Sunday, September 4, 2011

Restless Nights!

Do you ever have one of those restless nights when you just CANNOT sleep? Like you can feel the hours ticking away while you're staring at the ceiling wondering if that commercial for restless leg syndrome is reality and if you need a perscription? Or you can't tell if its been 30 minutes or 2 hours because you can't squint hard enough to see the time- sadly, I'm THAT blind without contacts!

Yeah...it's one of those nights!

Even my ever-trusted Mulan that can nearly always lull me to sleep has failed.

More than likely it's because I've been terribly sick for the past week and I've totally thrown off my sleeping schedule due to somehow having two completely separate colds this week. One for three miserable days simultaneously with the husband. And then we both got better and a day later I was sick again. Priceless.

Meh- What can you do?

Sleep!!! That's always my answer!

Until I can't....Which is now!

Blast!

So...here I am at 1 am watching PSYCH and thinking back on how a year ago today, I was taking my Father to the emergency room for a propane explosion. My dad...totally awesome man that he is....is a little bit accident prone. You don't believe me? He's broken his right leg four times, has broken ribs, cut off part of his finger, gotten blood poisoning, and burned himself and all of those happened either at his work or because of his cows.

And I- his only daughter- am either always in the right place at the right time OR I'm bad luck! But either way, his little medical emergencies always bring us closer- even if he is on percoset! So today, he's been on my mind a lot.

My dad is most definately my hero. His quiet intelligence is almost always overlooked because of his strong cowboy persona but his humility and kindness could never be mistaken. People respect him, love him, and his friends would do anything for him. He graduated in microbiology but he's a butcher and I love that. He always wanted to be a Veterinarian, and boy would he have been a fantastic one! He loves his cows and he taught us as his children how to work hard and to love ranch life. He got that love of ranching from his Father, Walter. And his greatest decision was my sweet mother, Diane. And the thing I love most about him is his testimony- I love to hear him talk about spiritual things because he has the most incredible perspective!

Not only that, but he has always been so supportive. He believed I could do or be anything, even when I didn't. He told me I was smart and was always there to help me with my math and science homework- usually relating the concept to ranching and cows- I told you he loves it- and whats worse is I adore hearing him talk about his cows!

When I left for college, it was his voice telling me "You will always be my only daughter, make me proud!" In a tone that said I could never disappoint him. My name is because I am a part of him and my firstborn son- however far in the future that may be- will be named for him! And it was him that I turned to in times of crisis and heartache, and later I realized why. His quiet nature is what calmed me down. It was my complete opposite. And it was that quality that made me realize my Cole was my perfect companion.

Ok...you get it...I love my Dad! And I'm pretty sentimental about the fact that a year ago I realized he was not invincible. But I like to believe he is!

XOXO,

Jamie

Thursday, August 4, 2011

Missing In Action

Woof! It's been a long time since I've last blogged!!!


I have been MIA these past few months due to my handsome cowboy of a husband moving me to Elba...which- until only recently- had no internet! Heaven bless us!


Let me tell you something...you honestly don't realize how convenient the internet really is until you don't have it!


BUT we have been busy.

Rephrase...COLE has been busy!

Taking the cows out on the forest, putting up the hay, watering the fields, repairing fences etc.


I -on the other hand- have been sleeping til noon! Yes yes, my schedule is PACKED!


Alas, it lasts only a short time! Because I will be starting school again August 22nd. Which gives me mixed feelings.

A. ugh....I seriously JUST graduated! Why am I going back?

and

B. Ummmmm....it's ultrasound and kinda like a life dream or something...no big deal


So I had orientation for my program in Ogden this week.


Greatest EVER! I am so very very very excited.


Here's the deal. BYU was awesome and I'm glad I did my undergrad there. But from day 1, I accepted the fact that I was definately not going to be competing with everyone for the A's. I was just not as smart as many of the other students nor was I willing to devote my entire life to studying. I was still a good student...but I still had social skills. It's kinda a give and take at BYU... usually.


But the professors of my medical sonography program think I'm a genius since I already have a bachelors degree and a pretty good basic knowledge of ultrasound. Here's the difference between my classes at BYU and Weber state.


BYU

Student: "Professor, I think everyone scored too high on the last test. The TA gave too good of a review. The next test needs to be harder to reflect our knowledge of the subject matter."

Implication: I'm smarter than everyone else and they need to know it!


Weber State Ultrasound Program

Professor: "Ultrasound is made up of high frequency soundwaves"

Student: "WHAT!?! How does that even work?"

Implication: How the heck did they even get in the program!


I am SO excited to feel like I'm on the high end of the curve for once! But mostly I am just so excited to finally be starting ultrasound. It's been nearly ten years since I first discovered ultrasound and completely fell in love with it...even though it was done on cows when I first found out about it! And I can't believe- after waiting for so long- that I finally get the chance to do it.


Life is good. I have an amazing husband...he's the greatest! I love him a lot! AND I get to pursue my dream of a career. Best of both worlds!


Xoxo,

Jamie

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Life has been just crazy as ever. Cole and I came back from our trip in Florida- a chaotic trip which resulted in an emergency landing back in Salt Lake, spending the night in the airport, lost luggage, and coming home to a broken back window in our car....someone had thrown a garden knome through our window- yes... a garden knome! Classic.



But- we had a great time in Florida, got to see my big brother and his sweet wife for a little bit and we enjoyed Disney World to the fullest. Here are some pics!





Magic Kingdom





Epcot







One of our fave rides. Cole started lots of Jimmer talk around Disney World.






And yes...I got to meet Meeko. Pocahontas is the greatest...right Kaylee?





And here we are at the Daytona Race Track...that's and hour and a half long tour I wont ever get back! :)









But look at how happy my Cole is at the start finish line. Oh NASCAR!





















Daytona Beach!!! Corina...here's a foot pic just for you!! ;-)





Oh Yeah...and then we graduated from college...WOOOO! Yeah- we're educated! BYU says so!




Now Cole is at Lagoon with his junior high kids and I'm packing because we're moving...THIS WEEKEND!!! Here we come Idaho!




XOXO

Soon-to-be Real Housewife of Cassia County, Idaho!

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Final Finals!

Well...I still haven't had time to post about our Florida trip....and boy is there something to talk about with that trip. That will have to be another time when I have time to post the pictures.

On an exciting note....I just finished my last...yes my LAST final ever at BYU!


Wooooo! Greatest feeling! I dont ever have to go up on campus again!


BYU has been a great school and I'm so grateful for the education that I've had the chance to get at this school and the spiritual aspects of the Gospel and how its incorporated in to the classes. And I also met my husband at BYU- so thats definately a bonus.


It's been great but its wonderful to be done!


My parents are coming into town tomorrow because we graduate on Friday! My poor parents- we've really run them around last year for weddings and this year for graduations and such. Their real troopers! And I'm really excited to see them!


XOXO,

BYU Grad

Monday, April 4, 2011

The big 22!

This past weekend was the big Twenty-Second birthday! How weird?

I dont feel 22.

Although...what does 22 feel like?

Anyways-my birthday was Saturday....yes General Conference Saturday.

Blech!!!!

As great as conference is and as awesome as birthdays are....they are most definately NOT awesome together!


Maybe I'm not as spiritual as I should be...

But it is kinda sucky to share your birthday with the conference- and then send your husband off to Priesthood Session! Happy Birthday!


So...my mother in law and I made Easter Wreaths! Crafty? Quite!

It turned out simply adorable!

And later Cole made me a cake!

His first cake ever in fact!

New tradition? I think yes!

Both of us also had colds for the entire weekend!

But that is quite alright because we'd rather have them this past weekend then the coming one!

Because we'll be here:



With this guy:



And then here:


Florida...HERE WE COME!!!


XOXO, Disney Bound


Monday, March 28, 2011

What Steak Cant Fix...Can't be fixed!

Last friday was a bit on the crazy side. And when I say a bit....I mean admit me the looney bin type crazy!

Cole's financial things were all a mess....his pell grant had been taken away, it showed us owing a gastly amount, and BYU will not talk to spouses unless they have it in writing from the student themselves...and Cole teaches in Springville about 20 minutes from campus. I found out about this mess on Friday at 3:30...and everything closes at 5- oh~ and I work from 3-6. So I had to take work off!

Lovely!

Did I mention my husband never EVER checks his financial account?

Lovely two times!


Oh....and when I found out all of this- does he answer his phone? Pssssh....why would he? So I'm sitting in the student services office...who will not talk to me about my husband's finances...and he wont answer his phone. Spectacular!

So he got a text message to this effect:

"CALL ME! I'm coming to Springville to get you!"

Accompanied by about 72 missed phone calls- alright, I 'm exagerating! (but only slightly)

Needless to say....Cole knew I was upset.

After two hours spent in the student services office and two headaches later... it seemed we had it figured out about as much as we could for the weekend!

So- for the craziness of the day, we decided to splurge and go to Texas Roadhouse for dinner...we've been wanting to try it for a while. It was delicious.

When our waitress started talking to us about cuts of meat and marbling and medium rare....I felt like home!

Mmmmmmmm....I am definately the daughter of a butcher!

Only the comfort of red meat, loaded mashed potatoes, and buttery rolls can cheer me up after a rough day!!!


XOXO

Everything's better with Steak!

Thursday, March 24, 2011

Happy Day!

Yesterday was a crazy long day with running all over campus, filing our taxes, getting Cole's paperwork for his internship, going to class, working on a ridiculous class project (still working on the 1500 dollars for a class...blech!), studying for an exam and then work!
Phew!
But then I got home...and checked the mail to find....
A letter
...rather- a manilla envelope (is that how you spell that??) from Weber State!
WOOOOOOOOOOT!
They've invited me for an interview!!!!!!

Granted- it is for the on campus program which I wont be attending and am planning on the regional one- but this is a HUGE deal to get an interview!!! It means- if I get accepted on campus- that my chances are even better for the regional program...practically 100%!
ECSTATIC?
THRILLED? JOYFUL?
DELIGHTED?
hmmmm....about all of those feeling plus some?
And miraculously, my interview is for Friday April 8th at 10:15 am...Cole and I fly out for Florida at 5:04pm!!!!!!!!
So- no matter how hard school is-
how completely exhausting,
seemingly unending,
and ever stressful it appears....
Cole and I have an amazing future to look forward to and ultrasound gets to be a part of it! This is something I have been working torwards since I was 14! It always seemed so far away- almost unattainable. But I am so grateful for the education I've had at BYU, the opportunities it has lead to, and the amazing people I have met in the field of ultrasound that have encouraged me to continue on. I have definately been blessed in so many aspects of my life.
OH! And...Cole's sister NaShai just had her little boy this afternoon! I can't wait to meet the little tyke! That little guy owes his mother some dang easy teen years after the difficult pregnancy she has had!!!
And of course- BYU is playing tonight! Come On Cougs!!!!
Rarrr Rarrr Rarrrrrrrrr (that was the cougar growl....just in case you were wondering!)
XOXO,
Freddettabout it!