Happy Saturday!

We've been living in Colorado Springs for almost two weeks now, and due to John working fulltime, and my online classes/being an awesome little homemaker, we haven't gotten out much. This morning I woke up and decided it was time to do some exploring. So obviously I googled "fun things to do in CO Springs," and up popped a list of 50 something options. Number one on the list was the Garden of the Gods! Sounds exotic doesn't it? One of John's co-workers told him previously that it is a must see, so we sweatered up and headed out.

John drove while I navigated (I'm super good at navigating), and it took about 13.5 minutes to get there. The views were breathtaking. The orange rock created perfect contrast with the bright blue sky, and I believe I did an OK job of capturing it for my followers. By the way, you guys are amazing! Stats are up--yesterday we had 30 something views. Not too shabby! Keep up the good work.........

You know what I hate? I don't hate a lot of things, but I can honestly say I hate what I experienced today. The wind. I'm not talking about a nice refreshing summer breeze, because I don't mind that, I'm talking about cold, icy, chill me to the bone kind of wind. You know, the kind that ruins all outdoor plans? Di-sgus-ting. This wind blows in Rexburg, ID just about every day of the year (minus a few in the summer). I thought that I was getting away from that wind when we moved here, but the last few days have been pretty bad. 

When we headed out to the car this morning it was a little breezy, nothing my new, soft, 100% polyester sweater can't handle (see photo above). It was designed in Boston, and made in China. I guess Avalanche (the brand) decided that the sweater would be more marketable/exciting if people knew that even though it was made in China, it was designed not only in the USA, but in Boston... Cool. So anyway, we get to the Garden of the Gods (read with a deep announcer voice), and the icy wind begins to blow. It tried to ruin our plans, but we hiked around anyway, and ended up with very sore ears. It was totally worth it. Hopefully we'll be able to go back when it gets a little warmer.

Anyway, we are going to watch an episode of 24 netflix style, and then head to Chipotle for lunch. Ever been there? We've heard it's good and want to try it out. Hope you all have an adventurous Saturday :)

Blogging.

About every month or so, I have the sudden inkling to get on blogspot and check my stats. And Usually, about every month or so, I am quite disappointed in my readers. This month however, I'm am delighted. ish... I have two followers, and my page-views yesterday were, get this: 2! Ahh, so I've broken even! However, page views last month equal 11, and total page views EVER add up to a grand total of 107 (half of which may actually be me.........)! However, I haven't really promoted my blog, because I never felt I'd written anything that anyone would care to read (other than my faithful followers Jessica and Anna-- <3 you guys!).

I've spent all morning reading other people's quite successful & interesting blogs. Well...Not all morning. I woke up at 7:00 in the a.m. to make my sweetster (aka John) breakfast. Be proud. I made delicious hash browns (left over from last night's baked potatoes), eggs and toast. Then I did the dishes, hung up some clothes, made the bed, and opened the blinds to let the warm in! After that, I got on the computer to do some homework and got quite distracted with facebook/blogging (my favorite way to avoid doing homework). And I realized--Hello, my life is so boring!

I have always wanted to make a difference in the world, whether it's small or big, I want to do something that counts. As my bff Erica, her mother, futbal (her dog), and I went for a walk in the park a few days ago we found a bench that was dedicated to a woman who use to keep the park looking nice. I want a bench! I want people to remember me for something good when I'm gone. Is that so much to ask? Maybe. I guess that depends on if I do something worth remembering. This blog, in my opinion and as shown by the stats, is not worth remembering.

From this point on I will try to make it more, more memorable, more exciting, more worthwhile. To do that I must also make my life more memorable, exciting, and worthwhile. Overall, more of an adventure! I don't mind. I plan to blog at least once a week, and provide proof of my adventurousness. This proof will be photographs:

Do you mind?

Adventure last night: I burned my arm on the cookie sheet that was used to cook the crescent roles! I was distracted by my lame online class meeting and bam, just like that my arm was burned. "Ouch that hurt!" I complained as I ran it under cold water. My loving husband replied quite sacrcastically, "Oh sorry, I should have warned you that things are hot when they come out of the oven..." Terd. But I still love him. Which is why I'm going to make him a tuna melt for lunch.

Chau my awesome/nonexistent readers! 

Back To Reality

So we left Rexburg this last weekend! Drove to Helena MT.

Meet my niece Viola--she's wearing the jacket we gave her.

She likes to pop bubble wrap :)

This is John's sad face

He is sad because this is how the roads look while he drives.

But things cleared up and I got some beautiful sunset pictures.

So it was really nice to get out of Rexburg and see John's family. I always enjoy getting to know them better. It was quite a refreshing weekend. We had a big thanksgiving dinner at my sister-in-law's house (we had thanksgiving early because I have to work). The in-laws came, as did John's step brother and his wife and their three kids. Granny was feeling under the weather and wasn't able to make it. We missed her. 

I didn't do much homework. Whenever I'm out of town I can never find the motivation--needless to say I'm a little behind, with dwindling motivation to catch up--which is why I'm writing a new blog. Sometimes I get so stressed, I just put off doing what I have to do because I don't know where to start. What I need to do is write a list. Lists always help!

I've been reading some friends blogs lately, and I realized that my long rambling paragraphs are probably quite daunting for my few followers, so I've decided to make things easier for you. From now on, I'll write short paragraphs. Deal? Deal!

There is really only...lets see...3 1/2 weeks left of school. And then FREEDOM (I'm not yelling at you, I'm just really excited)! I always lose motivation at this point in the semester, and I have a little break down, and then I buck up and finish out strong. I'm in the middle of the breakdown right now I think, and it doesn't help that TOM is coming for a visit......(For those of you who don't speak Sara lingo: TOM=Time of Month) Always comes at the most inopportune times. 

I'm thankful for my loving husband, who makes me smile when I'm stressed or sad. He is a better husband than I could have ever asked for. I'm so glad that he plays such an important role in my life. He is my best friend.

Adventures:

1 Escaped Rexburg

2 Trained some seasonal workers at good old K-Mart

3 Thought about quitting K-Mart

4 Made some delicious herbal tea this morning :) mmmmm--peppermint

Homework shmomework.

So it's a Friday night and I'm sitting on the couch, in the apartment, all alone, wishing that I had something else to do besides homework. My life=suck. Ha ha, okay not really. John went out to play basketball, which is good because he loves it, and I don't think his body will mind the exercise, but I'm so bored! I'm actually quite tired, but I'm trying to remember that it's Friday night, and I'm still in college--therefore I can't go to sleep at 10:12. It's just too early.

 This is a random picture I found of the twins and I finger

painting in my little kitchen. An oldie but a goody. Don't ask

me why I chose to randomly publish it here, because IDK. 

(wow, did I really just write IDK?)

p.s. my bangs don't always look that funny.

 The above photograph is to help give you an idea about

what I'm spending my Friday night on. Yep, that's Vanessa

on my comfy couch. It's not a terrible place to spend a Friday night,

it will be better once John gets back.

Nothing crazy has been going on in my life. I'm just trying to get through school. I like all of my classes this semester, but I'm hitting the discouraging point where I realize that I have a TON to do! I haven't procrastinated THAT much this semester either. The assignments just take a while, and I have a block class starting up in a couple of weeks that is going to put me under if I don't get on top of things. I was planning on getting a bunch done today, and I was at school from 8:30 to 3:00 today. When I wasn't in class I was homeworking in the library. I came home, did the dishes, and cleaned the bathroom, and then did more homework! The day has been non-stop, yet I still have so much to do. It's overwhelming. But I'll make it through, I always do.

On a happier note, my amazingly smart husband got offered an internship in Colorado Springs, which is where one of my very best best friends is from. It turns out that the guy that probably hired John is actually in her ward! Small world. It's a really good opportunity, the only problem is that Jessica is coming out during winter semester to attend BYU-Idaho! And if we leave, I won't get to see her :( I haven't lived in the same city as her since like... maybe six years. We are going to pray about it, and if we feel that it's the right thing then I guess we'll go. But I'm really disappointed about missing Jessica. It seems like my life works out like that a lot. The one semester Jessica decides to come, I'll be gone. The one Monday night out of the entire semester that I have to work just happens to be the ward FHE/temple night. The one to seven semis on the road in-between Pocatello and Treemonton that I pass, just have to make me pass them over bridges when I feel like I'm squeezed up next to them! sheesh. The nerve the world has sometimes ;)

 The photographer was kind enough to edit out my zit! Ha. Thank you sir.

He wasn't as kind in this photo...

One of my best friends forever got married last weekend. John couldn't miss class, so I went down to Utah alone. I missed him. However, the wedding was great!!! Naturally I was the maid of honor, and my face didn't even turn red as I walked down the isle. When Mariesa came out in her beautiful dress, her fiance Miguel got teary eyed. It was so adorable. They really do love each other, and it makes me happy to see that she has found someone to spend her life with. Marriage is such a great thing. It creates the perfect environment for personal growth and development. We become better, happier people as we serve each other with love. Don't get me wrong, there are lots of ups and downs, but it is so worth it. We've been talking about the importance of families in one of my classes this semester. I have loved it so far. It has helped me to realize just how much we can learn through the everyday life of an average family.

The last thing that I feel is worth mentioning in this blog entry is....................... I've gained like 6-7 pounds!!!! Time to have a chocolate party! I'm so happy :) I just hope the pounds keep on coming because I need about.... 15 more. I'll just have to keep eating. In fact, I'm going to go find something to eat right now.

Ta!

Adventures:
#1- John and I made the most delectable Italian cream sodas yesterday. mmmmmmmmmm.
#2- I thought that I was pregnant, but it was really just a bump of new fat!
#3- I love John, which is an adventure in and of itself, and as he would say, "I'm Out!"