Becoming One....

I just realized that our anniversary is coming up. WOW!  Crazy how quickly a year can pass by! It's a good thing we are starting to become one.....we even have a photo to prove it!

Games

Shay and I are gamers. We love to play games! We have an entire closet full of games to play when we have family and friends over. So when I finished tutoring a student of mine, and her parent was asking what things she could do at home to help her child out, I suggested some fun educational games that would help this child master some spelling and memorization concepts. As our conversation turned to games she shared with me a game their family got for Christmas. She said that they had purchased both Agricola and Catan for Christmas but that Catan was still in its wrapper since they haven't been able to move away from Agricola. This shocked me because I LOVE Catan! I highly suggested that she open up her Catan and give it a try. She then told me I needed to try Agricola.

I have to be honest, I really wanted to try Agricola. I had been introduced to Agricola in Chicago by a game store employee (My mother wanted to purchase a game for Shay for his birthday so we took an hour jaunt over to a gaming store to purchase a much wanted game--Puerto Rico). At the time the employee was really pushing Shay and I to purchase Agricola instead of Puerto Rico, since it had pushed Puerto Rico out of the #1 game in the world position. I was almost convinced until I saw the $90 price tag price! We left with smiles on our faces and Puerto Rico in our hands....but to be honest I have always wondered why that employee loved Agricola so much---BTW:  Puerto Rico is an awesome game as well!!!


Well, this mother not only loves Agricola, but she is also addicted to it. She immediately invited me to use her game to try it out. So at the next tutoring session, Friday, she shows up with Agricola and all these fancy pieces she has purchased on top of the original game. I smiled and thought---WOW, she is obsessed! That afternoon I called our gaming friends, Holly and Jason, and asked if they would be interested in trying it out. Unfortunately they were busy that night but we made a time to get together Sunday evening. That night Shay and I felt we had better at least try to figure out the game a bit before Holly and Jason showed up (the pieces and cards alone looked overwhelming). We started reading through the directions as 9:30 PM. By a quarter to 11 I told Shay we had better go to bed. The next day we got onto YouTube and watched a tutorial on how to play Agricola. It took 30 minutes to watch and at the end we were excited to try it out. We ended up playing 4 games and made ourselves go to bed at midnight. Then today, we played 4 more games before Holly and Jason even showed up. Holly and Jason really liked it as well. Unfortunately, we were only able to play one full game before they needed to leave but we ended up making plans to play again tomorrow night!
So, I guess the whole point of this little blog is to let you know about Agricola, if you haven't heard of it already. It is such a fun game! It is a 1-5 player game and the game changes each time you play it! I would highly suggest getting together with someone who has played before (Shay and I would love to play with you if you'd like) or go onto YouTube and watch a tutorial.
The only bummer deal now is that Shay and I will have to purchase the game! Luckily the price has come down to below $50!

What a week...

So today was the last day of school! 

 WHAT A day!!!!

Every year I promise myself that the next year will be more organized, less stressful, and that I will be able to have the most peaceful end of the year yet. Unfortunately, it has never happened! I end up breaking my promise and this year was no exception. I actually was on the road to that dream ending....that was until I realized that I would be heading up the "End-of-the Year Luncheon" for my faculty members and staff.
Before I go any further, I have to be honest and say that I was excited for the opportunity to work with some amazing individuals, to think of ways to make the end of the year special for those I work with (they are amazing individuals!), and to break the long time tradition of going to Chuck-o-Rama (SP?--Don't get me wrong I don't HATE Chuck-o-Rama, I just thought a change of venue after 3 years would be good).
So when the restaurant, that I had made reservations with 3 weeks prior, called to cancel only a few weeks before the luncheon I started to hyperventilate . You see, the school where I work is not close to any major shopping location or restaurants that could house 50+ people. So trying to get a place had already been a huge problem! It was then that the "end-of-the-year adventure" began. I swear my head grew to accommodate the massive headache I had
;-)



But no worries, when one is married to someone as thoughtful, patient, relaxed, good, wonderful, amazing, etc. as Shay is one can't get to run over. Friday, after the luncheon ended and I was able to clean up some of my classroom to get ready to move to a new school (for summer school), and attend my Principal's father's viewing, I came home to the below.



O.K. so you probably can't see them--but I sure did and can---can you see the wonderful vacuum marks all over the carpet. Shay had gone to town on our condo. Which was no little thing to do when a teacher is ending a school year--with papers, tests, presents, gift wrap, pencils, pens, did I mention papers, etc. are spewed all over the floor it's hard to recognize a teacher's home towards the end of the school year!

It was then that I turned the corner to see that he had also made the bed and did a fabulous job trying to get the pillows to look the way I do them.


Not only did Shay make the bed but when I walk into the room I found him dusting off the dresser.


I even discovered that he had done the laundry. Does it get any better than that! Seriously, I think I was going to cry.

Of course, it was the perfect setting to place the flowers I had received from parents and co-workers.

The crazy day became a perfect day in the end!

A clean house, flowers, an amazing husband, school over (at least for a few days). Does it get better than that?????

I love how a house feels with flowers around!!!

At first I placed them all on my kitchen table but then decided that I couldn't really enjoy them all that close together.


So now when I walk in the door I first see:


Then I turn the corner and see these.


Then I walk into the kitchen and see these


And finally my eyes can rest on these before....

having to start the dishes ;-)

What a perfect way to end a very stressful week!

Thanks to all who bought me flowers!

And a special thanks to Shay, you are definitely the better half of our marriage!!!!

A Fun Weekend

Last Friday we went up to Snowbird for a "night out" with friends.

We had never been "over night" at Snowbird together and were excited to check it out. Kristin (as seen in the middle) owns a time share and invited us all to come up for the night to play games and hang out.

It was such a blast!



The view from the condo was breathtaking!
We were almost tempted to purchase a time share of my own.


We had such a fun time playing games, chatting, eating.....that by the next morning we were all beat and not wanting to get up---thus, these are the only pictures we have, but that's OK.



It is these moments in life that make living so enjoyable!

Definitely will have to do it again!

One Crazy Night

This week Shay looked at me kind of strange and said that he needed to take Winnie out on a date this weekend (I can't imagine what I looked like--poor guy!). I am sure it had something to do with the fact that, every night this week, I have gone from school to my mice infested storage unit to sort through what I can salvage to take to the condo and what has to go straight to the dumpster (apparently the field behind the storage complex I am renting from was being built on and the mice decided my unit would be where they relocate and reproduce!  UGH!!!). Then after the sorting process takes place, I quickly load as many boxes as I can into my car (and Shay's) and run up to the condo and unload the things I can keep and start the bleaching /sanitizing and cleaning process before I even venture to put them into a cupboard or corner. It could also be the fact that I haven't put on a lick of makeup or have done my hair either this whole week (due to the lack of sleep this mice thing has caused me---I have started to force ourselves out of the condo by 10-11ish so that I can be in bed by midnight). The first night Shay and I left at 2 in the morning......boy was I dragging the next day at school! 

Anyway, it has been (and will be) a long and arduous process. I am so grateful to Shay for helping me carry boxes up the three flights of stairs and helping sanitize and clean everything.

Side note: My friend asked me why I hadn't asked her to help.......I told her I refuse to ask others for help (my own problem).....why on earth would I ask a friend to come help me fling mice droppings off boxes, look through boxes to see if there might have been mice, or shovel a dead mouse out of the unit!!! UGH--I have now had to do it TWICE!!!! The first time I saw a dead mouse I screamed, hit a stack of boxes and the entire tower of boxes came down on me---nice, I know.

Ok, now that I have vented, back to my story. 

So, last night after work, I ran my car full of boxes up to the condo to unload them before Shay came to pick me up. I got all of my boxes up to the patio area, emptied the contents, bleached/sanitized/cleaned everything, and almost was able to completely get everything up into the cupboards by the time Shay came. He then unloaded his car of boxes while I tried to get the rest of the stuff put away. I then told him I was going to go change (I was in work clothes). I locked the master bedroom and then went into the master bath. I looked in the mirror and at myself and thought...ugh, you are a mess. I decided I would draw a little water in the master bath to rinse off.....now I wasn't thinking that there wasn't any towels/shower curtains/any anything in the bathroom when I thought up this ingenious plan....but after the lack of sleep--grades due at work---etc. I wasn't thinking clearly.... all I was thinking was that I wanted to look a bit better for Shay (I wasn't unrealistic in my assessment of myself and knew I was almost a hopeless cause....but at least I would try to do something with myself)---So I turned on the water and drew about a inch and a 1/2 bath. I dropped my body down and proceeded to put on my makeup as I sat in the water. While applying my makeup as fast as I could (since poor Shay was just patiently waiting for me), I noticed the jets on the sides of the tub. I wondered if and how they worked.  So I thought, I'll just fill the bath up to just over the jets to test them while I finish up my makeup.....again--not too brilliant of a plan at that moment...believe you me!!!  

When I finished putting on my mascara and the water was just above the jets, I quickly pushed the button and laid back. The jets puttered a slow gurgling sound and started to push out a bit of water. "Well," I thought, "they may not be really strong but at least they work"......it was right after that thought that the jets turned on full blast....and when I say full blast I mean full blast! The jets at my feet shot water into my face....the sides were pelting me from the sides. I tried to frantically change the direction of the jets just to get my face completely drenched in water (why I didn't think about turning them off at that moment is beyond me!!). Finally, I hit the off button and sat there in complete shock. My face was dripping, my hair was dripping, the bathroom was COVERED in water, my makeup bag was completely wet! I just sat there...I couldn't even think! When my mind finally kicked back in, I realized that there were no towels, shower curtains, etc in the bathroom to help me clean myself up. My mascara was down my face and my hair looked hideous. I then decided I had better just laugh! So, after I chuckled for a moment, I stood up and looked around at what my options were.....toilet paper.......I got up and dried myself off with toilet paper!!!---not effective but at least it stopped the dripping water coming off my body! I then dressed in my cute little outfit I had brought up for our date and exited the master bedroom with my hair in a ponytail (again) and basically makup-less...can't fix much with wet makeup. I then explain to Shay what happened and showed him the water that was half way up the wall. Then, of course, he told me how pretty he thought I looked (I have decided he is either really blind--or a really good liar) and that he thought I always looked pretty no matter if I had makeup on or not. Of course my little heart melted! He definitely is a keeper! He is so sweet to me......

Well, of course that doesn't end the complications we had before our date---that would be too soon for my life.....when we get down to our cars, I realize that I didn't have my computer....Shay of course offers to run up the three flights of stairs to retrieve it for me (what a gent.). Then when he comes all the way back down, I realize I don't have my phone in the car either....I think it is in the condo........back up the stairs we both go to look for the phone (I tried to tell Shay I would just go get it---but of course he went up with me to help call the phone so I could quickly locate it faster)....than of course when we call the phone we don't hear it ring and I realize it is not there....of course not, why would it be! I felt like an idiot! I thought for sure I was going to hear it (unfortunately, that is what I am accustome to), but Shay took it all in stride and wasn't even ruffled (or at least he didn't seem to be at all). Back down the three flights of stairs we went and back to my school to see if I had left it in my classroom. When entering my classroom I immediately located the phone. THANK GOODNESS!  Shay was then finally able to take me to dinner and then to watch a movie! I had a blast and realized again how dang lucky I am to have met a man such as him! I just hope he always see me as he does now (pretty with or without makeup--hee hee)!

What a night!!!

New Horizons!

For those of you who do not know, Shay has been unemployed/working part time for over a year now.  Last February, the day after he proposed to me, he was laid off with all of his co-workers. This was a very scary time for both of us. Do we wait to get married? Will he get a job soon.....later? What does the future bring.

To be honest, none of these questions were answered, except for our decision to proceed to get married. :-) It has been one roller coaster of a ride. We have not had it as hard as so many others (I am so aware), but that cannot demean the insecurity or stresses that unemployment has caused. Unemployment is one of the hardest thing ....and due to my past, I do not do well when I feel financial insecure....at all.....one of the hardest things ever!

After 6 months of unemployment---and the same day Shay's unemployment check ended---he was rehired back on at his current company part time. In a way our prayers were heard....different than what we had thought....but answered nonetheless. You see, we had prayed for a job that would help us meet all of our financial obligations. Well, despite the undesirable circumstances, Shay's part time job paid almost exactly what his unemployment check was, which would keep us afloat and give Shay the much needed experience in the IT world that will enable him to apply for higher paying positions later.

Part time of course was not ideal.....but one can't complain when one has a J.O.B. and so many others have nothing. Time passed. Interviews, meetings, studying, praying, fasting, attending the temple, etc. have helped as the year has gone by. Stresses lessened when Shay was given more hours--38 to be exact. Unfortunately, that only lasted for a few months. Shay was then once again cut back to only 20 hours in January. Stress increased, my hope faltered a bit. We learned a lot about each other during this last year. Unemployment can really be a strain and a blessing on a marriage. I have learned how impatient I am with the Lord and how he is going to continue to test me until I can get over that.

Then it happened. Shay had an interview Friday. It went well. He said they were going to call him back. Nothing special was said to make either of us feel like this was "it," but at least it was something.

The next day I told Shay I felt we needed to go to the temple in regards to his unemployment. He thought it would be great idea as well. So we ended up going over to the Mt. Timp. Temple. Then Shay was contacted and asked to have a second interview on Monday. He went in on Monday and by that night he was emailed a job offer. He then informed his current boss about the situation and she told him to give her some time to see what her boss could do......then the next thing we know Shay was given a counter offer. Apparently, his current boss told her boss how much she liked Shay and how good he was at his job that he went to the owner to see what could be done.

So after 11 months of unemployment Shay and I found ourselves worrying about which of the two jobs he should take......neither would be his "dream job"---or something he will be doing forever---but they were blessings just the same.

Well, Shay decided to stay with his current employer, since they are well known and respected throughout the country in his field. He started today and I felt a need to document my gratitude for answered prayers.

I know that it is often after the trial of one's faith that blessings come .....and, especially in the IT world, this will probably the first of many scary situations in our lives....but I have an even firm testimony that miracles happen during difficult times. I have a stronger testimony of tithing and fast offerings.......when one remembers the Lord first He somehow provides miracles along the path of trials--they may not be exactly the way one wants them to be, but they are miracles just the same. Miracles Shay and I have experienced over the last 11 months. How grateful I feel this day for answered prayers....they do come!

Weekend Adventures....

Beware, the following was written WAY late at night and while trying to beat my computer battery from dying....it needs major revisions but I don't have the energy, time or battery to fix them.

Last weekend, Shay's old roommate called up and invited us to go back up to Jay's cabin for the weekend. Jay's cabin is located outside of Evanston Wy. and is the same cabin Shay and I "got together" at two summers ago--crazy how time flies.

Anyway, we jumped at the chance to not only get away but to spend the weekend with our friends sledding, four wheeling, eating (lots--UGH!), and playing tons of games. It was a blast to say the least....well, OK, except for the sub zero temp. and the fact that we had to hike into and out of the cabin due to snow (I would show pictures except I forgot my camera and snow boots at home--CRY!). I didn't know my nose could run and not even be able to feel it trickle down my face!! GROSS!!!! I also was unaware that if your fingers get too cold they actually swell up twice the size they are normally before falling off---ok, mine didn't really fall off, but they did swell up to twice their normal size after Jay drove me from the cars up to the cabin on the four wheeler (wait, you might notice that I complained about hiking in and out of the cabin...OK, truth be told I didn't hike in, but our friends did....they even got lost, returned to the cars, and then had to go back up. Luckily--or unluckily).  I on the other hand was recruited as the "storage bin" on the back of the four wheeler to help carry supplies up to the cabin (there was no running water at the cabin---yep, no running water--outhouses all the way...I promise it was a blast!).

Once I had successfully smashed 2 sleeping bags between Jay and myself, loaded bags over my shoulders, and had about 4 plastic sacks in hand, we headed up. I immediately realized my dollar Walmart gloves were completely inadequate for the subzero temp--not to mention the fact that Jay was flying up the hill as fast as the four wheeler could go....since it was after two in the morning when we finally pulled into the parking lot and one of the four wheelers wouldn't start--which meant more trips back and froth from the cabin (When we got there, one of the four wheelers wouldn't kick into neutral so we could start it--it was frozen...I told you it was FREEZING!!!).

Of course, as soon as we were able to dig a path from the road to the cabin we were able to get into the house, start the wood burning stove, and wait for warmth. As we were waiting in our coats, hats, etc. for warmth, we decided to start a game of Catan (a favorite amongst our friends!). Of course the game started at 4 in the morning and we didn't hit the hay until after 5 in the morning....good times.

Saturday morning, I was up early--I hate the fact that I can't sleep in!!! Since the friends we went with are all single, Shay slept downstairs with the boys and I upstairs on a bed with the girls. I quickly realized how often I rely on Shay's hot legs during the night to keep my feet warm. It felt like we were dating again.  During the day we ended up sledding, playing games and goofing off. It was so fun...except having to use the outhouse in the cold!

Sunday, we woke and got ready for church...as best as we could under the circumstances. Nothing like heating water on a stove, mixing it with cold water to make it warm, and then pouring it over your head to wash your hair--boy did I look good that day!

We drove to Evanston WY for church. It was a nice service and a wonderful chance to take the sacrament. Yet, it was when I was leaving the building that I came upon one of the most decorated Relief Society bulletin boards I have ever seen. It was very cool. Black and white with accents of hot pink. I read the first little sign (Sign said: "A candle loses nothing of it's light by lighting another candle) and thought, "So Relief Society" how cute. Then I immediately turned to the next one. I actually laughed out loud when I read the second one.  I actually had to read it again...."was this really on the "Relief Society" bulletin board????" I thought.   I laughed again.  I read it to Shay and our friends. They got a kick out of it too. So, are you wanting to know what it says.....just put it in contents of it being on the "Relief Society" bulletin board in a church house.

Sign reads: "If you ever need a helping hand, you'll find one at the end of your arm!"

With the exclamation point too! You go WY! Isn't that hilarious! I thought it was. Nothing like leaving with a new insight to life!

Our trip ended that night when we finally made ourselves hike out of the cabin after 9 at night and return home. Right before we left I decided to place my Walmart gloves on top of the wood-burning stove to warm them up before we had to hike out...a stove that had been burning ALL weekend, literally---NOT A GOOD IDEA!!! Let's just say it took seconds before a terrible smell started and smoke rose from them!!! So much for hoping for warmer fingers on the way back. No biggie, I have memories to last a lifetime! 

What a weekend! I can only say I am SO glad I was not a pioneer! I wouldn't have made it through the first freezing night that is for sure!