The Thursday of All Thursdays

It is finally here, the day that I have been waiting for since my last visit home. But not only am I going home today. I have a list of awesome things happening today. Of course #1 is Kasey and I are packing our bags and heading home for 3 weeks. #2 I will get my husband back! Finals are over. #3 Today is my last day at work! I will be starting a new job when we return in January. I finally got a full time position so hopefully this will help when Kasey is traveling so much in the spring. My new job is to be a nanny for a super sweet little baby names Calvin. I hope that this will be a good change and that I will find something I like to do. There is a lot that is still up in the air. I am super nervous about the fact that they only need me until may. So I will need to go back on the hunt for a job for the summer and fall. Luckily as of right now our plans are to move back to Utah next December so we can save some money and Kasey will get ready to take the mcat there. Kasey is also trying to have me go home for next summer. At first I thought that was a great idea, but I don't think I could leave Kasey for that long. For one thing our apartment would be trashed :) just kidding I would miss him too much that is the real reason. I hope everyone has safe traveling and has a happy holiday! To all you in Iowa see you later suckers! (you need to know my sweet little cousin Chloe to understand the sucker part)

Impatiently Waiting

3 more days to go and it feels like time is dragging! Kasey has been so extremely busy with finals coming up and I have had plenty of time on my hands. I cant wait to go home. Kasey is really excited as well, he told me the other day he is excited to go home so other people can entertain me for a while . Poor guy I have been nuts. I just get so lonely out here. I only work part time (for now) and don't really have anyone to talk to during the days. I have had multiple days where I don't think I have talked to anyone until my sweet mom calls me (my mom is awesome she makes sure to call me every night, she knows her daughter all to well). I will admit I have been a basket case the last few weeks, I think it is because I am just so antsy to go home. I cried the other night when my exhausted husband just wanted to sit down and watch football after a long day and keep ignoring me when I would try to ask him questions. I know I am losing it. I just have to remember all the things I am thankful for and how blessed I truly am. I cant wait to see my family and I hope I can hold it together long enough to get home for both Kasey and my sake.

I have been really thinking about what I should put on my blog and what I should not. I don't want to seem like I am not thankful for anything or a whiner. But I decided I started this blog as a journal type thing and only putting the good things is not real. So I promise I am so grateful for everything especially my hard working sweet husband and family. I sometimes think it is good to look back at the things we have struggled with and grow from them.So some times a girl just needs to vent.

Welcome To The Hood

There are a few things you need to know on how to get along in the hood. Kasey and I are finally up to speed and though we dont always follow these rules, they are kinda hard to ingnore. #1) is that if you have all four hub caps ( or even just one in this case) you are in the wrong neck of the woods.

 #2) if your car looks like it will start you will stick out like a sore thumb.

 #3) The career choice here is to be a taxi driver. if you have a van, can affored window stickers, and a sign on top to let people know your a taxi you are good to go. It does not even matter if you hardley ever move your parked Taxi. what matters is you have the option.

 #4) You know those things the rest of civilization call garbage cans. Well make sure you ignore them. The world is yours to trash.

 #5) Make sure whenever you pull in that your music is bumbin as loud as your little car can handle maybe even more if you can manage. Because everyone wants to hear your crap music.

#6) Last but not least is that if you do not share the load in giving the neighborhood cockroaches some where to live. As a neightbor it is your job to make sure your apartment is gross and stinkey enough that no matter what they will find there way into your neigbors home. I keep in mind that someday when Kasey finally graduates that I will look back on this and laugh. Because some of this is not funny at the moment! 

Skip The Turkey, We Want The Deals

The past week I have caught Kasey looking online at black Friday deals on more than one occasion.   He loves it, last year we went on accident. I had a bad headache so we made a late night walmart run to get some medicine. I thought this was going to be a quick run to the store. I was ready for bed in my pajamas no makeup on and slippers to finish off my awesome look.  I don't know if it was just Kasey's competitive nature or what but we ended up shopping until 3 in the morning. It did not matter what the object was, if there was a big group going after it Kasey got right in the middle of it. Then after he got it probably from someone that really needed it he would continue to call his mom and asked if anyone wanted it.  There was multiple times he would do this and then when he found out no one in our family needed it he would just put it back. You should have seen the looks he got from people. It was so funny! This year I will be ready ( I lost Kasey multiple times because I was walking too slow). So this year I am dragging Breeann with me. were going to wear our running shoes, and we are going to be the ultimate shoppers Kasey will be proud of me this year! So if anyone needs a little help getting your shopping done this year Kasey is your man. Have a Happy Thanksgiving. And yes by the way that is a Christmas tree in the corner of the picture. ( I could not wait to put it up)

Little Miss Quinn

Little Quinnie has stolen our hearts. I cant believe she is going to be one this Saturday! Last week Quinn had her one year old pictures taken, these are just two of the ones I love (thank you mom for sending them). I hate that I dont get to come home for all my sweet little nieces and nephews birthdays, I hope they know I love them lots. I miss them all and cant wait to see them at Christmas!!

There is a First Time For Everything

 I know, I know it is November but I found the little pumpkin I bought in October. We just never got around to carving it.  So when I found out that Kasey had never carved a pumpkin he had no choice in the matter, we were going to carve a pumpkin!

Kasey said that because of year round baseball (which he has been doing since he was 10 ) he never carved a pumpkin, he had been around when other people carved them but at that time he did not have me to make him experience it.

I think he ended up having more fun than he was letting on, its not the coolest pumpkin ever but hey it is pretty good for someone who has the carving skills of a ten year old. 

Halloween

I love everything Holiday, I guess I get that from my mom she always made holidays so fun. But holidays are always the hardest for me out here in Iowa.  It did not help that this Halloween was kind of a bummer. So I was a little emotional when Kasey told me he had to go to a test review that night. I was already sad I could not see my cute little nieces and nephews, so when he told me I had to sit home alone I almost lost it. I say almost because I could tell Kasey felt bad about it. I went and dropped Kasey off at the university and then I decided I would go to the gym so I was not just sitting home feeling sorry for myself. I was very happy when Kasey called me to come pick him up on my way home. So at least I did not have to be home alone for too long. Kasey called and ordered our favorite pizza from the Wig and Pen, and we went home.  I was hoping that by some small chance someone would come trick or treating, and Kasey was hoping to get some serious studying done. No trick or treaters ended up coming, not that I blame them. I was lucky enough to go to our ward Halloween party for a little bit. The little kids looked so cute.  It was fun to see how excited all the little kids were in there costumes.  also, thank you so much Kim and Kathy I loved the pictures you sent of everyone dressed up. It was the highlight of my Halloween.  I hope everyone had a happy Halloween!

You Owe Me A Skirt!!

The other night Kasey made me watch a scary movie, Paranormal Activity 2.  Have you heard of it? Never watch it! I was so scared and I only probably watched about half of it. Well before we started watching it. I made Kasey promise that he would not scare me, after no crossies count and no matter what promises I added, that if he did scare me he had to buy me a new skirt. What better way to keep him from scaring me than threatening to spend his money, right!? Well buying me a new skirt was a price he was willing to pay. Last night about 2 nights after we watched the movie, I thought I was in the clear with him and his tricks (Yes I was still thinking about the dumb movie).  I went to sleep at ten just like I do every night and Kasey stayed up watching the World Series. I was sound asleep and I felt my sheets pulling off of me, being half asleep I thought nothing of it and put them back on. A little bit later it happened again but this time I was wide awake (This happens in the first Paranormal Activity movie). I was still pretty out of it and was freaking out a little bit, but I must be that crazy person in the movies that you always think "you're an idiot don't look down there" I did and Kasey jumped up and I really honestly am surprised I did not pee my pants/punch him in the throat. I was so freaked out, so to make a long story short I get a new skirt. Maybe I will start watching more scary movies with him, in order to keep my wardrobe growing.  

Laundry Day Melt Down

 I would have to say that right now my one true wish is to have a washer and dryer at home.  Why?  You may be asking yourself.   Well because of today.  I know I am just having a pity party for myself but I am not a fan of Laundromats.

 I made the mistake to go on a Saturday. The Laundromat was crazy busy and we had to wait in line for driers. As some of my closest family members know, I am just like my dad and get very agitated in crowds. It did not help that I had two weeks worth of laundry. I usually only do laundry every other week to try to save some money. Sometimes it does not feel worth it. As you can see from the picture we were ready to leave so after the second cycle of drying we were out of there, because we had so much clothes not everything completely dried. Kasey was quite the innovator when it came to finding places to hang things to dry. (Yes that is a fan, and yes it is drying the clothes).  I told you Kasey was an innovator.

Kasey is giving a thumbs up after all of our clothes are folded and ready to be put away. I don't think he realizes that he will have to help put them away. Well at least I wont need to do this for another two weeks.

Beauty Sleep, and Catching Cockroaches

 Kasey and I decided we wanted to watch a movie together. We have not spend much quality time together because of my first enemy, school. About 2 minutes into the movie, he was out!

 Now to face my second enemy, Cockroaches. We have so many and I cant seem to get ride of them. I have been telling my mom about them but I decided I wanted to show her so she understood how picked on I am. So I decided to try and capture this nasty little things on film. So I set out  bait or in other words a marshmallow and waited for them to come. And oh did they come! (yes I was a little bored today)

Okay so only one managed to make it to the party. He was so fast I could not get a picture of him. But you can kinda see how big he is, and now you know I am not making this stuff up. If you have any ideas how to get ride of these things let me know because they are really freaking me out!

Dear Biology, you are ruining my husbands birthday!

 Kasey turns 24 today! Happy Birthday Kase I am so impressed everyday with how hard you work, with school, baseball, and a wife that probably does not make life to easy. So I really wanted to make his big day special. It was not as easy as I thought when a 22 page report is due the next day. As you can see with this picture Kasey did not have much time for birthday activities.

 Kasey spent last night working on his paper and ended up staying up until 2:00 in the morning. So when I woke him up at 7:20 with breakfast in bed he was not as excited as I hoped. It was actually really funny, he kept looking at the alarm clock and then and his french toast. It took him a good 30 minutes to finish half his breakfast. He would take a bite and then lay down and close his eyes and chew. Poor kid he was trying to act interested but it was just to early and not enough sleep for him.

 (I had to take a picture of the cup cakes I made for his birthday because Kasey was a little concerned it was ketchup.)

 Yes this is his birthday dinner. The University of Iowa once a semester pays for Kasey to buy some new clothes, for this semester it happened to be on his birthday. So Kasey got to go shopping and get new shoes shirts and jeans. So for dinner we just stopped at the food court and got something to eat. I hope he enjoyed himself a little. The whole time he was in a hurry to get back to his paper.

So in the end Kasey had a pretty stressful day with a wife who keep interrupting his study time, to make him celebrate his birthday. We had our cupcakes and I sang happy birthday and we watched Modern Family. I think it was a pretty memorial birthday, at least it was for me. 

Birthday Chain

On Thursdays I watch coach Brownlee's kids. He has two adorable kids, that I cant wait to hang out with once a week. Jackson is their oldest he is everything gentleman. He always opens my door says please and thank you. He is also so sweet to his little sister. Norah is the youngest she will tell you herself that she is a teenager in a little girls body. ( do you think her parents tell her that? ) I happen to believe it. We have a lot of fun on Thursdays or at least I do.



This week Norah found out that Kasey's Birthday was coming up so she just knew that she had to do something for him. At first she wanted to give him ballet lessons but after talking about it we decided that maybe that was not the best idea. So we decided to settle on a Birthday countdown chain. She got really into decorating it and had to write the happy birthday part. Notice it is decorated in baseballs (because she just knows he loves baseball) and Halloween stamps (because its October) I think it turned out pretty cute and I am sure Kasey will have so much fun ripping a ring off everyday.

Jalapeno to the face!

Conference weekend always means 2 things to me growing up 1. Staying in pajamas all day to watch conference and 2. eat delicious food. So to keep the traditions alive I wanted to make something yummy for dinner. Kasey was having a bad day, our alarm clock went nuts and went off at the wrong time, so he was late to practice. Well when someone is late they just send them home and then next practice they have to run a bit. So lets just say he was not too happy. Well I decided to try my hand at enchiladas, of course the recipe had onions and jalapenos in it. I have never made anything with jalapenos so this was all new to me. My poor eyes were about to have the worse night of there lives. I was cutting up the onions and cutting out all the seeds from the jalapeno. My eyes were hurting and without thinking (which is not to rare for me) rubbed my eyes. BIG mistake!! I got a jalapeno seed in my eye. It hurt so bad I could not see, and without thinking my other hand went up to my other eye. So then both my eyes felt like they were on fire! I could not open them. No matter how hard I tried to open my eyes they just would not open they hurt so bad. I was so lucky that Kasey was there I don't know what I would have done without him. He came to my rescue. He led me to the bathroom and was trying to help me rinse them out but they just would not open. So he had to get a bowl of water and I sat in the bathroom dunking my face in water for what felt like forever. Finally I was able to open them and my poor eyes were bright red and swollen! My eyes are still really sore but the good thing is I can see, and dinner was delicious. I took a picture because I was so proud I made it through my trauma and still made this yummy dinner. 

Unexpected Outcome

Out of sheer boredom Breeann and I decided to redo my kitchen table. We thought "oh this will be a fun ONE day project." Well five days later it is dry and ready to be blogged about.  

 I figure this story needed a before and after picture to make it interesting. So here is the before. it is a really cute little table and I did not mind it, but it can be a dangerous thing when two girls are bored. Kasey found that out the hard way.

 On our trip to Lows to get supplies, the man helping us said we could either sand or spray this chemical on the chairs that will lift the stain right off. He made it sound like it would be as easy as wiping it off with a rag. So of course I thought to myself no sanding sweet! We bought the spray, and got the safest kind we could find. (Breeann was worried about cancer) We might have not thought this process out very well, because we were spraying and it was getting everywhere. So we layed garbage bags down. Then we hung them on the walls, but it still was getting eveywhere (okay I know what your thinking, yes it may be chemical getting everywhere in my tiny little kitchen but it was the safe kind, and we opened windows. We are not complete idiots.)

 Well this is the part where Kasey gets home and he being as smart as he is and a little confused as to why we thought our plan would work, kicked us out. So we went to the side walk to spray the rest. I don't think the neighbors liked it that much, but where else would we go. Then Kasey had a second game changing thought. Get Phillips truck and do it in there garage. Perfect! Well long story short the chemical turned into a waxy goo. We had the hardest time getting it off, I asked my mom what to do she asked my brother (who works in a cabinet shop) what to do and then we asked my dad what to do. Breann asked her neighbor what to do and Phillip what to do. And after getting a kinda different answer from all of them, we gave up. We took my dads advice to get the goo off. Which took forever!! and then just decided to paint it even though some of the stain from before was still on there.

 Well we ended up back at step one with just the normal stain on there well some of it anyways. So we decided we were finished being crafty and decided to just paint. It ended up looking pretty cute. Almost like we tried to make it look rustic. It just took forever for it to dry and I think there were a few morning when Kasey woke up with headaches from the stain. (to get it out of Phillips garage I stained some of it in our apartment)

In the end I think Breeann and I decided and was kinda told (by our husbands) that we would lay off the crafty projects for a while. Until we are bored enough to do Breeanns bench. :)



Let the games begin

 I love fall ball! it is actually baseball weather, no winter coats and gloves here. Okay so it was still a little chilly and we were rained on a little but still a lot better than watching games in March.

 Yup thats right Kasey is number 1! I thought I would have to wait to have kids to be that super embarrassing mom in the stands. But I am in luck I can be that super embarrassing wife!

 Kasey right before he hit a home run for me, okay so that did not happen but he still did really well.  

I was in good company at the game, between playing tic tac toe with Norah and having Jackson helping me with my score keeping all at the same time, 14 inning flew by. In the end it was a good game we won against the university of Omaha Nebreaska. Kasey made a lot of really good defensive plays and got on base 2 of the 3 times he was up to bat

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday Kasey! You have always been one of my heros. I love you and hope you have and amazing birthday. I miss you and your adorable little family.

Halloween Blues

What is a girl to do when the she loves Holidays, but the fact that Halloween is coming and she wont get to see her cute nices and nephews makes her so sad? Well I go ahead and buy Halloween decorations! I dont think Kasey will be to happy with me when it is all put up, but come on I dont even get to celebrate, and Christmas seems ages away. Last Halloween was a BUM-MER. I was so sad when no little kids came trick or treating to our apartment, but I think Kasey was right who would go to the poorest neighboorhood in Iowa City to trick or treat? So what is the harm in buying some holdiay fun? I might even try to push it and and try to get Kasey to dress up with me. I dont know if that will happen but wish me luck. I am not going to just sit home and feel sorry for myself this year Halloween her I come Whoot Whoot!

We finally made it!

Iowa City is in the Nauvoo temple district. We were lucky enougth to finally make the 2 hour drive, before school became to busy.

Whoot Whoot Cubbie fan for life!!

 He did it! I officially love baseball.

 Historic Wrigley Field

 The Famous Chicago Dog

I made Kasey wear a cubs shirt.  No Yankee shirts here...

 Of course we had to try Gino's East, the place that started the deep dish.

I had to do something besides baseball, loved downtown shopping/sight seeing.