Making life happen

I never really knew what my dreams were. When people would talk about all these amazing dreams they wanted to accomplish I always was a little envious because I didn't really have any dreams. Who doesn't have dreams?!
I've realized lately that I do have dreams but I've just never called them dreams, just things I hope to do one day. I don't know if it's because my parent's provided me such a wonderful life that I didn't have to sit and daydream about my future or if I've just always thought I could do whatever I wanted and so I didn't "dream." Whatever it may be, I have a great life and am grateful for my family for allowing me to feel like everything is within my grasp, I just have to work hard.

Mark and I are going to live one of our dreams in April, we are going to Europe {are you sick of me talking about it yet?}We finalized cities and dates last night, now I just need to buy our Eurail Passes and book the places we are staying. Both of us have always wanted to travel the world but didn't know it was a "dream."

My next dream that I'm going to start working on is getting a job in San Francisco so we can move into an apartment there {hopefully in a skyscraper with a bell hop named Douglas or something} and get Giants season tickets!

I know SF is one of the most expensive cities to live in and I don't know what I want to do for my career, but I'm going to do this! I mean why not? It's the perfect time in our life to live in a big city for a little while. I'm not expecting to live in some gorgeous building in a pent house, I'm not that delusional :) But I want to live in SF, it's a beautiful city that I love, there's so much to do and see, we won't need a second car if we live in the city because I can walk or take Bart to work. We are young and don't have kids, so I'm going to make this happen.
*If anyone knows of jobs let me know! :)

it's finally winter

Since I've come out of hibernation aka sickness that I thought for sure was going to kill me, it has become winter! It is a little sad to say that over the past 6 days I have only been outside to go to the doctor and I didn't even notice the rain/snow that had been happening. I remember Mark mentioning the snow but I couldn't absorb the information nor did I care. We have somehow managed to get almost to FEBRUARY without snow! That is unheard of for Rexburg. I can only take it as a gift, Rexburg knows this is my last winter and wants me to enjoy the last 10 weeks {can you believe only 10 more weeks?!}
So today as I went to work, it hit me that our car was covered in snow as well as the roads! I drove safely and made it work, very slowly {I was in no hurry.}
I will always be a summer girl who loves being tan and warm and laying in the sun, but since Rexburg has done such a wonderful job holding back on the snow, I will enjoy it.

Here's a post within a post:
Yesterday I became almost depressed that Christmas was over. No more Christmas music on the radio and the euphoria of Santa. I know it's been a month since Christmas but I guess I just enjoyed Christmas and being home so much that I didn't have time to realize it was over.

a big blur

I'm going to try to describe my horrible weekend.
To start things off, I should say that for those of you who don't know, I got REALLY sick this weekend, sick like I have never experienced. It started earlier in the week when I would work out at night. I would be running and start feeling light headed. A couple times I almost passed out and I had no idea why. Then Friday night our good friend Steve and his gf Christine came to visit us. I was feeling weak and shaky when they first got there but figured it was because I was hungry. I was suppose to go to the gym but decided to take the night off and go in the morning and instead spend some time catching up with Steve and getting to know Christine. Steve wanted to make us Thai food for dinner and I was so excited, mostly because I didn't have to cook! While he was cooking I went to pick Mark up from work and the boys were reunited again. They are hilarious together. It's so great to see Mark so happy when he gets to spend time with his friends, which doesn't happen all that often because we are so busy.

Anyway, immediately after dinner I wasn't feeling well. I was super cold and had the chills. I realized the window was open from cooking and figured that was why. I sat down on the couch and grabbed a blanket but couldn't stop shivering. I felt so bad because I realized Christine was doing all the dishes and I was just sitting there, but I couldn't move. After dinner we were all going to go to Nelsons Custard for dessert. I told them to go and I would just wait here and hopefully feel better when they got back. Mark didn't want to go without me but I somehow insisted that he went. Almost as soon as they left, it all went down hill. All the thai food we had just eaten came right back up {thai vomit has to be the worst kind! and not to mention completely tore up my throat!} I managed to brush my teeth and change into sweats and climb into bed. That's pretty much all I can remember from that night besides them coming home, Steve feeling really bad because he thought I was having an allergic reaction to something in the dinner, Mark feeling bad because now he had to take care of me and couldn't entertain Steve and Christine, and me throwing up ever hour or 2. Trying to sleep through that night was probably the worst experience so far in my life. My entire body was completely achy, my back, my hips, my knees, my feet, I was so hot from the fever, sweaty, total upset stomach, and couldn't get comfy for more than 10 seconds. I can't even describe the pain I was in but I never want to go through that again. In the morning {thank heavens it was morning} Mark wanted to take me to the doctor but I thought I just had a flu and didn't want to go {I'm really stubborn and HATE going to the doctor. I think I've learned my lesson though.} Luckily Mark made me, he pretty much had to carry me out to the car because I couldn't stand up.{Mark had to do almost everything for me this whole weekend. He filled out the forms at the doctors office because I couldn't stand up long enough to fill them out, he payed my co-pay for me.} After lots of questions and the doctor poking my stomach, sticking something up my nose and peeing in a cup, the doctor told me I had a "rip roaring UTI" or more likely Kidney Infection at this point, but it didn't explain all the flu symptoms though...But being an urgent care doctor and probably having more patients to see he wrote me up a prescription and sent me on my way. Luckily for me, Broulimns, the grocery store has a drive through pharmacy! That was the best news I'd heard all day. When we got home I crawled back into bed and cried.
Anyways the next couple days are a big blur, I think because of the fever which was around 102 most of the weekend, I kept asking Mark what day and time it was {which made it really hard for me to keep track of when I needed to take medication.} All I can remember was the amazing care that Mark provided to me. I knew he would take care of me when I got sick but this was more than care. He definitely became my little angle this weekend. Usually I want my mom when I am sick but I didn't even feel the need for my mom because of the way Mark was able to take care of me.
The best part of all this was the two amazing blessings Mark was able to give me, one by himself and then a second with our friend Kyle, who is always worthy and willing to give blessings. That has been a huge testimony builder to me since being married, that marrying the right person, at the right time, in the right place was the greatest blessing I have ever received. That is one thing I hope and will encourage all of my sisters to do, is to marry someone who is worthy and willing to give blessings. There is nothing like your dad and your husband giving you blessings. It brings such comfort to know I have that in my little family and I will never take it for granite.
The rest of the weekend panned out as such: fever for 3 days straight, fever rash on my arms and legs that freaked Mark out {but I had no idea because I was so out of it}, couldn't eat or drink anything even water, constant ache in my back and knees, stomach ache like never before experienced, passing out on the bathroom floor after Mark helped me take a bath to relax my body, Mark making me go back to the doctor on Monday, having to get an IV fresh off the delivery truck so it felt like ice going into my body, sleeping my life away, and finally being able to get out of bed on Tuesday, watching the entire collection of Harry Potter that Mark gave me for Christmas {it was a real life saver, it was pretty much the only thing that could take my mind off the pain in my body and keep tears from running down my face}, laying on the couch all day Wednesday, and now coming to work on Thursday {which I'm not so sure I was ready for, the medicine I'm on makes me really dizzy and it's hard to focus at work, plus my stomach is still having problems and I can't eat much}

Now that I have complained and whined, the reason I wanted to write about this was to thank Mark. I want to do something nice for him to show him how grateful I am but I don't know what to do. I really think that he was blessed this weekend and had some extra help taking care of me because I didn't know he was capable of doing all he did for me consistently. I'm grateful for his parents, that they taught him to love and take care of others, and I'm grateful for my family who was concerned about me.

I'm so ready to get back to myself and feel healthy and energized, but I feel guilty for saying that because my mom has been so sick for a year now! It really makes me appreciate what she has gone through and what people who fight cancer and other illnesses go through. I have no room to complain.

As a thank you for reading all the way through, here is a beautiful picture of me with my IV at the doctors. I look like a boy with bad hair. Can you tell I was out of it?

Welcome to the world Jaclyn Johansen

I just wanted to share this blog post from Jared's cousin. She does a beautiful job talking about and sharing Jaclyn's birth. Congratulations to Tiffany, I can't imagine the emotions that day brought. We love you and pray for you & your girls constantly. You are and always have been a great example to us and continue to do so. You are a great mother to your two adorable girls. I don't know anyone who exudes more faith and courage than you.

http://benandcamille.blogspot.com/

The nail polish fairy

Shout out to my sister Courtney who has the greatest collection of nail polish I've ever seen. I miss being home and using her great array of colors. But just so you know court, I've painted my nails 3 times since I've been home, and I've been all about the glitter top coat :)

Just a little background on my sister Courtney-When she was born I was 10 years old and was a little mad when I found out my parents were having another baby since Taylor was still a baby and I thought they were too old ;) But I'm so glad they did have Court, she has always been such a sweet little girl. Her and Taylor were the cutest babies I've ever seen, they were beautiful, like they would have won Toddlers and Tiaras without all the fake tans and makeup!
Courtney has always had super long nails, even when she was a toddler she wouldn't let my mom cut them. {sometimes she used them as weapons against us, they were like knives} But now they are the most beautiful nails! She always has them painted so cute with different designs. I don't think I've ever seen her nails not painted.

I miss you and your nails Court! See you in 2 and 1/2 months!!!!!!!



     

Hoarding

This weekend was another great 3day weekend spent mostly on the couch cuddling and watching movies with our friends Tara and Peter! We watched so many movies; Tron, Moulin Rouge, True Grit, {mark watched} Downfall...that might be all of them, at least all that I can remember right now. One of the highlights of the weekend was trying to think of something fun and unusual to do on our Monday off. We decided to just get in the car and go...we didn't know where but just drove on some back roads to see where they lead to. About 10 minutes later we ended up in the Dollar Store parking lot and decided to go see what great gems they had. We walked around the entire store, I'm embarrassed to admit we spent almost an hour in there finding the most ridiculous things and laughing our heads off, one of the best was their wayyy off brand of cleaning products calls "Totally Awesome Cleaning Supplies."
I also had an epiphany while in the Dollar Store...I have the potential to become a hoarder! There were so many times when I would find something, like these giant pint glasses that I really wanted, I would try to convince Mark to let me get them by saying things like "they are only a dollar!" "think of how much Root beer float this could hold!" I'm so glad we left empty handed because as much as I thought I wanted all that junk, I realized it's just that, junk, that I don't need! Good job Dollar Store, you almost made me eligible for TLC's Hoarding: Buried Alive.
We had the best time walking around the Dollar Store. {it sounds stupid, I know} but it was so much fun laughing until I cried with Mark.

After all the time we spent on the couch this weekend I realized how important it is to have a good, comfy couch. Ours was kind of an impulse buy...we didn't do all the research we should have, but I blame Mark mostly :) He doesn't like shopping around so after he sat on it for a good 30 minutes at the store we bought it. I think it's ugly and not real comfortable. So we are going to try to sell it when we move so 1. we don't have to haul it to California with us and 2. I can get a cream sectional! {swoon!} I found my dream one on CrateandBarrel.com, now I just have to figure out how we can afford it and what color scheme I want to go with it! {throws and pillows}

my big adventure

Yesterday I had a long overdue adventure.
When we got back from Christmas break our car was filthy, like you could barely see out of the windows. Maybe it was because it sat in my grandma's driveway for 2 weeks with all the inversion in the air...but our car desperately needed  to be washed. I love going through a good car wash. I've been begging Mark to go through the "new" carwash in Rexburg for a year now but he always has some good excuse like it's suppose to snow, or all the other cars in the parking lot look worse than ours.
But two days ago it snowed and I had to scrape the windows after work to drive home. Because I'm so short and have short arms I have to lean against the car to reach the middle of the window. After scraping, my clothes were so dirty!
Yesterday was a beautiful day and all the snow was melting so I decided I was going to get a car wash! I was so excited when I pulled up, it was so high tech. Even the machine where you paid had a screen with a mom in her car with a child, telling you what to do!
Anyways so the door opens and it's my turn to go into the car wash! I realize you have to pull onto a track, with just the left tires matching up, I had come in at a weird angle and wasn't sure I was going to make it. Luckily there was a guy standing there helping direct my tires. Once I was all lined up, I put the car in neutral and sat back, ready to enjoy my car wash. Then the guy started hand washing my car! I got so nervous because I was all alone and sitting there like an idiot. The huge smile on my face quickly turned into embarrassment. Pretty soon the track pulled me forward and got to the good part, the huge spinning blue foam washers. I felt like a little kid in the back of my mom's mini van again. {I even had a some m&m's in the car, which I started snacking on.} All too soon the car wash was over. But as I was pulling out of the car wash, I noticed that the driveway lead me to the vacuuming station! So gladly I pulled up, took out all the floor mats, shook them off and proceeded to vacuum out the car! I spent a good 20 minutes vacuuming all the pebbles, crumbs and hair off the floors and cracks in the seats {Who knew my hair fell out so much in the car?!} As I was cleaning out the back seats I realized I'd never even sat in the back of our car, which for some reason was weird to think about. {so maybe I sat there for a second just to see what it was like back there.}
By the time I was satisfied with the car, my fingers were numb. As I was driving they started to thaw out and then came that terrible swelling and burning feeling.

All in all, it was one of the best car wash experiences I can remember!

enlightened

Yesterday we received a Thank you card from a wedding we went to over Christmas break. When we opened it and read it together, Mark said two things: 1. I hope her husband wrote that and it isn't her handwriting... and 2. That was really nice! I feel really good. Now I know why we wrote thank you cards after our wedding.
While I was cracking up from his remarks, he threw in "I feel sorry for the 10 people that didn't get one from us."

Oops! Sorry if you were one of those 10 people who got us a wedding gift and didn't receive a thank you card from me. I got a little burnt out after writing 290...

Allison the travel agent

Now that our flights our booked that means I really need to buckle down and plan our trip to Europe. First things first, I need to plan out every day with Mark and get solid dates of when and how long we will be in each city. Then I need to book hotels! This has been really stressful for me, how do I book hotels in a different country?! My friend from high school, Allison, is currently living in Italy with her husband and they travel all over the place and she blogs about each city and their experience, check out her awesome blog here! She is so organized and finds the best deals! She usually finds cute, little apartments in the best areas of the city to stay at so I emailed her and asked her for some suggestions in each city we are going to. She is a life saver! She sent me a list with a link to each place and a description about the room and what they liked and didn't like about each place.

She really got me motivated and now I'm excited to find great deals on cute apartments and hotels!
Thanks so much Allison!

When I was in Italy with my parents {the best trip I've ever been on} I remember thinking "one day I want to come back here with my husband." Little did I know in about 5 years I would! and my husband would be Mark! I am so excited to go explore Europe with my best friend.
Every day it feels more real, and closer!

It's baaaaaack!

Jersey Shore that is! Tonight I'm going to poof my hair, make some pasta, and sit next to Mark on the couch and enjoy the train wreck that is Jersey Shore season 5.
I know it is a disgusting show and I should be ashamed to admit that I watch it faithfully, but it's a bonding our for me and Mark and we laugh about it for hours and realize how grateful we are for the way we were raised.

Also, Grey's Anatomy is back tonight too! It's going to be a good night. I have to go to the gym early so I can watch both of my favorite shows.

beef...it's what's for dinner

Tuesday night was a great night because Mark didn't have to work until 8! Usually he goes to work right as I'm getting off work so we don't see each other until 9pm {and I'm an old fart and want to go to sleep at 10:30 or 11, which usually doesn't happen because Mark is really good at finding really interesting/disgusting shows like Hoarders, which keeps my butt on the couch until midnight}. Anyways, since he didn't have work until 8 we decided to make dinner together, we decided to make steak fajitas! I'm pretty sure this was a first for us. A few times before Mark has said he was going to help me make dinner, which actually consisted of him helping me gather the ingredients and then getting distracted by the game on tv. But this time he actually helped me cut the bell peppers, red peppers and onions while I cut up the steak. It was really fun, I think Mark even had a good time, and we didn't even have the tv on!

While dinner was cooking I went to put my shoes away and saw the book "The 5 Love Languages" sitting on the night stand and realized he had read quite a few chapters! Let me tell you, that book is soo true! I've wanted him to read it since we got married and I'm so excited he finally decided to read it, on his own, I didn't even have to bribe or complain or force him to! I think every couple should read it, it is so interesting and can really help make marriage even more enjoyable.

Happy Thursday!

A year in review

As 2011 ended and 2012 began we spent it with Mark's brothers and their wives watching Mission Impossible and eating dessert. The movie ended at about 11:20 so Mark and I hurried and drove back to my house to watch the ball drop in NY. As the two of us sat on the couch {more like I sat while Mark stood in the middle of the room staring at the tv, trying to think of something fun/random to do to ring in the new year} I couldn't help but feel like this is going to be a year to remember for us. But before I get into what we anticipate for 2012, here's what happened in 2011:

January-I started my last semester of college!

February-We went to San Diego for the Hancock's wedding and fell in love with San Diego.

March-We turned 22.

April-I graduated with a Bachelor Degree in Communications. We went to Florida for "spring break" to visit Scott and Dani and the new baby Colton. I also adopted the sweetest baby kitten that we named Snookie. I got my first post college job at a Real Estate Agency. {April was a big month for us}

May-gave away my baby Snookie to be a good wife {that was a hard month for me}

June-Rexburg melted and we spent all our time outside. We went camping at the base of the Tetons with The Hibbards, The Bairs, and The Hulls.

July-The semester ended for Mark and we went to Yellowstone with Rachel, Alex and Chris.

August-We celebrated our 1 year anniversary in Jackson Hole and went home for a summer vacation. While home we went to 6 Flags and Disneyland.

September-We hiked Table Mountain {quite possibly the hardest hike I have been on}

October-We carved pumpkins

November-Got to have 2 Thanksgivings!

December-Went home for our last Christmas Break! Weddings, games, Santa, and much needed family time!

Like I said, sitting in my parents living room watching 2011 become 2012 I couldn't help but feel happy and hopeful. Maybe it's the fact that the light at the end of the Rexburg tunnel is shining bright. Tomorrow Mark starts his last semester and in April we will be moving back to the beautiful Bay Area. The entire time we were home Mark and I kept saying "I can't believe we are going to move back here in 3 months! We are so lucky and blessed that we get to live in the Bay Area." We truly feel blessed, it is a great area and we feel soooo good about it. Also in April we are going to Washington D.C. with my family and then Mark and I are off to Europe for a whole month! We have our plane tickets and it feels more real every day {the anxiety is starting to set in and I really need to get on the plan and make solid plans}
While we are so excited and anxious to leave little Rexburg behind, it will always hold a special place in our hearts. It is where we dated, made great friendships that will last a lifetime, got engaged and started our married life in a tiny 1 bedroom 600 square foot {if that} apartment.

We are so excited to see what 2012 brings.