I am so glad that it is summer! Taylor and I have so many things planned that I honestly don't know how we are going to fit it all in. We want to play as much as possible. Even though I have working 40hrs a week and Taylor is working 70+hrs/week, we seem to find the time.
I am really glad that summer is here for several reasons. The last couple of months have been really hard. I have been stressed to the max with so many different things I feel like I am going to crumble. I was shocked the other day when I sat back and realized how stressed/anxious/angry/sad/etc I have been. It really takes you by force when you really take a step back and look at everything that is going on. Now that summer is here I have made a resolution to let go of the stress and try to have the best summer I possibly can. There is nothing I can do to change the stressful circumstances of life, I can only choose to enjoy the ride and "let come what may".
So this summer Taylor and I are going to be involved in: work, boating as much as possible (our new boat works amazing and is so much fun), 3 WEEKS in Lake Powell, golfing, hiking, swimming, family, going to the cabin, and whatever else we can come up with! I am so grateful I have so many fun things to do and look forward to. I am glad that i have made a resolution to enjoy this summer and know that everything else will work out the way it needs to! I am glad that Taylor and I are so similar and love playing as much as we possibly can throughout the entire summer.
I have to say that I am so grateful for my Father in Heaven. He has helped me get to through these rough times and helped me to understand that He has a plan for me and everything will work out accordingly. I am so grateful that I have the gospel in my life, I do not know what I would do without it.
Here is to a great summer and enjoying every minute of life! :)
Monday, May 21, 2012
Sunday, May 6, 2012
It's Official!
I can't believe it! I am officially a college graduate! I finished the semester a week before graduation, everyone kept asking me how it felt to be done but it didn't feel different. That was until graduation day. I woke up two hours before I needed to and was instantly awake. I was really excited, nervous, and anxious. I have worked for years for my degree and I could not believe that the day had finally come. Taylor started off the day with a wonderful graduation gift. He handed me a Toms box, I opened it thinking I was getting another pair of Toms and to my surprise there was a beautiful blue bag inside. Not any blue bag, a Tiffany's Bag! I opened it up and inside were beautiful pearl and diamond earrings. I was so excited. I put them in and couldn't stop looking at them. Unfortunately it didn't help my nerves.
I was a little nervous, I ironed my gown, almost walked out the door without my cap, tassel, and stole of gratitude. We got to the institute and it was a mad house! There was no parking and I was going to be late and I HATE being late!
Turns out that because the general commencement went way over, the parking lot was still packed. Luckily for us we found a good spot, we went over to the Huntsman Center and finally found where I was supposed to be. The commencement for my college, The College of Social and Behavioral Science, was perfect. The dean got up and said a few things and then we had a fellow student give a ten minute commencement speech. After that they started handing out diplomas! I was glad because I did not want to sit around forever listening to people I didn't even know. My department was called up to receive our diplomas second so I had my diploma in hand very early in the commencement proceedings. I ended up leaving with my friend, Beth Swain, and going to meet our families. We went out to take pictures before half of the group got out. (Beth and I)
Graduating was made even more special because my little sister, Katelyn, graduated on the same day! We took pictures alone and together and with all of our families. We took pictures at the Huntsman Center (basketball stadium) and a U that was out for us. We then headed to the free lunch that my college provided (free as in I paid a lot of tuition for this but at least they didn't charge us more haha). We then headed down to President Circle to get a few more pictures, we had a ton of laughs and a great time. I was so glad that my family was with me. It was so much fun graduating with Katelyn and having a ton of pictures taken together!
Katelyn's commencement was not until 6:45, since mine was so early (11:15) we decided to do a big dinner with everyone in between. After all the pictures we headed straight to The Old Spaghetti Factory. My family(mom, dad, Dani, all of the Dowdles, Brooke), Taylor's Family (Cherie, Brent, Grammy, Grampy, Jared, and Jesse), and the Anderton's (Katelyn's In-laws) were all there. It was a party! My parents and Taylor's parents gave me a sewing machine! I was very excited, I feel all grown up now :)
Afterwards we headed to Katelyn's commencement. This was one of the longest commencements I could imagine! They talked forever, it was 2hours before we got out of there. (They blocked the isle way so none of the students could leave early). Luckily we had taken all of the family and single pictures after my graduation, so Katelyn only had to take pictures with the Anderton's.
Everyone left after that except for us, Katelyn and Ben and my parents. We decided we hadn't had enough fun so we went to Nelson's Frozen Custard for a concrete. My parents had to leave soon after because Brooke had left her purse in their car and therefore couldn't get home until they came home. Katelyn, Ben, Taylor, and I stayed at Nelson's for 4 hours! Yes we talked outside in the freezing cold for 4hrs. We only left because Ben was freezing cold, he had his arms in his shirt and had to go to the bathroom :). It was 1 am when we got in the car, Nelson's had closed at 11 pm. We laughed and laughed, joked and talked. It was a perfect ending to a long but wonderful day.
I had a wonderful day and was so grateful that my family was there and that I got to graduate with Katelyn. I am so glad I was finally able to get my degree and fulfill my dream of getting a college degree! Thanks to everyone who helped and supported me through all the years, difficult decisions, and major changes! I could never have done this on my own! I am so glad to be done (for the most part, I go back for 2 more class next year for my Child Life Specialist Certificate), now it is time to party! :)
Here are more pictures of this awesome day :)
I was a little nervous, I ironed my gown, almost walked out the door without my cap, tassel, and stole of gratitude. We got to the institute and it was a mad house! There was no parking and I was going to be late and I HATE being late!
Turns out that because the general commencement went way over, the parking lot was still packed. Luckily for us we found a good spot, we went over to the Huntsman Center and finally found where I was supposed to be. The commencement for my college, The College of Social and Behavioral Science, was perfect. The dean got up and said a few things and then we had a fellow student give a ten minute commencement speech. After that they started handing out diplomas! I was glad because I did not want to sit around forever listening to people I didn't even know. My department was called up to receive our diplomas second so I had my diploma in hand very early in the commencement proceedings. I ended up leaving with my friend, Beth Swain, and going to meet our families. We went out to take pictures before half of the group got out. (Beth and I)
Graduating was made even more special because my little sister, Katelyn, graduated on the same day! We took pictures alone and together and with all of our families. We took pictures at the Huntsman Center (basketball stadium) and a U that was out for us. We then headed to the free lunch that my college provided (free as in I paid a lot of tuition for this but at least they didn't charge us more haha). We then headed down to President Circle to get a few more pictures, we had a ton of laughs and a great time. I was so glad that my family was with me. It was so much fun graduating with Katelyn and having a ton of pictures taken together!
Katelyn's commencement was not until 6:45, since mine was so early (11:15) we decided to do a big dinner with everyone in between. After all the pictures we headed straight to The Old Spaghetti Factory. My family(mom, dad, Dani, all of the Dowdles, Brooke), Taylor's Family (Cherie, Brent, Grammy, Grampy, Jared, and Jesse), and the Anderton's (Katelyn's In-laws) were all there. It was a party! My parents and Taylor's parents gave me a sewing machine! I was very excited, I feel all grown up now :)
Afterwards we headed to Katelyn's commencement. This was one of the longest commencements I could imagine! They talked forever, it was 2hours before we got out of there. (They blocked the isle way so none of the students could leave early). Luckily we had taken all of the family and single pictures after my graduation, so Katelyn only had to take pictures with the Anderton's.
Everyone left after that except for us, Katelyn and Ben and my parents. We decided we hadn't had enough fun so we went to Nelson's Frozen Custard for a concrete. My parents had to leave soon after because Brooke had left her purse in their car and therefore couldn't get home until they came home. Katelyn, Ben, Taylor, and I stayed at Nelson's for 4 hours! Yes we talked outside in the freezing cold for 4hrs. We only left because Ben was freezing cold, he had his arms in his shirt and had to go to the bathroom :). It was 1 am when we got in the car, Nelson's had closed at 11 pm. We laughed and laughed, joked and talked. It was a perfect ending to a long but wonderful day.
I had a wonderful day and was so grateful that my family was there and that I got to graduate with Katelyn. I am so glad I was finally able to get my degree and fulfill my dream of getting a college degree! Thanks to everyone who helped and supported me through all the years, difficult decisions, and major changes! I could never have done this on my own! I am so glad to be done (for the most part, I go back for 2 more class next year for my Child Life Specialist Certificate), now it is time to party! :)
Here are more pictures of this awesome day :)
Thursday, April 5, 2012
30 Days!
In thirty days I will officially be a college graduate! I am so excited. This semester has been absolutely brutal. I am taking 16 credit hours (which is less then last semester) but it is killing me! My classes are not hard but SUPER time consuming. I am the student that loves to be ahead and on top of everything, which this semester has not allowed at all. I think that is one thing that has played a major role in my stress level. Always feeling like I am behind. This stress will be over in 30 days though. I can't wait, it will be nice to have the feeling of relief again, instead of the fast heart rate and anxious feeling that I have had.
I don't think it is a coincidence that General Conference falls in the middle of the semester. It is a time that can bring great clarity and understanding. Instead of doing my homework, I sat and watched all four sessions of conference and I LOVED it. It was exactly what I needed and I had many prayers answered. It is funny how no matter what is going on in life, conference can help get you through it. Even though school has been killing me slowly, I have had many other stresses going on and many of the talks in conference helped me to carry those stresses a little bit easier. I am so grateful for my Heavenly Father and that he knows who I am. He loves me and knows exactly what I need in my life!
On another happy note, Taylor's business is going extremely well. He has been busier then ever! He is putting in about 70 hours down at the office and then comes home and works some more, adding up to about 80+hours a week. He is loving his career though. He loves finding that great deal or selling someone their first bike for a great deal. He has had so much fun finding new ways to increase his business and how to do better. He is one of the most determined and hard working people I know. I am so very proud of everything he has done and accomplished. He is someone I truly look up to and admire.
So in 30 days these are the things I get to look forward to:
No Homework :)
Lake Powell
Knitting
Reading for FUN
Exercising (losing all the unfortunate stress weight that I have gained)
Decorating the house
Getting new carpet/tile in the upstairs
Organizing and filling our newly built shed
ME TIME :)
and much more!
So here is to surviving the next 30 days and trying to enjoy every minute of it :)
I don't think it is a coincidence that General Conference falls in the middle of the semester. It is a time that can bring great clarity and understanding. Instead of doing my homework, I sat and watched all four sessions of conference and I LOVED it. It was exactly what I needed and I had many prayers answered. It is funny how no matter what is going on in life, conference can help get you through it. Even though school has been killing me slowly, I have had many other stresses going on and many of the talks in conference helped me to carry those stresses a little bit easier. I am so grateful for my Heavenly Father and that he knows who I am. He loves me and knows exactly what I need in my life!
On another happy note, Taylor's business is going extremely well. He has been busier then ever! He is putting in about 70 hours down at the office and then comes home and works some more, adding up to about 80+hours a week. He is loving his career though. He loves finding that great deal or selling someone their first bike for a great deal. He has had so much fun finding new ways to increase his business and how to do better. He is one of the most determined and hard working people I know. I am so very proud of everything he has done and accomplished. He is someone I truly look up to and admire.
So in 30 days these are the things I get to look forward to:
No Homework :)
Lake Powell
Knitting
Reading for FUN
Exercising (losing all the unfortunate stress weight that I have gained)
Decorating the house
Getting new carpet/tile in the upstairs
Organizing and filling our newly built shed
ME TIME :)
and much more!
So here is to surviving the next 30 days and trying to enjoy every minute of it :)
Monday, February 20, 2012
Update...
Life as not been very exciting here for the last month. I am busy doing homework, homework, and more homework. I had no idea this semester was going to be this busy. It hasn't been hard, it is just very very time consuming. It doesn't help that I have really bad senioritis :) haha. It has been a good semester though. I am getting good grades for now and the months are just flying by! I hope to keep up the good grades and the semester keeps flying by as fast as possible! Then we are going to party it up this summer :)
Taylor has been tremendously busy. He is working about 70-80 hour weeks right now. He can't keep enough bikes in stock, the moment he feels like he has enough he blows through them again. I am so amazed and proud of how much work and effort he has put into this business. He truly loves it and loves going to work. He always say, "I don't have a job" and that is because he loves what he is doing so much. I couldn't ask for a better career for him. He has been so successful and has continued increasing that success each year. Even though he isn't home a lot during the spring and summer, I know it is because he is working so hard to grow this business and support me in all of our goals and dreams.
The next couple of months will be much of the same for us but we have a lot to look forward to. The craziness and business will pay off.
The count down to Lake Powell has already begun... 126 days :)
Taylor has been tremendously busy. He is working about 70-80 hour weeks right now. He can't keep enough bikes in stock, the moment he feels like he has enough he blows through them again. I am so amazed and proud of how much work and effort he has put into this business. He truly loves it and loves going to work. He always say, "I don't have a job" and that is because he loves what he is doing so much. I couldn't ask for a better career for him. He has been so successful and has continued increasing that success each year. Even though he isn't home a lot during the spring and summer, I know it is because he is working so hard to grow this business and support me in all of our goals and dreams.
The next couple of months will be much of the same for us but we have a lot to look forward to. The craziness and business will pay off.
The count down to Lake Powell has already begun... 126 days :)
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Best Mother-in-Law EVER!
I just have to say I have the BEST mother-in-law ever. The other day she was asking how school was going. Of course it was on a day that I was super stressed out and overwhelmed and it definitely showed. I have since gotten a handle on the stress situation (or at least I am not having an anxiety attack anymore) but my cute, wonderful mother-in-law said she wants to help anyway!
Today she brought over a complete dinner. I say complete because it has the main course, veggie, side, and even dessert! To say the least it has been a long time since I have made a complete meal. Usually it is grilled cheese sandwiches or something I can throw in the oven without much thought. I was so grateful for this act of kindness when she became even more amazing! She wants to bring Taylor and I dinner once a week. I tried to tell her we were fine and she didn't need to do this for us but she wants to.
I have to say even though I am going to try to convince here that we don't need her to bring us meals every week, the thought has definitely made an impact on my life. She is such a fabulous person and thinks only of others. I have not seen many people like her that are that self sacrificing and caring of those around them. She truly exemplifies the characteristics of Christ.
I am a very lucky person to have a great family myself and then to have married into a such wonderful family, I could not ask for more!
Thanks so much Cherie for everything you do for Taylor and I, we know that you love us very much and we love you too! You are an amazing person and we are so grateful to have you as a mom!
Today she brought over a complete dinner. I say complete because it has the main course, veggie, side, and even dessert! To say the least it has been a long time since I have made a complete meal. Usually it is grilled cheese sandwiches or something I can throw in the oven without much thought. I was so grateful for this act of kindness when she became even more amazing! She wants to bring Taylor and I dinner once a week. I tried to tell her we were fine and she didn't need to do this for us but she wants to.
I have to say even though I am going to try to convince here that we don't need her to bring us meals every week, the thought has definitely made an impact on my life. She is such a fabulous person and thinks only of others. I have not seen many people like her that are that self sacrificing and caring of those around them. She truly exemplifies the characteristics of Christ.
I am a very lucky person to have a great family myself and then to have married into a such wonderful family, I could not ask for more!
Thanks so much Cherie for everything you do for Taylor and I, we know that you love us very much and we love you too! You are an amazing person and we are so grateful to have you as a mom!
Friday, January 13, 2012
The END!
Yes it is true. This is my last semester as an undergrad! I am so excited, I can't even say how happy I am. This semester is going to be super busy, just like last semester. I will be taking 16 credit hours and working 26hrs/week. I know I can do it, I may be cranky/tired/sensitive/ and crazy by the end but I know I can do it, I did it last semester so why not do it again. I must say also, that even though I ended up with a broken mind (Taylor kept telling me my brain was mush or oatmeal) I completed the semester with a 3.8 GPA. I can't complain about that, only that it made me go crazy getting there :)
I am so grateful for the support Taylor has given me and has helped me through these busy semesters. He has been so great in being willing to help me, help around the house, and really is just there for anything! I am so blessed to have him in my life. He is a fantastic husband, I could not ask for anything more!
So here is to my last semester as a undergraduate and having a wonderful, fabulous, and amazing husband to help me through it all!
(14 weeks and counting)
I am so grateful for the support Taylor has given me and has helped me through these busy semesters. He has been so great in being willing to help me, help around the house, and really is just there for anything! I am so blessed to have him in my life. He is a fantastic husband, I could not ask for anything more!
So here is to my last semester as a undergraduate and having a wonderful, fabulous, and amazing husband to help me through it all!
(14 weeks and counting)
Sunday, January 1, 2012
SPOILED CHRISTMAS
Well this Christmas was definitely one to remember. Taylor and I have had a great year and have been so lucky with everything we have been able to do.
We were having a lot of problems with our boat so back in August we decided to sell it and try to get another one over the winter when the prices are down. We were lucky and were able to sell our boat for a decent price and about a week later Taylor found the exact boat that he wanted. It had everything we wanted in it. The year, make, model, hours, perfect pass, etc. The only thing it needed was an updated stereo (which we asked my parents for, for Christmas). It was great. We decided to keep it as much of a secret as possible and surprise everyone on Christmas day. We couldn't keep it from Taylor's family because they were keeping it in their backyard :) but other then that we kept it quiet. When we asked for a stereo for "the boat" my parents thought it was for our old one, luckily we didn't slip to much information.
It was fun on Christmas morning telling my family and seeing their shocked expressions.
The boat was supposed to be our Christmas but Taylor had a surprise for me up his sleeve. I got Taylor a sweater and then some little gifts that his favorite treats and drinks. Just so he would have something to open on Christmas morning. We opened our stocking, that is where Taylor's treats were and a few treats for me. He then opened his sweater and a bomber hat, which he really wanted and I thought that Christmas was over. There was nothing for me wrapped and under the tree. I admit I was disappointed but knew the boat was our Christmas.
Then to my surprise Taylor said, "It looks like Santa did come". (I signed some of his gifts from Santa). Under the coffee table was a wrapped present. I pick it up and I was heavy, I opened it and to my utter astonishment I was opening a MacBook Pro. I couldn't believe it. My computer was pretty crappy and only worked part of the time. The look on my face had to be priceless, I could feel the complete shock take over all of my facial muscles. I was so excited. I have wanted a new computer but thought I would get one when my other one completely gave up the ghost. Taylor surprised me and said he was the one that always was getting spoiled, so he wanted to give me a turn.
Needless to say this was a huge Christmas for us but it was a ton of fun. We loved spending the entire day with both families, bouncing from house to house. We read the story of Christ's birth in the scriptures and were able to feel and know the true meaning of Christmas. We had such a great day and a have such a fabulous family.
We both love our families so very much and are so grateful for EVERYTHING that they do for us. We feel so spoiled and loved by both of our families, we couldn't ask for anything more.
Taylor and I are so grateful for our Father in Heaven and all that he has blessed us with. We truly have felt so blessed in all areas of our lives. We have had our struggles and our difficulties throughout the year but through the gospel and our faith in our Heavenly Father we have been so much more blessed then we could ever imagine.
2011 was a great year and ended with a fabulous Christmas/new year, we are super excited to see what 2012 brings!
We were having a lot of problems with our boat so back in August we decided to sell it and try to get another one over the winter when the prices are down. We were lucky and were able to sell our boat for a decent price and about a week later Taylor found the exact boat that he wanted. It had everything we wanted in it. The year, make, model, hours, perfect pass, etc. The only thing it needed was an updated stereo (which we asked my parents for, for Christmas). It was great. We decided to keep it as much of a secret as possible and surprise everyone on Christmas day. We couldn't keep it from Taylor's family because they were keeping it in their backyard :) but other then that we kept it quiet. When we asked for a stereo for "the boat" my parents thought it was for our old one, luckily we didn't slip to much information.
It was fun on Christmas morning telling my family and seeing their shocked expressions.
The boat was supposed to be our Christmas but Taylor had a surprise for me up his sleeve. I got Taylor a sweater and then some little gifts that his favorite treats and drinks. Just so he would have something to open on Christmas morning. We opened our stocking, that is where Taylor's treats were and a few treats for me. He then opened his sweater and a bomber hat, which he really wanted and I thought that Christmas was over. There was nothing for me wrapped and under the tree. I admit I was disappointed but knew the boat was our Christmas.
Then to my surprise Taylor said, "It looks like Santa did come". (I signed some of his gifts from Santa). Under the coffee table was a wrapped present. I pick it up and I was heavy, I opened it and to my utter astonishment I was opening a MacBook Pro. I couldn't believe it. My computer was pretty crappy and only worked part of the time. The look on my face had to be priceless, I could feel the complete shock take over all of my facial muscles. I was so excited. I have wanted a new computer but thought I would get one when my other one completely gave up the ghost. Taylor surprised me and said he was the one that always was getting spoiled, so he wanted to give me a turn.
Needless to say this was a huge Christmas for us but it was a ton of fun. We loved spending the entire day with both families, bouncing from house to house. We read the story of Christ's birth in the scriptures and were able to feel and know the true meaning of Christmas. We had such a great day and a have such a fabulous family.
We both love our families so very much and are so grateful for EVERYTHING that they do for us. We feel so spoiled and loved by both of our families, we couldn't ask for anything more.
Taylor and I are so grateful for our Father in Heaven and all that he has blessed us with. We truly have felt so blessed in all areas of our lives. We have had our struggles and our difficulties throughout the year but through the gospel and our faith in our Heavenly Father we have been so much more blessed then we could ever imagine.
2011 was a great year and ended with a fabulous Christmas/new year, we are super excited to see what 2012 brings!
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