On October 20th 2008 after weeks of texting and phone calls lasting all night Nick and I went on our first date. Nick picked me up and we went Gurus Cafe in Provo. Neither of us had been there before. I hadn't been feeling well so I didn't eat much of my dinner. And Nick noticed and said he was disappointed because he thought Gurus was supposed to be good and he didn't like it (years later the truth came out that he actually did like it but he said that because he thought I didn't like it). After dinner we went to Wal-Mart where Nick bought me Candyland. Then we went to the park and battled it out with Candyland. I beat him 3 out of 3 times. Since I won he had to make me dinner the next night (everytime we play Candyland we play best out of 3 and we actually keep a tally of wins for each of us a tradition that started on our first date). After Candyland we went to his apartment and watched a movie. And well folkes that was a first date.
Our first anniversary we went back to Gurus for dinner. And then the night Nick proposed we also had dinner at Gurus. We hadn't really been back since. Well this October 20th. Nick got sick. We were going to go to The Red Iguana but instead our night was spent at home. With me taking care of Nick and praying he wouldn't throw up on me. So romantic I know. Nick felt terrible. He kept saying how he ruined the night etc. But he really gave more time to think of what I wanted to do and it gave me and idea...
So the next day Nick felt much better. So he picked me up from work and he headed to Provo. We went and we ate at Gurus for dinner. I got a really yummy wrap. And Nick got fish tacos. Then we headed to the park to play some go old fashion Candyland. I won 2 out of 3. So right now we are tied with our on going tally. After Candyland we headed back to Murray. I can't believe I didn't take any pictures. Oh well.
But doesn't time just fly by? I love looking back on our first few dates. Trying to impress each other and getting to know each other. I loved every minute. Its so crazy to look back at us then with so much hope for the future and wonder. And looking at us now with all our goals coming into focus and yet still so much hope for the future.
Tuesday, October 28, 2014
Friday, October 24, 2014
Pennsylvania
So once we landed in Philadelphia we headed right to the Liberty Bell we didn't want to waste any time. It was pretty cool seeing it in person. We then continued to walk around all of historic downtown Philadelphia. We saw tons of historical sights. Just to name a few... we saw where the Declaration of Independence was signed (Independence Hall). We saw Benjamin Franklins house. Well where it was since it got burned down. But the gates and cobble stone road to his house is still there. We also saw his grave. We saw where the Continental Congress met. And the tomb of the Unknown Soldier. I loved it!! After we were done exploring historic Philadelphia we just started to walk around all over Philadelphia. Of course we got some Birch Beer. Nick loves that stuff and it's a Pennsylvania thing so of course we drank a lot of it while we were there. We walked past tons of Pretzel and Cheesesteak trucks. My boss went to school in Pennsylvania so he told us you have to get their soft pretzels. So we did. They were pretty good.
But once we were all walked out we headed for Geno's Steaks and Pat's King of Steaks. Pat's is where the Philly Cheesesteak were born. So we had to go to the Original. And Geno's is also a famous place to get cheesesteaks and its Pat's rival. So we went to both places. Oh my gosh... they were amazing. I personally loved Geno's. Something about it. So good. Nick liked the meat better at Pat's but everything else he liked better at Geno's. But honestly you can't go wrong with either place. After dinner we headed to our hotel in Danville.
We pull into Danville and right away I think to myself, " I can't live here". It was so dark. There were no lights. There were two hotels and McDonalds and one other restaurant and a gas station. I thought to myself, "This has serial killer written all over it." Nick and I wanted to get some drinks for the next couple of days. Our two options were McDonalds or the one gas station. We went to the gas station. We were checking out and Nick said to the cashier, "There isn't much to Danville is there." Her response, "No its a small town. But Danville is another 4 miles out." That gave me some hope. Maybe there is more to this town since we are not actually in it yet.
The next morning we woke up and headed to Gettysburg. And this is the day I fell in love with Pennsylvania. Don't get me wrong I loved Philadelphia. Seriously. I loved it. But on our way to and from Gettysburg I got to see Pennsylvania. Not just Philly. And I loved it... it was like the cherry on top. It is so beautiful there. Trees everywhere! And all the trees were changing colors. I couldn't believe how pretty it was.
Then there is Gettysburg. It was so awesome. We ran into a couple Senior missionary couples. They are so sweet. And Gettysburg is a whole different experience. It was so humbling. And so sad thinking about all the lives that were lost. We did the driving tour. We saw where every little battle took place. We saw where it all began. I loved it because I learned so much and it reminded me of things I had forgotten. We got to see where President Lincoln gave the Gettysburg address. And seeing all those graves just broke my heart. After a long day we headed back to Danville. And this is where Nick found out he got into National.
We explored Danville a little more. And let me tell you... it was nothing like the creepy serial killer town that I had thought. They have more than 2 places to eat. Maybe another gas station. Its still a small town. But its not dead and creepy like I had thought. Its actually really cute and charming. Then the next day we woke up bright and early. Nick headed to his interview at the hospital. And I waited in the hospital cafeteria and read my book. Yeah I could have explored and junk. But I really didn't want to get lost or get in an accident since my name wasn't on the rental car information ha. Plus I really wanted to read my book. After Nicks interview we explored Danville a little more. Then we head back to Philly.
Our last night in Pennsylvania was pretty chill. We just went to Hard Rock of course. Then back to the hotel. We were beat. And had a early flight. Our hotel was way nice by the way. I was kind of sad we only spent one night there. But overall... our trip was a success. And I am pretty excited to move to Danville if thats where we end up.
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| Continental Congress meeting place |
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| Look how cute! |
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| Benjamin Franklins house |
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| Independence Hall |
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| Unknown Soldier Tomb |
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| Quakers meeting place |
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| Best Cheesesteak ever! |
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| Geno's |
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| Pat's |
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| Exploring Philly |
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| New Jersey is behind us |
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| The battle of Gettysburg started here |
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| Gettysburg address was given here |
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| Danville |
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| Danville |
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| More Danville |
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| Hard Rock Philly |
Tuesday, October 21, 2014
Flight to Pennsylvania
Our flight to Philadelphia was scheduled to leave Saturday morning at 10:50. We picked this flight because Nick worked Friday night and doesn't get home until 8. That gave us just enough time to hurry to the airport. And it was a direct flight so we would get to Philly by 2:30. We were happy that we found such a perfect flight... so Saturday morning comes. And I am getting ready its about 7:30 am and I thought, "I wonder how long our flight is? And I wonder if I can check us in now so we don't have to do that when we get there?" So I get online to go figure all that out. Thats when I see, "Oh my gosh our flight leaves at 8:10 and is boarding in 15 min. I text Nick saying, " I call me!! Our flight leaves at 8:10." Nick calls and swears I am looking at something wrong. He then realizes I am right and tells me to call the airlines and see what's going on. So I call them. I told them there is no way we would have booked a 8:00 flight since Nick is still at work. They tell me that since we went through a 3rd party aka priceline. That sometimes there are computer glitches and they will put you on the wrong flight etc. They also tell me that if we get to the airport before 10:00 that they can put us on the next available flight for free.
So we rush to the airport. The agent put us on the next flight which wasn't until 1:00 with a 40 min layover in Arizona. The agent told us that as long as the flight to Arizona was on time we should be able to make our connecting flight. We wouldn't get to Philly until 10:00pm now. But we were ok with that. We had things we could still do at that time. So 1:00 comes and we board our flight. It was going to be a quick 1 hour 15 minuteish flight. Well we passed the Grand Canyon. And we noticed we were flying in circles. The pilot gets on and tells us that there is lightning and thunder at the airport so they are unable to land. So we will just hang out in the air until we can land. After just going in circles for about an hour the pilot gets on again to inform us we are running out of gas. So we had to go to a different airport and refuel.
We land at the airport and wait our turn to refuel. The guy next to us calls the airlines to get on the red eye flight to Philly. He tells us to do the same. So we call. He gets on no problem. We didn't. The next open flight we got on left in the morning at 7:30 am. But we are also put on the stand by for the red eye. So now we are just sitting on the tarmac. And sitting and sitting. Finally they let us get off and walk around. So we do that for a hour. Then on the plane we go again. And more waiting on the tarmac. Finally we get back in the air. And then we had to wait our turn to land. We got off the plane in Phoenix at 8:30 pm. And we are starving. The flight attendants only gave us 2 cookies and a few drinks. And all the restaurants are closed!! Vending machine food for dinner it is. We find out we are 17 and 18 in line for stand by. So getting on that flight is not going to happen. At this point we decide we do not want to pay for a hotel since we are paying for one in Philly that we are not using since we were stuck in Arizona. So we slept in the airport.
Of course this is the one time we are lacking in what we brought in our carry ons. Nick has his suite. And I have an extra shirt for both of us and our camera. Usually we have extra clothes and a brush etc. Nope we didn't have room this time. So we try and sleep. Nick slept pretty good. I however was freezing and even used Nicks suit bag for a blanket so I couldn't sleep very well.
Finally morning comes and its time to board our flight. We got on nervous as heck that something was going to go wrong. But nothing did. We finally landed in Philadelphia at 2:30 pm. 24 hours later than we originally planned.
At the beginning of our adventure we were both annoyed and frustrated. But we decided it wasn't going to ruin our trip. And we both thought it was funny that we spent the night sleeping on the benches in the airport. And everything turned out fine. We still got to see everything we wanted to see and do everything we wanted to do.
So we rush to the airport. The agent put us on the next flight which wasn't until 1:00 with a 40 min layover in Arizona. The agent told us that as long as the flight to Arizona was on time we should be able to make our connecting flight. We wouldn't get to Philly until 10:00pm now. But we were ok with that. We had things we could still do at that time. So 1:00 comes and we board our flight. It was going to be a quick 1 hour 15 minuteish flight. Well we passed the Grand Canyon. And we noticed we were flying in circles. The pilot gets on and tells us that there is lightning and thunder at the airport so they are unable to land. So we will just hang out in the air until we can land. After just going in circles for about an hour the pilot gets on again to inform us we are running out of gas. So we had to go to a different airport and refuel.
We land at the airport and wait our turn to refuel. The guy next to us calls the airlines to get on the red eye flight to Philly. He tells us to do the same. So we call. He gets on no problem. We didn't. The next open flight we got on left in the morning at 7:30 am. But we are also put on the stand by for the red eye. So now we are just sitting on the tarmac. And sitting and sitting. Finally they let us get off and walk around. So we do that for a hour. Then on the plane we go again. And more waiting on the tarmac. Finally we get back in the air. And then we had to wait our turn to land. We got off the plane in Phoenix at 8:30 pm. And we are starving. The flight attendants only gave us 2 cookies and a few drinks. And all the restaurants are closed!! Vending machine food for dinner it is. We find out we are 17 and 18 in line for stand by. So getting on that flight is not going to happen. At this point we decide we do not want to pay for a hotel since we are paying for one in Philly that we are not using since we were stuck in Arizona. So we slept in the airport.
Of course this is the one time we are lacking in what we brought in our carry ons. Nick has his suite. And I have an extra shirt for both of us and our camera. Usually we have extra clothes and a brush etc. Nope we didn't have room this time. So we try and sleep. Nick slept pretty good. I however was freezing and even used Nicks suit bag for a blanket so I couldn't sleep very well.
Finally morning comes and its time to board our flight. We got on nervous as heck that something was going to go wrong. But nothing did. We finally landed in Philadelphia at 2:30 pm. 24 hours later than we originally planned.
At the beginning of our adventure we were both annoyed and frustrated. But we decided it wasn't going to ruin our trip. And we both thought it was funny that we spent the night sleeping on the benches in the airport. And everything turned out fine. We still got to see everything we wanted to see and do everything we wanted to do.
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| Our little Sleeping area |
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| Nick and his bed for the night |
Tuesday, October 7, 2014
Change.
Your life does not get better by chance. It gets better with change.-- Jim Rohn
Where to begin... you might remember this post about answered prayers or maybe this post about Nicks new job. Well... this summerish Nick started to apply to CRNA schools. Every day his top schools are changing. He applied to 4 and is planning on applying to about 3 more within the next couple months. Getting everything ready for him to apply was stressful! We were constantly doing something for his applications. But we finally sent them in and started the waiting game. Luckily we were busy with getting everything ready for our trip to the Dominican and everything else.
With our trip approaching we were getting excited to go and relax. One day at work I get a text from Nick saying he got an interview with National University in Fresno CA. We were super excited. But National wasn't Nicks first, second, or even third choice. As he looked more into it he started to like it more. But thats when he found out the acceptance rate is less than 10%. So he kept telling himself that it would be practice interview because there is no way he would get in. A few days or weeks later I got another text from Nick saying he got another interview at Bloomsburg University in PA. Just a few days after his interview in California. The more he looked into this school the more he liked. But then he saw the acceptance rate and felt discouraged. And basically said it would be more practice. So fast forward more days or weeks and Nick texts me and tells me he has an interview at Clarkson College in Nebraska. We couldn't believe it! We just hoped he would get into one of the three.
So Nick goes off to his first interview in Fresno. He flew in went to the 6 hour interview then flew home. Exciting huh? He thought it went ok. He was pretty impressed with the program and school. There a few things he didn't love about the program. But no program is perfect. So whatever. They told him that he would know if he got accepted in about 6 weeks. A current student told him that they will call you within a few days if they really like you because that means they really want you to go to their school etc. So then we both headed to Pennsylvania ( that will be a different post). We were driving back to our hotel from Gettysburg the day before Nicks interview. When Nicks phone rings. I look and it said it was from California. Right then I knew. I said to him, "Its from California!" I hurried and handed him the phone. As he is talking he looks at me and gives me thumbs up. After a while he hangs up and says, "Well I got into National." We were so excited. And we felt relief. But I also felt stress because that program starts in April!
So he goes to his interview for Bloomsburg. He is way impressed with the school and the program. It is a little longer than other programs which is a pro and a con. And we both liked the location. They tell him he will know if he gets accepted in about 2 weeks. So the next day we got on our flight and head home. We land in Arizona for a quick layover. And Nick has a voicemail from Bloomsburg offering him a spot in their program!!! We were thrilled.
As of right now Nick hasn't decided if he will be going to his other interview. He still plans on applying to a few more schools for more options and such. But he also has eliminated a school he has already applied to. Every day his mind changes about if he doesn't get into anywhere else where he would want to go. Or if he should even continue applying. Some days he is all about Fresno. And then others he is all about Danville. But most days it is Danville.... so as of right now come August we will be moving to Pennsylvania for at least 3 years.
We are pretty excited about our new adventure coming up. I have started a list of things we need to get done before we move since that could be anywhere from March to August. It is kind of scary since all I know is Utah. But it is also way exciting and it will be so worth it in the end. It is an answer to our prayers.
Side story: I just love Andy, Jenny, and their girls. We went over to their house to help them with a few things. I was talking to Bailey about us moving. And I told her that her and her sisters need to start saving their money to come and visit us. Bailey got a huge smile on her face and put her finger in the air (like she had a brilliant idea) and said all excitedly, "I have the perfect jar!" She took me upstairs to jar that she had in her room. She picks it up and says, "Its perfect! Its even empty." So we made a sign for it and got it all ready for her to start saving up money. She already has a few coins in it.
Where to begin... you might remember this post about answered prayers or maybe this post about Nicks new job. Well... this summerish Nick started to apply to CRNA schools. Every day his top schools are changing. He applied to 4 and is planning on applying to about 3 more within the next couple months. Getting everything ready for him to apply was stressful! We were constantly doing something for his applications. But we finally sent them in and started the waiting game. Luckily we were busy with getting everything ready for our trip to the Dominican and everything else.
With our trip approaching we were getting excited to go and relax. One day at work I get a text from Nick saying he got an interview with National University in Fresno CA. We were super excited. But National wasn't Nicks first, second, or even third choice. As he looked more into it he started to like it more. But thats when he found out the acceptance rate is less than 10%. So he kept telling himself that it would be practice interview because there is no way he would get in. A few days or weeks later I got another text from Nick saying he got another interview at Bloomsburg University in PA. Just a few days after his interview in California. The more he looked into this school the more he liked. But then he saw the acceptance rate and felt discouraged. And basically said it would be more practice. So fast forward more days or weeks and Nick texts me and tells me he has an interview at Clarkson College in Nebraska. We couldn't believe it! We just hoped he would get into one of the three.
So Nick goes off to his first interview in Fresno. He flew in went to the 6 hour interview then flew home. Exciting huh? He thought it went ok. He was pretty impressed with the program and school. There a few things he didn't love about the program. But no program is perfect. So whatever. They told him that he would know if he got accepted in about 6 weeks. A current student told him that they will call you within a few days if they really like you because that means they really want you to go to their school etc. So then we both headed to Pennsylvania ( that will be a different post). We were driving back to our hotel from Gettysburg the day before Nicks interview. When Nicks phone rings. I look and it said it was from California. Right then I knew. I said to him, "Its from California!" I hurried and handed him the phone. As he is talking he looks at me and gives me thumbs up. After a while he hangs up and says, "Well I got into National." We were so excited. And we felt relief. But I also felt stress because that program starts in April!
So he goes to his interview for Bloomsburg. He is way impressed with the school and the program. It is a little longer than other programs which is a pro and a con. And we both liked the location. They tell him he will know if he gets accepted in about 2 weeks. So the next day we got on our flight and head home. We land in Arizona for a quick layover. And Nick has a voicemail from Bloomsburg offering him a spot in their program!!! We were thrilled.
As of right now Nick hasn't decided if he will be going to his other interview. He still plans on applying to a few more schools for more options and such. But he also has eliminated a school he has already applied to. Every day his mind changes about if he doesn't get into anywhere else where he would want to go. Or if he should even continue applying. Some days he is all about Fresno. And then others he is all about Danville. But most days it is Danville.... so as of right now come August we will be moving to Pennsylvania for at least 3 years.
We are pretty excited about our new adventure coming up. I have started a list of things we need to get done before we move since that could be anywhere from March to August. It is kind of scary since all I know is Utah. But it is also way exciting and it will be so worth it in the end. It is an answer to our prayers.
Side story: I just love Andy, Jenny, and their girls. We went over to their house to help them with a few things. I was talking to Bailey about us moving. And I told her that her and her sisters need to start saving their money to come and visit us. Bailey got a huge smile on her face and put her finger in the air (like she had a brilliant idea) and said all excitedly, "I have the perfect jar!" She took me upstairs to jar that she had in her room. She picks it up and says, "Its perfect! Its even empty." So we made a sign for it and got it all ready for her to start saving up money. She already has a few coins in it.
Wednesday, October 1, 2014
The Dominican Republic.
This year for mine and Nicks vacation we decided to go to the Dominican Republic. We loved it!!! We did an all inclusive resort and it was amazing. We walked into the the resort and right away the greeted us and gave us a really good mango drink. We explored the resort a little. Then went and took a nap. We were pretty tired from the traveling.
The whole week was spent relaxing by the beach and pool. With endless drinks and good food. Every meal we had fresh Mangos. It was heaven. I finished my book within two days by the pool. I should have brought more than one book. On Nicks birthday we did a day trip to Santo Domingo. It was pretty awesome. We learned so much about Christopher Columbus. We got to see were his son lived. And were it is rumored where Christopher Columbus was buried. The city is full of so much history it was awesome. We also ran into the Hard Rock. We didn't even mean to. Once we got back from Santo Domingo we had dinner at one of the resorts restaurants. Then we had cheesecake and chocolate cake for Nicks birthday.
Nick also got to go scuba diving one day. He has been wanting to go for so long. And he finally went. He loved it. He met and became friends with an Argentine couple while scuba diving. That were kind enough to take pictures for him. While he was out scuba diving I just hung out by the pool and had drink after drink brought to me.
Coming home was so hard. It was so nice just relaxing and not worrying about anything. Just laying out and being waited on without a care in the world is just what we needed.
The whole week was spent relaxing by the beach and pool. With endless drinks and good food. Every meal we had fresh Mangos. It was heaven. I finished my book within two days by the pool. I should have brought more than one book. On Nicks birthday we did a day trip to Santo Domingo. It was pretty awesome. We learned so much about Christopher Columbus. We got to see were his son lived. And were it is rumored where Christopher Columbus was buried. The city is full of so much history it was awesome. We also ran into the Hard Rock. We didn't even mean to. Once we got back from Santo Domingo we had dinner at one of the resorts restaurants. Then we had cheesecake and chocolate cake for Nicks birthday.
Nick also got to go scuba diving one day. He has been wanting to go for so long. And he finally went. He loved it. He met and became friends with an Argentine couple while scuba diving. That were kind enough to take pictures for him. While he was out scuba diving I just hung out by the pool and had drink after drink brought to me.
Coming home was so hard. It was so nice just relaxing and not worrying about anything. Just laying out and being waited on without a care in the world is just what we needed.
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| Santo Domingo |
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| Hard Rock Santo Domingo |
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| Oldest Cathedral in the "new world" |
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| Columbus Home |
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| Oldest Street |
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| Hard Rock |
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| The "White House" |
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| Scuba Diving |
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| Birthday Cake |
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| My favorite pool |
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| Another amazing pool |
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| Hard Rock Punta Cana |
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| One of my favorites |
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| Some of our drinks |
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