Summertime smatterings

Justin got a new toy! He's been hemming and hawing about getting it and then one day he finally did! He got a nexus 7 tablet. It's basically an Ipad but with Google instead of Apple. ( Justin is kind of anti apple. ) 

He's been having lots of fun with it, playing games mostly but also doing some writing. I have been having fun with the games as well. Sometimes...Justin will even let me take it to work. 

This little bro of mine had a birthday and turned 15. He's is getting so big and tall. I used to be able to win any argument by taking him down, I don't think I can do that any more. =) He's a fun and energetic brother. We love him.

This was by our mailbox one day. I love it for so many reasons. The spelling of lemonade, the attempts at how to spell house, and the fact that I have no idea where "lizzy house" is. Got to love all the kids in the neighbor hood. Our neighborhood has been great. We've had our lawn mowed twice by secret service neighbors. We are so grateful. 

My sisters and I worked on one of my mom's summer bucket list items. To summit Mt Timpanogas! It's different then the cave hike, it's on the other side of the giant mountain. It was a really pretty hike, but very long about 6.5 miles round trip. I was surprised by how green everything was in July especially since it was when all the fires were happening. 

Yeah....we were going to go to the top of that bad boy.I was kind of being a wimp and had to take lots of breaks. I was sorely out of shape but we still had fun.

When we got to the almost top we saw cute little mountain goats. Just hanging out. In all my hikes around Utah and other places I have never seen a Mountain goat in real life. So I thought it was pretty cool. By the time we got to this part we were all so tired and really didn't want to summit. But the views were still pretty.

We had fun and were super tired. We came home to an awesome dinner made by Justin. We've been having fun this summer and hope that you have too!

Brigham City Temple

On Saturday we went to the Brigham City Temple open house. It was such a beautiful temple! All temples are beautiful but this one had some very pretty aspects. It was modern with a pioneer edge to it. One thing that I loved about it was that they had lots of windows in the rooms letting in this beautiful natural light. They had gorgeous chandeliers around and really pretty stained glass windows. 

Along with the beauty of the temple the peace and joy that comes from going to the temple was there, even with the noise from the other guests and little kids. It was really special to share it with the Messenger family. We were supposed to meet my mom and sisters there but they got detained behind a car crash on their way. However, we saw them heading into the temple as we were on our way out so we stopped to say hi and tell them how pretty it is. 

One thing that I really liked was in the movie they show you before explaining temples and what we do in them, Elder Holland talked about his version of heaven. How in his version of heaven his family is all there with him and his wife.

It really hit me and made me grateful for the opportunity to be together with my family forever. My family that I grew up with, the family I gained with marriage, and the family that Justin and I will someday have. That is my definition of heaven as well. 

It's a lovely place and I can't wait to go through it again and really soak in the beauty of it all. I encourage you all to go! You don't need a ticket or anything just show up and they'll get you through. It might take longer but it's worth it. 

I love going to the temple and know that no matter what is going on in your life, you can find peace, joy, and courage to face your trials. 

Messenger Family Reunion

Earlier this month we traveled to Couer d'Ae Lene, Idaho for the Messenger family reunion. It was just the children of Grandma and Grandpa Messenger and their families and so on and so on. We had it at Grandma and Grandpa's house. Justin has been going on about how amazing their house is ever since we got married. Now after seeing it I agree it is pretty amazing.

So after the long night time drive to get there we got to their house at about 6:30. Surprising Grandpa as he was getting ready to shower with a towel and his shorts on. Could be my favorite memory of the whole trip. hehe. We slept for a while and then visited and waited for everyone else to come.

So Justin gave me the tour. It's a beautiful place, kind of in the middle of no where. Their land is about 30 minutes from the town so you felt like you were camping but with a lot more benefits. There is a pond you can swim in if you are brave, there was talk of leeches in it this year, a pond to catch frogs, a little swimming pool, a hot tub and lots of places to go exploring.

Grandma and Grandpa built their house with the help of the family. It really is an amazing work and I love the big logs and wood finishing of everything. It felt cozy, comfortable and like home from the minute I walked in. 

We had a nail painting party while trying to stay cool in the shade.

It's Messenger tradition to play capture the flag, everyone plays to the little kids up to grandma and grandpa.

We went on some fun hikes, to see the pretty views. The Messenger's LOVE to hike. Justin often tells me memories of backpacking trips with his dad, grandma and grandpa.

Another Messenger tradition is singing. They all get together and sing folk songs, family favorites, and any other song they'd like. It was so fun and special. Aunt Penny, and Debbie provided us with the music and kept it going.

There almost everybody is. I forgot to take a picture of one of the families. We had lots of hanging out with all the kiddos, dogs, and trying to stay out of the sun. It was a great time spent with family. I got to visit with some that I haven't met before and enjoyed learning about them. We also had delicious fresh raspberries and ice cream, and some other berry cobblers. One of the best things about family reunions is the food. 

New Job, New Routine

So as many of you know I got a new job! I will be starting at the end of this month at the Roy Instacare clinic. I will be working the off hours essentially so 5-9 on the weekdays and then every other weekend all day Saturday 9-9 and then 12:30-5 on Sundays. it's only 18 hours a week but that's ok by me.

I am really excited and it all happened so fast. I applied for the job in early July. I was feeling frustrated with my job and was looking like I usually do. I saw the clinic job and thought that sounds pretty good let's give it a shot. So I applied like I  usually do hoping that at least something happens along with other jobs that sounded good that day. Well I don't hear anything for a while and then while visiting my mom I get a phone call to interview for a different job I applied for at Primary Children's. That was exciting!

Then the next week I am home just working and doing stuff online when I get a phone call. It was a phone call interview for this other job I applied for. I could tell by the end that she was not going to interview me. Then about two hours later I get another phone call interview type thing for the Roy job. She explained all about it and then asked me some questions. I must have answered them right because she set up an interview time the same day as my other one! Phone call interviews are tricky because you are not prepared but I must have been directed as to what to say.

So I was going to have a busy day with two interviews, an appointment and having worked into that day. I honestly didn't know how I was going to do it all. But I got to the clinic and had to fill out a paper basically saying how would your prioritize these different actions that need to be done. I interviewed and got along with the ladies and it went well. One down.

Then the interview at Primary's was a little stressful. I was late which made me super anxious, couldn't find the lady or really remember her name. One thing that got me was that they asked how would I do adapting to taking care of one patient all night versus 3-4 busy patients. I told them I would welcome it, that it would be good. It gets really boring sitting and watching my patient sleep for 6-8 hours. So that went ok.

I interviewed on Thursday and on Monday I get a call to get a number for my boss so that they can check my references for the Roy job. I got pretty excited thinking that's a good step. Tuesday they call me and offer me the job! I of course accept and then had to go down to Murray and get all the paperwork and other things done. It all happened so fast which makes me feel confident that it's the right place for me to be.

I start with a company orientation on the 27th of Aug and then start my clinic orientation on the 29th. It was sad but oh so nice to write my two weeks notice letter to my boss. She was very sad to hear I am leaving but was really nice and understanding, saying that I can always have a job with them if I want.

Some of you may ask well what will you be doing now? I am not sure exactly but I do know that I will get to place IV's... if I remember how to. =) Take blood, give injections and anything that needs to be done that I can do. Instacare is like a watered down emergency room/Dr's office type of place. So I'll probably be seeing lots of sore throats, minor aches and pains and the basic stuff. But I will be able to do more which is exciting and nerve wracking as well. One bonus is that I might not have to work many Holidays and if I do they are only open for 4 hours. They are officially closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas.

It will help to sleep all night every night in my bed. Instead of leaving for work at 9:30p.m. I will be coming home. It does cut into the evening time spent with Justin but I will be more willing to get up with him in the morning and see him off to work. I was very nervous about starting and then I remembered a while ago I was having a hard time so I was praying and asking , more like begging, for a change in my job. Whether it was different patients or helping me have a better attitude or just knowing what to do. I remember feeling peace and comfort and just a sense of it will all work out. I have been trying for a new job ever since I graduated. I have spent many prayers asking for a change. But my Heavenly Father knew what was best for me and knew I needed to wait.

Remembering those feeling from that prayer helped me to be more confident in starting this new job. I know that if I have problems I can go to my Heavenly Father and he will help me. I know that he has a plan for me and while it is very hard to wait at times, I know that it will be worth it.

We bought a house!

So, we moved into our first house on July 7th. We had some great helpers my Aunt Becky and Uncle Larry, Justin's mom Cecilia, his sisters, Jinni and Jyana, and Jyana's husband Ben came and helped. We were so grateful for their love, support, and of course muscles. We couldn't have done it with out them. It didn't take us that long at all.

After we were done we had a nice lunch and visited. I was super tired since I worked the night before and had yet to sleep. But we got it all in and it works! So..here's a fun little video tour of our house. I probably should have done it before we moved in but it still works. I was trying forever to get the video to load and it was having problems so hopefully it works. Enjoy.

Cleaning up

So I really wasn't kidding when I said that I had to clean EVERYTHING before I could do anything to our house. At first it was really frustrating for me because I had spent that past month deep cleaning my apartment, then the lady who lived here said " oh yeah we are moving out soon so I can have time to clean." nice. Then at closing our Realtor said that they hired a professional cleaning company to clean. Sweet! I am thinking it should be amazing. Well we get the keys and come in and all I can see is dirt. Dirty walls, floors, windows. There is a big traffic spot in the living room which our rug covers perfectly. I got so discouraged and seriously thought....I don't want this house anymore. It seemed like everywhere we looked there was something else dirty.

Well I had to take some big deep breaths and tell myself it will be ok. One room at a time to clean and  eventually you will get it how you like. It just made unpacking anything delayed by a few days till I could feel as if it was clean enough. Now when we walked through it the first time it was clean. But now that I look back I think it was just clutter free...which creates the illusion that it's clean when it's not. I just remember deep cleaning my chore on Saturday mornings and we had to make sure the walls were done, windows, dust. Everything. So after a while of being really mad about it  I just started to laugh and take pictures. I still end up finding things and exclaiming. " Really?? Really??" Like...how could you leave this". Then I tell myself it was a short sale so be grateful that the house is in such great shape. Anyways....enough babbling...you guys want to see pictures I know!

These are all the "treasures" I found cleaning out the kitchen cupboards. The box is a bunch of business cards, a little vase, birthday candles, a glue stick, a bookmark, a card from a game. a peppermint, a cough drop, some lids to things. There is a lid to a children's tylenol that goes along with a mess of it in one of the cupboards. Fun stuff!

 These were the big "treasures" found underneath the fridge. I decided not to take a picture of all the dirt, dust, and stuck on gross. I made my sister clean that one. =) We got a paper, a piece of wood, a string of beads, pennies, crayon, chapstick...anyone want that? 

Yes folks....that is GUM! That was found in the "boy" room window sill. That was one where I got a little bit freaked out. Really? Gum ? You leave gum?! It did come off pretty good due to the alcohol pads I had in my nursing bag.

This gem is under the sink. I ...have no words. I don't know where to even begin on cleaning it. I think there syrup down there along with like tin can dirt. Under the sink stink. I have yet to clean it 30% because I don't know how...70% because I don't want to. hehe. 

Ugh this is in the vent of the "boy's room" It had a TON of stuff down there. Crayons, legos, food, dirt, a pen, wrappers. It wouldn't end! I got all the big stuff out into a grocery sack and then vacummed it up. The air came in a lot stronger after that...I wonder why. After this one I am a little bit afraid to clean out the others. 

Those are all the big ones. I have been doing some as I go and everything is starting to look better. At times while I am cleaning I feel like it's the Greek Monster Hydra. Everytime I clean I see ten more things that need it...more and more heads to conquer. But I do like it and it's slowly starting to feel like home. 

A trip down memory lane

After the Temple we had a TON of time to kill so we decided to go by our old house. We moved from Ephraim; to first Layton and then to Logan. It's been almost ten years since we moved. So we drove by to check out the house. 

We were a little sad that they painted it Trailer Park blue, before it was a tan all over with dark brown trim on the windows. This part cracks me up. We had a nice fence for the driveway, we saw that they took it off and made a makeshift fence. The nice fence was to the right where we had a big field to help them get to their horse. Ironically the horses were just chilling in the back yard. I don't get it.

Another view of the silly fence.

This was our across the street neighbors. Our only neighbors for a mile around. The original neighbors no longer live there anymore.

So this part was the park attached to the church that we'd go to. For the longest time it just had a two swings and a set of rings. Half the time the swings got wrapped around the bar on top so it was hard to swing. Now there is a jungle gym, better swings and a merry go round in the back. On the other side where our church "used" to be is now a pile of rubble. It's just nothing I don't know what the plans are. 

They also redid the Library! This is one place that we spent a lot of time. Both me and my sister worked there and we were good friends with the head librarian. They redid the outside and inside to make it more handicap accessible. It was so nice inside, it looked so new and exciting. It still had the squeaky part on the floor but it looked really nice. 

It was interesting to see what has changed and what hasn't. My sisters and I talked about what we remembered and everything seemed so much bigger before. It was also sad to see all the unkempt houses. There were houses that we thought for sure no one would live there but then found people there. It was hard to move, I was not happy about it then but now I can see that it was good to leave the small town. Small towns are great but you either get stuck there or leave.