Finally Free! It's Summer Time!

My Favorite time of the year!

Steven and I made it through our finals. I had 6 finals, looking back on it, they weren't too bad, but during the studying, and preparing I wanted to go crazy. I'm happy to say so far I officially have 3 A's I'm waiting on the other three classes to post grades. Steven was worried about his Calculus class, but passed with a B! He was stressing, but I knew he would be just fine, he's smart with numbers. I have one more year left until I graduate! Steven has...a while. Can't believe it thought. This semester went by so fast.

I made our 72 hour kits finally. This whole month people were talking about preparedness, and everything and the song from the Lion King "Be Prepared" kept coming into my head, so we finally got them together last Monday. To be honest, it didn't take that much time at all! Most of the stuff I got around the house, and then we went to Walmart and bought the rest of the essentials, and food that we would eat if in an emergency. We decided that during General Conference weekend is when we will go through our back packs and make sure the food is still okay and hasn't expired yet.

There just so happened to be a fire in Ivins yesterday between 200 (the street we live on) and the entrance to Kayenta Village. It was on the other side of the Old Hwy. I saw it driving home from Steven's work, and so I decided to take a different way home (Towards the smoke, call me crazy) and as I got closer to it, there were fire trucks, and ambulances, and trucks with water tanks. Then I saw a legit cowboy/rancher man on a horse racing to gather all his horses to get them away from the fire! It was crazy! The fire was reported at 3:15 and I drove past it at about 3:35! So I saw the beginnings of it. It smelled like smoke a little bit by our house, but not too bad. It's contained now, and nothing bad happened, so we are safe! But, I'm glad we were prepared if we had to evacuate and have our 72 hour kits ready to go!

Besides school and work, we haven't done much. I have crafted a little bit here and there. Steven and I made some Olympic Rings to display when the Olympics get closer...it's like my favorite thing ever! There is just something really cool about have the whole world come together to compete against each other, and see people get so far, and then the ones that win, and sacrifice so much to be there. It's one thing that brings tears to my eyes almost instantly when I see people cross finish lines, push buttons, and rejoice for their accomplishments. It's just amazing to me. Enough about that.

Last weekend we went up to Springdale and made Strawberry jam! It was lots of fun. We made up a great invention to get the stem out of the strawberries. We got a "straw" like gadget that was metal, and from the bottom of the strawberry you push it up, and if you get it just right, you pretty much "shuck" the strawberry of the stem! Quick and easy. We had 7 flats of strawberries, which means there were 12 small packages in each flat..I shucked about 90 percent of those strawberries. The family has jam to last forever now! It's yummy too!

We bought our flights to New York. We leave July 19 and come back July 24. We are going to see Becky and Vinnie in the Hill Cumorah Pageant and see the church history sites, and visit Niagara Falls. I'm pretty excited.

We recommend seeing The Lucky One that just came out in theaters! Very cute! We saw it with Connie and Braysen. We haven't spent much time with them because life has been so crazy, but now we can! School doesn't consume our lives!

Steven's last day at the cabinet shop is today. We will see what happens with this potential opportunity in the next day or so...crossing our fingers for good  news though!

We are going up to Salt Lake this weekend to take Ben and Misty the trailer for them to move from Eagle Mountain to West Valley City! I'm excited, number one because I love road trips, number too it will be beautiful weather, and number three...real shopping!

What else is new...

Autumn's kindergarten graduation is today! I'm so excited for her. It's been awesome watching her grow this year and all that she has learned. It's amazing how fast kids grow up and change.


I made Cake pops. They were pretty yummy! It's a must do again, I can perfect my chocolate dipping with time. I think that's the most time consuming/hardest part of the whole process. Otherwise it's easy and yummy at the end!

Connie and I spent the day together, and we went and got pedicures, and lunch and layed out by the pool. Perfect girl time spent catching up on life, helping to solve all the worlds problems. Love that girl.

Our primary calling is actually getting better. It's not so bad after all (3 months later) Now that we have more time to dedicate to our kids we teach it's more fun.

We had a sleepover with Josh and Amy! We admit it..we are afraid of bugs and we have a bug problem, and so they invited us over to spend the night! It was fun, we watched White Noise 2..ever seen it???? SCRAY, PEE YOUR PANTS, OPEN ONE EYE AT A TIME kind of movie. I hate it when you call what the next scary thing is going to happen, and then you still get scared and jumpy lol.

Last week we went out to dinner with Institute Council/alumni/ new people! What a blast that was! We are all growing up we broke a record with 6 married people throughout the year! GO US!

Summer Plans

Summer Plans Have Changed

That's right. Our original plan was to head out to Texas for the summer and work, and come back right before school started. Well, plans have changed now, and we will be staying in St. George for the summer. It's not such a bad thing afterall. Even though I tend to be nomadic. I definitely need to escape this place every now and then, or I go crazy. So I will still be nannying this summer, Steven will be doing one of two things, working at the cabinet shop, or getting a new job working with CED to potentially be something big. We don't know yet. I will be starting to volunteer at the DOVE center again, and be a child advocate. That pretty much means that I will be doing kid stuff, representing them in need, and helping them feel safe and welcomed, and loved again. I'm pretty excited, I was relived when I called to ask if they would have me back again and they said heck yes, we need you. So if anyone else has interests in volunteering this summer at the DOVE center, let me know. It's an amazing opportunity. 

School

School is winding down. I just finished an Analysis and synthesis of assessment assignment, and do you want to know how long it is???? I WILL TELL YOU BECAUSE I"M FREAKING SICK OF WRITING THE WORK ASSESSMENT, AND I WORKED MY BUTT OFF FOR IT...THE MAGIC NUMBER IS....

53 BAAM! SO DONE WITH IT TOO!

Steven is doing good, now he is considering taking some classes over the summer, and we just found out that he will graduate with his associates in December of 2013...not exactly what a future teacher wants to here, but things will work out as they are suppose to I hope. 

Now it looks like I may be going to California with the girls, and possible a few mini vacations to Vegas for work :) Can't wait.

We will be getting up early in the summer to run and train for the marathon, so it will be good to stay here and work up our stamina at this elevation. 

My favorite part, is that we will be here for all of our friends that are getting married, and having babies!!

Maybe we will take a trip to New York after-all to see the pageant, and Niagara Falls. And hopefully to Phoenix to see my Aunt Karen. But that all depends on if it is logical, and smart to do so.

That's the sitch with us. It's all good.

<3

The latest

Here's what's up with us lately. When we got back from Florida, we (I) decided that I really wanted to run the marathon, so we started running the next day. That was a joke. I ran like 4 blocks and wanted to quit. But now Steven and I are up to 5 miles! Not too bad. We have 24 more weeks, and I know we can do it. We have paid our dues and registered for it, and it's on Oct 6, 2012. You all should come cheer us on.

School for both of us is going okay...isn't that what I always say. Steven's math class is nuts, he got his Cabinet shop back. Oh! And I don't know if I mentioned this, but he found his wedding ring!! Happy day! It was at the cabinet shop! Of course. We just have 3 more weeks left of school and finals. Can't wait! I have one more lesson I have to teach this next week and be observed, hopefully it goes well, I think it will be my best one yet.

We spoke in church on Sunday for Easter. We were the program. Next year I will stick to the choir to deliver the message. It ended up being kinda rushed because there was a ton of ward business, baby blessing, and 2 graduating primary girls and a musical number. But Considering the situation, I think we did a great job, especially Steven.

Work is going great as usual, the girls are growing up so fast. I took them to a Ducky Drop at the Washington Community Center and they absolutely loved it! Then we went up to Pine Valley with them for Saturday Easters festivities which was fun, it was beautiful up there.

Primary kids at church make me laugh. We have two kids who pick there nose, cracks me up. Steven got pics on the iPAD. (OH YEAH WE GOT AN IPAD) And what makes me happiest is that the kids always know the answers to the questions in sharing time. They are so smart!

The last two weekends we have gone to Toquerville and Springdale. One for General Conference and my Nana's 77th birthday and this last weekend for Easter. My Nana got a Kindle for her birthday! SHE IS SO FUNNY WITH IT, but she loves it! My Papa's Tulips popped out of the ground, and look fabulous! His mom's favorite flowers were Tulips, and so that's why he plants them. Such a good ol' man.

Few Random things:
Still loving my crock-pot
We've been having out with Josh and Amy MacDonald. LOVE THEM.
Started watching the show House..LOVE THAT too
Seems like all my friends are getting pregnant now. Congrats
We got Steven new jeans because his got holes in the butt. GOOD DEALS
Had an Easter Egg Hunt with the Young's. It was hilarious!
We Spoke in church it was alright. The lesson we gave was better
We leave in less than a month for Texas! WOOP WOOP
Made a spring time wreath
Finished the Wedding Scrapbook and Cruise Scrapbook. Feels pretty good


Lovin laugh as of lately.

Spring Break

Breakfast at Tiffany's with the girls minus Eric and Joey and Steven

My goal was to post earlier about our Spring Break and trip to Florida, but things got a little crazy recently.

So We got to Florida, had the Open House, Lots of people didn't make it that said they would. There was a thing in Orlando for lots of the women, and then a golf Tournament, but it was still fun. Good to see old faces.

We took Steven's family to Tarpon, and the Ringling Museum. Perfect day to do it too! Finished just in time for the rain!

Then Sunday we walk into church 20 minutes late right? In the very back too. Where you would think no one would see you. Well, Bishop Glaus said, "Would Gabbi please come up to the front" I hadn't even sat down yet! He turned the time over to me after the youth speaker and pretty much told me to give a talk on the Strength of Youth. Totally pulled it all outta my butt. It was pretty bad. Always have a five minute talk prepared in the back of your mind!

Monday we left on our cruise, and before you know it we were in paradise.
We played lots of Mini Golf, and I beat Steven four out of five times. LOVE IT! And we went rock climbing. Spun a slot machine bc we got a free spin. It wan't that exciting. The shows were all really good that we went to see.
Throughout the cruise we relaxed, ate lots of food, and laughed a lot. A much needed break.

Our first stop was Cozumel, we went to COBA ruins on the mainland, took a ferry over, and saw some mayan ruins. It was awesome! We climbed to the tallest mayan ruin ever. It's even taller than the famous Chitzinita. Then we went to a Mayan Cave where we ate, and they performed a Mayan show for us. It was fascinating to me. Steven loved the cave part. Then we went back, got a Mayan Calendar that has our Anniversary on it. And we bought a HUGE handmade blanket.

Then we went to Costa Maya where we went on a 7 mile bike ride on beach cruisers, with the old fashion   stop brakes it was lot of fun. Then we went kayaking where the 2nd great barrier reef is! Our kayaks were clear in the bottom so we could see fish and coral! Totally recommend it! We shopped at all the shops we could bought a few things, and I got a nice sun burn.

Formal night we got lots of good pictures, and ended up buying two of them. Steven also bought me a beautiful necklace,

Miracle: we went to look at our account on the ship and found that we had 100 dollar credit! My Aunt had secretly gone on and put money on it!! BEST AUNT EVER! :)

We tried to participate in the Love and Marriage game show, almost won the audition to make the cut, but the couple that won ended up doing the same "scene" that we did, but the husband ripped his pants, so they won. But I'm glad because some of the questions were kinda raunchy.

Then it ended with some rough seas, and lots of wind, but we stayed in played ping pong, and ate more food and made it all worth it.

Now that we are back we just have a months left of school until finals start, then off to Texas we go! Things are still crazy with the normal daily routine of life. But we love being together! Now that Steven has not job we spend more time together.

Now to Plan the Next Vacation!!

Funny story: Steven made spaghetti and set the fire alarm off.


Work for me is good. Autumn and Kamy are growing up too fast for me, but being gone got them out of the habit of a few things, but we are working on our manners again, and crossing the street, and those little things. It takes patience. Steven comes out with me now sometimes and helps which is nice, I think he finally sees why I get tired sometimes, and get annoyed when he acts like a 4 or 6 year old lol. The girls started soccer this week. Kamy loves it. Autumn got scared and gave up. BUT she is not quitting. She will be at practice on Wednesday you better believe. We aren't letting her give up that easy!

Flight to Florida

Home sweet home!
We made it in one piece.

On our Way to FLORIDA!

MADE IT!

83 Degrees sunny and wonderful! Smells like the ocean!

Miracles along the way:
I didn't get stopped in security
I didn't freeze on the plane
I sat next to a guy who minded his own business
Flight went by fast
Steven was my pillow
Bags arrived! Dress is still in perfect condition
Only lost a few Sand Dollars along the way

Once my Mom picked us up from the Airport, Lyle, Kris and Grandma Young followed us out to Frenchy's Rockaway Grill for dinner. Waited for an hour until we got seated. Seven of us sat at a four person table... BUT it was good! Hopefully the Young's liked it. I give credit to Frenchy's for making me like seafood when I was 17 years old.

Drove home and that was that. Unpacked a little, and I LOVE BEING HOME!!!!!

Agenda for tomorrow: Breakfast at Tiffany's (Yes it's a Resturaunt here by my house, and the beach!)

Ready for the Break!

So we are beyond ready to leave this place and go to Florida.
We have been going crazy and working overtime to get all of our homework done before we leave.
We are leaving tomorrow to spend the night in Las Vegas, then leave for Florida on Thursday morning!

We got our passports and itinerary, the suitcases are out. Cleaning has began (I hate coming home to a messy house).

As far as life, I've been working lots with nannying because Steven lost his job. Which by the way, we found out that Autumn is Top 4 in her Kindergarten class, and the only student out of both classes that got a 100% on her sight words! We are so excited about this! Something has clicked with Autumn and she's starting to "develop" so to speak in her knowledge!
Steven's become a great homemaker! Laundry done. Dishes done, and vacuuming! I love him
Still haven't found his ring after being maniacs and turning the house upside down.

Steven's Mono. He went to the DR last Tuesday and got three kinds of drugs, and he is finally starting to feel better. Hopefully we can boost his immune system now that he is better.

I got a letter from Sister Alayna Graham! Made my week! I love missionary letters.

This last weekend I took the Praxis Test for my teaching license. I am happy to say that I passed! I am so relieved! The average score is 150-164. I got a 161, and passing is 150. So I am good! Got a snow cone for that accomplishment!

We went to Josh and Amy's this last weekend and had dinner with them, and played monopoly, Amy totally ended up winning, it was hilarious. Then we watched Vertical Limit. SUCH A GOOD MOVIE. Totally recommend it.

We went to Becky and Vinnie's for dinner on Sunday too. We really have been blessed this last week with food! Judy (my boss) gave us tons of leftover this last week because of Steven being ill. We both got our tax refund back too.

Primary teaching is going okay...Steven would say it's great! Kids are adorable though!

We have 6 more weeks of class before finals. Once we get back from Spring Break that is. Can't wait! Just a few more huge papers and projects for both of us. This last weekend for my classes, I wrote 25 pages. I couldn't believe it!

Summer is right around the corner! Can not wait!

And then...

WARNING: This may depress you

So Steven has been sick with Mono. (I've mentioned this) Everyone keeps saying it's just a cold. NO ITS FREAKING NOT. I was with him the first time, and it's the same things again. We finally got a Dr. Appt set up to go on Tuesday. Part of me wishes we could have gone back to the Hurricane DR, but this one is closer, and hopefully can help us a little faster than our previous experience. Today his fever was 102. It's lower than it was 3 months ago, so that's good. But it's just getting worse. I can't exactly do anything either except give him endless supply of water and just let him rest. Which is good because I can get homework done (But I don't feel like it).

Second bad news is...Steven lost his wedding ring. Yup. No big deal. He's losing weight because he is sick, so it doesn't surprise me but I didnt think it would happen so quick! We have yet to find it..but maybe it will show up. We've searched the house high and low.

Health insurance is finally going through for me! Which took a month. If the government wants everyone to have insurance they should make it easier to get, and a faster process to get it! Geesh. Anyway, hopefully that goes through before we go to Florida because who know's with our luck, I might get kid-napped in Mexico.

Good news: The house has been deep cleaned. I AM NOT GETTING SICK. The wedding scrapbook is coming along great. I may finish it by the time we go to Florida and can take it to the Open House there. Other Good News is that my mom's birthday was this week!!! I Love my mom! Thank goodness for her and all she does for me, and Steven. Also, Steven is getting pumped about his summer job again. So am I, because I have an illness where I can't stay in one spot for more than 2 months before I need to road trip, or something, So I'm happy we will be somewhere new. Kamy's birthday party was today! It was fun, we did it at Barefoot Gymnastics, and the kids has so much fun. Their Dad came down for the weekend, and so it was good for the girls to be with him as usual. Thank goodness for Judy (My Boss) She's made us dinner and made sure Steven is feeling good all the time. They care so much about us. I'm glad we live so close to them now.

OH!! So I've been praying, and thinking, and praying and thinking about someone who can take over my Nanny job over the summer while we are gone, and I've had lots of people say yes, but had exceptions or something, and I need someone who will be like 100% committed and flexible with them. So I finally found someone!!! CRYSTAL! You don't know what a relief it is for Judy and I. I can trust Crystal with the girls, and know that they are in good hands, and she's in all my classes for my Major. She's great! Such a relief.

Speaking of prayers. Today we were on our way back to drop steven off at the college for work, and I said a little prayer as I was driving that there may be a chance that Steven wouldn't have to work the rest of the day...and Cassie came out when we pulled up and said "Hey guys, you don't have to work, just go home." WOOHOOO!!! So grateful! Tender Mercies are a wonderful thing.

We are getting ready for our vacation. We leave March 8! SO EXCITING! I can't wait to go to the beach either. We decided that we really want to go sailing while we are in Mexico, and be sure to see the ancient ruins over there. Maybe do some skydiving, and what not..But that all depends on how healthy Steven is by then. Thank goodness for my Mom, she's pretty much doing everything for this one! I can't wait to see all my friends, and once again have Steven with me. I just really hope and pray that he is well enough by then.

School for both of us is going okay. Steven started a sociology class this week on the block schedule. He said that it's probably going to be pretty easy. 18 credits and still going strong! :) Sorta... I'm just sick of writing lesson plans. Such a tedious job in this program. But you gotta jump through hoops to get where you want to go right? ;)  I'm taking the PRAXIS this coming Friday...kinda nervous. I hope I prepare myself well enough for it to pass it the first time though!

Anyway that' enough for now. Life is crazy, but we are grateful for the little things in times like these.