Date Night!

I get so excited when Shane and I have dates planned!

We love Chinese food, but haven't had it in so long, so we decided on that for dinner last night! We went to Fortune Cookie, it's an awesome restaurant in Riverton. I love it because you can get a Bento Box for cheap, (you get salad, fried rice, pot stickers, a main dish, AND soup!!)

After our DELICIOUS meal, we went to the movies! We saw a movie I've been dying to see since I first heard about it months ago!

It's about a freshman who is struggling with making friends AND overcoming his past. Two seniors befriend him and give him a great high school experience. It was full of a lot of emotion, which I wasn't expecting. I hate to admit it, but I did cry several times. . . Overall it was a great movie that I really recommend you see!

We also split an Icee at the theater, I was craving something cold, but not a drink. It was delicious! Mmmm!

Date Night

Since Shane and I only get a couple nights a week to see each other, we try to make the most of them. So last night we decided to go on a date. We went to Sizzler for dinner, Shane got a huge steak and shrimp, and I had the grilled salmon. It was delicious and our server was the greatest! She was friendly and didn't bug us too much, (I hate servers who over-serve.) We then went and saw ParaNorman. I was expecting it to be a complete child's movie, but there were a lot of adult jokes, (and even a few curse words!) The story line was hilarious and kept you interested throughout the whole movie, and besides the oddly proportioned bodies, it was very well done!

For those who don't know. . . .

ParaNorman is about a boy named Norman who can see ghosts. Because of this, he's been labeled as the freak at school. The town he lives in has a history of a witch burning, and one night the seven victims of the witch come out of their grave as zombies and go after Norman. It sounds weird and maybe a little dumb, but really though, it was a crack-up!

My Deepest Apologies

I apologize for not being very interesting. Sometimes life gets in the way of fun, and sometimes people are just boring. Here are a few of the less boring, but still kinda boring things that have been going on in our lives and in my mind lately. Ready go!

• Shane and I went on our first date a year ago yesterday! On August 9, 2011, Shane picked me up on his motorcycle and we went for a ride. After that we played hopscotch and swung on some swings for a little while. We then went for a walk and ended the night talking on my porch swing. Since that day, we have not gone a single day without seeing each other, (yes, we are THAT obsessed and in love.) 
• I read an article on yahoo.com about a lady who'd been having itching and aches in her ear, so she went to the doctor. When he looked in her ear, he discovered a spider had been living in it for FIVE DAYS!! Is that not the most disgusting thing?! THAT is why I sleep with hair over my ears. Oh gag.
• I hate doctor bills. I feel like I've been to the doctor so much recently, (ovarian cysts, strep throat, etc.) and Shane has too, (abnormal bruising, trouble breathing, etc.) Nothing we've gone for has been too serious, but we have paid so much in doctor bills! They charge for everything at the doctor! I have decided we will no longer be going to the doctor unless there is a bone sticking out of our body!!
• Shane and I love movies, even though they're a bit of a waste of money. We usually don't go to a lot in the theater, but for some reason we've been going quite a bit lately. We saw:
• The Amazing Spiderman: It was amazing. Andrew Garfield was well cast and actually looked the part! (People have complained that he's too skinny, but come on people! Spiderman isn't The Hulk, he's supposed to be a bit on the scrawny side.) Emma Stone was also fantastic in the movie. Her acting was full of emotion, I almost cried a couple times! And there was a scene after the credits that was intense, I hope no one missed that part!
• The Dark Knight Rises: I wasn't sure if I was going to like this because I didn't really like the other two. However, I am very into dark and violent movies, and this was just that! My favorite thing about the movie was Tom Hardy. I didn't even realize he was Bane at first, I was just obsessed with how awesome his voice sounded. It was a great movie and a must see!
• Diary of A Wimpy Kid: Dog Days: This movie was hilarious, if you're into these types of movies. If you didn't like the other two, don't waste your time. Shane and I happen to love Diary of A Wimpy Kid and we found this one just as funny and entertaining as the others. 
• Total Recall: A lot of people have been raving about how great this movie is, but I wasn't impressed. I even dozed off in the first little bit, (if you like simplicity, this movie is not for you.) I felt a lot of the scenes were complicated and tired my brain. I also wasn't too thrilled about the nudity. A lady with three boobs is not something I like to see, and now it's burned into my brain. It was so random and had nothing to do with the movie, it would have been better without.
• Pandora is saving my life at work right now. Both my bosses are out of town, so it's just me in the office. I don't mind being alone, but nine hours of it not at home isn't that great. If I didn't have Pandora to listen to my folk music, I think I'd lose it.
• Our apartment's lease is up in November and we are stoked because we hate the apartments we live in. We have a place in mind that we want to move to, but it may not work out. If it doesn't, we'll try to move to some apartments closer to our day jobs. But apartments are ridiculously expensive now!! We can't find anything for under $800 month. It's such a joke. If anyone knows of anywhere that is pretty decent and less than $800 a month in West Valley City, Taylorsville, West Jordan, or South Jordan, please let us know! We would greatly appreciate it!

Well that's about all I have to say for right now. . . so. . . The end?

Advice, eh?

So I went down memory lane and read some old posts from my previous blog here, and I came to the conclusion that I used to be a lot more interesting than I am now. Bummer.

There are seven fires currently going on in Utah right now. I'm not kidding and they're not small! Utah is a blazing orange! I was so happy to have such a dry winter, but now seeing what it's doing to not only Utah, but the surrounding states as well, I don't think I'll ever wish for no snow again! 

Shane and I have been house sitting and babysitting Chip for my parents while they're camping, and it's been a blast! (I want a dog!) I love spending time with the little pup. He's just adorable!

I had my orientation today at Sizzler, and Tuesday I start training. I didn't get the server position I wanted, but that's ok because I can work towards the position. It seems like a great company and I am excited to work for them. I'll be working there as much as I can until I can find a day time job. Once I get a day job Sizzler will be moved to nights. 

We're going to see the new Spiderman with our fun friends Caity and Ben next week. We're excited, the previews look awesome so it'd better be good!

I went to a baby shower today for my high school friend Kenzie. She looked great, I love her little belly!! She got some of the cutest things, her little boy is always going to look so darling!! Seeing all the baby things made me so excited to be a mom one day. Baby things are just so precious and tiny!! I love it all!

So this is crappy, but since being married I've gained a few pounds, (as you may have noticed if you've seen me recently. Blah.) I'm trying to get healthy again, and holy cow it is not easy! I began calorie counting with this and it wasn't too bad this week. But today hit and I was just so hungry, I stupidly made Saturday my "cheat day." Bad decision. I have been eating everything in sight!! Help! Does anyone have any tips on losing weight and developing healthy habits?? I need I need!! 

A Few Things

SO glad I have fast internet again so I can blog! I love blogging, not because I want others to read what I write, (although I do appreciate the few readers,) but because this is kind of like a diary to me. I like to share fun and important things that happen in my life so that I can look back and remember these times.

I love my job. I know I say that so much, but I really do. I work with an amazing family who is so fun and easy to work with. It doesn't even feel like work, the kids are adorable and I love spending time with them! In the past couple weeks we have gone to the park, the Aquarium, Southtowne Mall (for the carousel,) Farm Country at Thanksgiving Point (they have tons of baby animals right now,) and the Discovery Gateway Children's Museum, (and it is so much fun!) I feel so blessed to have found a job that I enjoy and that makes me feel happy.

I went boating for the first time this year with my brother, sister, and dad, and I am so disappointed in myself! I could NOT get up on the slollum ski. It was so frustrating because in the past seven years I have NEVER had a problem getting up. Here's what I think it was; I did the wakeboard first and for a very long time. I got my arms tired, and I got used to popping right up. When you slollum, it takes a bit to get up, you have to let it pull you up. So, next time we go boating, I am going to slollum first!

Shane and I went to the midnight showing of The Avengers, and of course we thought it was awesome! Shane even went to it again the next day with his brother.

For the past eight years my family has had a miniature schnauzer named Dodger. Dodger had anxiety, so he was always, and I mean always, barking. He was also moody and snapped at you very easily. Besides that though, he was a good dog. I struggled a lot with different things, especially in high school, and when I felt most alone he was always there to cuddle with me and love me. He slept with me every night, and when I moved out, anytime I'd come visit he'd go hysterical loving me. I loved him more than most anything. In the past year Dodger's anxiety had become unbearable. He was hard for my family to live with and so they talked to a friend of ours, who is a vet, on what to do with him. He said that when you give a dog to a shelter, it traumatizes the dog and hurts him more than does him good. So after much thought, my parents felt it was best to put him down. They took him in Thursday and we all found out about it yesterday. It sucks, as losing pet always does, but it's ok because he's happier now than he was and well, all dogs go to heaven. I miss him a lot though, and can't wait until I get to see him again.

Our cruise is in less than a month, and I can't wait! That's all.

How to be Happy

Okay, I will admit it. I have always struggled with being happy. I am not social, I am not outgoing, I am not a genius or exciting person. I often look at the negative things and forget the simple yet amazing things around me. I focus and worry too much about what others think about me instead of having fun. Being happy comes so easy for some people, but for me, it's a lot of work.

That being said, I feel the need to make a list. A list of things that make me happy. A list I can look back to when I'm struggling or just feeling down. But the list can't be too complicated, too thought out. The simpler, the better. So here we go. A list of 10 (because no one wants to read more than that,) things that make me happy.

1. The obvious, my husband. He works so hard to make sure I am happy. I need to acknowledge and appreciate him more often, for he is so good to me and loves me so much. I love him too you know.

 2. My family. They do so much for me. My parents are always giving me advice, my brothers and sisters are always so willing to hang out or just chat with me, and my nieces who get so excited every time I see them. I am so blessed to have such amazing people in my life.

3. Crafting, AKA The Wood Connection and Hobby Lobby. I love painting, I love mod podge, and I love ribbon. Making crafts make me happy. Especially when the project is finished and I love it. (See the 'Randall' in the picture? Yeah I made that.)

4. Homemade pizza. Especially when my man puts messages on it.

5. An awesome pair of shoes. Shoes always fit, shoes always look good. Shoes aren't depressing when you have to go up a size, even if it is just because that brand runs small.

6. Warm weather. The warmer, the better. There are so many good things to do in warm weather; picnics, bike rides, boating, etc. Pure bliss it is.

7. Entertainment. I love music; The Weepies, Joshua Radin, Mika, etc. I love movies; 500 Days of Summer, Like Crazy, I'm Reed Fish, etc. I love TV; Malcolm in The Middle, Grounded for Life, Community, etc. Entertainment is good.

8. Vacations. They can be last minute, planned forever, far away or really close. I don't care. A vacation is a vacation. They are always adventurous.

9. Making treats. I haven't done anything in a very very long time, (awww that makes me sad.) But I love chocolate dipping and decorating things. See that picture down there? Those are plain wafer cookies that I did all by myself. Not pro, but not bad.

10. Diet Coke, need I say more?

Well that wasn't simple at all. I apologize for the lengthiness.

My Dream Job

Don't make fun of me, but ever since I saw the movie The Nanny Diaries, I have always wanted to become a nanny. I also love children and I want to be around them all the time! I've done preschools, day cares, summer camps, etc. but I have never been a nanny. I guess I've just never had the opportunity. So when I quit my job in March I felt this was my chance to try to nanny, and if I don't do it now I never will. So I put myself on an amazing website called care.com, (I highly recommend it to anyone interested in child care,) and found an amazing family with two adorable little kids! I started working for them this week and I love it! I have never seen cuter boys before in my life and they are so fun to play with! The parents are also great; very easy to communicate with and I feel very comfortable with them. I am so blessed to have found this family; I know it was an answer to my prayers, and I am so excited to work for them for hopefully a long time!
I love that I can say I love my job again!!