Sunday, June 3, 2012
Happy 5th Anniversary!!
Lately....
I haven't posted since Easter because I don't feel like our life has had anything really out of the ordinary happen lately, but I guess I have a few things to share.
I am super super excited because my older sister, Shannon, is pregnant with her first baby. It is going to be a baby girl and they just told us about two weeks ago that they are going to name her Mckenna Jassamine Ewell. I absolutely love the middle. Jassamine (it is pronouced differently then Jasmine) is my Great Grandma Ford's name. She was the Great Grandma that I knew for the longest amount of time. She was often called Jassi. She was a wonderful lady. Always had a perfectly clean house and I love that it is going to be Mckenna's middle name. To be honest, Amanda and I were a little bummed because we both considered using it as a middle name as well. (Of course we still could, but we'll see). I absolutely love the name that Shannon and Josh picked. I have been obsessed with baby stores since my good friend Jessica and my sister Shannon have been pregnant with their baby girls. I told Shannon I think I have already bought her more things for Mckenna than she has. I just love buying cute dresses and shoes. I can't wait to meet her when we go out to visit in October. She will also be the first grandchild born on my side of the family, so it is a pretty big deal and my mom is just overjoyed. She's been waiting five years for this. :)
Second, my friend Jessica just had her baby girl two weeks ago. They named her Lily Dean. We went to see her in the hospital and she is an absolute doll!!! I love her to death already!!! We were going to see her last Sunday, but I have had coughing issues, so we didn't go then. Then on Wednesday Jess was in need of a visitor and so I went and chatted with her and I just looked at the baby. I can't wait to hold her again though!
Other things going on as of late have included me and health/allergy issues. Two weeks ago my work had a big employee+family BBQ and a nice park in Exeter. We have burgers and hotdogs, chips, beans, drinks and the best part was Watermelon. They had bounce houses, balloons, and bubbles for the kids. I was helping out with the raffle part of the party. We had about 25 different gift cards to raffle off to the employees, but we also raffled off several kid prizes and toys. For three hours, every 15 minutes, I was screaming out 12-15 names. By the end of it all I had lost most of my voice. Every since that (so for two weeks) I have been coughing like crazy. Just a really really dry cough.
The next week, on Thursday, people at my work noticed a weird rash on my neck. I took a look at it and I had some sort of bite on my neck and it has caused me to break out with a weird rash on my neck. Luckily since I work at a health clinic I walked straight over to our walk-in department. They gave me a shot to immediately take away the rash and perscribed me with some sort of steroid and antibiotic just in case. The rash went away and everything has been fine since. Then on Sunday I had been coughing for a week. I was having a hard time sleeping and it was driving me crazy. Trav decided we should just go to the prompt care. We went and it wasn't sure if it was broncitis or just a bad case of allergies (which I think it was the latter because I had been jogging out side when the wind was blowing like crazy and I have had allergy problems since I moved here) So he prescribed me with a different antibotic and an inhaler. I think I am finally almost better, but I hate to be taking so many different pills a day. I'm not a person that likes to be on medication. Anyways, that was not so much fun.
Another thing that I have been working on is watching what I eat and exercising to try to drop some pounds, but more importantly become a healthier me. I made a goal to work out 6 days a week and this all started May 7. I am proud to say that in the past four weeks I have stuck to my plan except for this last Monday, which was Memorial Day. My clothes are starting to fit better and I am feeling better. So it seems to be working, but man it is HARD to stick to. I have just decided that there is no excuse to working out. I just tell myself I have to work out, so decide what you want to do to get that work out :). It has been fun to have Trav join me in doing Zumba on our Xbox 360 Kinect. It actually makes it enjoyable.
I guess that is a good little update.
I am super super excited because my older sister, Shannon, is pregnant with her first baby. It is going to be a baby girl and they just told us about two weeks ago that they are going to name her Mckenna Jassamine Ewell. I absolutely love the middle. Jassamine (it is pronouced differently then Jasmine) is my Great Grandma Ford's name. She was the Great Grandma that I knew for the longest amount of time. She was often called Jassi. She was a wonderful lady. Always had a perfectly clean house and I love that it is going to be Mckenna's middle name. To be honest, Amanda and I were a little bummed because we both considered using it as a middle name as well. (Of course we still could, but we'll see). I absolutely love the name that Shannon and Josh picked. I have been obsessed with baby stores since my good friend Jessica and my sister Shannon have been pregnant with their baby girls. I told Shannon I think I have already bought her more things for Mckenna than she has. I just love buying cute dresses and shoes. I can't wait to meet her when we go out to visit in October. She will also be the first grandchild born on my side of the family, so it is a pretty big deal and my mom is just overjoyed. She's been waiting five years for this. :)
Second, my friend Jessica just had her baby girl two weeks ago. They named her Lily Dean. We went to see her in the hospital and she is an absolute doll!!! I love her to death already!!! We were going to see her last Sunday, but I have had coughing issues, so we didn't go then. Then on Wednesday Jess was in need of a visitor and so I went and chatted with her and I just looked at the baby. I can't wait to hold her again though!
Other things going on as of late have included me and health/allergy issues. Two weeks ago my work had a big employee+family BBQ and a nice park in Exeter. We have burgers and hotdogs, chips, beans, drinks and the best part was Watermelon. They had bounce houses, balloons, and bubbles for the kids. I was helping out with the raffle part of the party. We had about 25 different gift cards to raffle off to the employees, but we also raffled off several kid prizes and toys. For three hours, every 15 minutes, I was screaming out 12-15 names. By the end of it all I had lost most of my voice. Every since that (so for two weeks) I have been coughing like crazy. Just a really really dry cough.
The next week, on Thursday, people at my work noticed a weird rash on my neck. I took a look at it and I had some sort of bite on my neck and it has caused me to break out with a weird rash on my neck. Luckily since I work at a health clinic I walked straight over to our walk-in department. They gave me a shot to immediately take away the rash and perscribed me with some sort of steroid and antibiotic just in case. The rash went away and everything has been fine since. Then on Sunday I had been coughing for a week. I was having a hard time sleeping and it was driving me crazy. Trav decided we should just go to the prompt care. We went and it wasn't sure if it was broncitis or just a bad case of allergies (which I think it was the latter because I had been jogging out side when the wind was blowing like crazy and I have had allergy problems since I moved here) So he prescribed me with a different antibotic and an inhaler. I think I am finally almost better, but I hate to be taking so many different pills a day. I'm not a person that likes to be on medication. Anyways, that was not so much fun.
Another thing that I have been working on is watching what I eat and exercising to try to drop some pounds, but more importantly become a healthier me. I made a goal to work out 6 days a week and this all started May 7. I am proud to say that in the past four weeks I have stuck to my plan except for this last Monday, which was Memorial Day. My clothes are starting to fit better and I am feeling better. So it seems to be working, but man it is HARD to stick to. I have just decided that there is no excuse to working out. I just tell myself I have to work out, so decide what you want to do to get that work out :). It has been fun to have Trav join me in doing Zumba on our Xbox 360 Kinect. It actually makes it enjoyable.
I guess that is a good little update.
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Perfect Weather
April 8th-Easter Sunday-
Side note:I have to hurry and put in a little blurb about how I am enjoying the perfect weather that we have here many days of the Spring. It is absolutely wonderful! I feel like everyone, including myself, are always wanting it to be hotter, always wanting it to be a little cooler. There is always a complaint about the weather, but I must say we have had several "perfect" weather days this Spring and I am appreciated these perfect days.
I loved that this Easter I was wished Happy Easter sooooo many times from people at my work. I guess I didn't know how celebrated it would be here where I am used to growing up in a very highly concentrated LDS population, but I have to say that I felt like all the religious people here really appreciated the holiday and made it a very special day. I felt like almost everyone around me was taking time to think and celebrate Christ's life and resurrection. I just loved it.
I have felt like a lot of the holidays that have past while we have lived in California have kind of just been like any other day. I realize that family and kids really are what make the holidays holidays. So I decided that we could atleast dye eggs. It was a really nice day so we cooked up some yummy steaks, ate dinner outside and dyed eggs. I had a lot of fun with it being just me and my sweetie!
We could only do 6 colors because we ran out of vinegar.
These were our eggs that we felt were the best......let's be honest, they really aren't that great, but we had a good time dying them. I guess that is all that matters.
Love my Bro!
March 29-April 4
My brother came to visit me and Trav. We were so glad to have some company and we had a lot of fun while he was here! I don't have many pictures because I decided just to enjoy myself and not worry about posing for photos or toting around a camera.
My brother came to visit me and Trav. We were so glad to have some company and we had a lot of fun while he was here! I don't have many pictures because I decided just to enjoy myself and not worry about posing for photos or toting around a camera.
Our activities included:
Golfing in Tulare
Showing Shane an orange tree for the first time
Being awed by the orchards and vineyards
Eating ice cream at Merle's Downtown
Magic Mountain-Six Flags
Santa Monica Pier
Red Robin
Golfing in Visalia
NCAA National Championship
Buffalo Wild Wings
Mini Golfing
Ticket to Ride
Bowling
We had a total blast having my brother in town. I already miss him a lot! Thanks mom and dad for financing the trip. :)
Sunday, March 11, 2012
Weekend Fun
Last Friday I went on a Girl's Night Out!! I went with Erica McKnight, Bridgette Peterson, Bethany Thompson, and Jessica Dean. We went to dinner at Olive Garden and then we went to the movie theater. We saw "This Mean War". Reese Witherspoon was the main character and I really liked it and it made me laugh. It was a lot of fun to get to hang out with some women in the ward and become better friends.
The next day Trav and Evan wanted to go golfing and so they had to convince me and Jessica that it would be fun to ride around in the golf carts. It was the perfect temperature outside, 70 degree, and a beautiful day, so we decided to all go to the golf course. It was fun watching the guys play and driving the golf carts around and chatting with Jess. The guys golfed 18 holes and Evan won, but the last time he and Trav went golfing, Trav won. Now they say they have an excuse to go again because they have to break the tie. I have no doubt they'll go golfing together ALOT in the next several months.
The next day Trav and Evan wanted to go golfing and so they had to convince me and Jessica that it would be fun to ride around in the golf carts. It was the perfect temperature outside, 70 degree, and a beautiful day, so we decided to all go to the golf course. It was fun watching the guys play and driving the golf carts around and chatting with Jess. The guys golfed 18 holes and Evan won, but the last time he and Trav went golfing, Trav won. Now they say they have an excuse to go again because they have to break the tie. I have no doubt they'll go golfing together ALOT in the next several months.
Travis and Evan are so alike. They both drive Corolla S cars. They both like sunflower seeds. They both like golfing. They are the same age. The list goes on and on. We thought it wasn't much of a coincidence that their second shot on one of the holes landing 3 feet apart. :) I'm glad that Trav has a golf buddy and a good friend.
We all had a great time enjoying the sun and each other's company. For dinner we headed to a little Mexican restaurant in Woodlake. The food was great!
This Saturday I participated in a Stake Young Women and Women's Volleyball tournament. We won our first game and lost the second, but it was a blast and I got to know more people from the ward. I wish I could play volleyball everyday!! I just love it!! Trav had to work this weekend, but on Saturday night we went and tried out a new Italian restaurant called Pizano's in Downtown Visalia. It was more authentic Italian pizza and was delirious. Then we rented the Adjustment Bureau from Redbox. It is a great movie and I enjoyed watching it for the second time, but I just couldn't keep my eyes open towards the end. :)
On a side note......I had a HORRIBLE cold three weeks ago, and it came back this last week. I really hope I can get over it soon because it is miserable!!
Saturday, February 18, 2012
Day to Celebrate LoVe!
Valentine's Day
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
For Valentine's Day Trav bought me these beautiful roses and gave me a sweet card! I love getting flowers. They smell so good and freshen up your house for a little while.
It might seem crazy to wait 2 hours for dinner and get done eating at about 11:15 PM, but it was fun just spending time and talking to Trav while we waited. That is the part I cared about most was just spending time with the one I love so much on Valentine's Day!
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
For Valentine's Day Trav bought me these beautiful roses and gave me a sweet card! I love getting flowers. They smell so good and freshen up your house for a little while.
Trav told me not to get him anything because Valentine's Day is a "girl" holiday. I kind of agree with that because it is a lot easier for a guy to think of a gift for a girl then for a girl to think of a gift for a guy. I still wanted to give him a little something to know that I was thinking of him. I bought him a nice black belt (which he needed), some chocolate covered strawberries from the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, some beef jerky, and a card of course. He liked the gifts, but said, "You could have just bought me the beef jerky and I would have been happy." It just made me laugh. He is a pretty simple guy :)
Everyone here had warned us that it is absolutely crazy in Visalia on Valentine's Day because they don't have enough restaurants for all the people that live here. It doesn't matter what day or what time you go to the Olive Garden in town, you ALWAYS have to wait. We wanted to get reservations at Olive Garden, but they don't take reservations. We decided that we would just wait. We got our name on the list at 8:00 PM. They told us that it was a 3 hour wait. We decided to go waste sometime at Best Buy just looking around for an hour. Then we went and waited at Olive Garden for another hour and finally we got "buzzed". Because they had been so busy they actually ran out of alfredo sauce. Luckily, I was ordering the stuffed chicken marsala and Trav got the tour of Italy and substituted the fetticini alfredo for some cheesy ravioli. I always love enjoying a nice dinner together.
It might seem crazy to wait 2 hours for dinner and get done eating at about 11:15 PM, but it was fun just spending time and talking to Trav while we waited. That is the part I cared about most was just spending time with the one I love so much on Valentine's Day!
My Ironing Board.....
I thought since I spend a decent amount of time with my iron and ironing board that I should blog about it. My ironing career started back when I was 13 years old. My neighbors had hired my older sister to iron their clothes to make a little extra money. She had done it a couple of years and then she was on a bigger and better job at Cutler's Sandwiches. So they asked me if I wanted to start doing it. I wasn't against earning some extra money on top of babysitting and doing my G & G Ford's yard. I would iron a couple times a week. The lady I ironed for wanted EVERYTHING ironed. Believe it or not, I would iron all of the babies clothes, and clothes for if I recall correctly a 2, 4, 7, and 9 year old and of course the parents. To add to it, they were all boys. I never really understood why she wanted everything ironed, but it didn't matter much to me as long as I was making money. I was making $5 an hour, which was about minimum wage at that time. I did this for about 3 years. To say the least, I got pretty fast at ironing and now my little obsession with nice pressed clothes and creases in the sleeves still lives on.
As you can see from this collage of pictures of my ironing board...it has seen better days and has been used tons! This is the original ironing board, but this is the second iron since we have been married (4 1/2 years) The iron board has its own spot in our second bedroom to always been ready for work.
The third year of Trav's pharmacy school he had to wear a button up dress shirt everyday to his rotations at different pharmacies. My ironing board saw a lot of these.
Here are some of Trav's everyday clothes ironed. He wears an ironed shirt almost everyday. I definitely notice when a guys shirt is ironed and when it is all wrinkly. Personally, I don't see the point in wearing a nice button down shirt if it isn't pressed. Just my personal opinion.
These are on my "to-do" list for next week. With Trav working for Target I kind of get sick of iron red polo's and khakis every week. I know it might be a little obsessive, but I love that Trav always looks nice when we go out and at work.
Another little side note, I hang dry all of our clothes. You should see our house every Saturday. Clothes are hang drying everywhere (in every doorway). :)
I know this might seem like a strange and out of the normal post, but because this is my journal/history, I want to remember some of the everyday things I do.
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