Merry Christmas

It was a Christmas full of emotions. Let me just say, I sure can't wait to be off this birth control.

Snow Day!!!

15" around 8:30am and still snowing...

17" at 10:00am and still snowing!!

On another note, we decorated the phone room! Yay!

Of Course...

Of course I would have everything ready to take to work for once in my life and not forget anything...and I come to work wearing black pants and white socks! Lovely!

I Love the Christmas Season!

I've been putting off posting because I haven't uploaded the pictures from my camera yet onto my computer! Besides, I also only post at work any more. It just seems so out of the way to post at home when I could be reading! I have been reading this great series lately. It is called the Prydain Chronicles by Lloyd Alexander. Even though Springville Library would classify this series as Junior Fiction and put them next to book such as Animorphs, I am loving reading this series! It is about Taran Assitant Pig-Keeper who makes lots of friends and goes on many adventures! Lloyd Alexander is such a great story-teller. Now, I know this "review" wasn't as good as the reviews my dear friend B gives on books, but at least I thought I'd say that I really like these books and you should really read them!!

The Prydain Chronicles consist of:
The Book of Three
The Black Cauldron (which was actually made into an animated film by Disney a while ago)
The Castle of Llyr
Taran Wanderer
The High King

So these pictures that I've been waiting to put up...well, they're about our Christmas!! They will be of our cute tree, and our cute house (which I have now managed to organize and make it feel "homey" more than I ever could before) and I have so many ideas to decorate and make our home feel more like home (there aren't pictures of my new decorations because I don't have the decorations yet!), and on Wednesday we went to the Mayan and the Forgotten Carols which I need to tell you about!! Perhaps, though, that can wait until I can put up the rest of my pictures. Don't want to be spoiling anything now, do I?

On other matters, I really need to go shopping. I can't believe there's 2 weeks left til Christmas, and I haven't gotten ANY shopping done yet! That's probably because I work 8-5 every day in a cubicle and every time I get off work it's already dark outside and I don't want to leave the house because when it's dark, it's curl-up-on-the-couch-next-to-the-tree-and-read time! And then when Saturday comes around, I want to sleep in, so I let Scott take the car and then when I finally do get ready for the day to go out shopping, I don't have a car! Plus, it's just not as fun shopping without my sisters!

I feel really unorganized right now because I have about 5 different Christmas lists for people I need to go shopping for. I need to consolidate it down onto one piece of paper, and then I need to put that in my planner. My bag is a disaster right now, haha. Everything that can be anything has just been shoved into it, and all my loose papers are wrinkled. And let's not talk about my house! Everyday on my To-Do List I write: Clean House, Do Dishes. Do I clean the house? Do I do dishes? Not really. I am ashamed. For the next little while, don't come over to my house unannounced. You will cry at its messiness.

Ok, that wasn't really true. But I have been a little lazy in cleaning up my house lately. Especially the bedroom. Oh, and let's not forget that pile of clean laundry lying on the floor next to the dryer that's been picked through for the last 3 days now.

But on the up side...I get free lunch at work! It's true. Every day, lunch is catered to us. It's actually quite fantastic, although I really shouldn't be saying anything good about it because it has probably greatly contributed to my slight weight gain since I started working here. But the food is just so yummy! Places that we order from are Zupas, Kneaders, Cafe Rio, Boston Deli, Honeybaked, and Jimmy John's, just to name a few :). I believe Boston Deli would have to be my favorite. Everything they make is fresh. Yummy!

On another up-side...I've probably cut out about a hundred snowflakes here at work. Our room is going to look fantastic!

I'll post pictures later. Love you all. For now, enjoy what you read and I hope it is good reading for you on my lovely and fun-filled life. I don't know how much my friends or family really do read my blog, but it helps pass the time at work, so I post anyway. Thanks a bunch - "post" to ya later!

P.S. Smile a lot. It really makes a huge difference!

Now that we can get Blogger again at work, suddenly I have had a desire to start blogging a lot more. Obviously you can tell by how many posts I have already made just in the last week. But it's fun, it helps pass the time. I hope they're not too boring to you. I don't really blog to keep a journal like some people do, I only blog to tell people what's going on in my life, which I guess could be considered a journal. I don't know why I just said that, but I guess maybe that explains why my blogs are so boring. I guess I need to do more exciting things with my life, or try to look for the exciting things in my every day and record them here.

Well, for today's blog post, I would like to compare our homes to a computer.

Our homes are like unto a computer. When a computer is not fully or adequately protected, viruses can sneak in and steal your identity or destroy your hard drive. The same goes for our homes. When our homes are not fully protected with the Spirit, Satan, like viruses, can come into our homes and destory our "spiritual hard drives." On a computer, we may opt to go for the cheaper anti-virus software simply because it is less money and just easier (Am I speaking from experience? Yes, yes I am). Cheaper software does not keep out all the bad viruses, especially if we go looking for them. Once again, like in our homes, we cannot go for the cheaper option just because it is easier. If we decide to skip out on our prayers or our scripture reading just because it is easier to fall asleep or get ready for work/school, then we may be allowing "spiritual viruses" to slowly but surely come into our homes. Let us protect our families and homes by spending the time, watching and praying always, that we may come off conquerors and keep our homes and lives virus free.

Boo-yeah!

Tis the Season...

...to spend way more money on our Christmas decorations than we were meaning to because it's our first Christmas married/favorite holiday.

...to kick myself into gear and finish all my online assignments/tests by this week and just be done with it for the semester.

...to register for class(es) next semseter.

...to even decide which school I want to go to next semester.

...to talk to an advisor about which school I should go to next semester.

...to get my husband going to school next semester.

...and to stress and worry because it's already December. Why do I wait so long for this? I sure wish I had some sort of plan made so I'm not left stressing 2 weeks before the deadline...

...to keep working out and watch what I eat. This birth control will NOT get the best of me!

...to be social again. For real.

Adventure of the Day!

Here's for my Adventure of the Day!

So, Scott and I have this system, and it's worked out really well for us so far...until yesterday. We have one key for the car, so we keep it on a clip and switch it from each other's key chains. We have also decided that Scott should keep his keys on him no matter what because it has his oil on it. You can never be too prepared.

Now, our morning schedules go like this: I take Scott to work at 700am, I come back home, eat breakfast and finish getting ready, and leave for work at 730am. Everyday, that's how it goes. I almost always take my keys with me because, hello, I can't just leave the house unlocked.

Well, yesterday morning, for some reason, was different because first of all, I decided to just grab the car key off of Scott's keys and not take my house key. I went out and started the car, and Scott came out after me and we left. Just my luck, I got back from dropping him off to find out he had locked the door behind him and I didn't have my house key. Hurridly I got back into the car and drove back to Walmart, went to find Scott, and asked him for his keys only to find out he didn't grab them off the hook this morning! Both of our keys were locked in the house!!

So I ran back home, I paced and paced, I didn't know what to do. Normally I climb through the window, but the ladder behind our house was gone, so I couldn't do that. Besides, I was wearing my flats and it had just happened to snow that morning! And our landlord had already left to work. Well, I decided to finally just tough it out and figure out a way up into our window. My feet were soaking wet, but I struggled through that window and got wet, muddy footprints all over my kitchen table. Lovely! But I made it! And I was very late to work. The end. What an exciting story! Moral of the story? Don't lock both your keys in the house when you need to go to work. Watch out for your keys. Don't lose them. Leave a spare key. Do something! And make sure strangers can't crawl through your window either. Thanks! What an exciting day...

Thankful

I have so much to be thankful for.

I'm thankful for...

- My wonderful husband, who sticks by my side no matter what mood I'm in, and cleans the house for me when I have too much homework, and holds me close when I am down. I am so grateful to be sealed to him for all time and eternity. I am so grateful for his friendship. I am so glad I married my best friend in the whole world. I can't imagine life without him, and that's why I get to have him for eternity!

- The rest of my family. I am thankful for sisters, who, when we are together, can just talk and talk and talk. I am thankful for my mom, who I can share anything with, and laugh about anything with. My mom and sisters are so beautiful. I am grateful for my dad, and how willing to help he is. I love how he doesn't let things get him down. Keep pushing on with that restaurant, dad, I know you can do it!

- How can I forget my other family now? I am so thankful for a great mother-in-law who does better than she thinks she does. She is so full of love and wisdom - I find every word she says so valuable. I am thankful for a father-in-law that is willing to talk about anything...and I mean anything. I am thankful for wonderful sister-in-laws and funny brother-in-laws. I am especially grateful for their friendship and accepting me into their family. And I just love their darling children!

- I am grateful for our jobs. Even though some parts of our jobs (*cough* Walmart *cough*) may not seem ideal, I am very grateful for a steady schedule and a steady income. We have both been blessed immensely, and I hope to be able to show the Lord how grateful I am for the jobs He has given us by using our money wisely and doing our best at our jobs.

- I am so thankful for our home. I love our little house, and we are only moving when we have 3 kids and absolutely cannot fit anymore people in. I have made so many memories in this house with my husband, and I am so grateful to Stephen for helping us find such a wonderful place for Scott and I to begin our marriage/family together in.

- I am thankful for our possessions. That sounds a little greedy, but I really am grateful for the things we have. I am grateful for pots and pans to allow me to cook. I am grateful for utensils. I am grateful for our TV, and how happy it makes Scott, haha. I am especially grateful for our bed, and how warm it keeps us and night and allows us to get a good night's rest and wake up for the next day of work. I am ever grateful for my laptop, and how it has allowed us to stay connected with our friends when we have been hermits and how I can still continue my schooling at Utah State even though I work full-time down in Provo. I am also grateful for our cell phones. They are our life-lines.

- I am so thankful for our ever-faithful little car, Sally the Sentra. Even more so, I am so thankful to Brad who bought it and fixed it up in the first place, took good care of it, and gave it to us when Scotty got home from his mission. This car has been through so much with us, and I will cry the day she dies (which shouldn't be for another several years). I pray that I will be able to take as good care of her as Brad has that she may continue to be strong and healthy to take us to our various places in safety.

- The Gospel. There are so many individual things about the Gospel that I am thankful for, but when it comes down to it, it is all about the Gospel. Gospel means "good news" and it has been such good news in my life. I know through the Atonement of Jesus Christ I can be wiped clean from my sins and mistakes. I am so thankful for temples and the power of the priesthood, that we can do work for the dead (and for ourselves) and that Scott leads as patriarch in our home. I am also thankful for prophets who guide and direct us today. I know the words they say are true, no matter what anyone else tries to say about them.

- I am thankful for food. I love cooking. Did I mention I love cooking?

- I am so especially thankful for music. What would I do in my life without music? I am so thankful for my piano (yes - my piano), he has been there for me for so many years now. I am so thankful for singing. Oh, what would I ever do without singing? I am thankful for the peaceful and powerful spirit music can bring into our homes and our lives. I love music.

- Last, but not least, I am thankful for all of you who are my friends. Thank you for everyone who has made a difference in my life. I will never forget your kindness, your humor and laughter, or anything else that made me love you!

Whew! What a long post. I love Thanksgiving. And now that we have been grateful....it's time for Christmas!!

Deck the Halls with boughs of holly!

Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la, la, la.

Tis the Season to be jolly!

Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la, la, la.

Don we now our gay apparel!

Fa-la-la, Fa-la-la, la, la, la.

Troll the ancient Yule Tide Carol!

Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la, la, la!!!

Babies and BYU Games

So my Dad calls me up mid Saturday morning and says,

"Hi, what are your plans today?"

Me: (thinking this is a random call from my dad to be asking me what my plans were) "Nothing much. I've got some homework to do. Oh, and Scott wants to go up to the Benson's and watch the BYU football game on TV."

Dad: "Actually, he's not."

Me: "Are you saying what I think you're saying?"

Dad: "Yes. Greg's friend has 4 extra tickets, and Scott already said he's coming."

Me: "But, Scott doesn't get off til 4!" (The game started at 4pm)

Dad: "That's ok. Just meet us here when you can. See ya!"

And thus is the beginning of the story of Greg's awesome friend giving us 4 tickets to BYU's last home game, the game which Scott actually really wanted to go to since it was the last home game but was sad because he had to work until right when it started. Well, I knew he'd be in a hurry when I picked him up, so I carefully laid out his BYU shirt, BYU hoody, and BYU hat and went to go pick him up. And yes, he was in a hurry. He was literally bouncing up and down in his seat, he was so excited!

And we actually got pretty good parking, and ran the whole way to the stadium, and got there by the 2nd quarter. Not a bad time to get there. And guess where the seats were??? THIRD ROW. I couldn't have liked Greg's friend anymore than I did at that time. This game was so awesome!! And cold!

Cosmo actually waved to me! To ME!

Number 9 also happens to be my number. In case you might have forgotten. :)

Some pretty awesome views of touchdowns (or fake touchdowns because of a "penalty") from our seats!

We won! BYU officially gets to go to a Bowl Game!! Now if only they can beat the U this weekend....

What a fun night that was!

And the night before...Lizzie had her baby!! Nine months to the day we were married, Scott's sister had her baby..hehe.

Logan Rowe (he has a middle name, but I can't remember what it is)

8lbs 4oz, tons of hair, and huge feet.

Scotyt was such a natural holding him. Well, he's kind of looking like maybe he is confused, like maybe he really does want to be a daddy...hmmm!!

See how much hair he has! And so dark!

Did I happen to mention he has huge feet? I know this picture is hard to tell, but they are as long as my husband's pinky. He doesn't fit the newborn socks. His dad says we should call him Big Foot!

And yes, these picture's are displayed with Liz's permission. Congratulations, Liz! We are so excited to have Logan be in our big, happy family, and we can't wait for Kristina's baby in the Spring!

We Are a Happy Family

Back row: Greg, Scott, Dad

Front Row: Heather, Me, Candice, Jenn, Mom, Thomas

My Little Brother is a United States Marine!

Sorry it's been so long since I last posted! Times have been busy, that's for sure. I have had lots and lots of homework to take up all my time when I'm not at work, but now that things are winding down just a bit, hopefully I will be able to post some more!

Well, here is just a sneak peak of our fun-filled trip to sunny San Diego, CA this last weekend. My little brother just graduated from Camp Pendleton Marine Recruit Training. He is an official United States Marine!! Go my little Brother!!

We are all so proud of him. He has put in a lot of hard work these past three months at Camp Pendleton. It was so great to see him marching out there on the parade deck with all the other Marines, and it made us all cry, haha. My little Brother is such a stud!!

BYU vs Utah State Game

On Friday, Scott, the Fam, and I went up to Logan for the big BYU - Utah State Football Game! We went up a little early and did a session at the Logan Temple (which was beautiful) and visited some old friends! It was so good to see them! Then we met up with the family and went to the game! Although I went to Utah State, I was rooting for BYU the whole time - it is in my blood! I was a bit disappointed we lost, but now the only way to go is up! Go Cougars!!

Pictures Make a Blog Much More Exciting!

Here are some pictures to catch you up on what we have done in our exciting life during the month of September. September happens to also mark 7 months married. Hooray! It's going by so fast!

We are slowly but surely making headway on our Temple Goal. We finally visited Jordan River on Sept. 23. It is a beautiful temple! I never knew this because I always see it from so far away, but at night, the windows on the temple are colorful because they are stained glass! It gives the temple a sort of celestial look because I always imagine the Celestial Kingdom to be white and pure mixed with rainbows here and there. The colorful windows against the white temple was really stunning!

Rachel Steele is 16 years old, goes to Mountain View, plays volleyball, and has leukemia. You can find out more about her by reading her blog:

www.steelestrong.blogspot.com

Saturday Sept 25 was the day of bake sales to raise money to help Rachel, so my sisters and I got together Friday night and made goodies! The national Leukemia awareness color is orange, and orange also happens to be Rachel's favorite color.

Saturday, my uncle Joe and his wife Tara were in town from Pennsylvania so of course we had to gather all the Gravers in town and have a get-together at my parents' house. It was really great to see them - I have so many fond memories of Joe and Tara as a child because they were always hanging around while they were out here going to BYU.

This is Elizabeth Graver. She is my aunt. Can't tell, huh? She (with most the rest of them Gravers) is so fascinating to converse with because she is so intelligent and funny. Love her!

Last but not least, I had to get a picture of the three brothers together. From left, Phillip, Joe, and Peter Graver. They are my mom's half brothers. There are about 2 more Graver brothers and another in-law brother, but they are all out in Pennsylvania. They are a great, but loud, bunch to be around!

It's been a fun September. I can't believe it's almost over already. But I sure can't wait for Halloween!!

My Favorite Part of Halloween

Well, this isn't my only favorite part, but it sure is there on the top of my list!

I can't wait for Halloween and Halloween parties!!

Financial Retirement Planning

I am taking a really awesome class online through USU called Family Finance. I am loving this class because I am learning so much about a topic that has interested me for a long time. I was always the penny pincher in my family. I was the only one out of all the kids that never bought a car when I was in high school. My mom always knew that I was the one that wouldn't go out and foolishly spend my money, but save it for things more important.

In my reading for this class, I have discovered so many things that you must do at a young age to save up money for the future. The biggest thing I read about was RETIREMENT. I know at such as young age as 21 that a retirement 44 years in the future is not something that matters to me now. However, that is 44 years of saving and interest that could be accumulated. Time is such an important factor. A person who began saving for their retirement at the age of 23 saved and earned almost twice as much as someone who began saving only 10 years later at the age of 33. The power of compound interest is astounding.

In my other book, "The Automatic Millionaire" by David Bach, I read about a couple named Jim and Sue McIntyre who became "automatic millionaires" by following just a few simple rules. When I read these rules, I was happy to find they were already my rules and goals for the future.

First, they had no debt. With the exception of buying a house (and I say education because the church says it is ok), they saved up their cash and paid for everything in full.

Second, they paid themselves before they paid their bills (and of course we will want to pay tithing before we do any sort of other paying at all). They set up an automatic payment to pull up to 15% (you don't have to start this high! They only started out at 4%) out of each paycheck to go into savings/retirement. 15% really adds up over the years.

Third, they cut back on unnecessary spending. They explained that they used to smoke, but after calculating how much money they wasted on cigarettes, they figured they could do without and ended up saving all that extra money that would have been spent buying cigarettes.

Fourth, they increased their mortgage payments. They explained something about splitting their mortgage payments in half and paying twice a month, they were able to end up making an extra payment each year. They also decided to add a little extra to each payment and ended up having their house paid off in less than 23 years. Most mortgages go for 30 years. Because they paid off their house so quickly, they saved up and bought another house and used their first one as a rental to bring in extra income.

Fifth, they bought used. They saved up and bought used cars (that were always inspected by a mechanic to ensure it was running well and took good care of it), and they even bought a used boat.

By the time Jim was able to retire at age 55, they had no debt and have saved up toward $2 million dollars.

So what is my moral of the story? "By small and simple things are great things brought to pass." A little saved here and a little saved there can accumulate to be something great in the end when you are ready to stop working and retire.

Take a part in your work's 401(k) plan if you can. You will gain so much by taking advantage of the benefits your work has to offer you. And don't be worried that you don't have it yet. We are all still so young and still working our way through college. We will always be working various jobs until we can land ourselves in a career with a company that we like. Be patient, but be diligent. I know we will be blessed for it.

Yes, We Got a TV

Here's the story: We got a used TV from Scott's brother right after we got married. I didn't care that it was old and huge. It was still in excellent condition and actually didn't look too bad, but Scott had to come home from work every day, "Can we please get a new TV??" He works in the WalMart electronics section. He stares at brand new TV's all day.

Well, apparently he had had many conversations with his co-workers that all revolved around the same idea: Sabotage the TV to beyond repair and blame it on its age. I was not about to fall for that trick. And then one day Scott decided to hook the XBox back up after taking it up to his parents' house and the color was wrong. Something had happened to the TV, because everything was completely washed out. I knew Scott didn't do anything to it, but he sure took this as a good sign that we really did need a better TV. I didn't see what the big deal was. I knew we didn't have the money for a new TV, and we were still able to watch shows on the old one just fine.

But then the fateful day came. Unknowingly, I went to WalMart like I always do to pick my husband up for lunch. The first thing he did was pulled me over to the TV wall. Not again...., I thought. He showed me the latest TV's he had been looking at, except this time he had graduated from a 32" to a 42". Of course. I was about to lead him away when he used his one last trick up his sleeve:

"Limited Time Offer: Buy this TV and receive a Free $100 WalMart Giftcard."

How could he do this to me?? That was a $100 of groceries! Or a nice TV stand! He said he had never seen an offer like this before, and me being the bargain shopper I am, actually agreed with him!

I told him I would have to think about it, but it probably wasn't going to happen tonight if it did. He clocked back in and went on his way to work and I went home and did my things.

....and then I went back to WalMart to pick him up at 10:00pm and bought a new TV.

...and assembled it that night and was up til 1am. But it sure was fun!! And Scott is now a very happy man and I am actually quite pleased myself. So there ya go. Moral of the story? Don't let your husband work at WalMart in the Electronics department. Or maybe do. I don't know :)

Stressed....Out.....??

Yes, school started today and I am already way stressed out. Probably because this English class just might be harder than I thought, but maybe it won't. I am just a little worried because now I really have to make sure I have enough time every day to make sure I get on the computer and Do. My. Homework. English has always been my toughest subject. Oh, not to mention I get to buy books. I know, I should be grateful that I only have to buy books for one class. But still, that doesn't take away my anxiety for spending the money and hoping I get them in time to do my reading assignments. From what I could read in the syllabus and first week's assignments, I can tell he is going to be a pretty tough teacher, but also probably a very good one. I know if I just apply myself and work hard and take it one step at a time and make sure I have a time and a place set out specifically each day for this class and its homework, I will do ok. I also know that I was supposed to return back to school this semester for a reason, and despite all the trials I have faced so far, everything seemed to have still worked out. I know everything will work out like it will supposed to in the end. This is also what you call stretching the rubberband. This semester, I believe I will be stretched to maximum stretch-ability. This will be my very first experience with an online college course. This will also be my very first experience with being married and working full-time. I now have a family (even if it is just a husband) to be responsible for, and I have to go to work Tues-Fri from 8am-5pm. It will definitely be different from what I was used to up at school. But that is what life is all about - adapting and making the best out of what you have. The Lord has put me in this spot for a reason, and now I know I have to just take it from here and make it my best. I've looked back at my past 2 years up at Utah State and I knew that those were some of the best years of my life, but I sure wasn't thinking that while I was up there. Staying busy, continually learning, and always applying myself and turning to who I knew I needed to for help were what made those hard semesters worth it in the end.

Speaking of turning to who I know I need to the most, Scott and I went to the Salt Lake Temple this morning to do a session. It was the most beautiful temple I have been inside yet. The old and ornate beauty of those pioneer times really showed to me how dedicated they were to making sure this temple was really the House of the Lord. It made me think of something my sister-in-law said last night, about making sacrifices to go to the temple. We have so many temples around here that sometimes I believe we just take it for granted and go when we can possibly fit it into our busy schedule and then hope the session gets over soon because you need to get back to what seemed more important to get done. But Liz said that when you think of those who don't have temples nearby and who sacrifice so much time and work and money to make just one temple trip a year, it really makes you realize how blessed we are to have these temples so close to us. The pioneers sacrificed so much, like china, or almost their lives getting granite, all for building up the House of the Lord. Seeing their handiwork today in the Salt Lake Temple really helped my testimony grow. I am grateful for the temples we have close by.

I am also grateful for my upbringing, for always being taught to stay strong in the church and to never falter in reading my scriptures and praying. I am grateful for a wonderful husband that deals so patiently with all of my mood swings. I am grateful for his strong faith and firm standing, so that I am weary, I can always lean on him. I am grateful for this gospel, because without its help and strength, I would not have made it through school thus far because school (especially English) is haaarrd! I also love camping and being in the outdoors and spending time with my family and taking walks and reading, reading, reading. I love my friends and I hope that I can continue to be a better friend to all those around me. I know I can make it through English 2010 this semester. I just have to take it one, happy step at a time. :)

Girls and Their Chick Flicks

I just discovered the most interesting thing about myself last night. I can let myself bawl into pitiful oblivion in front of Scott whenever my day doesn't go my way or I am way stressed out, but for some strange and very odd reason, I cannot bring myself to cry in front of him during a chick flick! I don't know if it was because this was the very first chick flick I have been able to watch in front of him since we've been married, or if it maybe had something to do with Miley Cyrus being in it (he hates Miley Cyrus - I love Miley Cyrus :] ). Maybe it was my pride and our constant fight about Miley that wouldn't let me cry. Whatever it was, I just couldn't do it.

Learning Life's Many Lessons

I have just had several major life lessons this week happen to me. The first one was not giving a full two-weeks' notice to Ridley's like I should have. I didn't know that I could have still worked this week during orientation/training at my new job, even if it was just a few days or some weird-odd shifts. At least it would have been two weeks and would have given the full courtesy not just my boss, but my co-workers and my favorite customers, deserved. I didn't even get to say good-bye to some of them. I regret now that I did not look more fully into the situation, and that I did not assess and think everything through like I should have. I know I was just eager to leave Ridley's. When it came down to, oh! suddenly say good-bye to Ridley's, it seemed weird and didn't feel right. I don't think I gave that job a proper good-bye, and now I can't ever go back. I would look like a desperate idiot if I were to come crawling back to them after leaving them with a one week's notice (and not to mention a new job), simply because I felt bad for leaving them in a rut like that. And maybe it just feels different because I am leaving them for a new (and really, much better) job. It's not just school this time, where I know I'll be coming back for the summertime like I do every year. This is real. This is really a major step and change I am taking in my life. This job opens up so many opportunities for my personal progression, financial situation, and education that I never would have had with Ridley's, at least, not as easily. And just a random note: My loyalty lies with Albertson's and it always will be.

Second thing I learned! Working in an office setting has really helped me realize some things about myself. If I had not come over to this job, I would not have discovered that I am a loud swallower! There is so much background noise at the grocery store or restaurant, or even at home, that I never even thought about something like this before. But when it's really quiet at my desk and I'm trying not to make too much noise for those on the phone, my swallowing can be really loud! I just hope the girl sitting next to me can't hear it! How embarrassing!

Thirdly.....I must say good-bye to my phone. It has been a very loyal, very loving Blackberry Pearl, and it has lasted me over two whole years. In phone years, that is a very long time. My Blackberry and I have had a very loving relationship with each other. It has never given me grief or pain, except for those random times when it would decide to delete all my unsaved texts and call log. But with that I would just have to take out the battery and put it back in, and it would be just fine. I loved the set-up on my phone. I especially loved my little trackball. I loved the small and smooth size where my phone would easily and conveniently fit inside my pocket. And my phone, in turn, loved me. It gave me great looking pictures (for what they were 2 years ago....), and it gave me great storage space for all my texts and pictures. It also gave me fun ringtones to choose from with an excellent vibrate-ring option and quality volume that ensured me I would never miss a call or alarm. My Blackberry was very hands-on, and I loved it. And for now....I will be using a Samsung Gravity. Not my choice, but it just happened to be the phone that became available for me to use (and was FREE - remember how I'm all about free?). After having to deal with a flailing battery and a keypad that only half-works, it was time to move on to other resources. I suppose I will get used to this phone until December comes and I will actually be able to get the phone I want.

Fourthly....be careful about your health insurance. If you are just getting health insurance (I am only saying this because I am a newly-wed), please, please make sure you have given your insurance company A-L-L the information they need from you before you schedule any appointments. That includes things such as past medical history/previous health insurance coverage. They will charge you more if they think you have any pre-existing conditions. Basically, unless you tell your insurance company otherwise, and have proof of it, they will assume you do have pre-existing conditions, and will not cover you for what you think you are getting covered for. So did this happen to me, you're asking? Yes, yes it did. Do not get trapped in this. We are out more money than we could have been, and now I know better. This is me, as a friend, saying this to you. That is all. :)

And yes, I am love, LOVE, LOVING my new job, and am feeling very grateful for it. Once again, my new job is a Phone Operator at Central Utah Clinic in the Sports Medicine/Orthopedics department. We basically take all incoming phone calls, whether it be scheduling appointments or taking messages for the doctors. It is quite a lot of fun, and I have had such a great time in training so far. The hours aren't bad either, I must say. It has given me more time to work out and clean the house and do some pre-homework for a class I am trying to register for. I am really enjoying it.

And as always, I am doing my best to continue to live a good and healthy life. Don't falter in whatever keeps you afloat. Hold onto that rod, and keep on pushing through. I know with school coming up for most of us, schedules will become a little tighter and stress levels will become a little higher. But as long as we stick to what we already know is best, than I believe we can conquer anything. :)

A New Life

English is not one of my strengths. I have never been very good at writing papers and my flow of words has always been...stunted. However, with my upcoming online English 2010 class, I need to prepare myself by writing a lot more. I need to get used to saying stuff again. Hopefully, if I can keep myself from being lazy, I will be posting a lot more often now. I feel almost guilty for writing more on my blog than in my actual journal, but I also know everyone still wants to know what's going on in my life. So! Hope you have fun reading my blogs from here on out. I'm going to try to make them long, and lengthy, and hopefully they will mostly make sense. Oh, and doesn't this bring back memories of being in Mr. Rich's class and having to write a blog every....week...?? Hehe. This'll be fun!!

First of all, my husband is missing. He took the car to work this morning and said he'd be back for lunch. It's well past his lunchtime now, and I'm not really...worried...I was just looking forward to seeing him and it looks like now I won't be able to see him until after he gets off work. That also means I won't be able to take the car for the second half of his shift to run some errands, but who wants to see me anyways right now? I stink, I haven't dressed, I haven't showered, my hair's a mess, and I've been lying on the couch all day reading Harry Potter 5.

I suppose some of you had heard the good news. I got a new job! It's at Central Utah Clinic, the big building with the cabin-looking arch right across from the hospital. I will be working in the Orthopedics department answering phones and scheduling appointments. Candice works there, and she says she LOVES it, as well as everyone else I talked to that works there. I will only be working part-time, but it all still evens out to be better than my old job because A) I get weekends, B) I get holidays, C) I get paid more, and D) I'm off by 5pm every day. I feel almost like I don't deserve a job like this. And I almost feel bad for leaving Ridley's behind. They were my friends, not to mention I just adored the customers. It was actually starting to get to a point where customers would come to my line and say things like, "I just love your smile!" or "We always come through your line!" Can you believe this job that I hated and ranted and raved about is one that I am actually sad leaving? You know, the Lord works in mysterious ways. We all say that, I know. But I've been really trying to decide if the Lord is trying to teach me a lesson for being so selfish in wanting a better job when some people have none, or if He really is blessing me. I know it's probably the latter, but when something good like this happens, it's hard to believe that it's really true. Anyways, I am very, very grateful for this new job opportunity in a different field. It's a chance to learn new things and do new things with my life. I am determined to make the best out of it!

I have also decided that I need to get back to my schooling. I made a goal to get a college degree, and even if it's just an Associate's Degree in General Education courses, it is still a college degree and something that can be built upon later. I only have about 4 or so classes left, so I could easily, hopefully, be done by next April. My original plan was to transfer my credits to UVU, but I realized that it would take too much time and effort, not to mention the risks that there could be some credits lost that UVU won't accept. I can't tell you how VERY grateful I am for the internet and online schooling. I have spoken to many people who have gotten degrees online, and they all found it very useful and non-interfering with their work at all. Taking classes online now enables me to not only worry about either transfer or move, but I can do them in my own time and still work my normal schedule. Getting this new job has really helped with that. I am excited more than anything. I know I am doing the right thing by going back to school, even if it is just online classes. I am excited to take notes again, and to study, and to, unbelievably, stress. When you are busy and productive, you are happy. I can't wait to move on with my life. Getting married was one great step, and now I am moving on into another great part of my life. Now I can't wait for Scott to start school!

Well, that has basically been the news in my life. Scott is finding WalMart to really be OK. We are very happy. We love our home in Springville. We love our Ward and the new friends we are making. I really am going to miss my old friends at Ridley's/Albertson's. And I still want my friends to come down and see our house so that they can see what an awful decorator I am and give me tips on what I can do to make my home cuter.

That's all for now, I guess. I'll write more later when there is more to write about. It was good to be able to write today and see how much I really need to brush up on my skills -- especially for English 2010! Ah! I am so scared!!

Girls' Night

Thanks for being such great friends!

I had such a fun girls' night tonight, and I hope that we can

get together more often and catch each other up on our lives!

July

This month has consisted of several things for us:

#1.

On July 15, we celebrated my half birthday. I am now almost 22.

#2.

On July 20, we celebrated Scott's real birthday. He really is 22.

And he ate Chocolate Cherry Cake.

#3.

We inherited a .22 handgun from Scott's grandfather.

We have taken it shooting many times :)

#4.

Harry Potter.

The books.

The Lego Game for XBox 360.

#5.

Family Reunion at Silver Creek Plunge in Idaho.

Have you ever swam in a crystal clear pool with warm water? SO much fun!

#6.

...And of course there's the usual griping and complaining about how we both highly dislike our jobs. WalMart is understandable. They really don't treat their employees well because they are so concerned about making money for themselves. But Ridley's...Ridley's is the last place I would suggest anyone to work at. They don't communicate to their employees OR their customers. The store looks like crap now. They have rearranged everything around and, oops, forgot to tell their frontend where everything is. It's awful. Everyone who doesn't have to stay in a checkstand are best friends. And if you have friends in high places, then you get to go high places. Who cares if there are people who have been with Albertson's for YEARS but have never had an opportunity for advancement. No one treats you fairly. I feel like slum everytime I go into work. I don't feel appreciated. I feel insecure. Whoever runs this store now sure has not done a good job at helping their employees feel like they belong. But, who am I to complain. At least I have a job, and it's not fast food or phones. For that, I am very grateful.

Why buy a new tablecloth? I love these vinyl coverings!

I had fun with my construction paper today while Scott was at work. I would suggest this idea to anyone. It's so cute, and so easy, and so free!

And yes, I have been reading too many Home and Garden / Good Housekeeping / Living / Healthy Living magazines. Have a happy Fourth of July!

So. HAPPY!!!

New shower curtain. Need I say more??

Out. Of. Shape.

Hiked the Y. Way out of shape. And people run this thing every day? Sheesh.

Saw Toy Story 3. So good, and so cute. A must-see, at least.

Too tired now. Legs hurt. Body tired. Want breakfast.

A New Balance

It's amazing what a new pair of shoes can do to you. It's like, once you pay the cashier, they become infused in you. Even when you're not wearing them, you can't escape them. I finally bought my long-awaited running shoes, and the whole time at work I felt as if I was already getting into better shape. I wasn't even wearing them!

And these, these are the most comfortable shoes I have ever worn. I wasn't the biggest fan of this brand, but as soon as I slipped them on and walked around, I knew I could never go back. I just can't WAIT to go running! The mother and I are going to run to the parade Monday morning. It's cheaper (what's cheaper than free?), a lot further, and just as fun as running the 5k parade route.

By the way, I love the Fourth of July. It's one of my favorite holidays, next to Halloween, of course. I love parades. I love spending the afternoon lazy by a lake hidden in the mountains.

Speaking of mountains! Scott and I went to Sundance last night and rode the ski lift for the monthly Full Moon Ride! I look forward to it every year, and every year it is just as fun as the last. If any of you are able, save a little extra money and go for a date night. You will be amazed and reverenced by the majesty of the mountains around you. See for yourself. You will not be disappointed.

I love the summer!!