We got back from Manhattan on Thursday afternoon. Unpacked to repack everything in the mustang, did laundry, bought some snacks and went to bed by eight. Got up at three and drove straight through from Indiana to Utah. We've gotten to know I-80 really well. We made it Friday night around eleven that night to the Harward's and began our summer!
I went right back to work on Monday. Liberty Mutual was good enough to let me transfer to a local office for the summer. What a blessing! I really enjoyed my time in the Riverton office. I met a lot of great people and continued to work hard at my job. It was also nice to work a regular nine to five shift and no weekends for a few months.
Wes started his job at the firm the following week. He absolutely loved working at Stoel Rives. The work, the people, the paycheck, everything! I loved being able to see his excitement and hear it in his voice as he would tell me what he could about his work. I am so happy that he loves what he has chosen to do professionally.
He worked in the Chase tower downtown Salt Lake, and I visited him on occasion to meet up for dinner and stuff. We got to go to several different firm activities and sponsored events such as dinners, a Real Salt Lake game, and a concert at Dear Valley. It was nice to get a taste of the future that we will have with this firm.
Between my job and Wes' we stayed very busy, but we did find time to see family and friends. And golf of course. We golfed once, if not twice, every week, and often with my brother Steve and my dad. I have really learned to love the game, and I improved so much over the course of the summer! We had a blast trying out different courses all around Utah.
Some other highlights would include my 23rd birthday, Wes' 26th, our 2nd anniversary, buying a 2nd car for me, and the many summer holidays and family get togethers. Our birthdays and anniversary were pretty low key this year because of our Manhattan trip and buying a jeep liberty for me, but still another great year celebrated together!
We stayed with Wes' parents for the first part of the summer and then moved in with Cassi and Logan into their beautiful new home. We are so grateful for their hospitality and loved being able to stay with family. We were all so busy we hardly got to do much together, but it was still a lot of fun. We just barely missed the birth of baby Shad by a couple of weeks. He looks darling from the pictures and we can't wait to meet the little guy.
We saw my family frequently as well on random weeknights and for Sunday dinners. There are several summer birthdays in the Peterson family so we had lots of celebrations and parties. I was also reunited with my cousin Becca who had returned from her mission in February!
It was just good to be home. In every sense of the word. Utah is my home. It's where I was raised, where my family still lives, and it's where I want to be. The summers at home these last two years have been such a great way to recharge my batteries. I've liked Indiana and I wouldn't trade my time here with Wes for anything, but that still doesn't make it hard for a girl from the West to be away from everything she loves and knows to be stuck in the Midwest. I miss the mountains and the dry heat. I miss the familiarity and the community. I miss my favorite local restaurants and all of the things to do. I forget about a lot of those things, except for the missing people, when I'm in South Bend and so it all comes back to me when I'm home. I'm so grateful that it's only eight months until we'll be back for good! We've never lived permanently in Utah as Anna and Wes, so I'm looking forward to that time.
The summer months always seem to go too fast. It was over before we knew it. We were able to squeeze in last bbq's and a camping trip and golf and then it was time to go...
Wednesday, September 17, 2014
Thursday, September 11, 2014
Manhattan
It's been a little while. Time to sum up the last four months...First up, Manhattan.
That city is simply incredible. I now understand the draw and the desire to be there. Truly a one of a kind place.
We flew out on a Friday morning with our friends Baley and Ryan and made it to the city by lunchtime. Took a taxi from the airport to our hotel. Oh the hotel... It was a great location for our nonstop trip but it was tiny and old and hot and literally at the back door of the Ritz. We can all laugh about it now, but at the time it wasn't the funniest. Anyway, we dropped off our bags and headed out to explore Times Square.
I'll be honest - my first impression was "It's so dirty and it smells like cigarettes and garbage!" Hahaha but I got over that quickly and the city eventually stole my heart. And I stopped looking down at the ground and started looking up. Up to not run into people and up to look at all of the amazing buildings! It's shocking how massive they are!
So anyway, Times Square. Our first stop was Hard Rock Cafe because we were starving. I know Hard Rock is not just in NY, but this was my first time eating there, and it was delicious. I soon found out that everything just tasted better in NY. Then we just wandered around all of the stores. There is so much to see. And I am awful at remembering to take pictures. I may get around to posting some but Baley is the photographer and you should wander over to her blog to see pics. That night was all about Wicked at the Gershwin theater. Oh my goodness!!! It is worth all of the hype because it is an amazing show! Still my favorite show we saw and the highlight of the trip for me.
Saturday was spent on 5th avenue. And this was Wes' favorite day because he bought his briefcase. From Tiffany's. Very fancy :) It was fun to window shop and guess the prices of sometimes hideous articles of clothing. I kept thinking how much my sister Rachel would love to be in the fashion district! She lives and breathes this stuff. We saw Aladdin on Broadway that night. Another fantastic show!
Sunday was spent in Central Park at the Metropolitan. A single afternoon is not nearly enough time to explore this place. Seeing the history and the art was incredible. We took a breather and then had reservations at Tavern on the Green. What a beautiful restaurant. And delicious food! And a very pleasant way to spend Mother's Day.
Monday was our very touristy day at the Statue of Liberty, Elis Island, and Ground Zero. I am very grateful for each of these sites and what these monuments mean. It's fitting that today is 9/11.
We went to the Top of the Rockefeller that night and saw the incredible view. The city is something else at night. When I think Manhattan, that is the first picture that comes to mind.
Our final two days were a blur of more site seeing - a carriage ride through Central Park thanks to Baley's cousin, another broadway show, Matilda, more shopping, more food, Wall Street for Wes, Chinatown, Little Italy, Grand Central Station, Junior's Cheesecake, and a boat cruise around the island, not all in that order. I came away with an I heart NY shirt, two scarves and a fake Luis Vuitton from Chinatown, the cutest wedges from Macy's and two adorable Dooney and Burke handbags, and a love for the city that will never go away.
Everything about the trip was perfect, and we loved having our friends with us! I also loved watching Wes in his element. This was his third trip and he was an excellent tour guide. I know that if he wasn't married and didn't want to have a family he would most definitely be working his way to a large firm in the city. But I'm glad that I am married to him and he doesn't have to work the ridiculous hours and we can just visit this place we both love often.
The week long adventure made my feet and ankles swell up like a grandmas and Wes' heels were literally bruised from all of the nonstop walking. This made for a welcome drive across the country where we got to sit down for a whole day. But really. This drive from Indiana to Utah was one of the easiest and quickest things ever. But I'll save the rest of that for part two: Utah!
That city is simply incredible. I now understand the draw and the desire to be there. Truly a one of a kind place.
We flew out on a Friday morning with our friends Baley and Ryan and made it to the city by lunchtime. Took a taxi from the airport to our hotel. Oh the hotel... It was a great location for our nonstop trip but it was tiny and old and hot and literally at the back door of the Ritz. We can all laugh about it now, but at the time it wasn't the funniest. Anyway, we dropped off our bags and headed out to explore Times Square.
I'll be honest - my first impression was "It's so dirty and it smells like cigarettes and garbage!" Hahaha but I got over that quickly and the city eventually stole my heart. And I stopped looking down at the ground and started looking up. Up to not run into people and up to look at all of the amazing buildings! It's shocking how massive they are!
So anyway, Times Square. Our first stop was Hard Rock Cafe because we were starving. I know Hard Rock is not just in NY, but this was my first time eating there, and it was delicious. I soon found out that everything just tasted better in NY. Then we just wandered around all of the stores. There is so much to see. And I am awful at remembering to take pictures. I may get around to posting some but Baley is the photographer and you should wander over to her blog to see pics. That night was all about Wicked at the Gershwin theater. Oh my goodness!!! It is worth all of the hype because it is an amazing show! Still my favorite show we saw and the highlight of the trip for me.
Saturday was spent on 5th avenue. And this was Wes' favorite day because he bought his briefcase. From Tiffany's. Very fancy :) It was fun to window shop and guess the prices of sometimes hideous articles of clothing. I kept thinking how much my sister Rachel would love to be in the fashion district! She lives and breathes this stuff. We saw Aladdin on Broadway that night. Another fantastic show!
Sunday was spent in Central Park at the Metropolitan. A single afternoon is not nearly enough time to explore this place. Seeing the history and the art was incredible. We took a breather and then had reservations at Tavern on the Green. What a beautiful restaurant. And delicious food! And a very pleasant way to spend Mother's Day.
Monday was our very touristy day at the Statue of Liberty, Elis Island, and Ground Zero. I am very grateful for each of these sites and what these monuments mean. It's fitting that today is 9/11.
We went to the Top of the Rockefeller that night and saw the incredible view. The city is something else at night. When I think Manhattan, that is the first picture that comes to mind.
Our final two days were a blur of more site seeing - a carriage ride through Central Park thanks to Baley's cousin, another broadway show, Matilda, more shopping, more food, Wall Street for Wes, Chinatown, Little Italy, Grand Central Station, Junior's Cheesecake, and a boat cruise around the island, not all in that order. I came away with an I heart NY shirt, two scarves and a fake Luis Vuitton from Chinatown, the cutest wedges from Macy's and two adorable Dooney and Burke handbags, and a love for the city that will never go away.
Everything about the trip was perfect, and we loved having our friends with us! I also loved watching Wes in his element. This was his third trip and he was an excellent tour guide. I know that if he wasn't married and didn't want to have a family he would most definitely be working his way to a large firm in the city. But I'm glad that I am married to him and he doesn't have to work the ridiculous hours and we can just visit this place we both love often.
The week long adventure made my feet and ankles swell up like a grandmas and Wes' heels were literally bruised from all of the nonstop walking. This made for a welcome drive across the country where we got to sit down for a whole day. But really. This drive from Indiana to Utah was one of the easiest and quickest things ever. But I'll save the rest of that for part two: Utah!
Sunday, April 27, 2014
Life is Good
I feel like my attitude has a done a complete 180 since my last post - and it feels amazing! A lot of things have contributed to these good feelings. One obvious factor is it is FINALLY Spring in South Bend! Hallelujah! Green grass, budding trees, birds chirping in the early morning hours, bunnies and groundhogs frolicking in the backyard, and geese honking at us as they strut across the middle of the street. All except for that last thing, I am thoroughly enjoying the change in season. It means sandals and dresses. T-shirts and sunglasses. The top down and the music up in the Mustang.
Oh, and GOLF! Wes and I have been to the driving range a few times, and he's even played a few rounds. I've only been able to go once for nine holes. But it was fantastic. I got sun burnt and didn't even care because it meant I was outside doing something I've come to love with my honey! I played alright. I had some really good shots and some not so good ones. I don't think I've lost anything since last season. Maybe even improved a little bit.
The next factor is related to spring in that it's the month of April. Which means we have that much less time in South Bend and are that much closer to being in Utah - 20 days to be exact. That is music to my ears! As seen on Instagram, I've been crossing off the days on my calendar. It's great to wake up every morning and check off another day. It's not that I hate living in South Bend or anything, it's just nice to have something to look forward to that I really love. Like being home :)
And this gets better because in 12 days we will be in Manhattan. What?!! Haha, a spontaneous trip was planned with our friends on Saturday night a couple of weeks ago. And before you think that we are completely nuts and irresponsible, Wes and I have been planning this vacation for a while. We were initially thinking at the end of the summer before starting our last year of school. We really wanted our friends to be able to go with us, and after looking at the calendar, we realized August wouldn't work for all of us. So we said why not after finals? They were game and we planned a trip to NY! A couple of hours later, we had plane tickets, a hotel room, and tickets to Wicked and Aladdin on Broadway. Heck yes! We are all so excited! And as soon as we get back from our vacation we will be homeward bound. The 23 hour drive is the only downside to this whole going home thing. But we are pretty much experts now in stuffing as much crap as we can into the Mustang. We better be because we are taking both sets of golf clubs, suits and work stuff for Wes, and now work clothes for me...
That's right. I have a job for the summer! And it means employment in the Fall as well. The latest development at work has really made me so happy and incredibly grateful. My supervisor approached me at work last week after she had had a meeting with the site manager. They decided to make an exception for me and put a request in to have me transferred to a local office in Utah for the summer so I can stay employed with Liberty Mutual. She wanted to know if I would be interested. Um, of course! In less than a week, it was approved and settled. I will be working in the Riverton office over the summer and come back to my job in August. I couldn't believe it at first. It all seemed too good to be true - I even said as much to my boss, but she assured me it's really happening. I am so grateful that they would even consider this for me and feel like I'm a valuable employee.
On my way home from work at the end of that week, I had several thoughts that strengthened my testimony of trusting in His timing and moving forward with faith. I had battled over the decision about summer work for weeks and weeks practically making myself sick with anxiety and worry until we decided I needed to come home with Wes and the rest would work out. Well it certainly has. If I had decided to stay in South Bend, this opportunity wouldn't ever have come up at all. They wouldn't have had any reason to transfer me. I also realized that if, when I first told my supervisor of our plans for the summer, transferring me was an option right off the bat I wouldn't be nearly as grateful as I am now. Something about having to face thoughts of the future, not knowing if I'd have a job in the fall, and going through the job hunt a third year in a row and even having to figure out what to do for the summer to stay busy and productive brought things into perspective. I know that I am loved more than I can even comprehend by my Heavenly Father. He is definitely in charge here and knows when and how to put the pieces together for me. This is a total answer to prayers and really the best case scenario for our summer. There's no way I'm responsible for any of this. Except maybe working hard at my job, but, even then, more of the credit goes to Wes for encouraging me and relying on his strength to get me there. Life is good.
Plus, we had general conference, which is always great and it was nice to have a complete weekend off to spend with Wes. Then there was Easter last Sunday with our friends. We gathered together with good food and company to celebrate our Savior on this wonderful holiday. And now it's just the final stretch for Wes with finals and then we are on our way! Oh, life is so good :) Expect an explosion of Manhattan pictures in a few weeks!!
Oh, and GOLF! Wes and I have been to the driving range a few times, and he's even played a few rounds. I've only been able to go once for nine holes. But it was fantastic. I got sun burnt and didn't even care because it meant I was outside doing something I've come to love with my honey! I played alright. I had some really good shots and some not so good ones. I don't think I've lost anything since last season. Maybe even improved a little bit.
The next factor is related to spring in that it's the month of April. Which means we have that much less time in South Bend and are that much closer to being in Utah - 20 days to be exact. That is music to my ears! As seen on Instagram, I've been crossing off the days on my calendar. It's great to wake up every morning and check off another day. It's not that I hate living in South Bend or anything, it's just nice to have something to look forward to that I really love. Like being home :)
And this gets better because in 12 days we will be in Manhattan. What?!! Haha, a spontaneous trip was planned with our friends on Saturday night a couple of weeks ago. And before you think that we are completely nuts and irresponsible, Wes and I have been planning this vacation for a while. We were initially thinking at the end of the summer before starting our last year of school. We really wanted our friends to be able to go with us, and after looking at the calendar, we realized August wouldn't work for all of us. So we said why not after finals? They were game and we planned a trip to NY! A couple of hours later, we had plane tickets, a hotel room, and tickets to Wicked and Aladdin on Broadway. Heck yes! We are all so excited! And as soon as we get back from our vacation we will be homeward bound. The 23 hour drive is the only downside to this whole going home thing. But we are pretty much experts now in stuffing as much crap as we can into the Mustang. We better be because we are taking both sets of golf clubs, suits and work stuff for Wes, and now work clothes for me...
That's right. I have a job for the summer! And it means employment in the Fall as well. The latest development at work has really made me so happy and incredibly grateful. My supervisor approached me at work last week after she had had a meeting with the site manager. They decided to make an exception for me and put a request in to have me transferred to a local office in Utah for the summer so I can stay employed with Liberty Mutual. She wanted to know if I would be interested. Um, of course! In less than a week, it was approved and settled. I will be working in the Riverton office over the summer and come back to my job in August. I couldn't believe it at first. It all seemed too good to be true - I even said as much to my boss, but she assured me it's really happening. I am so grateful that they would even consider this for me and feel like I'm a valuable employee.
On my way home from work at the end of that week, I had several thoughts that strengthened my testimony of trusting in His timing and moving forward with faith. I had battled over the decision about summer work for weeks and weeks practically making myself sick with anxiety and worry until we decided I needed to come home with Wes and the rest would work out. Well it certainly has. If I had decided to stay in South Bend, this opportunity wouldn't ever have come up at all. They wouldn't have had any reason to transfer me. I also realized that if, when I first told my supervisor of our plans for the summer, transferring me was an option right off the bat I wouldn't be nearly as grateful as I am now. Something about having to face thoughts of the future, not knowing if I'd have a job in the fall, and going through the job hunt a third year in a row and even having to figure out what to do for the summer to stay busy and productive brought things into perspective. I know that I am loved more than I can even comprehend by my Heavenly Father. He is definitely in charge here and knows when and how to put the pieces together for me. This is a total answer to prayers and really the best case scenario for our summer. There's no way I'm responsible for any of this. Except maybe working hard at my job, but, even then, more of the credit goes to Wes for encouraging me and relying on his strength to get me there. Life is good.
Plus, we had general conference, which is always great and it was nice to have a complete weekend off to spend with Wes. Then there was Easter last Sunday with our friends. We gathered together with good food and company to celebrate our Savior on this wonderful holiday. And now it's just the final stretch for Wes with finals and then we are on our way! Oh, life is so good :) Expect an explosion of Manhattan pictures in a few weeks!!
Thursday, March 13, 2014
Polar Vortex, Snowpocalypse, or Never Ending Winter. Take your pick.
So I believe Thanksgiving was the last update. That feels like ages ago! December was a great month. After finals for Wes and officially graduating from training at work for me, we got to go home! It was a glorious two and a half weeks in Utah. Our flights are never void of adventure and frustration. The flight out of South Bend was late because they couldn't find a crew...how does that even happen? But they showed up miraculously and we thought we just might make our connection in Chicago to Denver. Running through O'Hare happened just to get to the gate to find the doors closed and a less than pleasant woman tell us that the doors are locked and we can't go on. The plane was still there! It wasn't supposed to take off for another 10 minutes! And what's even more maddening is that it still sat there for another 20 minutes on the tarmac. This took us to the customer service desk to reschedule our flight. After waiting in line forever, we got to the desk and we got put on standby for a direct flight to Salt Lake that would leave in about an hour. If not we were booked for like a 5:00 pm flight that day. It was 7:00 am. As we sat at the gate for our standby flight, we felt like awful people because we were hoping and praying for other people to be late and miss this flight. Airports turn you into crazy people. It was Dec. 21 and we just really wanted to get home for Christmas. Thankfully there were plenty of spots on the flight and we ended up getting to Salt Lake earlier than if we had made our original flight. We heart flying...
The vacation was a blur of seeing family and friends, the usual Christmas activities, seeing movies, and I don't even remember what else. All I know is that it was heaven.
And then it was over. We flew home January 7th. We made it to Chicago once again but the short flight to South Bend was cancelled. We knew ahead of time thankfully so we had already made a plan to take the bus home. We came back to subzero temperatures. I think the actual temp was -13 degrees but with wind chill it was like -28. Crazy cold!! South Bend was basically in lock down the day before. You would be fined like two grand for driving on the roads. We missed the worst of the polar vortex, but still had to suffer through the bitter cold and un-bury our car from the two feet of snow on top of it. Somehow it started and we ran to the grocery store. The next few days were hard. Facing the cold and all that and I had to go back to work the next day. But more than that I just didn't want to be in South Bend.
School started the next week for Wes and we settled back into our routine. I don't think we had a single day above freezing the rest of the month. And it wasn't just the cold. It kept snowing somehow! Everything was completed buried in snow. February really wasn't much different either. It was unrelenting. Now, I'm used to the snow and cold and everything, but this was worse than I've ever experienced in my life. What made it even harder is we never saw the sun! It was just cloudy and dark. every. single. day. Oh, and Indiana doesn't know how to plow the roads. And now that the roads are finally clear the pot holes left behind are unbelievable! I've memorized my path to work to know how to avoid all of the worst ones.
Anyway, like I said despite the brutal winter, we got back into the swing of things. Wes is a rock star and is doing great in school, as usual. I had to adjust being back at work. Everything about it was different. I was done with training and had moved on to my official cubical and was taking phone calls all day. New supervisor and new coworkers - all of us new hires got put on several different teams. Now that it's March, I'm finally feeling comfortable in my role and I don't feel like I'm stupid anymore on the phone and answering customers questions about their insurance policies. I miss my friends that I made in training. I don't sit by any of them, and we're lucky if we can see each other and chat briefly on breaks or lunch. Oh, and my schedule. I hate it. Working 2-10 pm is really hard for me. I'm a morning person. I like to be productive in the morning and get the things that I have to do out of the way. My productivity goes way down when I don't go to bed until after midnight and sleep in. And then don't feel the need to do a whole lot since the only thing I Have to do is go to work. It's no good. Not to mention that Wes has school during the day. So we pretty much have opposite schedules. Sometimes it feels like we hardly see each other. But we're pushing through it.
What makes this all easier is knowing that we are once again coming home for the summer. Wes has an internship with a firm in Salt Lake that we're really excited about. I was thinking about staying in South Bend for the summer to keep my job so I wouldn't have to go through the job hunt again. But after a lot of thinking and praying and tears and vacillating and making myself sick over the decision, we decided it's best that I quit and come home, too. It would be too hard to be apart and just not worth it. And so we're coming home! It'll be just before Memorial Day. I will keep working hard at my job now to try and get rehired in the fall. And if not, I'll find another job. I'm not going to stress about that until I have to.
Now the only problem we have is that it is March 13th and there is still snow on the ground and 30 degrees. Where is spring?? Wes is dying to go golfing again. And to be honest so am I. I even bought two new golf shirts in anticipation! I'm just anxious to see the sun again. And it has shown its wonderful face a few times the last two weeks. Then it goes away and hides again. This winter has been declared the never ending winter. Or my personal favorite: the Snowpocalypse. Whatever you call it, I hope that it goes away quick. It's been hard on my car, my boots - two different pairs completely thrashed from all of the wet snow and salt - my skin, my hair, my mood, and my mind. As soon as it reaches 60 I can guarantee you'll see us with the top down on the mustang and cranking the music up loud as if it were 85 and the Fourth of July.
Enough griping about the weather though. It definitely makes you grateful for the good weather. On a more pleasant note, we went out for Valentine's Day to Buffalo Wild Wings (romantic, I know, but it's one of our favorites). It was free thanks to some gift cards we had given to us at Christmas. And then we bought 20 bucks worth of chocolate at the South Bend Chocolate Factory. I'd be lying if I said it lasted more than two days at our house... Oops :) We've got a sweet tooth. And so the single serve, microwavable mug desserts are the best and worst thing that we have discovered. haha. But really? What's better after a long day at work than a warm mug filled with chocolatey goodness that's ready in two minutes? That's right. Nothing.
This week has been Wes' spring break. I decided to be responsible and work all week and he's been bored out of his mind. I guess there's only so much studying and video games a guy can play. Hence the need for the snow to disappear so he can start golfing again. :) I know I end most of my posts this way, but it's always true: I love Wes! I love being married to him. He is my source of strength and my everyday happiness. Despite the hard stuff and the bad weather, we are so happy. Just like these cuddle bears :)
The vacation was a blur of seeing family and friends, the usual Christmas activities, seeing movies, and I don't even remember what else. All I know is that it was heaven.
And then it was over. We flew home January 7th. We made it to Chicago once again but the short flight to South Bend was cancelled. We knew ahead of time thankfully so we had already made a plan to take the bus home. We came back to subzero temperatures. I think the actual temp was -13 degrees but with wind chill it was like -28. Crazy cold!! South Bend was basically in lock down the day before. You would be fined like two grand for driving on the roads. We missed the worst of the polar vortex, but still had to suffer through the bitter cold and un-bury our car from the two feet of snow on top of it. Somehow it started and we ran to the grocery store. The next few days were hard. Facing the cold and all that and I had to go back to work the next day. But more than that I just didn't want to be in South Bend.
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| So long, Utah. |
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| I feel like this picture doesn't do it justice, but there seriously was two feet of snow on the mustang! |
Anyway, like I said despite the brutal winter, we got back into the swing of things. Wes is a rock star and is doing great in school, as usual. I had to adjust being back at work. Everything about it was different. I was done with training and had moved on to my official cubical and was taking phone calls all day. New supervisor and new coworkers - all of us new hires got put on several different teams. Now that it's March, I'm finally feeling comfortable in my role and I don't feel like I'm stupid anymore on the phone and answering customers questions about their insurance policies. I miss my friends that I made in training. I don't sit by any of them, and we're lucky if we can see each other and chat briefly on breaks or lunch. Oh, and my schedule. I hate it. Working 2-10 pm is really hard for me. I'm a morning person. I like to be productive in the morning and get the things that I have to do out of the way. My productivity goes way down when I don't go to bed until after midnight and sleep in. And then don't feel the need to do a whole lot since the only thing I Have to do is go to work. It's no good. Not to mention that Wes has school during the day. So we pretty much have opposite schedules. Sometimes it feels like we hardly see each other. But we're pushing through it.
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| This is my I don't want to go to work but I have to selfie. |
What makes this all easier is knowing that we are once again coming home for the summer. Wes has an internship with a firm in Salt Lake that we're really excited about. I was thinking about staying in South Bend for the summer to keep my job so I wouldn't have to go through the job hunt again. But after a lot of thinking and praying and tears and vacillating and making myself sick over the decision, we decided it's best that I quit and come home, too. It would be too hard to be apart and just not worth it. And so we're coming home! It'll be just before Memorial Day. I will keep working hard at my job now to try and get rehired in the fall. And if not, I'll find another job. I'm not going to stress about that until I have to.
Now the only problem we have is that it is March 13th and there is still snow on the ground and 30 degrees. Where is spring?? Wes is dying to go golfing again. And to be honest so am I. I even bought two new golf shirts in anticipation! I'm just anxious to see the sun again. And it has shown its wonderful face a few times the last two weeks. Then it goes away and hides again. This winter has been declared the never ending winter. Or my personal favorite: the Snowpocalypse. Whatever you call it, I hope that it goes away quick. It's been hard on my car, my boots - two different pairs completely thrashed from all of the wet snow and salt - my skin, my hair, my mood, and my mind. As soon as it reaches 60 I can guarantee you'll see us with the top down on the mustang and cranking the music up loud as if it were 85 and the Fourth of July.
Enough griping about the weather though. It definitely makes you grateful for the good weather. On a more pleasant note, we went out for Valentine's Day to Buffalo Wild Wings (romantic, I know, but it's one of our favorites). It was free thanks to some gift cards we had given to us at Christmas. And then we bought 20 bucks worth of chocolate at the South Bend Chocolate Factory. I'd be lying if I said it lasted more than two days at our house... Oops :) We've got a sweet tooth. And so the single serve, microwavable mug desserts are the best and worst thing that we have discovered. haha. But really? What's better after a long day at work than a warm mug filled with chocolatey goodness that's ready in two minutes? That's right. Nothing.
This week has been Wes' spring break. I decided to be responsible and work all week and he's been bored out of his mind. I guess there's only so much studying and video games a guy can play. Hence the need for the snow to disappear so he can start golfing again. :) I know I end most of my posts this way, but it's always true: I love Wes! I love being married to him. He is my source of strength and my everyday happiness. Despite the hard stuff and the bad weather, we are so happy. Just like these cuddle bears :)
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| I painted this super cute Easter decoration thanks to my Christmas present from Wes and Shannon sending me the project! Another reason we need spring so I can put this out :) |
Thursday, November 28, 2013
Happy Thanksgiving
Today is one of my favorite days of the year! You can't beat great food, especially when it involves pie :) But more than that, it is a day of family and friends coming together and being unified in gratitude. We have our dinner later today with our friends, which will be lots of fun. I was writing in my journal this morning and thought I'd share what I wrote about what I am grateful for on this Thanksgiving Day.
. . . . .
Every single day and more I am grateful for Wesley. He means everything to me and I have never been happier. He makes me laugh and smile with his silliness and his ways. He makes me a better person. I learn a lot form him and his vast knowledge of basically everything I don't know about in this world. He tells me when I'm being ridiculous and when I need to be a big girl and suck it up (but much nicer than that). He loves me for exactly who I am. And that's all I try to do for him.
I'm grateful for my family. My parents have always been and continue to be a huge source of strength in my life. They helped me become who I am today. They love me unconditionally and are my biggest fans. My dad is my hero, and my mom is my ultimate example of everything lovely. I love my siblings and my unique relationship with each of them. I love listening to them. I love laughing with them. I love talking with them. Even when I am frustrated with some of them. They are examples to me. Some of them have produced the amazing little bright spots in my life - I'm grateful to be an Aunt! I love each of my nieces and nephews. They are all the smartest, cutest, sassiest, funniest, and most beautiful children to grace this earth. I love watching them grow and turn into their own little selves. I am also grateful for my extended family and the amazing family that I married into! It is such a blessing to be a Harward. I can't leave out my friends, old or new.
I'm eternally grateful for my Heavenly Father, Savior, and the gospel of Jesus Christ. I know that I am a child of God. I know that I have a loving Father and Brother. They've provided all of us a way back to them. And not only a way back but to be better. I'm so grateful for their love. I feel it every day. I feel it when I list off everything else in my life. I'm so grateful for prayer. I'm grateful for the priesthood, for temples, for the sacrament, for church and leaders, for a prophet, for scriptures, for primary and callings. I am not Anna without The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
I'm grateful for my job. For my coworkers. I'm grateful for the things my job provides for like our warm apartment and all we fill it with. A car even though I despise it in the winter. For my clothes and my body and health. It never ceases to amaze me the strength and resilience of the human body. I'm grateful for life in color and for the beauties of the world. I could go on and on but will end with music. Listening to it. creating it. all of it. I have so so so much to be grateful for! And the list grows as I get older and see the Lord's hand in my life more and more. My heart is full. So from Wes and I in little South Bend, Indiana, Happy Thanksgiving!
. . . . .
Every single day and more I am grateful for Wesley. He means everything to me and I have never been happier. He makes me laugh and smile with his silliness and his ways. He makes me a better person. I learn a lot form him and his vast knowledge of basically everything I don't know about in this world. He tells me when I'm being ridiculous and when I need to be a big girl and suck it up (but much nicer than that). He loves me for exactly who I am. And that's all I try to do for him.
I'm grateful for my family. My parents have always been and continue to be a huge source of strength in my life. They helped me become who I am today. They love me unconditionally and are my biggest fans. My dad is my hero, and my mom is my ultimate example of everything lovely. I love my siblings and my unique relationship with each of them. I love listening to them. I love laughing with them. I love talking with them. Even when I am frustrated with some of them. They are examples to me. Some of them have produced the amazing little bright spots in my life - I'm grateful to be an Aunt! I love each of my nieces and nephews. They are all the smartest, cutest, sassiest, funniest, and most beautiful children to grace this earth. I love watching them grow and turn into their own little selves. I am also grateful for my extended family and the amazing family that I married into! It is such a blessing to be a Harward. I can't leave out my friends, old or new.
I'm eternally grateful for my Heavenly Father, Savior, and the gospel of Jesus Christ. I know that I am a child of God. I know that I have a loving Father and Brother. They've provided all of us a way back to them. And not only a way back but to be better. I'm so grateful for their love. I feel it every day. I feel it when I list off everything else in my life. I'm so grateful for prayer. I'm grateful for the priesthood, for temples, for the sacrament, for church and leaders, for a prophet, for scriptures, for primary and callings. I am not Anna without The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
I'm grateful for my job. For my coworkers. I'm grateful for the things my job provides for like our warm apartment and all we fill it with. A car even though I despise it in the winter. For my clothes and my body and health. It never ceases to amaze me the strength and resilience of the human body. I'm grateful for life in color and for the beauties of the world. I could go on and on but will end with music. Listening to it. creating it. all of it. I have so so so much to be grateful for! And the list grows as I get older and see the Lord's hand in my life more and more. My heart is full. So from Wes and I in little South Bend, Indiana, Happy Thanksgiving!
Sunday, November 3, 2013
Just An Update
I'm not quite sure how it's November already, but I'm okay with it because that means Christmas is less than two months away! Yes, we will be back in Utah for the holidays, and I could not be happier. And it will be a longer trip than last year because Liberty Mutual is that awesome - I really like my job :)
Speaking of my job, I'm still in training, but I've been taking real phone calls for the last few days and it hasn't been a complete disaster! Wednesday and Thursday of this last week were spent with a mentor on every single one of my phone calls coaching me and helping me through the sticky spots, and the not so sticky. But Friday I was on my own, as was the rest of the new hire group. We only had a few mentors walking around the room to help answer questions. The training wheels came off rather fast, but I survived! More than survived really. I came home Friday night feeling super about myself and my performance that day. Thankfully, I didn't have too many difficult calls or unhappy customers. And a lot of my questions for the mentors were just confirmation of what I was already going to tell my customer. We'll see how the next two days go, but this was a big confidence booster. It will be back to the training classroom though until December to learn all of the knitty-gritty.
Wes had fall break recently, and is still plowing through school like a boss. I'm so proud of this guy. We're almost to the half-way point: CRAZY! We've been loving our callings in the Plymouth Branch. It really feels like home there! The young men just celebrated 100 years of scouting, and the primary had their program a few weeks ago. I love those kids and all of the wonderful people we get to see each week. Singing time in primary is proving to be a challenge, but I absolutely love it! I have such fond memories of primary, and the songs I learned there are still some of my favorites. Teaching and singing primary songs is such a wonderful way to teach the gospel and to share my testimony.
Besides our callings, school, work, and songwriting for me, we are pretty boring. haha :) Halloween was spent watching The Witches. I fell asleep, what else is new, but before I did, Wes made fun of me for being just as scared of this movie as I was when I was a little girl and would watch it with my brothers. It's a freaky show, okay? :) We did snap this picture that night but that's about as exciting as we get.
I'm sorry for being a poor blogger this year. But Happy Halloween. Happy Fall. We may not have much to write about these days, but life is still so great and we are so happy. I have found a really great groove right now - I don't miss home and school and what I had in Utah. (still miss home and family obviously, but that constant ache and longing isn't quite as strong) Being home for the summer definitely improved that. I have fully adjusted to life in South Bend and know how to be me. And it is good.
Speaking of my job, I'm still in training, but I've been taking real phone calls for the last few days and it hasn't been a complete disaster! Wednesday and Thursday of this last week were spent with a mentor on every single one of my phone calls coaching me and helping me through the sticky spots, and the not so sticky. But Friday I was on my own, as was the rest of the new hire group. We only had a few mentors walking around the room to help answer questions. The training wheels came off rather fast, but I survived! More than survived really. I came home Friday night feeling super about myself and my performance that day. Thankfully, I didn't have too many difficult calls or unhappy customers. And a lot of my questions for the mentors were just confirmation of what I was already going to tell my customer. We'll see how the next two days go, but this was a big confidence booster. It will be back to the training classroom though until December to learn all of the knitty-gritty.
Wes had fall break recently, and is still plowing through school like a boss. I'm so proud of this guy. We're almost to the half-way point: CRAZY! We've been loving our callings in the Plymouth Branch. It really feels like home there! The young men just celebrated 100 years of scouting, and the primary had their program a few weeks ago. I love those kids and all of the wonderful people we get to see each week. Singing time in primary is proving to be a challenge, but I absolutely love it! I have such fond memories of primary, and the songs I learned there are still some of my favorites. Teaching and singing primary songs is such a wonderful way to teach the gospel and to share my testimony.
Besides our callings, school, work, and songwriting for me, we are pretty boring. haha :) Halloween was spent watching The Witches. I fell asleep, what else is new, but before I did, Wes made fun of me for being just as scared of this movie as I was when I was a little girl and would watch it with my brothers. It's a freaky show, okay? :) We did snap this picture that night but that's about as exciting as we get.
 |
| Gotta love the forced smile from Wes ;) This pic was requested by his lovely mom, Shannon, and probably would not have been taken otherwise. haha :) |
I'm sorry for being a poor blogger this year. But Happy Halloween. Happy Fall. We may not have much to write about these days, but life is still so great and we are so happy. I have found a really great groove right now - I don't miss home and school and what I had in Utah. (still miss home and family obviously, but that constant ache and longing isn't quite as strong) Being home for the summer definitely improved that. I have fully adjusted to life in South Bend and know how to be me. And it is good.
Sunday, September 29, 2013
Truly Blessed
Well. We've been back in South Bend close to two months now. In that time, Wes has started his second year of law school after his very successful first year and summer internship. He left me for a week to continue interviewing with firms in Salt Lake for next summer. All of his hard work paid off when he accepted an offer last week from a great firm, Stoel Rives. He is really excited for summer and his time with them, and I am so proud of him!
After a couple months of job searching, I started last week with Liberty Mutual in their call center in Mishawaka. They're a really great company to work for, and I think I will really enjoy my time with them. I'm just happy that I have a job again and can contribute to our family!
Before I started working, I had a lot of time to basically do whatever I wanted. I was anxiously looking for work, of course, but even after I secured my job there was still a three week wait before I would start. I enjoyed reorganizing our apartment and deep cleaning it after our summer absence. I got back into the kitchen and started trying new recipes - thank you Pinterest and wonderful food bloggers. And, as I already sort of announced, I worked on recording and writing music! In case you missed it, I posted two songs to Sound Cloud already and another one is coming today. Check out my Facebook page for the links.
I also had time to just reflect on the wonderful summer we had and to really see just how blessed we have been in our first year of marriage. I could not ask for a better husband and family. I know that I am loved by my Heavenly Father, and He is so good to me and my family. Wes and I are truly blessed.
After a couple months of job searching, I started last week with Liberty Mutual in their call center in Mishawaka. They're a really great company to work for, and I think I will really enjoy my time with them. I'm just happy that I have a job again and can contribute to our family!
Before I started working, I had a lot of time to basically do whatever I wanted. I was anxiously looking for work, of course, but even after I secured my job there was still a three week wait before I would start. I enjoyed reorganizing our apartment and deep cleaning it after our summer absence. I got back into the kitchen and started trying new recipes - thank you Pinterest and wonderful food bloggers. And, as I already sort of announced, I worked on recording and writing music! In case you missed it, I posted two songs to Sound Cloud already and another one is coming today. Check out my Facebook page for the links.
I also had time to just reflect on the wonderful summer we had and to really see just how blessed we have been in our first year of marriage. I could not ask for a better husband and family. I know that I am loved by my Heavenly Father, and He is so good to me and my family. Wes and I are truly blessed.
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