Thursday, December 11, 2008

Plenty to do...

THANKSGIVING

The first stop in our vacation was in Denver. We flew in to Denver with two big surprises for us!! About an hour before we landed, my sister, Laurel, gave birth to a BEAUTIFUL baby boy. Gavin Kent Lovejoy came, 8 lbs 19.25 in long, on Thursday, November 20th. He is ADORABLE!!! I took plenty of pictures, but on my mom's camera. So... here are some taken since that day, that I think is absolutely adorable!!

The second surprise in Denver was my parents' Mission Call!! They were called on a 23 month mission for our church to the Rapid City, South Dakota Mission, serving for the Church Education System primarily in Bismark, North Dakota. AWESOME!!! We are very excited for them. They will leave at the end of January 2009. We are so happy that they will be in the United States, and close enough for us to visit when we get the chance. Jarom is giving them plenty of tips for cold weather from his mission in Wisconsin.

Although we didn't get much done for the business while we were in Denver, we had tons of fun!!! One of our unexpected events was a benefit dinner for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation in Denver, called the Breath of Life Gala. My brother-in-law Matt Maxwell works for a law firm (Brownstein Hyatt & Farber) that bought tickets to this benefit. Tickets were $250 each, so would not be able to buy some to join them. After some searching, my sister Layna was able to get an extra ticket for me from an anonymous donor who bought a table worth of tickets for CF patients and their families. Matt was able to acquire one more ticket for Jarom, so that we could all go together. After we got the tickets, we found out that the Gala was honoring Dr. Frank Accurso. Dr. Accurso has been my Doctor since we moved to Denver when I was 5. I felt so happy that I would be able to attend and participate in honoring a wonderful man!! I saw tons of people that I knew from the pulmonary department and CF center at the Children's Hospital in Denver that worked with Dr Accurso. Needless to say, there were plenty of people there to see me happy and healthy. We had such a great night with Layna and Matt. The Gala consisted of a silent auction, dinner (which was delicious), presentation of the award, live auction, and dancing. (I think the dancing was Layna's favorite part!!! She was waiting all night for that part!)

After Denver, we few to Phoenix, AZ to celebrate Thanksgiving with Jarom's family. His entire family was there!! Jarom's sister, Bobbi, was nice enough to house everyone at her home in Anthem. We had tons of fun hanging on in the warmer weather of Arizona. Jarom and I got a little addicted to Guitar Hero. SO MUCH FUN!! We also were able to go to a Suns basketball game with our friend Becca, and her new fiance Ryan. Although we were pretty high in the bleachers, and the Suns lost, we had an awesome time watching the game!! I never realized exactly how tall Shaq is!!

TWILIGHT

While in Denver, my sister Layna loaned me the first and second Stephanie Meyer books. For over a year now, all my sisters have been telling me to read these books. But knowing that they were addicting, I couldn't start them during the school year because I had TONS of other books to be reading for classes. So this semester I decided to start the infamous books. BAD IDEA!! I read the first book in 2 days, the second book in 3 days. Then I had to hunt down someone who had the third and fourth book because I was DESPERATE!! Luckily, Jarom's aunt here in Rexburg came to my rescue. I read the third book in 11 hours (which I think is my favorite one) and read the fourth book in 1.5 days. SO SO GOOD!! I have never read like that before, no even with Harry Potter. They are SO good!! Now, I won't obsess over these books like the stories I've heard (i.e. girls holding ice cubes on their boy friends lips to see what it would be like to kiss Edward), but I will say that they are very good stories that I got very involved in. In the next year, I will probably read them again, taking a little more time, and I hope that they continue to make movies out of the rest of the 3 books., just hopefully with better make up.

Now that I finished all the books, what will I do with all my time? Go back to eating, or sleeping? Or face the mass amounts of packing I have to do in the next 10 days? That's right... 10 days!! We are making a trip to Denver, with all of our stuff, December 20. Then we will come back to Rexburg for Christmas with Jarom's family, and move permanently on December 28th. My entire family will be in Denver after Christmas to celebrate my Dad's retirement from Michelin Tires on December 30th. YEA!!

Tuesday, November 4, 2008

Fall or Winter?

HALLOWEEN:

This is a picture of Taylor and I with our matchy-matchy Halloween socks. Very festive!! For Halloween Jarom and I went to the dry farm with Jarom's brother, Jake, and his date, Jen. We made tin foil dinners over a fire and watched Minority Report on a sheet with a projector. We couldn't watch anything too scary because we were in the woods and I have an over-active imagination. It was fun though. We bought some candy just in case some kids came to our apartment, but no one ever came, so we ate it all ourselves. It made up for not trick-or-treating. ha ha.

ELECTION DAY:

Election day came and went. Jarom and I voted. It was my first time. I expected it to be more exciting!! But I still felt good doing it. I kind of felt like my vote didn't matter that much being in Idaho because the state is so predominately republican. But I would have felt guilty if things would have turned out differently. Either way, voting was the right thing to do. I'm not ready to talk about the outcome yet... ask me in a week and maybe I'll feel better.

Did anyone realize that you aren't allowed to buy alcohol on election day? I saw a sign at the grocery store today. Can anyone tell me how those two things are related??? Are they worried about people getting drunk and voting irresponsibly? ha ha. Also, those people who are going to get drunk and riot, probably already have the alcohol at home already because they could have bought it November 3rd instead of on the 4th. WEIRD!!

FIRST SNOW:

Since Sunday, it has been quite cold, dark, and dreary in Rexburg. It has been quite depressing!! I can totally understand how people can have seasonal depression. Today it snowed. I am not ready for winter!!! It is so cold and dark!!!!! I did get to wear my beanie though, and that makes me happy. I think Jarom is super excited because snow equals snowboarding. For me, snowboarding equals cold fingers and toes and a bruised bum.







Thursday, October 23, 2008

The Holiday Season is Just Around the Corner

The Holidays are getting closer and closer....

Some days I feel like it is still summer, but then other nights I wake up thinking I need to start packing immediately. Is anyone else suffering from similar symptoms?

For the first time in my college history, BYU-Idaho is taking an entire week off for Thanksgiving break. YEA!!!! As a result, we are taking advantage of the time off. First we are making a trip to Denver. We are flying out on Thursday, Nov 20. There are many things Jarom and I need to accomplish before we move to Denver in January, so hopefully we will be able to take a big chunk out of our to-do list while we are there. Plus, I really miss my family! My sister, Laurel, is suppose to have her baby around the time that we are there-- wouldn't that just be so exciting?!?!

The Monday before Thanksgiving (Nov 24) We are flying to Phoenix to spend Thanksgiving with Jarom's entire family. It has been a while since we were in Arizona, so we are really exciting. Also, Jarom's sister, Elise, just had a baby in September, so we are excited to meet little Colton!! It will be fun to be with the whole family, not to mention how nice the warm weather will feel!!

We had decided to spend Christmas in Rexburg with Jarom's family. Christmas is always an exciting time!! I'm looking forward to piano Christmas music, trees and lights (if they are straight), ad spending time with family. Things I'm not looking forward to include packing and freezing weather!!

Our lease on our apt is up at the end of the year, so between Christmas and New Years, we will be moving to Denver. We may have a few people helping us drive to Denver (and also getting a good vacation). My sister Adele (and family) and Jarom's family here in Rexburg may be joining us. We are so excited to me moving back to the Denver area- specifically Highlands Ranch. It will be so nice for me to be in a familiar area, with plenty of family close by, and we are both excited to get the business up and running.

That is about it from here.

Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Free Handbags

I'm all about sharing deals with those close to me. A friend shared this website with me, so I'm going to pass it on to those who want it. Go to www.handbagplanet.com if you are interested.

Tuesday, September 30, 2008

The Days Go By....

It has been pretty boring here in Rexburg for me. I'm not in school, and I'm not working.... makes it pretty slow.

Adele went back to work last week and I babysat Taylor on Friday and Saturday. This week I will watch her Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. She is so much fun to have around! It is surprising how much you don't get done with a baby. Jarom has been a great help too. He put her to sleep and she slept on the couch for about an hour until she ate. I put her down after she falls asleep, and she wakes up within 5 minutes. I don't know how he did it. He is also very helpful for the things that I need two hands for. He is going to be a great dad when the time comes.

Jarom is doing well in his classes. He is taking 15 credits. Mostly Geography classes for his minor, plus 2 history classes to finish up his major. He will walk in December, and will only have 2 online classes to take after we move to Denver. YEA for him!!! He took an online class during the 7 week break between semesters. Due to crazy work hours and problems with the testing center on campus, Jarom wasn't able to finish it before fall semester started. The teacher was nice enough to give him an extension, so it is all due this Thursday. He has been working so hard to get it finished on time, and keep up with his current classes. He has made too many trips to the online testing center, because there have been plenty of problems. I think he is going to get it all done on time. He is such a trooper.

We have spent many late nights on the couch together with our laptops- me watching TV shows online and Jarom working on papers and homework. Although we don't communicate all the much, it is nice to just be next to each other. It is always a little depressing to go to be alone, so I try to avoid it at all costs. Plus, I don't have to wake up early, so I don't mind staying up late.

Last weekend my long-time friend, Elizabeth Bowler, got married in the Logan, UT temple. She looks gorgeous and we were happy to be there to celebrate the day with them. We had a great time celebrating with them and also got to see many of our friends from High School. We say Laura (Lu-Bug), Sydney and her husband, and Jaden. It was worth the drive to Logan just to see everyone and catch up. Unfortunately, while there, I found out that they are moving to McCall, ID for the rest of the semester. SAD!! When she moves back, we will be moving to Denver. I'm so sad that we are going to miss each other. I really wanted to get to know her husband better and be able to spend some time with both of them before we leave Rexburg. I don't know the next time we will be in the same area after we move, which makes it even harder. I know it is right for them to move where they have a job and a place to stay and all those decisions you make when you are married, but I'm sad for my own selfish reasons. Hopefully we can go up and visit them before we move to Denver, and they will come to visit us sometime. They will be greatly missed!!!!

I have picked up a new hobby- scrap booking. It has been something I've wanted to do for a long time, but I never had the money or time to get addicted to it. Adele gave me the little push I needed by telling me that at the local hobby store they sell the stuff for a 2 page spread with directions for only $5. I can afford that!! Plus, they have a class you can go to on Thursdays that specifically focus on the pages for that week. We haven't gone to the actual class yet due to illness and Adele going back to work, but maybe some day.

I have recently got addicted to the TV show Heroes. I watched the first two seasons instantly on the Netflix website, and now I'm ready for the new season. We are also excited for The Office to back on!! Thursdays are the BEST!!

That is about it from here. I wish it was more exciting.

Friday, September 19, 2008

How I Spend My Days

Jarom started school about 2 weeks ago. Since I finished last semester, I find myself with plenty of free time. I have found the perfect activity to help the days go by-- holding my favorite niece!! Adele has to go back to work next week and I will be watching Taylor. I'm so excited!! She is two months old and is really starting to show her personality. I'm not her favorite but I'm in the top five, and that makes me feel good. She has been sick recently, so I've been holding her while Adele did everything else on her list- cleaning, laundry, shower, etc. Adele thinks she is getting the better end of the deal, but she is wrong. Taylor is so sweet and I love holding her and just loving her. It has been wonderful and I'm glad that I live so close!!

Sunday, August 3, 2008

Back in Utah for the Break

Jarom and I finish summer semester. I got 4 As and 1 B+!! So I'm feeling pretty good! We moved down to Utah for the month of August. We will head back permanently in Idaho either labor day weekend, when my family will be there, or the weekend after. (Either way we will be there Labor Day for Taylor's baby blessing)

Jarom is out spraying and I'm working in the office here in Utah. My job has changed a little though- because I am going to be running the office in Denver, I have been doing a lot more personal assistant stuff so I understand what goes into it. I have also been training on calls to solicit so that I can work until December from Idaho. We just call customers that we serviced a year ago and offer them a deal if they want to be sprayed again this year. (Things like free wasp spray with a spider spray etc) I'm slowly getting the hang of it. My boss likes things said a certain way because he has spent a lot of time working out the best way to say things, and some of them sound great when he says them, but I just sound like an idiot. Luckily everyone is really nice though.

My goal is to save as much money as possible and the way I'm going to be most effective is not eat out for lunch!! (It's sad how much money you can waste eating out) The first day I bought a loaf of bread, ham, cheese, peanut butter, jelly, a package of drinks, and some pretzels. Other than people drinking my Cherry Coke, it has worked out really well! And the other girls in the office know my goal and don't ask me to get lunch with them, which I appreciate.

Jarom is also learning new things. He is really working on termites and bed bugs so that he can sell them in Denver and become an overall expect on the subjects (along with the rest of the bugs, but most of those he already has down).

For me, work is much harder to get through than school. With school, you have different subjects, and different teachers, and different classmates about every hour. Here, it is the same thing for 8 hours or more. But I definitely like the personal assistant stuff more because it changes.

Last Sunday we had dinner with my brother, Kirk and his wife Tristin and their family. It was a lot of fun, except the pathetic pool game of me and Rian vs Jarom and Tyson. We eventually had to give up because we were slowly getting worse and worse and were scratching more and more. Dinner tasted great and we enjoyed hanging out with Kirk and Tristin.

Yesterday I hang out with an old friend, Sam Poth, that I haven't seen since 7th grade (almost 10 years). She is living in Bountiful and she found me on facebook. We met up and went to a farmers market. It was so nice to see her and have a chance to talk and catch up. Hopefully, we will be able to see more of each other before we go back to Idaho.

Next weekend we are headed back to Idaho. Jarom has to take a test for an online class he is taking during the break. I think we are going to float the rive up in Island Park, and maybe do some campfire dinners up at the dry farms. I am looking forward to it and it will definitely be the thing getting me through the week.

Tuesday, July 15, 2008

More of the new Smaellie Baby

It is finals week, but luckily all my papers and large projects were due last week, because I had more exciting things to do in place of studying. I mean, with a face that cute, how am I expected to concentrate on international relations and far east history?

Her FAVORITE Aunt Kate came to visit and wouldn't put her down!

Proud Mommy (my sister Adele)


I love the look of the new Dad with the little baby tucked in one arm. They make it look so easy with that football hold.


Yes, she has a butt chin! There must be Harris blood in her. Adele was pretty convinced that she had a butt chin from a sonogram. Looks like she was right.

Aunt Katie and Uncle Jarom taking their rightful place! ha ha.

Monday, July 14, 2008

My new niece!


After many hours of painfuly delivery, Adele brought Taylor Kristine Smaellie into this world. She looks very cute! She is 7.5 lbs and 19.5" long. We are very excited to finally meet her!

Tuesday, June 17, 2008

Midterms, etc.

We are officially half way through the summer semester... and maybe a little more. It feels so good, except that the second half is always harder... papers are written and turned in, projects are due, etc etc. My midterm grades were pretty good and I think Jarom's were better. It's been a busy but successful semester for the both of us so far. Amazingly enough, all my classes this semester have been overlapping. I'm taking a geography of developing nations, far east history, international relations (political science), and building eternal marriage. Who would have guess that they would all be so closely related? It's been very helpful and actually makes classes more interesting. This is my last semester and I'm very ready to be done!! I don't have time to get my bachelors degree because Jarom is going to graduate December. Instead, I'm getting my associates in general studies at the end of this semester. We will see if I will continue when we move to Denver.

This semester Jarom is playing on a BYU-I Tennis team. It's mostly for fun, but it's been exciting for me to go and watch him play. I'm finally beginning to understand the game. I want to know who came up with the scoring for tennis! I mean, the scoring of each game love-fifteen-thirty-forty-game point. But you have to win by two. So if you are neck and neck, you have to go deuce-add-in-deuce-add-out etc until someone wins by two. Who came up with that anyways? 15-30-40? I mean, shouldn't it be 45? And whe terms? And then the fact that you have to win by 2. Some little kid must have barely lost and said, "no, you have to win my two" just so he would have another chance. Then, to make it worse, you have to win 6 of those games to win the set, also by two. Then you have to win best of 3 sets for girls or best of 5 sets for boys. It goes on FOREVER! I've also been watching the French Open (which isn't called the french Open anymore) to get some practice with understanding the game.

This last weekend was Adele's baby shower. It went really nicely. There was an air show on the west side of town, and a marathon on the east side of town, so we were glad when so many people showed up. There were some bumps along the way, but everything went alright. Some of my family was able to come- Addie (from Boise), Hauna (from Lander, WY), and my mom (from CO). It was so much fun to have everyone here. There was a few time I was starting tearing up because I was laughing so hard. Unfortunately, they weren't able to stay long. I appreciate them taking the time, money, and effort to support us here in Rexburg. The picture is of Adele with a gift- they are baby etnies. They are SO cute!! Adele has some to match. Baby stuff is the cutest!

Tuesday, May 13, 2008

And more reading...

So far this semester I have read more words than I care to admit. Unfortunately, not all of the articles I'm reading are that good... meaning I don't agree with them and they tend to contradict themselves. Maybe I should have been an english major instead of going into history/political science. The good thing is that my classes tend to overlap even though I'm taking one political science class, one religion, one history, and one geography. All in all, school is keeping me plenty busy.

This week, my main focus has shifted. For those of you who don't already know, my sister, Adele, is expecting a baby girl in July. I'M SUPER EXCITED!! If you haven't checked out her blog, you should! She is adorable!! (See figure 1) Anyways, this week I have been planning and putting together invitations for her baby shower for Saturday June 14th. The announcements, after a few trips to scrap booking story, turned out very, very cute! Hopefully I'll be able to get a picture of one and put it up. It turned out very well. I'm sending out almost 60 invitations, but Adele thinks that about half will come. We will see. If you get one, PLEASE RSVP.

Last weekend we went to my niece's baptism. We were so greatful to experience the baptism with Rian. We are so proud of the decision she has made. My brother, Kirk, baptised her. (See figure 2) We had a great time with the whole family. (See figure 3) Thanks to Kirk and Tristin for having us. I went down a little early to help my brother-in-law Tracy in his office. They were trying to switch over programs and needed some help in the office. It was nice to get a break from school. In the end, he decided that the new program just wasn't going to work. While we were in the SLC area we got our new bed from IKEA. When we got up to Rexburg and put it together, we realized that they didn't give us the mid beam (essential for king size beds). Yeah... so I'm not happy! For now, our bed be being held up in the middle with buckets and books. I guess this is when being a history major is beneficial-- we had plenty of solid books to spare.

We are really liking our new apartment!! It is very open and we've done a really good job at always keeping it clean. Plus, less of it to clean and with our tini dishwasher we have to do the dishes about every-other or every-third day. I'm sure our downstairs neighbors really appreciate it. haha.

This weekend we are going to Denver for pest control business stuff with Audra and Tracy (they own the business). While we are there, we will see Jarom's other sister and brother-in-law that are there for an orthodontist conference. Then on Tuesday, we will fly to Phoenix to spend the rest of the week. While in Phoenix, we are picking up our new car. (See figures 4, 5, and 6) Jarom has been very excited about the whole thing. We bought a 2003 Acura TL type S. Pearl white with tan leather interior. It comes with satellite navigation and heated leather seats. Jarom is super excited and I keep having to remind him that this is suppose to be my car, and he gets the Beeline trucks. haha.

Hopefully I will have more pictures to come.

P.S. It snowed this morning and last Friday. SO NOT COOL!!

Thursday, April 24, 2008

Blizzard


So today we had a full-on blizzard. It was so upsetting! At the end of April, I'm pretty sure we are suppose to have good weather... maybe some slight rain showers but overall nice weather. What happened? I'm sick of snow and I'm sick of wind! It is days like this that I really miss my garage at our last place!! I've also pretty much given up on trying to make my hair look good until the wind stops. Every day I spend time straightening my hair, and then I go out to the car, and when I park on campus I walk to my classes, and by the time anyone sees me, my hair looks completely ridiculous!! It's all over the place and not even straight anymore. It's so frustrating!! Any girl who has lived in Rexburg knows exactly what I'm talking about, and I'm sure plenty of other people around the world have experienced the same frustration.

Wednesday, April 23, 2008

UGH!! That's all I have to say!

The "break" between semesters wasn't so much of a break. We went down to SLC and I went shopping by myself a lot and Jarom worked. Luckily, Jarom made more than I spent, so we came out on top! We had a lot of fun with Kirk and Tristin and Tristin's family. My sister, Hauna, and her family came through on Saturday. It was nice to see them and spend the afternoon and evening with their family. I went to IKEA with my cousin Madeleine. That store is so cool!! I bought a dresser (see Figure 1). I LOVE IT! We drove it all the way home in our Acura. It was an interesting drive because our back seats DO NOT fold down. Out of determination and much measuring, we laid down the front passenger seat and placed the boxes on that seat. Jarom drove home and I sat in the back, very very lonely. Needless to say that Jarom’s shoulder got all the love because that’s all I could see and reach.


I had Jarom's brother Jake buy me a bed frame later from IKEA (after we had gotten back but he was still down in SLC). He asked quite a few times, "so this is everything I need for a king size mattress?" He is very smart and realized that he didn’t want to drive 5 hours just to realize that he was missing one small but essential part to the bed frame. But when we were putting it together, we discovered that the head and foot board were for a queen and did not convert into a king size. After many phone calls to IKEA, they said that they would ship up the king size since he specifically asked someone at the store. So that was good.... notice the “was.” They called Monday to let us know that they couldn't ship it because UPS doesn't ship things that heavy so they would have to use the really expensive shipping (according to the shipping fees on the web about $300, which I knew because I considered just buying it online until I realized that the shipping was as much as the frame) so instead they would give us 10% off the king size bed frame and extend our return policy. I'm not happy about that at all!! We live 5 hours away! Luckily we are going down to SLC for my niece’s, Rian, baptism in 2 weeks. If I had been on the phone I would have told them that they were paying for my gas and giving me more than 10% off. 5 hours!!! Did I mention that?

The good thing about moving so close is that you can take 3 days to move. The bad thing about moving so close is that you take 3 days to move. By the third day I was SO tired!! And we technically aren't done, but the things left are little stuff like Jarom's tools in the garage etc. We still have to clean but that is going to have to wait until the weekend.
The boxes are the queen bed frame.
Our new apartment is pretty nice. It is smaller than the house we were renting, but we never used all the space and it is easier to keep a smaller apt clean, not to mention cheaper t
o heat. We are enjoying the apt complex “club house” which includes a workout room, pool and ping pong table, theater room, computer room, and lounge. Jarom and I played 6 games of pool, which all ended miserably with someone hitting in the 8 ball. Let’s just say we both considered it pretty pathetic. But yesterday (Tuesday) Jarom and I went to work out and decided that we needed to redeem ourselves. I did amazing!! I can openly admit that because I know it was all luck! The first game I technically lost because I called the wrong pocket for the 8 ball, but it was an amazing shot either way. The second game I won!! It was like I could do no wrong! Every turn I hit at least 2 balls in and most of them were strictly by chance. I will probably never play like that again so I enjoyed it while it lasted.

School started again on Monday and I'm not excited about it. It is my last semester and I'm so close to just giving it all up! The new "learning model" makes everyone read everything before class and required students to be prepared to teach the material. Unfortunately, this means that each teacher thinks that their class is the only class and requires a lot of reading with quizzes or journals due of that days reading. It's NOT fun!! Whatever happened to learning from the teacher? I’m good at that kind!

I think we will be going to Denver soon on business. Jarom's brother-in-law Tracy wants to check out the area and find a bank/credit union for the business. I’m not sure the actual date because I'm not the one making the decisions and every time I suggest setting an actual date, he just says, "yeah, that sounds alright..." but never makes a definite plan. It's slightly frustrating. I'm very excited even if it will just be for the weekend.

It's still so so cold here and the wind has picked up way too much!! I'm wondering when spring is going to come?! Monday I wore a light sweater and pretty much froze!! I needed a full-on coat! It is just so depressing that I still need a heavy coat in the middle of April. And people try to convince me of global warming.... well it's not warming in Idaho!

Wednesday, April 9, 2008

Success!!


So I made it through finals!! YEA! Jarom has one last thing to finish up tomorrow and then he will be done too! DOUBLE YEA! As soon as he is done, we are taking off to Salt Lake. I know... exciting... It's our short little vacation. I have a Dr apt at the University of Utah on Monday, so we decided to go for the whole weekend. We are going to be staying with my brother, Kirk, in South Jordan. We are excited to get away, even if it is just for the weekend.

When we get back, I get to pack and move on Wednesday. GULP! I haven't even started the packing process. I keep thinking to myself "how much could we have" but then I remember thinking that last time and still being surprised at how many boxes we filled.


After we move, we get to start school again. GULP again! This next semester will be my last. I'm taking fun classes (for me at least) meaning: Sign Language I (again and again), Advanced International Relations, Swimming, Geography of Developing Nations, Piano Lessons, and Building Eternal Marriage. Yep, it'll be exciting!!

Although I felt some relief today when I turned in my research paper, I felt the oncoming stress of the move and the beginning of yet another semester right around the corner. Hopefully I will get to enjoy my weekend and spend some time not thinking about everything on my to-do list. We will see...




P.S. Did I mention that it snowed again today? That is NOT OK!!

Monday, March 31, 2008

Making it to finals


This week has been so busy and misrible! What happened to spring? I'm pretty sure it is suppose to be here by now! It's been snowing every morning since last Wednesday, and every morning I'm upset about it.



All semester I've been working towards a research paper on the New Deal. It's finally close to the end, and although I haven't procrastinated that much, I feel completely stressed about it, all hours of the day. I've spent many night researching and writing.... it has been less than fun! (see Figure 1) Not to mention the rest of my classes that have their own demands. I have plenty of things due this week, followed by plenty of tests, and everyone still expects me to make it to every class. I keep telling myself that I only have a week and a half left, but then I get overwelmed with the amount of time I don't have left. When the semester finally ends, I get to move. I'm trying not to think about that until my finals are over so that I don't divert my attention away from my homework.



We are moving into a new apartment where we will reside until we are done with school at the end of the year. We are excited to have a change in location and look forward to all the frustrations that furniture location bring.




Sunday, March 30, 2008

The New Plan

Jarom's brother-in-law Tracy owns a pest control business. He came to us and offered us an opportunity to open a branch of his company in the Denver area. Tracy came up to Rexburg that weekend to go over all the specifics. Tracy’s idea was for Jarom to own the Denver office, and he would pay all the start up costs but it would be Jarom’s job to run it and make it work. Jarom has always wanted to starat his own business, he knows the business, and this opportunity puts us in Denver where we wanted to live. We decided to accept, and we feel very good about the decision.

So now the plan is that Jarom will take extra classes each semester and graduate from BYU-Idaho this December, and then we will move to Denver and start the branch at the beginning of the year. I will not be able to graduate by December so I am going to get a Associates Degree and try to continue my schooling when we move to Denver. I am also looking into Sign Language Interpreting programs in Denver. We are very excited to move back to Denver and be close to my family after being so close to Jarom's family for two years. Be in all honesty, we will miss Jarom's family very much! Hopefully they will come and visit!

The Old Plan

Jarom and I are both attending school right now at BYU-Idaho in Rexburg. Both of us are studying History; Jarom with a minor in Geography, and me with a minor in Political Science. We go to school in the winter (January to April) and summer (April to end of July). Furing the fall we move down to Utah and work for Jarom's brother-in-law, Tracy. If we follow this routine, we will both graduate Summer (July) of 2009. Although the semesters ahead will not be easy, it will be nice to be done!

After our degrees, Jarom will continue on to law school, and I will tag along for the ride. Jarom is hoping to get into a Top Ten law school to receive his training in business law. We wouldn't mind moving closer to the east coast for law school since both of us are from the west, but eventually we want to end up back in this region to be close to family (and enjoy no humidity).

To Blog or Not To Blog

Well, after much debate and push from people, we have started our blog. Gulp! Now the question is, can we do it successfully? Due to the fact that our lives have become so confusing recently and have no hopes of simplified we decided to share and hope that you can all understand what is going on. Let me know if it gets too confusing!