Life as We Currently Know It

Honestly not much and so much has been happening. Time truly is flying by us so fast. Our days are pretty much routine. Justen is now in full force. School occupies much of his time, but he is doing well and is a wealth of knowledge! He constantly is telling about some process that occurs in the body and I try to keep up with his brilliance! As for me, my days are spent at the school. On average I pull 10 hour days at school and then come home and grade papers. I've recently realized that teaching isn't just a job, it's a lifestyle. I literally live teaching. That's about all I do.

My dad took his kids to NYC over the Labor Day weekend and we had a blast! It was so neat to spend time with my siblings and father while exploring New York! Over the course of 5 days we covered so much and enjoyed the hustle and bustle of the city. I can't say i'd enjoy living there, but I loved visiting. Hopefully one day Justen and I could make it back together! Here are a few snapshots of our trip!

Inside the Empire State Building

A view from the top of the Empire State Building

Times Square

The M&M Store

We saw 9 to 5 on Broadway while there. It was a really funny musical!

U.S. Open! We got to see Oudin beat Sharapova and Ivers beat Roddick and James Blake's match.

Statue of Liberty!

So Much to Catch Up On

So much has happened in the past month and I've been so busy I've neglected to write about it on our blog! I think we were caught in this whirlwind of craziness that time just passed. I can't believe that it's the middle of August already! July was a great month! There were several highlights of the month, but the trek was probably in the top three. I'll post pictures once I find my camera which is still MIA because of moving. Next, was Grandma's 90th birthday party. It's so fun to get together with family and we all enjoyed the occasion! The biggest hoopla of July was moving to ARIZONA! A week before we were moving I got a job offer from Pendergast School District, but they wanted me here July 29th on Tuesday. We weren't planning to get to the Valley till Wednesday. So I made the trip down Monday night and Justen followed our original plan. I felt so bad leaving him to pack up the whole house, but he did fabulous and all our stuff made it! I however spent the last week of July throwing my classroom together. Thanks to amazing family I was able to make my classroom look great! I couldn't have done it without them! Thank you everyone who helped me out! So I'm teaching 6th grade math at Westwind Intermediate in PHX. So far the 1st two weeks have been great! I'm been busy and a little stressed, but I LOVE what I'm doing and have fit into my teaching job excellently!

So now we are finally getting settled in. We love our apartment and we are located close to practically anything we need/want! Justen started his first week of school this week and he's loving it! He's dived right into reading and learning and studying. His 1st test is on Monday, so we'll see how it goes!

So when I find my camera I'll post pictures and such! We're just happy to be settled and getting into our new routine!

That's Right... We're Moving... Cause Justen got Accepted!

We couldn't be more happier right now! We found out 11 days ago that Justen got accepted into Midwestern University in Glendale, AZ! We've been waiting and waiting to hear the good news and it finally came! Hip Hip Hooray! Orientation starts August 4th so we will move down on the 29th of July. We are definitely sad to be leaving Utah and all our wonderful friends, however we are extremely excited for the new journey!

This weekend we went to Manti for the Pageant. We left early so we could get a good spot on the grass. We went with Justin and Susan and had a great time! It was a bit chilly, but we survived to see a wonderful performance!

Strawberry Days

Pleasant Grove Strawberry Days was last week! We enjoyed lots of fun entertainment. We watched as they set up the Carnival on Wednesday and planned to hit it up on Saturday. Saturday rolled around we headed to the parade. The threatening clouds above didn't damper the spirit and we had a great time! That night we went down to the Carnival only to get rained out. We were kind bummed we didn't get to ride the rides, but the funnel cakes made up for it!



One of the cars exploded right next to us. Kinda scary for the people.

Most unique float by far!

Anniversary Weekend!

Yesterday was our 1 year Anniversary! Time sure does fly by fast! The past 12 months have been wonderful and I know we have great years ahead. Our weekend together was wonderful! On Friday night the school I will be working for in September (gasp... I know lots of you don't know I got a job because I haven't told many people... but I'll be teaching 3rd grade at American Legacy Academy in AF.) So the school was holding a fundraiser, 2nd Chance Prom. This was just an opportunity for adults to have a Prom. So Justen and I got all dressed up and went to Olive Garden and the dance. There was a live band and D.J. We danced till we couldn't dance anymore! It was a blast and I loved I was able to go with my true sweetheart!

On Saturday Justen and I went for a hike to the G, even tho we never actually got to the G, maybe someday we will. Then we headed to Outback Steakhouse. The food was delicious, and we even had a server named Dracula. We never could figure out if he was joking or if that was his real name! We hit up Coney's for some ice cream and just enjoyed our evening.

On Sunday, our actual anniversary, we went to Church and just hung out. We went to a trek fireside. We are going as GRANDPARENTS on our stake trek outing! GASP... we're already grandparents - sure skipped a few steps. And then played the Wii at our friends house.

So all in all our weekend was great! I love Justen so much and I'm so glad I married him! Life just makes sense with each other and we're happy as can bee!

Cami & Jake's Wedding

So after graduation, life got crazy! I went down to Gilbert early with Cami and Jake to help set up things for the wedding. There were a few minor things that went wrong in the early stages, but the whole thing turned out great! They were married in the Mesa Temple on Saturday May 2nd. The reception was at my Dad's house that night. There was a ton of friends and family that came to help celebrate! Thanks to those of you who helped me with the food and decorations! I couldn't have pulled it off without you. We are so happy for Cami and Jake as they begin their new life together. Below are a few pictures of their special day.

Ta-Da! The Moment Has Finally Arrived...

After years and years of late nights, bombed finals, long walks up the BYU hill, and hard core studying... I'm done and GRADUATED!!! The past two days have been wonderful and very memorable. It was a treat to have my parents and Cami & Jake present. Justen was incredible and bought me this lovely corsage I was able to showcase on my special day. Thursday was the large Commencement at the Marriott Center where President Uchtdorf and Elder Nelson addressed us. Today was the Convocation for the David O McKay School of Education. It was such a neat feeling crossing the stage and receiving my diploma. Afterwards we went to Tucanos for lunch. Overall it was incredible and I couldn't have had a better moment. Thank you to all my family and friends who have helped me reach this point in my life. I wouldn't be here without all your love and support! Here's just a few snapshots. My mom will get the rest to me.