2011

Well- The year 2011 is off and running. I'm not sure I'm quite ready for it. Cole and I went to Idaho for Christmas. Seriously....so fun! It was pretty relaxing. We stayed up late and woke up whenever....well- I woke up whenever, Cole was usually up before me. It was fun to be with Cole's whole family...almost. Tenelle and Zach and their little ones, NaShai and Chris and Parker, Skylar and Megann were all there- just Tenae wasn't able to come. Christmas was so fun- I'm the youngest, so I never really got to be around little kids at Christmas. That was fantastic! They got so excited over their Santa gifts and then we all unwrapped our presents. My family is a lot more laid back about Christmas-which I love. But it was also kinda fun to see the excitement of a HUGE Christmas. During the break- we also went and saw True Grit....Cole loves his westerns! I have to admit- I liked it too. The ending was a little unfulfilling- and I HATE when movies do that. But it was still pretty good. And while we were in Idaho, we got snow tires. Sounds lame- right? The things you want when you get married are so practical! We are SOOO excited to have them. I never knew what a difference tires make. We got in the car and we were like "Oh- so this is what safe feels like?" Haha. So much better to not feel out of control on bad roads!

Classes start tomorrow. I'm taking personal training strategies, problems in exercise perscription, basic athletic training, entrepreneurship, exercise and wellness certification preparation, and doctrine and covenants. It'll be a busy semester but I think I'll be learning things that I'll be interested in. I'm also applying to the ultrasound program at Weber State this week. Please keep me in your prayers...and Cole too. I think he's getting worn out from my constant worry about not getting into the program. I get close to making myself sick with worry. I hate this not knowing. Its hard to just let the Lord have control of your life- that is something I'll always struggle with. I plan. And I think Heavenly Father knows that I'll follow through on my plans unless He changes them for me. Which is frustrating- but I've gotten a lot out of changed plans...Cole for instance. So I honestly have no idea if I'll get into the program. I'm well qualified for it- but it just depends on plans that are other than my own and if they match mine or not.

And this weekend I FINALLY get to go home!!! Excited? No...EXTATIC!!! I haven't been able to go home to see my parents since my dad was burned pretty badly- and that was Labor Day! It has been more than 4 months. I know this is ridiculous- but that is the longest I've ever been away from home. I'm married now, so its different, but I still miss my parents and the ranch and friends in Casper. And...best of all- Matthew and Anita will be there! I'm a little stoked!

Cole is back to teaching and coaching today. We're so excited to be home but less excited for all the craziness that comes from being gone for a week and a half and coming back to school. Laundry is miserable after a trip!

But we are so excited for this...our first entire year as a married couple and can't wait for the many adventures that await us. We have been very blessed. It has been a wonderful year and we can't wait to start this one!

XOXO,

The Nelson's

Twas The Night Before Finals

Tomorrow is the start of yet another round of finals! Excited am I not!!!! My first exam is scheduled for 2:30 tomorrow afternoon-substance abuse and addictive behavior. After that I have obesity and weight management, worksite health promotion, exercise physiology, and statistics to take. Its my second to last semester and I'm wondering why I still have 5 finals. What the crap!?! Most people have less finals when they're nearing the end of their degree...I want to be one of those people! Boy am I ready to finish this 17.5 credit semester!!!! But I am that much closer to a college diploma!

I went to Miss Tara's bridal shower yesterday....what a pretty bride she'll be and what a way to start the New Year getting married on New Year's Eve! It was great to see all my arch-house girls again...minus a few due to missions and living in other countires! In the meanwhile...Cole was coaching his girls to their first victory. I was bummed to miss it but pretty stoked for them. I get a little into the games...who would have known!?

I locked myself out of our apartment on Friday- which incidentally means I locked myself out of my car. Mind you....I am NEVER this forgetful...but this is the second time I've done this! Cole just laughed when I told him. So I walked to his school to get his keys- its only a few blocks- and when I was checking in at the office, there was a student sitting by me and a teacher came in and said "What are you two doing in the office?" Nevermind the fact I have a wedding ring and am nearly done with college! Psssssh! And then later that night- I was watching Cole's basketball game and one of the parents asked me which one was my daughter. Ouch! But I'm confused as to if I look like I HAVE a fourteen-year-old or if I look LIKE a fourteen-year-old. Curious Predicament!

And then we went Christmas shopping! Usually...I'm done with Christmas shopping by this time- I plan ahead, okay! But Cole is so hard to shop for....well kinda. Really all he wants is tools and I just think thats lame so I try to think of other exciting things. I've got nothin....so he's getting tools! Haha.

Well...I have conveniently forgot about finals for long enough. I better get back to it!!!

Listening to: Winter Wonderland by Darius Rucker

XOXO

T'was The Night Before Finals

Twas the night before finals, and all through the college,

The students were praying for last minute knowledge.

Their projects were finished, completed with care
In the hopes that the grades would be easy (and fair)

Most were quite sleepy, But none touched their beds,

While visions of essays danced in their heads.
With piles of books and a brand new highlighter,

I had just settled down for another all-nighter

My roommate was speechless, his nose in his books,

And my comments to him drew unfriendly looks.

I drained all the coffee, and brewed a new pot,

No longer caring that my nerves were now shot.

I stared at my notes, But my thoughts were muddy,

My eyes went ablur, I just couldn't study.

"Some pizza might help,"I said with a shiver,

But each place I called refused to deliver.

I'd nearly concluded that life was too cruel,

With futures depending on grades had in school.
When all of a sudden, our door opened wide,

And Patron Saint Put-It-Off ambled inside.

His spirit was careless, his manner was mellow,

He started to bellow: "What kind of student

Would make such a fuss,to toss back at teachers

What they tossed at us?"

"On Cliff Notes! On Crib Notes! On last year's exams!
On Wingit and Slingit, and last minute crams!"

His message delivered, he vanished from sight,

But we heard him laughing outside in the night.

"Your teachers have pegged you, so just do your best.

Happy Finals to All, And to All, a good test."

Peace, Love, and Candycanes!!!

HELLO CHRISTMAS!!!! Cole and I got our first tree-....we're kinda excited about it. Its just a little bitty thing but I kinda love it....okay really love it! It's lime green and christmas red and silver...with accents of basketball (gotta love the husband!)

Its been fun discussing our Christmas traditions...Cole adores Christmas...as long as its after Thanksgiving! He was like "We have to keep Santa alive for our kids AS LONG AS POSSIBLE!" His family grew up with 3 wishes for X-mas! They poured over the JC Penneys magazine (it's Elba, Idaho- ok? Penneys was a big deal!) for hours- agonizing how to spend their wishes. I thought it was so cute. I can just picture Cole debating what to wish for- more than likely it was basketball related!

And speaking of basketball...today was Cole's first game as head coach of the 9th grade girls basketball team at Springville junior high. They lost- but just barely...32-30. He was so adorable on the side of the court. Awwww...so cute. Back off 14 year old girls!!! I walked in the gym and all his students started whispering....."pssst....that's Mr.Nelson's wife" and then-defeating the entire purpose of whispering-yell at him...."Coach Nelson!!!! Your wife is pretty!" It was then that I was like- ok, I like his students! Haha.

Today at work...Kaylee's mom came bearing gifts from my dear friend down under! Awwww...it's been a great day.

We finally got home after Thanksgiving break yesterday around 12. We went to Elba- it was so fun! We spent Thanksgiving with Cole's cousins and then went and saw Tangled.....which we LOVED! And then we went shopping in Twin Falls on Black Friday....Cole wanted to show me that I wouldnt be very far from a big city when we live in Elba. It was fun...but I probably wont do Black Friday again- there just werent any deals that Cole and I couldnt pass up. And we cured our turkey at my Father's directions! It was great but it made me realize how much time I spent with my dad when he was working but how little attention I paid to exactly WHAT he was doing. Haha. And then when we were ready to make the trip back to Utah- a storm rolled in. We got to Brigham City before we had to stop and get a hotel. But we got back- and safely- so we're grateful!

Well I better get back to the studying...finals are coming fast...and I am definately not ready!

XOXO

Ho Ho Ho, Jingle Bells, Reindeer, and Cole for Christmas!!!

TuRkEy! Here we Come!

Great Day here at the Nelson's! It is finally...officially....Thanksgiving Break! Happy Day! A blizzard however is on its way to Utah- apparently it s supposed to be the worst that Utah has seen in several years! High winds, well below zero temperatures, white-out conditions, and power outages. Boo, Utah Boo! However, this storm was supposed to be here at 2pm today....here we are at 6:48 and still no storm. Oh bless those weathermen's hearts!

Our plans have changed a bit for our Turkey Day celebrations. We were planning on just staying here in Springville- but we decided to go to Elba so Cole's mother wont be alone for Thanksgiving. We're excited for our very first Thanksgiving together! And tomorrow we will be celebrating our 5 month anniversary! Where has that gone!?! I love everything about being married! A few of my most favorite things about the life with the ball and chain:

• Not having to say goodnight
• When Cole walks in the door, he comes to give me a kiss before he does anything else
• He is always excited for what I cook
• Our apartment that is just ours
• Decorating for the holidays!
• How opposite we are...but the same in things that matter.
• That we have so much fun just doing nothing!
• That I always know what he'll order when we got out...chicken fried steak and a water with lemon (he eats it...WITH the rine....blech)
• How he is so much like my Dad
• He helps me clean... he's the greatest roommate!
• Talking about our future...our dream house...future kids names (good thing it'll be a while...we have things to discuss where our posterity's names are concerned!)

And quote of the week from the sarcastic man that is my husband....we were talking about how he'd waited until after we were married to tell me we would live in Elba someday...

"I liked it- so I put a ring on it- and THEN told you about Elba!"

Oh Beloved husband of mine....how could I say no to such an offer? Haha.

I met wit my advisor todady to make sure there would be no surprises in April. Graduation is a go! How crazy!? 5 more months and I'll be a college graduate! Awesome! My schedule is a little crazy next semester- turns out when you're about to graduate- you just have to take the classes you need when they're offered...which kinda screws up your schedule! But oh well- hopefully I'll use the 3 hour breaks in my schedule for studying...although I doubt it especially since it'll be my last semester. Senior-itis is definately something I'm familiar with! But I'll be taking Personal Training Strategies, Problems in Exercise Perscription, Basic Entrepreneurship Skills, Exercise and Wellness Certification Preparation, Women's Health Issues, and I'm currently signed up for Physics since some of the medical sonography programs require it...although I'm weighing if its worth it! 16 credit hours and BAM....college degree! Woo-hoo! BYU has been great...helped me meet my husband and all...but I'm quite content to finish and head to the next chapter!

Our only big plans for the week are Thanksgiving dinner and going to see Tangled...I'm kinda excited!

Xoxo,

Hmmmmm....Turkey!!!! :)

Just An Update!

I keep seeing all of my friends update their blogs and I love reading them but I always think to myself "I should do that...meh...maybe later!" So....it's later. It's Saturday and I'm at work...per usual. Last night, Cole and I went to Abram's apartment for a housewarming party! It was so good to see Abram and a bunch of the Burley Boys! Abram has the best decorated bachelor pad probably ever. It looks like an IKEA display apartment! It fits him so well!

Cole and I are staying in Springville for Thanksgiving. I havent been able to see my parents since my Dad got burned over Labor Day- so thats a little hard to not see them but he's doing A-M-A-Z-I-N-G and is back in good health. Miracle? I think so! But this is the longest I've not seen my parents since I wont be able to see them until January. Crazy how getting married does that! But we're pretty excited to have a nice relaxing holiday! We're both pretty worn down and the two of us keep getting colds because of stress and school and just a lot going on so the sleeping in and relaxing will be much needed! My Dad makes the BEST cured and smoked turkeys for Thanksgiving- I was pretty sad to miss out. However, my Dad (he's so awesome) is sending us the cure to make our own. Most people would not be half as excited as I am about this- but seriously- I'm stoked!!! And i'm kinda excited to have a little Thanksgiving dinner with just the two of us!

We just have classes Monday and Tuesday and Cole's girl's first game is Tuesday night! I'm excited to see his coaching skills in action! He's so funny when he comes home and talks about his students. In his weights class- apparently he modivates them by Halo 3 terminology. Ijust know that those kids walk out of class everday thinking "BEST- P.E. -TEACHER- EVER!" Yep! That's my husband!

My dear sweetheart of a friend in Australia sent me flowers the other day after a rough week AND I found out that I can text her....Awesome? Indeed! I miss her a lot.

And here is a countdown of the next month-ish that I am looking SOOO forward to finishing!

1. 1 more midterm
2. 1 physiology paper
3. THANKSGIVING!
4. 1 more physiology lab
5. About 20 medical journal readings for Obesity (I was supposed to be doing these all semester...Crap!)
6. 4 more statistics assignments
7. 2 projects and presentations
8. Another dentist appointment
9. Finals
10. CHRISTMAS!!!

I LOVE CHRISTMAS! I've secretly been listening to Christmas music....(shhhh- dont tell Cole- he hate x-mas music before Thanksgiving) ....I want a hippopatums for Christmas and Baby- It's Cold Outside are two of my most favorites!! Christmas will be so fun...we're going to Elba this year. Cole's Mom rented some large house or something- I'm not even sure what it is but its a bigger place so that Cole and his 4 sisters and all of their little ones and families can all be under one roof. I think it will be so much fun!Oh- and for all of you that knew that I put my foot down and told Cole I'd never live in Elba....haha...oh how things can change in less than 5 months of marriage! Yes- I've agreed to live in Elba on the ranch someday- not for a while though! Cole loves to ranch and I love him- so I'll follow him wherever he wants to go- I can ultrasound anywhere and Elba is gorgeous and will be a great place to raise a family!

Oh- and Cole and I are going to Harry Potter in about an hour! I'm not a super fan of HP but I like the movies and Cole has been excited for it for weeks! I hope its good.

XOXO,

Hogwarts Bound!!!

Thankful-ness

I have decided, with the craziness that this semester/week/month/year has been that I needed to actually perk myself up and remind me of the sooooo many things I am so blessed to have...and its almost Thanksgiving!

1. My husband!!!

Cole is seriously the greatest! He helps me do the dishes and clean. He holds me when I cry and wipes away my tears. My parents ADORE him. And all of the little things he does everyday. Like when I lay in bed fuming for hours about how someone has been so cruel and malicious to me and he just rolls over and says "I love you- I just wanted you to know!" at 3 am! I'm just so lucky! He's a hard worker, SOOO much like my Dad, he's the kindest person you'll meet, and he is ALWAYS on my side.

2. My family!!!

My parents are seriously to most Christ-like people you will ever meet. They care about those they come in contact with and they work harder than anyone you know! They would do anything for their kids and are not more concerned with being "the cool parents" than being real parents- there were times in my life I didnt appreciate that! But all of the good things in my life- my work ethic, my goals, my testimony, my eternal marriage....I owe to my parents! My big brothers are awesome! Matthew and I talk probably 3 times a week. Being newlyweds at the same time has really made us even closer! I idolized him when I was little and we had our time of disagreements, but I feel like we're back to the relationship we had when we were little when I would follow him everywhere! He has the greatest advice and is so loving and brilliant and he married the perfect girl! Anita is just genuinely sweet- Matthew hates that people in Casper think her and I look alike, but I take it as the greatest compliment...she's adorable! And Kalob is about to be a Dad!!! Whenever I talk to him he is just so excited for the future of soccer games and baseball and coaching his boys- I'll laugh when it's a girl so he'll have to start dreaming in tu-tus and ballet!

3. My friends!!!

I have had the most wonderful friends in my life! Amber, Shelly, Maren, and Kaylee are so amazing in so many different ways. Amber is soooo much fun- you can't be around her without laughing and instantly falling in love with her. Shelly is the kindest person I've ever met-she makes me a better person just by knowing her! And she will be the most beautiful bride next June...I cannot even wait for her and Nick's wedding. Maren is so grounded- I always turn to her for advice. And probably one of the most hillarious people ever- and so intelligent- but not in a way that makes you feel dumb. She's amazing and sincere and kind and compassionate. And Kaylee has been such a blessing in my life when I hated BYU my freshman year and then we became friends via Pocahontas....Thank you Disney! She was so much a part of me being able to meet Cole and I cannot wait until her and Phil move back to the US from Australia!

4. My education!!!

Though at times (many times) I hate going to class, studying for exams, working on projects, writing papers, and all of the other things that come with being a student- I will be more prepared for a career, motherhood, and basically just life in general. I've been so blessed with a scholarship and for the opportunity that I didn't have to go into debt for my undergraduate degree.

Halloween!!!!

I have always LOVED Halloween! Since I grew up on a ranch and we never had trick-or-treaters, we always went to a family friend's house, Nancy! She was the greatest- she had the thickest southern accent and she was just always soooo fun! Halloween is when I miss childhood the most!

This year, Cole and I decided to have some friends over for Halloween since it was on Sunday. I bought bread bowls at a bakery in Provo that looked like pumpkins....I was pretty excited! and I made Broccoli and Cheese Soup....DELICIOUS! It was so nice to just have everyone over! We haven't really had very many visitors since we're in Springville. I also made cookies that looked like bats, pumpkins, and candy corn! I'd forgotten how much I love baking with how crazy everything has been! I'm kinda bummed that Halloween is over....now I have to find more decorations!

These next couple weeks are also going to be pretty busy for us! I have a whole new slew of exams- one of which I took today, studied for 5 hours for it and got a less than optimal grade! And I have another exercise physiology exam at the end of the week! Greatest day of all time will be when that class is over! I also have a root canal scheduled for a week and a half- and about 14 other cavities needing fixing. Curse my teeth! I think the dentist thinks I'm nuts with how emotional I am about my stupid teeth. He was like- "I fix people's teeth because they've been on illegal drugs- at least your problem is genetics." Thank you Mr. Dentist- I'm so glad we've established that I'm not on Crack Cocaine.....(which, by-the-way, I could tell you all about because of my Substance Abuse Class- even how to make it if you're interested....thank you BYU for my education in the best ways to cook Meth, Heroin, and Crack....a life skill I'm sure I'll be using!)

Cole is just as busy as ever too! I've just realized how selfish this blog always sounds! He comes home every night and plans his lessons. Those 8th graders have no idea what an awesome teacher he is! He buys candy for test review days........if only my college professors would do that- maybe I'd have nicer things to say about them on ratemyprofessor! haha. Cole hasn't had to go back to Idaho in a few weeks, but he'll be going home again this weekend to work the cows and get ready for Winter. Someday- it will be so much easier for him when we live in Burley.

I'll be applying to the Medical Sonography Programs at Weber State in January. So we aren't sure if we'll be staying here in Springville or moving to Ogden. It depends on if I get into the regional program- where I would do my clinical training in Provo and go to classes in Ogden like 5 times during the semester or if I get into the on-campus program. We're not even sure which one we would prefer at this point! It'd be nice to be that much closer to Burley for when Cole needed to travel- but it'd also be nice to stay here where he would probably have a job with the school he's at now. Cole is trying to teach me to worry a little less....not my strong suit, and plan a little less...also Hard! Both of those things are so hard....I'm a planner and a worrier- its what I do best!

Well- thats all for now!

Xoxo,

Jamie