from 2010 to 2011

It's been a while since I posted, so I thought I'd give a quick update. (By the way, isn't it cool that a "while since I posted" is only a week compared to earlier last year when I didn't post for months at a time.. look at me go!).


Christmas and New Years were really fun... I love the "traditions" our little family is developing, and the time we get to spend with both our families who are so close. Due to our dead tree, Christmas came down as soon as possible this year :) As much as I LOVE decorating for Christmas, there's something equally nice about cleaning up from Christmas. Nick was really excited to just have a normal work/school schedule again (silly Nick, I know...), so it's been kind of nice getting into the normal swing of things.


We don't really set New Years resolutions... for the past little while we've been trying to make small, monthly goals that- in the long run- will get us where we want to be. A house. We were hoping for last year, but with my long unemployment, and Nick's struggles with this credit/IRS fiasco (thanks Brian ;)), it didn't happen. So we're making smaller goals to make it a reality this year. Including cutting back COMPLETELY on unnecessary spending. No fast food. No toys. No movies. Nada. At first I was a little worried.. what about dates and things like that? However, that same night, Nick set up a bunch of small toys on top of the TV by our bed, grabbed our Nerf guns and ammo, and we spent a good half hour shooting down targets and various things around the apartment. Sooooo... entertainment won't be a problem, since we both have the mentalities of children :)


The only other big change this year will be how little we see each other. With both of us in school now (both night classes) and working, our schedules are packed full. We'll see each other on the weekends, but even then, not often. Nick, for example, is working every single day this week, aside from Sunday. So yeah... it'll be good in the fact that we'll both be able to remain focused on school and work, but we might miss each other a little. Oh well, we'll always have our nerf guns...


And yes, I'm still doing the 365 days project. Although, due to our incessant sickness (we're ALMOST done being sick, I can feel it...), they've been REALLY boring photos. Like cleaning. Or smoothies. Or targets and nerf guns. Yeah. Someday they'll be more artsy, but for now that's all I've got :) I'll make sure to post the photos soon, so I don't get behind.

highlights of Christmas

- sleeping in :)


- watching Nick open his presents & spend the rest of the day setting up his receiver


- getting a nerf gun in my stocking.. war ensued


- isaac in his spiderman costume ALL day (and all week, it sounds like...)


- playing hide & seek with squeaks and caleb


- lunch with the thurmans (my favorite chili EVER)


- admiring the "spray-on snow" ;) ahem...


- finally getting snow boots! thanks mom & dad :)


- playing the game of things with my family, and nick & i being amazed at the clever answers my brothers came up with


- mom's delicious dinner and my disaster of a cake (don't worry, it still tasted like heaven)


- talking to my brother!!!!! 4 months...


- mom & dad starting our disney movie collection :) thanks, guys!


- learning how to play hearts, and nick's newfound determination to beat my parents.


... yeah, 2010 has been a good year!


photos to come. 

goals

So I've been wanting to lose all the "marriage" weight I gained for a while now. It's not as much about losing the weight as it is feeling like I'm in shape. I hate not fitting into the clothes I did before we got married. I hate getting winded doing stupid little things.

As a result, my AWESOME friend Erin & I are getting up every morning and going to the gym from 6 to 7 a.m. It's been so nice to feel that burn in my muscles, feel super awake and energetic, and realize that--even though I'm in terrible shape now--I'm becoming better.

I decided to set some "weight goals", if you will. I hope to lose it all by my birthday in May.. so far so good! Here are the goals Nick & I set.. I'm kind of excited :)

-5 lbs = book (I decided on a biography about President Monson)
-10 lbs = a disney movie :)
-15 lbs = Nick told me he'd take me on a date that HE plans (yeah, kind of a big deal) ;)
-20 lbs = a dress.. just a fun spring-ish dress. I've always wanted one, but never got one.

The OTHER cool thing that's going to happen in the spring is that Nick and I are going to CHOP our hair! Yup! Nick decided to grow his hair out all winter (not long, but shaggy) and then buzz it in April. He asked me to join him, so I'm going to donate to Locks of Love.. kind of excited and MAJORLY freaked out. I haven't cut my hair past my shoulders.. ever. I kind of love my thick, wavy, evil hair.

So yeah.. that's the story :)

yayyyyyyyy!!!

Nick got the job!!! I'm not allowed to post it anywhere more "public" than this yet, because Nick needs to talk to his current boss about when he's leaving.. but really? HAPPIEST NEWS EVER!!

It's everything that his last company isn't. They'll help pay for school. They pay for his tools (yeah, his last company didn't even provide him with what he needed to do THEIR work). He's making more money, with immediate benefits (we had to wait for them last time) and raises every six months (something Derek promised but never followed through on). Heck, he even starts getting vacation time! In six months he'll get a week off (conveniently right around our 2 year anniversary, heh heh...). He gets to learn programming and not just install. Wheeee...

Buuuuut, yeah! We're both endlessly happy and this is GREAT news! Thanks for all of your prayers and good luck wishes and all that jazz :)