Things Just Got Crazier

Yup they sure have. I know I haven't updated this for about a month or so but that is because life has just been that hectic for us!

Mark and I have settled into our new home and have been enjoying the extra room we have that was absent in the apartment that we were in before. The only thing that I think would disrupt that would be when we get my stuff from Idaho down here. Then we might have to re-settle back into normality but that is just a slight dent in out lives. 

So since the move things have been going full steam ahead for me. School started up in the first part of October and it seems I have been going non stop since then! I am enjoying it although I have found myself struggling with the "stance" to get really into deep tissue massage. Your body mechanics are different in terms of bending more in the legs and leaning vs. pushing all while trying to adjust to a lower table height. Although it is because of school that I am the proud owner of a new espresso brown colored massage table. It has been nice to be able to practice the techniques I have learned and Mark certainly has been great at volunteering himself for practice (I bet it has nothing to do with getting a free full body massage *wink*).

There is just SO much information to learn but I am really excited and interested in learning it. UCMT has three 10 week terms and we are already half over with the first. Two classes a day for four days and each class is 3.5 hours long and then come the first of December I start working in the student clinic for my internship to get the hours needed for certification/licensing. We shall see how that goes but already I have passed my first 3 classes with A's and can now give a 50 minute full body Swedish Massage and a full 50 minute Reflexology session. I am also now CPR/First Aid certified as well! Then by the middle of December I will be able to give a 50 minute full body deep tissue massage along with a full 50 minute acupressure session. EXCITING!!! However, I haven't quite sold Mark on the acupressure part (since it deals a lot with a persons Chi or energy) as he seems sort of skeptic about the whole thing. 

If life couldn't get any crazier for me, I was just called to be a primary teacher over the 4/5 year olds and last week was my first week teaching. It was funny because the primary president had me coming in two weeks ago so I could get to know the kids and let the kids become familiar with me and I was pretty much thrown under the bus my first day! I guess it is a tradition that if you are new, you get to stand up and introduce yourself to everyone and tell them a little bit about you and then it is "open season." The kids get to ask you anything they want (within in reason of course). Talk about being put on the spot! I got the usual questions about my favorite colors and foods but a few of the questions threw me for a loop such as if I liked sports..specifically if I was blue or red (I guess its a  HUGE deal on whether you like BYU (blue) or Univeristy of Utah (red) down here) needless to say I was rescued by the bishop that said I was a Bengal. LOL it was a lot of fun but I was sort of sweating it, just a little. LOL.

Mark just keeps reminding me that I wanted a calling and that I will be great at it. I have to laugh because the primary president told him he was more than welcome to come help me teach and we were kinda sure they would release him from ward mission leader and have him recalled as a team teacher with me but that didn't happen. Mark said he was a little relieved for that because he isn't sure he could handle the kids since he really hadn't had much experience being in primary let alone with younger kids to which I replied it would be good practice for you. Yeah, he didn't find the humor in that. 

Life just keeps us going and with the holidays fast approaching (seems like Christmas comes earlier each year) I am sure our lives will get just a little bit more hectic but we are grateful to have each other and the support and love from family and friends to help us survive. We Love and Miss you all!

Crazy, Crazy, Crazy!

I know it has been a while since I have sat down and actually blogged. It has been kinda of crazy in our little world that I don't really know where to start! I guess picking up where we left off from the last post. That being said, we had left you hanging with the big announcement that Mark and I were pregnant. Yes, your eyes read that right. However, a few weeks ago we ended up in the ER because there was a great chance that we were in the process of miscarrying. A blood test four days later confirmed what we had expected. We were sad at first but have come to accept it and hope that one day the opportunity will come again.

If that wasn't crazy enough, the next day after our lovely morning at the ER, we moved. We had moved out of the apartment complex that we were previously living in and pretty much moved across the street. The best part of this (and Mark will probably give me crap for saying this) is that we are still in the same ward as we were before. This time, we are actually IN the physical ward boundaries. Kinda makes us feel like we are in the loop of things happening in the ward. 

I know that seems like a lot of changes that have been going on. Yet, that isn't all that has been going on the last few weeks for us. For the pass week, my brother has been down at the University of Utah Hospital to be monitored during seizures so that the doctors can maybe finally figure out the cause and a treatment for him since he has suffered them for many, many years. So while he was down here Mark and I have been visiting with them since he was sort of confined to a hospital via an eeg machine.  

While my brother was up in the hospital I started school at the Utah College of Massage Therapy. Wow, already it has been crammed full of information and it is only the second week. Classes have included the basics of Massage Therapy, Anatomy and Physiology, First Aid/CPR, and Reflexology...oh yeah and there is several others that will be starting in the next few weeks. I am sure to be busy studying and practicing. Already I have talked Mark into being my guinea pig as I practice the techniques that we will cover. Although, I don't think that he objected to much at that thought. Hey, it's a free massage! Needless to say the next 7.5 months will be chaotic but rewarding for me as I forward with this endeavor. 

As for Mark, he is still doing good and working many hours at his work. I have to say I am lucky that he is allowing me to stay home and the opportunity to go to school while he works to support us. As crazy as life has and will continue to be for us, we are sure there will be many adventures ahead...we just got to sit back, and make the most of what comes our way. 

Surprising Adventures!

The last week or so has been eventful for us here, but in a good way. Here is what has happened:

Last week was a big long week for Mark and his work. Apple's unveiling of the launch date of their new iphone caused his place of business  to go into over drive since they were down a few people. Because of this, Mark ended up working his day off (thanks to it landing on the pre sale day) making 6 straight days of work. Along with the following week (or rather this week) being long as well. 

This is where Mark was really sweet and surprised me by taking me to One Sweet Slice cupcake shop (the recent winners of Food Network's Cupcake Wars...and yes they were that good). His reason behind it was because we probably wouldn't be able to spend much time together in the following weeks (between work and packing). To top that off we ended up at The Pie which was just across the street. Yeah, I was in heaven...yummy cupcakes and yummy pizza and great company. Life couldn't get any better. Or could it?

Yup that is right to sweeten the deal, Mark told me that we could come up to Poky and visit my mom and family. Which was nice because I was really kind of missing them and my "little" Bailey. Even though it was just a weekend trip (up Saturday night and back Sunday night) it meant a lot to me and I am sure to my family. 

To make this week even more we finally got keys to the new place and we can finally start packing. There isn't much here that needs a to be packed so with any luck the moving in part will go smooth and easy. I fear the worst part will be moving my stuff down since we will have to have a U-haul and I have some heavy items. Not that it will be too bad just a little time consuming cause I have a lot of stuff....

But that wasn't the only surprise that we had...

Picture isn't that great...sorry

Yup, we are pregnant and expecting (hopefully)! I surprised Mark on the Thursday that we had the cupcakes. Even though it was a light line there was still a line. So we talked and decided that we would wait and test again once we were back from Idaho and once again we had another more definite line so just to make extra sure, we tested again and for a third time we had another positive!  We get to go in to the OB/GYN in October for our first appointment. 

Adventures at the Salt Lake Temple

Let me just start out by saying this was the first time that I have been inside of the Salt Lake Temple. I have been on the temple grounds several times through out my life but never inside. 

Friday night, Mark proposed to me that we should go and do a temple session after he got off work on Saturday. I was like OK, yeah I guess we could (to be honest I was feeling more like staying in...I guess that is the time when I should be going to the temple the most). Now, since we live just south of SLC we are within minutes of several LDS temples. Sort of overwhelming in a way for the non Utah native/resident for a few years. 

Now for those who don't know about temple sessions or have never gone, they can be a bit lengthy which is what I told Mark so he was like, OK we will go to the Salt Lake Temple where it isn't as long.  Plus, it would give me an opportunity to see the temple up close at night and also see State Street again. This also meant that I had to take Mark to work since it was for obvious reasons. It would have been stupid for him to get off work (he works in downtown SLC), pick me up, and then turn right around and go back to downtown SLC. So just in case you were wondering, yes, I did survive and no it didn't kill me to drive alone down here. 

So we get downtown by the temple and were lucky enough that we didn't need to have validation for parking in the parking garage (how sweet was that?). So we get parked, under the Conference Center and because we forgot that the grounds/street on the outside of Temple Square was being worked on, we couldn't just go and cross the street, we had to go up to the corner and over. Which coming out from the temple allowed me to get this shot of it (with the annex in the middle...would have been sweet with out that there but it worked)

 This picture was taken from the Conference Center. I have to say it was definitely a different experience going through a live session, I would elaborate further but because of the sacredness of the Temple and the ceremony itself I shouldn't talk about it, at least in such an open space. Needless to say...yeah it was different. 

It made for a great experience over all and really helped Mark set up for his lesson on Sunday about the Fall of Adam and Eve. Yet that wasn't all of our adventures.

Monday around 5:30 pm the power decided to go out due to a fairly strong thunderstorm. Now I like thunderstorms as well as the next person, but only when I am not alone. The apartment we are in gets dark quick and where we had no candles and apparently no flashlights, yeah I was a little jumpy you could say because I am still not accustomed to all the sounds and people around the complex. The power was out til around 10 pm...the good thing is we have candles (and they smell yummy) so that when this happens again, I/we will have some light to see with. This whole adventure with the power going out made me realize that we were not prepared as well as we should be. So you can be sure that we will start getting supplies together like more candles and flashlights with extra batteries and some other items. 

OOOHHHH YEAH, I almost forgot to tell you, Friday Mark and I signed the lease papers for the new basement apartment we have been wanting! Not sure when the official move in date will be (the owners are finishing up some small items) but hopefully by the end of the month we will be out of the apartments that we are in which we both will be grateful for. We will still be in the same ward that we are currently in so that I guess is a plus. Although I am not the new kid in town anymore...a few other couples have moved in since I moved in here almost a month ago. Sigh...what new adventures will be in store for us this week?

Sunday Adventures

Let me just preface this post by saying that even though it was Sunday spending time with Mark and just having fun exploring new things in SLC was probably one of the greatest days I think we have had since we have been married.

The day started off with a fairly good three hour block of church. Even though it was fast and testimony meeting it was still pretty good. Of course, for me anyway, it could have been because we ended up sitting behind this family with 3 adorable but funny/entertaining kids.

This post I am afraid is going to start sounding like a play by play of the day...I don't mean it to be! We will see what I can do to keep it somewhat interesting. Did you ever have one of those days that you  just feel like you need to get away from where you are? Well I felt Mark and I needed to get away and so when I proposed the idea he agreed. 

Oh yeah! If you didn't see it on Facebook, Mark and I have found THE BEST PIZZA on the planet. OK that might be a stretch but oh my gosh it was YUMMY. I don't know what they do with their crusts but oh it is to die for! 

Welcome to the best pizza "dive" in SLC! The Pie Pizzaria!

Yes, it is underground BELOW a pharmacy on the campus on University of Utah. I guess you can quickly get some asprin to help in the event of a heart attack because yeah, the food is just that good and meaty!

The wall mural and the entrance to the place. You have to go down the stairs and around the light post and walk next to the stairs to get in. All the graffiti that you see bordering the mural? Yeah it continues into the restaurant. 

http://entertainment.sltrib.com/restaurants/view/pie_pizzeria_the_salt_lake_city
The above pic is the inside but must have been during the day because it was not this light when we were in there.
 The inside was lit by those little candles that you see in restaurants, you know the little red ones? The ambiance is way casual, family friends but the atmosphere is slightly loud which is OK because you will be to busy stuffing your face with food. 

Sorry for the horrible pictures. You can see the glow from the candle so you can tell how dark it is. I would have used the flash but when I did it lit up the whole place and I really didn't want that much attention. The top pic is their garlic cheese pull apart. Basically it is a pizza crust stuffed with cheese. and then sliced up in strips. MUST HAVE!
The bottom pic was obviously our pizza, the Pie Combo. We should have ordered a small pizza cause Mark and I were full enough of the cheese bread that we were only able to really eat a slice, but it was YUMMY. I can't say that enough. This place has won a lot of awards for having the best pizza in the area.

So after dinner we decided that we would hang out around the Gateway Mall and the Clark Planetarium.

http://www.weddingmapper.com/plan/vendor/attractions_entertainment/gateway_mall/44196

http://www.digistardomes.org/worldlist/indexp2.html

While we were there we caught the movie of The Dark Knight Rises on IMAX. Mark had seen the movie before and I had yet to see it but it was the first time that we had both watched it on an IMAX screen. It was loud, in your face, body shaking experience but it was AWESOME!

Then we headed home since it was going on midnight. We took State Street all the way home. This has to be and really always has been my favorite view in Utah. Driving up or away from the Capitol building at night. 

http://www.flickr.com/photos/wyojones/5564606719/

All and all it was a great night and both Mark and I told each other that we will have to definitely do this again. It really was nice to spend the time together, getting out of the apartment and away from everything!

Adventures in Shopping....

  From the title of this post I am sure you can guess what I am going to talk about. Yup, Mark and I went shopping together for the first time as husband and wife. Actually, the first time we have ever went shopping for more than just a few items. 

So before I start, let me ask first this question...is it the "norm" for women to take more time in shopping and comparing items than men? Cause it seems like that is the case, not sure about you, but at least that is the case in my experience. When asked their opinion the answer that seems to be returned is "I don't care...it's food." Sigh...please tell me I am not alone in this?!?

Despite the differences in shopping style and technique (is there really a style or technique in grocery shopping? If so, why isn't it considered a sport...dang it, I want a gold medal!!!) we actually did accomplish a lot in that short trip at Super Target. **Note: If it wasn't for the multitude of Target gift cards that we got (and we really appreciated them) we would not have shopped there. Wow, the price on some things was ridiculous. Needless to say I won't do the bulk of my shopping there...LOL.

I do have to say that I am getting better at navigating the city in small quadrants. Mark is still making me drive most anywhere we have gone which I guess is a good thing that way I know somewhat where I am going. Although, against my beliefs I finally had Mark install a navigation system on my phone. I hate those things but I guess it is a necessary evil until I get to know the place. Still not feeling the whole grid thing...any tips or tricks in figuring that out?

Welcome to Utah...

It is crazy that Mark and I have been married for about 5 days now...crazy how time flies. The wedding was absolutely wonderful, the sealer at the temple did a beautiful job (I even cried) and the ceremony itself was just indescribable.  Hopefully we will be posting pictures soon...I know there are a ton on Facebook already but I hope to soon have some on here for you guys as well. We were so lucky to have so many wonderful friends and family there to share in the magic. Thanks again for all you did!

Yes, you are reading that sign right. It says Welcome to Utah! and on the other side of the road is the one that says Welcome to Idaho! I am sure you probably can guess which one I would rather see BUT a new adventure is starting not only for me but for Mark as well. So many things are starting to happen for us here (like the possibility of getting out of his current small box of an apartment) to a larger 2 bedroom apartment for right around the same amount! We are both feeling really good about the thought of that. 

Last night was my first night staying at Mark's place and oh my word...Redwood Road is a noisy road indeed. I have never heard this much traffic in my life in my own home. I mean when I was living in Poky we lived just off one of the smaller main roads and I all I could really hear was the trains and the sirens...so I am sure I will get use to the traffic at some point in time (I hope). Not to mention all the people that don't seem to sleep at night in the apartment complex where we live...but we will survive, well I will survive, Mark is already adjusted to the noise level. LOL.

Not sure what the next few days hold before Mark goes back to work on Saturday...I think part of that time will be getting me use to the cities and the stupid grid system that they have down here for the streets. Either way it should make for a real adventure, but isn't that what life is all about? Making memories as we go on through life? I think so...so with that let the adventures begin!

It's Almost Here!!!

Literally the day is pretty much upon us all...and I have to say my stress level has pretty much gone through the roof (although I can't speak for Mark but I am guessing that his stress level has gone up a bit too). There has been sooo much going on lately that I just had to stop and take a break and just relax for a bit before this happens:

which may or may not have already happened..."I didn't do it, Nobody saw me do it, You can't prove a thing!" LOL

Between packing and getting last minute wedding stuff organized and put together I am pretty sure I could give Godzilla a run for his money in Tokyo...but as crazy as this has been for us, we are still super excited for it  to be happening. We have heard from so many of our family and friends congratulating us and sending best wishes that we have truly been blessed. It means the world to us that you all want to share in our happiness.



Calling All Friends and Family...

We want to know what is happening in your lives! If you have a blog or website that you use, send us the link cause we would love to know what you and/or your family is up too! Either comment or email me at hysteria2483@gmail.com and include the link! Then we will post it in our Family and Friends Tab!

It's Getting Closer!

What a whirl the last few days have been. CRAZY!...but in a good way. Mark came up for the day and together we accomplished a lot of wedding details that had to be done. For example, we went and applied for a wedding license...so off we went to the court house.

Bannock County Court House...I hate walking into this place because I hate to have to go through security. Mark only had to walk through once compared to my two times. I guess that is what I get for carrying keys and a cell phone (I was expecting an important phone call)...needless to say I try very hard to avoid this place and places like this for that very reason!

 No, your eyes are not deceiving you. The writing on the door is back words because I took the picture while we were waiting for one of the clerks to process our paper work. We felt so bad for this poor girl. She had been slaving over a rather tall stack of divorce papers and I don't know if it was the joy of being able to take a break from that duty by helping us that caused the problems she was having.

 First off, Mark and I had to fill out the papers with all of our information (they sure are nosy...LOL) about who we are, where are we from, where were we born, etc.,etc., etc.. We finally filled out our sheets (yes they were SOOO long...OK OK they were only a half a page) we handed them over to this gal and she entered it in the computer. However, before she had a chance to print our the proof reading copies of the license, she had accidentally deleted all of our information!

 After the second time round, she printed the copies out for us to go over and we found that I was born in PITTSBURG, Idaho. Hmm...I have lived in Idaho all my life and I don't ever recall there being town here by that name! LOL...so she had to go back in and correct it to Pocatello. After the second proof copy was handed to us it was finally right. So then she printed off the real copies only to find out that she forgotten to certify the one that needs to go back to the court house (joy I get to go through security again!). 

 As you can see, we finally got the marriage license and all is right in the world again! I have to say as nervous as this little piece of paper has made me, I am excited to have it in my possession. In just 16 days this will be the binding paperwork for Mark and I to be married and then sealed for time and all eternity in the Idaho Falls Temple.

http://redleafdesigns.blogspot.com/2011/04/idaho-falls-temple.html

Getting that task completed, we both agreed, just felt right. Yet that was not the end of our adventures. I think we went to a few different stores after that trying to get some misc. items that was still needed for the wedding. I am proud to announce that as far as I know, unless something unexpected comes up. We have everything we are going to need for the ring ceremony and reception/open house. Now all there is left to do is to put them together! Which will go by quick. I think the only time consuming task left is a minor food item which is easy to do just fairly time consuming but those will take place next week so they are fresh.

Once we completed our errands, we spent an hour or so sorting out  boxes in my storage unit. We did find what we were looking for which was a plus. We will be able to eat since I found some pots and pans and dishware. So I guess that means we will be eating! *Grins* While we were there we were able to grab some of the boxes that I had there so I can start to pack up my belongings. I have to admit, it is a bit bittersweet for me. I am sad to be leaving the home that I grew up in and the home that became my foundation when I returned home and at the same time I am excited!

Oh!, speaking of excitement. You know how I told you earlier that I had to take my cell phone with me to the court house? Well, the call that I was waiting for was from the financial aid rep at UCMT to let me know that I had been cleared to receive aid to help pay for school. I was so excited! 

 This was the packet that came via FedEx from the Utah College of Massage Therapy (UCMT). There was lots of forms to sign and return but hey, it was worth it knowing that my schooling is completely paid for and that is including fees, books, tools, etc. Oh and the good news is, I will have some left over to spend however I want. Yup, $0.92 is my cash refund. I guess I should be careful that Mark and I don't spend it all in one place. 

Yup this will be my future home for my education starting October 8th!  The good thing about going to school at this campus is that it is just about a half block or so from temple square and just up the street and around the corner from where Mark works! Can we say perhaps lunch dates??!? Maybe?? LOL!

Well that is all that has been going on so far in our little journey. Stick around because I am sure that there will be more crazy adventures in store for us, especially during the next few weeks! Stay tuned!

Three Weeks and Counting..

Can you believe that it is three weeks until Mark and I get married? It is crazy how time is flying by, it will be here before we know it! There is still plenty of tiny details to accomplish. Yesterday it was all about the flowers. Yes, I had tried my hand at floral arranging. 

Not bad if you ask me...but then I am a little biased but also my own worst enemy when it comes to stuff like this. I think the best part of that whole process was painting the flowers teal so that they would match our colors cause for some odd reason, floral shops just aren't carrying that color any more this season. *LOL* 

So as to not be outdone by flowers, there is the issue of coloring rice. I think that I am finally done with that little task. It only took me dying the rice twice to get the color that I wanted...as evident in the following picture which was only after one round of dying.

 

To color rice: for every one cup of rice use 3 Tablespoons of water and 2-5 drops of food coloring. Mix water and food coloring together. Once mixed, add in the rice and stir until the rice is coated. Let sit for about 5 minutes or so and then pour on to a cookie sheet and let sit until dry. I usually let mine sit over night but usually stir the rice with my fingers half way through the drying process to move the dry rice aside and allow the rice on the bottom to get some air time. Easy peasey lemon squeezey!

I have to admit that this wedding has brought a lot of firsts. Thank heavens for Pinterest! It has been Pinterest to the rescue! Hello, my name is Audrey and I am a Pinterholic. LOL sad but if you ask Mark, he will probably agree with me on that. 

Mark and I are getting together next week to get all the necessary stuff done that we both have to be present for, you know like a marriage license and going through court house security. I have to say I am not thrilled about that last part...but it is necessary evil I am afraid. Should make for an interesting day...oh yeah and there might be chocolate involved at some point during the day!

Welcome!

Welcome to Our Crazy Life Together! I thought that since Mark and I were starting a whole new journey together soon as newlyweds, that we should start to keep a blog where all of our family and friends can keep updated about what is going on in our lives. 

I know what your thinking and yes it might be a little out there to start a family blog when we aren't even married yet. Well, in just 23 days that little issue will be taken care of and since this wedding affects the both of us, why not start this blog out right and let you all in on the FUN as we spend the next three weeks preparing for our new life together? Doesn't that sound like fun?! Heck Ya it does.

Awe, isn't that saying just the best? Well, it describes Mark and I pretty well and I hope that by reading this blog you too will come to think so as you get to know us both a little better. I can't say what all might get posted here but let's just say that it will be a part of our adventure in Our Crazy Life Together!