Tucson

I've been waiting for my camera that I left it at Josh's, but since he missed his flight last week, I have to wait two more weeks, so guess I'll blog with out any new photos. Anyways, I went to Tucson obviously to see Josh, but also to meet with an advisor at the University of Arizona. I am planning on moving back after this semester and when I found out they have my program there I assumed it was meant to be. But after meeting with the advisor I felt very torn. Their program is very different from the one at Idaho State. Some classes would transfer some wouldn't, I'd have to go back and take 2 more semesters of a foreign language, um no thanks, isn't that what a mission is for? You add in the fact that I would possibly not get in state tuition and you're looking at the cost of a new car......per year. So needless to say I felt frustrated, confused, and with out direction after the meeting. Poor Josh had to deal with me stewing about it the rest of the night. Do I move and not finish school, do I stay in Idaho, do I find something else to do? That night when I got home it was still bothering me. I had felt very strongly that Heavenly Father had directed me to the Clinical Laboratory Science program and we had talked about my near future plans in length a few years ago. Soooo, if he knew what was ahead of me why were things not working out the way I thought they would. Now that should have been a clue right there, the way I thought they would,have I learned nothing? I got down on my knees and had another chat with Heavenly Father expressing my frustrations. He assured me that he did in fact know what was in store for me and that I was to continue with the original plan, going to ISU. Of course in my simple little mind that meant I had to return to Idaho State next fall for my last year. I talked to Josh about all of this and although I know he didn't like it he trusted that I had received my answer.

The rest of the weekend was wonderful. I was staying at the Brown's house. Sheri and Brent, whom I love dearly, are the parents of my best friend Matt. I lived with them before I went on my mission. I had really missed them and loved being able to catch up. My favorite part of the weekend was church on Sunday. Josh was called to be the Young Men's President in his ward and it was so cool to be there when he was set apart and to see all the moms tell him how excited they are that he will be working with their sons. I know he will do an amazing job. After church he made some really yummy Pad Thai, it honestly was so good. But sadly our wonderful weekend came to an end and I had to come back to Boise.

Two days later I had an appointment with my advisor at ISU to make sure I was still on track, since it looked like I would be finishing school there. As Sonja and I were talking I mentioned that I was thinking of moving to Arizona. To my amazement she informed me that I could finish the last year in Tucson. What???!!! She said I could watch the lectures online and find a hospital in Tucson to sponsor me, which means they would sign a contract with ISU to teach me all the laboratory skills I would be learning in the labs at ISU. Ha, I'm sure Heavenly Father was chuckling a little at that.

Long story short, still love Josh, Tucson was great, I plan on moving back, and Heavenly Father always has a plan.

Love Him!

This is my favorite person Joshua Todd Martin, I think he is the cat's meow. Lucky for me he thinks I am too. He's in Arizona, I'm in Idaho, so what do you do? Travel, lot's of traveling. In the last month in a half we have been to Utah, North Carolina, and Texas. Next up, Arizona and Idaho. The hometown dates, haha can't wait. I'm in bed sick with a nasty cold, so maybe more details later. But wanted to at least post this. Oh and the fact that we did not meet on the internet if any of you are wondering. We also suck at taking pictures, so we're going to have to take what we can get.

Catch up

I'm sitting in the airport headed for North Caroline. I've got a little time on my hands so I figure, might as well blog. SInce i blogged last my sweet and amazing grandma Jessie passed away. There are not enough words to describe this women. I was lucky enough to go to Nebraska with my parents and say good bye to her in person.

My grandma was the kindest, most loving woman I know. I don't think I ever heard her say a harsh word about anyone. She could just look at you, smile and wink and you knew you were loved. She was strong and faithful. Christ was as much a part of her life as anything else. As she was getting sick and knew she was getting closer to returning to her home in heaven she said to her pastor, "wasn't God good that he let me be healthy long enough to take care of Freddy." My grandfather, her soul mate, past away several months ago and since then she had wanted nothing more than to return to him. I miss my grandma and think about her often. I see her wink in my mind and I can't wait to see her again. I am truly grateful for eternal families and that I have the chance to be with my loving grandma and grandpa again.

The weekend after my grandma's funeral I toured around Colorado with my parents in their RV. We had planned on making a tour of Montana, but since our travels took us elsewhere we decided Colorado would be just as good, and it was. We saw some absolutely beautiful places that we wouldn't have seen otherwise. I fell in love with Colorado Springs and wouldn't mind living there some day. We had so much fun exploring together and catching up. People should travel around in an RV with their parents more often, it's a great way to reconnect.

So time for me to board. Maybe next time I'll tell you why I'm heading to North Carolina. It could be a good story. ;)

I Turned 30 Once.. And Went to Vegas

So back at the end of April, April 29th to be exact, I turned 30. I was actually really looking forward to this milestone. My twenties were fun, definitely some ups and downs, but overall I think they went pretty well. So I am figuring the best is still ahead of me. I still have so much to do and experience how could they not be. I have determined that my twenties were my trial run as an adult. I learned what I like and don't like, who I like and don't like (referring to the opposite sex here) I really learned about myself. Now I get to take all that discovery and enjoy it. Can't wait. I'm only a month and a half in and so far it's great.

For my birthday I went on a belated trip with my stepmom and sister, two of my favorite women. We wanted to wait till I was done with school so that I could relax and we could enjoy being together. So, as soon as the last final was turned in we headed for Vegas. It was so nice to lay by the pool and do nothing else. We planned to see a show or two, but we spent so much time talking at dinner every night we never made it. It was fine by me the company was better anyway, not to mention I've seen most of the shows I would want to see in Vegas already.

My sister's boyfriend watches some show in the History Channel about a pawn shop in Vegas so we made sure we hit that up so we could find a good souvenir for Aaron. We wanted to make the ladies at the store feel important since they aren't part of the show, but have to deal with the crowds so we took pictures with them like they were the real deal, All in all I would give the trip 15 out of 10 stars. We made some fun memories. Love you ladies!!



Turns out we were lazier than the lazy river and just floated in our tubes in the pool. It was a lot less work. Pretty sure I fell asleep at one point face down on my tube. I was definitely darker on the backside that night, oops


The song "Get Low" (I think that's what it's called) was playing in the streets. A crazy, possibly intoxicated women really wanted us to "get low" so she could take our picture. We obliged. She really had a handle on the operations of a camera, eh
I'm not a gamblin woman but I must have had a lucky arm that day, We walked away with $120 big ones. We were pleased.

This delightful hombre made delicious guac at our table, mmmm

Sleep, Study and Repeat

I apologize to anyone that even reads my blog anymore. It is almost always about school. But what can I say, it is my life. It seems to be all I have time for these days.

I managed to get down to Utah for a quick trip to stand by my bestie Brittany for her big day. It was so busy I didn't even have time to take pics, she was beautiful though. We had a dress malfunction after the sealing and her mom and I had to sew her into the dang thing. As mentioned before, worst alteration job ever. I'm not about smearing someone's name all over the internet, but this woman was horrible. If I did remember her name I would mention it just to save any other future brides out there. Thank goodness my mama taught me a thing or two about a needle and thread.

Conference and Easter were great, and the sun is finally starting to make an appearance. I have three weeks of regular classes and than finals and I am starting to FREAK. I feel like I have so much to do and no time to do it. Consequently I find myself at school or the library from sun up to sun down 6 days a week, with little breaks to go to work. Speaking of studying I should get back to it, times a wasting.

May and the fun trips I've got planned can't come soon enough. But in reality I really like studying and learning all that I am. Just wish there was more time to do it.

February

Hmmm, I'm trying to remember what I did in February and it's all a blur. What I do remember is I did lot's of studying, wished for spring to come soon, spent Valentine's Day with my favorite little family (Ben, Becky, Lindsey and Courtin), and went to Utah last weekend. Had a wonderful day with Hailey eating the best sushi I've had in months, lounging on the couch, all topped by her annual dessert party, which was amazing. Todd was not as excited about the spun sugar Hay, guess he's not as sophisticated as us, I thought it was great. One of my really good friends, Brittany, is getting married next month so we had her bridal shower on Saturday followed by the worst dress fitting ever. Seriously how could a woman who alters dresses for a living mess up a dress so badly. I'm hoping the fitting tomorrow goes much better. Anyhooo, that's my month in a post. I am sure the next few months will be very similar until this summer. Can't wait!

The Journey

I have been thinking a bit lately about my life and where I am in this journey. At times a have been very angry, frustrated and confused at the direction my life has taken me and where it has not. Apparently I am a bit more of a control freak than I would like to admit, as I have tried my hardest to go where I thought was best, only to learn I was dead wrong. But I feel I am finally at peace with all of it. So at peace with it that if I am never to get married or have children I will be ok. I realize at reading this some of you may want to say, "Don't worry it will happen" or some such comment. But the reality of it is, we really don't know. I may be blessed with one, both or none of those things. Saying that I will doesn't change anything and really isn't needed. I never know where my journey might take me, but the point is to find joy in where I am. Not lament at what could have been or pine for what may come. I think I have spent too much time over the years doing both. My close friends are aware of the several times relationships have ended quite abruptly and with out any logic leaving me confused. Several of you have probably been more angry than me at times and I love you for that. But in each of those experiences I have learned something new about myself, what I want and so much more. In many cases I discovered the blessings afterward. So maybe there was logic but not the kind we can readily see.

So where am I at in this journey? I am very excited about my studies and where they are taking me. Excited at the possibilities of service even further education would allow. I have so many people who love me and make my day bright. A family that I feel so blessed to be a part of. I get to be aunt to two of the most beautiful and amazing girls in the world. The earth that I live on is so incredibly beautiful. And this should be and is all enough. I'm sure I will still have moments of irritation, but hopefully I will acknowledge them and let them go. I am so aware of my Heavenly Father's love for me and that HE has a very logical plan for all of us. But time is needed to allow it to unfold. I have said this before, but I am so grateful for the times he allows us to struggle, maybe even turn away from him, only to be waiting with open arms.

In the end I want to say that I enjoyed my journey and was aware of all that happened. Not that I was sitting in the corner wishing I could be someone or somewhere else as it all passed me by.