LandLords

So this week we have been dealing with our landlord, it has been so frustrating! They just want to squeeze every last penny out of us! They wanted to charge us a ridiculous fee for something that wasn't even our fault!

We got the notice on our door the other night about this charge, so what did Nathan do? He went to go fight it but the manager had left for the day, and so he ended up spending the rest of the night researching our rights as renters, and re-reading our lease etc. He spend forever looking up how to fight this stupid charge.

When he called the Manager she was not willing to work with him, somehow Nathan worked his magic and she has agreed that if the Power Co. charges us extra on our next bill then she'll drop the charge. Because the power company couldn't come read the meter the day we moved in (he came a week later), she wanted to charge us what she thinks we owe from that week plus an additional fee. It is nuts I tell you!! Nuts!!

Ever since moving in we have not felt welcomed at our apartment, the staff is very rude and I avoid going by the office at all costs. We are wanting to move out, and we haven't even been in our apartment a month yet. Ugh!

Best New Treat!!

Tonight I had a rant about food with Nathan, and being healthy etc. So, when I was craving a s'more at 9:40pm tonight I didn't think it was appropriate for me to make one. Nathan would a. laugh and me and b. tell me how silly I was for my rant earlier.

After having a little battle with myself I decided to have something else and let me tell you it was way better then any s'more!

Glass of milk with cut up banana then I put chunks of gram crackers in the glass. It tasted like banana cream pie!! (which by the way is my favorite pie).

Nathan was skeptical but I gave him a bite an sure enough he agreed. Alas! I have found another healthier alternative for my late night snack cravings. Yum!!

Love

The last couple of days I have had a lot on my mind, especially as I spend each day at home by myself. I have had a lot of time to ponder on many things. Today while on my run I came up with a nice list of things that I love about Nathan. I am hoping that I can express all that I felt. Honestly as I kept coming up with stuff that I just love about Nathan I just started crying. I feel so blessed to have such a wonderful person in my life, and that loves me for who I am.

• I love that no matter how many times I burn or ruin dinner, over melt s'mores, or make mac n' cheese Nathan still asks me to make him dinner, and breakfast. Or how little mustard or honey I put on his sandwiches he continues to ask me to make him food because he loves when I make it. 
• I love that no matter how many times he has to remind me to do something he still is patient enough for me to finally get it done. 
• I love how hard he works. Even though it may feel like we will be students forever at this point, Nathan works so hard to do so well, and to learn everything he can. He has just this curiosity and love for learning new things that is so fun. He is so smart, and really learns things through and through. 
• I love when he is studying for a test or writing a paper he asks to read me his writing or teach me what he's learning. He is so good with words. He really makes all this science mumbo jumbo make sense. He has a way of teaching that is just so fluid and amazing. 
• I love how sincere he is when he does something. 
• I love that he is such a great example to me and to everyone he is around. He does the right thing all the time. Though sometimes it can be frustrating how long it take for him to make a decision, it's always a good one. 
• I love how he makes me  feel. He loves to make me laugh. He is just such a goof! 
• I love when he does silly voices or faces to make me laugh. 
• I love that he loves me. Over the summer he told me that an 8 hour work day is too long to go with out seeing me. He just wants to be with me everyday. I love that he makes me feel wanted and loved. 
• I love it when he cooks. He is so good with mixing flavors it always turns out so well. He throws caution to the wind and does what he wants and sometimes I think he's crazy, it always turns out so yummy. 
• I love when he comes home after a long day and just wants to cuddle. 
• I love when he asks me to go for a walk (even though it's not his favorite he knows it's my favorite thing). 
• I love how he always wins when we play games, except I hate that that means I always loose :) 
• I love how picky he is. It means he really likes his choice when he finally makes it. 
• I love how he lives in the moment and has fun no matter what. 
• I love dancing with him. I love that he twirls me around our living room and holds me close as we dance to many songs. 
• I love that he is so good at finding awesome music to listen to. I don't know how he finds these bands but man they are awesome. 
• No matter how much I hate xbox I do love watching him play. I love when he plays with his brothers. He just has so much fun, and they have a bond that is so awesome. I would rather watch him play and be happy, then sit around watching T.V of any kind. 
• I love that he thinks I am beautiful when I look my worst. Especially that he loves my awful hair. 
• I love that he kisses me goodbye every morning, and kisses me after we pray together, and when he's happy, and when ever I want a kiss. 
• I love the little nudges he gives me while sitting in church for me to scratch his back. It's like he's a little puppy wanting attention. So cute. 
• I love that no matter how much he teases me about wanting a puppy I know he wants one too :) 
• I love how cute he is with kids. I am so excited to be a team teacher in Primary with him. He will be a fun teacher! 
• I love how fun Nathan is! I can't stay in a bad mood long because I just want to be with him and he just can make me happy so quickly. 
• I love how he cares so much. Last week I went for a run and was feeling super home-sick, when I got home he wasn't home and I just started bawling in our room. I had my music in my ears so I didn't hear him come home. He hurried in our room to see if I was okay, I told him how home-sick I was. He was relieved because he was worried I had been attack or something. It was so sweet. He did what he could that say to help me not be home-sick. 
• I love being around Nathan. I feel like I can't get enough of him when he's home. 
• I love how that he is so strong and stands up for what he believes and knows to be true. He is a true leader, and great example. 
• I love when he does things for me, because I know a lot of thought went into it. 
• I love that he can make anything fun. He has a real love for life, and lives to have a good time. 
• I love Everything about Nathan. His amazing blue eyes, and dimples are just big bonuses :) He is so handsome! How did I get so lucky?

I love my Nathan!! :) 

On My Mind

There is so much I'd like to write right now, but the best thing for me to do is to recommend everyone to read last October's General Conference Talk from Elder Anderson. http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2011/10/children?lang=eng . This talk is amazing and all should read it and take the words into their heart and please remember these words when talking to other about their choices. Like my mom always told me "You've got to learn to understand them so you can love them." The same reply stands for understanding where they have come from and where they are going. Life isn't always as you would predict, some get it so easily others don't. So as they pray to understand their circumstances, pray for them as well.

Home Sweet Home

Alrighty, I finally have some pictures for you!!! We are feeling settled in, we only have 6 boxes still packed (although I think we have 10 more coming in the mail :)) Our new apartment has a fitness "center", it's more like a room with squeaky machines and two nice treadmills, a beautiful pool, and it's gated. We are on the North West side of Tucson. Technically we are within the city limits of Marana. It is a newer part of town, newer development. We have a lot of great stores so close! It is a great location! I am very happy with the apartment, ward, and location. Enjoy the pictures (they were the best I could do) :D

Our Beautiful new bedset

My Baby!! Yay!

Giant Bathroom, this does not do justice of how big it really is. 

Extra Storage, I don't know what to do with it all!

New Dining Room Table/Nathan's Desk

More than two people can fit at a time!! Not even all my cupboards are full!!

Nathan's Baby + Unpacked boxes :) 

Couch looks so small in here!

Hope you can get a taste of how big it is. Below are a few pictures of our last apartment just so you can compare the upgrade :) 

Yes Dirty, but so cramped :) 

Way too small!!

Arizona

Nathan and I are now finally starting to feel settled into our new home. Three weeks ago we made the big move and drove from Salt Lake City, to Tucson. It was a long and sometimes boring ride, but we made it. Once we arrived we drove to the Seegmiller's a wonderful family that had a room for us to stay. Because of the wonderful connections in the church my Mom, who resides in North Carolina, has a friend from her ward from Tucson. Through their connection we were able to stay at the parents house of my mom's friend. We arrived close to midnight, yet they were still up waiting for us to drive in. They were so kind inviting us into their family, and their home.

For our first week and a half we were able to stay at the Seegmiller's. While we were there I set out looking for an apartment everyday while Nathan was in orientation for grad school. It was a very frustrating and a very long process. Fortunately Nathan had a day off Orientation and we were able to go together to find an apartment. We did find a great apartment, however it was going to be another week until it was fully ready for us. After finally getting housing figured out I set out looking for a job.

Thursday was my day to find a job, I went around to a lot of places with my resume in hand and dressed up nice. Every place I went in to apply all told me to "Go online and apply there." Honestly the most frustrating phrase ever. I went back to where we were staying at sat at home everyday after that just applying online and doing nothing. It was a very rough place to be for me. Even the running store had told me NO. What was I to do?

These past few weeks there have been many tears shed. All of which have been sad. I miss my family, I miss my home of Utah (never thought I'd say that). I miss working. I miss the many wonderful friends we have left behind. Moving out of state has been quite the roller coaster. Things take a lot of time to work out for us, and I know they will eventually, but boy am I learning patience!

So far, I have had 6 interviews with one more to go. Two job offers and one no. I have turned down on job offer, but not the other because I want to wait till Monday to hear from another job. It's so complicated, and stresses me out to the max! I am hoping that my Heavenly Father helps me on this, makes things a little easier for me with finding the right job for me. I am very, very grateful to have offers, to know that someone wants me to work for them.

There has been so much up and down, not only with trying to find a job, and apartment but with finding furniture as well. We were promised a beautiful couch from the missionaries, but as things would have it that couch unfortunately belonged to someone else. So I don't know. I can't explain how disappointed I was. Also finding that Ikea charged $200 for shipping stuff to our zip code, man I was very frustrated. Fortunately we were able to get some very nice furniture on sale at Sam Levitz (similar to RC Willey). We now have a beautiful bedroom set, kitchen table, entertainment center and a couch. Everything but the couch is beautiful wood. We found them all on clearance for damage, but the damage was hardly anything. Our apartment is starting to feel a little more like home.

After I get a job, I will be able to decorate a little more with rugs and throw pillows and such. I am so looking forward to doing a little more TLC to this place. Our apartment is huge! I love it. I am very excited to have more space to work with, and beautiful furniture in it as well. I am working on taking good pictures to post. For now you will just have my long post of our first few weeks here. Arizona is great, it's hot but not killer hot. I am adjusting, and enjoying it.

Oak Island

We went out to North Carolina to visit my parents. First we flew into Charlotte to stay at their house. Saturday we went to the National White Water Center for a day full of climbing, zip-lines, jumping off buildings, white water rafting, and just lots of fun in the sun! It was just the adult kids with my dad. We had a blast!

We then drove to Oak Island stayed at a beach house the rest of the week. It was a lot of great fun. Boogie Boarding, laying out, sunburns, sand castles, bike rides along the beach and jet-skiing. It was a great break from work, and being in the real world.

We had a great time with our niece and nephews, my siblings, parents and my adorable dog Ginger. Boy do I miss Ginger!