One thing that changed was that I got a new job in September. I worked at the Utah State Athletic Ticket Office for a few years and thought I was done since I was graduating but my boss quite kind of suddenly and my other boss got promoted so there was suddenly an opening for a full time, salaried assistant manager and I got the job! Its a big time commitment but it is so nice to have a real paycheck and great benefits. I feel so blessed to have a good job and to be able to save up for a bit before our next big adventure. I really feel that this whole thing was an answer to prayers and blessing from the Lord. I have really loved being able to spend more time with the people I work with, they are so great and it is fun to hear how things are going. I really missed them so I was excited to go back. Ross is teaching third grade now and he is enjoying it. He was surprised at how much of a change it was from first grade but he is liking it. We recently got put in the YM/YW in our home ward and we are excited for that new challenge. It is strange being back in YW but it is an adventure and will be a growing experience. So things are going really well for us, we are loving life and are very blessed!

Our New Addition... :)

The other wonderful thing that happened to us this summer was we got a cat!! I know that some might not see this as wonderful but I have always wanted a cat and it was just a really fun aspect of being married, like I had crossed a major thing off my bucket list. Plus, its nice to know I can take care of something other than Ross. She is pretty crazy but we have a good time and its nice to have something to come home to for Ross and I. I gotta post a few pictures!



This was the first day we got her. She was so tiny!

She loves Ross! I am pretty jealous! She loves to sit on him and watch him play the wii. She loves to lay on his stomach.


All I asked for was a stripy cat! And look at those stripes!

Her belly is one of my favorite parts! Her spots are so cute

Riding to my parents house, she loves to sit behind you and watch the road.


She loves when I fold laundry and always has to sit and watch
My mom bought a costume and lets be honest, I couldn't resist! Hahaha the stinger is my favorite part!

Creative Juices

I kind of can’t believe how long it’s been since I last wrote, but at the same time I kinda can because it has been a crazy few months. So this is going to be another catch up post but its better than nothing. I admire all the bloggers I follow who update so often—I am working on following in their footsteps. Ross is hosting the teacher’s quorum for a movie night and I am here to make sure nothing to bad happens so I am here typing and monitoring. I figured I would make use of my time.

This summer was so wonderful; we spent a lot of time with family and enjoyed extended vacations. I was able to express some of my creativity in refinishing furniture. I discovered that I really really love it!! And Ross has been so supportive of me and was totally fine with the mess I set up in the kitchen for 4 months. So here are a few pictures of my creative adventures as of late.

This is a hutch that Ross got for free. It’s pretty much the best thing ever! I love it so much. I sanded it because it was so gross and it did not go easily! Ross that he was pretty funny taking picture of me when I wasn’t looking (hence the face). I ripped the back of and replaced it with some bead board and then painted it turquoise. The outside I painted two shades darker and then glazed it. I took a class at the Home Depot about cabinet refinishing that taught me so much and so I was excited to test out the new skills I learned. My mom built the doors and put the chicken wire, which are amazing! She did such a great job and I am so proud of her and her skills (maybe someday I can be like her). All in all it turned out AMAZING and I totally love it. I was inspired by the opportunity to make something ugly look beautiful and to create something from scratch. It was wonderful.

taking up our WHOLE dinning area!


The almost finished project, still needs the doors.




Last winter I got the itching for a head board but I was unwilling to pay for one, so one day my Mom, Ross and I were in a furniture store and I fell in love with this bed set and had to have it. So I took pictures and Mom and I started to plan. Well once she got some time we busted out a replica and it turned better than what I saw in the store! I didn't take any before pictures (I think I get too excited to paint to wait to take pictures!). So this is the end product. I did a pea-soupy green (which I think Ross and my Mom were skeptical of) but it turned out exactly what I had hoped for. Here are a few shots.


My next adventure was to make the pillow cases and decorative pillow shown here. It was really fun to have a sewing lesson, and went A LOT better than any of my previous sewing lessons for 7th grade home ec. So sewing is on my bucket list for the future, but my attempt turned out quite well (thanks only to my mom, which is a familiar theme in this post)


Speaking of sewing...I saw this baby on the side of the road at a rockin consignment shop and I could not live with out it. Ross was sweet enough to consent and I rushed to get it. The only problem is that it is ridiculously small, with short stubby legs (which I didn't notice until I got home) so I am still working out how to fix it. I think I am going to paint it and learn to reupholster it. But now with my new job it is on the back burner.
My newest and most exciting project is a secretary desk that Ross saw at a garage sale (we were on our way to the temple so the Lord must have blessed me because I have been dreaming of one forever!). No pix yet, but I am thinking black with a natural wood interior. I have to hurry and sand it down before it gets too cold. But I am so excited to try some new techniques