My Summer & Mein Schatz (My Treasure)

Howdy Y'all!

Well this summer sure has flown by. I can't believe that July is already coming to a close pretty soon. I feel like it was just the beginning of month not to long ago. Though there is that saying out there which states that "Time flies when you're having fun!". Boy, am I learning the truth to that.

Compared to last summer this one rocks! I'm still working constantly and haven't had a break, til now because I'm sick, but it's nothing compared to last year. Last year I worked every morning at the dog kennel Monday thru Saturday til about 10-11am, then once 1pm came around it was back to work for a shift til about 7-8pm at Client Focus. I rarely had time to spend with my friends and family let alone myself. The extra pay was great, but looking at the summer it really wasn't worth it. Now I work every morning at the dog kennel and then pull a couple double shifts here and there, but mostly after 10am the rest of the day is free to me. I love it. Granted normally I fall back asleep pretty hard 'til noon, but hey.

Due to the fact that I'm not working as much, I've gotten the chance to spend time with my friends and family more. My best friends Dan and Jill moved back up to the valley, well 45 min away but its better than an hour and a half to two hours, and I've gotten the chance to see them here and there. Whether it's to help get them settled, taking Jill out to lunch, game night, etc., it's just been so great having them so close. It's going to be really hard to go back to Flagstaff and be the one that's so far away. It's also great to come home and actually see my family. I can actually sit down and have dinners with them again and play games. I miss that a lot when I'm away at school.

Another thing that has made my summer special from the past few is "mein schatz" aka "my treasure" translated from German. I've been together with Justin now almost two months. I know that's not very long, but the time we've spent together as been amazing. I really can't say enough good things about him. No one has made me feel like I'm special and amazing just the way I am in so long.

We've done so many fun and special things together this summer. To list a few: Ice skating (my first time ever & loved it), Bowling, Trips to Sportsman's and Bass Pro (very us), Dancing under the stars in the desert, picnic at Fountain Hills, Justin made me dinner & gave me a surprise necklace, Baptisms at the Temple, Institute together, and many more.

To add on to this list will be going to Escalante, UT this weekend. I'm so excited and have been looking forward to this all summer. We'll be leaving Thursday and going up to spend time with his extended family and celebrating the 24th of July. By talking to Justin it already sounds like him and his family have lots of plans for me. One of the big ones is the Rodeo on Saturday. :) Everyone knows that I'm a sucker for rodeos. Not only will I get to go and see it, but I will also get the chance to be in it. I'm so excited!! Justin and I have been talking about this trip for the past month and can't wait to go.

I wish this summer could last forever so I wouldn't have to go to school and leave him. I'm scared to see what the school semester might bring, but I hope that things will continue to go well and grow between him and I. I guess only time will tell. Having him in my life has been a blessing for sure and I just hope in some way I've been able to be someone special for him like he is for me.

Ich Liebe Mein Schatz!

(I love my treasure!)

Well it's late, I'm sick, and should really get to bed if I'm going to try and get rid of this before I leave Thursday.

Keep Hanging On, and more will come after UT! Wish me Luck!

My Country Boy

Howdy Ya'll!

Well if any of you read my last post you know there's a boy in my life right now. He's not a boy, but a true gentleman. Yes that is him pictured above. Please ignore what I look like, I look awful and ugly, but he looks good cause heck he's just good looking to begin with.

His name is Justin, and he's the country boy type I've always wanted to find. A gentleman but has that rugged side to him as well. He loves to hunt and fish, he doesn't mind that I'm into the PBR or rodeo- infact he likes it as well (maybe not as much as I do, haha), he's hardworking, big family guy, and total sweetheart.

Tonight I got a surprise phone call from him and was invited to spend the evening with his family. His Mom was yelling in the background "I'm having Marie withdraws!". I really like his family. They make me feel very welcomed into their home and we get along great.

When I met up with him, his Mom, and younger brother we decided to go see "Prince of Persia", which actually wasn't that bad. For not knowing what it was about, I really liked it and thought the ending was well done. Plus kudos to Jake for doing all his own stunts because- Wow!!

My favorite part though...being held in Justin's arms and holding his hand. He actually surprised me with putting his arm around me while being there with his Mom and brother but I'm so glad he did. I love being held by him. Things just feel right and that nothing could go wrong.

Afterwards he rode home with me in Buck, and then we got to spend some time with his Mom and visited. The really cute part was when I got to see pictures of Justin when he was little. :) I would of never thought he would let me see, but he didn't mind sharing. Only bad thing is now it's my turn. :S

The worst part though about being together is it's always so hard to say good-bye. He works very early in the morning, earlier than my 6am shift, so we can never really be together that late except on Fridays or Saturdays. I didn't want to leave tonight. I wanted to stay there in his arms and just forget about work.

I don't know what I did to deserve being with someone like him, but man do I feel special. He treats me so well, and I feel like Im the luckiest girl when I'm with him. I've only been gone a couple hours and I already miss him.

I feel truly blessed to have met him, and I hope and pray that things will continue to go well.

Howdy everyone! I know, it's amazing that I'm actually updating. During the school season, if that's what you would call it, things are crazy anymore the closer I get to graduation so I fail at updating. I'm sorry. Hopefully this will make it up to you.

I finished this past semester by passing all my classes- yes even O-Chem (with a B, if I might so add) and raising my GPA by .01. Yes! Haha. It was a difficult semester but I have a feeling next semester will be worse. Though there is a bright side- it should be my last semester. It's taken me forever but I'm finally about to finish school. I can't believe it. I feel kinda left behind because I've had friends finish school and some even get two degrees before me and I'm still trailing along. It's okay though. The end is in sight. I just have to complete my capstone which will be Animal Physiology (w/ its 3 hour lab) and Bio Chem then that diploma will be mine.

As for this summer I'm back home and will be in the valley til the end of August. I'm working at the dog kennel again for a summer job, which although it doesn't pay much I feel so blessed to have the opportunity to be there. It's better than nothing. I thought about having a second job but I decided I wanted a real summer this time. I want to spend time with my family and friends.

Speaking of family, my little bro Jeff graduated this past Thursday! CRAZY! I'm so proud of him. He was so happy that night and it was good to see him and all his friends make it to that special night. As for his future plans, he wants to be Army Strong. I have mix feelings, just cause I don't want to get that dreaded phone call one day. But I know that no one has more heart and knowledge about serving than him. If I was in compact I would want him on my side. I support him all the way in whatever he does. -I'm trying to get him to go running with me. Haha.

There really isn't anything else to update on except one thing.

I've been blessed and lucky to have met one of the sweetest guys I've ever known. I don't know what I have done to know someone like him, but I feel very special. It's funny because everything that happened kinda came out of no where. We knew each other before but never really talked much and hung out. He came home this march from his mission and we started talking here and there and things just blossomed.

We're both kinda new to the whole relationship/dating scene but I like how things are going. I've never been treated so well before. For example, when I'm in his presence I'm not allowed to touch any doors, even if I'm the one driving he has to open my car door. When I'm holding his hand and being held in his arms I feel like everything is okay and nothing can go wrong. I love it.

I just hope and pray that he feels the same way about me. I'm scared that maybe he'll figure out that I'm really not that special and amazing, and there's someone else out there better for him. Cause I feel like I don't deserve him. Like I said, I feel so blessed and lucky. I guess we'll see what happens. I'm keeping my fingers crossed they continue to go well because...

I have never been this happy, and that's the truth. :)

The Perfect Man...

Has anyone ever wondered if the "perfect man" is out there? I'm serious.

I know that there has only been one perfect being on earth and he was a man. But are there any out there that come close?

Most of my friends are married, so I know they found the "perfect man". I look at them and always wondered how did they know their husband was the "perfect man". Did they come up with a list of requirements and he met all of them? Or did he take them by surprise and was nothing like who they thought they would marry?

I've always been told that you meet that special someone when you aren't looking. Which I do believe, it's just hard for me to do. I feel this pressure that I should find this "perfect man" and be with him right now, and I'm not.

For example, I was at an Enrichment night and asked if there were any guys I had an interest in. Naturally there is, but he and I have spoken a whole 2 minutes. He came over to give me a blessing one time, and of course I was in my pjs, hair not done and up in a messy pony tail, and no make up. I doubt he even remembers my name. I see him at church every Sunday and around the apartment complex sometimes and wonder what it would be like to go on a date with him.

I'm one of those that doesn't make the first move, and very shy when it comes to talking to someone I have an interest in. I guess to me I always felt like the guy should ask the girl on a date not how it is today where the girl does. It's not our and shouldn't be our responsibility.

So tell me, how did you find your "perfect man" or if you haven't what do you consider the "perfect man"?

As for myself, this is what I see my "perfect man" to be:

-Priesthood Holder and strong in his faith.

-Loves his family.

-Temple worthy.

-Loves me for who I am and what I stand for.

-Loyal

-Good Listener

-My Best Friend

-Always be there for me, no matter what.

-No matter where he is in the world, he would much rather be with me.

-Has a sense of humor or at least can make me laugh and smile when I'm down.

-Doesn't mind me being a hypochondriac/worry wart about everything, but plays along with it.

-Doesn't mind listening to me talk about the PBR and at least be willing to go to events and rodeos.

If any of you know this person who doesn't mind a country girl, let me know or work your magic.

At times like this I like to blast Michael Buble's song "Haven't Met You Yet", and it helps to give me hope that my "perfect man" is out there right now thinking about me and wondering when he'll meet his "perfect woman".

I don't really know if anyone reads this, but if you have any input you are willing to share, I'm all ears.

Right now the "perfect man" is just a picture on my wall but hopefully he'll be real someday soon.

Keep hanging on, because I know I'm not ready to let go yet.

Thanksgiving

Howdy!

Well this Thanksgiving Break was very busy, but amazing! I had a great time with family and catching up with friends. :)

Here is my family on Thanksgiving. I made them take a picture because we haven't had a family photo together for a while. It took sometime to get a good picture b/c Mom either closed her eyes or Jeff and Dad wouldn't smile.

I love my family- they are a great blessing in my life.

Friday I got to go Black Friday Shopping for the second year with Jill! It was a fun adventure because this year we went shopping down in Tucson. I got lots of good stuff, mostly from Kohls. I would have pictures but its all kinda down in the valley. Although here is a picture of me in my new hat (I'm a hat girl. :) ) and Jill looking at the ads.

I got lots of new clothes- exciting news was none of them were XL, yay!! :) I also was able to get some cute stuff for my Christmas collection. I decided after seeing Jill's amazing Christmas collections that I was going to start my own. I have started collecting western ornaments for a western tree in my future apartment/house (when I'm on my own) and western Santas. I got the cutest Cowboy Santa at Hobby Lobby. Yay!

Saturday I was able to get some new jeans- 3 in total with 2 being Wranglers totaling a whole $27 bucks! Heck ya! Then I took photos for my photography portfolio and hung out with my buddies Cole and Cameron. It was a blast.

Sunday I finally got to relax and enjoy watching the movie "Fred Claus" with my family.

This weekend went way too fast, but I technically only have like six days of actual classes left so I'll be home soon, and this time for a month. :)

Sorry for the short update, but I got get going on studies and my portfolio.

Keep Hanging On!

Hobbies (Crafts) and Update

Howdy Folks!

Well for this blog post I wanted to share a quick update and also my latest hobbies/crafty/artistic side. :)

Things are going better each day since surgery. Today marks two weeks since the surgery. Tuesday I was finally able to take off the bandages. They are healing well except the one where my Jackson Pratt Drain was. There's still a hole and it hurts. Also my skin is very ripped up and irritated from the tape of the bandages. Hopefully it will be back to normal soon. Here's a picture of after I took off the bandages (it's not gross):

As you can see nothing too bad. I doubt I'll even be able to tell I have scars.

Now for better things to talk about!!!

Ever since I was little I always liked doing art and craft projects. I remember I was enrolled in an after school craft class in elementary. Well in junior high and high school I really wasn't able to be as crafty because of being busy with sports or marching band.

My main two hobbies are: Photography and Scrapbooking. Well after today I was able to add a third! I now know how to Cross Stitch! Yes I know it's not hard, but still. Today I was telling my roomie that I was sick of watching movies and wanted to do something. I still have to take it easy so I can't hike, work out, etc like I want so I'm kinda limited on activities. I told her I wish I had my scrapbook stuff b/c I could of finished so many pages. Well she came out and showed me her talent of cross stitching/embroidery. She said it was very easy, fun, and best of all-cheap! So the two of us went to Joann's and picked me up a couple patterns.

I decided that since I already made a calendar for each of my parents with my photo work (more about that in a bit) that I would cross stitch a towel/table cloth type thing for my grandma. Tonight I was able to finish the first corner. I worked on it from 4:30 this afternoon to about 11:30pm. -Yeah, I know I don't have a life. Here's what the first corner looks like:

You can't really tell from the picture but its a raccoon- he's gray and black with blue eyes. :)

Personally, I think he turned out pretty cute.

Now as for my other two hobbies, this past year I've really been able to work on them and get better. Over the summer is when I really worked on my scrapbooking. I discovered new ways to make the pages more exciting by using ribbon, cut outs, jewels and other things. Before I just used stickers and the pictures. I think my pages are now more fun to look at. My biggest project is my PBR Scrapbook. Here are a few pages from it:

As for my Photography, I've improved immensely I think. I owe that to my photography class and photography professor. This semester I decided to have a fun class and I always love taking pictures so I figured photography was the way to go. I love this class! I have learned so much to improve my photography. I've discovered that my strongest point is scenics. Here are some of my favorites that I took this semester:

I can't wait for the Winter Break so I can go shopping at Hobby Lobby and get more stuff to expand my hobbies. I want a relaxing break where I can just enjoy myself and what I like to do, and scrapbooking, photography, and cross stitching will be included in that.

I wonder what else I can learn to do?!

I hope you enjoyed this post- it was a little different for a change. :)

Keep Holding On!

Sorry For The Hold Up!

Howdy Folks!

Sorry for the hold up, and not updating for a very, very, long time! Then again, I don't think anyone really reads this. But oh well.

Quick Update:

This past summer I was busy working two jobs. In the mornings from about 6am til about 11:30 am I worked at the Holiday Hound House (Dog Kennel). I love that place. There's just something about dogs that can really make your day. The best day was when we had a family of 10, yes I said 10, Mastiffs!!! Omg, I was in love!! My other job was back at Client Focus from 1pm til 7pm. It was really long, tiring, and back with a boss that seemed to hate my guts. Though I did get to meet some neat new people that made me stay sane.

I'm back at NAU. I swear, will I ever graduate? Actually...if everything plays out right, meaning I pass all my classes and get the classes I need, I should graduate a year from this Dec! Woohoo!! Yes I know I am way beyond all my friends, but slow and steady still wins the race. Plus with the economy right now, I'm not in the biggest rush. Plus, I'll still have another year til I'll probably have a job at a Zoo. I wanted to get my certification as a Vet Asst. after graduation. I found an amazing program that I can do from home and they set you up with a job right afterwards. I figured this will add an extra twist to my resume.

Just recently I had to have my first ever surgery and it was to get my gallbladder removed. For the past months have had the worst attacks late at night. I would wake up with my chest hurting so it was hard to breath, my back and shoulders killed, and my stomach felt like it was expanding and going to explode! At first we thought it was because of a medication that I was switched on, but then it happened again one night after I got my old meds back. Two nights later I went to the ER because I still hurt from the recent attack.

The Flagstaff hospital really is amazing. I went into the ER at about 10:30pm and was in a room at 11pm. I had great nurses and the ER doctor was nice. We took an ultra sound and we saw a couple stones. The following day I was set up for a more detailed ultra sound to look at my gallbladder and then a meeting with the surgeon on Tuesday.

My Dad came up Monday night so he could go with me to meet the surgeon. My surgeon was Dr. Huang and he was really nice! He seemed very experience and was really great about answering all my questions. He said it was best to get my gallbladder out because I'm young and healthy. We met with his nurse Tony and my surgery was set up for that Friday!

Thursday night my Mom came up so she could be here with me and take care of me afterwards. The surgery was out patient so I was able to be home Friday afternoon. Surprisingly, I was actually pretty calm the night before and the morning of the surgery. And this is ME we are talking about!! Of course that all changed once we got to the hospital. But I had amazing nurses that helped to prep me and then Dr. Huang, the anesthesiologist, and head nurse that were going to be in the OR came to see me and told me everything that would happen and answered questions.

My surgery was right on time at 11:30am, all I remember was going in, getting on the table and then they put a mask on me and I heard "We'll see you after the surgery.." and then next thing I know I was waking up to hearing "You're in recovery." "Marie this Dr. Huang, your surgery was a success and I gave your mom some stones." - I asked him if I could keep a couple of them. Haha.

Some of my stones- this is only 1/20th of what was inside me!

I guess I was out by 12:30pm which was really quick. The recovery nurses were great specially nice I was in a lot more pain then I expected to be in. I did good and I was out of the hospital at about 2:30-3pm.

Last weekend it was all just laying down, trying to walk and then a little more distance each day, and emptying my Jackson Pratt Drain. Yeah I had a drain in me that collected fluids that I had to monitor. I had it removed this past Tuesday and I will say right now I do not recommend nor do I ever want to go through that again. My body when into immediate shock. There was like 2 feet of tubing inside of me and when he was pulling it out I swear it felt like all my organs were moving. I wasn't laying down, but sitting up and had no meds to num it.

My bandages and Jackson Pratt Drain

I've been doing well. I kinda did too much this week and my body wasn't scared to tell me. I never knew that it would take so much time and it would hurt so much. But I'm getting better each day. I'm so grateful for everyone that helped me through this and who continue to help support me through this. Tuesday I get to take my bandages off which will be nice cause the tape is driving me nuts.

Other then that not much else is going on with me. Just recovering. Oh and Kody Lostroh won the PBR 2009 World Champ!!! I'm so happy and proud of him!! He's amazing and totally deserved it this year. :)

Kody and I in 2008. He was so nice that he hopped the fence so I could get a picture with him!

Thanks for reading, and keep holding on!