Memorial Day Weekend

After this last weekend Memorial Day has moved way up on my list of favorite holidays. It has a lot to do with the fact that Patrick was given a four-day weekend, and I really like being able to spend time with that boy. Go figure :)

So what did we do with our extra time together?

On Friday we went up to Atlanta and visited the World of Coca-Cola.  While we were there we saw a small exhibit demonstrating how Coke is bottled, we saw the vault where the secret recipe is kept, we tasted dozens of different drinks which Coca-Cola makes around the world, and we saw LOTS of Coke paraphernalia.

Patrick and I by one of the original Coca-Cola delivery trucks

On Saturday we adopted two adorable puppies!! These two little ones have really taken over my life. I can't say that I love cleaning up after them, but I do love the snuggles and puppy breath. We haven't finalized their names yet, but we're considering Scout and Lady Liberty (Libby). I like the idea of somewhat patriotic names to remember our Memorial Day weekend.

Scout and Libby- our little hellions :)

On Monday we went to a barbecue and pool party hosted by some friends from church. The decorations and food were very festive. I'm sure it was a lot of extra work, but it made for a really fun atmosphere. I was feeling a little shy, but I did meet a few new people. Next time I'll have to remember to take some pictures.

Basically it was a fantastic weekend because we were able to spend it together. I'm loving this life.

Three updates

Three updates:

1. I am currently trying to watch the Big Bang Theory while I unpick some sewing. The show is streaming fine, but the 30 second commercials are taking 5 minutes apiece. And it is bothersome.

2. This has been a week of adventures! Some of the highlights of my week include: going to the post office with Sister Bergamy, practicing some sewing, unintentionally "exploring" Columbus (and getting home safely after getting so lost), visiting the animal shelter, having lunch with Tasha, and taking my first taxi ride. It's a wonderful life.

3. The new morning routine is going well!! The hardest part so far was getting out of bed on that first day. As I was debating with myself that morning I realized that the question up for consideration wasn't whether or not to sleep. The real question was whether or not I was going to keep the commitments I'd made to myself. Since realizing that I've found it much easier to get up and going for the day. And I'm absolutely loving the personal satisfaction I get from doing the most important things first thing in the morning.

Graduation

As I was slogging through my semesters at BYU I often wondered what it would feel like to be finished. Getting my degree was at the top of my "Must-do-before-I-die" list, but there were a number of times when I felt like I just couldn't do it. Somehow it always seemed to work out though, and the credit for that does not belong to me.

If it had not been for the support, encouragement, and good sense of humor my family has I don't think I could have finished.  College was hard, and I had a lot of learning to do.  Despite everything that happened my mom was always there to give me a pep-talk, and Jenni was always there to wipe my tears or go on an adventure. Mike, Brendan, Jeff, and Brian were always ready for a fast-food run or a late night movie. And of course there was my sweet Patrick. He was an absolute rock during some of my most difficult semesters.

(Patrick took off 48 hours and flew in from Georgia to be able to attend graduation. What a guy!)

I know that I have been blessed by my Father in Heaven to have had the opportunity to study at such a marvelous institution and to have had the chance to associate with so many wonderful people.  I could not have graduated without my Savior or this family that I found at BYU. Thank you.

A New Routine

It's been nice to have so much freedom here in Georgia, but the novelty is starting to wear off quickly. So I'm doing the only logical thing- setting goals and making a plan.

I can only work on one thing at a time, so I'm going to start by working on my morning routine. My routine is currently non-existent and as it turns out that is really not working for me. So here's the goal:

-Get up early (4:45)
-Exercise (4:45-6)
-Eat breakfast (6-6:30)
-Shower & get dressed (6:30-7:30)
-Study the scriptures (7:30-8)

This is going to be a MAJOR change. I do have a few concerns, but I think it's an important change. It will help me start to appreciate why Patrick is so tired at the end of the day, and I'll be able to get more done in a day. It's also just a healthier way to live.

There's no time to start like the present, so I guess that makes tomorrow the big day. Wish me luck!

Whoa. What a semester!!

AND.... Big sigh of relief. The last four months have been wonderful. And stressful. And crazy. And hard. But wonderful. So I know it's been a while since I've written so here's a quick recap on the last four months:

Started my last semester at BYU absolutely determined to get my best GPA yet!

Got engaged :)

Patrick's report date for Fort Benning was moved up.

Threw out all the planning done for the wedding up to that point and decided to get married in February.

Started birth control and was constantly sick. No bueno.

Got MARRIED!!! (And wore a huge poofy dress. And smiled so much I'm surprised my face didn't fall off.)

Took a week off of school for our honeymoon.

Got back to Provo and moved from single housing to married student housing.

Tried to adjust to living with a boy.

Took a trip to the ER and reevaluated our birth control options.

Realized that I was failing all of my classes.

Reevaluated my school goals and decided that graduating was good enough.

Finally started feeling better and started working my butt off trying to make sure I would graduate.

Packed up our apartment and sent Patrick on ahead to Georgia.

Studied, studied, studied.

Welcomed family to Provo for graduation and prayed that I would actually pass my classes.

Walked across a big stage and SMILED!

Spent one last weekend in Provo with my very best friend Jenni and my Dad.

Made my move to Georgia via airplane.

AND... Officially passed all of my classes.

In a lot of ways Georgia has been the calm after the storm. I've (mostly) enjoyed setting up house in the gorgeous apartment Patrick found, and we're slowly but surely adjusting to our changing roles here. I'm really enjoying the adventure of making new friends, and the couple of hours at the end of the day that I get to spend with Patrick. It's been crazy, but I've decided it really is a wonderful life.