A TV dinner in Boise

Jordan is coming to Boise for the week with school to meet with different companies in the area.  Graduation is approaching fast and finding the right job and deciding where we will live for the next few years is our main focus right now.  It can be stressful at times but these trips to cities in the area have been such a great experience for Jordan.  We hope to have decided where we will settle in the next few weeks.

 

I decided to come along to spend the week with my family.  Ella was not feeling well so Amber asked if I could stay home with her.  In between her resting and reading books we decided to make "funny" cupcakes to pass our time at home. 

 

We decided on making a TV dinner.

I was surprised at how easy they were to make and how cute it turned out.  It made a HUGE mess but sometimes a mess is worth it.

Mary, Mary, quite contrary how does your garden grow?

Jordan and I started a small flower pot garden. 

We didn't have much hope in it at first but things are growing so well.

Flowers

Onions

Lettuce

Peppers finally starting to grow

Sweat is the cologne of accomplishment

A few weeks ago I went to our local gym to inquire about joining and discovered rather quickly that it would simply cost too much.  Not being able to find work the last few months Jordan and I have had to really watch our spending and joining the gym would have become an unnecessary expense that we simply just couldn't afford.  So I was thrilled when I opened my birthday present from Jordan and found a gym membership.  He had secretly gone in and talked to them.  He got all of the new member fees waived and we now only pay $10.00 a month!!  For the past three weeks I have faithfully gone to the gym five or six days a week.  Although I haven't seen a dramatic change in the scale, I have seen a change in how I feel.


I still can't run a mile, can only lift five pounds and tire out after forty minutes but going to the gym every day has given me a sense of accomplishment and confidence that has been missing for awhile.           

Bread baking adventures

I was inspired by my cousin Kelsey's bread baking adventures and thought I would give it a try.  So here it is my first attempt at homemade wheat bread!!  It turned out pretty good and the house smelled sooo good all day. 

I bought a new cookbook called 'Now Eat This'  by Rocco Dispirito.  

"It transforms America's favorite comfort foods into deliciously healthy dishes-all with zero bad carbs, zero bad fats, zero sugar, and maximum flavor."   I LOVE this cookbook.  Jordan and I have been trying out the recipies and they are so good, and when they say maximum flavor they mean it.  YUM!  One thing I have noticed since using this cook book is that you are in the kitchen cooking more and we always end up with a lot more dirty dishes.  No complaints here.  I enjoy the time Jordan and I spend cooking dinner together and it has inspired me to spend more time in the kitchen and less time buying convience and probably not the most healthy of foods.     

A work in progress

Lately it seems I have been enthralled with finding thrifty, trendy and modern ways to decorate the next apartment that Jordan and I will be moving to.  It is the first place that is not furnished and we get to decorate it from the top down.   

Here is the beginning of one of my most recent projects.  I am making a throw pillow to either go on chair or bed.  I wanted something a little different and I love how it is turning out.  I decided that want to find a fun print to use as the back of the pillow which is why it is still a work in progress. 

Grey felt from the craft store that only cost $2.00!!

Cut the felt into circles

Fold the circles and hand stich to hold the shape in place

Next stitch the circles onto the pillow

It only took a few hours to complete the front of the pillow.   

 Finshed project photos coming soon........

Seattle, Boise and The Idaho Steelheads

Jordan spent this week in Seattle meeting with perspective companies.  BYU-I had set up the meetings and covered most of the cost of the trip.  I think it is such a great opportunity for him to be able to see what is available and who he would like to work for before we decide where we want the next few years of our lives to start.  He met with Amazon, T Mobile, Costco and Boeing.  (He loved Amazon and Costco.)  Next semester Jordan will travel to Boise and Salt Lake City to do the same thing.  Our options are endless and I love this time in our lives.  It is so exciting thinking about where our next adventure will take us.

I decided to travel to Boise to spend sometime with my family while Jordan was gone.  Amber and I went to a movie, I met friends for lunch, spent time with Ky and the kids and worked on a quilt with help from my Mom. 

Kylee and Shane invited us to go to a hockey game one night and as we were about to leave I got a call from Jordan saying that his plane had broken down in Boise.  I excitedly went and picked him up from the airport and we headed to the game.  We had such a great time. 

Kresimir was hilarious or maybe he was simply delirious.  He was having so much fun but was so tired.  Starting at seven at night is pretty late for a three year old.  Ella was enthralled with every aspect of the game.  She was captivated by Shane as he would explain how the game works and what each of the players did and why.  She really loves hockey.  It is so cute.  In the end the Idaho Steelheads lost the game 0-1 but we had a really great night regardless of who won.             

The sneaky chef

I have never had the best eating habits and since getting married I have noticed that Jordan and I together need to step up on eating healthier.  In particular we never eat vegetables and according to all the health experts five servings per day is what should be in our diet.

I can handle a side salad with dinner or the occasional side of peas, beans or corn but when I realized how many servings of vegetables a person is supposed to eat each day, I fall WAY short. 

So here is my solution....I am learning how to become a "sneaky chef" 

First I cook a sweet potato and carrots

Next I pureed the cooked vegetables

Solution.  A hawaiian pizza with extra hidden tomatos,sweet potatos and carrots mixed into the pizza sauce. 

I seriously had my doubts but you honestly could not tell a difference in taste.  Even Jordan who said my puree smelled like rotten feet ate most of the pizza not knowing that the "rotten feet vegetables" were part of his dinner!! 

   Next attempt is this concoction of cooked spinach and blueberries to be added to our hamburgers.  Yes hamburgers.  They say you can't tell the difference and it smelled amazing as I blended it together so I guess we will have to see.....

Thanks sneaky chef.

Me right now...

Wondering where life will take me the next few years.

Having a lot of hopes and dreams, but not quite sure where to start.

Realizing that no matter how eager we are to become pregnant it will happen when it is supposed to.

Rediscovering my love for creating beautiful spaces.

Filling my days with productivity not pessimism.

Working towards a love for vegetables even if it means buying a book on how to hide them in my food.

Trying not to take all my blessings for granted.



 

Jordan and I decided to go to Boise for President's Day weekend.  I love being able to spend time with my family and everyone was home this trip which made it even more special.  We spent the weekend celebrating Valentines Day by making cupcakes with Ella and going to the movie 'Valentine's Day'.  The rest of the weekend we spent watching the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, shopping and of course spending time playing games.  

Jordan surprised me with flowers right before we left for Boise.  They were beautiful and although we were worried that they might not survive the weekend we arrived home to the flowers looking just as beautiful as when we left. 

The past few weeks have had their ups and downs.  I am still unable to find work after two months of looking.  I feel frustrated but blessed that we are able to live without the worry of money while I continue to look for a job.  I have discovered that I like being at home.  I have rediscovered my love for cooking and am thinking about going to culinary school to learn the art of baking. 

Jordan and I spend most nights talking about life after graduation.  Next month Jordan will go to Seattle and Boise to interview for possible jobs after he graduates in July.  It is exciting to think about how different our life will be next year.  So many possibilites!!

  

 

Jordan and I spent New Years weekend in Boise. 

One memorable morning we started the day with a "girls only breakfast".

When we got home from breakfast Jordan pulled me aside and said that we needed to talk.  My car had started making a strange sound on our drive from Colorado to Idaho and as a precaution we had taken it in to be checked out before we headed to Rexburg.  Jordan told me that when he had spoken with the mechanics it was as he thought it could be...the worse case possible.  The engine had thrown a rod and was ruined. 

We spent the next few stressful hours trying to figure out what was the best thing for us to do.  Here we were in Boise with a car that would not make it to Rexburg.  We were quoted $4000-$5000 to fix the engine by several mechanics. We were under the impression that the car was still under warranty and discovered that the warranty did not apply to us.  We talked with our parents for advice, spoke with the dealership for their advice and in the end we made the decision to trade in the car for something smaller and more economical.  We purchased a brand new 2009 Hyundai Elantra! 

I am so grateful that my Dad was able to come with us as we purchased a new car.  He helped us get the best deal possible.  With it being December 31st we were able to get an amazing year end deal and because they dealership knew our circumstance they helped us out as well with giving us a great price on a trade in and an amazing warranty on the new car.

Driving around the past few weeks I am so happy with this new car.  I think that although the situation was stressful it turned out in the end to be such a blessing for Jordan and I.      

Once we arrived in Rexburg we moved into our new apartment which we love!!  We love the space, the location and our new ward.  We have friends old and new over weekly for game nights which usually consists of phase ten or Skipbo.

   

This semester in Rexburg will be challenging.  Jordan is at school from six in the morning Monday through Saturday until five at night.  I am so proud of how hard he works and how he can visualize the goal in the end.  It is exciting as he is about to graduate in July to talk about future career moves, graduate school and our new life.  It will be interesting to see where we end up in the next few years. 

I am constantly on the look out for a job.  The job market in Rexburg is nonexhistant and Idaho Falls is not much better.  I was so stressed out the last time about making money to pay our bills.  I spent many sleepless nights and tearfull prayers trying to find a job.  In time I did find a job.  This time around it is different.  Finacially we are ok until I find a job and the stress is not there.  I get bored sitting at home all day but do not complain.  I know that I am blessed and will in time find a job. 

"Born in a stable, cradled in a manger, He came forth from heaven to live on earth as mortal man and to establish the kingdom of God. During His earthly ministry, He taught men the higher law. His glorious gospel reshaped the thinking of the world. He blessed the sick. He caused the lame to walk, the blind to see, the deaf to hear. He even raised the dead to life. To us He has said, 'Come, follow me.' "

Merry Christmas!!

Disneyland

Meeting Mickey Mouse

Autopia

Mr. Toad's Wild Ride

King Arthur Carousel

While about to ride the Mark Twain River boat they asked Jordan and I if we would like to steer the boat.  Jordan steered most of the ride while I worked the whistles and bell.  So much fun!

Meeting Tigger!

Indiana Jones Adventure

Jordan's favorite ride in Disneyland.  Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters.

One of my favorite rides was the new pirates of the carribean and the haunted mansion decorted to the Nightmare before Christmas.  So spooky!

Its A Small World at Christmas!

Sleeping Beauty's Castle

Our final night we stayed to watch to fireworks show.  They had fireworks choreographed to christmas carols and at the end of the show huge snow flakes fell from snow machines all over the park.  Magical!

We loved every moment during our trip to Disneyland.  With small crowds we were able to ride every ride in both parks during the three days we were there.  Everything was decorated for the holidays which made it so pretty and festive.  The perfect way to start our holidays.   

Disney's California Adventure Park

Welcome to Disney's California Adventure Park!

Meeting Mickey Mouse

The twilight zone tower of terror is a ride that plunges 13 floors.  Jordan loved this ride and rode it twice!  I found it more frightening than fun and decided that once was enough for me.

Jordan and Stich.

Meeting Kenai and Koda

Jordan was so excited to ride California Screamin' a huge old wooden rollar coaster.  (As you can tell not my favorite ride.) 

The Pixar parade was so fun!