Life Update

It has now been about 4 months that Nate has been in medical school and 3 months since we have lived apart!  Luckily, we see each other once a month, but sometimes I'd rather just stay in Utah until I finish school because going to florida and then leaving is like ripping off a really really sticky band-aid!  But I really am so happy that I get to go out there and hang out with our friends there.  This may sound silly, but my biggest concern when before we moved to Florida was that I was not going to make any friends and that no one would want to hang out with me (I'm really not a pessimist), but everyone in Florida is awesome and we have made so many good friends!

I recently just got hired on at Ogden Regional, which is great!  I love it there, but I wish I could just like take Ogden Regional to Florida with me so I could just keep working there!

Right now I don't really feel like a medical school wife and that makes me sad.  I'm alone a lot so sometimes I forget that I'm married, which is kind of weird!  I really can't wait until I can cook, clean, and do laundry for Nate again, and have children!  I feel like my life is on hold and I can't wait to progress forward!

I am so thankful for my in laws, my family and my awesome friends Ashley P. and Ashlee S.  they have been so awesome and without all of them it would make it a lot harder to get through this already rough time.   I am soo glad that I'm so blessed with great people in my life!  They are definitely keepers!

It doesn't sound like much, but we have come so far.

Bitter Sweet

I have found myself saying "bitter-sweet" at least 10 times a day and I have had so many thoughts tonight that I need to write them all down.  See, I have this bitter feeling about living in Utah while my husband is in his first year in medical school.  I want more then anything to be there with him, supporting him, and taking care of him, but I can’t.  I decided that when I came back to Utah, I was going to stop writing on my blog and stop writing in my journal because I didn’t want to remember any details about my time away from Nathan.  But tonight I feel much different.  Tonight this is how I am feeling.

See, I know there is a reason for everything and everything has a reason.  I know that we are not here by chance but that we are here to prove ourselves to Heavenly Father.  I was thinking about the pre-mortal life and how it must have been when our Father presented his plan to us, His plan for us to come to earth.  I imagine him gathering us all together and telling us His plan.  I can just hear him say, if you do what is right and obey all the commandments and live righteously, then you may live with me again, and if you make a mistake, then you can repent, through Jesus Christ.  But there will be a great deal of you who will not make it back, who will choose a different route and choose not to be with me forever.  All of us probably shook our heads and said no, no, no I am going to do what ever it takes to make it back, I won’t be one of those people, but we can’t remember how we felt at that point because there is a veil and we have forgotten how we previously felt about our Father, because we are human, we forget.  I wish I could have remembered how I felt, because I can imagine myself being pumped and saying, I can do this, its going to be tough but I can get through it.  I am strong.  I think that’s what I would have said because that is what I have been saying to myself everyday since I had to move away from Nate.  I know it’s tough and I know it’s hard, but I know if I do what is right and live righteously, that I can move back to live with Nate.  Because right now it feels as if time is standing still and I will never ever get to see him again, but I know I am apart from him for a reason.  I know that when this is all over, that I will look back on this experience I will say “dang, I really am a strong person and I can get through anything.”  I know my faith will grow and that I will become a better person, if I continue to do everything I need too.  If we are never tested, then how could we ever believe in ourselves?  We all have our trials in life and I always find myself saying, “I’d rather have that persons trial, it seems easier” but really?  It’s not, that’s why it is called a trial. 

I find myself wishing that I could share the gospel with everyone, because it brings me such great happiness and I want everyone to be happy!  Not that we don’t ever have sad days, but I want people to know that their purpose is a most important one! 

1st Anniversary

This past Monday (August 13th) was mine and Nate's very first anniversary being married!  And it is our second year of being together, if you count the dating.

Here's a re-cap of all the major events that happened while we've been married:

• My grandpa died (that was actually 2 days before we got married).
• I started the Radiology Program in August 2011.
• Nate got Medical School interviews to like 6 different schools but only interviewed in Florida and Iowa.
• My jaw locked shut and we found out I lost 15% of the bone in my jaw, then 30%, then 40%.
• I went through 7 months of physical therapy.
• My sister Kara got married! 
• My brother Dallin got married!
• My sister Elise got in a car accident and we are so happy she is still here with us.
• In November 2011 we found out Nate was accepted to Florida and Iowa (we chose Florida).
• Our nieces Ashley and Kelsey graduated high school!
• Our niece Kelsey Heilson got a boyfriend!!
• I got my LPT (limited license in radiology) so now I can work as a radiology tech (June 2012).
• I found out I have arthritis in my jaw.
• We moved to Florida and had a killer time with my mom on a road trip out.
• Nate started medical school.
• Now I'm moving back to Utah.

Nate had his first medical school quiz (which he did AWESOME on) on Monday so we celebrated on Saturday instead.  After he studied for 7 hours with his school buddies, we went to 2 movies.

First we went to total recall.  Let me warn you, there is a topless scene!  And it is so unexpected and gross.  It also swears a lot, so I wouldn't say it's a must see, but it does have a really cool story line.  I think this movie would have been way way awesome if it didn't have the topless and all the swearing!

Then, we went to the Bourne Legacy.  This movie was AWESOME!  I love this actor, he is so good and it also didn't have any swearing that I can remember!  I recommend this movie!  If you like action/intense movies, you would love this!

Then we just went home and watched Malcom in the Middle ha ha, that is our favorite TV show right now.

Then on Monday Nate had school all day and I had clinicals all day so we ordered a BBQ chicken pizza from Papa John's (our favorite!).

I have been doing my clinicals in Florida and the people there didn't understand my program so they would get mad at certain things and everyday that I had clinicals I would come home and cry the rest of the night.   On Sunday I decided I would pray about clinicals and what I should do and on Monday I had this really peaceful feeling and thought that I need to go back to Utah to finish clinicals.

Our Anniversary was wonderful!  But also sad, because Monday is when we decided that I can't stay in Florida for my clinicals because....well...it's just not working. 

So I am moving back to Utah on Saturday.   I am so sad because I will miss Nate and the new friends that we have made here.  I want to stay here and hang out with the wives and do fun things together.  Yesterday I hung out with one of the wives (Malori) and then later that night we got together with our husbands and played games.  I wish we could do that everyday because it was so much fun, but I know I will be back.  Hopefully I will only live in Utah for the next 4 months.

I am so thankful for all the people in the program that have been so good to me and have helped me out!  Let me just say that Weber State is AWESOME!  I have had nothing but good experiences, the people are amazing and nice and helpful!!

It is amazing how the Lord blesses our lives.  He has helped me get here to Florida with my clinicals and then move back to Utah.  I feel so grateful for Him and for all the answers to my many prayers!

Lastly, I am so thankful for this man!  He is AMAZING!  Nate comes off as patient, loving, and caring.  And don't let him fool you, he is like this all the time.  He is a wonderful comforter and just a wonderful man!  Before I met him, I didn't think there a man out there that could be right for me, but I am so glad that I was proved wrong!  Nate is the perfect man for me, we get along so well!  I love how he has the priesthood and he can give me a blessing when needs be.  It has helped me often.  People say the first year of marriage is the hardest, but even though we went through a lot, I feel like we just keep getting closer and closer.  I am proud to call Nathan David my husband!

Mary's Movie and Book Review

I LOVE movies, but when I go to see a movie. I want to know it's good so I thought I'd help other people know what is and isn't good.  (Because I do have such a great opinion)

We saw this movie when we got to Florida and it was so cute!  A must see at least once.  I had no idea what it was about, but a short re-cap is that she is mad at her mom because she is arranging a marriage for her and she get so mad that something happens to her mom, she learns to love her mom and all the things she has done for her.  It was special because my mom was with me when we saw it :)

 

To me Batman was..inspiring!  I'm a huge fan of Batman and I thought

this movie was sooo great!  Not only did it come out

on a great day (my birthday), but personally, this one is my favorite.  

Nate says the 2nd one is his favorite but that one is just a little dark.

My mom even saw this and liked it!  

Now for my book review.  This book is AMAZING!

It is about a women from Provo whose husband became a pilot.

It explains how they met, when they got married and had their children.

Then they went for a ride in a plane and it crashed and she was burnt 

over 80% of her body and her husband 30%.  

She talks about her trials and how she coped.  

I cried, laughed, and felt the spirit while I read this book.

Stephanie Nielson is so inspiring and this book has seriously

helped me become a better person!

This is a MUST READ!

Road Trip to Florida!

What a way to start a road trip.  Nate got a ticket, we weren't

 even a whole mile away from his dad's house!

Ha ha!  Luckily he was only going 10 over the speed limit!  

 First stop!!  Yellowstone!!  This was my first time ever being there and it was way fun!  

My mom came on the road trip because she hasn't been too the places that we 

were headed and we are so happy she came!  It was a lot funner with her there! 

 Yes I know I said funner--I like it that way.

This is us getting ready to watch Old Faithful.  

Talk about awesome!!!!!!  Nature is totally cool.

Nate likes us Red Heads!!

Second stop was Mt. Rushmore, but on 

our way, there was a Flintstones Theme Park!  Who woulda thunk? 

 It was kind of funny actually.  We didn't actually go in because it looked like a 

playground for kids but we stopped and scoped it out.  Sweetness!!

Then we got to Mt. Rushmore and we were exhausted!

  But it was worth it.  It was cool to see giant president heads in the side

 of a mountain!  When you're actually there, you can see how big the faces 

really are.

My mom and I :)

Then it was on to Nauvoo!  This was a fun place, they had a bunch of little houses where they talked about the early members of the church and how they lived.  It was so cool, I wish I could stay at home and bake all day!  Oh and we got to sample bread and it was the best ever!

This is the ACTUAL door with the ACTUAL bullet hole. This bullet was the one that killed Hyrum.

This is us at Carthage...the whole time I kept saying Cartilage. 

Yeah, I got laughed at.  Nate's brother Jeff was driving to another state for 

rotations and we crossed paths!  Pretty sweet.  It was so amazing to see where

 Joseph Smith had actually been so many years ago.  He sacrificed so much, 

what a great man!  I'm so happy for our church and all the goodness it brings into our lives!  

I'd be lost without it.

I have no idea what I'm doing in this picture

The next day it was Kirtland.  After Jeff had pointed out how much it bugs

 him when people say Kirkland, I couldn't stop saying Kirkland for some reason!  

This was a super interesting experience.

This was our first temple, but then was taken over by a different

form of religion.  It was weird when they told us

about it because there was no feeling in it.  I guess it's

hard to explain because I'm botching it, but you'll have to go see for yourself!

But it was really cool to see the place where Joseph Smith conversed with 

Jesus Christ!

Fortuanatley, Nate downloaded some pictures on his computer half way 

through the trip because we took even more pictures but we

can't find our camera ANYWHERE!  It is driving me crazy, but we

also went to Niagra Falls, Palmyra, Gettysburg, Washington, and lastly

Florida!

Niagra falls was awesome!  So was Palmyra and Gettysburg.  Washington

was...a little crazy.  We took the metro (subway) into DC and 

then walked everywhere.  It was so blasted hot and humid that we were

soaked with sweat and just so tired!  The declaration of independence was really amazing
to see!  We got cool pictures there but we lost the camera! 

Then we were going to go to the DC temple, but it was closed for 

maintenance!  Lame.  So we drove the rest of the way to Florida and got

here on my birthday!!!

We had soo much fun and we are so happy we did the road trip thing!
We are so thankful that my mom came with us, I hope she had fun!
Cuz we sure had fun with her there!

Pictures of our apartment are on their way!  We just need a camera first.

Fathers Fathers Fathers

I know everyone likes to say that their dad is the 

best...but...my dad REALLY is the best!  When I was younger I had such a hard time with math, he would sit and help me for hours...sometimes I'd cry and definitely complain but he was always there to help me.  The love didn't stop after I moved out.  There was not one day of my whole first college year that I didn't talk to my dad, he spent his time helping me study and just comforting me when I was homesick.  My dad is honestly the smartest man I know!

Now that I am all married I have to talk to my husband about decisions instead of my dad....it has been kinda rough.  Sometimes Nate will say, I wish you trusted me like you trust your dad.  It's not that I don't trust Nate...it's just, my dad knows 

everything!

My dad is the most giving man I know.  He has sacrificed so much, not only for me, but for all my siblings.  I don't remember one day that he wasn't hard at work doing something, he is very productive.

Along with my mom he has taught how to love my Heavenly Father and Savior Jesus Christ, he has taught me how to be a hard worker, be persistent and determined, to love myself, and to wear lots of sunscreen!  

I feel like I am the most important person in his life and that his world revolves around me...I think that is one of the most important attributes in a parent!

I love my papa!!!

Nate and His dad

This is the best father-in-law ever!  I am depressed to say that I don't have any pictures with him!  I just want to say how amazing I think Nate's dad is.  He is the nicest, strongest, funniest guy I know.  He has been through so much in his life and he is still so nice!  Now, to me that is amazing because if it was me, I don't think I could be so strong.
He has sacrificed and given so much to his family, he is one of those people that would give the shirt off his back and I feel so lucky to be a part of his family.  One thing that I think is great about him is that he puts so much time and effort to get things ready at the cabin so we can all go and have fun, but I am even more grateful that he raised my husband so perfectly, I could not have asked for anything better!  I love my father-in-law!!!


Now where would I be without my father in heaven!  I am so grateful to him for all that he has given me!  I was blessed with a wonderful set of parents and family, then I was blessed with a wonderful husband and another wonderful family.  I think about my life and how easy I have had it.  I feel like everything has literally been handed to me.  I know my Heavenly Father is real and I am so thankful that he gave his only begotten son so that we could get a body and live with him again!  He helps me in EVERYTHING I do.  I would not get good grades if it wasn't for all the prayers I say.  I love him so much and I look forward to the day I will someday see him again!

How Nate and I met :)

I also wanted to post about how we met.  This may be boring so feel free not to read it.

This is the first picture we took with each other 

Nate and I were in the same singles ward and we had talked a few times.  I would sit by him at linger longers and talk to him at firesides. I thought he was soooo cool.  I was living with my sister at the time and I kept telling her she should date him and she said why don't you date him and I told her that he was too old for me, but we kept seeing each other at FHE and one night at ward volleyball we were talking and Nate told me about how he has been watching Avatar: The last Airbender (the cartoon).  I had already seen every episode like 3 times and I told him how much I loved it.  We talked about that for a while and he said we should watch it together sometime.  But he didn't ask for my number, he just kept talking about something else so I said "So do you want my number?"  Haha I am kind of pushy and not very subtle.

Then he would come over and we would watch the last Airbender together and he so did not act like he liked me.

Now I grew up in a total texting generation and Nate didn't so I would text him that was fun!  We should hang out again sometime and he would either not respond or respond in two days.  I thought he didn't like me but I really liked him.  We hung out for a month and half before he asked me out on a date.  Where we went to a haunted spook alley and then hung out "by" the browning center.  He was nervous about asking me out because I was barely 18, but we get along better then I've ever gotten along with anyone before. Partly because Nate is so patient and loving.

Then three months later he told me he loved me while we were in the browning center.  We dated for about 4 more months and got engaged at the browning center and the rest is history :)

Mother's Day!

Ok so I know that top right picture is just really blurry but its the only one I have of this weekend!  Nate and I went to Delta for three days and spent the day with my parents.  We made it a mother's day weekend and we gave her something everyday of the weekend.  And to our delight some of my other siblings showed up too :) my mom got the book "I want to be a mommy" for me and my sisters for mother's day.  It is really cute and definitely a good read!  

I just want to write a little about my mom!  She is wonderful, beautiful, patient, nice, giving, loving, charitable, she always smells good, I should just say she is perfect!  She has this soft voice and when she yells it still sounds sweet.  My mom calls me her velcro child and that is because I love to follow her everywhere!  Now I know that's weird, but when I am with my mom I feel happy and calm.  One of her many attributes that I love is that she ALWAYS listens to me!  Now I can really talk a lot and I try not to because I know I'm really not that interesting, but my mom makes me feel like the most interesting person in the world!  She has always been one of my best friends, but she really became my best friend in high school.  She always knew just what to say (even if she didn't think so)  I was the only one at home for 5 years and we spent a lot of time together.  Man did we know how to shop!  I cherish those memories that I have with her forever!

Nate's mom and him

This is my other mother that I have never met!  As many of you know, Nate's mom died when he was young, but she is still always with us in spirit and I would feel bad if I didn't give her any credit on mother's day.  From the things I have heard, I imagine her to be kind, loving, very giving, pretty, strong hearted, and just a good person to be around.  She has to be perfect if she gave birth to my perfect husband Nathan ;).  When we were at home in Delta my mom told us how she would love to meet Nate's mom and we talked about her for a little bit and we all cried together!  Even though it's hard to understand at times, Heavenly Father's plan is perfect!  I know she is always with us and I can't wait until the day I get to meet her!

Our Florida Trip

This is us in our hotel

This is us at the outlets in Florida, they are awesome!
The ultimate shopping...aka my mom would love this place!

We went to Downtown Disney one night
The only free thing with Disney!

Woody and Buzz behind us are made of all
legos!  Soo cool!

Me holding the eldest wand--yes
for 2 whole minutes I had all the power
in the world!!

Hogwarts was so pretty! We want to move in!

Butter Beer was so delicious, this is a must have

SOOO Cool!!  This is us in Hogsmeed/Diagon Alley

 Harry Potter world was awesome!  Nate and I love Harry Potter soo soo much!  We also went into Olavander's Wand Shop and I got picked out of the crowd and they acted out the scene from the first Harry Potter where he gets his first wand!  It was so cool, I couldn't stop smiling.

Me getting All Flavor Jelly Beans!

Nate's sweet butter beer mustache 

We became super heros

Nate got to name a dinosaur baby, it was awesome! 

Disneyworld!!

Ignore my giant head

I brushed a goat's hair!

Nate petting a lizardy thing

Yes we were this close!

Somehow this gorilla got a towel?  I think he may have just
gotten out of the shower!

The above pictures are on the Safari Ride at Animal Kingdom.  It was awesome!  None of the animals were in cages so some of them got really close!  Especially the giraffes!  We saw more animals but I didn't want to post them all because I just posted a million pictures!

Uh-oh we're in trouble now

Messing around on the ferry

This is us eating at Rainforest Cafe, expensive but fun and yummy!