Love.

Monday was a perfect day.  Why you ask? Because of love!

We've been down to one car and so my mom has been carpooling me around like crazy, I'm grateful she loves me enough to organize her day around my schedule! She took me to work in the morning and work flew by.  Not like it needed to because I love my job but regardless before I knew it Aust was picking me up.  I didn't have to go to school due to scheduling conflicts on their part, which I won't complain I hate that place anyways.  Aust was selling a motorcycle so stuck around home for  a bit while he finished that.  After he was done we found a coupon for $5 off a sushi place.  I've never really tried sushi but have wanted to because I know Austin really likes it.  We had made plans  to make pizzas with my brothers family already but we figured since it was only 4 we could still do that and have room for dinner.  Luckily I had plenty of room.  Sushi is not something I enjoy.  We tried the most simple roll hoping it would be pretty normal but no, not a fan!  The sushi place is right next to the Mall so we decided we could go walk around.  Holding hands around the mall like junior high kids is so great! I loved every minute of it.  We are pretty good at going to Hollister when they have their T-shirts on sale, and this time was no difference.  We both got new shirts only spent $11- SCORE!  We headed over to my brother's to eat pizza and watch the bachelor pad, which we in fact LOVED the ending!

Your probably wondering the purpose of this very routine sounding long post.  The reason is because I love, love.  Every single last bit about it.  I love those butterflies when you're in love, I love the feeling you get when you know someone loves you, I love the friendships that are created because of love. I love what it does to people!  Simply said I love, love!

Camping

The weekend before school started, we went to Incom, ID to do some camping with the family.  Matt's family lives and owns lots of land there.  There was no shortage of laughter, food, motorcycle riding, shooting, and grasshoppers! We had a great time.  I don't think its a real summer unless there is at least one camping trip!

We went to this Indian man up the street to receive Indian/ Tribal names.  He had quite the set up with a large very nice T-Pee, paints, and smoking sage!  We had a blast it was pretty funny!  Aust was named "Iron Man" seems fitting ha ha, I was "Sunrise Women" there were plenty other good ones but I don't remember them! What an experience!

We also got to ride horses.  To be honest, the majority of us were afraid.  I guess not growing up with horses makes them look like a very large bucking machine!  It was fun to watch the boys try to command the horses around, everybody had a great time!  

It was a nice little break before the madness of school began.  

[[ You don't have to see the entire staircase, just take the first step ]]

A job.

I don't think I have mentioned too much about Austin looking for a new job, partly because that would be really bad if his previous employer knew how diligent he was searching. 

December 10th 2010 Austin graduated from Weber State with his bachelor degree.  Since that day he has diligently searched for a job. After about a million applications sent, lots and lots of interviews, frequent disappointment, plenty of prayers/fasts, and a few discouraging times, I am thrilled to announce Austin has officially found a job. 

 

 It may not be a forever job, or it may? It may not be the quickest commute and sometimes not ideal hours.  Does it matter? No we are thrilled for this new chapter and if it is nothing but some experience on a resume, we will take it with open arms! (Here is the part where I would just love to mention how not great his previous job/employer was, BUT I will save you the boredom and bite my tongue!)

I can't even begin to tell you what a champ my sweet husband is.  Through of this he always kept his head up, always.  It was impressive to see him receive plenty of disappointing calls or emails and not let it even phase him.  He patiently would search for the next thing.  It was hard watching him, I wished over and over I could call employers and brag about him, how could they not see just how great he is!

But the wait is over, Austin started working for Sherwin Williams on Tuesday.  He is an assitant manager, working his way up to manager within the next year.  His location is in South Jordan, a few 45 miles away ;).  He is your paint guy so go see him for your painting needs!

When we found out he was offered the job, my mom and I threw together a little congrats party, finally we got to celebrate his hard work! 

I could not be more proud of him.  He really is the such an example of hard work, diligence, positive attitude and faith.  There's just nobody else I'd rather go through this crazy rollercoaster life with! It's been pretty overwhelming, yes of course we are grateful for employment but it kinda feels like life has switched gears completely and out of control.  I know once he has the hang of the job and is all trained and I am back in a regular routine it'll be great-- it is great, just as long as we start with baby steps day by day and together!

 

I needed a break from preparing my lesson for YW's so what better way than blogging.

It's the weekend! HOORAY! Yesterday included some Lagoon, Cafe Rio for lunch, yummy chicken burgers for dinner with the family and some much needed friend time.  It's just so crazy how quick life happens, especially in our group of friends.  We have several friends that are pregnant, moving, new jobs, and all of the above -- its exciting!  Rob was in town this last week, luckily we got to spend some quality time with him before he headed back to Duke.  It's so fun to see the boys back together.  I'm sure grateful Aust has such a great group of tight knit friends.

I've been a slacker with pictures lately but I feel like this summer so far has been great.  I hope we can do a few more trips before its over!

:]

Weekend madness!

Like I have mentioned Fridays are Austins day off, we decided to take advantage of our lagoon passes this fine Friday and enjoyed some much needed fun in the sun.  

It was sweet, we walked right in the gates only to be met by 2 strangers leaving asking people if they wanted their tubes!  Aust was quick enough so we got tube rentals for free, plus 2 FREE drink passes.  Way sweet!  We certainly enjoyed the lazy river in our tubes for hours!  Glad that boy is okay to just chill and relax with me while I catch some rays! :)

After Lagoon we had our friends over for some legit street tacos.  Last time I went to Mexican mart by myself and major language barrier lead to ample amounts of meat.  Luckily my handy dandy spanish speaking babe joined me this time around and our order was just right! 

We caught up with our friends later to watch their softball game.  It was enjoyable... except for the 15 mosquito bites I received on my feet.

I spent Saturdays catching up with good friends, playing hair... always a fun time and than met Austin at work so we could go to his mission reunion! 

My dad always said, "You know what kind of missionary your marrying by the way he talks about his mission president!"  Lucky for me Austin adores his mission president and his wife!  I remember meeting them for the first tine in the sealing room at our wedding, they truly where great people!  We had a lot of fun, normally I feel a bit awkward as the boys reminisce and I just stand by, this time was a bit different!  (side note: Austin is hilarious, everyone agrees!  But myself more importantly think he is seriously the funniest person ever... it was confirmed that it in fact is not just me... he really is!)  His mission buddies where crying they were laughing so hard telling me crazy stories Aust did!  I was having the best time.  I love hearing those stories! More importantly though I'm so grateful I married a return missionary!  What a difference it truly makes in my life and how it has blessed Austins.

Yesterday marked the 1 year of Luke falling.  What an incredible experience that was.  We grew as a family, saw the Priestood work miracles, witnessed and felt the power of prayer and fasting from tons of people, and remembered to never take life for granted!  Glad Luken is still here today!

And last but not least we are on the countdown till schools starts again, I'm pretty excited to get back to my everyday routine and schedule!

Weekends!

I am just giddy thinking about this weekend!  It may be due to the fact Austin has worked all day and won't be returning home until 9:30PM. BOO but regardless this weekend will be great!

 Aust's days off are usually Fridays, I have grown to absolutely love this day!  Fridays are great anyway but being a day to spend just the two of us, it's extra great!

 So blogging world... until then, enjoy a few pics from this week!

 Matt got married on Tuesday.  I'm way lame and didn't take any pics! Aust was one of his groomsman and looked so cute, the reception was gorgeous!  I'm super happy for them, I love Matt dearly and he deserves the best girl, Kari is just that-- we are thrilled they joined the married world.

 We went on family date night to the demolition derby.  Those derbys are NEVER a let down, we had the best time!  While walking through the fair before the Derby, a lady yelled "That's it, all rings five dollars!"  I thought she was kidding because I've looked into engraved rings before and they were not cheap.  Well, it turns out she was just mad at a lady under cutting her prices at every fair she enters around the country, so despite her, she went from $35 down to $5!  Needless to say 5 of us all got rings!  Mine says Awz & Jilli 4-27-10.  It's just about the cutest thing.  I love it!

Summer time!

Last weekend we took a trip down to St. George to hang out with Mike and Marni.  We love that they live there and are always willing to let us come stay.  They are great vacation buddies and we are sure grateful for their friendship.  

On our way there we stopped at my favorite pit stop, Scipio petting zoo!

While there we got to check out the Red Rock Wake-Park.  Aust did great although I wish they would have given him a better board to start off with because once he got a new board he was doing great, but by that time he had torn off all is calus' and was super sore..

 

Wish I had taken more pics but here's a few!

We drug Marni around to all the Pawn shops and gun stores in St. George, babe is so obsessed with them!  Luckily Mike got home shortly after and we packed and headed to Vegas for the night. This time around we decided to try Buffalo Bills Rollercoaster.  We were certainly not disappointed.  It was a blast.  Definitely worth the money!  Mike gets great discounts everywhere so we stayed in the Trump for super cheap.  It's fun to live like a wealthy retired person for a weekend, eating out every meal, lounging by a pool, shopping, etc.

 Showing our food bellies

 

Buffalo Bills

Once we got back, it was right back to work and school.  YUCK!  Luckily we have a pretty fun week planned.