Hey Ya'll...

So, my use of "ya'll" in the title of this post is totally appropriate, because Mike and I are moving to HOUSTON, TEXAS! Even though it is SO hot and humid. We are so excited for this great opportunity and all the amazing things that have happened over the last few days. Most of all, we are grateful for the chance to be able to live in a place longer than six months and settle down. Over the last week, we got two job offers: one for Mike and one for me. The company that Mike is interning for right now, finally offered him the position we had been hoping for...and then I got offered a job exactly two days later. We had the hardest time deciding, because we were excited about both great offers. But after much thought, prayer, advice from wonderful parents and friends, and lots of nervousness, we decided to take my offer to teach in Houston. The school systems in Texas are incredible. Those of us who grew up on in the west have no idea how cheated we were! Their juniors and seniors are divided into "academies" based on where their career interests lie. I was hired to teach Anatomy and Physiology in the Health Science Academy...which I am so excited about because I will be able to use my minor in Health! Texas pays teachers about $18,000-20,000 more a year than Utah or Idaho, cost of living there is the lowest in the entire US, all moving expenses are covered, our health insurance is paid for by the school district for the first year, and I got an extra $5000 sign on bonus for being a science teacher! Not to mention that we would live only 20 minutes from the temple, instead of 3 hours from it like we are now. Mike is going to look for a job, which shouldn't be too hard because we were recently put into contact with the executive chairman of the chamber of commerce, and he confidently told us that Mike will be able to get a job there without a problem, and he is going to help. However, Mike will probably only work for one year (because he needs a bit more experience and Texas residency) and then start his MBA at Rice or Bauer the next year. Depending on what he decides to do, he should be able to have it finished within a year. He is very excited about it and thrilled for another adventure.

We are so blessed by the Lord! We have really worried about what decision to make, but were reminded by reading Joshua 1:9 to "be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest." Go Texas!

Just a Little Update...

We are together again! Yea! I finally finished my student teaching in Utah and headed out to Cali to be with my hubby. It was a long three months apart, but we have really had some great opportunities. Student teaching was one of the hardest things I have ever done. When parents complain about their kids' teachers, I really don't think they realize all the work teachers do and all the challenges that they face. But I won't go there or else this will turn into a LONG post! Usually I spent about 60 hours a week working on teaching stuff. Needless to say, I was exhausted by the time the end came. But I passed my student teaching experience, I officially graduated, and I passed my Praxis exams so I am done! Mike is still working away at his internship. We haven't heard anything about whether they are going to offer him a job when the six months are up, but we are hoping. They have dropped many, many hints so it will be interesting to see what happens. Mike really enjoys his work and has been told often that no one thinks of him as an intern, but as an actual employee, which is a huge compliment. Whether it works out or not, we know that this is where we are supposed to be and have no regrets!

There were a few highlights during the last three months. First, Mike and I became an uncle and an aunt! Liz and Zack had the most beautiful baby girl that I am absolutely in love with. Second, Mike and I were able to visit San Francisco during Valentine's Weekend. Third, I had the opportunity to do crazy things with my little sisters, which I have really missed. Fourth, I fell in love with Discovery Channel's Life series! Fourth and a half, Vienna won the Bachelor which is the most disgusting, horrible thing to have ever happened in Bachelor history. It was a complete disgrace. Fifth, Mike became the new Sunday School teacher for our ward. Sixth, my little sister Macy was the prettiest girl at prom. Seventh, I was offered three teaching positions in Arizona, Colorado, and Utah, none of which I am going to accept because I am holding out for one in Cali or Texas. Wish me luck! Eighth, I fell off my little sister's ripstick for the third embarrassing time and have decided to retire. Ninth, Mike played lots of golf and is getting much better. AND, tenth, we have been asked at every church meeting since we left Rexburg when we are going to get busy and have a baby. That has to be some sort of record!

We love you all!

Valentine's Recap

So it is sooo like me to never do anything on this blog and expect people to know what is going on with us. Yeah, you can probably guess that this is Mike, because Brit is usually on top of this thing. However, since Brit and I are states away at the moment and I have the pictures, the fate of our social lives lies on my rusty fingers. After about a month and half being apart from Brittany, I have started to feel the effects of drifting away into nothingness and feeling quite by myself. It's true! There is nothing better than spending endless hours with your best friend. We do have Skype and everyday calls, but it just isn't the same and I'm missing my better half. So I give myself much credit on the most fantastic Valentine's weekend ever; I'm still patting myself on the back.

THE PLOT

So Brit has been missing me pretty bad, and I admit that the feeling is mutual. For about 2 weeks straight she is wanting me to fly home and be with her and I tell her no-can-do. It's hard having very little time off and being way too far to make a round trip drive. She understands but lets me know that if I really loved her I would find my way there. Sound familiar to anyone? To my surprise, I get a tip that an uncle has a free plane ticket with Brit's name on it for whenever I wanted. So I decided to let Brit slather on the guilt while I held firm to my decision to stay put. She was clueless the whole two weeks prior while I planned a two night getaway to San Francisco.



I reserved a hotel, dinner, and a fun two days. So while she was wishing for miracles, I was creating them. Aren't I the coolest guy ever? I'm so smug right now, it's awful. Just to make sure the surprise works, I sent her a bouquet of roses just days prior with a note saying, "Why spend Valentine's all alone when you can spend it with me in San Fran". To her credit she thought the note was phony telemarketing ploy to get her to buy something, which is totally understandable because I'm so horrible at these type of things. She was so excited on flying out with only a days notice. And I was excited to make her happy.

THE EVENTS

I picked her up in San Jose, Saturday afternoon and it was AWESOME! Wow, I really missed her. We drove around Cupertino for a quick lunch and I had to show her where Apple HQ was. She then chatted my ear off all the way to the hotel where we got dressed for the evening. I had reservations downtown at a restaurant called Zare at Fly Trap.



I know that sounds really weird but the food was really, really, really good. It serves Mediterranean style dishes with a touch of Persian influence. I was a bit nervous honestly because this was the type of place where wine is the main money maker. If you don't drink wine, you save your self about $100 dollars and make some servers quite upset due to way smaller tips. I was relieved with the great service and great food. Brit had grilled Moroccan-style salmon with toasted fregola, blue lake green beans and charmoula while I had lamb shank, black-eyes beans, fingerling potatoes and some torsi. The meat was extremely tender, it was so good. Mmmmmm.



Afterward we walked down to the bay and took in the nice brisk air. It was 55 degrees and clear night skys. We decided that The Lovely Bones would be a nice way to end the evening before we called it a night.

The next day we decided to see everything that Brit has never seen before. I'd had been to San Fran before back when I was in Jr. High but this was Brit's first. So we went to the Conservatory of Flowers and walked around Golden Gate park.


We then went to go see some of the redwood near Sausalito. It was packed on the road so we decided to return on another time. We did get out and take pictures of Golden Gate bridge and expensive ones at that. I didn't think about having change on me, who has change anymore these days anyways? People that live in the bay area thats who. Because I didn't have $6 for the toll on the way back over the bridge, they charged me $31 to get through! Needless to say we didn't attempt to go back over to see them trees!

Finding parking downtown is impossible, although pretty fun on those hills. After much stress, we parked near Fisherman's Wharf and got some good seafood dinner. I then decided to joy ride and drive down the beautiful coastline along the 1 . The rest of that evening was maniacal! We tried to find Baskin Robbins that didn't exist, google map app said there was one in Half Moon Bay which was lie, and my clutch decides to lock up on a hill 10 minutes from the hotel. Where did the karma go? I did finally get the car shifting and we found a Baskins so the night ended up alright after all.

All I can say is that Valentine's weekend was extra awesome for both Brit and I. Hopefully soon we'll have Brittany back posting some good entries, she probably could have given this one with a little more tact and a lot more lovin. G'nite!

So I thought I'd add a little something to the post, since the blog is really Brittany's strength. As I was listening to Christmas music to and from Idaho Falls this winter, I thought It would be appropriate to make a montage of Christ and send it out as a Christmas card. It would be our first one in almost 3 years of marriage and I thought I owed it to all my family and friends. I would have posted it earlier but i have been enjoying, oh so much, this break with being graduated and all. I did make this after school was out though and I wanted everyone to have their own copy but that came with challenges of it's own and It didn't send like I thought it would. So i have been trying every available means to get it out, with Facebook, personal visits, and now this blog. We want you all to know that we do think upon each and every one of you and hope that your doing well and that your dreams are coming true.

Enjoy and I hope you had a Merry Christmas!

So, What's Next?

It seems that Mike and I have reached a crossroads in our life and find many people asking us, "What's next?" Our last two years and eight months of marriage have been spent as college students. But as of this last weekend, we have officially lost the title of college students and are now college graduates! WAHOO!!! For those of you who don't know, Mike graduated in Business Management, with an emphasis in Finance, and a cluster in web design. I graduated in Biology and Health Education. For those of you who are wondering, here is what is next: (...and keep in mind, that like usual, we only have the next six months of our lives planned. After that, who really knows?)

For Mike: Michael was offered a second internship with World Minerals in Lompoc, California. It is a huge company, the largest open-pit mine in the United States and is owned by the largest mining company in the world. Mike doesn't actually work in the mine, he works in their corporate offices punching numbers and figuring out problems. But, he does now own a hard hat, steel toe boots, and can technically be called a miner... It is for six months and after much thought and prayer, we have decided to accept their offer. The people there absolutely love him and Mike completely loved his job there, as well as the people and the beautiful beach! This time around, he will be working in the Customer Service department, rather than the logistics and supply departments, because he didn't have time to get any experience in that area last summer. He's a little worried about that because he will be dealing with more customers directly, who sometimes can get really irate, but it can't be worse than pest control, right?! He has already signed up for a class to help him prepare to take the GMAT within the next few months, because he wants to go to Grad school in about 2 years. I'm voting for grad school in the east coast, another adventure! He plans on spending his free time studying, playing golf, basketball, and soccer, learning more about web design, playing his xbox, and just enjoying life like he usually does!

For Brit: I am doing my student teaching at Bountiful High School in Utah. Yes, this means that Mike and I will be separated for about 2 1/2 months, but it just couldn't be avoided. We feel that it is the right thing to do. For some reason, the Lord wants us in Santa Maria, California and this is the only way to get us there. I am excited for this challenge, but I will miss Mike more than anything in the whole world! I will be living with my parents and working so hard to make my cooperating teachers happy. I am actually going to be teaching my major and my minor, which hardly ever happens, and means twice as much work. But, I will have a rockin' portfolio by the time I am done, which will hopefully help me find a job in California...which seems impossible for most people to do, except for Mike, so wish me luck!

For both of us together: When we are reunited once again in Cali, we are going to spend more time sight-seeing in that beautiful area, enjoying each other's company! We have several trips planned that we are looking forward to this next year. For graduation, Mike's parents surprised us with a trip to anywhere we wanted to go in the world. We have decided to visit where Mike served his mission, the Dominican Republic, in June! We are so excited! Also, we have my family reunion in August, at my most favorite place in the whole world, Catherine Creek Lodge. Mike's Colombian family is having a reunion in Idaho sometime during the summer and his dad's family is having a family reunion during October on a cruise (last I heard, we're probably going to be cruising the Panama Canal-so cool!) So many adventures!

I know that the next six months are going to fly by in a blur. I will try to keep everyone updated on where we are going after that! Hopefully, we will be able have plans that extend past six months, but we just seems to love moving, making new friends, and having adventures. I want to thank everyone, most especially our families, for all of their love and support. The last few years have been hard work and we are so grateful for all the help we have received along the way. I know that we are going and doing what the Lord wants us to do and that gives me great confidence that we will be given great opportunities to help build His kingdom and become better disciples. If you work hard and are obedient, YOU WILL BE BLESSED, we have definitely been!

Have I Helped Anyone in Need?

While I was listening to Christmas music today, a special song really touched my heart. In between hearing about Mama Kissing Santa Clause and how All I Want For Christmas is You, I heard one of my favorite songs of all time that brought Christmas back into perspective for me today. It is Mary Did You Know and I would like to share these special lyrics with all of you:

Mary did you know that your baby boy,

Would one day walk on water?

Mary did you know that your baby boy,

Would save our sons and daughters?

Did you know that your baby boy

Has come to make you new?

This child that you delivered,

Will soon deliver you.

Mary did you know that your baby boy,

Will give sight to a blind man?

Mary did you know that your baby boy,

Will calm the storm with His hand?

Did you know that your baby boy,

Has walked where angels trod?

When you kiss your little baby,

You kiss the Son of God.

The blind will see.

The deaf will hear.

The dead will live again.

The lame will leap.

The dumb will speak.

The praises of our Lamb.

Mary did you know that your Baby Boy

Is Lord of all creation?

Mary did you know that your Baby Boy

Would one day rule the nations?

Did you know that your Baby Boy

Is Heaven's perfect Lamb?

The sleeping child your holding,

Is the great I AM.

When I heard this sweet song, I was reminded that Christmas isn't about the lists, the gifts, the food, the decorations, the cards, or even the songs. It is about remembering our Savior and trying to be a little more like Him. It is about remembering that He lived, He loved, He served, and He died for each of us. The best gift that we can give to Him at this time of year is to find ways to serve those around us. We were reminded during

this last conference by President Monson that, "Those who live only for themselves eventually shrivel up and figuratively lose their lives, while those who lose themselves in service to others grow and flourish--and in effect save their lives...How many times has your heart been touched as you have witnessed the need of another? How often have you intended to be the one to help? And yet how often has day-to-day living interfered and you've left it for others to help, feeling that 'oh, surely someone will take care of that need.' We become so caught up in the busyness of our lives." Christ was never too busy to help those in need. Like the song said, He healed the sick, raised the dead, and loved us enough to die for us. All He asks for in return is this, "A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another."

If we love our Savior, we need to serve those around us. There are so many who are sick, poor, and in need of comfort. We need to be like the Good Samaritan and be aware of the needs of those around us and being willing to take the time out of our busy lives to actually reach out and help. I challenge myself and all of you to find those people who stand in need of comfort and obey Christ's commandment to love one another, not only during this wonderful Christmas season but throughout the entire year.

Summer Lovin'

We love summertime in California! We have been having a blast and have stayed very busy. Mike is still working away at his internship and has been putting in lots of overtime. He is loving the purchasing department and is about to be moved into the logistics department which will give him some good experience. He just had his 26th birthday last weekend and got very spoiled. I am working away at JC Penney and feel like I live there most of the time. A couple of weeks ago, I went to Utah/Idaho to visit my family and see my best friend Janelle get married! It was beautiful and I am so happy for her. Other than work, we have had the opportunity to visit Disneyland, Hollywood, Solvang, Morro Bay, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Laguna Beach, hike one of the seven sisters, and see Les Miserables! Here are some pics of our adventures: