing seamstress and where Julia learned all her skills.

Since all of our family was here we kept trying to get a family picture. This was one of our attempts. I can't believe we are a family of 16 now.

My parents with my mom's mom and her 5 great grandchildren.

Ethan and Emma loved the hammock so much they were willing to be squished in with me.

I just think this picture is so cute. Emma is such a good helper to take the dirty diapers and put them away. She just didn't know where to take it.

Emma was so tired she just laid down on the bottom stair.

We went to nickelcade while everyone was here and I won big on the Deal or No Deal game. I narrowed the cases down to 2 and only had the 500pt or 1000pt cases left. So I sold them for 750pts, which was a bummer because I had the 1000pt case. But I was still excited.

My parents getting ready to play Dance Dance Revolution.

Hunter and Logan (Hunter in the blue car seat) were mesmerized watching the screen of the Dance Dance Revolution game.

Emma is constantly making funny faces. I loved looking at her and she'd make a funny face, then I'd copy it, then we would repeat. She loved this Merry-Go-Round.

Ethan on the Merry-Go-Round.

Mindy, Jay's wife, on the left and my sister Sheila on the right. They were very intent on their Guitar Hero game.

Emma wanted a ride on the motorcycle.

That night we were able to go to get ice cream and Emma really enjoyed hers, but I think more ended up on her clothes, the table, and the floor than in her mouth.

I love Ethan and Emma so much, that getting mauled on the floor is enjoyable.

Jeremy is so good with Ethan and Emma and they just love him.

He even keeps smiling while getting poked in the eye.

I was so excited by the end of the week Emma new my name and could pick me out of a crowd. She would also come to me willingly, which is big because she is pretty shy.

I was so sad to see my family leave. We hope that we will be able to see you all again soon. But it was wonderful to spend time with you while you were here.

4 Years and Still Loving Every Minute

It excites me to inform you all that yesterday was mine and Jeremy's 4^th Wedding Anniversary. It is a strange feeling to know that I have been married for 4 years now. On one side, it feels like we have been together forever. However, on the other side, it feels like yesterday that I got married. Anyways, regardless of how it feels, the important thing is that I'm still very much in love with Jeremy. To those of you who had doubts about me getting married at age 19…never fear, I'm happier now than I was when I got married.

Our Anniversary celebration this year was not very big. Due to decreased funds and the fact that Jeremy had work to do, we were forced to keep things simple. The important thing though is that Jeremy and I were able to spend time together. That morning Jeremy made me breakfast, which was delicious. After 4 years of marriage Jeremy knows exactly how I like my breakfast; extra crispy hash browns, scrambled eggs, extra crispy bacon, and orange juice. Thank you so much Jeremy, it was wonderful.

Thanks to my parents, we were also able to go see Harry Potter and The Half Blood Prince. We'd been wanting to see it since it came out, but we have reached a point where spending money really isn't an option. So thank you mom and dad for allowing us to go to the movie. It was a good movie, but now I don't want to wait for the next movie to come out.

For dinner, we were able to go to Olive Garden thanks to a gift card we received for graduation. I've been wanting to go ever since I saw the ad for their new Crostada meals. So this was the first time I've ever gone to a restaurant where I knew what I was getting before sitting there for 5 minutes looking at the menu. Anyways, it was delicious and we were seated exactly in the corner, which was ideal.
Well, after completely gorging ourselves on more food and more calories than we have had in a while we decided a walk was in order to end out the night. It was a wonderful day.

In closing, I love you Jeremy. I'm so happy that we get to share our lives together. The last 4 years have been the best of my life and I'm looking forward to forever.