Moving Out

Last week I started really feeling like I didn't belong at home anymore. I felt out of place and disconnected. It was not because do not love my family and want to spend time with them, I just didn't feel like that is where I needed to be.

I casually looked at some ads on KSL for apartments even though I was pretty doubtful I would find any good ones especially one in a complex I really wanted to move into. To my amazement, I found a girl selling her contract to the complex I was hoping to move into. She had never moved in because the day she was supposed to move in she got a job in Saratoga Springs and decided to live in Lehi instead. I called her up and it just so happens that I was hanging out with my friend who lived in her complex so I was able to go and look at the apartment. It felt so right. 

I went to the office to fill out an application and she said I can sign the contract as soon as I pay the deposit and first and last months rent with the total coming to $622. I honestly did not have the money but I knew with a calm assurance that it would be okay and somehow I would have the money. I told her I should be able to pay it on Tuesday (which would be the earliest I could move in if I paid the money), not knowing how I would come up with the money. Looking at my finances over and over again it looked like I wouldn't be able to. Just in the last couple weeks I have had to put $1,500 into my car in order for it to be safe to drive. I also have to pay more money to UVU because I dropped two of my classes that were paid in part by grant money. 

The next day my mom and I had a yard sale. We had a prayer together that we would be able to make the money necessary for me to move out. Miracle of Miracles we did! In big part because my mom was also very gracious and gave me her portion of the yard sale money. I am truly grateful that she is so giving. I know that it was a blessing to have been able to sell so much I also was able to sell my bed and bed frame which was a nice chunk of money. 

So...I am moving out!! I can move into the apartment on Tuesday.  I am so excited for this new chapter in my life but I am still a bit nervous being thrown into a single atmosphere again.  I know without a doubt that this is where the Lord wants me to be and because of that he will help me and bless me through anything I go through. 

So here is to a new beginning! 

Fall Lament

I logged onto Facebook and Instagram to realize that is is officially the first day of Autumn.  Friends posted beautiful pictures of the mountains back in Utah changing colors.  Some pictures depicted fall clothing, bundled up in beautiful sweaters with leggings and boots.  Others talked about picking apples at an orchard.  Another posted pictures of a pumpkin patch.  It made me miss fall.  Badly.

Now don't get me wrong, I adore Florida.  I really do.  I love the humidity breathing on my neck, the sun shining on my face, and knowing that there is a beach not so far away.  I love it.  I love the fact that I won't have to scrap my car of ice during the winter, or slip and slide while the roads are icy.  Florida is also beautiful with its palm trees and greenery.  It is gorgeous here.  But I am a fall girl.  Fall is my favorite of seasons, and I find myself wishing the air would be crisp and that the leaves would turn colors.  Then it can go straight on back to being beautiful fall weather.  Oh, I miss the fall.  I really, really do.

I find myself looking at the calendar, and immediately going to my closet to pick my best chunky cardigan, layered among cute tees and tanks.  I grab my tights and find myself reaching for my scarf and boots, only to remember that I do not have fall weather.

I miss corn mazes, and crisp nights wrapped up with hot chocolate and a blanket.  I miss driving up the mountains and seeing the beautiful array of colors.  I miss bundling up and finding new ways to layer clothing.  I miss everything about Fall.  My heart is yearning for it.


Florida, I love you very much, but can you please, just maybe consider fall for a short while? Pretty please?

I survived today.

This is my before and after shot of the day.  Lovely, eh?

Today was a great day.  No complaints.  But I just want to relax.

Things on my mind:

1) I want to go brew some sleepy time tea with some popcorn, while curled up with a good book.

2) I'm feeling crafty...and lazy.  Somehow, I think the laziness will unfortunately win for now.  But I do want to craft soon.

3) My work rocks.  I'm in love.

4) My husband rocks. I'm in love.

5) The beach.  I miss you.  You are so close, yet feel so far.  Let's play soon?

P. S.  I love how Caitlin writes these thought provoking posts, and here I am...rambling about nothing in particular.  I'm lame like that.

Self-Esteem

Self Esteem is something that everyone struggles with. I know I do.  I have struggled with knowing who I am and who I want to become. With school starting and with the changes that these last couple of months has brought in my life, I have reflected on my self worth.

Am I good enough? 

I keep learning the answers to questions like this over and over again. 

It is a part of all of us to ask questions such as this and Satan wants us to believe that we are not good enough and that we will never be. 

Such lies. 

Although the opposite is true to. He can lead us to believe that we are too good and that we are above everyone else. 

Pride. 

Which is just as bad.

So how can we find true self esteem? 

I have found that by relying on the Lord, praying, studying the scriptures and by striving to keep the commandments I have found out who I really am.

I am a Daughter of God. 

He loves me. 

He hears me and cares for me. 

He has a plan for me. 

I know that my Heavenly Father will help me individually with whatever I am in need of. No matter how big or small he always answers my prayers. Here is a video that I watched today that explains the worth of an individual beautifully. 

So cheer up and know that someone knows who you really are and it is so much greater than you can ever imagine.

To learn more about how I have come to know about who I am visit: Mormon.org

Whirlwind

Wow.  Well, it has been one whirlwind of a ride for about a month now.  Let me explain to you the chain of events.  Ahem:

July 13th: I get a job.  It was a job we weren't really expecting to get, but nevertheless, we did, and we feel great about it.  So after just a few days of panic while on our Florida vacation, we decide to move forward with the move and get things in order.  Starting date for the job is August 13th, about 4 weeks.

July 17th: I'm still on vacation in Florida, but call in my two weeks notice.  I do a little dance of victory, excited to move to the next chapter of my life.

July 19th: We return to Utah.  Must survive the next few weeks ahead.

July 30th: We FINALLY get things worked out for a new car! Introducing our Honda Element, Bigger Red!

Isn't she a beauty?

July 31st: Ryan and I finish our last day of employment.  Celebration dance!

A sign my little sister Callie made to celebrate my last day of employment!

August 1st-5th: We go on our last "hurrah" with Utah friends to St. George.  Oh, also Las Vegas.  Oh, and then also California.  We got to see cool tanks in California.  We come back on August 5th.  (Jammed pack, eh?)  But it was a blast.

Tanks are cool!

August 6th: The fun begins.  Packing.  Lots of it.  Too much of it.  So we see a few friends for the last time.

August 7th: More packing.  It is beginning to become overwhelming...but packing it is.  We also had lunch with my parents and had a few friends come over to visit while we pack and pack and pack and pack and pack...Our plan to leave for Florida is August 8th.  The next day.

Thank goodness for Bigger Red.  She holds a lot.

Early morning, around 2:00 a.m. August 8th: I break down.  I am exhausted and we have so much stuff. Ryan comforts me and suggests that perhaps we should take the extra day to pack and clean and unwind a bit, then move on the 9th.  After some hesitation, I decide it is the best thing to do.

August 8th during the day: We slept in, we relaxed, we got things done, PERFECT.  It was exactly what we needed, or I needed.  Low stress, and able to get everything done while being well rested for the adventure that was to take 3 days.

August 9th: We leave!! Caitlin comes with us to help with driving and to experience the beauty of Florida.

August 9th-11th: Travel, travel, travel.  We were very lucky to have family and friends along our route to Florida to house us for both nights of traveling.  We first stopped in Omaha, Nebraska at Ryan's Aunt and Uncle's and the next night in Atlanta, Georgia at Ryan's old time friend's place.  It was so wonderful.

An exhausted traveler.

St. Louis, Missouri's Famous Arch.

Late night August 11th: We arrive at last! It is late, and we have early morning church.  Good night!

August 12th: Early morning church, the thunderstorm cancels our beach plans, dinner night at Ryan's sister's place, and a bit of relaxation.

August 13-17th: My training at my new job begins.  It. Is. Awesome!  Seriously...I can't believe I have this job.  I'm feeling pretty blessed.  Did I also mention the free house we have? Ryan's parents are currently in Jacksonville for a promotion, and they left their house with the intention to move back in a few years after Ryan's dad retires.  So free house to ourselves.  Pretty lucky, eh?  Every night during this week we go do something fun with Caitlin to let her experience Florida.  Needless to say, I have been exhausted all week.

At Downtown Disney

Visiting the Ghirardelli Ice Cream shop at Downtown Disney.

Sunset at Siesta Key, Beach.  Gorgeous.

August 18th: FINALLY.  A chance to relax, unpack, clean, get things down, blog, etc.  It has been wonderful.  Ryan also started his job today.  Next week should be a bit slower paced.  But we'll see.  But this is the new chapter of our lives, and we are excited to see all the adventures ahead!

Saturday Night Surprises

Caitlin and I played this past Saturday.  We didn't have much planned: Shop here a little, shop there a little, return an item, you know.  Pretty boring.  So we were pleasantly surprised when we happened upon a free, outdoor concert down at the Riverwoods in Utah.

 

 

They had 3 local bands:

Blue Aces: Three 16 year old girls and a 14 year old girl on the drums provided quite the amazing experience! We were rather impressed, especially for their age, and their amazing energy and stage presence!  We secretly hoped that they would win.

The New Electric Sound: There music was fun and energetic, but it felt similar to the Neon Trees.  We didn't care too much for the voice of the operation, but it was fun all the same.  We felt them to be the lesser of the three bands.  However, they took away the first prize of a thousand dollars.  We were a bit disappointed at that.  But they were still fun, I suppose.  Judge for yourself!

D'if:  Similar to the Postal Service.  They had a great sound and was very enjoyable to listen to.  We liked them a lot and would have been happy if they took first.

Meanwhile, as we listened to the bands, we got FREE chalk!

It is for their upcoming event in September, "Chalk the Block".  So of COURSE, we immediately had to chalk it up.  Pronto.  Besides, I won't be in Utah in September.

 

Free chalk, free music, great company....Seriously...All the night needed was a snow cone shack just behind us.  Then it would have been perfect.  

Oh, and check out the sunset:

Gorgeous, eh?  It was quite the fabulous evening.  Now, for picture overload:

This is Erin and Caitlin, signing off! Happy day to you, good person!

Car Shopping is Haarrddd....

Ryan and I are in the market for a car.

But apparently we are in the wrong market for the car that we want.

Introducing, the Honda Element:

It is fast, it is shiny, it has a ton of room.  It's what we want.  But apparently, with all good things, their has been quite the opposition.  

First:  The Honda Element is now an extinct species.  The last model came out last year, 2011, and they are not making any more period.

Second: Apparently, the owners of the remaining species refuse to give up their beloved vehicle, for once you buy an Element, you fall in love, never wanting to part from their side again.  This has made it nearly impossible to find at any dealer.  In fact, we have found 4, which brings us to our third problem.  

Third: There are only 4 Honda Elements within a 100 mile radius for sale at a dealership.  However, at least 2 of those have already sold.  So we have a choice of 2.  One is a great choice, the other, a subpar choice.  But...

Fourth:  The 2 remaining Elements are currently being sold at a HORRIBLE, no good, dealership.  We went in with every intention to buy the great choice of a Honda Element, only to find that they were trying to scam us in every way possible.  (Who decides that optional features are now mandatory and MUST be sold in order to make a so-called profit?  Why does the price of the vehicle seem to keep getting higher the longer we stay there?)  It's a long story, but trust us...It was no bueno.

So we are currently stuck in our car buying situation.  It seems we have no choice but to look for new options.  Le sigh.   I really hate car shopping.

Ryan, sporting the Honda wear while at a Dealership.

Florida Trip!

My weekend in Florida was wonderful!  Here's what happened:

My amazing packing job! *Pats self on the back*

Last day of work before Florida.  I can hardly wait, I am so excited!

Me.  At the airport.  Waiting in Denver for my red eye flight to Miami, THEN Tampa.

Waiting for my brother-in-law to arrive in Tampa.  So we pulled out a board game because we're cool like that.

Pedicure for beach day, compliments of my fabulous Mother-in-Law.

Siesta Key, Beach.  Love.

Got to spend the vacation with the cutest baby ever.  Seriously, she will melt your heart.

Downpour!!

Florida+Rain=Love

We shoot ze guns!!

Admit it.  I look awesome.

Now I shoot ze guns!!

Ryan is the king. Does that automatically make me the queen?

By the way, I had an interview while in Florida.  I totally rocked it.  We are coming to Florida starting August 8th, 2012.  Watch out, Florida.  It's going to be an adventure!

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Less Than Two Weeks...

In just less that two weeks I will be in one of my all-time favorite places.

The place that I dared to try something new.

The place that I left home, and lived in a place far, far from home.  No four hour drives to and from home, but somewhere that I wouldn't be allowed to visit for a few months.

The place that I spent my first Christmas away from home, and you know what? It ended up okay.

The place that I made some of my best friends for life.

The place that I ended a relationship, which opened up other possibilities that I needed for my life.

The place I constantly yearned to return to.

The place that my husband-to-be would live most of his life and would call home.

The place where I was proposed to, and began the great journey of eternity with my love.

The place that feels like home, even though I have never lived there for more than 4 months.

The place that is so close to my heart, and hope to one day return to raise my family.

Florida.

I'll see you oh, so soon Florida.