Brad, Dierks, and Jimmy

Nick was very nice in purchasing us tickets in May to go to the Brad Paisley concert. Anyone who knows me knows that he is my favorite country artist. Since he found out the first day they went on sale, we got some really really close tickets! He is not really a country fan, but he went along with me and I think he enjoyed it as well. The other two artists with Brad were Jimmy Wayne and Dierks Bentley. I like Dierks a lot too.

On September 19th, I got all dressed up with my boots and hat for the concert and off we went.
We had 14th row tickets and I was so excited. After the first two performers were done, they let everyone in the front section go up next to the stage for Brad's performance. By then I was ecstatic. I really was going crazy. As you can see in the following pictures, I was really close to him. I didn't touch him at all, but I did catch a guitar pick he threw right at me. Because I'm sure he saw me and was actually throwing it to me. (I'm just dreaming actually.) And then Nick got a pick from one of the guitarists who threw out a bunch of them. This was by far the most exciting concert I have ever gone to. I also loved that I was probably one of the only ones who knew all the words to his songs.

Our tickets with the guitar picks. (The one Brad touched is the top one.
Let me know if you want to touch it.)

While I was singing and in awe, Nick was noticing that Brad changed out his guitar on almost every song, and each was definitely custom made with paisleys on them.

This shows just how close we were! This was my favorite guitar.

He is definitely really talented.

During one of the last songs, the other two performers came out and sang with him. Jimmy Wayne went crowd surfing close by. As you can see here, he is about to jump.

During his last song, Brad gave away his cowboy hat. He did this at the other concert I went to of his, and I just know that one of these times, I'll be the lucky one!!! Nick knows that if that were to happen, It probably would never come off. Or as he would say "replace him". Nothing ever could.

Besides the concert, I got the Harmons job and will be starting soon. Nick is taking his GRE test this Friday, so wish him luck, and then all his applications will be complete!! Its so exciting that he is getting to take the next step in his education. For any who are wondering, these are the six schools he is applying to.

Notre Dame
Ohio State University
University of North Carolina
University of Colorado
University of Oregon
University of California at Santa Barbara

His top choice is Notre Dame, but we won't find out for at least 5 months we're guessing.

We are really enjoying the relaxing conference weekend with family, and other than that, we are keeping busy with school and work! Life is busy but great. And happy 5 months to us!! HURRAY!

Oh, and for those following our weight loss, Nick has lost 12 pounds as of yesterday, and I'm down 7 pounds! Our exercise has done wonders for our energy and our bodies. I have to say I really do feel pretty great! That's all for now!

A Nation United - September 11, 2001

So, I know I'm copying both older sisters by posting about this, but I am a day late anyway due to no internet.

I can't believe it has been eight years. I remember that morning sitting in my freshman Geography class. We were in the classroom when my teacher all of a sudden ran up to the t.v. and turned it on. There, we saw the devastation of a plane crashing into the first tower. I couldn't even comprehend what was going on. It probably took me twenty minutes with all the chaos to realize that a commercial flight from the U.S. crashed into the Twin Towers in New York.

My teacher started running down the hall telling each teacher to turn on their t.v. He told us to go into the library where we witnessed the second plane crasy and watched it until class was over an hour later. Then our wonderful (not) principal told the teachers not to turn them on the rest of the day so that we could focus. I don't know how anyone could focus after something like that. I was so angry when we were told. Throughout the day, I heard of the other planes that had gone down. Four planes. Taken over by terrorists willing to die for what?

My dad was supposed to fly to Canada that day. I heard that all planes had been grounded, but I knew he was supposed to leave that morning. I had no idea what to even think. I knew that the other planes were commercial, but didn't know what anyone was capable of. I was called to the office around lunch time with a note that my mom called and said that my dad had not taken off. His flight was cancelled. I felt so much relief and remember saying a thankful prayer in my head. I called my mom and she wanted to know if I needed to come home. I said I was fine staying at school, but that I wished they would let us watch what was happening. I felt so lost.

That night, I remember going home in my room, at 14 years old, and just crying. It was my third week of high school, and I was so stressed and scared. People were talking about how Wichita would be a great target for terrorists since it was the "air capitol of the world." I was so terrified and worried about all my family. I knew Andrea was hysterical, and to say the least, it didn't make me feel any better. I knelt down and I said a prayer once again. I felt the most peaceful feeling come over me. I heard a voice clearly in my head that said, "You have nothing to be scared of, my child, for you are safe with me." I felt peace, but I just cried more. Knowing that I am safe with my Heavenly Father is the most comforting thing.

That day was a terrifying and horrible day. But I will forever remeber the things I learned that day. I was so greatful then for my knowledge of the gospel. It helped keep me calm. I felt terrible for those who were so close to the incident. People who could see others jumping from fourty-plus floors up to keep from burning to death. People who saw others running from the building completely on fire. People who died saving others. People who helped others make their inevitable death more comforting. People who took over a plane filled with terrorists and crashed it into a field, giving their own lives to save thousands more. There were so many heros on that day. So many people who could only think of others and not themselves. Seeing stranger be so christlike- what an amazing thing to be a part of and witness.

I remember thinking that day that I would never get some of those images out of my head. I had nightmares for awhile, but they have gone away. I thought that every year that passes, the memory of that day would be forgotten, but as I drove around yesterday, I saw flags in yards, people with their red, white, and blue on, and I saw so many that did remember. I know I will always remember that day. I will remember the feelings I felt for my family, for those in New York, for those all over the world, who felt some sort of impact by that day. I love this country. I love my family. And I love my Heavenly Father and the Gospel, and the comfort it gave me through that horrible time.

He's back

Scott came home last night! Well, actually we went and picked him up in Salt Lake at the mission home. It was so exciting. I now have my back popper back. He is one of the only people who can pop my back right. HURRAY! We're glad to have you home, brother!

I have even more good news! I am needing to get a second job for financial reasons, and so on Tuesday, I applied at the Harmon's pharmacy right down the street. I like this store, and I applied there because it seems nice and quiet. Well, I am just going to try to do part time for awhile and they called me today and were wanting to know what kind of shifts I could work. I told them I could pretty much work anything as long as its not from 6 to 4:30 on my weeks on. So, they are going to call me back and set up an interview time. We have been praying that we could work something out to get Nick through school faster and to be able to afford it. I think this is just the thing we have been asking for.
Nick can now finish school at BYU by June, and then if we stick to it and work hard, we can get all his applications finished by December for graduate school and head out next fall to who knows where!?!?!?! It's actually really exciting and I wouldn't want to do it with anyone else.

I'm sorry for these lame blog posts, but I am really having a hard time finding time to upload the tons of pictures that I do have. Hopefully this weekend. Seriously.

Lastly, we have new neighbors. Dogs seem to be a theme in our neighborhood. Not 1, but 2 dogs per household. And they are all pitbulls, or other furocious dogs. [Or gay dogs like the ones across the street. Who live next to the adult lesbians. Sick. Sorry, not to offend anyone, but we came home to them making out in their front yard two days ago. ] So anyway, these new neighbors have two dogs as well and it just so happens that our house is the back fence for their yard. With our bedroom windows staring straight into those nasty dogs' eyes. These dogs are the world's most annoying dogs ever. (Sorry Andrea, I know you think your dogs qualify, but they do not.) They will bark at ANYTHING and EVERYTHING. No matter what time it is. It was 3 in the morning and they were barking at the streetlight for like 20 minutes. I hate them. If this continues for much longer, the city will be getting a phone call for a complaint. Anyways, pictures to come soon.

Missing the Internet

I have so much to blog about, but without the internet anywhere but work, it makes it hard to update with pictures. So, I will add pictures soon, but here's a quick update on what we've been up to.

Walker Weight Challenge-
Nick's side of the family has started up a weight loss challenge. We are divided up into two teams, with 7 people on each. Each team has the same goal to lose 90 pounds together. Each person is individually responsible for a certain amount of that weight loss. We still need to think of a team name. I was thinking along the lines of the Baluga Whales (Landon would approve) . Or maybe the manitees. Maybe the beached whales. Sometimes that's what I feel like when like last night, I stuffed myself with funfetti cake. BIG mistake! Any other suggestions are welcome. Well, this started two sundays ago, and so far, I think our team is doing great! Nick and I are eathing much more healthy and cutting out most sweets. (We get a point each day we don't eat sweets. I didn't get my point last night.) We have also been exercising a lot more. I'm not really feeling the benefits yet. People always say it gives you more energy when you exercise, but I only feel like a billion more times exhausted. Oh well! My body overall feels a little bit better. So, I'll keep you up to date on that as it goes on. We weight in each week and will weigh in tomorrow. Last week, we both lost 1 pound. Not bad. The final FINAL weigh in will be December, 31. On our team, we have Rob and Amy, Jon and Karina, and Emma. I think we're definitely going to win!

Next-
Nick and I went to the zoo last wednesday. It was tons of fun, and the weather wasn't too hot. There was the CUTEST baby giraffe that I have ever seen. Pictures to come soon.

Microwave-
My lovely mom's husband, Charlie, bought us a microwave. This is something we've been without since we got married, but were doing fine without. Seriously though, have you had to thaw your meat out for hours by soaking it under luke-warm water?? Or how about heating up refried beans in a pot. Another pot that you just have to wash by hand. It sucks! Especially whene you're really really hungry. Charlie is so nice to have done that for us, and he definitely didn't have to. Thanks Charlie!!! We really like it. And it fits nicely on top of our refrigerator.

School-
My darling husband starts school on Monday! I will be sure to take a picture on monday morning before he leaves with his school outfit on. Sadly, it will be something that he has probably had for awhile since we have no "back to school wardrobe" budget. Depending on how things work out, this could be his last year at BYU! HOORAH!!! I would be thrilled to have him be done there in another year! So, I wish him luck.

Cottage-
I also will be posting pictures of the "remodeled" cottage. No, its not really remodeled, but I did recover the couch with a sheet and also the bean bag. I made some wall decorations that I just love, too! AND, to all those who have seen it in person, the vines all around the house are actually Concord grape vines!!! Nick has tried some and he says they're not bad.

Lastly-
Our landlord sucks. Well, we have two. One that we pay the rent to, and the other we call to come fix things. Our washing machine is for one, posessed, and has been ever since we moved in. The spin cycle sounds like it's about to launch out of the roof and into space. So, we have been bugging and bugging him to come look at it, but he "doesn't make appointments. I'll come by when I can".
Tuesday night, we were headed out to the library and as we opened the door, there the wonderful man stood. He said he had the time, and we didn't want to let that opportunity pass by. So we cleared out the laundry/guest room/office part way and he unhooked the washer. Without any warning, he let all this water drain out on the floor and then said "oh, sorry! There's really nothing I can do about that." He looked at it for about 5 minutes and said he'd go get the parts. I tried to find out if he was coming back later that night to repair it. I got nothing. He took his flashlight and left, leaving nick and I with a soaking wet floor, and a tipped over washer. Nice. I just couldn't resist the urge to curse at that man! I bit my tongue. I can't stand him. I haven't seen or heard from him since. And our washer still sucks.

Well, other than that, we have just been having fun and loving eachother. I'll upload some pictures as soon as I get to another computer besides a work one!

Jawbreakers and Gatorade

There's nothing like Jawbreakers and Gatorade!

Yesterday was a great day! I'm in the middle of my week on at work, and Nick overslept, so he decided not to work at the bindery yesterday. Great choice, I say! It's such a long ride down on the bus, and the actual work he does is not fun. So, he stayed home and cleaned- deep cleaned- the house! He's awesome! Then he made us a crock pot dinner and it was ready right when i walked in the door. It was so sweet and the dinner tasted great! AND he even made some homemade dessert. He made my grandma's recipe named "Tom Thumb Bars". They came out just as I have always remembered them.

Since Nick had been stuck inside without a car, we decided we needed to get out. We went to our new favorite park which I have described in a previous post, and decided to walk around the path there. It is such a neat place. The path is dirt, and it makes you feel like you're walking through a forest even though you're in the middle of town. It started sprinkling outside, and it felt great. We finished our walk and found a little pond. Nick walked down by the bank and started skipping rocks. I have never been able to do that, but he taught me and I successfully skipped four or five!!! Then we both decided we could each get something we want for under $3. It's strange, I know, but I wanted a jawbreaker. I haven't had one of these sugary things since I was a kid. Nick wanted to get the new Michael Jordan Gatorade.

We found my jawbreaker at the mall, and I felt like such a little kid going into that candy store, but it was fun! Then off we went to find that gatorade. First, we checked Harmons. No Luck. Then we went to the 7-11. Strike two. Then we went to Smiths. Nick's eyes lit up when he found all THREE new flavors! So we got one of each and headed home. We enjoyed our treats together and fell asleep.

It's so silly, the things that make me so happy, but I'm looking back on last night, and I absolutely loved it! I didn't bring my camera to take pictures or anything, but this man makes my world go 'round! I love the memories that we have together. Even if it's nothing more than jawbreakers and gatorade.

A Wonderful Dinner

I came home from work on July, 30, our 3 month anniversary, and my wonderful husband, Nick had decided to make a really good dinner. This was what he made, along with some garlic bread. It was a great pasta dinner and salad with some delicious pasta!Here he is next his perfect creation!Now you can see just how good it looks!He insisted on taking a picture with me in it. I love him!

Soccer Game

Nick's brother, Jon, was able to get us some cheap tickets to the AllStar soccer game. Nick's parents, Jon and Karina, and her parents were all able to come with us. This is the new stadium. It was tons of fun, even though the U.S. team lost.

Nick and I enjoying the game.This is a really stupid picture of me, but I'm attempting to look like an angry soccer player about to kick an imaginary ball. Really it's to show off my jersey. Nick got this for me when he was on his mission in Italy, and I finally had the perfect occasion to wear it. Thanks babe!