what a way to end...

Yes, I know it's been quite a few days since I've blogged (understatement of the year). Since my last post, Thanksgiving has come and gone, Denver and I have sold our apartment contract, got the news of Denver's internship, (happy day!!!) found an apartment in VA, put in our last days at work, finished all our classes, and bought a pony. (just kidding about that last one) Been busy? Oh yes. Right now, I'm taking a break from studying for finals. Let me tell you, I HATE studying for tests. I've always been so stressed about tests, and this week has about done me in. I can't tell you how many definitions I've read over and over, how many hairs I've pulled out of my head, or how many dishes I FINALLY put away in the dishwasher. But, the end is near and I'm taking my last two finals tomorrow and Friday. And then, I will be able to breathe. PSYCHE!

I sure wish I'll be able to breathe on Friday, yet our packing adventure will begin. Oh joy. Although I'm dead tired while typing this, I am very happy. Because this semester has been one filled with so much knowledge and learning, that I am happy to be alive and have a brain inside of my head. I love learning, and this is why I love school. Just not right now :)

Anyway, once this week passes, I'll be able to breathe and look forward to Christmas!!! And Denver's and I new adventure into the unknown. Once again. All for the best though, I know.

Count your many blessings

So I realize this post is long overdue! Denver and I have been pretty busy this last month, and will continue to be for the rest of the semester. Happily, we got pretty good midterm grades which means we're doing something right! I know I promised forever ago pictures of our new apartment. Those will be coming soon. For now, I love the fall weather and all the decorations that are all around us. Here's just a quick glimpse of the thanksgiving fever in my apartment.

These blocks were a present from my mom. I sure love them! Thanks mom! :) So is the picture pillow. Every month there is a new quilt picture to put on the pillow, and they make me smile every time I put them up. The vase I filled with these plastic jelly-like acorns and stuff, another gift from my mom. I added the bow myself! I felt pretty domestic.

Well, Thanksgiving is such a wonderful time of year. We have the opportunity to express how grateful we are for all the blessings in our life. Of course, it should always be happening, but how wonderful to have a day that honors it. We should never forget to thank the Lord for all we have, because we owe Him everything because He gave us everything.

Well, that's all for now. I have to study for a test :( Promise my next post won't be in another two months. :)

Wake Me Up When September Ends

This is one of my favorite songs by Green Day. I just love it! I also love the title-it totally sums up how I feel about classes starting again and getting back in the routine :)

This fall semester I am taking 3 English classes, a humanities class (because it's my minor) 1 religion D&C class, and a racquetball class. I am loving all my classes so far, and Denver and I are taking the D&C class and racquetball together. It's a lot of fun to have him in my classes. Except attempting to play racquetball in front of him. Then he makes fun of me. But other than that it's a joy. :)

I was able to attend Time Out For Women a couple of weekends ago with my mom, aunt, and my aunt's sister and mother. It was in Logan, so I didn't have to drive too far. It was a great experience, and I am so blessed I was able to attend. I loved being able to hear talks by Sheri Dew and Brad Wilcox to name a few. I am also in love with my new favorite LDS singer, Dallin Vail Bayles. (Don't tell Denver! :)) I also loved spending time with my mom. I sure love her and can't thank her enough for all she does for me.

Well, anyway, that's enough about me for now. Gotta go to class.

Satan in today's world

So I was reading my sister in law, Shannon's blog earlier and read about the shooting of a Mormon Bishop in Visalia, CA. So of course, I read about it on the internet and cried the entire time. It made me sick to think that someone actually just walked into the church building and shot an innocent person, with no motive (at least that's how it seems.) My heart and prayers definitely go to that Bishop's family. I marvel at what this world has come to. I only pray that we can have the strength and courage to face whatever comes our way during our lives here on earth. Moments and tragedies like this remind us of how short life is, and how we need to cherish the moments we have.

Our One Year Anniversary!

August 14th. Kind of strange to think that this is the day of our anniversary now and for the rest of our lives. So Denver and I have been married for one year, and so far, it has been wonderful. I have learned a lot (maybe that is an understatement!) about Denver this past year, and vice versa, he with me. We have had to learn to coexist peacefully with each other. We have been doing a pretty good job. No one ever tells you how hard marriage is going to be. Time and time again I wish there could be a handbook on how to deal with every situation that comes our way. But then again, we would never really learn anything now would we? On the other hand, I also never knew it was possible to love someone as much as I love Denver. Not the cheesy love you normally see in movies, but the real deep love and respect that comes from two people. And every moment Denver smiles at me, or hugs me, (or even kisses me :)) I just know my world is all right. And that we can really overcome any obstacle or trial we may face. I am so lucky to have him as my husband and partner. I love you Denver!

4th of July!

So I am horrible at remembering to document important events in Denver's and mine life. So there are really not many pictures of my birthday or anything. Oh well. Denver and I celebrated my birthday on Wednesday, because he had to work Thursday night. So we celebrated dinner at Olive Garden. For my birthday I didn't do much, just went to a Patriotic/Pioneer concert thing up at school for my F.A 100 class. But thank you to everyone who remembered my birthday and sent me birthday love! :)

This morning there was a parade in town, so Denver and I went with our friends Emilie and Jordan. It was pretty neat. Then we had a late breakfast at J.B's. It was delicious! We had decided to ride our bikes to the parade instead of driving. The best decision we ever made!

Well only 3 more weeks of school left! Boy, am I ready for the semester to end. I can't wait to go to Las Vegas this summer with my family, then to California. It will be a nice well deserved break. :)

I promise my next blog will display pictures of our new place, I just have to keep the place clean long enough to remember! :)

Family Ties

This weekend Denver and I got to fly to Nebraska to see my brother, Brady graduate. I was super excited to go home and see my family. Denver and I were able to attend Brady's graduation party, go to the actual graduation, and go out to dinner afterward. I didn't get any pictures because my camera was dead when we got there. (Funny how the important things never get documented) But everyone had a great time and I got my small dose of wonderful Nebraska weather humidity and all. I loved it.

Note: Brady is going to be attending BYU in the fall. I forgot the title of his major, but he is going to medical school. I am so unbelievably proud of him.

As I've been married I'm beginning to realize how different it is from being single. Meaning I don't get to see my family much, and sometimes I get pretty sad about it. But I realize that before long, Denver and I will settle into a routine. And we will be able to spend time with both families, and it will get easier. And I've realized how much I love Denver! :D And how much Denver loves me. And I guess I couldn't really ask for anything more!

The Roaring Twenties

I've been doing lots of thinking lately. Thinking how most of your maturity comes when you're in your twenties. I look at my life and know I haven't done anything way spectacular yet. But I've come to realize how much life really does consist of learning and growing each day. I'm also beginning to learn the importance of self, self-worth, the power of women. I've been reading in Sherri Dew's book, "No Doubt" and have been slowly gaining more self-confidence as my role as a wife and eventually mother. There is a huge difference between women in the world, and not of the world. Twenties are definitely the time to figure out who you want to strive to become. I have this poem by Dr. Suess, and it pretty much sums up with what I'm striving to do each day.

You
"Today you are you. That is truer than true. There is no one alive that is You'er than you. Shout aloud, "I am glad to be what I am, thank goodness I'm not a ham or a clam or a dusty old bottle of gooseberry jam! I am what I am. What a great thing to be. If I say so myself, "Happy everyday to me!"

Good old Dr. Suess.

just look at me now

So I decided to post a picture of me in my work uniform. If you would have asked me five years ago if I would have considered working fast food, I would have answered, "NO WAY!" I'm thinking I've been humbled some since then. Besides, I look too cute to not like my job. And today was the first day I felt confident in what I was doing, so whoo-hoo! Guess I'll keep my job :)

uniforms and french fries

Here's a little update on the lives of two college students. End of the term homework and finals to finish up. Next week is the last week of the semester. I'm sure happy to move on to a new semester, and be rid of the horrible winter weather here. I am craving sunshine and warmness!

If this isn't a little help from up above, I don't know what is. Denver and I both got called with job offers the same day about a week ago. Denver got to return to his old job, and I am now blessed with the job of a fast food worker. Denver is settling quite well into his work schedule, and I'm doing OK. So far, this week has been my first week on the job. My days are short so far, I'm just getting trained. I'm now seeing firsthand, the behind the scenes at working at a fast food restaurant. Can't say I love it, can't say I hate it. It will be a huge adjustment. It's a little hard being the only new employee, not everyone is the friendliest, but I am blessed with a patient manager who praised me highly for making my first ice cream cone. (And didn't laugh at me when I didn't hold down the lid while making a shake, which then proceeded to explode all over me). So as we can see, I have a long way to go. It is a little intimidating with all I have to learn (and remember!) but this morning I was reading in Mosiah 23:28 and it basically said to "hush your fears." I'm thinking that is my new motto for a while.

Well, this next semester will be a busy one. With both Denver and I taking classes and working, it will be a new experience. But life is full of new experiences, they never leave you.

100 Things you Didn't Know About Me

So I stole this from one of Shannon's blogs, (thanks for the idea Shannon!) and I liked it so much I've decided to give it a go. And plus, there's probably a lot of stuff people don't know about me, so this is a way you can get to know me. Here goes!

100. I am deathly afraid of balloons popping.
99. My favorite cereal is Lucky Charms, especially when I save the marshmellows until the very end.
98. I hate listening to the radio.
97. I love old school music from the 60's, 70's, and especially 80's.
96. I hate rap music with a passion. I just don't understand the point of it.
95. I absolutely adore sunshine and warm weather.
94. I picked the wrong place to go to school for that :D
93. I once had maroon highlights in my hair and quite liked it like that.
92. I passed out at homecoming and had to go to the hospital.
91. I was member of a dance team for about four years.
90. The only pets I've ever had have been turtles and a betta fish.
89. I want to travel Europe one day.
88. I have a passion for English Literature.
87. My major is English, with an emphasis in creative writing.
86. I enjoyed growing up in my hometown.
85. My favorite place in the whole world is Magna, Utah.
84. I love going to parks, national and just regular ones. I love to swing!
83. I have always had friend-like relationships with my teachers.
82. Most of my friends are adults. I like it that way.
81. I once broke my collarbone playing Red Rover.
80. I adore movies from the 80's, such as Footloose, Dirty Dancing, Maid to Order, Manniquen, The Goonies.
79. I am scared of snakes and bees.
78. I've been stung by bees twice, and a wasp once.
77. I've always wanted to work with the elderly.
76. I have a dad who was always willing to go to Victoria's Secret with me. What a sport.
75. As a kid, I participated in many activities, such as track and field, ballet, tap, jazz, clogging, gymnastics, soccer, volleyball. I settled for dance, but I can still kick butt in volleyball.
74. I hate competition.
73. I don't care for driving.
72. I always wanted to be an astronaut.
71. I love space. It's so fascinating.
70. I once blew up a glass pan on a stove in college.
69. I have a slight shoe and purse fettish. :D
68. I love John Frieda shampoo, it smells so good.
67. I have been to most of the U.S. such as OR, CA, WY, ID, UT, MO, NE, MT, CO, CT, DE, DC, FL, IL, IN, IA, KS, MI, MN, MD, NV, OK, PA, RI, SD, TX, VA, WI, HI. (mom, if I've missed any let me know :D)
66. I have also been to Canada(forgot where) and the Bahamas.
65. I once had a job as the annoying person who calls you and asks you to take a survey.
64. In 6th grade we got to go to camp for 2 days. I was the only one who got to use the zip line because I was the tiniest.
63. I text a lot. I always had to pay my parents back for going over my texts.
62. I worked at a grocery store back home for 4 years.
61. I almost always have my toenails painted.
60. I almost never have my fingernails painted.
59. I usually only wear modest earrings, maybe a necklace, and my wedding bands for jewelry.
58. I have played the piano since I was 5.
57. I have been skiing once with my brother and dad.
56. I have been snowboarding once with my husband.
55. Sometimes it's unreal to me that I'm married.
54. Hospitals make me sweat.
53. I HATE the dentist, my teeth were so bad as a kid I was always having work done.
52. I have a large movie collection of chick flicks.
51. I am a movie trivia whiz.
50. Math was my worst subject in school.
49. My mom is my best friend.
48. I am adopted.
47. I hate racial jokes and always put a stop to them when I hear them.
46. I am afraid of tornadoes.
45. The only thing I have ever won was Media Mystery Winner in the fourth grade and won a book. That was the greatest prize of all.
44. I love to read.
43. I once asked my 5th grade teacher what the deal was about holding up your middle finger. He said to ask my parents.
42. I had a 6th grade teachers who every Friday wore red shoes and performed headstands on the table. He was my favorite.
41. My favorite thing to do at recess in elementary school was to play soccer.
40. I thought my neighborhood was the safest place on earth. Still do.
39. I love horses.
38. I once broke up with a guy before Valentine's Day. He left dead roses on my driveway.
37. I always enjoy watching Last of the Mochians because of Daniel Day Lewis.
36. I fainted at a haunted house up at school.
35. I wish I could have lived in the 80's.
34. I once tripped and fell on my face in front of many of my friends.
33. I love musicals and classic movies.
32. I loved being outside as a kid. Now I love my air conditoned apartment more.
31. Bubble baths always de-stress me.
30. Whenever I'm alone in my car I crank up the Backstreet Boys.
29. I still like the 90's boybands, such as Backstreet Boys, N'SYNC, and 98 Degrees.
28. My favorite Disney movie is Beauty and the Beast.
27. I have been to many national momuments.
26. I always have to have a candle burning in my apartment.
25. I played on a floor hockey team in college and will never do it again.
24. My minor is history. I have always enjoyed history.
23. I think my brother is one of the most amazing people I have ever known.
22. My first car was a 1997 Toyota Camry. I loved that car.
21. I think patriotism is extremely important and is dying in America.
20. My mom and my favorite treat is cinnamon crunch bagels with hazelnut cream cheese from Panera Bread.
19. My favorite type of food is Italian.
18. I am not a huge fan of pork.
17. I never knew what was happening during high school football games.
16. I am afraid of teenagers today, don't ask why.
15. My favorite candy bar is Snickers.
14. I wish I wasn't so addicted to Facebook.
13. I can't wait until I can have a puppy.
12. I HATE when people bring cell phones to church and text. It is so disrespectful.
11. I love Steven Spielburg and Tim Burton movies.
10. I always thought I was more mature than my peers in school.
9. Don't know how many kids I want yet.
8. My least favorite season is winter.
7. I like to blend in, not stand out.
6. I may be a chocoholic.
5. My favorite dessert is cheesecake.
4. I love to sing, but don't think I'm very good at it.
3. I love Christmas.
2. I can never kill spiders by myself.
1. I am reserved until you really get to know me.

mommy and me

Yesterday my mom and my aunt Robin came up to school to visit me. It was a wonderful visit, complete with food, crafts, and pedicures. Monday was a day trying to find the perfect curtains to go in our apartment. I've decided I'm never shopping for curtains again. We have to wait for them to be delivered. I hope I like them on my walls. We went to Applebee's for dinner, and it was really good. Until about 11:30 I threw everything up. I plan on complaining to Applebee's.

Today we got pedicures and Aunt Robin got a manicure. It was very relaxing, there's nothing I love better than having my feet rubbed. We also went to Porters, (a craft store up here) and made bracelet watches. Because crafts are not my thing, I was extremely proud of my watch and how it turned out. I also got a surprise call today from Teresa :D my day just couldn't get any better.

Overall, it was great seeing my mom. I sure do miss her. And my Aunt Robin is just as crazy as ever, so the past two days were filled with much laughter and jokes. It was much needed.

tttm...things that thrill me

So I was just laying in bed last night thinking, which is something that I do almost every night, and instead of rehashing the things that usually annoy me, I concentrated on thinking of things that thrill me. After having a couple of minutes of this, I came up with ten things I really enjoy, things that thrill me. So here we go.
1. DENVER. Of course this is a no brainer one, right? But I really got done to it, and I realized how much I love this guy. When he smiles or really laughs, and I mean really laughs, my heart just flutters with happiness. And when he does little things for me, such as spontaneously making the bed, or accomplishing the amazing feat of putting a dish in the dishwasher, I just have to hug him and tell him I love him.
2. FAMILY. This one might also seem like a no brainer, but in all actuality, I just love family. Especially when I hear of my brother's accomplishments. That kid is golden, and I couldn't be more proud of him, and every day I wish him to succeed.
3. LITERATURE. I absolutely love literature. Good books thrill me beyond belief. I love how Shakespeare, Jane Austen, and many others carefully craft their words for me to enjoy. And getting lost in a good book is just heaven.
4. THE GOSPEL. I love this gospel. I love expanding my knowledge on things I thought I knew really well and sharing them with Denver.
5. GOOD MOVIES. Clean movies with a good message are an unbeatable duo. So many movies are just filled with filth, and it's relieving to know I choose not to destroy myself with them.
6. GOOD FRIENDS. Have to admit, I don't have many of these yet. Really close friends that I trust are a rare commodity, so the ones I do have I cherish and hold close to my heart.
7. SUMMER. There is something about summer that has a hint of romance in it, right? And of course the great weather, sunshine, and being outside is something I truly enjoy.
8. MY PILLOW. Don't ask me why, but there is something truly satisfying about laying in bed and having a soft pillow beneath your cheek.
9. GOD'S CREATIONS. When I really take the time to notice the splendor of this earth, I am beyond grateful for the chance to be a part of it. It never fails to amaze me how many things supply beauty.
10. A BABY'S SMILE. No, I do not have babies coming anytime soon, and I'm the first one to admit I'm not a huge baby person, but there is something in a baby's smile that just tugs at my heart and makes me smile. Someday I'll be able to experience that everyday.

So, just a couple of things I thought I'd share. I've come to realize thinking about things that I'm grateful for, or things that truly thrill me, all annoyance vanishes and happiness slowly creeps in. It's a good feeling. :D

update on life

This week marks week #6 of being back up at school. Time sure flies by. Lots of time spent with Denver, running errands, and attending classes. Since I'm off track of school right now, I can only take night classes. So, this semester I'm taking an advanced writing/technical communication class, and an Old Testament class. It's pretty exciting, diving into the Old Testament this year, both in church and in my class. I never was really good about reading it, and this semester I'm reading stories I never knew existed. My writing class is going well, this week we're starting a major research paper.

Since Denver and I still don't have jobs, I will have lots of time to visit the library and complete that sucker. Since I don't have a job, my days consist of cleaning the apartment over and over. I also do homework, I make it stretch out so I have things to do during the day. I also have a Dallas Cowboy's Cheerleader Workout DVD which I love working out to. Hopefully I will see some results in the upcoming weeks.

Today is devotional day and Elder Russell M. Nelson is speaking. I am quite excited about it. Tickets sell out immediately so Denver and I can't sit together. But, I figure I'm hearing an apostle of the Lord speak, so Denver and I will survive forty minutes apart.

Denver and I met a couple in the ward, (can you say finally) that we like a lot. We've been invited to Sunday dinner with them. I am excited to have found somebody to talk to. You know you're alone a lot when you start talking to the characters in the movies you watch. Or to yourself. I am guilty of doing both of these things a lot. :D

Well, I think that's about it for now. Not much to report on, but I figure an update was much needed. Until next time!

Our First Place!

Here's some peeks at what our apt looks like! It's not very big, but it suits Denver and I just fine. We hope to build fond memories here! Our favorite place is on the couch watching movies. Just until we both find jobs of course :D