Random

I have been getting all sorts of age comments as of late. The other day someone walked by my office and asked if I was the new intern. What?! I guess she had never seen me before (even though I have worked here for a year and a half) and I look young. To give her credit though, I am rarely in my office as I travel around a lot for my job. And my facility is pretty large. But still.

Also there was the blood drive recently where they asked if I was over age 19. I don't mind it at all but it sure cracks me up. And it makes for a great story, especially for my coworker who thinks I am a baby.

Jon made up a sauce for Hawaiian Haystacks. It is the bomb. That man can cook. We were out of Cream of Celery one day so BAM, he just made up his own. And it is WAY better. YUM!

I am so beyond ready for summer. I miss the heat and humidity. Plus I am missing my garden-such a granny thing to say but true.

My job rocks. I love it. I work with the cutest children and families. It is tough sometimes but I love it. It is my basically my dream job, aside from motherhood of course.

Jon is in the process of applying for Grad school. I have to admit that I am jealous, as I was accepted and ready to go to grad school when I moved out here, but decided to postpone it when we got engaged. I am dying to go back but I feel like it is more important for him to go first, since he will be the provider when we have kiddos. I dread the long hours he will be away though.

And there you have it. The random thoughts of my head as I procrastinate more important things.

Voting Time

My friend Mandi wrote about what kind of animals her and her family look like. This is a game my friend Kristen used to play with friends and strangers. So now I need your vote!

What animal does best represents Jon?

I was originally stumped but then I narrowed it down to a bear (because he is cuddly and loves the mountains). But then, the other day it hit me. He is a monkey. That is my vote.

Opinions? Other suggestions?

I am known by most as a deer or a dinosaur. I prefer thinking I am a deer. What do you think?

Snow Day!

Last Thursday evening we received the most miniscule amount of snow. A lot of the schools were put on delay for the next day BEFORE it even snowed. Once it started snowing, most of the schools were cancelled. Jon's school went on a 2 hour delay. So we slept in and went to work and most of the snow was already gone, it was fun!

Today we had some kind of weird hail/ice and so all of the school dismissed around 9. All my sessions were cancelled and I worked from home. Jon was home by 11 and worked next to me. I am still in my pajamas and it is almost 6pm. I could get used to the Friday snow days.

Who is ready for summer?!

We may be in the South but it is FREEZING here!

Super Sonic Sunday

I have no idea why I titled this post that way, other than the fact that it is Sunday (or it was when I started this post). But anyway...I have some New Year's Resolutions for the year, most of which revolve around being more spiritual and more grateful. I won't bore you with posting them all, but I will say two of them. The first one we are doing as a couple- A Gratitude Jar. Basically you write down your blessings throughout the year and then read them on New Years Eve so you have a year worth of blessings recorded. The second resolution is taking a picture a day for a year. I have heard about this idea before and it may sound trendy or whatever, but I really like the idea and I am loving doing it already. It helps me remember to document our day to day life. These are pictures that won't win any prizes or contests, but they will be full of memories. I hope to put them all in an album when I find one I like.

Anyway, do any of yal'll like to cook? Jon and I LOVE food and LOVE to cook. I think I may start posting yummy things we make because they are too good not to share. Would anyone be interested? Be honest. I love when my friends post recipes- (Mary, I am thinking of you).

Ok so here are some pictures from the Year. 1 a day....almost.

1-1-13 The date on this picture is wrong, I guess the time was off on my camera. This was taken right after midnight on New Years. Joshua swears he made it until 12 but he was asleep as soon as the clock struck 12- I ran in to kiss him goodnight and he was out. He is so cute.

1-3-13 One of Jon's Stocking Stuffers from Santa

1-4-13 So I may have forgotten to take pictures a few days... but this is Callie in the morning. She isn't a morning person either, like me. We take forever to get going.

1-5-13 Xander the Salamander


1-7-13 A sign we made for 5 Guys.

1-8-13 Callie eating Frosty Paws (dog ice cream)

1-9-13 I came into the bedroom one night and Jon was brushing his teeth like this. Apparently he was stretching his quads.

1-10-13 I got a letter from my nephew complete with a code to solve. He is the cutest. This letter made my day.

1-11-13 I found this lotion on sale, it is my favorite of all time. I bought the body wash too. Lemon Vanilla. MMMMMM.

1-12-13 Keep your children safe from this Easter Bunny! Creepy hat from Ikea. And me looking miniature in the chair.

1-13-13 Jon talking to his family on a Sunday, I thought he was sitting oddly.

1-14-13 The bathroom so far- still needs a painted vanity, baseboards, a new cabinent and a finished floor. Oh, and a shower curtain but we can't find any big enough.

1-15-13 Callie propped up on the chair next to me, I thought she looked hilarious.

1-16-13 This is for Melani. This is a definite BEFORE picture of our other bathroom. We haven't started remodeling yet but I am dying to fix this one. So ugly and nothing matches. Oh and the floor is a bit uneven. (We did replace the blinds which used to be pink and were sticky from tobacco).

1-17-13 SNOW! Yes we had snow and yes they cancelled most of the schools- Jon only had a two hour delay. And yes this is about as thick as it was. Most of the schools were delayed before it even snowed.

1-18-13 Yahtzee for date night. And yes I won both games. :)

1-19-13 Callie and her Croc

1-20-13 Jon showing off at Frisbee Golf.

And if anyone is crazy enough to still be reading this, Sunday after church we had our friend over and played Yahtzee, ate delicious chicken pot pie, and played Frisbee Golf in our church clothes. It was almost 70 out and a really nice way to walk around and enjoy the Sabbath. (If you have never played Frisbee Golf you should! It was my first time and even though I am terrible it was fun. And it is basically just tossing Frisbees around, very relaxing and low key.)

Christmas Time Happenings

Can you believe Christmas has come and gone already?

It is hard to believe Christmas is already over. This year it came way too fast. This month has been so busy for work and then we tried to squeeze in little activities to help us celebrate. I tried to keep things simple but it still felt like the season was too hurried and commercialized for my liking. Next year I want to focus everything we do on the Savior, so that we can really feel that spirit more.

We had a wonderful Christmas. I was on crisis call for work and could not go out of town until after Christmas (I also had to work a couple day after Christmas) ]My parents came to spend Christmas with us and they also brought their friend from India to our home. He only stayed 1 night. We spent a good mix of our time working and relaxing. Dad and Jon (and me) put insulation in our attic. Not very exciting but it needed to be done. Dad and Jon also got the master bathroom ready to be painted and painted it. It looks amazing, I can't wait to get everything else finished on it. ( I had taken down most of the wallpaper and pulled up the linoleum floor already-demolition is my specialty).

We went out and got Mexican food for Christmas Eve, I think that might be a new tradition. Christmas Day Jon made breakfast- French Toast and Pig Candy (bacon with brown sugar, baked in the oven). Mom and I made Christmas Dinner- ham, funeral potatoes, sweet potato casserole, cranberries, rolls, and pomegranate salad. We spent a lot of time playing cards including Rook, Golden 10, Dominoes, Yahtzee, and Play 9. And of course my mom brought tons of candies and sweets to spoil us.

Over the weekend we went to Georgia to see my brother and his family. It was a nice relaxing weekend. We didn't have to do much of anything except playing with the kiddos. Unfortunately I was sick most of the time but I still had a great time. I am spending most of today in bed hoping I can get all better by new years! 

The Christmas Eve Gathering- Dad, Mom, Veera, Jon, Janet, and Callie- it was weird having no children around for Christmas

Looking good, and the ties even match what they are wearing!

Veera and I playing with Callie-

FOOD!

Playing Spot It

Clarissa with Bacon the Guinea Pig

Sick Auntie getting love from her girls

This was going to be our Christmas card photo but we never sent it....ooops!

I can't figure out how to rotate but this is our bathroom in progress, the color is much more vibrant in real life-it is a light aqua color. The floor and cabinet will be stained darker

Re-Cap

Sorry if some of these pictures are a repeat, I know some of you are not on facebook.We are getting ready for Christmas here at our house! We decorated inside and out and even have a Christmas chain like I did when I was a kid. The weather here was in the 70's for a few weeks which made me so happy. It is starting to get cold here now but I am hoping for another warm Christmas like last year. :) 

Jon, halfway through No-Shave November

Jack, Jeff, Jackie, Cindy, Nicole, and Natalie
Cindy is my aunt (my dad's sister) Jeff is her son, my cousin. And Natalie is known as mini-me or mini-Janet. She is the bestest.

At the botanical gardens in a bamboo forest

Look at Callie helping!

Cheesy but had to do it!

Ta-Da! I love it! Too bad we can't have a tree skirt or presents underneath...some dog would eat them!

The final product. I didn't mind the beard but I also did not mind at all when it went bye-bye. 

Did you know iTunes has a section of downloads for 69 cents? Or 69 cent as they say in NC... no need to make that plural. But for real, they do. I discovered that last night and bought some really great oldies. Check it out. And tell them I sent you. Ok just kidding about that last part.

Happy Thanksgiving Ya'll

I'm working from home most of the day today so I am taking a break to update the ol' blog. I wanted to post some things I am grateful for, even though Thanksgiving has come and gone, I always want to remain grateful. I have had a difficult time counting my blessings lately. As much as I love North Carolina and my husband and my job and my ward and having family closer....I have had a difficult time adjusting. I miss my friends a lot and it has been hard to not have my girlfriends around. Luckily Jon lets me goofy and girly as much as I want. And he is my best friend so that is really all I need.

This year I am grateful for so many things. Let me summarize a few of them in pictures:

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My Savior and my friend, who rescues me daily.

My family, on both sides. I love having great in-laws because we feel twice the love!

My friends. Gosh I miss them.

Our puppy Callie.

Our wonderful home that we love and are working hard to fix it up.

My husband, my best friend, and the eternal promise we have made to each other. He is so patient with me. He gets water for me at night and reads to me when I am too tired to read. I am also grateful for temples.

My Savior (yet again). I had to include this because I LOVE this painting and want to buy if for our nursery someday.

 

 

 

 

 

And last but not least, I am so grateful for my amazing job that I love, my coworkers, and the families I work with. I am also grateful that Jon has a steady good job. He is such a hard worker and takes on all the extra work he can, all while fixing things around the house and helping me cook, clean, and do laundry.

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving at my parents house with my parents, my aunt and uncle, and some cousins. I will post pictures soon!